Chapter 6 British Mid Jurassic fossil reptile sites

Introduction

British Mid Jurassic reptile sites

Fossil reptiles have been found in numerous localities in the Mid Jurassic (Aalenian–Callovian) of southern England and west Scotland, but the most productive sources for reptiles are mainly in rocks of Bathonian and Callovian age. The typically shallow-water lagoonal and littoral marine facies of the Bathonian (e.g. Forest Marble) have produced many important finds of dinosaurs, pterosaurs and mammal-like reptiles (some of the last of this group in the world), in addition to marine reptiles, while the Callovian Oxford Clay is famous for its plesiosaur remains, which occur throughout the outcrop. Fuller details of British Jurassic geology, reptile evolution worldwide and British Jurassic sites are given in the introduction to Chapter 5.

British Mid Jurassic reptile sites are listed below, grouped roughly in stratigraphic order, and excluding the selected GCR sites, which are listed at the end. Details of these sites were obtained from Fox-Strangways (1892), H.B. Woodward (1894, 1895) and Waldman (1974), as well as from museum records and other unpublished sources.

Aalenian–Bajocian (Inferior Oolite)

There are relatively few reptile sites in the Inferior Oolite (Aalenian–Bajocian) of Britain. The remains are mainly teeth and jaws of the dinosaur Megalosaurus and odd pieces of the crocodiles Steneosaurus and Teleosaurus.

DORSET: Eype, near Bridport ([SY 45 92]; Teleosaurus); Bradford Abbas ([ST 59 15]; 'Stegosaurus' spines); Nethercombe Quarry, Sherborne ([ST 636 175]; type of Megalosaurus nethercombensis from humphriesianum Zone); Lower Eastham Farm, Crewkerne ([ST 458 104]; Ichthyosaurus in Yeovil Sands); Cold Harbour Road Quarry, Sherborne (?[ST 642 173]; type of Megalosaurus hesperis from parkinsoni Zone in quarry behind the houses on the north side of Cold Harbour Road, now built over).

SOMERSET: Doulting Quarries, Shepton Mallet ([ST 65 43]; Megalosaurus).

GLOUCESTERSHIRE: Stroud — ?exact locality ([SO 85 05]; Megalosaurus); Frith Quarry, Stroud ([SO 868 083]; plesiosaur tooth in Lower Trigonia Grit [discites Zone, Lower Bajocian]); Rodborough Hill, Stroud ([SO 84 04]; Teleosaurus); Leckhampton Quarries ([SO 950 185]; Steneosaurus, Teleosaurus from the Gryphite Grit [laeviuscula Zone, Lower Bajocian], also fragments of Ichthyosaurus, Pliosaurus); Crickley Hill Quarry ([SO 928 164]; ?Megalosaurus).

NORTH YORKSHIRE: White Nab, Scarborough Bay ([TA 058 864]; ?Cetiosaurus from humphriesianum Zone; ?also Ichthyosaurus, Plesiosaurus).

Bathonian (including White Limestone, Great Oolite, Forest Marble, Lower Cornbrash, etc.)

Reptile remains are common in the 'Great Oolite' and Forest Marble of Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire in particular, but dozens of localities are known throughout the British Bathonian (Figure 6.1) and (Figure 6.2). The commonest forms are crocodilians (Steneosaurus, Teleosaurus), dinosaurs (Megalosaurus, Cetiosaurus, 'Stegosaurus', Lexovisaurus), pterosaurs (Rhamphocephalus), plesiosaurs (rimoliasaurus), and turtles (Protochelys). References include Phillips (1871), H.B. Woodward (1894), A.S. Woodward (1910), Huene (1926), Arkell (1933, 1947a, 1947b), Torrens (1968, 1969a, 1969b), Palmer (1973), Sellwood and McKerrow (1974); Metcalf et al. (1992) and Evans and Milner (1994).

DORSET: Long Burton, near Sherborne ([ST 65 13]; ?Megalosaurus from ?Forest Marble); Yetminster (ophthalmosaur; from a nodular Cornbrash limestone immediately underlying the Oxford Clay; Delair, 1986); Watton Cliff (West Cliff) ([SY 451 901]–[SY 453 907]; microvertebrate remains, including frogs, salamanders, lizards, crocodiles, dinosaurs from the Forest Marble: Evans, 1991, 1992b); Swyre ([SY 525 868]; amphibian and reptile microvertebrate bones and teeth from the Forset Marble: Evans, 1991b, 1992b).

SOMERSET: Closworth ([ST 56 10]; type of Steneosaurus stephani from the Cornbrash).

AVON: Bath — ?exact locality ([ST 75 65]; type of Steneosaurus temporalis from the Great Oolite [aspidoides Zone, Upper Bathonian]).

WILTSHIRE: Avoncliff ([ST 80 59]; Teleosaurus from the Fuller's Earth); Bradford-on-Avon ([ST 82 60]; Cetiosaurus, 'Cardiodon' from the Forest Marble [discus Zone, Late Bathonian]); Atford ([ST 86 66], ?Atworth; teeth of 'Cardiodon', Megalosaurus, 'Hylaeosaurus', Plesiosaurus from the Forest Marble); Frankley, near Bradford (?Frankleigh, [ST 822 622]; Cetiosaurus); Box Tunnel ([ST 84 69]; Megalosaurus); Leigh Delamere ([ST 890 790]; microvertebrates from the Forest Marble; Evans and Milner, 1994); Malmesbury ([ST 93 87]; Cetiosaurus).

GLOUCESTERSHIRE: Minchinhampton Reservoir (?[SO 855 113]; type of Megalosaurus bradleyi from the White Limestone); Avening ([SO 88 97]; Teleosaurus from Forest Marble); Sapperton Tunnel, Hayley Farm ([SO 949 018]; Megalosaurus, ?Cetiosaurus, from Kemble Beds; Plesiosaurus, Steneosaurus — ?same locality); Tarlton Clay Pit, near Cirencester ([SO 970 001]; assorted microvertebrates from the Forest Marble; Evans and Milner, 1994); Cirencester, Jarvis' Old Quarry ([SO 995 999]; Cetiosaurus, 'Goniopholis', from the Kemble Beds); Ready Token, near Cirencester ([SP 100 050]; microvertebrates; Evans and Milner, 1994); Bibury ([SP 11 06]; Cetiosaurus from Forest Marble); Chedworth [SP 05 11]; Steneosaurus from lower White Limestone); Sevenhampton [SP 03 21]; 'Pterodactylus' from Cotswold Slate); Naunton [SP 11 23]; Teleosaurus from Cotswold Slate [?Taynton Stone or Hampen Marly Formation, progracilis Zone, Middle Bathonian]); Kineton Thorns Quarry ([SP 123 263]; Megalosaurus; type of Rhamphocephalus prestwichi from Cotswold Slate); Oakham Quarry, Little Compton ([SP 279 306]; Megalosaurus, Cetiosaurus, ?Lexovisaurus from the Chipping Norton Limestone Formation [zigzag Zone, Lower Bathonian]); Stanton (SP 07 34; Megalosaurus from the Forest Marble); Hornsleasow (Snowshill) Quarry ([SP 131 322]; Cetiosaurus, Megalosaurus, small carnivorous dinosaurs, pterosaurs, crocodiles, tritylodontid, chelonians, 'lizard' from Chipping Norton Limestone Formation [zigzag Zone, Lower Bathonian]; (Vaughan, 1989; Metcalf et al., 1992).

OXFORDSHIRE: Smith's Quarry, Sarsden ([SP 300 266]; type of Rhamphocephalus depressirostris, Megalosaurus, Cetiosaurus from the 'basement bed of Great Oolite Series' [?Sharp's Hill Beds, Lower Bathonian]); Padley's Quarry, Chapelhouse, Chipping Norton ([SP 329 281]; Cetiosaurus from Sharps Hill Member [tenuiplicatus/progracilis Zone, Lower–Middle Bathonian]); Workhouse Quarry, Chipping Norton ([SP 318 276]; Cetiosaurus, Megalosaurus in Sharps Hill Formation); Temple Mills Quarry, Sibford Ferris ([SP 35 37]; Steneosaurus); Enstone ([SP 37 24]; Cetiosaurus); Over Norton ([SP 31 28]; Cetiosaurus); Sharps Hill Quarry ([SP 338 358]; Lexovisaurus and microvertebrates in Sharps Hill Formation [progracilis Zone, Lower Bathonian]; Woodeaton ([SP 533 123]; Cetiosaurus and microvertebrates from Hampen Manly Formation [progracilis Zone, Middle Bathonian]); Enslow Bridge ([SP 475 178]; type of Steneosaurus meretrix; Megalosaurus from the Stonesfield Slate (progracilis Zone, Middle Bathonian); types of Cetiosaurus oxoniensis and Lexovisaurus? vetustus from the Forest Marble [Upper Bathonian]); Gibraltar (Bletchington Station) Quarry ([SP 483 183]; Steneosaurus, Megalosaurus, Cetiosaurus from fimbriatus–waltoni Beds (top White Limestone Formation [aspidoides Zone, Upper Bathonian]); Slape Hill, Woodstock ([SP 423 196]; Steneosaurus, Teleosaurus, Cetiosaurus from White Limestone Formation); Glympton Quarry ([SP 427 217]; type of Cetiosaurus glymptonensis from the Forest Marble [Upper Bathonian]); Tolley's Quarry, Bladon ([SP 44 14]; Cetiosaurus, Ichthyosaurus); Hanborough Railway Station ([SP 44 15]; crocodilian from the Cornbrash); Hampton Common (?[SP 50 15]/?[SP 48 16]; Steneosaurus, Rhamphorhynchus, Plesiosaurus); Fritwell ([SP 52 29]; Teleosaurus); Littlemore ([SP 53 02]; Megalosaurus from the Corallian); Stratton Audley ([SP 60 26]; Cetiosaurus from the Forest Marble (Upper Bathonian); Ardley Quarry ([SP 539 272]; Teleosaurus from Ardley Member of White Limestone [hodsoni Zone, Upper Bathonian]).

NORTHAMPTONSHIRE: Blisworth railway cutting ([SP 725 543]; Cetiosaurus, Steneosaurus from 'Great Oolite' [Blisworth Limestone, hodsoni Zone, Upper Bathonian]); Cogenhoe ([SP 83 60]; Cetiosaurus from Cornbrash); Northampton, Buttock's Booth ([SP 78 64]; Steneosaurus from 'Great Oolite' [Blisworth Limestone, hodsoni Zone, Upper Bathonian]); Kingsthorpe, Northampton ([SP 75 63]; Steneosaurus from 'Great Oolite'); Rushden Quarry ([SP 951 661]; 'Cimoliasaurus' from Cornbrash); Irchester ([SP 89 68]; Steneosaurus); Islip Ironstone Quarry, Thrapston ([SP 975 782] etc.; Steneosaurus, Megalosaurus, Muraenosaurus from Cornbrash); Oundle ([TL 03 88]; crocodile from 'Great Oolite').

BUCKINGHAMSHIRE: Olney ([SP 88 51]; Plesiosaurus, Cetiosaurus from the top of the Cornbrash).

CAMBRIDGESHIRE: Peterborough — ?exact locality ([TL 19 98]; Steneosaurus, Teleosaurus, from Cornbrash); Orton, Peterborough ([TL 17 96]; crocodile); Norman Cross Brickworks, Stilton ([TL 170 912]; 'Cimoliasaurus', Ichthyosaurus, Teleosaurus from Cornbrash).

LEICESTERSHIRE: Essendine/Banthorpe railway cutting ([TF 04 12]; 'Cimoliasaurus', Cetiosaurus from Blisworth Clay [Upper Bathonian]); Belmesthorpe ([TF 04 10]; Steneosaurus, Teleosaurus, Rhamphocephalus from 'Great Oolite' [Upper Bathonian] and Upper Estuarine 'Series' [Lower–Middle Bathonian]); Great Casterton, Rutland (Cetiosaurus, LEICS).

NORTH YORKSHIRE: Scarborough (?[SE 86 06]; Plesiosaurus from the Cornbrash).

INNER HEBRIDES: Elgol, Skye ([NG 531 164], [NG 519 154], [NG 518 168]; plesiosaur, crocodilian, tritylodont remains from Lealt Shale Formation and Kilmaluag Formation (Waldman and Savage, 1972; Harris and Hudson, 1980; Savage, 1984; Waldman and Evans, 1994).

Callovian

Reptiles are known from the Upper Cornbrash (macrocephalus Zone) of Stilton, Cambridgeshire (Martill, 1986), but it is not clear whether the overlying Kellaways Clay has produced any finds. The overlying Kellaways Sand (calloviense Zone) of Lincolnshire has recently produced numerous plesiosaur and marine crocodile remains from a scattering of temporary exposures around Lincoln (Brown, 1990; Brown and Keen, 1991) and in the Peterborough district (Martin, 1985b), and the Kellaways Rock (also calloviense Zone) has yielded a plesiosaur (Cryptoclidus) in Yorkshire. The Lower Oxford Clay (particularly the jason Zone) has produced abundant plesiosaurs (Cryptoclidus, Liopleurodon, Muraenosaurus, Peloneustes, Pliosaurus, Simolestes, Tricleidus), ichthyosaurs (Ophthalmosaurus), crocodilians (Metriorhynchus, Steneosaurus), pterosaurs ('Rhamphorhynchus') and dinosaurs (Callovosaurus, Cetiosauriscus, Dryosaurus, Eustreptospondylus, Lexovisaurus, Metriacanthosaurus, Ornithopsis, and Sarcolestes) from localities from Dorset to Peterborough, with the richest localities lying in and around Peterborough (Martill and Hudson, 1991). Martill (1986) notes reptile finds in nearly all Lower Oxford Clay horizons, particularly Beds 7, 8, 10, 11, 13 and 17. References include Seeley (1869a), Phillips (1871), H.B. Woodward (1895), Andrews (1910), Arkell (1933), Leeds (1956), Tarlo (1960), Galton (1980a), Brown (1981), and Martill (1985b, 1986, 1988, 1990, 1992), Adams-Tresman (1987a, 1987b), Martill and Hudson (1991) and Martill et al. (1994).

DORSET: Backwater, Weymouth ([SY 677 790]; 'Cimoliasaurus', Ichthyosaurus, Lexovisaurus durobrivensis, Pliosaurus from the Lower Oxford Clay); Putton Lane Brick Pit, Chickerell ([SY 650 801]; type specimen of Cryptoclidus richardsoni, Muraenosaurus, Pliosaurus, Steneosaurus, ?Dacentrurus from Lower Oxford Clay [calloviense Zone]); Radipole ([SY 81 67]; Plesiosaurus'); Rodwell ([SY 67 78]; ichthyosaur limb; Delair 1987); Shore of Fleet (?Tidman Point and bay to the west; Steneosaurus, Plesiosaurus'); Bowleaze Cove ([SY 7081]; Steneosaurus, Muraenosaurus).

WILTSHIRE: Melksham ([ST 90 63]; ?cryptoclidid, Metriorhynchus from Oxford Clay); Devizes ([SU 00 61]; 'Cimoliasaurus' from Oxford Clay); Chippenham ([ST 91 73]; 'Cimoliasaurus', Metriorhynchus, Muraenosaurus, Pliosaurus, from Oxford Clay); Christian Malford ([ST 957 774]; 'Cimoliasaurus', Peloneustes, Pliosaurus, Steneosaurus, Ophthalmosaurus from Lower Oxford Clay [Jason Zone]); Wootton-Bassett (?Old Park brickpit, [SU 05 82]; 'Cimoliasaurus' from (?Upper) Oxford Clay [cordatum Zone]).

OXFORDSHIRE: Long Marston [?= Marston] (SP 53 09; 'Cimoliasaurus', Steneosagrus from Oxford Clay); Shotover Hill ([SP 57 06]; 'Cimoliasaurus', Pliosaurus from Oxford Clay); Cowley Field, Oxford ([SP 57 03], pit filled; Cimoliasaurus, Ophthalmosaurus, Cryptoclidus, type of 'Plesiosaurus' hexagonalis [nomen dubium] from Oxford Clay); St Clements, Oxford ([SP 53 06], pits filled; Ophthalmosaurus, Rhamphorhynchus from Oxford Clay); Summertown Brick Pit, near Oxford ([SP 51 09]; type of Eustreptospondylus oxoniensis, Muraenosaurus plicatus [nomen dubium], 'Cimoliasaurus' oxoniensis, as well as crocodiles, Ophthalmosaurus from Middle Oxford Clay [Upper Callovian, athleta Zone]); Wolvercote Brick Pit ([SP 494 105]; Megalosaurus; Cryptoclidus, Ophthalmosaurus from Oxford Clay); Shellingford Crossroads Quarry ([SU 326 942]; Pliosaurus, ?Goniopholis from Oxford Clay); St Edmund Hall, Oxford ([SP 518 063]; crocodile from Oxford Clay [lamberti Zone]); Iffley Road Sports Ground, Oxford ([SP 524 054]; 'Plesiosaurus' from Oxford Clay); Cumnor (?[SP 47 04]; Pliosaurus' from Oxford Clay).

BUCKINGHAMSHIRE: Calvert Brick Pit, and other localities (?), Buckingham ([SP 69 33]; Ophthalmosaurus from Oxford Clay); Bletchley Brick Works ([SP 868 327]; Ophthalmosaurus from Oxford Clay); Newton Longville Brickworks ([SP 853 322]; Pliosaurus from Oxford Clay); Fenny Stratford ([SP 88 34]; Steneosaurus from Oxford Clay); Caldecotte Reservoir, Milton Keynes ([SP 892 352]; Ophthalmosaurus from Lower Oxford Clay [coronatum Zone]; Martill, 1986).

BEDFORDSHIRE: Marston Moretaine ([SP 99 41]; Peloneustes from Oxford Clay); Stewartby Clay Pit (n. 0142; Ophthalmosaurus, Liopleurodon from Oxford Clay); Kempston (?Clay Pits around [TL 03 45], or Green-End Old Pit, [TL 007 475]; Peloneustes from Oxford Clay); Bedford ([TL 04 49]; Cimoliasaurus', ?Lexovisaurus, Steneosaurus from Oxford Clay); Ravensden, Bedford ([TL 07 54]; Pliosaurus in Oxford Clay).

CAMBRIDGESHIRE: Orton Brick Pit ([TL 165 937]; Cryptoclidus, Ophthalmosaurus from Lower Oxford Clay); Norman Cross Brick Pit ([TL 173 916]; unidentifiable reptile from Lower Oxford Clay); Yaxley Brick Pit ([TL 178 932]; Cryptoclidus, Pliosaurus, Steneosaurus, Metriorhynchus from Lower Oxford Clay); Eyebury Brick and Tile Works ([TL 18 59]; type of Pliosaurus evansi from Lower Oxford Clay); St Neots Brickyard ([TL 18 60]; Pliosaurus from Oxford Clay [coronatum Zone]); London Road, Peterborough (?[TL18 96]; Muraenosaurus, Cryptoclidus, Steneosaurus, Metriorhynchus, Cetiosauriscus from Lower Oxford Clay); Woodston Lodge, Peterborough ([TL 18 97]; Ophthalmosaurus, Liopleur9don from Oxford Clay); Fletton Brick Works (various pits around [TL 19 95]; have probably yielded the majority of 'Peterborough' reptiles; types of Neopterygius entheciodon, Ophthalmosaurus icenicus, Apractocleidus tereti pes, Cryptoclidus eurymerus, Muraenosaurus durobrivensis, M. leedsi, Peloneustes philarchus, Simolestes vorax, Tricleidus seeleyi, Metriorhynchus cultridens, M. durobrivensis, Mycterosuchus nasutus, Steneosaurus depressus, S.durobrivensis, S. hulkei, S. leedsi, S. obtusidens, Cetiosauriscus leedsi, Lexovisaurus durobrivensis, 'Stegosaurus' priscus, Sarcolestes leedsi, amongst others from Lower Oxford Clay [jason Zone]); Peterborough Gas Works (?[TL 199 991]; type of Ornithopsis leedsi probably from the junction of the Kellaways Clay with the overlying Kellaways Sand; Martill, 1986; Brown and Keen, 1991); Barrow Pit, Farcet ([TL 200 958]; Cryptoclidus, Liopleurodon, Metriorhynchus from Lower Oxford Clay); Stanground ([TL 20 97]; Ophthalmosaurus, Steneosaurus?, Muraenosaurus from Lower Oxford Clay Vason Zone]); Dogsthorpe Brick Pit, Peterborough ([TF 219 019]; Metriorhynchus? from Lower Oxford Clay Vason Zone]; Liopleurodon; Dawn, 1991); Eye ([TL 22 02]; Steneosaurus from Lower Oxford Clay); Whittlesey Clay Pits ([TL 252 976] and/or [TL 250 976]; 'Cimoliasaurus', Lexovisaurus durobrivensis, Muraenosaurus, Ichthyosaurus, Peloneustes, Pliosaurus, Steneosaurus, Metriorhynchus from Lower Oxford Clay [jason Zone]); St Ives Brickyard (?[TL 304 718]; type of Rhamphorhynchus jessoni, Pliosaurus from Middle Oxford Clay).

LINCOLNSHIRE: Reepham ([TF 046 747]; Cryptoclidus eurymerus, Muraenosaurus leedsii, Steneosaurus sp., Metriorhynchus sp., Liopleurodon ferox from the Kellaways Sand [calloviense Zone]; Brown, 1990; Brown and Keen, 1991).

HUMBERSIDE: Mill Hill, Elloughton, near Brough ([SE 942 278]; Cryptoclidus, Muraenosaurus, etc. from Kellaways Sand [calloviense Zone]; Brown and Keen, 1991).

YORKSHIRE: Hackness, Scarborough ([SE 96 90]; Ichthyosaurus, Plesiosaurus); Gristhorpe ([TA 12 83]; Steneosaurus from Kellaways Beds).

Six reptile-bearing sites have been selected as GCR sites from the huge numbers that have been noted in the literature, as those representing the greatest range of faunas and preservation types, and as having the greatest potential for future collecting. These are all Bathonian; none of the Aalenian or Bajocian sites was strong enough for inclusion. In addition, none of the important Callovian localities could be selected because they have either been lost to infill or degradation, or they are currently worked in a way that prevents the conservation of fossiliferous horizons. In addition, it is not possible to say that any one or two Oxford Clay sites is likely to be more or less productive than any other. The Mid Jurassic sites are:

1. Kildonnan and Eilean Thuilm, Eigg ([NM 495 870], [NM 483 913]). Mid Jurassic (?Lower Bathonian). Kildonnan Member, Great Estuarine Group.

2. New Park Quarry, Longborough, Gloucestershire [SP 171 296]. Mid Jurassic (Lower Bathonian), Chipping Norton Member, Chipping Norton Formation.

3. Stonesfield, Oxfordshire [SP 387 171]. Mid Jurassic (Middle Bathonian), Stonesfield Member, Sharps Hill Formation.

4. Huntsman's Quarry, Naunton, Gloucestershire [SP 126 253]. Mid Jurassic (Middle Bathonian), Eyford Member ('Cotswold Slates').

5. Shipton-on-Cherwell Quarry, north-west corner, Oxfordshire [SP 475 178]. Mid Jurassic (Upper Bathonian), Ardley and Bladon members, White Limestone Formation, Forest Marble Formation and Lower Cornbrash.

6. Kirtlington Old Cement Works, Kirtlington, Oxfordshire [SP 494 199]. Mid Jurassic (Upper Bathonian), White Limestone Formation to Lower Cornbrash.

Mid Jurassic (Bathonian) of Scotland

The lagoonal facies of the Great Estuarine Group (Bathonian) of the Inner Hebrides in west Scotland have been known as sites for reptiles since the mid-19th century when Hugh Miller noted reptile material, mainly of plesiosaurs, in the Kildonnan Member of Eigg ('Hugh Miller's Bone Bed'). Further remains of reptiles have been found recently throughout the Group from several locations (Harris and Hudson, 1980; Martin, 1985a). Productive Bathonian sites in the Great Estuarine Group are restricted to the Kilmalaug Formation (Figure 6.2), in which some of the youngest tritylodontid mammal-like reptiles, and other specimens of reptiles and mammals, have been found (Waldman and Savage, 1972; Savage, 1984; Waldman and Evans, 1994), and to the Kildonnan Member of the Lealt Shale Formation.

References