A new study suggests that dinosaurs' demise was partly due to the perfect storm of environmental upheaval, including volcanic activity, changing sea levels, and varying temperatures. This weakened their food chain, making them vulnerable to extinction.
Leaf-mining insects completely disappeared after the dinosaur extinction event, only to reappear a million years later with diverse damage patterns. The researchers found nine different mine-damage types at Mexican Hat attributable to moths, wasps, and flies, suggesting an influx of novel insect herbivores during the early Paleocene.
A new raptorial dinosaur fossil named Changyuraptor yangi has shed light on how larger-bodied dinosaurs took to the air, with exceptionally long feathers playing a crucial role in safe landings. The 125-million-year-old fossil, found in China, confirms that flight preceded the origin of birds and was not limited to small animals.
A recent study reclassifies Scansoriopteryx as a non-dinosaurian bird, with characteristics like elongated forelimbs and wing feathers. The findings validate predictions from the early 1900s that small, tree-dwelling archosaurs are the ancestors of birds.
A remarkable new dinosaur tracksite in Denali National Park, Alaska, has provided insights into the herd structure and paleobiology of northern polar dinosaurs. The discovery reveals that these animals not only lived in multi-generational herds but also thrived in a high-latitude, polar ecosystem.
Researchers analyzed the plumage of a newly discovered Archaeopteryx specimen, revealing previously unknown features of its feathers. The findings suggest that feathers evolved for functions other than flight, such as insulation and display, before being co-opted for aerial abilities.
Researchers from the University of Bristol and China studied trackways formed on an ancient seabed to determine how nothosaurs, marine reptiles that lived during the age of dinosaurs, propelled themselves through water. The evidence suggests that these creatures moved over the seafloor by rowing their forelimbs in unison.
Researchers have discovered a single-ovary reproductive system in the basal bird Jeholornis and derived enantiornithine birds from China, indicating that this adaptation occurred gradually during the evolution of dinosaurs and basal birds. This finding supports the hypothesis that birds lost one ovary due to energetic pressures of flight.
Scientists have discovered a new species of long-snouted tyrannosaur, Qianzhousaurus sinensis, which lived alongside deep-snouted tyrannosaurs but hunted different prey. The discovery confirms the existence of tyrannosaur species with long snouts and provides insights into the diversity of these fearsome carnivores.
A study found that dinosaurs showed rapid rates of body size evolution in early forms, but these slowed down over time. However, the evolutionary line leading to birds continued to change size at this rate for 170 million years, producing new ecological diversity not seen in other dinosaurs.
Researchers used synchrotron-imaging to examine 150-million-year-old predatory dinosaur bones, discovering that many healed injuries were not fatal to humans. The study sheds light on the chemical signatures of bone healing and remodelling strategies in extinct vertebrates.
A study found that birds underwent rapid body size changes to exploit new ecological niches, while other dinosaur lineages stagnated. The team estimated the body mass of 426 species using leg bone thickness, revealing a prolonged period of high evolutionary rates in the lineage leading to birds.
A new study confirms three species of alligator snapping turtles, including two recently discovered, are threatened by conservation efforts. The turtles' restricted range and habitats make them vulnerable to catastrophic events such as chemical spills or river pollution.
A new international study reveals that humans have left an unprecedented legacy of technofossils, including built environments and consumer products, which will be preserved for millions of years. These technofossils are expected to become the defining characteristic of the Anthropocene epoch.
A new species of large-bodied, feathered oviraptorosaurian theropod dinosaur has been discovered in western North America. The dinosaur, Anzu wyliei, had a crested skull, long neck, and large claws, with an approximate body length of 3.5 m and a body mass of about 200-300 kg.
The discovery of Anzu wyliei provides the first comprehensive look at the Caenagnathidae group, a mysterious theropod dinosaur family. The nearly complete skeleton reveals a bird-like creature with characteristics such as a toothless beak and feathered forelimbs.
A new tyrannosaurine species, Nanuqsaurus hoglundi, has been identified from a 70-million-year-old Alaskan fossil. The smaller dinosaur is estimated to be around 25 inches in skull length compared to T. rex's 60 inches, suggesting an adaptation to arctic seasons.
New research from North Carolina State University suggests that it is not yet possible to tell if microscopic structures in fossilized feathers are melanosomes, which contain pigment, or ancient bacteria. Researchers used various microscopy techniques to examine the structures and compared them to melanosomes found in living birds.
A new dinosaur species found in Portugal is estimated to be the largest land predator in Europe, with blade-shaped teeth up to 10 cm long. The dinosaur, Torvosaurus gurneyi, could reach 10 meters long and weigh around 4-5 tons, making it one of the largest terrestrial carnivores from the Jurassic period.
Fossils from the Middle-Upper Jurassic Period in northeastern China have revealed an exceptional window into life approximately 160 million years ago. The Daohugou Biota contains superbly preserved specimens of a diverse group of amphibian, mammal and reptile species.
Scientists discovered that key characteristics of flight, such as body size and forelimb length, evolved simultaneously in a group of dinosaurs. These findings suggest that birds arose through multiple evolutionary steps, with powered flight emerging later.
A study revising rules for deciphering dinosaur color suggests a link between color, physiology, and the origin of flight. Researchers found diverse melanosome shapes and sizes in feathered dinosaurs, paravians, and living mammals and birds.
Researchers have discovered that the oldest land predator, Dimetrodon, had 'steak-knife' teeth with serrated edges, allowing it to efficiently eat large prey. The study suggests a gradual change in feeding habits over 25 million years of evolution.
Three new extinct fossil species of big-headed flies were discovered in Eocene epoch fossil beds, dating back 49-52 million years. These finds show early evolution parallels a significant ecological revolution, which formed modern natural communities.
International team uncovers first record of dinosaurs from Saudi Arabia, featuring a sauropod and carnivorous theropod species. The discovery sheds light on the region's rare dinosaur fossil record.
A rare mummified specimen of the duck-billed dinosaur Edmontosauraus regalis has revealed a fleshy comb on its head, similar to a rooster's red crest. This discovery dramatically alters our understanding of these gentle giants and raises the possibility of similar crests among other dinosaurs.
A study by University of Utah researchers found that monitor lizards have a mostly one-way, looping air flow in their lungs, challenging previous notions about the function of this breathing pattern. The discovery raises questions about the evolutionary origins of this unique pattern, which may be as old as 270 million years.
Researchers at Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute create detailed map of Campeche Escarpment, a steep underwater cliff near the impact site. The maps reveal that rocks formed before, during, and after the asteroid impact are exposed along different parts of the escarpment.
A new, 30-foot-long dinosaur has been discovered in Utah, revealing a key gap in the fossil record of large predatory dinosaurs in North America. The discovery indicates that carcharodontosaurs dominated the ecosystem for longer than previously thought, before tyrannosaurs took over.
Researchers from the University of Manchester successfully recreated the walking and running movements of Argentinosaurus using computer simulations. The study provides new insights into the dinosaur's locomotion ability, dispelling previous suggestions that it was inflated in size.
A new PLOS Collection delves into the complex evolutionary cascade theory that made sauropod dinosaurs' gigantism possible. Researchers investigate factors contributing to their unique body size, including mobility, posture, and nutrition.
Fossilized footprints found at Dinosaur Cove in Victoria, Australia, reveal the oldest known bird tracks in the country, dating back to the Early Cretaceous period. The analysis, led by paleontologist Anthony Martin, sheds light on the evolution of flight and the connection between birds and non-avian dinosaurs.
Scientists have documented a widespread extinction of bees that occurred 65 million years ago, concurrent with the mass extinction that wiped out land dinosaurs and many flowering plants. The findings shed light on the current decline in bee species and could provide insight into their current struggle.
A study on feathered dinosaurs, including Microraptor, has provided new insight into the evolution of bird flight. The researchers found that high lift coefficient and aerodynamic efficiency are not the only factors determining gliding efficiency.
Research reveals how ancient crocodiles evolved and survived alongside dinosaurs, with notable variations in jaw shapes and biomechanics. The study, published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B, provides new insights into the evolution and adaptation of ancient crocodiles during the Mesozoic Era.
New research suggests that terror birds were likely herbivores, based on the analysis of calcium isotope composition in their fossilized bones. The study found that the terror bird's diet was similar to that of herbivorous mammals and dinosaurs, indicating a non-carnivorous diet.
A new analysis of ostriches suggests that sauropod neck flexibility was probably lower than previously estimated due to the impact of soft tissues like muscle and cartilage. This reduced flexibility may have restricted the range of foods these dinosaurs could reach, leading to more active foraging.
A new study published in Nature reveals that at least a few non-avian dinosaurs had brains as large or larger than those of Archaeopteryx, indicating they may have had the neurological hardwiring necessary for flight. This challenges the idea that Archaeopteryx was uniquely transitional between feathered dinosaurs and modern birds.
Researchers at the University of Adelaide have discovered that dinosaurs required more muscular power to prey on other animals and dominate over mammals than previously thought. The study challenges the long-held notion that dinosaurs were cold-blooded, like reptiles.
Sauropod dinosaurs like Diplodocus and Camarasaurus replaced their teeth frequently, with some species replacing up to one tooth every 62 days. This constant growth and replacement was likely caused by the high amount of plant food they consumed, which led to extensive tooth wear.
Research suggests that freshwater ecosystems were more resilient than oceans during the asteroid impact due to annual freeze-thaw cycles, groundwater seeps, and dormant stages of many organisms. This study also explores the bubbling of methane from thermokarst lakes, an important factor in the carbon cycle and global climate change.
A new study by Dr. Jordan Mallon reveals that large plant-eating dinosaurs specialized in eating different types of vegetation to coexist successfully. The research, which analyzed nearly 100 dinosaur skulls, supports the concept of niche partitioning and provides insight into the ecological roles of these ancient creatures.
A team of scientists studied Psittacosaurus dinosaurs to understand their growth patterns. They found that arm bones grew fastest during the first few years of life, while leg bones experienced a massive growth spurt, eventually becoming twice as long as the arms.
Scientists discovered that foraminifera may be responsible for the decline of stromatolites and the emergence of thrombolites. The researchers found evidence of foraminifera in both types of structures, suggesting a possible link between their disappearance and appearance.
A team of scientists at the University of California, Irvine, has discovered a rare mega-galaxy dubbed HXMM01, which is 10 times larger than the Milky Way. The galaxy was formed after a 11-billion-year collision between two young galaxies and is rapidly fading away due to its own cataclysmic birth.
A new study reveals a previously overlooked diversity of small dinosaurs, including the smallest known plant-eating dinosaur species from Canada. The research team identified Albertadromeus syntarsus as a speedy runner that lived in what is now southern Alberta during the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 77 million years ago.
Researchers studied 150-million-year-old dinosaur fossils to reconstruct their brain and inner ear anatomy. The study found that the brain underwent significant changes during growth, with important parts for hearing and cognitive processes already well-developed in young dinosaurs.
Researchers at George Mason University and University of Lincoln found that dinosaurs likely shared incubation duties with both moms and dads, contrary to previous claims of male-only care. This new analysis helps understand the evolution of incubation in birds and sheds light on dinosaur reproductive behavior.
A new species of ichthyosaur from Iraq, named Malawania anachronus, has been discovered, contradicting previous theories on the evolution and extinction of these ancient marine reptiles. The discovery reveals that ichthyosaurs remained diverse during the early part of the Cretaceous period.
A new species of bone-headed dinosaur, Acrotholus audeti, has been identified from Alberta, Canada, representing the oldest known bone-headed dinosaur in North America. The discovery provides valuable insights into the evolution and diversity of small plant-eating dinosaurs.
Scientists have discovered new fossils showing that dinosaur predecessors were more widespread than thought after the mass extinction event. The findings suggest that archosaurs, a group including crocodiles and dinosaurs, diversified in Tanzania and Zambia before becoming more widely distributed.
Fossil records from Tanzania and Zambia reveal a lineage of animals thought to have led to dinosaurs, contradicting previous assumptions about their predecessors' fate. The discovery provides new insights into the recovery of animal communities after the mass extinction.
Dr. Lawrence Witmer's Visible Interactive Dinosaur (VID) project aims to digitally recreate the tissues stripped away by time, creating the most realistic dinosaur renderings. The project has dual purpose of helping paleontologists and educating the public about physiology and anatomy.
Researchers found that a small meat-eating dinosaur called Troodon likely hatched its young in a way similar to brooding birds. The study provides insights into how dinosaurs incubated their eggs and supports the close evolutionary relationship between birds and dinosaurs.
The newly discovered Dahalokely tokana is an abelisauroid dinosaur that lived around 90 million years ago. Its fossils found in Madagascar preserve a mix of features from dinosaurs on both the island and the Indian subcontinent, sparking questions about its relationships to these ancient animals.
The tulip tree's mitochondrial genome has remained largely unchanged since the dinosaurs, providing a 'molecular fossil' with preserved ancestral gene clusters. The slow mutation rate allows researchers to estimate the ancestral angiosperm mitochondrial genome contained 41 protein genes.
Researchers from the University of Bonn have found the oldest known dinosaur embryos in China, shedding light on the rapid growth and high reproductive rate of these ancient animals. The discoveries provide valuable insights into the biology of dinosaurs, including their development and behavior.
A team of scientists from Canada, Taiwan, and Australia excavated over 200 bones from embryonic dinosaurs, providing a rare glimpse into their growth patterns. The fossils, dating back over 100 million years, show evidence of protein structures, suggesting that dinosaurs moved around inside their eggs.
Researchers have identified evidence of a dinosaur's ability to swim with coordinated leg movements, as indicated by 15-meter claw marks found on a Chinese riverbed. The marks suggest the presence of a two-legged dinosaur that was swimming along the river and only its tippy toes were touching bottom.
Researchers found lower than expected levels of iridium and osmium at the K-Pg boundary, contradicting the asteroid impact theory. A comet explanation reconciles this with evidence of a massive crater.