Genus: Ziapelta ARBOUR, BURNS, SULLIVAN, LUCAS, CANTRELL, FRY & SUAZO,
2014
Etymology: Zia, after the Zia sun sympol, a stylized sun with four groups
of rays, having religious significance to the Zia people of New Mexico, and
the
iconic symbol on the state flag of New Mexico, and Latin, pelta', a small
shield', in reference to the osteoderms found on all ankylosaurids.
Species:
sanjuanensis ARBOUR,
BURNS, SULLIVAN, LUCAS, CANTRELL, FRY & SUAZO,
2014
Etymology: In reference to San Juan County and the structural basin from which
the specimen was derived.
Holotype: NMMNH P-64484
Locality: NMMNH L-8514, east branch of Hunter Wash, San Juan County, New Mexico.
Horizon: De-na-zin Member, Lower Kirtland Formation.
Biostratigraphy:
Age: Kirtlandian age, Upper Campanian Stage, Senonian Subepoch, Gulf Epoch, Late Cretaceous.
Material: Complete skull, left side of first cervical half ring, fragmentary second cervical half ring, and numerous fragmentary postcranial osteoderms.
Referred material:
Locality: Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness, approximately 8.4 km west of the holotype specimen, San Juan County, New Mexico.
Horizon: De-na-zin Member, Lower Kirtland Formation.
Biostratigraphy:
Age: Kirtlandian age, Upper Campanian Stage, Senonian Subepoch, Gulf Epoch, Late Cretaceous.
Material:
NMMNH P-69930: A complete first cervical half ring.