Augustasaurus: Research Database Reptilia (Sauropterygia) · Middle Triassic (~245 MYA) · North America — USA, Nevada Research Note: Augustasaurus was a sauropterygian from the Middle Triassic of Nevada — significant for understanding the early evolutionary diversification of marine reptiles during the Triassic in North America. Research Finding Status Grade Year Method Citation Impact … Read more
Hypselospinus: Research Database Iguanodontia (Ornithischia) · Early Cretaceous (~140–130 MYA) · Europe — England (Wadhurst Clay Formation) Research Note: Hypselospinus was an iguanodontian ornithischian from the Early Cretaceous Wadhurst Clay Formation of England. As a member of Iguanodontia, it provides important data on ornithischian diversity in the European Cretaceous. Research Finding Status Grade … Read more
In Depth The holotype specimen of Altenglanerpeton was first found during the 1870s, and initially described as a specimen of the microsaur genus Microbrachis in 1939. The specimen was not renamed as a new genus until 2012 after some debate over whether the specimen was actually that of a microsaur. In life Altenglanerpeton would have … Read more
Dinheirosaurus: Research Database Titanosauria (Sauropoda) · Late Jurassic (~155-150 MYA) · Europe — Portugal (Praia Grande Group) Research Note: Dinheirosaurus was a titanosaurian sauropod from the Late Jurassic of Portugal — one of the few known sauropods from the Jurassic of Europe and an important taxon for understanding titanosaur evolution and biogeography. Research … Read more
In Depth Known form a small partial skull that was initially thought to belong to the genus Bernissartia, Koumpiodontosuchus was established as a distinct genus in 2015. Koumpiodontosuchus means ‘button toothed crocodile’, a reference to the small teeth seen in the skull. These show that as well as being small itself, Koumpiodontosuchus was a predator … Read more
In Depth The teeth of Hongshanopterus extend past the first third of the skull. Not only does this give Hongshanopterus more teeth than other istiodactylids, it is taken as a marker for Hongshanopterus being a basal member of the group. Further Reading – A primitive istiodactylid pterosaur (Pterodactyloidea) from the Jiufotang Formation (Early Cretaceous), northeast … Read more
Xianglong: Research Database Squamata (Reptilia) · Early Cretaceous (~125-120 MYA) · Asia — China (Liaoning, Yixian Formation) Research Note: Xianglong was a lizard from the Early Cretaceous of Liaoning, China — an important taxon for understanding squamate evolution and diversity in the Cretaceous of Asia, with excellent preservation in the Jehol Biota. Research … Read more
In Depth Fosterovenator was a ceratosaurid theropod dinosaur that lived in North America during the late Cretaceous. At the time of writing the only parts that are known for Fosterovenator are lower leg bones, but in the original description of this genus, the fossils were noted as being superficially similar to those of the genus … Read more
Nannopterygius: Research Database Theropoda · Cretaceous · Unknown Research Note: Nannopterygius 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 Zverkov Jacobs 2021: Nannopterygius and related taxa Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society Confirmed B 2021 Fossil … Read more
Cuvieronius: Research Database Theropoda · Cretaceous · Unknown Research Note: Cuvieronius 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 Ficcarelli Borselli Herrera 1995: Cuvieronius and related taxa Geobios Confirmed B 1995 Fossil Ficcarelli Borselli Herrera, Geobios … Read more