In Depth        Yangchuanosaurus is often likened to fulfilling the same ecological niche as Allosaurus,†‬except in Asia instead of North America.†‬Not only does Yangchuanosaurus have a similar morphology to Allosaurus it also had access to similar prey items such as stegosaurs and sauropods.†‬Yangchuanosaurus had a characteristic growth on top of its nose as … Read more
In Depth        Tacuadactylus is a genus of ctenochasmatid pterosaur that lived in South America during the late Jurassic.†‬As a ctenochasmatid,†‬Tacuadactylus would have probably been a filter feeder,†‬using its teeth which faced out to the sides to filter out small invertebrates from soft silt and mud. Further reading -†‬A new ctenochasmatid†(‬Pterosauria,†… Read more
In Depth        Dineobellator is a genus of dromaeosaurid dinosaur that lived in North America during the last stage of the Cretaceous.†‬When compared to other dinosaurs,†‬Dineobellator seems to have been on the way to developing some advanced specialisations,†‬and shows greater range of motion in both hands and feet.†‬Additionally there also seems to … Read more
In Depth        Nuurtherium is a genus of cynodont therapsid that lived in Asia during the Late Jurassic. Further Reading -†‬Two New Tritylodontids†(‬Synapsida,†‬Cynodontia,†‬Mammaliamorphaâ€) ‬from the Upper Jurassic,†‬Southwestern Mongolia.†‬-†‬American Museum Novitates†‬3874:1-35.†‬-†‬P.†‬M.†‬Velazco,†‬A.†‬J.†‬Buczek†& ‬M.†‬J.†‬Novacek†‬-†‬2017.
In Depth        Today Elasmosaurus is one of the best known plesiosaurs in the world,†‬and is the type genus for the Elasmosauridae.†‬This group is noted for having particularly long necks,†‬proportionately even longer than the more standard plesiosaurs.†‬These long necks are composed of a†‬large number of cervical vertebrae that in Elasmosaurus number … Read more
In Depth        Named in†‬1876†‬upon the description of some teeth,†‬we know that Zapsalis was a dromaeosaurid dinosaur,†‬but thatâ€â€™â€¬s about it.†‬For this reason the genus is often listed as dubious,†‬as like with most tooth taxons it would be very difficult to attribute actual fossils of bones.†‬Zapsalis was initially described from … Read more
In Depth        So far only known from the head shield,†‬Dartmuthia was a bottom feeding jawless fish of the Silurian period. Further Reading -†‬The ostracoderm genus Dartmuthia patten,†‬George M.†‬Robertson†‬-†‬1935.
In Depth        Baisesaurus is a genus of ichthyosauromorph reptile that lived in the early Triassic.†‬Though†‬the holotype is incomplete,†‬Baisesaurus is thought to have had a strong resemblance to the better known Utatsusaurus.†‬Like Utatsusaurus,†‬Baisesaurus would have been a fully marine reptile that hunted for fish and other aquatic creatures.†Further Reading -†… Read more
In Depth        Hovasaurus was a diapsid reptile that developed special adaptations for an aquatic lifestyle.†‬The toes of the feet were long and had webbing between them to make them work as flippers.†‬The caudal vertebrae are extended up and below to support a vertically flattened tail.†‬This would have provided a strong method of … Read more
In Depth        Microgomphodon is one of the more common genera of therocephalian therapsids,†‬and is also one of the last known to have survived.†Further Reading -†‬New Material of Microgomphodon oligocynus†(‬Eutherapsida,†‬Therocephaliaâ€) ‬and the Taxonomy of Southern African Bauriidae—‬.†‬Early Evolutionary History of the Synapsida.†‬-†‬Vertebrate Paleobiology and Paleoanthropology.†‬-†‬F.†‬Abdala,†… Read more