In Depth        Alwalkeria was originally named in†‬1986†‬as Walkeria,†‬however the genus name Walkeria was later found to be as preoccupied as it had already been used to name a bryozoan†(‬a kind of tiny aquatic invertebrateâ€)‬.†‬This necessited a revision to the name since naming priority is always given to the first creature … Read more
In Depth        Pasquiaornis is a genus of flightless sea bird that lived Canadian waters during the early portions of the late Cretaceous.†‬Pasquiaornis is regarded as being similar to the much better known Hesperornis,†‬though Pasquiaornis is understood to be more primitive in form. Further Reading -†‬Early Late Cretaceous birds from Saskatchewan,†‬Canada:†‬the … Read more
In Depth        Sanxiasaurus is a genus of small ornithischian dinosaur that lived in China during the mid Jurassic. Further Reading -†‬A neornithischian dinosaur from the Middle Jurassic Xintiangou Formation of Yunyang,†‬Chongqing,†‬China:†‬the earliest record in Asia.†‬-†‬Historical Biology:†‬1â€â€“‬14.†‬-†‬Ning Li,†‬Hui Dai,†‬Chao Tan,†‬Xufeng Hu,†‬Zhaoying Wei,†‬Yu … Read more
In Depth        Pycnodus have deep bodies with greatly reduced pectoral and pelvic fins,†‬altogether suggesting a slow swimming lifestyle.†‬The name Pycnodus is derived from the batteries of grinding teeth within the mouth which would have been very efficient at processing shelled molluscs,†‬small crustaceans and echinoderms†(‬urchins and starfishâ€)‬.†‬The broad temporal and geographic … Read more
In Depth        Ferrisaurus is a genus of leptoceratopsian dinosaur that lived in Canada towards the end of the Cretaceous period. Further Reading -†‬A new leptoceratopsid dinosaur from Maastrichtian-aged deposits of the Sustut Basin,†‬northern British Columbia,†‬Canada.†‬-†‬PeerJ.†‬-†‬Victoria Arbour†& ‬David Evans†‬-†‬2019.
In Depth        Albalophosaurus has been described as a basal ceratopsian dinosaur,†‬but one that shows similarities to other ornithopod dinosaurs,†‬particularly in dental morphology.†‬This may suggest that Albalophosaurus was a particularly primitive ceratopsian dinosaur,†‬perhaps even one that hints at the transition from ornithopod ancestors to more derived ceratopsian descendants.†‬The name Albalophosaurus means†… Read more
In Depth        The first pachycepahlosaurid dinosaur known from Alaska,†‬Alaskacephale is also one of the few dinosaurs known to have lived in the area that would become that state.†‬Unfortunately not a lot is known about this dinosaur because of a current sever lack of remains,†‬but the original describers believe that Alaskacephale may have … Read more
In Depth        Oudenodon is a genus of dincynodont therapsid from the late Permian that seems to have been quite generalised in its overall development. Further Reading -†‬On some reptilian fossils from South Africa.†‬-†‬Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society of London†‬16â€(‬1â€)‬:49-62.†‬-†‬Richard Owen†‬-†‬1859. -†‬An Interactive Approach to Distinguishing … Read more
In Depth        Named in†‬2011,†‬Decuriasuchus seems to have been like many predatory archosaurs in appearance,†‬moderate in size,†‬and capable of taking down similar sized animals.†‬What has made palaeontologists sit up take notice however is that when Decuriasuchus was first found they didn’t find just one,†‬but nine individuals buried together,†‬with a … Read more
In Depth        Corythoraptor is a genus of oviraptorid dinosaur that lived in China during the late Cretaceous.†‬Corythoraptor has been described as having a head crest similar to that of a modern day cassowary.†‬The beak of Corythoraptor was also more pointed towards the end,†‬suggesting feeding specialisation.†‬Corythoraptor is one of many oviraptorid dinosaurs … Read more