(A) Schematic geology of the Lower Cretaceous deposits of the Weald Sub-basin (southeast England), highlighting published spinosaurid finds (Charig & Milner, 1997; Salisbury & Naish, 2011; Turmine-Juhel et al., 2019). Based on Austen & Batten (2018: Fig. 2). Note that various additional spinosaurid teeth are known from the region but remain undescribed in detail (Fowler, 2007). (B) Simplified stratigraphic column of the Weald Group in southeast England, based on Batten & Austen (2011: Fig. 3.2). Note that the Grinstead Clay Formation, which subdivides the Tunbridge Wells Sands Formation in Batten & Austen (2011) and from which the “Suchosaurus cultridens” type specimen was discovered (Salisbury & Naish, 2011), is downgraded to a member of the latter formation in other works (Hopson, Wilkinson & Woods, 2008) and has not been included in this column.
Newswise — Examination of a British spinosaur fang by scientists at the EvoPalaeoLab of the University of Southampton reveals that multiple separate spinosaur clans resided in Cretaceous Britain.
Housed within the archives of the Hastings Museum and Art Gallery in East Sussex, the fossil upon which the fresh investigation relies was bestowed upon the museum in 1889. It originated from the nearby Lower Cretaceous formations of the Wealden Supergroup, an intricate and substantial geological succession formed throughout south-eastern England approximately 140 to 125 million years ago.
Renowned for its abundance of spinosaur fossils, the Wealden formation holds a prominent position. Baryonyx, which was unearthed in the Wealden region of Surrey in 1983, stands as one of the most notable spinosaur specimens worldwide. This discovery proved pivotal as it unveiled the true physical attributes of this fish-devouring group characterized by their reptilian heads. Within the Wealden area, less remarkable remnants of spinosaurs, such as individual teeth, are frequently encountered. These dental findings have often been attributed to Baryonyx, but doubts regarding their accuracy have lingered among certain experts. The recently published study in PeerJ Life & Environment validates these suspicions and confirms that the previous tooth identifications were indeed erroneous.
"The utilization of diverse methodologies allowed us to scrutinize this specimen thoroughly and ascertain whether detached spinosaur teeth could be attributed to Baryonyx," explained Chris Barker, the primary author and a PhD researcher specializing in the spinosaurs of southern Britain. "Upon analyzing our data, we observed that the tooth did not align with Baryonyx in any of our investigations. Hence, it is conclusive that it pertains to a distinct spinosaur species."
The findings provide evidence that distinct spinosaur species, which are distantly related, inhabited the region during the Early Cretaceous period. These results support the earlier research conducted by the EvoPalaeoLab team, who proposed in previous studies that the spinosaur diversity in southern England exceeds previous estimations. In 2021, they officially identified the 'hell heron' Ceratosuchops from the Isle of Wight, and in 2022, they unveiled the remarkable discovery of potentially Europe's largest terrestrial predator, an enormous creature simply referred to as the White Rock spinosaur. Although these various spinosaurs did not coexist simultaneously, they occupied the region for a duration of more than 15 million years.
"Museums serve as captivating sites where thrilling discoveries unfold, as our comprehension of specimens evolves over time from their initial deposition," stated Dr. Neil Gostling. "This research underscores the significance of preserving and actively exploring collections. Curators play a vital role in guiding us through the archives and exhibits, assisting us in unraveling the frequently incomplete records—some of which were never fully documented or have been lost to the passage of time. The diversity of ancient environments isn't always concealed within rocks; it frequently lies within museums, awaiting rediscovery and revealing its inherent significance."
"Dinosaur teeth possess a wealth of anatomical information, and through the application of diverse analytical techniques, we can discern their similarities or dissimilarities to other teeth," explained Dr. Darren Naish. "Our recent study unveils the existence of previously unidentified spinosaur species within relatively obscure portions of the Wealden formation, emphasizing the potential for enhancing our understanding through the discovery of more complete remains. It serves as a poignant reminder that even extensively studied regions such as southern England still harbor the potential to unveil new dinosaur species."
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