What is Thyreophora?

Thyreophora is a clade of armored dinosaurs that includes well-known groups such as stegosaurs and ankylosaurs. Characterized by their distinctive body armor, which consists of bony plates and spikes, these dinosaurs were primarily herbivorous and lived during the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods. Thyreophorans are notable for their defensive adaptations against predators, including their heavily built bodies and protective features.