Huayangosaurus was a small Stegosaur from China. Its name means 'Huayang lizard' from the region it was first discovered. It had the same small head, back plates, and spiked tail. Unlike Stegosaurus, its back plates were more like spikes.
Discovery
A dozen specimens of Huayangosaurus were excavated from Dashanpu Quarry in 1979 and 1980. The holotype specimen of a partial skeleton, with relatively complete head, was taken from the lower Shaximiao Formation.
Paleoecology
The region where Huayangosaurus has been found supported a wide variety of flora and fauna. With many aquatic species present as well.
