Cardiodon rugulosus

† Cardiodon rugulosus was a sauropod dinosaur from the Middle Jurassic of England, one of the earliest-described sauropods in the scientific literature. Known only from a single heart-shaped ('cardio' = heart) tooth with rugose surface texture, it was described by Richard Owen in 1841. Whether it represents a valid taxon or a fragmentary specimen of another sauropod remains debated. Its provenance from Jurassic English deposits places it among the oldest British dinosaur records.

Diet & Feeding

Herbivore

Cardiodon rugulosus was a plant-eating dinosaur. Herbivores typically fed on ferns, cycads, conifers, and other vegetation available during their era. Many herbivorous dinosaurs developed specialized teeth and digestive systems for processing tough plant material.

Time Period

Jurassic Middle Mesozoic Era

Cardiodon rugulosus lived during the Jurassic Middle period of the Mesozoic Era, approximately 174.7 to 161.5 million years ago.

Dinosaur diversity continued to increase, with the evolution of large sauropods and diverse theropods. Stegosaurs first appeared, and the supercontinent Pangaea was breaking apart.