Libycosuchus: Research Database Archosauria (Crocodyliformes) · Late Cretaceous (~95 MYA) · Africa — Libya Research Note: Libycosuchus was a crocodyliform from the Late Cretaceous of Libya — significant for understanding crocodyliform diversity in Africa during the Cretaceous, providing important data on the evolutionary history of this group. Research Finding Status Grade Year Method … Read more
In Depth        Crichtonpelta was originally named as a second species of the ankylosaur Crichtonsaurus, however in 2014 the holotype skull of this species was re-described as distinct genus, making the species become a genus. Both Crichtonpelta and Crichtonsaurus were named in memory of Michael Crichton, the world famous novelist who in palaeontoligcal circles is best … Read more
In Depth        As a member of the Protoceratidae,†‬Syndyoceras would have been similar to a modern deer or antelope in general build and representative of a group of animals that were fairly common during the Miocene.†‬Protoceratids are often noted for the elaborate horns that grew from their heads and Syndyoceras is no exception.†‬Like … Read more
Adelophontes: Research Database Ceratopsia (Ornithischia) · Late Cretaceous (~77–75 MYA) ·> North America — USA (Wyoming) Research Note: Adelophontes was a ceratopsian dinosaur from the Late Cretaceous of Wyoming, USA. As a member of Ceratopsia, it provides important data on ceratopsian diversity and evolution in the Late Cretaceous of North America. Research Finding … Read more
In Depth        Longchengpterus has been suggested to be a junior synonym to the pterosaur Nurhachius. As such, the future of Longchengpterus as an independent genus is uncertain. Further Reading – A new iodactylid pterosaur from western Liaoning. – Geological Bulletin of China 25(6):737-740. – L. Wang, L. Li, Y. Duan & S.-L. Cheng – 2006.
In Depth        The discovery of Asfaltovenator was a very exciting discovery,†‬as this was some of the best allosauroid dinosaur fossil remains discovered in South America.†‬At the time of the genus description quite a lot was already known about the large theropod dinosaur fauna of Cretaceous South America,†‬but possible ancestral forms of these … Read more
In Depth        A relative of the world famous Protoceratops,†‬Bagaceratops is unusual in that it is more primitive,†‬yet appeared later.†‬Bagaceratops seems to have been like other small ceratopsids of its kind,†‬though most of the post cranial skeleton is still unknown.†‬Bagaceratops would have cropped plants with its beak while also keeping an … Read more
Shihtienfenia: Research Database Testudines (Reptilia) · Late Cretaceous (~80 MYA) · Asia — China (Henan) Research Note: Shihtienfenia was a turtle from the Late Cretaceous of Henan, China — an important taxon for understanding turtle evolution in the Late Cretaceous of Asia. Research Finding Status Grade Year Method Citation Impact Maisch & Matzke … Read more
Leptorhynchos: Research Database Ornithischia (Dinosauria) · Late Cretaceous (~70 MYA) · North America — USA (Montana, Hell Creek Formation) Research Note: Leptorhynchos was a small ornithischian from the Late Cretaceous of Montana — an important taxon for understanding ornithischian diversity in the latest Cretaceous of North America. Research Finding Status Grade Year Method … Read more
In Depth        Ferganocephale is a dinosaur tooth taxon that might represent one of the earliest appearances of a pachycephalosaurid dinosaur.†‬However,†‬some researchers consider the teeth attributed to Ferganocephale to not be diagnostic enough to represent a new genus,†‬and prefer to treat it as a Nomen dubium.†‬Indeed,†‬this is a common interpretation of … Read more