Aristosuchus pusillus

 Fig 1.- Reconstruction of Aristosuchus.

Continuing the series of British dinosaurs with the compsognathid Aristosuchus… This one is known from fragmentary postcranial remains from the Isle of Wight, dating from the Early Cretaceous Barremian stage, and originally described in 1876 by Sir Richard Owen (as “Poikilopleuron pusillus”). This little dinosaur was probably very similar to the Late Jurassic Compsognathus from Germany and France and measured about 2 meters in length.

 Fig 2.- Reconstruction of Aristosuchus. Detail.

Original artworks on Paleoexhibit are copyrighted to Nobu Tamura. Do not use without permission (Email: nobu dot tamura at yahoo dot com)

References:

D. Naish. 2002. The historical taxonomy of the Lower Cretaceous theropods (Dinosauria) Calamospondylus and Aristosuchus from the Isle of Wight. Proceedings of the Geologists' Association 113:153-163.

R. Owen. 1876. Monograph on the fossil Reptilia of the Wealden and Purbeck formations. Supplement no. VII. Crocodilia (Poikilopleuron) and Dinosauria? (Chondrosteosaurus). [Wealden.]. The Palaeontographical Society, London 1876:1-7

H. G. Seeley. 1887. On Aristosuchus pusillus (Owen), being further notes on the fossils described by Sir R. Owen as Poikilopleuron pusillus, Owen. Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society of London 43:221-228