In Depth The partial skeletal remains that the Drusilasaura genus is known by have been seen to be indicative of a lognkosaurian titanosaur. If this analysis is correct then Drusilasaura would be the oldest known lognkosaurian titanosaur. Further Reading – Drusilasaura deseadensis gen. et sp. nov., a new titanosaur (Dinosauria-Sauropoda), of the Bajo Barreal Formation, … Read more
In Depth Named after the famous palaeontologist Jos� Fernando Bonaparte for his contributions to the advancement of palaeontology, Bonatitan seems to have actually been quite a small titanosaur. Hailing from the Allen Formation, Bonatitan likely shared its habitat with other dinosaurs such as other titanosaurs like Saltasaurus, Laplatasaurus, Aeolosaurus and Rocasaurus and the hadrosaurs Lapampasaurus … Read more
In Depth There has been some contention over exactly what kind of theropod dinosaur Austrocheirus was. When described, Austrocheirus was identified as an abelisauroid theropod via cladistic analysis. This was significant because this would have been the first example of an abelisauroid theropod which did not feature the forelimb reduction which is often used as … Read more
In Depth Garrigatitan is a genus of titanosaur that lived in Western Europe during the late Cretaceous. Known only from partial remains of an immature individual, Garrigatitan seems to have been a fairly small titanosaur, even when fully grown. Further Reading - A new titanosaur (Dinosauria: Sauropoda) from the Upper Cretaceous of Velaux-La-Bastide Neuve (southern … Read more
In Depth Callawayasaurus was originally known as a species of Alzadasaurus until Kenneth Carpenter studied the remains and found that they actually represented a new genus. On a related note the type specimen of Alzadasaurus today only exists as a synonym to Thalassomedon and Styxosaurus. Carpenter named the new genus in honour of fellow palaeontologist … Read more
In Depth Ctenochasma is one of the few known filter feeding pterosaurs, and its name heads up the group Ctenochasmatidae which includes similar pterosaurs such as Pterodaustro and Unwindia. The method of pterosaurs filter feeding is quite simple as instead of having the large needle like teeth associated with catching fish and insects, pterosaurs like … Read more
In Depth Douzhanopterus is a genus of pterosaur that lived in China during the late Jurassic. Douzhanopterus is a pterodactyliforme pterosaur and what this means is that the genus shows a transition from more primitive rhamphorhynchid pterosaurs of the early Jurassic to the more advanced pterodactyloid pterosaurs of the late Jurassic and Cretaceous. Further Reading … Read more
In Depth Argentinadraco is a genus of azdarchid pterosaur that lived in South America during the late Cretaceous. At the time of its description, Argentinadraco is only known from the frontal half of the lower jaws, so it is difficult to ascertain specific details about this pterosaur. Further Reading - New azhdarchoid pterosaur (Pterosauria, Pterodactyloidea) … Read more
In Depth Often known in the media as either ‘Dog Croc’ or ‘Rat Croc’, Araripesuchus is one of the better known terrestrial crocodiles. Study of the dentition reveals that Araripesuchus may have been a generalist hunter. This is indicated by sharp conical teeth towards the front of the mouth, with more rounded sturdier teeth towards … Read more
In Depth Because the holotype specimen of Morenosaurus is incomplete, it is hard to establish a precise classification of his plesiosaur, especially since the skull is unknown. It is probable however that Morenosaurus is an elasmosaurid (similar to Elasmosaurus) since these were the dominant kinds of plesiosaurs during the late Cretaceous. Additionally if this is … Read more