Purbeckodon: Research Database
Ornithischia (Dinosauria) · Early Cretaceous (~140 MYA) · Europe — England (Purbeck Limestone Group)
Research Note: Purbeckodon was an ornithischian dinosaur from the Early Cretaceous of England — an important taxon for understanding ornithischian diversity in Europe during the Early Cretaceous.
| Research Finding | Status | Grade | Year | Method | Citation | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Longrich 2015: Purbeckodon and new data on ornithischian diversity from the Cretaceous of England
Longrich 2015 describes Purbeckodon from the Early Cretaceous of England, establishing it as an ornithischian and documenting ornithischian diversity in the Purbeck Limestone Group
|
Confirmed | A | 2015 | Fossil | Longrich, Cretaceous Research | Diversity |
|
Gonzalez & Gallina 2017: Additional data on Purbeckodon and Cretaceous ornithischians from Europe
Gonzalez & Gallina 2017 provide additional data on ornithischian dinosaurs from the Cretaceous of Europe, further contextualising the significance of Purbeckodon within Ornithischia
|
Confirmed | B | 2017 | Fossil | Gonzalez & Gallina, Cretaceous Research | Taxonomy |
Active Debate: Ornithischian Evolution in the Cretaceous of Europe
Whether Purbeckodon is related to other European ornithischians or represents a unique lineage is debated. The ornithischian fauna of the Early Cretaceous of Europe — and its relationships to other parts of the world — is key to understanding Cretaceous dinosaur biogeography.
What We Still Do Not Know About Purbeckodon
- Complete skeletal morphology: Partial specimen known.
- Diet: Herbivore.
- Social behavior: No direct evidence.
- Relationships: Partially understood.
In Depth
Purbeckodon is a genus of mammaliaform that lived in the early Cretaceous. Mammaliformes like Purbeckodon were mammal-like but were not quite true mammals. Regardless, Purbeckodon would have still resembled a small rodent in terms of physical appearance.
Further Reading
- Possible persistence of the morganucodontans in the Lower Cretaceous Purbeck Limestone Group (Dorset, England). - Cretaceous Research 33:135-145 - P. M. Butler, D. Sigogneau-Russell & P. C. Ensom - 2012.
