In Depth Vallesaurus is a genus of small drepanosaur that lived in Italy during the late Triassic. drepanosaurs were arboreal lizards with hands and claws adapted for holding onto branches, as well as tails which hooked downwards for further grip. In essence that lived in much the same way as modern day chamaeleons, though it … Read more
In Depth Pristerognathus was a medium sized predator that lived in South Africa during the Capitanian stage of the Permian. Another species of Pristerognathus, P. minor, was later re-described as a new genus, Pristerognathoides. However since this time there has been occasional speculation that Pristerognathoides should be made a synonym to Pristerognathus. Further Reading - … Read more
In Depth Incisivosaurus was a rather bizarre looking dinosaur thanks to its oversized front teeth of the upper jaw. More interesting though is the fact that these teeth show wear patterns that fit in with a herbivorous diet, an indication that although a theropod, Incisivosaurus was at the very least partially herbivorous. Apart from this, … Read more
In Depth Gamatavus is a genus of silesaurid that lived in South America during the Triassic. At the time of its description, Gamatavus was recognised as the oldest known silesaurid from this continent. Further reading - The oldest South American silesaurid: New remains from the Middle Triassic (Pinheiros-Chiniqu� Sequence, Dinodontosaurus Assemblage Zone) increase the time … Read more
In Depth The small size of Elginia is in stark contrast to the larger pareiasaurs such as Scutosaurus. This reduction in size is often considered an adaptation to the harsh conditions of the end of the Permian. Elginia has a number of spikes protruding from its skull, the largest pair rising from the sides at … Read more
In Depth Despite its name, Cochleosaurus was actually an amphibian. The skull is quite flat and features an ear structure better adapted for use on the land. Some have considered Cochleosaurus to have been an ambush hunter similar to crocodiles today. Further Reading – The edopoid amphibian Cochleosaurus from the middle Pennsylvanian of Nova Scotia. … Read more
In Depth Pierolapithecus is one of the most important of the known prehistoric apes because it is widely regarded as the ancestral form to not only today’s apes, but also humans. To put this statement into its full context however, Pierolapithecus was not necessarily ‘the’ ancestor, but in terms of physical features, it displays a … Read more
In Depth Moropus seems to have been larger than most other chalicotheres, and its broad distribution and numerous remains indicate that it was one of the most common animals alive in North America during the early stages of the Miocene. Moropus also seems to have not walked upon its knuckles to protect its claws like … Read more
In Depth Piscobalaena is a genus of filter feeding whale known to have inhibited the waters between South and North America during the Miocene. This seaway was a popular transit route for whales swimming from the Atlantic Ocean into the Pacific and back again. It was also fraught with danger however as giant sharks, including … Read more
In Depth Cyonosaurus is a genus of gorgonopsid that lived in South Africa during the late Permian. As a gorgnopsid, Cyonosaurus would have been a predator of other animals, smaller to equal in size in its self. Smaller species of Cyonosaurus with skulls about nine centimetres long grew to about sixty centimetres in length, while … Read more