The teeth of Archaeopteryx and a reinterpretation of the Eichstätt specimen

A full description is given of the dentition in the London, Berlin and Eichstätt specimens of Archaeopteryx lithographica. Definite differences in tooth shape are noted between the Berlin and Eichstätt specimens. The teeth of the Berlin specimen are stout and peg-like, with a flatly conical recurved tip; the teeth of the Eichstätt specimen are more gracile and evenly recurved. This is most probably associated with a difference in food preference. Four competing hypotheses are considered to explain these and other skeletal differences: (1) Sexual dimorphism; (2) Ontogenetic differences; (3) The Eichstt specimen is distinct at the specific or generic level from the other specimens; (4) Polymorphism within the species A. lithographica. It is concluded that the most parsimonious interpretation of the osteology is that the Eichstt specimen is distinct from the other (Berlin, London and Maxberg) specimens definitely at the species level and most probably at the generic level. A new species is therefore proposed to accommodate the Eichstt specimen Archaeopteryx recurva sp. nov, The teeth of Archaeopteryx do not provide evidence of a close relationship to crocodilians.