Torvosaurus gurneyi

Overview

Named in 2014, this theropod is based on ML 1100, an incomplete upper jaw with an erupted and an unerupted tooth and a partial tail vertebra. The Portuguese fossils are late Kimmeridgian; geological age differs from the naming date.

Fused interdental plates have a straight lower margin, unlike the broad V-shaped points diagnosed for American Torvosaurus tanneri. The analysis recovered them as sister taxa; it did not identify either as the other’s ancestor.

Co-author Mateus, quoted by NOVA in 2014, linked divergence to isolation when the Atlantic was already well formed. Body-size and largest-predator statements are historical interpretations, not present-day rankings or direct complete-skeleton measurements.

Origins & earliest records

Biological origin undated.

Evidence & interpretation

Fossils.

Selected bibliography

Documented works and useful reading. This is not a list of every appearance.

1. 01

   Torvosaurus gurneyi n. sp.

   · 2014

   Selected evidence.

2. 02

   Ciência na Nova

   · 2014

   Selected evidence.

Family, evolution & connections

Taxonomic classification

A hierarchy of classified groups, not a chain of direct ancestors.

Source note: GBIF ranks; intermediate clades omitted.

1. kingdomAnimalia
2. phylumChordata
3. familyMegalosauridae
4. genusTorvosaurus
5. speciesTorvosaurus gurneyi

References

Sources supporting this profile. Linked pages have their own scope and editorial standards.

1. Primary researchTorvosaurus gurneyi n. sp.Research access: 2026-10-07
2. Institutional accountCiência na NovaResearch access: 2026-10-07
3. Institutional taxonomyGBIF taxonomic matchResearch access: 2026-10-07

Image credits

Whole plate of erupted and replacement teeth from holotype ML 1100, including serration details.

Whole figure; holotype teeth only; no reconstruction. Compressed for display.