[D] Ostafrikasaurus crassiserratus [sG] [T]
Describer
Janensch, 1925
Time
Jurassic Late Kimmeridgian
Classification
Saurischia Theropoda Tetanurae Spinosauroidae Spinosauridae
Diet
Carnivore
Fossilsite
Tendaguru Beds, Mkoa wa Mtwara, Tanzania
Info
Isolated teeth.
Ostafrikasaurus crassiserratus (Buffetaut, 2012) > Labrosaurus stechowi (Janensch, 1925)
An isolated theropod tooth from the terminal Jurassic of the Tendaguru (Tanzania), originally referred to Labrosaurus (?) stechowi, is described as the type specimen of a new genus and species of spinosaurid theropod. It shows an enamel ornamentation reminiscent of Baryonyx and allied forms, but differs from all other known spinosaurids by the large size of the denticles borne by the carinae. The new taxon is the earliest currently known spinosaurid. It sheds some light on aspects of dental evolution in spinosaurids, which seems to have been characterised by reduction of the denticles.