Marine tethysuchian crocodyliform from the ?Aptian-Albian (Early Cretaceous) of the Isle of Wight, England

A marine tethysuchian crocodyliform from the Isle of Wight, most likely from the Upper Greensand Formation (late Albian, Early Cretaceous), is described. However, we cannot preclude it being from the Ferruginous Sands Formation (late Aptian), or more remotely, the Sandrock Formation (late Aptian-early Albian). The specimen consists of the anterior region of the right dentary, from the tip of the dentary to the incomplete fourth alveolus. This specimen increases the known geological range of marine tethysuchians back into the late Early Cretaceous. While we refer it to Tethysuchia incertae sedis, there are seven anterior dentary characteristics which suggest a possible relationship with the Maastrichtian-Eocene clade Dyrosauridae. We also review 'middle' Cretaceous marine tethysuchians, including putative Cenomanian dyrosaurids. We conclude that there is insufficient evidence to be certain that any known Cenomanian specimen can be safely referred to Dyrosauridae, as there are some cranial similarities between basal dyrosaurids and Cenomanian-Turonian marine 'pholidosaurids'. Future study of middle Cretaceous tethysuchians could help unlock the origins of Dyrosauridae and improve our understanding of tethysuchian macroevolutionary trends.