By Christopher Stevens
A fragment of an unidentified dinosaur''s tooth was recently found near St. George.
Andrew Milner, a paleontologist, unearthed a 1.25-inch fragment of a fossil tooth with a portion of the gum line at Johnson Farm dinosaur track site Oct. 15.
Because of the smooth markings on the tooth, it apparently traveled down the river from an unknown location, Milner said. While the dinosaur''s origin is unknown, it possibly came to the river to eat fish and drink, he said.
The dinosaur is closely related to Dilophosaurus, a meat-eater from the early Jurassic Period, Milner said. He estimated the dinosaur was about 20-25 feet in length and weighed over 1,000 pounds.
For three years, the Johnson Farm dinosaur track site has lured visitors with the promise of finding dinosaur evidence.
'People would come to visit and were surprised not to see dinosaur bones,' Milner said.
Before this discovery, paleontologists had evidence of two different dinosaurs roaming the area through their footprints, but had not found any dinosaur bones.
'I hope the tooth will help to explain exactly what made the footprints in the area,' Milner said.
Researchers are now excavating the area in order to find a significant fossil piece such as a skull, pelvis or limb bone, he said. This will allow scientists to determine if an unidentified dinosaur has been discovered.
'Unfortunately, we can''t name a dinosaur based on teeth alone,' Milner said. 'That''s why we''re hoping to find some bones to analyze.'
A jawbone was found near the tooth, but is believed to be part of a large fish, Milner said.
The discovery of the dinosaur tooth could help move a stalled fossil bill through Congress, Milner said. If passed, the bill will give St. George $500,000 to acquire land and construct a building to protect fossils.
'I want to take the fossils out of my garage and put them in a museum where they belong,' Milner said.
With new discoveries occurring daily at the Johnson farm, the track site is one of the best in the country, said James Kirkland, state paleontologist.
'No matter what discoveries are made in the future, the tooth will be on display in the future museum, and castings will be made that visitors can purchase,' Milner said.