In Depth        Palaelodus is the type genus of†‬the†‬Palaelodidae,†‬a sister group to the birds that we today know as flamingos.†‬Though perceived to be flamingo-like,†‬Palaelodus is also noted as being primitive in form to the point that it may have actually swum through the water instead of only wading through it.†‬The … Read more
In Depth        Fossils of Schleitheimia were originally recovered in the early†‬1950s by Emil Schutz,†‬then in†‬1986†‬named as belonging to Plateosaurus.†‬A subsequent study of the fossils in†‬2020†(‬Rauhut et†‬alâ€) ‬found them different enough to warrant the creation of†‬a†‬new genus.†‬The name Schleitheimia is derived from the name Schleitheim,†… Read more
In Depth        Kayentasuchus is a genus of small sphenosuchian crocodilomorph that lived in the south-west of the USA during the early Jurassic.†‬Overall Kayentasuchus is noted for having a gracile build with slender limbs.†‬The front of the skull is narrow with the lower jaw curved upwards,†‬indicating that Kayentasuchus may have been quite specialised … Read more
In Depth        The most noteworthy feature of Coelurosauravus are the dermal ossicles, creating thin strands of bone that extended from the flanks and supported a gliding wing. This may have provided a limited flight capability over short distances by jumping from a high point and steering itself by twisting towards a lower spot as it … Read more
In Depth        Although known from very well preserved remains,†‬there is still quite a bit of mystery surrounding Limusaurus.†‬Study of the bones has revealed that it is a member of the Ceratosauria†(‬the first one known from Asiaâ€)‬,†‬a group of theropods defined by the type genus Ceratosaurus.†‬However the one specimen where the … Read more
In Depth        Qiaowanlong was first thought to be an Asian representative of the world famous ‬Brachiosaurus, but has since been found to be similar to other Asian sauropods like Euhelopus. Further Reading – The first well-preserved Early Cretaceous brachiosaurid dinosaur in Asia. – Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences. – H.-L. You & … Read more
In Depth        Himalayacetus is one of if not the oldest archaeocetid whale currently known to us.†‬Unfortunately at the time of writing the only part of this primitive whale that we have is a partial jaw,†‬but this is still enough to identify Himalayacetus as a relative of the better known Ambulocetus.        Himalayacetus should not … Read more
In Depth        Lanthanostegus is a genus of synapsid that lived in South Africa during the Permian. Further Reading -†‬Erratum:†‬A replacement name for Lanthanocephalus Modesto,†‬Rubidge and Welman†‬2002,†‬not Lanthanocephalus Williams and Starmer†‬2000.†‬-†‬Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences†‬40â€(‬3â€)‬:467.†‬-†‬S.†‬P.†‬Modesto,†‬B.†‬S.†‬Rubidge†& ‬J.†‬Welman†‬-†‬2003.
In Depth        At the time of the genus being named,†‬Orovenator is the oldest neodiapsid reptile known to science.†‬The neodiapsids are the ancestral reptile group which includes most modern reptile forms. Further Reading -†‬A new Early Permian reptile and its significance in early diapsid evolution.†‬-†‬Proceedings of the Royal Society B†‬278†… Read more
In Depth        The holotype fossils of Kayentavenator were originally described as Syntarsus†‬kayentakatae†‬until later study declared them to represent a distinct genus of theropods†(‬additionally Syntarsus has now been declared a synonym of Megapnosaurusâ€)‬.†‬Not a lot can be said for Kayentavenator because the skeletal remains are incomplete and of a juvenile dinosaurâ€; ‬combined … Read more