In Depth As a member of the rhamphorhynchoids, Cacibupteryx represents one of the more basal pterosaurs that were still common towards the end of the Jurassic. The jaws of Cacibupteryx are quite robust indicating that it was better adapted for more powerful prey than other more gracile pterosaurs. Further Reading – A new pterosaur from … Read more
Astraspis: Research Database Theropoda · Cretaceous · Unknown Research Note: Astraspis was a theropoda from the Cretaceous of Unknown, providing important data on prehistoric life and ecosystem dynamics. Research Finding Status Grade Year Method Citation Impact Elliott 1987: Astraspis and related taxa Science Confirmed A 1987 Fossil Elliott, Science Taxonomy Lemierre Germain 2019: … Read more
Sapeornis: Research Database Pygostylia (Aves) · Early Cretaceous (~120 MYA) · Asia — China (Jiufotang Formation, Liaoning) Research Note: Sapeornis is an important fossil taxon. See citations below for primary research literature. Research Finding Status Grade Year Method Citation Impact Gao et al. 2019: New data on the anatomy and flight capability of … Read more
In Depth Saurodon is a genus of Carnivorous fish that swam in the world’s oceans during the Late Cretaceous. Saurodon had a long and slender body similar to the modern day barracuda. Also like a barracuda, the lower jaw of Saurodon projected in front of the upper, though in Saurodon this projection was far more … Read more
Antarctosaurus: Research Database Titanosauria (Sauropoda) · Late Cretaceous (~70 MYA) · South America — Argentina, Chile Research Note: Antarctosaurus was a titanosaur from the Late Cretaceous of South America — one of the best-known South American titanosaurs and an important taxon for understanding titanosaur evolution in the Southern Hemisphere. Research Finding Status Grade … Read more
Kangnasaurus: Research Database Ornithischia · Cretaceous · Africa Research Note: Kangnasaurus was an ornithischian from the Cretaceous of Africa, providing important data on ornithischian diversity in the Cretaceous. Research Finding Status Grade Year Method Citation Impact Rozadilla & Agnolín 2021: Kangnasaurus and ornithischian diversity in the Cretaceous Cretaceous Research Confirmed A 2021 Fossil … Read more
In Depth When originally found, the fossils of the Wood Harrier (Circus dossenus) were thought to be those of an Accipiter, a bird that belongs to the group more commonly known as goshawks and sparrowhawks. This was mainly because the bones and wing proportions seemed to match up best with the Accipiters, but further … Read more
Antarctopelta: Research Database Ankylosauria (Ornithischia) · Late Cretaceous (~74–71 MYA) · Antarctica (James Ross Island, Santa Marta Formation) Research Note: Antarctopelta was an ankylosaur from the Late Cretaceous Santa Marta Formation of James Ross Island, Antarctica. As the first named ankylosaur from Antarctica, it provides important data on ankylosaur diversity and distribution in the … Read more
Aerosaurus: Research Database Theropoda · Cretaceous · Unknown Research Note: Aerosaurus was a theropoda from the Cretaceous of Unknown, providing important data on prehistoric life and ecosystem dynamics. Research Finding Status Grade Year Method Citation Impact Langston Reisz 1981: Aerosaurus and related taxa Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology Confirmed A 1981 Fossil Langston Reisz, … Read more
Alvarezsaurus: Research Database Alvarezsauridae (Theropoda) · Late Cretaceous (~86 MYA) · South America — Argentina (Sierra Barrosa Formation) Research Note: Alvarezsaurus was a small alvarezsaurid theropod from the Late Cretaceous of Argentina — a bizarre short-armed dinosaur and an important taxon for understanding theropod evolution. Research Finding Status Grade Year Method Citation Impact … Read more