Now, by far the most recognizable parts of a stegosaurid are the bony plates along its back, often called scutes.

现在，到目前为止， 剑龙科动物最容易部分是其背部骨板，通常称为盾片。

The idea was that over time, the scutes found in pareiasaurs could have fused into a solid protective layer, eventually combining with the ribs to form a shell.

个想法是， 随着时间推移， 在翼龙身上发现盾片经融合成一个坚固保护层，最终与肋骨结合形成一个外壳。

Keep in mind, this was basically the opposite of what the paleontologists were proposing — that the shell on top evolved from scutes that fused together before combining with the ribs below.

请记住，基本上与古生物学家提议相反——顶部壳是从盾片进化而来，盾片在与下面肋骨结合之前融合在一起。