A new giant theropod dinosaur track from the Middle Jurassic of the Cleveland Basin, Yorkshire, UK

Abstract

A new specimen of a rare large theropod dinosaur print of Middle Jurassic age is described from the Long Nab Member of the Scalby Formation, Cleveland Basin, Yorkshire. This is only the sixth specimen of this type recorded from the Cleveland Basin since they were first discovered in 1934. The present specimen is included in the same, but slightly modified morphotype Bxviii as some of the previous ones, since it shows additional features including an elongated metapodium. The specimen is assigned to the ichnogenus Megalosauripus, and was possibly made by a Megalosaurus-like theropod. The elongated metapodium may be the result of resting or crouching behaviour.