Dimorphodon
Dimorphodon macronyx
Dimorphodon ( dy-MOR-fə-don) is a genus of medium-sized pterosaur that lived in Europe during the early Jurassic Period (about 201-191 million years ago). It was named by paleontologist Richard Owen in 1859. Dimorphodon means "two-form tooth", derived from the Greek di- (δι-) meaning 'two', morphḗ (μορφή) meaning 'shape' and odṓn (ὀδών) meaning 'tooth', referring to the fact that it had two distinct types of teeth in its jaws – which is comparatively rare among reptiles. The diet of Dimorphodon has been questioned among researchers, with earlier interpretations depicting it as an insectivore or a piscivore. Recent studies have suggested that Dimorphodon likely hunted small vertebrates, though it still would have consumed small invertebrates like insects.
- Family
- Dimorphodontidae
- Order
- Pterosauria
- Period
- Jurassic (195 Ma)
- Diet
- Carnivore
- Length
- 1.4 m
- Weight
- 2 kg
- Type locality
- Dorset, England
- Holotype
- NHMUK PV R 1034
- PBDB
- txn:38464