Isolated theropod teeth from the Kem Kem Beds (Early Cenomanian) near Taouz, Morocco

Abstract

Thirty-seven well-preserved, isolated theropod teeth from the Early Cenomanian Kem Kem beds, Mor- occo, are identified by using morphometric data and direct comparison with teeth previously described in the litera- ture. Direct comparison reveals that four different mor- photypes (MT 1-4) are present in the sample. The teeth of MT 1 are characterised by unserrated carinae and belong to spinosaurid dinosaurs. The teeth of MT 2-4 have serrated carinae, and our data analysis indicates they are of car- charodontosaurid, dromaeosaurid, and abelisaurid origin. Three types of crown enamel ornamentation are present among the teeth of MT 1, which implies that, apart from Spinosaurus aegyptiacus STROMER 1915, more than one species of spinosaurine theropods may be present in the Early Cenomanian of Northern Africa. Our results also confirm the occurrence of abelisaurids, dromaeosaurids, and carcharodontosaurids in Morocco.