Jakapil is a genus of basal thyreophoran dinosaur that lived in the Candeleros Formation what is now Argentina during the late Cretaceous period. It's only known species is J. kaniukura.
Etymology[]
The generic name Jakapil, is derived from the Puelchean word Ja-Kapïl meaning "shield bearer". The specific name comprises of the Mapudungun words Kaniu (crest) and Kura (stone), referring to the fact it has a deep jaw.
Discovery[]
The Holotype (MPCA-PV-630) includes parts of the lower jaw, vertebrates, arms, legs, pelvis, and rib bones & several osteoderms, which was discovered in the upper parts of the Candeleros Formation, Argentina.
Description[]
It's described as either a basal thyreophoran or a stem ankylosaur closely related to Scelidosaurus. It has unusual anatomical features showing that traits associated with heavy Cretaceous thyreophorans did not occur universally. Jakapil is the first definitive thyreophoran from Patagonia, Argentina. It shows a bipedal stance like Scutellosaurus, it also shows that early thyreophorans had a much broader geographical distribution then previously thought. Jakapil is a member of a lineage of ancient basal thyreophorans that survived till the late Cretaceous in South America.
In popular culture[]
Jakapil appears in the movie 65 as a small ankylosaur like therapod before it gets eaten by a pack of Pectinodons.