In Depth Acrocanthosaurus immediately sticks out from other large theropods with its high dorsal spines than run from the neck to the tip of the tail. There have been many artistic representations for this structure from the spines standing proud from the body, to supporting a flap of skin. Modern thinking however comes from the … Read more
In Depth One of the most notable details of Rebbachisaurus are the tall neural spines of the vertebrae, which either stood proud from the back, or supported a sail or hump that ran along the spine. Aside from this Rebbachisaurus was a fairly generic diplodocid sauropod with a large build, long neck and whip-like tail. … Read more
In Depth Originally described as a species of Ophthalmosaurus (O. chrisorum) a 2010 study saw the specimens elevated to the level of a distinct genus of ichthyosaur. Arthropterygius was also considered to be similar to Caypullisaurus, but not all researchers have followed this and instead treat Arthropterygius as a basal (primitive) member of the Ophthalmosauridae. … Read more
Diprotodon the Giant Wombat So far not only is Diprotodon the largest of the Australian megafauna, but it is also the largest known marsupial mammal to ever exist. Often loosely dubbed as rhinoceros-sized, there is some variation between specimens which was once taken to indicate various species. More modern analysis of the differences in these specimens … Read more
In Depth Paressonodon is a genus of multituberculatan mammal that lived in the USA during the late Cretaceous. Further Reading - New Late Cretaceous mammals from northeastern Colorado with biochronologic and biogeographic implications. - Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 30 (2): 499–520. - Gregory P. Wilson, Marieke Dechesne & Ingrid R. Anderson - 2010.
In Depth Deltavjatia was originally named as a species of Pareiasuchus (itself largely treated as a synonym to Pareiasaurus), and then later as species of Anthodon. Then in 1987 Deltavjatia was established as a distinct genus by Lebedev. Deltavjatia was a fairly standard pareiasaur, though the genus is noted as having several primitive features. Further … Read more
In Depth Dyrosaurus was a long snouted crocodile that had jaws filled with numerous, thin recurved teeth. These kinds of teeth are indicative of a piscivorous (fish eating) lifestyle. At up to six meters long, Dyrosaurus were large when compared to modern crocodiles, though positively tiny when compared to some North African Mesozoic crocodiles like … Read more
In Depth Lemurosaurus is a genus of biarmosuchian therapsid that lived in South Africa during the late Cretaceous. Although Lemurosaurus lived during the late Permian, the genus is still noted as being primitive in form. Further Reading - New fossil reptile genera from the Bernard Price Collection. - Annals of the Transvaal Museum 21 (1): … Read more
In Depth What is termed a monkey-lemur, Archaeolemur seems to have been a generalist that could adapt to a range of different environments. This notion is supported by the comparatively large number of remains including sub-fossils (remains that have not yet completely fossilised) associated with this genus. Archaeolemur seemed to have lived upon the ground, … Read more
In Depth Dalianraptor is a genus of primitive bird that lived in China during the early Cretaceous. Further Reading - A new avian taxon from Lower Cretaceous Jiufotang Formation of western Liaoning. - Global Geology 24(4):313-316. - C.-L. Gao & J.-Y. Liu - 2005.