Description and Classification

Lexovisaurus was a medium-sized member of the Stegosauria group, which also includes more famous dinosaurs like Stegosaurus and Kentrosaurus. It is estimated to have been about 5 to 6 meters (16 to 20 feet) long and may have weighed around 2 metric tons (2.2 short tons). Like other stegosaurs, Lexovisaurus was a quadrupedal herbivore, meaning it walked on four legs and ate plants. It had a small head, a bulky body, and the characteristic plates and spikes associated with its group. The type species is Lexovisaurus durobrivensis. As an earlier member of the stegosaur family, it provides clues about the evolution of these armored dinosaurs.

Distinguishing Features

Lexovisaurus had several features that helped identify it and set it apart from other dinosaurs:

• It possessed two rows of bony plates that ran along its back and tail. These plates were likely narrower and more pointed than the large, flat plates of Stegosaurus, possibly PRecoming more spine-like towards the hips.
• One of its most notable characteristics was a pair of very long, sharp spikes that jutted out from its shoulder area. These “parascapular spines” could have been used for defense against predators or for display. Similar shoulder spikes are found in other stegosaurs like Kentrosaurus and Huayangosaurus.
• Like other stegosaurs, Lexovisaurus had a “thagomizer” at the end of its tail. This consisted of at least two pairs of spikes, which it could have swung to defend itself.
• It had relatively long and slender limbs compared to some later stegosaurs.

Paleoenvironment and Diet

Lexovisaurus lived in Europe during the Middle Jurassic period. At this time, the areas where its fossils are found, such as the Oxford Clay Formation in England, were likely warm, lush environments, possibly including coastal areas, fern-covered plains, and forests. These environments would have provided plenty of food for a herbivore like Lexovisaurus. It was a low browser, meaning it ate plants that grew close to the ground. Its diet likely consisted of ferns, cycads, horsetails, and other soft vegetation which it would have stripped with its beak-like mouth and small teeth.

Significance and Ongoing Research

Lexovisaurus is an important dinosaur for understanding the early evolution and diversity of stegosaurs, particularly those found in Europe. Its fossils help scientists piece together how these unique armored dinosaurs spread and changed over time. Although the fossil record for Lexovisaurus is somewhat incomplete, with remains including parts of the skeleton, armor plates, and spikes, it provides valuable information. Scientists continue to study its fossils to learn more about its exact appearance, how its plates and spikes were arranged, and its relationship to other stegosaurian dinosaurs like Dacentrurus from Europe or the earlier Huayangosaurus from Asia. The prominent shoulder spikes are of particular interest for understanding defensive strategies and social behavior in these animals.