In Depth        Antarctanax is a genus of archosauromorph reptile that lived in Antarctica during the early Triassic. Further Reading -†‬A novel archosauromorph from Antarctica and an updated review of a high-latitude vertebrate assemblage in the wake of the end-Permian mass extinction.†‬-†‬Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology.†‬38†(‬6â€)‬:†‬e1536664.†‬-†‬Brandon R.†‬Peecook,†‬Roger … Read more
In Depth        Unfortunately at the time of the genus description the only fossils of Austroposeidon that we have are some vertebrae.†‬However,†‬comparison to other similar dinosaurs has led to realistic size estimates for this dinosaur of about twenty-five metres in length.†‬Although not the biggest dinosaur,†‬this does make Austroposeidon at the time of†… Read more
In Depth        A late Cretaceous era snake of the Indian subcontinent,†‬the discovery of Sanajeh has revealed a little bit more about Mesozoic ecosystems.†‬The holotype specimen of Sanajeh was found not only alongside several sauropod eggs,†‬but also the remains of a hatchling sauropod,†‬probably a titanosaur of about fifty centimetres length.†‬It is … Read more
In Depth        Eodortoka is a genus of turtle that lived in Spain during the early Cretaceous. Further Reading -†‬Eodortoka morellana gen.†‬et sp.†‬nov.,†‬the first pan-pleurodiran turtle†(‬Dortokidaeâ€) ‬defined in the Lower Cretaceous of Europe.†‬-†‬Cretaceous Research†‬48:130-138.†‬-†‬A.†‬Perez-Garcia,†‬J.†‬M.†‬Gasulla†& ‬F.†‬Ortega†‬-†‬2014.
In Depth        Chilotherium is a genus of prehistoric rhinoceros that seems to have had a geographic distribution spreading across Asia all the way up to Eastern Europe.†‬Chilotherium had no nasal horns like rhinoceros are often portrayed as having,†‬but Chilotherium still remained quite unique.†‬Two tusks formed from enlarged incisor teeth rose up from … Read more
In Depth        When compared to other atelaspidiformes,†‬Hemicyclaspis is considered to have been a better swimmer thanks to the presence of a more developed tail and two forward flaps that acted like pectoral fins,†‬controlling pitch and allowing for level swimming in open water.†‬Despite thee swimming adaptations,†‬the mouth was still on the bottom … Read more
In Depth        Although only first†‬described from a skull,†‬Saharastega shows similarities to Nigerpeton,†‬and together the two genera are considered to be primitive members of the Temnospondyli.†‬As with its other relatives,†‬Saharastega probably never strayed too far from water where they were best adapted to live and hunt,†‬though most temnospondyl amphibians could … Read more
In Depth        Massospondylus was one amongst the first dinosaurs to be named with a taxonomic history going back as far as the mid nineteenth century.†‬Yet†‬when Richard Owen described the first fossils,†‬he thought that he was dealing with an ancient ancestor to more familiar lizards such†‬as iguanas chameleons.†‬In actuality Massospondylus represents … Read more
In Depth        Protoalligator is a genus of alligator that lived in China during the Paleocene. Further Reading -†‬Taxonomic revision of Eoalligator†(‬Crocodylia,†‬Brevirostresâ€) ‬and the paleogeographic origins of the Chinese alligatoroids.†‬-†‬PeerJ†‬4:e2356:1-43/†‬-†‬Y.-Y.†‬Wang,†‬C.†‬Sullivan†& ‬J.†‬Liu†‬-†‬2016.
In Depth        Titanoides was one of the larger and more heavily built pantodonts and is often described as being bear-like.†‬However the large claws on the plantigrade feet as well as the large canine tusks that projected downwards from the mouth seem to have been for rooting up plants rather than actually attacking other animals.†… Read more