In Depth Atsinganosaurus is named from the Ancient Greek word atsinganos which means ‘gypsy’, and is a reference to a proposed east to west migration for these dinosaurs. The known remains of Atsinganosaurus are fragmentary but in otherwise a good state of preservation. Unfortunately the overall lack of them means that it is hard to … Read more
In Depth Initially considered to be a Southern population of Massospondylus, Adeopapposaurus was established as an independent genus in 2009. Adeopapposaurus is an unusual sauropodomorph since it appears to have had a keratinous beak to its mouth. If correct, then this may have been a feeding specialisation for snipping off foliage from plants. Further Reading … Read more
In Depth Faxinalipterus is a contender for the oldest known pterosaur, although some have put forward the notion that it may be a form of reptile just before true pterosaurs. Whichever may yet prove correct, the fact that Faxinalipterusis only known from a terrestrial location is taken by some to prove that pterosaurs evolved inland … Read more
In Depth Originally named as a species of Steneosaurus, S. baroni was found to represent a distinct genus in a university thesis written by Michela M. Johnson in 2019. The following year a new genus description was published for S. baroni, and thus the Andrianavoay genus was established. Andrianavoay was a thalattosuchian, but a more … Read more
In Depth Stratesaurus represents a genus of rhomaleosaurid plesiosaur, a type of plesiosaur noted for having a shorter neck and proportionately larger head than other plesiosaurs, though not to the extent of pliosaurs. The discovery of Stratesaurus in Hettangian aged rocks means that individual Stratesaurus were swimming in European waters near the Triassic/Jurassic boundary, which … Read more
In Depth With its incredibly long neck Omeisaurus is both a relative and possible comtempory to the more famous Mamenchisaurus. However previous Upper Shaximiao Formation fossils of Omeisaurus are now considered indeterminate. If Omeisaurus really does only exist in Lower Shaximiao deposits, then it may confirm that Mamenchisaurus replaced Omeisaurus since the former is only … Read more
In Depth Mendozasaurus is a genus of titanosaur that lived in South America during the late Cretaceous. Although only known from incomplete remains, Mendozasaurus is thought to have had quite a long neck as well as osteoderms in the skin. Osteoderm armour in the skin has been observed in some other South American titanosaurs, with … Read more
Interactive Mosasaurus Fossil Map & Timeline Chart Discover Mosasaurus with our interactive fossil map and geographical timeline chart. The fossil map pinpoints discovery sites worldwide, click each marker to see fossil ages and detailed references.. The interactive bar chart reveals how many Mosasaurus fossils were found across different geological ages, helping you visualize its prehistoric … Read more
In Depth Xingtianosaurus is a genus of caudipterid dinosaur that lived in China during the early Cretaceous. Further Reading - A new caudipterid from the Lower Cretaceous of China with information on the evolution of the manus of Oviraptorosauria. - Scientific Reports. 9: Article number 6431. - Rui Qiu, Xiaolin Wang, Qiang Wang; Ning Li, … Read more
In Depth Anurognathus seems to have had a disproportionately large skull for such a small creature, but nevertheless, shows adaptations suited to an insectivorous diet. The teeth are small and sharp, and the head is wider than it is long. The eyes are also large and slightly face forwards allowing for some depth perception through … Read more