Neovenator

Reconstruction of Neovenator Salleri

• England, Isle of Wight,

Wealden Group ( Wessex Formation)

• Neovenator salerii

Neovenator is a dinosaur that is added to the Allosauroidea, a group within the Carnosauria counted. He comes from the Wealden Group, a rock unit that is famous for its rich dinosaur fauna. His remains were discovered at Grange Chine, Isle of Wight (England) and in the Lower Cretaceous ( Barremian ) dated million years ago, 131-126. The only way is Neovenator salerii.

Like all Carnosauria he was a bipedal carnivore running. With a length of about 7.5 m, it was one of the largest predators of the Wealden fauna. His prey probably included the ornithopod Iguanodon or sauropods. Another major theropod from the Wealden fauna is of early Tyrannosaurus Related Eotyrannus Lengi.

Neovenator was scientifically described in 1996 by Hutt, Martill and Barker. At the time of description, it was the only certain Allosauroiden fund from Europe. The name is derived from the Greek " neos " (new) and the Latin " venator " ( Hunter ).

About 70 % of the skeleton are known, by which he is one of the better-known theropod. The front arms are not recorded and only the front part of the skull is preserved. However, where there are the main features: The nasal bone is compared to other theropods, huge, giving the skull a strange, described as Puffin similar shape. The Premaxillae has, on unlike any other Carnosaurier (except Allosaurus ), five teeth. Overall Neovenator was lighter build than its relatives, such as Allosaurus.

Its systematic position within the Allosauroidae, which is divided into the families Sinraptoridae, Allosauridae and Carcharodontosauridae is controversial. It is usually classified as Allosauridae, many researchers hold him for a primitive Carcharodontosauriden. Also, a closer relationship with the Sinraptoriden can not be excluded.