In Depth There has been some contention over exactly what kind of theropod dinosaur Austrocheirus was. When described, Austrocheirus was identified as an abelisauroid theropod via cladistic analysis. This was significant because this would have been the first example of an abelisauroid theropod which did not feature the forelimb reduction which is often used as … Read more
In Depth Spathicephalus is a genus of early tetrapod that lived during the Carboniferous. Whereas most creatures of its kind had rounded snouts, Spathicephalus is notable for having a roughly square shaped snout when seen from above. The teeth of Spathicephalus are very small and densely packed together, leading to speculation that Spathicephalus may have … Read more
In Depth In popular culture, especially at the turn of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, Andrewsarchus has been presented as a huge predator, similar in form to other quadrupedal meat eating mammals, but powerfully built like a big cat or even a bear. However despite this reconstruction becoming very familiar in the public consciousness, palaeontologists … Read more
In Depth Garrigatitan is a genus of titanosaur that lived in Western Europe during the late Cretaceous. Known only from partial remains of an immature individual, Garrigatitan seems to have been a fairly small titanosaur, even when fully grown. Further Reading - A new titanosaur (Dinosauria: Sauropoda) from the Upper Cretaceous of Velaux-La-Bastide Neuve (southern … Read more
In Depth Callawayasaurus was originally known as a species of Alzadasaurus until Kenneth Carpenter studied the remains and found that they actually represented a new genus. On a related note the type specimen of Alzadasaurus today only exists as a synonym to Thalassomedon and Styxosaurus. Carpenter named the new genus in honour of fellow palaeontologist … Read more
In Depth Ctenochasma is one of the few known filter feeding pterosaurs, and its name heads up the group Ctenochasmatidae which includes similar pterosaurs such as Pterodaustro and Unwindia. The method of pterosaurs filter feeding is quite simple as instead of having the large needle like teeth associated with catching fish and insects, pterosaurs like … Read more
In Depth Metaliomys is a genus of rodent that lived in the USA during the Late Miocene. Further Reading - Rodents and lagomorphs (Mammalia) from the Hemphillian (Late Miocene) of Utah. - Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 30(1):226-235. - W. W. Korth & D. D. De Blieux - 2010.
In Depth Aletrimyti is a genus of lepospondyl amphibian that lived in United States during the early Permian. Further Reading - Micro-CT Study of Rhynchonkos stovalli (Lepospondyli, Recumbirostra), with Description of Two New Genera. - PLoS ONE 10 (6): e0127307. - M. Szostakiwskyj, J. D. Pardo & J. S. Anderson - 2015.
In Depth Douzhanopterus is a genus of pterosaur that lived in China during the late Jurassic. Douzhanopterus is a pterodactyliforme pterosaur and what this means is that the genus shows a transition from more primitive rhamphorhynchid pterosaurs of the early Jurassic to the more advanced pterodactyloid pterosaurs of the late Jurassic and Cretaceous. Further Reading … Read more
In Depth Argentinadraco is a genus of azdarchid pterosaur that lived in South America during the late Cretaceous. At the time of its description, Argentinadraco is only known from the frontal half of the lower jaws, so it is difficult to ascertain specific details about this pterosaur. Further Reading - New azhdarchoid pterosaur (Pterosauria, Pterodactyloidea) … Read more