In Depth At first glance the holotype specimen of Bellubrunnus was considered to have been an example of the famous pterosaur genus Rhamphorhynchus, though a closer study of the specimen soon came to the conclusion that it actually represented a unique genus. The skull of Bellubrunnus has been noted for being proportionately short with large … Read more
In Depth The holotype fossils of Antetonitrus were originally found in 1981, but were thought to be further fossils of the genus Euskelosaurus. It was not until over two decades later that they would be correctly described as a distinct genus. Antetonitrus is a very interesting sauropod dinosaur, as while it was quadrupedal (walked on … Read more
In Depth Tadzhikosuchus was a late Cretaceous era crocodile that lived in what would become Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. Three species were once named for the genus but a 2000 review resulted in the observation that no differences between the available fossils could differentiate three separate species. Therefore the species T. neutralis and T. kizylkumensis are … Read more
In Depth When first named in 2014, Atopodentatus made headlines around the world for the bizarre and hitherto unseen jaw arrangement. At the time of this reconstruction the jaws seemed to project forwards and then hook down and have numerous small teeth. These small teeth were postulated to have allowed Atopodentatus to filter out small … Read more
In Depth In 1876 Richard Owen named a new species of Poekilopleuron called P. pusillus. In 1879 this species was adjusted to P. minor by Edward Drinker Cope. Then in 1887 Harry Govier Seeley renamed this species as a new distinct genus, Aristosuchus. However, despite the name ‘suchus’ which is Ancient Greek for crocodile, this … Read more
In Depth Daemonosaurus has a distinguished skull that is unlike any other dinosaur currently known from the time. The upper teeth are mounted in a short snout and protrude forwards from the tip. This is mirrored in the lower jaw and was the inspiration for the type species name D. chauliodus that loosely translated means … Read more
In Depth Dahalokely is so far only known by very incomplete remains, but if it’s identification as an abelisauroid is correct, then it certainly was very small for its type. Alternatively, if Dahalokely turns out to be a noasaur, a group of theropods closely related to abelisaurs, then it would be expected to have a … Read more
In Depth Dyslocosaurus is a genus of diplodocid sauropod dinosaur that lived in North America during the late Jurassic. It is unknown exactly where the type fossils of Dyslocosaurus are known from as when they were first discovered they only had ‘Lance Creek’ written on them. There is a Lance Formation that is named after … Read more
In Depth Lagerpeton is a very primitive dinosauromorph that lived in South America during the early Triassic. So primitive is Lagerpeton that it is easily among the most basal dinosauromorphs that we currently know about. Several features can be observed in the known Lagerpeton material including neural spins on the dorsal vertebrae that are slanting … Read more
In Depth Cathayopterus is another member of the filter feeding group of pterosaurs that are known from all over the world with particularly notable genera hailing from South America (Pterodaustro) and Europe (Ctenochasma). Further Reading – Pterosaur assemblages of the Jehol Biota and their implication for the Early Cretaceous pterosaur radiation. – Geological Journal. 41 … Read more