Neovenator
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Extinct (fossil)
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| Neovenator salerii Hutt Martill & Barker, 1996 |
Since its discovery on the Isle of Wight, UK, Neovenator ("New-Hunter") has become one of the best-known large carnivorous dinosaurs in Europe. It was at first considered possibly a new species of Megalosaurus. It measured approximately 7.5 meters in length, and was of a gracile build. It lived during the Cretaceous Period.
[edit] Discovery and species
The first bones of the type species were discovered in 1978, in the chalk cliffs of southwest Isle of Wight. It was much later (1996) that more bones from this specimen were found. Excavations have so far revealed approximately 70% of the skeleton.
At the time that it was described, by Hutt, Martill and Barker in 1996, it was the only known allosaurid in Europe. It is currently considered to be closely related to Allosaurus, Acrocanthosaurus and Giganotosaurus.
[edit] In popular culture
A life-sized, animatronic model of the animal is on display at the Dinosaur Isle attraction in the Isle of Wight.
[edit] External links
- Neovenator.org
- See entry on Neovenator at DinoData (registration required, free)
- http://www.geocities.com/dinowight/neovenator.html
- Dinosaur Isle on Neovenator
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