Yet another new paper

[Tim Williams <twilliams_alpha@hotmail.com>]

Naish, D. and Martill, D.M. (2007) Bicentennial Review: Dinosaurs of Great 
Britain and the role of the Geological Society of London in their discovery: 
basal Dinosauria and Saurischia.  Journal of the Geological Society, London 
164: 493?510.

Abstract: "Beginning with Buckland?s 1824 description of _Megalosaurus_, the 
Geological Society of London played a leading role during the 19th century 
discovery of dinosaurs in Britain.  Here we review the society?s role and 
assess the current knowledge of saurischian dinosaurs in the country.  Of 
Britain?s 108 dinosaur species (excluding nomina nuda and objective 
synonyms), 32% have been named in the pages of Society publications.  
Britain has a rich and diverse dinosaur record ranging from the Rhaetian to 
the Cenomanian, and includes a surprising taxonomic diversity.  Alleged 
Lower and Middle Triassic dinosaurs from Britain are suspect or erroneous.  
Sauropodomorphs represent all of the major clades and several have their 
earliest global appearances in the British record (Diplodocoidea, 
Rebbachisauridae and Titanosauria), implying that this region was 
biogeographically important for this group.  The British theropod record is 
diverse, and includes the earliest spinosaurids, carcharodontosaurids and 
coelurosaurs.  Although some specimens are represented by near-complete 
skeletons, much material is fragmentary and indeterminate, and c. 54% of 
British dinosaur taxa are considered nomina dubia.  In part this high number 
results from the genesis of dinosaur science in Britain and the 
corresponding obsolescence of supposedly diagnostic characters."

Nice summary of British theropods and sauropodomorphs.  Apparently quite a 
lot of text was left on the cutting room floor...

http://scienceblogs.com/tetrapodzoology/2007/04/britain_land_of_heartstoppingl.php


Cheers

Tim

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