Metriacanthosaurus was a large theropod that once hunted across Europe. Its name means 'moderately spined lizard' in reference to the spines on its vertebrae. Comparatively little is known about this dinosaur compared to its contemporaries like Allosaurus.
Discovery
Metriacanthosaurus was originally classified as a species of Megalosaurus from remains found in Oxford Clay in the UK. In 1964 it was identified as a separate genus.
Paleoecology
Oxford Clay contains a rich variety of remains including marine animals, indicating that Metriacanthosaurus hunted in coastal regions and near waterways.
