In Depth Named in 2010, Akaimia has been interpreted as being similar to carpet sharks of the Orectolobidae (more commonly known as wobbegong sharks). If Akaimia lived like those carpet sharks today, then it would have lurked around the bottom where its colouration and patterning allowed them to blend in ‘out of sight’ of other … Read more
In Depth Lajasvenator is a genus of carcharodontosaurid dinosaur that lived in South America during the Early cretaceous. Carcharodontosaurid dinosaurs have a reputation for being some of the largest predatory dinosaurs, but Lajasvenator is at the opposite end of the scale, and represents perhaps one of the smallest carcharodontsaurid known. Further Reading - An Early … Read more
In Depth Along with the type genus Borophagus, Aelurodon is one of the better known of the so called ‘bone crushing dogs’ of the Borophaginae. Canids like Aelurodon got their nickname from the form of their short snouts which have also been described as hyena-like. Because of their shortness, the snout force food towards the … Read more
In Depth Mesoleptos is a genus that shares several characteristics of snakes and primitive mosasauroids, however at the time of writing Mesoleptos is thought to be more likely a primitive mosasauroid. If correct then this would place Mesoleptos closer to actual monitor lizards than snakes, given that later discoveries with mosasaurs indicate a monitor lizard … Read more
In Depth Dawsonicyon is a genus of carnivoramorph that lived in North America during the early Eocene. Further Reading - A new basal Carnivoramorphan (Mammalia) from the ‘Bridger B’ (Black’s Fork member, Bridger Formation, Bridgerian Nalma, middle Eocene) of Wyoming, USA. - Palaeontology 53(4):815-832 - M. Spaulding, J. J. Flynn & R. K. Stucky - … Read more
In Depth Acostasaurus is a genus of pliosaur that lived during the early Cretaceous period. Acostasaurus was a small to middle sized pliosaur that seems to have differed from brachauchenisine pliosaur that were otherwise common at the time and location. This could suggest that Acostasaurus had a different lifestyle/feeding preference to other larger pliosaurs. Further … Read more
In Depth Aviraptor is a genus of hawk that lived in Eastern Europe during the Oligocene period. Aviraptor is one of the smallest fossil hawks discovered being approximately comparable to the modern day little sparrowhawk (Accipiter minullus), and the Tiny hawk (Accipiter superciliosus). As a small hawk, Aviraptor would have primarily been a predator of … Read more
In Depth Limnofregata is a genus of bird that many have commented on about its similarity to modern frigatebirds (genus Fregata), however there are a number of differences. First and foremost is the obvious fact that Limnofregata lived inland around freshwater, whereas modern frigatebirds live by the sea. There, frigatebirds rely upon soaring as a … Read more
In Depth Further Reading Further reading- Late Tertiary Canids from Central Mexico. – Journal of Paleontology 72(3):546-556. – W. E. Miller & O. Carranza-Castaneda – 1998.
In Depth When first described in 1858 by Richard Owen, the type specimen of Valdoraptor was interpreted as a foot belonging to the armoured dinosaur Hylaeosaurus. In 1881, John Hulke scored nearer the mark by identifying the foot as belonging to a theropod dinosaur. From here the foot was attributed to Megalosaurus by Richard Lydekker … Read more