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My Jurassic Park : The Morrison Formation


Troodon

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A follow-up topic to my initial posts on Allosaurus and Sauropods from the Morrison Formation

http://www.thefossilforum.com/index.php?/topic/57284-my-jurassic-park-allosaurus/

http://www.thefossilforum.com/index.php?/topic/57970-my-jurassic-park-morrison-fm-sauropods/

The Theropods:

Torvosaurus tanneri

The top predator of this fauna was a large theropod called Torvosaurus. It grew up to 33 ft (10 m) in length and was among the largest carnivores of the Jurassic. Its teeth were large like T-rex but bares no relationship to it and classified as a Megalosaurid. Remains have also been found in Portugal.

Skull from Utah Museum of Natural History

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An unerupted tooth in a jaw fragment

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Additional Teeth

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Marshosaurus bicentesimus

Another megalosaurid but much smaller theropod was Marshosaurus. Estimated to be about 15 ft (5 m) in length.

Skull from Utah Museum of Natural History

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This rooted tooth has all the serration characteristic of a Marshosaurus but may be the last tooth position of an Allosaurus. Either way a super tooth.

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Additional Teeth

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Ceratosaurus sp.

A very cool large theropod noted for its crest above its nose was Ceratosaurus. It was also found in parts of Europe and Africa and estimated to be around 20 ft (6 m) long.

Tooth identification was discussed in this post isplays the only specimen that I can confirm to be one.

http://www.thefossilforum.com/index.php?/topic/57022-ceratosaurus-teeth-can-you-identify/\\

Skull from Utah Museum of Natural History

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This specimen is the only one in my collection that I can confirm to be one.

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Theropod indet

Isolated theropod material is very difficult to identify especially with small teeth or claws.

Possibly from a small coelurosaur theropod Coelurus fragilis or Tanycolagreus topwilsoni

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The Herbivores :

​Herbivores not as diverse or common as sauropods were led by one of the most recognized dinosaur around Stegosaurus. Early Iguanodonts in the form of Camptosaurids were starting to make their mark as well as bipedal dinosaurs in the form of Hypsilophodonts like Othnielosaurus. My collection has a few examples of each.

Stegosaurus sp.

I am fortunate to have a beautiful Armored Plate from one and in perfect condition. The position of the plate is shown in red

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A couple of teeth. The skull of this dinosaur was tiny and so were its teeth.

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A foot, partially associated.

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Camptosaurus sp.

Some nice examples of teeth and digits/unguals

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Edited by Troodon
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Camptosaurus sp. (cont.)

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Othnielosaurus consors

Example of a tooth, a few unguals and a vertebra

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Edited by Troodon
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For those who have not see a skull from a Tanycolagreus here is one from the Museum of Natural History in Utah.

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Troodon,

My son found that unerupted Torvosaurus tooth two summers ago. It's good to see it went to a good home.

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Mr Mendoza

That's super, glad youre bringing up your son properly.

Edited by Troodon
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The 3 1/2" Torvosaurus tooth is absolutely beautiful! It looks very much like a T. rex/Tyrannosaur tooth. If you had told me that's what it was, I would have believed you. There's no mistaken your Ceratosaurus tooth with those ridges. That's the nicest one I've ever seen. You see them for sale every once in a while but I've never seen any with ridges so I always take it with a grain of salt that that's what they actually are. You don't see a lot of Stegosaurus teeth for sale, very rare indeed. I guess there small size makes them very difficult to find. You don't see a lot of Camptosaurus teeth either. I have never heard of Tanycolagreus. I had to go look it up.

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That Torvo tooth is spectacular especially when you hold it and agreed a ringer for Rex but its not a tyrannosaurid. Isolated theropod teeth from the Morrison are not easy to ID, so many many different species. There is no question on that Cerato tooth however and its the only one I've seen with the ridges.

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Frank, here is your Torvosaurus tooth in jaw segment when first found by my son Taylor. Found at the Red Canyon Ranch, near Shell, Wyoming in July 2014.

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Edited by hxmendoza
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Thanks for the photo and thank your son for a great addition to my collection. Now ask him why he did find the rest of the jaw :D

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  • 2 weeks later...

Thanks they are nice. Being so small surprised anyone finds them. The good news is that you do see them up for sale every once and a while so they are obtainable.

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We're running low on Golden Drool Buckets, but the order is in to the supplier and we still have one at hand.

I declare without fear of contradiction that Troodon's collection of old reptile parts is jaw-dropping, and that his readily shared knowledge of the material is both world-class and authoritative. I only hope that he has room on his mantle for the award!

Golden Drool Bucket.jpg

LINK

"There has been an alarming increase in the number of things I know nothing about." - Ashleigh Ellwood Brilliant

“Try to learn something about everything and everything about something.” - Thomas Henry Huxley

>Paleontology is an evolving science.

>May your wonders never cease!

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Wow what a complete surprise, not sure what to say but thank you very much Auspex. I'll certainly make room for such an award it's definitely an honor to receive it. I really enjoy the interaction with fellow forum members and will continue my best to share my knowledge and collection.

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Drooool... Pop!, Zap!, Ping! Thanks a lot Frank, now I have to get a new laptop!

Edited by caldigger
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Dorensigbadges.JPG       

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