In Depth Rubidgea is a genus of gorgonopsid that is known to have lived in South Africa during the Wuchiapingian stage of the Permian. Gorgonopsids are noted for having large canine teeth that projected down from the upper jaw, but Rubidgea seems to have had particularly large canine teeth when compared to other gorgonopsids. These … Read more
In Depth Patagornis was the first of the Patagornithinae sub group of the phorusrhacid ‘terror birds’, and as such it was more intermediate in size. This would mean that Patagornis had no way near the size and strength of the larger members of the group, but they would have been much faster and more agile. … Read more
In Depth Banji is a genus of small oviraptorid dinosaur that lived in China During the late Cretaceous. The name Banji translates as (striped crest), and is a reference to the striations that run vertically along the crest. Another feature seen in the holotype skull is that the nasal opening is by proportion unusually large … Read more
In Depth As an early ray finned fish Saurichthys displays several characteristics of a fast swimming predator, however the exact method of hunting is still not known for certain. The caudal (tail) fin was not as well developed as other open water fish, although the close proximity of the dorsal (back) and anal (bottom) fins … Read more
How big was Titanoboa and why did it grow so large? When initially described in 2009, Titanoboa was estimated to have been about 12.8 meters long. This meant that in at least terms of length, Titanoboa was larger than the previous record holder for largest ever snake, Gigantophis, by a comfortable margin. Later modelling … Read more
In Depth Tacuarembemys is a genus of turtle that lived in South America during the late Jurassic. Further Reading - Tacuarembemys kusterae, gen. et sp. nov., a new Late Jurassic-?earliest Cretaceous continental turtle from western Gondwana. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 34(6):1329-1341. - D. Perea, M. Soto, J. Sterli, V. Mesa, P. Torino, G. Roland & … Read more
In Depth Repelinosaurus is a genus of dicynodont that lived in Asia during the early Triassic. Described from two skulls, Repelinosaurus is noted for having a very short snout when compared to other kannemeyeriiform dicynodonts. The snout on Repelinosaurus skulls also shows a rugose (bumpy) series of growths. This might suggest that aside from a … Read more
In Depth A little known oviraptorid, Elmisaurus is based upon very few remains. Initially cited as a species of the North American Chirostenotes, it was quickly named as a distinct genus. Still, the Chirostenotes connection did not end there as in 1989 the palaeontologist Philip Currie established a second species, Elmisaurus elegans based upon oviraptorid … Read more
In Depth Stygimoloch is a dubious genus of pachycephalosaurid dinosaur as many palaeontologists are of the opinion that Stygimoloch represents a juvenile/subadult Pachycephalosaurus. In addition to this another genus named Dracorex has also been perceived to be an even younger Stygimoloch, and it is not out of the question that one day both Stygimoloch and … Read more
In Depth Caribemys is a genus of sea turtle that lived during the late Jurassic. Further Reading - A new pleurodiran turtle from the Jagua Formation (Oxfordian) of western Cuba. Journal of Paleontology 75(4):860-869. - M. S. de la Fuente & M. Iturralde-Vinent - 2001.