In Depth Dominickus is a genus of butterfly moth that lived in the western USA during the late Eocene. Further Reading - A butterfly-moth (Lepidoptera Castniidae) from the Oligocene shales of Florissant, Colorado. - Journal of Research on the Lepidoptera 24(1):31-40. - N. B. Tindale - 1985.
In Depth Palaeovespa is a genus of wasp that lived at least from the end of the Paleocene to the end of the Eocene. Palaeovespa is noted for its similarity to the modern day genus Vespa, hence the name Palaeovespa which means ‘old Vespa’. However the wing structure of Palaeovespa leaves no doubt that it … Read more
In Depth Pseudosiobla is a genus of extinct sawfly that lived in North America during the Eocene. Further Reading - Some fossil arthropods from Florissant, Colorado. - Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 23:605-616. - T. D. A. Cockerell - 1907. - New Phytophagous Hymenoptera from the Tertiary of Florissant, Colorado. - Bulletin … Read more
In Depth First mistaken for a graptolite thanks to only a very spiny leg being discovered, Megalograptus is now known to have been a large eurypterid, colloquially known as a ‘sea scorpion’. Megalograptus is the type genus of the Megalograptoidea, a group of eurypterids which are primarily identified by the arrangement of spikes on their … Read more
Leanchoilia: Research Database Theropoda · Cretaceous · Unknown Research Note: Leanchoilia was a theropoda from the Cretaceous of Unknown, providing important data on prehistoric life and ecosystem dynamics. Research Finding Status Grade Year Method Citation Impact Butterfield 2002: Leanchoilia and related taxa Paleobiology Confirmed A 2002 Fossil
Marrella: Research Database Theropoda · Cretaceous · Unknown Research Note: Marrella was a theropoda from the Cretaceous of Unknown, providing important data on prehistoric life and ecosystem dynamics. Research Finding Status Grade Year Method Citation Impact Marrella 2020: Marrella and related taxa ALTEX Confirmed B 2020 Fossil Marrella, ALTEX Taxonomy Marrella 2019: Marrella … Read more
Beelzebufo: Research Database Ceratophryidae (Amphibia) · Late Cretaceous (~70–66 MYA) · Africa — Madagascar (Maevarano Formation) Research Note: Beelzebufo — “Devil Toad” — is the largest known frog that ever lived, with an estimated body mass of 4–10 kg and a head-width potentially exceeding 40 cm. Its massive, heavily ossified skull with circum-frontal bones … Read more
In Depth Further Reading - Revision of fossil species of Dryinus belonging to lamellatus group, with description of a new species (Hymenoptera, Dryinidae) 130: 505–514. - Massimo Olmi & Adalgisa Guglielmino - 2011.
Pterygotus: Research Database Eurypterida (Chelicerata) · Silurian-Devonian (~425–400 MYA) · Global (Marine) Research Note: Pterygotus was a large eurypterid (sea scorpion) from the Silurian and Devonian periods. As one of the largest known arthropods, it provides important data on eurypterid evolution and Paleozoic marine ecosystems. Research Finding Status Grade Year Method Citation Impact … Read more
In Depth Tokummia is a genus of arthropod that lived near the sea floor around Canada during the Cambrian. Further Reading - Burgess Shale fossils illustrate the origin of the mandibulate body plan. - Nature. 545 (7652): 89–92. - C�dric Aria & Jean-Bernard Caron - 2017.