Ichthyovenator

Phylogeny: Dinosauria > Saurischia > Theropoda > Neotheropoda > Tetanurae > Megalosauroidea (?) > Spinosauridae > Spinosaurinae

Overview: Ichthyovenator is a genus based on a single partial skeleton, unearthed in what is today the landlocked nation of Laos, in Southeast Asia. Recovered bones include most of the pelvis, the vertebrae behind the pelvis, a few tail vertebrae, some ribs, and most of the neck. Based on these bones, we can determine that Ichthyovenator belonged to the family Spinosauridae, which allows us to fill in the gaps missing from the skeleton with at least some degree of potential accuracy. Its skull is unknown, but we know that spinosaurids invariably had elongated, notched jaws lined with conical teeth. Such jaws were well suited for a diet of fish and other slippery prey. This inferred diet is referenced by the creature’s generic name, a combination of Greek and Latin for “fish hunter”. Ichthyovenator probably spent much of its time wading in rivers, lakes or lagoons on the prowl for its preferred prey, though we know spinosaurids also consumed terrestrial vertebrates (including other dinosaurs). Its fossils are known from the Grès Supérieurs Formation, so it’s known to have coexisted with a few sauropods, the young of which may’ve been a food source.

In addition to their crocodile-like snouts, spinosaurids are also known for a few other traits. Their arms, for instance, were often quite large and sported prominent claws. We can assume this was likely the case for Ichthyovenator. Some, in particular Spinosaurus itself, had elongated neural spines along their backs. This trait is also present on Ichthyovenator, though to a lesser degree, with it having a low sail or ridge running down the back, in its case having a small dip just above its pelvis. This may’ve been a display structure or a way to store body fat, though we can’t be entirely certain. The neural spines on the tail were also quite tall, making it resemble a paddle. Spinosaurus also had such a tail, which some see as evidence of swimming behavior, but others aren’t so sure, pointing out they lacked the proper musculature near the base of the tail, like we see on crocodiles for instance. Spinosaurids varied widely in size, with Ichthyovenator being a decently large genus in the same size range as Baryonyx or even Suchomimus, though it wasn’t anywhere near as large as Spinosaurus. It’s probably the largest spinosaurid yet described from Asia.