A new study from the University of Bath and Natural History Museum found that dinosaurs were not declining in diversity at the time of their extinction. The researchers used statistical modelling to assess dinosaur family trees and found no evidence of decline, contradicting previous studies. If the asteroid impact hadn't occurred, din...
The discovery of Ajnabia odysseus in Morocco suggests that dinosaurs crossed hundreds of kilometers of open water to colonize Africa. The tiny duckbill was likely a powerful swimmer, with large tails and powerful legs, and may have simply swum the distance.
A new study reveals that mammals developed social behavior much earlier than previously thought, interacting with dinosaurs in tightly packed clusters. The fossils, which are about 75.5 million years old, show evidence of multiple mature adults and subadults congregating, indicating a complex social structure.
Scientists used a new method to show that pterosaurs gradually improved their flight performance over millions of years, adapting their body shape and size to use 50% less energy. The study also revealed that one group of pterosaurs, azhdarchoids, did not improve their flying abilities despite growing in size.
Researchers compare microstructure and composition of five Mexican dinosaur eggs to determine the unknown eggshell's species. The study finds that the unknown sample closely resembles ornithopod shells, supporting hypothesis it belongs to the hadrosaur family.
A team of scientists discovered that scansoriopterygids, a group of bat-winged theropod dinosaurs, were capable of clumsy gliding due to their unique wing shape. Despite their gliding abilities, they were unable to achieve powered flight and eventually became an evolutionary dead-end.
Two small dinosaurs, Yi and Ambopteryx, had bat-like wings but struggled to fly, instead gliding between trees. Their unique wing membranes allowed them to glide, but not powered flight. The study supports that dinosaurs evolved flight in multiple ways before modern birds evolved.
Researchers discovered that Yi and Ambopteryx, two small dinosaur species from Late Jurassic China, evolved the ability to glide but were poorly capable of powered flight. They relied on gliding as an escape mechanism to stay out of danger while struggling to compete with other tree-dwelling dinosaurs and early birds.
A newly discovered species of toothless, two-fingered dinosaur has provided evidence of digit loss in the oviraptor family, enabling them to adapt and diversify during the Late Cretaceous Period. The discovery also revealed that young dinosaurs roamed together in groups, suggesting a social behavior.
Pterosaur experts refuted earlier claims of feathered pterosaurs, suggesting they were bald instead. The finding has huge implications for the evolution of feathers in dinosaurs and pterosaurs.
A team of researchers from the University of Portsmouth discovered over 1,200 dinosaur teeth that confirm Spinosaurus was a river-monster. The findings support the theory that dinosaurs were adapted to an aquatic lifestyle, with Spinosaurus being the most commonly found creature in the Kem Kem river system.
Scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery of a perfectly preserved dinosaur embryo, revealing that sauropods had stereoscopic vision and a horn on the front of their face. The discovery has challenged previous theories about the appearance of these giant herbivores, which lived 80 million years ago.
The complete dinosaur skeleton of Scelidosaurus has been studied in detail, revealing new insights into its anatomy and relationships. The analysis suggests that Scelidosaurus was an early ancestor of ankylosaurs, a group of armored dinosaurs.
The discovery of the first near-intact embryonic skull of a sauropod sauropodomorph has revealed unexpected facial features. The study suggests that hatchlings may have had specialized features, such as a thickened prominence or single-horned face, that changed as they grew into adults.
Paleontologists used a new approach to estimate sexual variation in dinosaur fossils, finding patterns in size differences between males and females. The study suggests that using effect size statistics can produce accurate estimates of sexual dimorphism even with limited fossil data.
A team of researchers led by Dr. Tanja Wintrich discovered that even Tyrannosaurus rex could have suffered a slipped disc, as ancient reptiles had intervertebral discs similar to those in humans. This finding provides new insights into human spine mobility and medicine.
Researchers discovered that hadrosaurs and other dinosaurs have a unique trabecular bone structure capable of supporting large weights, different from mammals and birds. This adaptation allowed them to carry massive loads without excessive skeletal weight.
A recent study challenges the notion that birds evolved rapidly following the mass extinction of non-avian dinosaurs. Instead, researchers found that bird skull evolution actually slowed down compared to non-avian dinosaurs. This slower pace of evolution is attributed to adaptations in beak shape and size.
Researchers found that powered flight potential evolved at least three times in theropods: once in birds and twice in dromaeosaurids. This challenges the traditional view of bird origins, presenting a more complex picture of experimentation with wing-assisted locomotion.
An international study reconstructs powered flight potential in theropod dinosaurs, finding it evolved at least three times. Many ancestors of bird relatives experimented with wing-assisted locomotion before flight evolved.
A new study confirms Deinosuchus had the head size and jaw strength to prey on dinosaurs. The massive creature lived in North America during the late Cretaceous period, up to 33 feet in length, making it one of the largest crocodylian genera ever in existence.
The study reveals a remarkable genetic connection between the tuatara, a reptile that lived with dinosaurs, and mammals such as platypus and echidna. The genome analysis shows an unusual combination of mammalian and reptilian components, with some sequences similar to those found in platypus.
The study reanalyzed fossils of Pisanosaurus and dated rocks from the Ischigualasto Formation, finding that Ornithiscians and Saurischians first appeared and diverged around the same time. The researchers also found that the period over which the formation was deposited overlaps with the Chinle Formation in North America.
A recent study reveals that the Carnian Pluvial Episode, a period of intense warming and humidity, occurred globally, particularly in South America. The research suggests that this global climate event may have spurred the emergence of early dinosaurs.
A new Alaskan fossil discovery of a juvenile dromaeosaurid jaw bone has significant implications for the understanding of Cretaceous period dinosaurs. The study, published in PLOS ONE, supports the theory that some Arctic dinosaurs did not migrate with the seasons but were year-round residents.
A small fossil jawbone from Alaska represents a rare example of juvenile dromaeosaurid dinosaur remains from the Arctic, providing clues to the history of dinosaur dispersal between continents. The study suggests that some dinosaurs likely nested in the far north, contradicting previous theories about their migration patterns.
Researchers report a small fossil reptile named Kongonaphon kely, related to dinosaurs and pterosaurs, which suggests that these giant animals originated from extremely small ancestors. The analysis of body size evolution and fossil wear indicates a diet of insects.
A newly described species from Madagascar suggests that dinosaurs and pterosaurs originated from extremely small ancestors. The discovery sheds light on the origins of flight in pterosaurs and the presence of 'fuzz' on the skin of both groups.
Researchers tracked guineafowl movement using X-ray technology to study foot patterns below ground. They found that despite varying substrates, the birds' foot movement remained consistent, suggesting fossilized dinosaur tracks could be from the same species.
Researchers at Imperial College London found that asteroid impact caused an impact winter decades long, decimating dinosaur habitats worldwide. In contrast, volcanic eruptions had a limited effect on global ecosystems.
A new study reveals a nest of exceptionally small non-avian theropod egg fossils in Japan, providing insights into Early Cretaceous ecosystems. The Kamitaki Egg Quarry yielded over 1300 fossil eggs, mostly belonging to the newly discovered Himeoolithus murakamii genus.
Scientists have found that the first dinosaurs laid soft-shelled eggs, contradicting long-held assumptions. The study analyzed the eggs of two non-avian dinosaurs and found they resembled those of turtles in terms of microstructure and mechanical properties.
A study by Kapitány and colleagues examines how children evaluate different types of non-real people or figures relative to one another. The results show that most children conceptualize the thirteen figures into four groups, with cultural figures like Santa and the Tooth Fairy ranked highly as 'real'.
Research led by Dr Anthony Romilio found evidence of massive predators in Jurassic-era fossil footprints in southern Queensland. The tracks suggest dinosaurs up to three metres high and 10 metres long roamed the area.
Researchers discovered ancient crocodile footprints with evidence of bipedalism, similar to that of dinosaurs. The discovery suggests that these prehistoric creatures may have walked upright on their hind legs.
Researchers have discovered that a nodosaur, an armoured dinosaur, primarily ate fern leaves, with 88% of its stomach contents composed of chewed leaf material. The team found evidence of specific fern species, including those that grow in fire-scarred landscapes, suggesting the dinosaur adapted to exploit post-fire vegetation.
Researchers found high frequencies of theropod bite marks on large-bodied sauropods, armored Mymoorapelta, and other dinosaurs at the Mygatt-Moore Quarry site. The data suggests an ecosystem where dinosaur remains lay out for months, providing a food source for multiple predators and scavengers.
A team of researchers found that dinosaur skulls from northern Alaska belong to the genus Edmontosaurus, not a newly proposed genus. The discovery suggests these plant-eating dinosaurs existed over a broad range, extending from northern Colorado to the Arctic.
A PLOS study found nearly 29% of Jurassic bones bore theropod bites, with most targeting herbivores but some theropods feeding on each other. Scavenging may have been a response to food scarcity in stressed ecosystems.
The asteroid impact at an estimated 60-degree angle led to the release of massive amounts of sulphur into the atmosphere, blocking sunlight and causing a nuclear winter. This event ultimately contributed to the extinction of dinosaurs and 75% of life on Earth 66 million years ago.
Research finds giant T. rex relied on low-energy walking due to their massive size, contrary to previous focus on running speeds for theropod dinosaurs. The study analyzed limb proportions, body mass, and gaits of over 70 species, suggesting a trade-off between speed and efficiency in theropods.
A new study by University of Maryland researchers suggests that long legs evolved among the biggest dinosaurs to help them conserve energy and go the distance while searching for prey. The study found that larger dinosaur species with longer legs needed less energy to move, giving them an advantage in terms of efficiency.
A new study by Queen Mary University of London has shown that distinguishing between male and female dinosaurs is challenging due to limited sexual dimorphism. Researchers analyzed skulls from gharials to identify sex differences, finding only the presence of a bony growth on snouts to be reliable.
Scientists found a correlation between pack hunting and dietary diversity, which is rare in animals that hunt in groups. The study suggests raptors likely only hunted solo or with limited cooperation.
Researchers analyzed fossil vertebrates from the Kem Kem Group, revealing a diverse array of predators, including flying reptiles, crocodile-like hunters, and giant fish. The study provides insights into Africa's Age of Dinosaurs and sheds light on the Sahara's ancient past.
Researchers found that birds and non-avian dinosaurs had similar brain sizes before the mass extinction, but after, some bird families evolved large-brained birds by shrinking body size. Parrots and corvids, including crows, showed exceptional cognitive capacity and rapid brain evolution.
Researchers at the University of Kansas have discovered that the mahogany family dates back to the last hurrah of the dinosaurs, with a fossil found in Canada dating back to the Campanian stage of the Late Cretaceous. The discovery pushes back the known origin of mahogany by 15-20 million years.
A new feathered dinosaur species, Dineobellator notohesperus, has been discovered in New Mexico, providing insights into the paleo-biodiversity of the American Southwest. The species, a member of the dromaeosaurid group, had feathers, flexible arms and hands, and a unique tail with a stiffened base.
An international team of scientists has discovered three new species of toothed pterosaurs in the Sahara region of Africa, providing a unique window into their evolutionary history. The fossils, found in Morocco's middle Cretaceous Kem Kem beds, reveal that African pterosaurs were similar to those found on other continents.
Three new species of toothed pterosaurs have been identified in Africa, providing a window into the world of pterosaurs during the Cretaceous period. The fossils suggest that these flying reptiles were similar to those found on other continents and preyed on a superabundance of fish.
The discovery of a nearly complete 66.7-million-year-old bird skull, nicknamed the Wonderchicken, provides direct insight into the early evolution of modern birds. The fossil, found in Europe, combines features common to chicken- and duck-like birds, suggesting it is close to the last common ancestor of modern chickens and ducks.
A new study published in Geology found that Late Cretaceous ecosystems in North America were characterized by diverse and mixed diets, with resource interchange between aquatic and terrestrial components being common. The research used stable isotope analysis to reconstruct the diets and habitat use of dinosaurs and other animals, cont...
Researchers found over 50 dinosaur footprints on ancient coastal mudflats, including stegosaurian and theropod dinosaurs. The discovery expands the list of known dinosaurs living in the region during the Middle Jurassic Period.
Research team led by Professor Hagit Affek analyzed chemical bonds in calcium carbonate minerals from fossilized eggs to calculate body temperatures of dinosaurs. Their study found that dinosaur body temperatures ranged from 35-40 degrees Celsius, suggesting endothermic characteristics.
A single primitive turtle species, Laurasichersis relicta, survived the mass extinction event that wiped out dinosaurs 66 million years ago in the northern hemisphere. The turtle's unique shell features and armor-like spikes allowed it to thrive in humid environments with forest areas.
A study published in PLOS ONE describes five trackways containing 25 footprints from three types of animals: small synapsids, large dinosaurs, and quadrupedal dinosaurs. The fossils suggest that a variety of animals survived the intense environmental stress caused by volcanic activity.
A Yale-led team of researchers argue that asteroid impacts, not volcanoes, were the primary cause of the mass extinction event that killed the dinosaurs. The study's findings contradict recent work on the Deccan Traps, massive eruptions in India that occurred around the time of the K-Pg extinction event.
A new study found that fossilized shells from around the globe show evidence of both rapid ocean warming and elevated mercury levels during the Deccan Traps volcanic eruptions. The findings suggest that the mass extinction event that killed off dinosaurs may have been triggered by both asteroid impact and massive volcanic eruptions.
Researchers found that herbivorous dinosaurs developed similar skull features and bite styles, such as elongated skulls and grinding teeth, in response to eating plants. These convergent evolutionary strategies suggest a trade-off between biting speed and efficiency for these slow-moving animals.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that the meat-eating dinosaur Majungasaurus grew new teeth rapidly, possibly due to gnawing on bones. This rapid tooth replacement rate puts Majungasaurus in the same league as sharks and big herbivorous dinosaurs.