Astrodon

star tooth

• astron · Greek · star
• odon · Greek · tooth

Astrodon is named for the distinctive star-like pattern visible in cross-section on its teeth. The name was coined by Joseph Leidy in 1865, who noticed that when the teeth were cut transversely, the internal enamel ridges radiated outward in a star-shaped pattern. This feature was considered unique enough to warrant a new genus name, making Astrodon one of the earliest North American sauropod dinosaurs to be formally described.

Named by

Johnston (described); Leidy (formally named)

Year named

1865

Period

Early Cretaceous

Stages

Aptian – Albian

Found in

Arundel Formation, Maryland, USA

Astrodon johnstoni is the state dinosaur of Maryland, USA. Some researchers have considered it a possible synonym of Pleurocoelus, but it is currently treated as a distinct genus by many authorities. It is a sauropod (brachiosaur-like titanosauriform). Known mostly from teeth and fragmentary postcranial material, which has led to some uncertainty about its full anatomy.