It was a fantastic begin to 2025 for followers of UK fossil websites. The College of Birmingham despatched out a media launch concerning the investigation into intensive dinosaur trackways present in Oxfordshire. 5 dinosaur trackways relationship again to the Center Jurassic had been unearthed in an Oxfordshire quarry. 4 of the trackways had been made by sauropods. The analysis staff behind this exceptional analysis urged that the footprints may have been made by a dinosaur akin to Cetiosaurus (Cetiosaurus oxoniensis). The analysis undertaking was co-led by the College of Birmingham and the College of Oxford.
To learn Every thing Dinosaur’s weblog submit concerning the dinosaur tracks: Exceptional “Dinosaur Freeway” Present in Oxfordshire.
Mike and Sue from Every thing Dinosaur remembered visiting the great Oxford College Museum of Pure Historical past (OUMNH) and viewing the Cetiosaurus (Cetiosaurus oxoniensis) fossil specimens on show.
Cetiosaurus Fossils on Show
Fossils ascribed to the taxon Cetiosaurus on show on the Oxford College Museum of Pure Historical past (OUMNH). Image credit score: Every thing Dinosaur.
Image credit score: Every thing Dinosaur
The image (above) exhibits a number of sauropod fossils on show on the Oxford College Museum of Pure Historical past. A femur is proven on far left. The big bones within the centre are a proper scapula and a proper humerus. The fossil bones adjoining to them are from the decrease portion of the forelimb (proper ulna and proper radius). Above these limb bones a number of caudal vertebrae (tail bones) are displayed. These fossils have been assigned to the taxon Cetiosaurus. The fossils signify a few of the very first sauropod bones to have been extensively studied.
Cetiosaurus was the primary sauropod to be named (Owen, 1841). On the time, Richard Owen thought the bones represented some form of big marine crocodile – therefore the identify which interprets as “whale lizard”.
The large and strong proper femur of a Center Jurassic sauropod. The femur has been ascribed to the taxon Cetiosaurus. Image credit score: Every thing Dinosaur.
Image credit score: Every thing Dinosaur
The picture (above) exhibits a close-up view of the large proper femur of a sauropod. This fossil bone has been assigned to Cetiosaurus. The textual content within the exhibit refers to Cetiosaurus because the “Oxford Brontosaur”. Nonetheless, the precise taxonomy of Cetiosaurus oxoniensis is disputed though it’s fairly sure that it was solely very distantly associated to diplodocids akin to Brontosaurus.
Cetiosaurus and Megalosaurus
The theropod trackway has been tentatively assigned to Megalosaurus. Megalosaurus is one other iconic dinosaur that has hyperlinks to the OUMNH. Though Megalosaurus has turn out to be one thing of a taxon wastebasket, the one fossil stays ascribed to Megalosaurus with any diploma of consensus had been present in Oxfordshire. The monitor website supplies some tantalising proof of sauropod and theropod interplay. For instance, a few of the tracks intersect. A theropod dinosaur walked over tracks made by a sauropod. There isn’t a manner of figuring out how a lot later the meat-eater walked in the identical course because the herbivorous dinosaur. Maybe the theropod was stalking the sauropod.
As a part of the College of Birmingham media launch we obtained some great art work from the very proficient Mark Witton. Within the illustration, a Megalosaurus assaults a juvenile sauropod.
A Megalosaurus assaults a Cetiosaurus. Image credit score: Mark Witton.
Image credit score: Mark Witton
The exceptional Oxfordshire monitor website will characteristic in a BBC Two documentary. As well as, the OUMNH will open a particular exhibition concerning the dinosaur tracks shortly.
The CollectA Age of Dinosaurs In style Cetiosaurus determine. A mannequin of an early sauropod that lived through the Center Jurassic.
The image (above) exhibits a Cetiosaurus mannequin. This dinosaur mannequin was launched into the CollectA Age of Dinosaurs In style vary in 2010.
To view the vary of not-to-scale CollectA prehistoric animal figures in inventory at Every thing Dinosaur: CollectA Prehistoric Life Age of Dinosaurs In style Figures.
Mike from Every thing Dinosaur commented:
“The pictures we obtained from Birmingham College reminded us of our go to to the Oxford College Museum of Pure Historical past. It was great to have the ability to view the Cetiosaurus oxoniensis fossils. It’s a fabulous museum with some superb displays.”
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