Raptorex: Research Database Tyrannosauroidea (Theropoda) · Early Cretaceous (~126 MYA) · Asia — China (Liaoning, Yixian Formation) Research Note: Raptorex was an early tyrannosauroid from the Early Cretaceous Yixian Formation of Liaoning, China. As a juvenile tyrannosauroid specimen, it provides important data on the early evolution of tyrannosauroids before the rise of large tyrannosaurids. … Read more
Eoraptor: Research Database Sauropodomorpha (Theropoda) · Late Triassic (~228–216 MYA) · South America — Argentina (Ischigualasto Formation) Research Note: Eoraptor was one of the earliest known dinosaurs from the Late Triassic Ischigualasto Formation of Argentina. As a primitive dinosaur with a mixed diet, it provides critical data on the origin and early diversification of … Read more
In Depth        At first glance Entelognathus resembled a placoderm fish,†‬yet at the†‬time of the initial description in†‬2013,†‬the jaw structure of Entelognathus is the earliest known example of a modern jaw structure in the fossil record.†‬It is still unknown exactly how Entelognathus fits in evolutionary†(‬if at allâ€) ‬to later fish … Read more
Trematosaurus: Research Database Theropoda · Cretaceous · Unknown Research Note: Trematosaurus 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 Schoch 2019: Trematosaurus and related taxa Palaeodiversity Confirmed B 2019 Fossil Schoch, Palaeodiversity Taxonomy Novikov 2010: Trematosaurus … Read more
In Depth        Fossils of Platypelta have for a long time been associated with the genus Euoplocephalus,†‬yet in†‬2018,†‬some of these fossils were given their own distinct genus by Penkalski in†‬2018.†‬Platypelta was a medium sized ankylosaurine dinosaur that lived in†‬North America during the late Cretaceous. Further Reading †‬-†‬Revised systematics … Read more
Pareiasaurus: Research Database Theropoda · Cretaceous · Unknown Research Note: Pareiasaurus 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 Seeley 1892: Pareiasaurus and related taxa Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. (B.) Confirmed B … Read more
Microposaurus: Research Database Trematosauroidea (Amphibia) · Middle Triassic (~245 MYA) · Europe — Germany (Buntsandstein) Research Note: Microposaurus was a trematosauroid amphibian from the Middle Triassic of Germany — an important taxon for understanding the evolution of large amphibians in the Triassic. Research Finding Status Grade Year Method Citation Impact Schoch 2000: Microposaurus … Read more
In Depth        Comparable in size to a gorilla,†‬Archaeoindris is one of the largest known sloth lemurs.†‬Initially considered to have been†‬a ground dwelling quadruped,†‬further study has now led to the suggestions that Archaeoindris could have still climbed branches†(‬albeit the thicker ones that could support its weightâ€) ‬as it foraged for food.†… Read more
In Depth        Although only named from two leg bones,†‬these are of such size that Heracles was a very large bird in life.†‬Originally thought to belong to an eagle,†‬the bones were later identified as belonging to a parrot.†‬Although incomplete,†‬comparing the bones to other parrot genera and scaling their bones to fit … Read more
Latenivenatrix: Research Database Reptilia (Theropoda: Troodontidae) · Late Cretaceous (~77 MYA) · North America — Canada, USA Research Note: Latenivenatrix was a troodontid theropod from the Late Cretaceous of North America — significant for understanding troodontid diversity and evolution during the latest Cretaceous in the Northern Hemisphere. Research Finding Status Grade Year Method … Read more