REDESCRIPTION OF THE HOLOTYPE OF DRYPTOSAURUS-AQUILUNGUIS (DINOSAURIA, THEROPODA) FROM THE UPPER CRETACEOUS OF NEW-JERSEY

The skeleton of the enigmatic theropod Dryptosaurus aquilunguis is red escribed in light of the many new theropods named since Cope's origina l description in 1866. Unfortunately, the fragmentary nature of the si ngle known skeleton makes comparison with other theropods difficult. H istorically, Dryptosaurus has been placed, at one time or another, in the theropod families Coeluridae, Deinodontidae, Megalosauridae, Tyran nosauridae, and its own family, Dryptosauridae. Most of these assignme nts have been based upon superficial resemblances to various members o f those families. Reexamination of the specimen indicates the presence of unique serrations on the maxillary teeth, a large ungual/humeral r atio, the probable presence of a high, centrally located ascending pro cess on the astragalus, and a non-arctometatarsal. These features indi cate that Dryptosaurus is a unique theropod and should be placed in it s own family, Dryptosauridae.