Charmouth Mudstone Formation Explained

Charmouth Mudstone Formation
Type:Formation
Age:Lower Sinemurian– Lower Pliensbachian Semicostatum-lowermost Margaritatus
Period:Sinemurian
Prilithology:Shale, mudstone
Otherlithology:Limestone, sandstone
Namedfor:Charmouth
Region:England
Unitof:Lias Group
Subunits:Shales With Beef Member, Black Ven Marl Member, Belemnite Marl Member, Green Ammonite Member
Underlies:Dyrham Formation, Marlstone Rock Formation, unconformity with Gault (Charmouth area)
Overlies:Blue Lias Formation, Scunthorpe Mudstone
Thickness:~335 m
Area:Wessex Basin, Worcester Basin, East Midland Shelf
Location Ts:Cliff and foreshore exposures between Seven Rock Point and Golden Cap, Dorset

The Charmouth Mudstone Formation is a geological formation in England, dating to the Early Jurassic (SinemurianPliensbachian).[1] It forms part of the lower Lias Group. It is most prominently exposed at its type locality in cliff section between Lyme Regis and Charmouth (alongside the underlying Blue Lias) but onshore it extends northwards to Market Weighton, Yorkshire, and in the subsurface of the East Midlands Shelf and Wessex Basin. The formation is notable for its fossils, including those of ammonites and marine reptiles and rare dinosaur remains. The formation played a prominent role in the history of early paleontology, with its Lyme Regis-Charmouth exposure being frequented by fossil collectors including Mary Anning.

Stratigraphy

Shales With Beef Member

The Shales With Beef Member is around 28–30 metres thick in the Lyme Regis-Charmouth region and predominantly consists of thinly bedded medium to dark grey mudstone, blocky calcareous pale-weathering mudstone and brown-grey organic-rich mudstones with frequent bedding parallel veins of fibrous calcite ("beef"), that are usually less than 10 centimetres thick. Several beds of nodular and tabular limestone are also present. It is the lowest unit of the formation and directly overlies the Blue Lias Formation, with the boundary being marked by a prominent bioturbated horizon. Notable persistent marker beds within the member include the laminated calcareous siltstone "Fish Bed", "Table Ledge", which consists of lens beds of limestones with mud content with nests of rhynchonellid brachiopods, the Devonshire Head and the Spittles limestones and the Birchi Nodules (which are septarian concretions) The upper boundary with the Black Ven Marl Member is marked by the prominent laterally persistent limestone Birchi Tabular Bed.[2]

Black Ven Marl Member

The Black Ven Marl Member is around 43 metres thick consists of thinly bedded dark mudstones,[3] with several laterally persistent cementstone horizons, notable horizons include the Lower and Upper Cement beds and the Stellare nodules.

Belemnite Marl Member

The Belemnite Marl Member is around 20 to 27 metres thick, and consists of interbedded pale and dark grey calcareous mudstone, with numerous belemnites, hence the name. The top of the member is marked by the Belemnite Stone Bed[4]

Green Ammonite Member

The Green Ammonite Member is up to 31 metres thick predominantly consists of medium grey mudstones, with 3 limestone horizons, Lower Limestone; Red Band, and Upper Limestone, it is conformably overlain by the Dyrham Formation in some areas,[5] but in the Charmouth area there is an erosive unconformable boundary with the much younger Early Cretaceous (Albian) aged Gault clays.

Paleobiota

Ammonites

Ammonites of the Charmouth Mudstone Formation
GenusSpeciesLocationStratigraphic positionMaterialNotesImages
Apoderoceras A. cf. dunrobinense, A. subtriangulare
ArniocerasA. semicostatumSemicostatum Zone
AsterocerasA. obtusumObtusum zone
Caenisites
Cymbites
EchiocerasE. raricostatumRaricostatum Zone
Eoderoceras E. bispinigerum
GemmellarocerasG. cf. peregrinumBelemnite Marls
OxynoticerasO. williamsi
PhricodocerasP. taylori, P. lamellosumBelemnite Marls
PromicrocerasP. planicostaObtusum Zone
RadstockicerasR. complicatum
TragophyllocerasT. ibex, T. loscombiGreen Ammonite Member
UptoniaU. bronni
Xipheroceras

Sauropterygia

Sauropterygia of the Charmouth Mudstone Formation
GenusSpeciesLocationStratigraphic positionMaterialNotesImages
Archaeonectrus[6] A. rostratusCharmouthArnioceras semicostatum-Echioceras raricostatum ammonoid zoneBMNH 38525 (holotype skeleton)A marine sauropterygian, member of the family Rhomaleosauridae
Attenborosaurus[7] A. conybeari
  • Black Ven Water, Charmouth
  • Northwest corner of Black Ven Water
Asteroceras obtusum, Arnioceras semicostatum-Echioceras raricostatum ammonoid zones
  • Holotype skeleton (now destroyed)
  • BMNH 40140, partial skeleton and skull
A marine sauropterygian, early member of the family Pliosauridae. It was first identified as Plesiosaurus conybeari.
?Plesiosaurus[8] ? P. sp.
  • Eastern point of Wear Cliffs, below Golden Cap
Prodactylioceras davoei ammonoid zone
  • BRSMG Ce17972a-o, articulated juvenile partial postcranial skeleton
A marine sauropterygian, type member of the family Plesiosauroidea inside Plesiosauria. A juvenile specimen that resembles those assigned to the genus Plesiosaurus. Its assignation is dubious.
Plesiosaurus[9] P. dolichodeirus
  • Lyme Regis
Echioceras raricostatum ammonoid zone
  • Holotype (BMNH 22656)
  • Numerous specimens referred
A marine sauropterygian, type member of the family Plesiosauroidea inside Plesiosauria. The typical plesiosaur, and one of the most common found on the formation.
Thaumatodracon[10] T. wiedenrothiBetween Lyme Regis and CharmouthBlack VenNLMH 106.058, "a partial skeleton comprising a complete cranium, mandible, articulated cervical series, and indeterminate fragmentary remains"A rhomaleosaurid

Ichthyosauria

Ichthyosauria of the Charmouth Mudstone Formation
GenusSpeciesLocationStratigraphic positionMaterialNotesImages
Ichthyosauria indet.IndeterminateLyme Regis, CharmouthIndeterminate remainsUn-attributable to any genus
IchthyosaurusI. anningae[11] CharmouthStonebarrow Marls MemberDONMG:1983.98 Subadult specimenAn ichthyosaurid ichthyosaur
Ichthyosaurus sp.West of Westhay Water, StonebarrowStonebarrow Marls MemberNHMUK R15907, partial skeleton[12] Considered to belong to I. communis by Bennett et al. 2012, considered indeterminate within Ichthyosaurus by Lomax and Massare 2015
LeptonectesL. moorei[13] Seatown Belemnite Marls MemberBMNH R14370 partial anterior skeleton with most complete skullA leptonectid ichthyosaur
L. solei[14] SeatownAcanthopleuroceras valdani Subzone, Tragophylloceras ibex Zone, lower PliensbachianNMW 91.296.2.2 "a large, isolated and incomplete forefin"
TemnodontosaurusT. platyodon[15]

Thalattosuchia

Thalattosuchia of the Charmouth Mudstone Formation
GenusSpeciesLocationStratigraphic positionMaterialNotesImages
Thalattosuchia[16] Indeterminate
  • Stonebarrow beach, Charmouth
  • Conesby Quarry, Scunthorpe
Black Ven Mudstone Member
  • NHMUK PV R 36710, incomplete snout
  • NHMUK PV R 9731, axis and four post-axial cervical vertebrae. Two incomplete axial ribs, the lef fourth cervical rib, and two cervical rib fragments
  • NHMUK PV R 36 711, dorsal vertebra from the caudal end of the dorsal series, and the neural arch of another dorsal vertebra, both held together by matrix
Early Thalattosaurian specimens that can´t be referred to any concrete genus. Includes a possible early diverging metriorhynchoid
Turnersuchus[17] T. hingleyae1 kilometer west of the Charmouth Heritage Coast CentreBelemnite Marl MemberLRM 2021/45, a partial skeleton including cranial material, cervical, dorsal, and caudal vertebrae, ribs, right pectoral girdle, partial limb bones, and an osteodermAn early diverging thalattosuchian.

Pterosauria

Pterosauria of the Charmouth Mudstone Formation
GenusSpeciesLocationStratigraphic positionMaterialNotesImages
Dimorphodon[18] D. macronyx
  • Charmouth
  • Lyme Regis
Black Ven Marl Member
  • Tail Fragments
  • Tibia
  • Femur
  • Humerus
  • Phalanax
  • Metacarps
  • Semi-Complete Skeletons
A basal pterosaur and the type member of the family Dimorphodontidae.
Dimorphodontidae[19] [20] Indeterminate
  • Charmouth, Black Ven
  • Lyme Regis
Black Ven Marl Member
  • OUM J.53070
  • NHMUK PV R1595, wing phalanges
A basal dimorphodontid pterosaur. Known as "Charmouth dimorphodontid" it shares resemblance with the genus Dimorphodon.
Indeterminate[21]
  • Near Seatown
Lower Pliensbachian memberAssociated remains of the rostrum and mandiblesA basal dimorphodontid pterosaur. The relatively deep rostrum and extreme size dimorphism in the dentition show clear similarities to Dimorphodon, also from the Lias of Dorset. The distinctive dentition, in which the first four pairs of rostral teeth and two pairs of mandibular teeth are relatively large and fang-like, while the remaining teeth are remarkably small and short.

Dinosauria

Dinosauria of the Charmouth Mudstone Formation
GenusSpeciesLocationStratigraphic positionMaterialNotesImages
Coelophysidae[22] [23] "Megalosaurus" lydekkeriLyme Regis Black Ven Marl Member
  • NHMUK OR 41352, isolated tooth
A theropod, possibly a member of Coelophysidae inside Neotheropoda. Invalid and non diagnostic. It was identified as Zanclodon(?) sp. b., Megalosaurus lydekkeri and reassigned as Magnosaurus(?) lydekkeri.[24] Mortimer found that was changed to "Megalosaurus" woodwardi later. It was found on mostly of recent works to be non diagnostic, probably a coelophysoid.
Dornraptor[25] D. normani Lower cliff face, CharmouthBlack Ven Marl Member (Likely)
  • NHMUK OR 39496, Partial hind limb
  • GSM 109560, left femur
An Averostran theropod, possible Ceratosaur or Tetanuran. In 2024 was formally described, but referred to the older Blue Lias. A paper non quoted on the description relocated it on the Charmouth mudstone.
Neotheropoda[26] IndeterminateNear Lyme Regisobtusum Zone, obtusum subzone
  • NHMUK PV R36855, Left fibula, ~ 17 cm long
A theropod, possibly a basal member of Neotheropoda. Previously misidentified as a referred specimen of the pterosaur Dimorphodon macronyx.[27] NHMUK PV R36855 differs from those of all other Early Jurassic-Late Triassic, theropods in its combination of features, but bears no discernible autapomorphies. It is similar to Tawa, Dracoraptor and Liliensternus, being considered an early branching neotheropod, with a size range similar to Coelophysis bauri, representing an individual of approximately 10 kg, approximately the same size as Coelophysis bauri.
Massopoda[28] Indeterminatelower cliff face, Charmouthobtusum Zone, obtusum subzone
  • GSM 109561 pedal ungual
A sauropodomorph, possibly a member of Massopoda. While it was not associated with BMNH 39496 or GSM 109560 and was not assigned to "Merosaurus" it was classified as coming from an indeterminate theropod. Mortimer found closer resemblance with pedal unguals of basal massopods like Blikanasaurus and Jingshanosaurus.[29]
Scelidosaurus[30] [31] S. harrisonii
  • Charmouth, Black Ven
  • Black Ven landslip
Black Ven Marl Member
  • NHMUK OR42068. Six osteoderms
  • NHMUK OR42070. Phalanx.
  • NHMUK OR42072. Large bone fragment – indet.
  • NHMUK OR42074. Ulna (paired with NHMOR41323).
  • NHMUK OR43062. Shaft of a large humerus, crushed proximal femur, fibula, fragmentary radius?, other large bone fragments
  • NHMUK OR46011. Probable rib fragment – indet.
  • BRSMG Ce12785. Partial skull and some disarticulated postcranial elements
  • BRSMG Ce12787. Partly eroded femur and vertebra
  • BRSMG Ce12788. cervical osteoderms.
  • BRSMG Ce12789. Vertebra and bone fragments
  • BRSMG Cf2781. nine middle-distal caudal vertebrae and some haemal arches with some organic (kerogenized) remains of the skin preserved.
  • BRSMG LEGL 0004. Articulated skeleton
  • BRSMG LEGL 0005. Articulated partial skeleton
  • DORCM G.7542. Osteoderms
  • DORCM G.10817. Osteoderms
  • CAMSM X39256. Cranial: disarticulated skull and jaw elements
A basal thyreophoran, and the type member of the family Scelidosauridae. One of the best known armored dinosaurs of the lower Jurassic, also the most complete found to date, with specimens preserving even the skin and dermal armour.
S. "sp. A"Belemnite Marls at Seatown
  • Belemnite Marl Member, Uptonia jamesoni Zone
  • DORCM G.7842. Three dorsal vertebrae in articulation
Cf. S. sp.Foot of Black Ven, CharmouthAsteroceras obtusum ammonoid zone, Black Ven Marl Member
  • NHMUK R6704, juvenile specimen
  • NHMUK R12019. A posterior fragment of the occiput and an articulated series of six cervical vertebrae
  • NHMUK R10103. Indeterminate bone fragments
  • NHMUK OR28333. Two scapulae
  • NHMUK OR32396. Radius
  • NHMUK OR39516. Osteoderms.
  • NHMUK OR39517. Caudal or?sacral vertebra, small distal caudal vertebra, small distal caudal
  • NHMUK OR39518. Haemal arch (chevron).
  • NHMUK OR39519. Two phalanges.
  • NHMUK OR39520. Ungual phalanx of ?pes.
  • NHMUK OR39521. Several bone fragments.
  • NHMUK OR40503. Tibia (proximal end).
  • NHMUK OR41322. Femur
  • NHMUK OR41323. Radius
  • NHMUK OR41324. Scapular blade
  • NHMUK OR41325. Humerus
  • NHMUK OR41326. Fibula
  • NHMUK OR41327. Two caudal vertebrae
  • NHMUK OR41328. Three metatarsals
  • NHMUK OR41329. Osteoderm
  • NHMUK OR41330. Ischium

Fish

Numerous fish species are known from the Charmouth Mudstone and underlying Blue Lias, from such horizons as the "Fish Bed" of the Shales With Beef Member.

Fish of the Charmouth Mudstone Formation
GenusSpeciesLocationStratigraphic positionMaterialNotesImages
AcrodusA hybodont shark
Hybodus A hybodont shark
PalidiplospinaxA synechodontiform shark
Squaloraja S. tenuispina, S. polyspondylaClosely related to modern chimaeras
MyriacanthusM. paradoxus, M. granulatusBlack Ven Marl MemberA myriacanthid closely related to modern chimaeras
DorsetichthysD. becheiA stem-group teleost
"Coccolepis""C." liassicusA coccolepidid fish, probably does not belong to the genus
HolophagusH. guloA coelacanth
Chondrosteus C. acipenseroidesA chondrosteid acipenseriform fish, related to sturgeon and paddlefish
OxygnathusO. ornatusA palaeonisciform fish
Saurorhynchus S. brevirostris, S. anningaeA member of Saurichthyiformes
PtycholepisP. gracilis, P. curtusA palaeonisciform fish
Dapedium Spp.A dapediiform fish
CaturusSpp.An amiiform fish related to bowfins
Platysiagum P. sclerocephalumA platysiagid fish
FuroF. orthostomusA member of Ionoscopiformes within Halecomorphi

Insects

Numerous species of insect are known from concretions, predominately in the Black Ven Marl Member.[32] [33] [34] [35]

Insects of the Charmouth Mudstone Formation
GenusSpeciesLocationStratigraphic positionMaterialNotesImages
AnglophlebiaA. gigantea NHMUK In.51030, part and counterpart of partial forewingDamsel-dragonfly
ArchaeolepisA. maneBirchi Nodules, Black VenShales with BeefIsolated wingAmong the oldest known lepidopterans
ArchelcanaA. durnovariaWoodstonesBlack Ven Marl MemberElcanid orthopteran
AustauliusA. haustrumMonmouth Beach, Lyme RegisNHMUK II 3103Necrotauliid caddisfly
BreviculaB. gradus, B. maculataFlatstones, WoodstonesB. gradus: Holotype: NHMUK In.53993, female with ovipositor, B. maculata: Holotype: NHMUK II.3086, isolated TegminaDermapterid earwig
Brochocoleus B. maculatusOmmatid beetle
ChrismooreiaC. michaelbeheiCharmouthObtusum ZonePart and counterpart of a mostly complete specimenAsiopterid damsel-dragonfly
DacryodermaB. teresCharmouth-by-pass construction siteObtusum ZoneIsolated tegmenDermapterid earwig
DorsettiaD. laeta FlatstonesBMNH In 59375, a male hindwing fragmentCampterophlebiid damsel-dragonfly, genus also known from China
DurnovariaD. parallela FlatstonesAerophasmatid, Stem group of Phasmatodea
ElaterinaE. liassicaLyme RegisClick beetle
ElaterophanesE. regiusFlatstonesClick beetle
EoptychopteraE. spectra FlatstonesPtychopterid fly, formerly referred to the genus Prodocidia
HolcopteraH. giebeli, H. alisonaeFlatstonesBed 83 of the Obtusum Subchronozone, Black Ven Marl MemberComplete specimen, isolated wingsCoptoclavid beetle
HypsothemisH. fraseriFlatstonesBMNH In 59109, a hindwingCampterophlebiid damsel-dragonfly, genus also known from China and Kazakhstan
JurachoristaJ. bashkuevi Monmouth Beach, Brooki bedShales with Beef MemberEomeropid scorpionfly
LateophlebiaL. anglicanopsis FlatstonesCampterophlebiid damsel-dragonfly
LiassocorixaL. dorseticaFlatstonesCorixid bug
Liassocupes L. parvusFlatstonesOmmatid beetle
LiassophlebiaL. pseudomagnificaStonebarrowNHMUK In.64000, partial hindwingLiassophlebiid damsel-dragonfly
Locustopsis L. spectabilis FlatstonesLocustopsid grasshopper
"Mesocixiella" "M." fennahiFlatstonesFulgoridiid planthopper, does not belong to the genus Mesocixiella
MetaraphidiaM. confusa Black Ven Marl MemberSnakefly
MicromaculaM. gracilisFlatstones, Birchi NodulesRegiatid orthopteran
MimemalaM. giganteum FlatstonesSchizocoleid beetle
NannoblattinaN. petulantiaFlatstonesMesoblattinid cockroach
NannotanyderusN. oliviaeMonmouth Beach, Brooki bedShales with Beef MemberTanyderid fly
NeomeridiumN. trifurcumWoodstonesPachymeridiid Lygaeoid bug
OmmaO. liassicumFlatstonesBMNH 59132Ommatid beetle, genus extant
OrthophlebiaO. capillataFlatstonesBMNH In 53924, an exoskeleton (wings & thorax)Orthophlebiid scorpionfly
ParaprosboleP. rotruda FlatstonesTettigarctid cicada
PropreocorisP. maculatusWoodstonesStem-group to Ochteridae and Gelastocoridae
ProtohaglaP. langiFlatstonesHaglid cricket
ProtorthophlebiaP. latipennisFlatstonesProtorthophlebiid scorpionfly
PriscaenigmaP. obtusa FlatstonesSnakefly
PseudopolycentropusP. triangularisWoodstonesBlack Ven Marl MemberPseudopolycentropodid scorpionfly
PterocimexP. jacksoniWoodstonesBlack Ven Marl MemberNepomorphan
RegiataR. scutraFlatstonesRegiatid orthopteran
RossiphlebiaR. jacksoni FlatstonesNHMUK In.53999, part and counterpart of a partial hindwingLiassophlebiid damsel-dragonfly
TersusT. crowsoniFlatstonesNHM, In. 53949Schizophorid beetle

Plants

GenusSpeciesStratigraphic positionMaterialNotesImages
Ctenozamites[36]
  • C. cycadea
  • Lyme regis
  • Charmouth
Isolated shootsA "Seed Fern" of the group with Corystospermales
Cycadites
  • C. rectangularis
  • Lyme regis
Isolated shootsA possible Cycadophyte leaf, related with Cycadales. Alternatively, it can be of Bennettite origin
Cycadeoidea
  • C. gracilis
  • Lyme regis
StemsBennettite Trunks of the family Cycadeoidaceae
Cycadopteris
  • C. jurensis
  • Lyme regis
Isolated shootsA "Seed Fern" of the group with Corystospermales
Otozamites
  • O. obtusus
  • Lyme regis
  • Charmouth
  • Seatown
Isolated shootsBennettite leafs of the family Williamsoniaceae
Pagiophyllum[37]
  • P. peregrinum
  • P. sewardii
  • Lyme regis
  • Charmouth
  • Seatown
  • Wear Cliffs
Isolated shootsConifer shoots of the family Hirmeriellaceae or Araucariaceae

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Charmouth Mudstone Formation . British Geological Survey . British Geological Survey . BGS Lexicon of Named Rock Units . 2018-03-08.
  2. Book: Gallois, R.W.. The lithostratigraphy of the Shales-with-Beef Member of the Charmouth Mudstone Formation, Lower Jurassic. 2008. Ussher Society. 703253954.
  3. Web site: Black Ven Marl Member. The BGS Lexicon of Named Rock Units. British Geological Survey.
  4. Web site: Belemnite Marl Member. The BGS Lexicon of Named Rock Units. British Geological Survey.
  5. Web site: Green Ammonite Member. The BGS Lexicon of Named Rock Units. British Geological Survey.
  6. Owen . 1865 . Monograph of the Fossil Reptilia of the Liassic Formations. Part First. Sauropterygia . Monographs of the Palaeontographical Society . 17 . 75 . 1–40 . 10.1080/02693445.1865.12027939 . 0269-3445.
  7. Sollas . W. J. . 1881 . On a new Species of Plesiosaurus (P. Conybeari) from the Lower Lias of Charmouth; with Observations on P. megacephalus, Stutchbury, and P. brachycephalus, Owen . Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society . 37 . 1-4 . 440–481 . 10.1144/gsl.jgs.1881.037.01-04.42 . 0370-291X.
  8. Storrs . G. W. . 1995 . A juvenile specimen of ? Plesiosaurus sp. from the Lias (Lower Jurassic, Pliensbachian) near Charmouth, Dorset, England . Proceedings of the Dorsal Archaeological and Natural History Society . 116 . 2 . 71-76.
  9. CONYBEARE . W. D. . 1824 . XXI.—On the Discovery of an almost perfect Skeleton of the Plesiosaurus. . Transactions of the Geological Society of London . 1 . 2 . 381–389 . 10.1144/transgslb.1.2.381 . 2042-5295.
  10. Smith. Adam S.. Araújo. Ricardo. 2017-07-21. Thaumatodracon wiedenrothi, a morphometrically and stratigraphically intermediate new rhomaleosaurid plesiosaurian from the Lower Jurassic (Sinemurian) of Lyme Regis. Palaeontographica Abteilung A. 308. 4–6. 89–125. 10.1127/pala/308/2017/89. 0375-0442.
  11. Lomax. Dean R.. Massare. Judy A.. 2015-03-04. A new species of Ichthyosaurus from the Lower Jurassic of West Dorset, England, U.K.. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. en. 35. 2. e903260. 10.1080/02724634.2014.903260. 85745787. 0272-4634.
  12. Bennett. S.P.. Barrett. P.M.. Collinson. M.E.. Moore-Fay. S.. Davis. P.G.. Palmer. C.P.. January 2012. A new specimen of Ichthyosaurus communis from Dorset, UK, and its bearing on the stratigraphical range of the species. Proceedings of the Geologists' Association. en. 123. 1. 146–154. 10.1016/j.pgeola.2011.07.001.
  13. McGowan. Christopher. Milner. Angela C.. October 1999. A new Pliensbachian ichthyosaur from Dorset, England. Palaeontology. en. 42. 5. 761–768. 10.1111/1475-4983.00096. 0031-0239. free.
  14. Lomax. Dean R.. Massare. Judy A.. December 2018. A forefin of Leptonectes solei from the Lower Jurassic (Pliensbachian) of Dorset, UK. Proceedings of the Geologists' Association. en. 129. 6. 770–773. 10.1016/j.pgeola.2018.07.005. 134397018 .
  15. Web site: PBDB.
  16. Web site: Young . Mark T . Dufeau . David . Bowman . Charlotte . Cowgill . Thomas . Schwab . Julia A . Witmer . Lawrence M . Herrera . Yanina . Katsamenis . Orestis L . Steel . Lorna . 2024 . Thalattosuchian crocodylomorphs from the Sinemurian (Early Jurassic) of the UK . 2024-07-15 . academic.oup.com . Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society.
  17. Wilberg . E. W. . Godoy . P. L. . Griffiths . E. F. . Turner . A. H. . Benson . R. B. J. . 2023 . A new early diverging thalattosuchian (Crocodylomorpha) from the Early Jurassic (Pliensbachian) of Dorset, U.K. and implications for the origin and evolution of the group . Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology . 42 . 3 . e2161909 . 10.1080/02724634.2022.2161909 . 256149424 .
  18. Sangster . Sarah . 2021-09-02 . THE OSTEOLOGY OF DIMORPHODON MACRONYX, A NON-PTERODACTYLOID PTEROSAUR FROM THE LOWER JURASSIC OF DORSET, ENGLAND . Monographs of the Palaeontographical Society . 175 . 661 . 1–48 . 10.1080/02693445.2021.2037868 . 0269-3445.
  19. Unwin . David M. . 2003 . On the phylogeny and evolutionary history of pterosaurs . Geological Society, London, Special Publications . 217 . 1 . 139–190 . 10.1144/gsl.sp.2003.217.01.11 . 0305-8719.
  20. Butler . Richard J. . Barrett . Paul M. . Nowbath . Stephen . Upchurch . Paul . 2009 . Estimating the effects of sampling biases on pterosaur diversity patterns: implications for hypotheses of bird/pterosaur competitive replacement . Paleobiology . 35 . 3 . 432–446 . 10.1666/0094-8373-35.3.432 . 0094-8373.
  21. Unwin . D. M. . 2011 . A new dimorphodontid pterosaur from the Lower Jurassic of Dorset, southern England . 59th Annual Symposium of Vertebrate Palaeontology and Comparative AnatomyLyme Regis, Dorset, UK.
  22. Book: Lydekker, Richard . Catalogue of the fossil Reptilia and Amphibia in the British Museum (Natural history) ... By Richard Lydekker ... . 1888 . Printed by order of the Trustees . London.
  23. Carrano . Matthew T. . Sampson . Scott D. . 2004-09-27 . A review of coelophysoids (Dinosauria: Theropoda) from the Early Jurassic of Europe, with comments on the late history of the Coelophysoidea . Neues Jahrbuch für Geologie und Paläontologie - Monatshefte . 2004 . 9 . 537–558 . 10.1127/njgpm/2004/2004/537 . 0028-3630.
  24. Web site: Mortimer . Mickey . 2012-11-24 . The Theropod Database Blog: "New" name for Megalosaurus? lydekkeri . 2024-04-29 . The Theropod Database Blog.
  25. Baron . Matthew G. . 2024-04-29 . A new name for old bones: A reassessment of Early Jurassic theropod remains from Dorset, England . Palaeontologia Electronica . English . 27 . 1 . 1–12 . 10.26879/1346 . 1094-8074. free .
  26. Choiniere . Jonah N. . Wills . Simon . Bennett . S. Christopher . Barrett . Paul M. . 2020 . A small theropod dinosaur from the Lower Jurassic Lias Group of Charmouth, Dorset . Proceedings of the Geologists' Association . 131 . 6 . 751–757 . 10.1016/j.pgeola.2020.08.003 . 0016-7878.
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