Redescription of the holotype of Dryptosaurus aquilunguis (Dinosauria: Theropoda) from the Upper Cretaceous of New Jersey

ABSTRACT The skeleton of the enigmatic theropod Dryptosaurus aquilunguis is redescribed in light of the many new theropods named since Cope's original description in 1866. Unfortunately, the fragmentary nature of the single known skeleton makes comparison with other theropods difficult. Historically, Dryptosaurus has been placed, at one time or another, in the theropod families Coeluridae, Deinodontidae, Megalosauridae, Tyrannosauridae, and its own family, Dryptosauridae. Most of these assignments have been based upon superficial resemblances to various members of those families. Reexamination of the specimen indicates the presence of unique serrations on the maxillary teeth, a large ungual/humeral ratio, the probable presence of a high, centrally located ascending process on the astragalus, and a non-arctometatarsal. These features indicate that Dryptosaurus is a unique theropod and should be placed in its own family, Dryptosauridae.