In Depth Protosphyraena means ‘early Sphyraena’, a reference to the Sphyraena genus which includes the modern day barracuda. This all came down to the original interpretation of the first fossils which were very much like those of barracuda. However, later fossil examples of Protosphyraena revealed it to be more swordfish-like in appearance, though it must … Read more
In Depth Because of the fragmentary nature of Rhamphocephalus specimens it is hard to determine the kind of pterosaur that it was in life. Also the poor preservation of the specimens have led many to doubt if they actually represent a new genus, in fact the term wastebasket taxon has been applied to Rhamphocephalus much … Read more
In Depth Celtedens is a genus of small albanerpetontid amphibian that lived in Europe during the early Cretaceous. Though the full known age range of the genus extends from the Kimmeridgian of the Jurassic to the Albian of the Cretaceous, most fossils are known from early Cretaceous rocks of the Berriasian and Barremian stages. Further … Read more
In Depth Opisthodontosaurus is a genus of captorhinid reptile that lived in what is now Oklahoma during the Permian. Further Reading - A new captorhinid reptile from the Lower Permian of Oklahoma showing remarkable dental and mandibular convergence with microsaurian tetrapods. - The Science of Nature 102(9-10):50. - R. R. Reisz, A. R. H. LeBlanc, … Read more
In Depth Staurikosaurus may have been only a small theropod dinosaur, but it is also one of the earliest known confirmed dinosaurs. By the time of the Carnian, the first definitive theropods were roaming around South America and hunting other animals. At a little over two meters long, Staurikosaurus was probably a predator of smaller … Read more
In Depth Named after the city of Tamba in Japan, Tambatitanis is a genus of titanosaur that lived in what is now Japan during the early Cretaceous. Though so far only known from partial remains, the anterior caudal (tail) vertebrae of the holotype specimen have already caused a stir amongst palaeontologists because the neural spines … Read more
In Depth Malarguesaurus was a titanosauriform sauropod that lived in Argentina during the earlier stages of the late Cretaceous. Though only known from partial remains, Malarguesaurus has been considered to be similar to the genera Phuwiangosaurus and Ligabuesaurus. Further Reading - Malarguesaurus florenciae gen. et sp. nov., a new titanosauriform (Dinosauria, Sauropoda) from the Upper … Read more
In Depth A member of the Silesauridae (and hence relative of Silesaurus), Sacisaurus was a late Triassic dinosauriform from South America. Although much of the skeleton of Sacisaurus is still unknown, the parts which have been recovered and studied have revealed traits that are similar to ornithischian dinosaurs. Better known as ‘bird hipped’ dinosaurs, ornithischians … Read more
In Depth Diunatans is a genus of rorqual whale that would have been swimming around in what is now the North Sea during the early Pliocene. Further Reading - A new fossil rorqual (Mammalia, Cetacea, Balaenopteridae) from the Early Pliocene of the North Sea, with a review of the rorqual species described by Owen and … Read more
In Depth Honghesaurus is a genus of pachypleurosaur that lived during the Middle Triassic. Further Reading - A long-tailed marine reptile from China provides new insights into the Middle Triassic pachypleurosaur radiation. - Scientific Reports. 12 (1) - Guang-Hui Xu, Yi Ren, Li-Jun Zhao, Jun-Ling Liao & Dong-Hao Feng - 2022.