In Depth Kunpengopterus is thought to have been very similar to Darwinopterus although it does not appear to have had the same expansive head crest. However Kunpengopterus does appear to have had a smaller head crest as evidenced by a small bony projection on top of the skull, above the eyes. Further Reading – New … Read more
In Depth Ctenorhachis is a genus of sphenacodont that lived in North America during the Permian. Although the skull of Ctenorhachis is unknown, the available fossil material for the genus show that Ctenorhachis was a sphenacodontid. So far all members of the Sphenacodontidae were predators in life, so by extension we can conclude that Ctenorhachis … Read more
In Depth Gyroptychius was a streamlined lobe-finned fish that is so far known from Western Europe, specifically Scotland. Like with many of its relatives, Most of the fins on Gyroptychius were situated more towards the rear of the body (with the exception of the pectoral fins, an arrangement that would have increased the ability of … Read more
In Depth Hailing from Croatia, Histriasaurus is a genus of sauropod dinosaur, and a close relative to the genus Rebbachisaurus. Further Reading - Remains of Sauropoda (Reptilia, Saurischia) in the Lower Cretaceous (Upper Hauterivian/Lower Barremian) limestones of SW Istria (Croatia). - Geologica Croatica 51(2):105-134. - F. M. Dalla Vecchia - 1998.
In Depth Named from a single humerus, Zhuchengtitan is a genus of titanosaurian dinosaur that lived in China during the late Cretaceous. Although not much to go on, the humerus of Zhuchengtitan is similar to that seen in the genus Opisthocoelicaudia, indicating Zhuchengtitan was a saltasaurid tianosaur. Zhuchengtitan lived in a diverse ecosystem which … Read more
In Depth Xilousuchus is one of the oldest known archosaurs and like many other primitive forms it has a sail upon its back. This has seen Xilousuchus placed within the Ctenosauriscidae group of sail backed rauisuchian archosaurs that are typified by the genus Ctenosauriscus, although Xilousuchus is actually thought to be more closely related to … Read more
In Depth Ibirania is a genus of titanosaurian dinosaur that lived in South America during the late Cretaceous. While South America is known to have at times been home to some truly giant titanosaurs, Ibirania is at the extreme polar opposite of the size scale. Though incomplete, reconstructions of the holotype individual suggest Ibirania was … Read more
In Depth Toxodon was a large herbivorous mammal that was similar in proportion to a rhinoceros, but also possessed other features that were similar to hippopotamuses and possibly even elephants. The post cranial skeleton has a very robust construction which suggests that in life Toxodon was a very heavy animal. The feet were plantigrade which … Read more
In Depth During the Pleistocene Australia had a variety of animals that loosely resembled those still living today but on a much grander scale, from giant three meter long wombats like Diprotodon to four meter plus goannas like Varanus priscus. Procoptodon for its part was essentially a giant kangaroo, although its full size has been … Read more
In Depth Ornithoprion was a carboniferous shark that was also related to the sharks Edestus, perhaps better known as the Scissor toothed shark, and Helicoprion. In fact it was the discovery of Ornithoprion that allowed for a more accurate reconstruction of Helicoprion with how the distinctive tooth-whorl fitted inside the mouth. Further Reading – A … Read more