Brighstoneus simmondsi is an extinct genus of Iguanodontian dinosaur found in the Isle of Wight. Its long snout probably was used in courtship rituals. It was first discovered in 1978, where it was thought to be an Iguanodon, closer examination found it to be a separate species. its genus names comes from Brighstone, a village close to the excavation site, and its species name honors Keith Simmons ,who found the bones. It was 8 meters (26.67 ft) long and 1.78 meters (5.93 ft) tall.
History of discovery[]
The holotype specimen, MIWG 6344 was discovered along with the holotype Neovenator by Keith Simmonds during the summer of 1978, when a storm made a part of the Grange Chine collapse. Rocks containing fossils fell to the beach of Brighstone Bay on the southwestern coast of the Isle of Wight.
Paleoenvironment[]
Brighstoneus is the third Iguanodont taxon known from the upper Wealden Group, distinct from both Iguanodon and Mantellisaurus.
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