Deltadromeus agilis

SKU
M1264
In stock
$245.00
Overview

An EXTRA LARGE, TOP QUALITY Deltadromeus tooth from the Cretaceous Kem Kem deposits of Morocco. Sharp serrations. Great preservation. Excellent tan color. Great posterior profile curve. An excellent tooth from a mid size Cretaceous theropod. No cracks. No repair or restoration. These teeth are very uncommon. Please see my Deltadromeus tooth discussion below. This is my best estimate of this species based upon the characteristics of this theropod and distinguishing it from other known Kem Kem theropod species. No one can assign a tooth to this species with certainty as discussed below (see Details). Authenticity guaranteed. A fantastic Deltadromeus collector's tooth.

M1264        Size: 1-11/16"

Note - Adding 5 new Deltadromeus Raptor teeth in October 2022.   Link to Abelisurid / Raptor teeth

Deltadromeus agilis was initially thought to be a member of the Noasaurid (Abelisauridae family) and more recently thought to belong to the Neovenatoridae family which were a group of allosaurid theropod dinosaurs from the late Cretaceous Period (approx. 90 MYA). Deltadromeus was discovered in 1995 in Kem Kem basin of Morocco. Based upon its long limbs and narrow frame, it was estimated to be one of the fastest dinosaurs that ever lived. It was 25 feet long. Deltadromeus means “Agile River Runner” or “Delta Runner”.

Deltadromeus teeth cannot be identified with certainty since no skull material has been found for this dinosaur and no teeth are available for description. That said, there are unique teeth available from the Kem Kem deposits that do not resemble Carcharodontosaurus or the smaller Abelisaurid theropod present. So, I will speculate that they could be Deltadromeus teeth or possibly another new Kem Kem deposits theropod.

So, my hypothesis for Deltadromeus teeth characteristics are as follows –

  1. Teeth that are larger than the typical 0.5” – 1”+ Abelisaurid teeth.
  2. Teeth are narrower and more slender (at crown base in both length and width) for their height compared to Carcharodontosaurus teeth. I have many small Carcharodontosaurus teeth and they all gain width as they gain height.
  3. Teeth have finer serrations than the Carcharodontosaurus teeth.
  4. Anterior serrations (denticles) are smaller than the posterior serrations.
  5. Teeth exhibit mild distal curvature. Much more curvature than the smaller Carcharodontosaurus and the Abelisaurid teeth.
  6. Length (height) of 1-1/4” to 2”+
  7. Teeth of this description are not common in the Kem Kem deposits.

So, the subject teeth are too large and curved for the smaller Abelisaurid, and too slender and curved for a young Carcharodontosaurus.

So, my hypothesis is that these teeth would fit a dinosaur with medium size (25 foot length) and slight build. My conclusion is possible Deltadromeus teeth. My Fossil Forum friends would call them unidentified theropod teeth which would include Deltadromeus which is one of the few named Kem Kem theropod dinosaurs with unidentified teeth… If these teeth are not from the Deltadromeus, they would represent another medium to large unidentified Kem Kem theropod.