[D] Duriavenator hesperis [sG] [T]
Describer
Benson 2008 ex Waldman, 1974
Time
Jurassic Middle Bajocian
Classification
Saurischia Theropoda Megalosauridae
Diet
Carnivore
Fossilsite
Upper Inferior Oolite, Dorset, England
Length
9 meter
Info
Skull
Duriavenator hesperis (Benson, 2008) > Megalosaurus hesperis (Waldman, 1974)
Skull elements
Megalosaurus hesperis (Waldman,1974) consists of parts ot both premaxillae, the right maxilla, the vomer, both dentaries and a surangular. The dentaries of Megalosaurus hesperis resamble those of Megalosaurus bucklandii in six of the nine charecters listed by Madsen, 1976. differ in one (alveoli extending to extreme mesial margin) cannot be determined.
Etymology
From the Latin for Dorset hunter (Duria = Dorset; venator = hunter).
Remarks
Waldman (1974) erected M. hesperis as a new species of Megalosaurus. Recent authors have used \\\'Megalosaurus\\\' (in inverted commas) hesperis to acknowledge uncertainty in the generic assignment of the taxon (Holtz et al. 2004; Weishampel et al. 2004; Naish & Martill 2007). \\\'M.\\\' hesperis and the type species of Megalosaurus (M. bucklandii) do not uniquely share any character or combination of characters that support this referral and do show several differences outlined in the diagnosis, description and discussion, therefore the new genus Duriavenator is erected here to form the new combination Duriavenator hesperis.
Holotype
NHM R332. Premaxillae, right maxilla, vomer, paired dentaries, right surangular, fragmentary unidentified elements, and associated teeth.
Hypodigm
The holotype and casts of the holotype: NHM R333, cast of the maxilla/premaxilla block as figured by Owen (1883:pl. 39) prior to preparation; NHM R334–335, casts of the right and left dentaries.
Locality and horizon
Greenhill, Sherborne, Dorset. The material was collected from the Upper Inferior Oolite, Parkinsonia parkinsoni ammonite Zone, Garantiana garantiana Subzone (Waldman 1974), late Bajocian (Callomon 2003; Gradstein et al. 2004).
Previous diagnosis
\\\"A large megalosaurid, fifteen to eighteen maxillary teeth, seventeen or eighteen dentary teeth; only apical part of dentary teeth recurved\\\" (Waldman 1974, p. 326).
Revised diagnosis
Megalosaurid theropod with the following autapomorphies of the maxilla: deep groove on dorsal surface of jugal process containing numerous pneumatic foramina; array of small foramina in ventral part of articular surface for premaxilla.