In Depth Although named in 2010, the skull of Diabloceratops was discovered in 2002. The first thing about the skull of Diabloceratops is that it has two large horns that rise from the top of its neck frill, that then curve slightly to the sides. These ‘Devil horns’ are the reason why Diabloceratops got its … Read more
In Depth When it comes to the study of ceratopsian dinosaurs, it is the genus Psittacosaurus that has the most significance. The remains of literally over four hundred individuals are known, a few of these complete, articulated and with soft tissue remains such as skin and feather impressions. It is also possible to study the … Read more
In Depth Ancient animals, especially pterosaurs are often known from only a few bones, and then often poorly preserved. The pterosaur Hamipterus however is very different. Not only is the complete animal known, but fossil remains of dozens, maybe even hundreds have been discovered. These include soft tissue impressions and eggs. This has all come … Read more
In Depth Compsodon is a little known genus of dicynodont therapsid that lived in South Africa during the Late Permian. Further Reading – Oor die indeling van die Dicynodontidae na aanleiding van nuwe vorme. – Paleontologiese Navorsing van die Nasionale Museum, Bloemfontein, Deel II, Sesde Stuk, p. 67-101. – E. C. N. van Hoepen – … Read more
In Depth Eurotamandua acquired its name from its similarity to the modern day Tamandua, better known as an ‘anteater’. However, the Tamandua is a member of the Xenarthra, and although Eurotamandua was initially assigned to this group, more modern thinking and analysis leans more towards Eurotamandua being a pangolin. Although still similar, this would mean … Read more
In Depth Pterodactylus has the honour of being the first pterosaur known to science, although the type of creature that it really was, was still largely unknown at the time of its discovery. Many scientists inferred that it was more like a bat, or something between a bat and a bird. Some even put forward … Read more
In Depth Brachysuchus was originally named as a species of Angistorhinus, A. megalodon, but was raised to its own genus in 1929. As a phytosaur Brachysuchus would have resembled a crocodile, though evolutionally speaking there was no direct link to them. Further Reading - Description of the skull of a new form of phytosaur with … Read more
In Depth Gyposaurus is a genus of sauropodomorph dinosaur that technically does not exist anymore. Two species have been named, the type species G. capensis from South Africa, and G. sinensis from China. Doubts were cast upon the validity of the type species in 1976 when a study by Galton and Cluver came to the … Read more
In Depth With two body shells Psephoderma was very similar to Cyamodus although it was much larger. It is also these shells, or rather the pebbly appearance of them that was the inspiration of the name that means ‘pebbly skin’. Psephoderma was one of the larger placodonts, particularly of the shelled variety. This may be … Read more
In Depth Plateosaurus is probably the best understood sauropodomorph dinosaur currently known, and also one of the oldest dinosaur genera. Named in 1837, Plateosaurus actually predated the creation of the Dinosauria by Richard Owen in 1842, though the genus missed out on being one of the defining dinosaur genera (instead Owen used Megalosaurus, Iguanodon and … Read more