The generic name ("spine-bearing lizard") refers to what was initially thought to be spiked osteoderms. Elements originally interpreted as a left and right osteoderm (bone formed in the skin) were found with the holotype skeleton. The right supposed osteoderm was somewhat larger than the left and slightly different in shape. These differences indicated two pairs of spines were present originally. In 2013, palaeontologists Emanuel Tschopp and Octбvio Mateus reexamined the supposed tail spikes and found they did not have the typical rugose surface of osteoderms seen in other armoured dinosurs, or the club-like expansion seen in Shunosauru. Due to their broken edges, They also doubted whether these elements were of different sizes as originally proposed. As these elements were found under the scapula, they instead proposed they represented clavicles, and that the fossils should be reassessed in this regard.

The process of mounting a nearly complete virtual skeleton of Spinophorosaurus nigerensis, from the Middle Jurassic of Niger, has revealed several previously unknown osteological adaptations in this taxon. Wedged sacral and posterior dorsal vertebrae cause the presacral column to deflect antero-dorsally. This, together with elongated scapulae and humeri make the anterior region of the skeleton vertically lengthened. Also, elongated prezygapophyseal facets on the cervical vertebrae and a specialized first dorsal vertebra greatly increase the vertical range of motion of the neck. These characters support this early eusauropod as a more capable high browser than more basally branching sauropods.

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/artic…

www.nature.com/articles/s41598…

https://www.deviantart.com/fossil1991/art/Spinophorosaurus-nigerensis-868435087