In Depth        Duriavenator was for a long time attributed to Megalosaurus,†‬part†‬of the†‘‬wastebasket taxon‒ ‬effect which saw Megalosaurus becoming a home for many fossils that actually represented similar yet different dinosaurs. Further Reading – A redescription of “Megalosaurus” hesperis (Dinosauria, Theropoda) from the Inferior Oolite (Bajocian, Middle Jurassic) of Dorset, United Kingdom. – … Read more
In Depth        Brachygnathosuchus is†‬a problematic genus of crocodile because so far it is only known from a small portion of a lower jaw and possible osteoderm.†‬A partial mandible that was moved from Dinoschus into Brachygnathosuchus was later†‬moved again into Purussaurus. Further Reading – Brachygnathosuchus braziliensis,†‬a new fossil crocodilian from Brazil.†‬-†… Read more
In Depth        Eoalulavis was the first Mesozoic bird known to have had an alula,†‬more commonly known as a bastard wing.†‬The alula is a small extension to the anterior†(‬frontâ€) ‬edge of the wing that serves as an attachment point for a few additional small flight feathers.†‬When extended,†‬the alula both increased low … Read more
In Depth        A kind of mosasaur known from North Africa, the species name of E.†‬heterodontus means different-toothed and is in reference to the different kinds of teeth that are present in the jaws of known Eremiasaurus specimens.†‬This is taken to indicate that Eremiasaurus†‬may have been a generalist carnivore that was not especially … Read more
In Depth        Lekaneleo is a genus of thylacoleonid marsupial that lived in Australia during the Miocene period.†‬Lekaneleo is a relative of the better known Thylacoleo,†‬and like Thylacoleo,†‬Lekaneleo would have been a powerful predator. Further Reading -†‬Priscileo roskellyae sp.†‬nov.†(‬Thylacoleonidae,†‬Marsupialiaâ€) ‬from the Oligocene-Miocene of Riversleigh,†‬northwestern Queensland.†‬-†‬Memoirs of … Read more
In Depth        Saltoposuchus was not like todays crocodiles,†‬in fact it was more like a small theropod dinosaur.†‬The hind legs were long which meant that fast running speeds were theoretically possible,†‬though the fore limbs may have still served a weight bearing function,†‬perhaps when at rest.†‬The teeth in the mouth were small … Read more
In Depth        Tropidostoma is a genus of dicynodont therapsid that lived in South Africa during the Permian. Further Reading -†‬Researches on the Structure,†‬Organisation,†‬and Classification of the Fossil Reptilia.†‬-†‬VI.†‬On the Anomodont Reptilia and Their Allies.†‬-†‬Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London,†‬Series B†‬180:215-296.†‬-†‬Harry Govier … Read more
In Depth        Lophostropheus was initially assigned as a specimen of Halticosaurus until†‬1993†‬it was re-classified as a second species of Liliensternus,†‬a genus that was also previously established as a†‬species of Halticosaurus.†‬A new study in†‬2007†‬however concluded that while the fossils were similar,†‬they were different enough to be established as … Read more
In Depth        Helicoprion is one of the stranger ‘sharks‘ in the fossil record,†‬although at the time that Helicoprion swam the oceans there were actually many sharks that did not conform to the†‘‬standard‒ ‬form that we know today.†‬The majority of the remains of this shark are the teeth which are fossilised in a … Read more
In Depth        Romeria is a genus of captorhinid reptile that lived in what is now Texas during the early Permian. Further Reading -†‬Two new cotylosaurs from the Permian of Texas.†‬-†‬Proceedings of the New England Zoďż˝logical Club†‬11:†‬97â€â€“‬102.†‬-†‬Llewellyn Ivor Price†‬-†‬1937. -†‬Romeriid Reptiles from the Lower Permian.†‬-†… Read more