Cretaceous, Middle Purbeckian/Berriasian, Cognac, France Part 1: Dinosaurs and crocodiles
In recent years the area between Cognac and the Atlantic coast has yielded quite some reptile fossils from the late Jurassic and early Cretaceous. Below and on the next page some of my finds. There are remains of dinosaurs, crocodiles, turtles and fish. They finds include bones, teeth and scutes (skinplates or osteoderms). Here is an overview of French dinosaur finds.
Crocodiles
Jawbone (you can see the round teeth sockets). Crocodile Goniopholis sp. ?
Another crocodile jawbone. Goniopholis sp. ? Looks to me like a different species.
Goniopholis, but I am not sure which part of the skull.
Complete skinplate of the back of the crocodile. Goniopholis sp. (back side view) Enlarge.
Theropod dinosaur tooth. Part of the serration is preserved on both edges. Enlarge;other side Enlarge; side view Enlarge. 40-45 denticles/cm. Compare these.
Tooth Goniopholides sp., almost 5 cm in length. The "Goniopholididae" represent a wide group of Mesosuchian crocs.
Fragment of what may have been a dinosaur or a large crocodile vertebra Enlarge
Goniopholis teeth, with typical carinae. Note the worn tips on some of the teeth. Enlarge. May be the same species as above.
A pterosaur tooth. It has all characteristics: oval shape, domed point, fine grooves. Enlarge. See this link for details on flying reptiles.
Teeth of a small crocodile. The family of crocodilia is quite complex. Here is an overview. Enlarge
