Durringtonia is an extinct genus of metriorhynchid crocodylomorph from the Middle Jurassic (Bathonian stage) of England. It represents a group of highly specialized, fully marine crocodylomorphs, often referred to as "sea crocodiles."
Etymology The genus name Durringtonia refers to Durrington, Wiltshire, the locality in England where the holotype specimen was discovered.
Taxonomy and Discovery Durringtonia belongs to the family Metriorhynchidae, within the clade Thalattosuchia. These crocodylomorphs evolved to live exclusively in marine environments, developing adaptations such as paddle-like limbs, a shark-like tail fluke, and salt glands.
The only known species is Durringtonia clarkei. Its fossils, primarily cranial and postcranial remains, were originally referred to Metriorhynchus or a related genus. However, a comprehensive phylogenetic analysis by Wilkinson et al. (2008) recognized distinct morphological features, particularly in the skull, that warranted the erection of a new genus, Durringtonia. The type specimen, NHMUK PV R 2862, was found in the Great Oolite Group (Bathonian) near Durrington, Wiltshire, England.
Description and Paleobiology Like other metriorhynchids, Durringtonia clarkei was a predatory marine reptile. Its skull indicates a relatively elongated snout, typical of fish-eating (piscivorous) or generalist marine predators. The teeth were serrated and adapted for grasping slippery prey. Its streamlined body and specialized limbs suggest it was an efficient swimmer in open oceans.
Durringtonia provides important insights into the diversity and evolutionary history of marine crocodylomorphs during the Jurassic period, demonstrating the extent of their ecological radiation into marine niches alongside marine dinosaurs and plesiosaurs.
References
- Wilkinson, L. E., Young, M. T., & Benton, M. J. (2008). A new metriorhynchid crocodylomorph from the Middle Jurassic (Bathonian) of England, and the origin of Metriorhynchidae. Palaeontology, 51(5), 997–1018.