In Depth A genus of pachycephalosaurid dinosaur, Sphaerotholus has been raising a few questions as to its validity. The type species, S. goodwini is based upon only two very partial skull fossils. S. edmontonensis is based only upon three partial skull domes. This has led some to speculate that the genus is dubious and indifferent … Read more
In Depth Perhaps the most unusual feature of Yongjinglong is the scapula, the part that is equivalent to your own shoulder blade. Although the holotype individual has been estimated to have been about fifteen to eighteen meters long, the shoulder blade was unusually large in proportion at two meters long in itself. In addition to … Read more
In Depth Duerosuchus is a genus of relatively small crocodile that lived in Spain during the Eocene. Further Reading - Nuevo g�nero de Crocodylia del Eoceno medio de la Pen�nsula Ib�rica (Zamora, Espa�a): Duerosuchus piscator nov. gen., nov. sp. - Studia Geologica Salmanticensia 45 (2): 149–173. - L. A. Santiago & L. A. Andr�s - … Read more
In Depth The holotype remains of Chindesaurus were first discovered in 1985 and at first thought to represent a kind of unknown sauropodomorph dinosaur. It was later however that it was realised that Chindesaurus actually represented a kind of primitive theropod dinosaur. Exactly what kind of early theropod dinosaur has been a little bit harder … Read more
In Depth Klamelisaurus is a genus of sauropod dinosaur that lived in what is now China during the Mid Jurassic. Klamelisaurus has been noted as being very similar in form to an earlier named genus named Bellusaurus, though in addition to this, some have gone further to say that Klamelisaurus might actually be the adult … Read more
In Depth Leptonectes is the type genus of Leptopterygiidae group of ichthyosaurs that had specialised upper jaws that protruded beyond the end of the lower jaw. This group of ichthyosaurs are sometimes envisioned using these snouts to stir up sediment on the sea floor to find buried prey, however because their jaws resemble those of … Read more
In Depth Muraenosaurus was a Jurassic era plesiosaur similar to the much more famous Plesiosaurus, although Muraenosaurus actually seems to have had a proportionately longer neck. This is likely an adaptation that would have helped it to catch fish. It’s probable however that Muraenosaurus itself was targeted by large Jurassic era pliosaurs such as Liopleurodon, … Read more
In Depth With a weight estimate of 0.5-0.75 kilos, Fruitadens is by far one of the smallest known dinosaurs. Recovered specimens are thought to represent juveniles and sub adults that are almost fully grown. In appearance Fruitadens is considered to have been similar to Heterodontosaurus, although it may have been closer to Echinodon and Tianyulong … Read more
In Depth Kourisodon was first described from fossil remains discovered in British Columbia, though since this time more partial remains from Japan have been attributed to the genus. Not only does this significantly expand upon the known geographical range of Kourisodon, but it indicates that Kourisodon existed from the Santonian of the Canadian deposits, all … Read more
In Depth After Stegosaurus itself, Kentrosaurus is easily the best known of the stegosaurs. Many herbivores were known to have herded, and support for this in Kentrosaurus comes from the massive collection of bones from the Tendaguru beds. Like other Stegosaurs, Kentrosaurus was considered to be a low browser, although it’s considered possible for Kentrosaurus … Read more