1.34" Rare, Megalosaurid (Marshosaurus?) Tooth - Colorado

This is a very nice, 1.34" long, Megalosaurid tooth collected this past summer from the Morrison Formation. It comes from our partners private quarry east of Dinosaur, Colorado. It comes from a layer where most of the bones and teeth are "agatized" resulting in very colorful specimens. This tooth has a green tint to it.

The tooth retains most of its serrations and was left in its natural position on the rock. There are several repaired fractures and some gap fill restoration in the cracks.

There are two main characteristics that distinguish it from the much more frequently found Allosaurus teeth. First, the serrations on the front edge of the tooth extend less than half way down the length of the tooth. Secondly, there is little to no spiraling of serrations seen on Allosaurus teeth. While the extent of feeding wear to the tip obscures the extent, this tooth was likely very "hooked" in shape.

There are three described Megalosaurs in the Morrison Formation; Marshosaurus, Stokesosaurus and Torvosaurus. The shape and coarseness of serrations don't match Torvosaurus.
Based on the other material/teeth found at the quarry odds favor it being from Marshosaurus.