AN ASSESSMENT OF VARIABILITY IN THEROPOD DINOSAUR REMAINS FROM THE BATHONIAN (MIDDLE JURASSIC) OF STONESFIELD AND NEW PARK QUARRY, UK AND TAXONOMIC IMPLICATIONS FOR MEGALOSAURUS BUCKLANDII AND ILIOSUCHUS INCOGNITUS |
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| Authors: | by ROGER B J BENSON† |
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| Institution: | Department of Earth Sciences, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, CB2 3EQ Cambridge, UK;e-mail:;
Department of Palaeontology, The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, SW7 5BD London, UK |
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| Abstract: | Abstract: The assemblage of large-bodied theropod remains from the Taynton Limestone Formation (middle Bathonian) of Stonesfield, Oxfordshire and the Chipping Norton Limestone Formation (lowest Bathonian) of New Park Quarry, Gloucestershire, UK is interpreted as monospecific. An assessment of morphological variation in theropod fossils from these localities reveals no taxonomically-significant variation among remains representing large-bodied individuals. Previous observations of anatomical variation among femora, ilia and scapulocoracoids are attributed to postmortem damage and deformation. Referral of all such material to the first named dinosaur taxon, Megalosaurus bucklandii Mantell, is therefore justified. ' Iliosuchus incognitus ' lacks autapomorphies and is a nomen dubium . However, other remains of small-bodied theropods from Stonesfield indicate a minimum of two small-bodied taxa that are distinct from M. bucklandii. |
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| Keywords: | Megalosaurus Theropoda Iliosuchus variation Bathonian Stonesfield Slate Chipping Norton Limestone Formation |
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