Theropod dinosaur diversity and palaeobiology in the Wealden Group (Early Cretaceous) of England: evidence from a previously undescribed tibia

A robust, partial right tibia of a theropod dinosaur (Natural History Museu m London collections, BMNH R9385) is described for the first time. The spec imen was collected at Hastings, Sussex (England) in the last century, and i s among the oldest known of English Wealden Group theropods. It represents a tetanuran theropod that may have been about 3 m in total length, and is d istinct from all currently known Wealden theropods for which tibiae have be en described. The present specimen is significant palaeobiologically in exh ibiting a series of theropod tooth marks on its caudal surface, indicating predation or scavenging by another theropod.