In Depth Sthenurus was a large kangaroo, similar to the better known Procoptodon. Analysis of Sthenurus fossil locations combined with carbon dating has yielded the conclusion that Sthenurus was a generalist herbivore that adapted to whatever plants were available. This is because analysis shoes that at some times and locations Sthenurus would be a browser … Read more
In Depth Maresaurus is one of the rhomaleosaurid pliosaurs, a group that seem to be between the long necked plesiosaurs and short necked pliosaurs in form. Additionally the fact that Maresaurus comes from South America combined with the presence of Yuzhoupliosaurus in China, produces a picture of the rhomaleosaurid pliosaurs having a global distribution. Other … Read more
In Depth The creation of the Tupandactylus pterosaur genus was born out of the reclassification of the Tapejara species, Tapejara imperator. This was done on the basis that Tapejara imperator displayed several notable differences to the Tapejara type species Tapejara wellnhoferi. A re-assignment for Tapejara navigans was also attempted for the new genus of … Read more
In Depth Ouranosaurus similarities and differences to Iguanodon Although initially classed as an iguanodontid dinosaur, subsequent studies of Ouranosaurus fossils have revealed it to be a form of basal hadrosaur. Despite this, Ouranosaurus still bears some features that are similar to the more famous Iguanodon, specifically the forelimb. The hands of the forelimbs still have … Read more
In Depth When remains of Shantungosaurus were first found they were found in a bone bed of at least five individual dinosaurs. Though none of these were of a complete skeleton, composites of incorporating the bones of more than one individual have been assembled with the largest producing a hadrosaurid dinosaur just over sixteen and … Read more
In Depth Unfortunately we cannot not bring you too much information about Protemnocyon at this time other than the little that is stated above. The name Protemnocyon is a reference to another species of bear dog called Temnocyon that was active in North America during the Oligocene to Miocene periods. Further Reading – Oligocene Canidae. … Read more
In Depth Cephalaspis is a good example of the jawless fish that swam through the waters of the Devonian. Although jawless, it still had a mouth that was situated to the underside of the head, suggesting that it was a bottom feeder. Also there seems to be sensory organs on the underside of the head … Read more
In Depth Tethyshadros is without doubt one of the more interesting genera of hadrosauroid dinosaurs. For a start hadrosauroids are not particularly well known from Europe, though large ornithopod dinosaurs which were ancestral to them are. Tethyshadros also seems to have been a dwarf hadrosaur, growing to an average length of four meters. This reduction … Read more
In Depth As a member of the Anurognathidae, Batrachognathus is seen as being related to other pterosaurs such as Dendrorhynchoides, Jeholopterus and Anurognathus itself. Unfortunately Batrachognathus has also suffered from being damaged during the fossilisation process with the tall and broad skull being broken into several pieces as it lay under pressure in the lacustrine … Read more
In Depth Although small by nothosaur standards, Lariosauru remains one of the most important nothosaurs known to palaeontology as remains are so well preserved they contain the presence of juvenile Lariosaurus, as well as what they ate. The juvenile specimens inside an adult Lariosaurus are very well preserved suggesting that they were not chewed or … Read more