In Depth Siamosaurus is a little known and often considered dubious genus of spinosaurid dinosaur since it has so far only been described from teeth. Siamosaurus was the first and only known genus of spinosaurid dinosaur known from Asia until the 2012 description of Ichthyovenator from partial post cranial bones. Like other spinosaurids, Siamosaurus was … Read more
In Depth Initially thought to be a juvenile Megaraptor, Unenlagia was found to not only be a separate species but one that would challenge the notions for the origins of flight. Unenlagia fits into the Unenlagiinae group, which is also considered by some to be the rightful home of the dromaeosaur Rahonavis. If correct, that … Read more
In Depth Sphenocephalus were fairly small fish that were hunters of small aquatic organisms. The large eyes are an indication that it was a visually orientated predator. The genus Sphenocephalus actually has an uncertain relationship placement to other fish due to the mix of distinguishing features, something causes various researchers to consider it in different … Read more
In Depth Scylacosaurus is a genus of therapsid that lived in South Africa. Further Reading - On the structure of the palate in the primitive theriodonts. - Geological Magazine 10 (8): 343–345. - Robert Broom - 1903.
In Depth One of the more popular hadrosaurids, Tsintaosaurus is actually not known by many individuals. The popularity of Tsintaosaurus is all down to the forward pointing crest that adorns the top of the skull. There was one widespread speculation that this crest was simply a product of the fossilisation process, and that the bone … Read more
In Depth Ouranopithecus is often considered to be a dryopithecine ape (similar to Dryopithecus); however there are others who consider Ouranopithecus to be a member of the Ponginae (orangutan-like apes). Usually however Ouranopithecus is placed within the Hominidae due to the shape and form of the sinuses, although it may also be a late surviving … Read more
In Depth With is slender body, proportionately short legs and teeth suited more for an insectivorous diet, Ictitherium was more like a civet. However this predator was actually one of the first hyenas even though it still had a long way to go to developing the immense bone crushing bite of modern hyenas. Ictitherium is … Read more
In Depth Ichthyornis - A brief history of the discovery and classification. Ever since its first description in 1872, Ichthyornis has been one of the most important prehistoric birds known to us, but one that has been frequently mired in controversy. The very first specimen of Ichthyornis was first recovered in 1870 by Benjamin Franklin … Read more
In Depth The dinosaur Oviraptor has a very unfortunate name as it was given to it on the presumption that it stole other dinosaur’s eggs. When the first dinosaur eggs were discovered in Mongolia, they were thought to belong to the herbivorous Protoceratops due to the large number of their remains in the vicinity. Also … Read more
In Depth Named in 2007, Mahakala has been widely accepted as one of the most primitive formed dromaeosaurids so far discovered. Key to this idea is the observation that the third metatarsal is not compressed, whereas in more advanced dromaeosaurids and troodonts it is. However another fact to consider is that Mahakala lived during the … Read more