In Depth Tetraceratops has proven a headache for palaeontologists since its discovery, as it is either a pelycosaur, or potentially an early form of the coming therapsids that would displace the pelycosaurs as dominant predators. Evidence to support the therapsid theory comes from similarities in the temporal fenestra between Tetraceratops and biarmarosuchians, primitive therapsids that … Read more
In Depth A very interesting find, Yinlong represents the earliest identifiable ceratopsian dinosaur. Despite its small size and bipedal stance, the descendants of Yinlong would evolve into the huge quadrupedal herbivores like Triceratops that lived at the end of the Cretaceous. Study of the skull has revealed a small rostral bone, or more commonly called … Read more
In Depth Konobelodon is a genus of amebelodont that lived across much of the world during the Miocene. Further Reading - Rediagnosis of the Genus Amebelodon (Mammalia, Proboscidea, Gomphotheriidae), with a New Subgenus and Species, Amebelodon (Konobelodon) britti. - Journal of Paleontology 64(6):1032-1040. - W. D. Lambert - 1990. - The Eurasian occurrence of the … Read more
In Depth Francosuchus has been established as a possibly primitive phytosaur that lived in Europe during the Triassic. The genus is based upon two species, but described from a single partial skull each. However, these skulls were destroyed during World War Two, and since these are now unavailable for study and comparison, Francosuchus is now … Read more
Fossil Map Interactive fossil Map of Pachyrhinosaurus, along with its chronological bar chart of fossil discoveries. In Depth Even though it did not have the elaborate horns of some ceratopsians like Einiosaurus, Pachyrhinosaurus has become a favourite amongst ceratopsian dinosaur enthusiasts because of the large bony growth called a boss that is present on top … Read more
In Depth Named from a partial skull, Glanosuchus is still one of the more interesting therapsid predators of the Permian. The ear structure of Glanosuchus reveals the early stages towards a development of an inner ear, something that later mammals would possess. This would mean that Glanosuchus likely had better hearing than earlier synapsids, though … Read more
In Depth Seldsienean is a genus of thalattosuchian that lived in European waters during the mid Jurassic. Seldsienean was originally named as a species of Steneosaurus, but was moved into its own genus as a result of a massive revision to the Steneosaurus genus. Further Reading - The phylogenetics of Teleosauroidea (Crocodylomorpha, Thalattosuchia) and implications … Read more
In Depth Tanius is one of the many known Asian hadrosauroid dinosaurs, but one that is not very well represented. The initial description was based upon the back of the skull which seems to be that of a flat headed hadrosauroid dinosaur, the kind roughly between the earlier iguanodonts and the more advanced hadrosaurids. However … Read more
In Depth Phuwiangvenator is a genus of megaraptoran dinosaur that hunted in what is now Thailand during the Early Cretaceous. Phuwiangvenator was named alongside another theropod dinosaur called Vayuraptor, also present in the Sao Khua Formation. Care should be taken not to confuse Phuwiangvenator with Phuwiangosaurus, a titanosaurian dinosaur known from the same formation as … Read more
In Depth Originally named as Rubidgea laticeps by Robert Broom in 1940, Broomicephalus is a little known genus of gorgonopsid from South Africa. Based upon the description of skulls, there has been speculation that Broomicephalus may be a synonym to Clelandina. Further Reading - On some new genera and species of fossil reptiles from the … Read more