In Depth Despite the fact that fossils of Palaeochiropteryx are dated all the way back to the Lutetian period of the Eocene, this bat is already almost like modern day bats are. In depth study of the cochlea of Palaeochiropteryx has revealed that it as an intermediate level of development, meaning that it was not … Read more
In Depth As a late surviving member of the group, Varanops is often cited as one of the last of the pelycosaurs. With its relatively long legs, Varanops may have been more suited to open ground, as opposed to dense undergrowth where they may have been of a hindrance. They may have also provided for … Read more
In Depth Gasosaurus was named in honour of the gasoline company that found the Lower Shaximiao Formation, then known as the Dashanpu fossil quarry. Since its naming Gasosaurus has been the subject of uncertainty regarding its validity and position. There have been claims that it may the same as a slightly older genus called Kaijiangosaurus … Read more
In Depth Protoichthyosaurus is a genus of small ichthyosaur that lived during the early Jurassic, though possibly also in the Late Triassic. Further Reading - The affinities of Liassic and later ichthyosaurs. Palaeontology 22(4):921-946. - R. M. Appleby - 1979. - The taxonomic utility of forefin morphology in Lower Jurassic ichthyosaurs: Protoichthyosaurus and Ichthyosaurus. - … Read more
In Depth Prionosuchus was a temnospondyl amphibian that lived in South America during the Permian, and one that was surprisingly crocodile-like in appearance with a snout similar to that of a gharial crocodile. Most specimens of Prionosuchus are fairly small at only about two and a half meters in length, but one exceptionally large skull … Read more
In Depth Gongxianosaurus is a genus of sauropod dinosaur known to have lived in China towards the end of early Jurassic. When compared to other early sauropods, Gongxianosaurus is generally thought to be fairly intermediate in development, being more advanced than genera such as Melanorosaurus and Antetonitrus, but not as advanced as genera such as … Read more
In Depth Seismophis is a genus of snake that lived in South America during the late Cretaceous. Further Reading - The oldest Brazilian snakes from the early Late Cretaceous (Cenomanian). - Acta Palaeontologica Polonica. - A. S. Hsiou, A. M. Albino, M. A. Medeiros & R. A. B. Santos - 2013.
In Depth Brighstoneus is a genus of hadrosauriform dinosaur that lived in the British Isles during the early Cretaceous. One feature that immediately stands out about Brighstoneus is the enlarged nasal bone which would have supported a bulla-like feature with convex sides on the tip of the snout. Like other hadrosaurifom dinosaurs, Brighstoneus would have … Read more
In Depth Sigilmassasaurus has had a turbulent taxonomic history, at times being valid, other times being synonymous with other genera, to being valid again. It all began in 1996 when Dale Russel described a series of cervical vertebrae that were noted for being fairly short, hence the type species name S. brevicollis which mans ‘short … Read more
In Depth Out of all the hadrosaurs (also known as the duck-billed dinosaurs) Parasaurolophus is one of the most widely recognised thanks to its very distinctive skull crest. The name Parasaurolophus is a bit of a mouthful, but this is based around the early interpretation that Parasaurolophus was similar to another genus names Saurolophus … Read more