What precise geological age is estimated for the *Xenoposeidon* vertebra based on its Ecclesbourne Glen location?
Answer
Berriasian
The correlation between the Ecclesbourne Glen site and the Ashdown Formation allowed paleontologists to determine a specific age bracket for the *Xenoposeidon* specimen. This dating places the vertebra firmly within the Berriasian age, which represents the earliest part of the Early Cretaceous period. This assignment is of immense importance because it establishes *Xenoposeidon* as the earliest known named member belonging to the Rebbachisauridae family in the scientific record, predating the previous record holder, *Histriasaurus*, by an estimated duration of ten million years.
Related Questions
What catalog number identifies the singular *Xenoposeidon proneneukos* dorsal vertebra specimen?Which specific locale near Hastings is the most likely unearthing site for the *Xenoposeidon* vertebra?The exposed rock layers at Ecclesbourne Glen, where R2095 was found, belong to which specific geological formation?What precise geological age is estimated for the *Xenoposeidon* vertebra based on its Ecclesbourne Glen location?What geological Supergroup encompasses the geological context of the *Xenoposeidon* find?Which ancient landmass, defined by early Cretaceous geography, did *Xenoposeidon*'s presence confirm as a habitat for Rebbachisaurids?What key anatomical structure, cataloged as R2095, is the sole fossil evidence for *Xenoposeidon proneneukos*?What other major sauropod group is mentioned alongside Titanosauria as potentially existing in the Hastings Beds Group during the Early Cretaceous?What depositional environment does the Ashdown Formation at Ecclesbourne Glen typically represent?Relative to the Wessex Formation, how does the geological age of the Hastings Beds Group containing *Xenoposeidon* compare?