[D] Aviatyrannis jurassica [sG] [T]
Describer
Rauhut, 2003
Time
Jurassic Late Kimmeridgian
Classification
Saurischia Theropoda Tyrannosauria
Diet
Carnivore
Fossilsite
Alcobaca Formation, Guimarota, Portugal
Info
Genus - Typespecies
Fragmentary theropod remains from the Upper Jurassic (Kimmeridgian) of Guimarota, Portugal, represent a new taxon of theropod dinosaurs, Aviatyrannis jurassica gen. et sp. nov. Together with Stokesosaurus from the Morrison Formation of North America, Aviatyrannis represents the oldest known tyrannosauroid, indicating that tyrannosauroid origins may be found in the Middle-Late Jurassic of Europe/North America. Current evidence suggests that early tyrannosaurs were rather small animals, which is in general accordance with their origin amongst the generally rather small coelurosaurs .
The holotype (IPFUB Gui Th 1) is a right ilium 90 mm long; a fragmentary ilium and partial right ischium are also referred to the same taxon, as are the seven premaxillary teeth described by Zinke (1998).
The holotype ilium is clearly different from that of Stokesosaurus in being longer for its height and with a vertical (rather than caudodorsally inclined) supra- acetabular ridge. Intriguingly, the ilium described by Foster and Chure (2000) - and referred by them to Stokesosaurus - more recalls that of Aviatyrannis and thus could be a N. American representative of this taxon. Bakker\\\'s (2000) isolated Morrison Formation tooth is also said here to be from a tyrannosauroid, perhaps from Aviatyrannis, and differs from the Morrison Formation tyrannosauroid teeth reported by Foster and Chure (2001).
Rauhut, 2003
Time
Jurassic Late Kimmeridgian
Classification
Saurischia Theropoda Tyrannosauria
Diet
Carnivore
Fossilsite
Alcobaca Formation, Guimarota, Portugal
Info
Genus - Typespecies
Fragmentary theropod remains from the Upper Jurassic (Kimmeridgian) of Guimarota, Portugal, represent a new taxon of theropod dinosaurs, Aviatyrannis jurassica gen. et sp. nov. Together with Stokesosaurus from the Morrison Formation of North America, Aviatyrannis represents the oldest known tyrannosauroid, indicating that tyrannosauroid origins may be found in the Middle-Late Jurassic of Europe/North America. Current evidence suggests that early tyrannosaurs were rather small animals, which is in general accordance with their origin amongst the generally rather small coelurosaurs .
The holotype (IPFUB Gui Th 1) is a right ilium 90 mm long; a fragmentary ilium and partial right ischium are also referred to the same taxon, as are the seven premaxillary teeth described by Zinke (1998).
The holotype ilium is clearly different from that of Stokesosaurus in being longer for its height and with a vertical (rather than caudodorsally inclined) supra- acetabular ridge. Intriguingly, the ilium described by Foster and Chure (2000) - and referred by them to Stokesosaurus - more recalls that of Aviatyrannis and thus could be a N. American representative of this taxon. Bakker\\\'s (2000) isolated Morrison Formation tooth is also said here to be from a tyrannosauroid, perhaps from Aviatyrannis, and differs from the Morrison Formation tyrannosauroid teeth reported by Foster and Chure (2001).