A new paper reconstructs the ancient Trans-Saharan Seaway, revealing massive climate and sea level changes that occurred 50-100 million years ago. The research also discovers giant sea snakes, catfish, and extinct fishes, highlighting the dynamic nature of Earth's evolution.
A giant bird, Pachystruthio dmanisensis, has been discovered in a Crimean cave, estimated to weigh around 450kg. The bird is believed to be flightless but fast, and its discovery suggests it may have been a source of meat for early humans.
A new UC Riverside-led research reveals that some of Earth's oldest animals could travel on their own to get food, settling a longstanding debate about the earliest animal communities. The team analyzed over 1,300 fossils of Dickinsonia, which moved like worms to consume microorganisms.
Scientists discovered ancient crocodile species' climate sensitivity, suggesting they served as 'climate clocks.' Fossil analysis mapped their distribution to reconstruct global temperatures during the Eocene-Oligocene epochs. The study provides new insights into how these ancient reptiles adapted to changing climates.
Researchers identified at least three possible routes for Homo sapiens to travel through North and Central Asia during the Late Pleistocene Epoch, using GIS software and archaeological data. These routes follow ancient lake and river systems and may have been traversable during warmer interglacial periods.
Researchers argue that wetter climates may have allowed Homo sapiens to expand across deserts of Central Asia by 50-30,000 years ago. This new perspective challenges traditional views on human migration, suggesting that northern and central Asia were not impassable barriers.
Scientists at the University of Bonn have identified two new dinosaur species in Thailand, both distant relatives of T. rex. The creatures were efficient predators with a more primitive structure than their tyrannosaur cousin.
A team of researchers from the University of Manchester has made a groundbreaking discovery in the field of paleontology, revealing colorful pigments from ancient mouse remains. The study used X-ray imaging to analyze fossils over 3 million years old, unlocking secrets about key pigments and their evolution.
Museum volunteers have discovered a new species of extinct heron, Taphophoyx hodgei, at the Montbrook fossil site in North Florida. The bird is believed to be most closely related to tiger-herons and was named after landowner Eddie Hodge, who has allowed researchers to excavate the site on his property.
A new species of Jurassic scansoriopterygid dinosaur with associated feathers and membranous tissues has been discovered, providing new insights into the origin of flight in Dinosauria. The well-preserved skeleton of Ambopteryx longibrachium preserves a unique wing structure supported by a rod-like wrist bone.
Hadrosaurs' powerful jaws with multiple teeth were crucial for their success, but elaborate display crests evolved in multiple bursts driven by sexual selection. Researchers analyzed fossil data and computational methods to understand the evolution of these innovations.
A new study has created a three-dimensional model of skeletal muscles responsible for bird flight, providing the most comprehensive picture of anatomy to date. The technique, developed by researchers at the University of Missouri, can be displayed virtually or through a printed 3D model.
A new study analyzed fossil mammal communities and found that the rise of flowering plants, evolved teeth, and dinosaur extinction drove changes in mammalian diversity. Ecological richness was primarily driven by vegetation type, with modern mammals focusing on plant-based diets.
A Middle Pleistocene human skull found in southeastern China exhibits morphological similarities to other East Asian archaic human remains but also foreshadows later modern human forms. The discovery provides evidence for regional continuity in human evolution during the region's Pleistocene era.
Fossils found in southeastern China provide insights into Middle Pleistocene human evolution. The discovery sheds light on the continuity of form through time and regional variations among early Asians.
About 7-6 million years ago, the Hadley circulation intensified, leading to drier climate, expanding subtropical grasslands and increasing mammal species that eat grasses. The research provides a new understanding of late Miocene ecosystems and their evolution.
Researchers at Ohio University have discovered a new species of meat-eating mammal larger than any big cat. The 22-million-year-old fossils belong to the extinct hyaenodont group and provide a window into a bygone era.
A team of scientists discovered a new Cretaceous fossil with an egg preserved inside its body, revealing unusual reproductive system abnormalities. The fossil, representing a new species Avimaia schweitzerae, shows an eggshell consisting of two layers instead of one, indicating the egg was retained too long inside the abdomen.
Researchers analyzed ancient ocean fossils to understand ecological transformation after mass extinctions. The study found that survivors shared similar traits with predecessors, but had a surge in modern traits like mobility and diverse feeding habits, driving recovery.
A new, wallaby-sized herbivorous dinosaur named Galleonosaurus dorisae has been identified from five fossilized upper jaws found in 125 million-year-old rocks in southeastern Australia. The discovery confirms that the diversity of small-bodied dinosaurs was unusually high in the ancient rift valley.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh found evidence that a juvenile T. rex fed on a plant-eating Edmontosaurus dinosaur, despite lacking adult bone-crushing abilities. The discovery provides insight into how T. rex developed changes in diet and feeding habits as it grew.
A team led by Dr. Adriana López-Arbarello identifies three new species of the genus Eosemionotus, a type of ancient ray-finned fish, found in the Swiss Alps. The discovery provides insights into the rapid diversification of life after a mass extinction event.
A recent study reconstructed the evolutionary history of amoebae, showing that life on Earth was more diverse than previously thought, with ancestors of Thecamoebians evolving at least 750 million years ago. This discovery changes our understanding of current climate change and provides new insights into the evolution of life.
Researchers used biomechanical modeling to determine that the Leptarctus primus skull is most similar to an American badger's, indicating a primarily carnivorous diet but also potential for omnivory. The study uses CT scans and virtual modeling to reconstruct feeding habits in extinct animals.
A newly discovered tyrannosaur, Moros intrepidus, has narrowed a 70-million-year gap in the North American fossil record. The species, which lived about 96 million years ago, was small but exceptionally fast and had advanced sensory capabilities.
Two Rice University faculty members, Mark Torres and Ming Yi, have been selected as 2019 Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellows for their work in ocean sciences and physics. The fellowships provide $70,000 in funding to support fundamental research by early-career scientists.
A 20-million-year-old tusked sea cow, Culebratherium alemani, has been discovered in Central America, shedding light on the region's ancient marine ecosystem. The fossilized skeleton, found near the Panama Canal, provides evidence of seagrass presence in the area during that time period.
A team of researchers studied the evolution of plants and fungi over 1 billion years to find that their coexistence played a key role in shaping their biodiversities. The study found that fungal colonization of land was associated with the emergence of terrestrial green algae, which preceded the origin of land plants.
Scientists have discovered an iguana-sized reptile, named Antarctanax shackletoni, with unique adaptations to the extreme Antarctic environment. The ancient creature, a carnivore that hunted early mammals and amphibians, provides insights into prehistoric Antarctica's rapid evolution and diversification after mass extinction events.
Researchers uncover fossilized remains of Antarctanax shackletoni, an iguana-sized reptile with unique adaptations for hunting and survival. The discovery provides insights into prehistoric Antarctica's rapid evolution and diversification following a mass extinction event.
Researchers analyzed dinosaur footprints in Morocco to understand how long-necked dinosaurs moved forward. The results showed that the animals could switch between orienting their forefeet forward or sideways as needed, with smaller individuals able to rotate them more easily.
A new study reveals that Anchiornis, one of the earliest known feathered dinosaurs, had feathers with thicker alpha-keratins instead of beta-keratins, lacking necessary biomechanical properties for flight. However, its molecular composition may signify an intermediate stage in the evolution of avian flight feathers.
A team of researchers analyzed Anchiornis feathers to understand the evolution of flight in dinosaurs and birds. They found that Anchiornis feathers contained both beta-keratins and alpha-keratins, a combination not seen in modern feathers.
A team of scientists has discovered a new species of fossilized shark teeth, Galagadon nordquistae, in the same rock as SUE the T. rex. The small shark lived in freshwater rivers and had distinctive shaped teeth similar to spaceships from the video game Galaga.
Researchers analyzed a juvenile archaic Homo fossil from Northern China, finding most dental development traits fall within the modern human range. The study suggests that a slow life history similar to that of modern humans may have appeared prior to fully modern human morphology.
Research team finds that plant phytolith and water content cause differing degrees of tooth enamel abrasion in vertebrates. The study suggests that tooth wear can be used to reconstruct the dietary behavior and habitats of extinct animals, with implications for paleontology.
Brazilian researchers used biogeographic analysis to study trilobites, arthropods that became extinct over 252 million years ago. They found paleobiogeographic patterns among trilobites and inferred their ancestral range in the southern hemisphere.
Scientists have discovered that humpback whales retain tooth germs until late in gestation, a surprising finding that sheds new light on the evolutionary transformation of these marine mammals. This discovery was made possible by advanced CT scanning technology and provides valuable insights into the development of whale anatomy.
A new study in eLife describes a 50-million-year-old fossil flower species that defies widely accepted theories of plant evolution. The discovery of Nanjinganthus dendrostyla sheds light on the origins of angiosperms, potentially indicating an earlier emergence than previously thought.
A team of scientists has found medullary bone in a Cretaceous bird fossil, providing the first occurrence of this tissue outside of modern birds. The discovery links birds and dinosaurs, challenging previous assumptions about their relationship.
A new archaeological site in Tibet has pushed back the earliest known human habitation on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau by 20,000 years. The discovery of Nwya Devu provides crucial evidence of human occupation and evolution on the plateau.
A newly discovered fossil from a 75-million-year-old bird reveals that enantiornithines were as advanced as modern birds in terms of flight. The fossil's unique features, including a deeper keeled breast bone and V-shaped wishbone, suggest a stronger and more agile wing structure.
A geologist has discovered a set of ancient reptile footprints, 28 in number, left behind by a creature 310 million years ago. The discovery is significant as it is the oldest trackway found in Grand Canyon National Park.
Researchers at Yale University discovered that birds inherited their egg color from non-avian dinosaur ancestors that laid eggs in fully or partially open nests. The findings suggest that egg colors evolved to camouflage eggs from predators and parasites.
Researchers discovered fossilized lung structures in an early bird ancestor, similar to those of modern birds. The findings suggest that key avian structures were in place by the Early Cretaceous and may have helped modern bird ancestors survive the extinction of dinosaurs.
University of Cincinnati biology professor Takuya Konishi proposes that mosasaurs hunted like killer whales by ramming their prey with their snouts. The young Tylosaurus mosasaur found in Kansas had a similar facial structure to orcas, with a protruding snout and robust cranial vault.
A newly discovered Tylosaurus fossil, likely a newborn, lacks the characteristic long snout of the species. Researchers found that the development of this feature occurs extremely quickly, between birth and juvenile stage.
A new anatomical description of the car-sized sauropod relative Sarahsaurus aurifontanalis has shed light on its evolutionary changes and potential clues to why some dinosaurs got so big. The fossils, discovered in Arizona, provide a rare glimpse into the anatomy of these massive creatures.
Researchers discover Jinguofortis perplexus, a Pygostylia species with both bird-like and dinosaur-like features, providing insight into the evolution of modern birds. The study highlights the role of developmental plasticity in shaping the avian shoulder girdle.
A newly discovered extinct bird species, Jinguofortis perplexus, sheds light on early flight development and evolutionary variation. The fossil's unique traits, including a fused shoulder girdle, suggest different flying styles during the Cretaceous period.
Researchers have identified biomarkers in Dickinsonia fossils, confirming it as an early animal and challenging previous interpretations. The findings suggest complex organisms emerged over 542 million years ago, paving the way for the Cambrian explosion of life.
Researchers estimate only 3-4% of recorded fossil locations are documented in published literature, highlighting the need for museums to invest in digital preservation. The EPICC database compiles marine invertebrate fossils from the eastern Pacific, providing a vast resource for scientists.
A new study led by Harvard University researchers finds that mammal spines have gained new regions during evolution, which enabled them to adapt to different environments. The research challenges the long-held idea that mammal-specific characteristics emerged from a single ancestral blueprint.
Researchers found that mammal backbones gained distinct regions during evolution, enabling adaptation to various lifestyles such as running, flying, and digging. The study analyzed fossil records and living animals' vertebrae, challenging the notion of specialization in early land animals.
A new study used fossil cores from northeastern Italy to test a thought experiment on mass extinctions. The results showed that the fossil record can produce a misleading picture if not interpreted with care, suggesting smaller bursts of extinctions over a longer timeline rather than a single massive die-off.
NYIT has secured a $426,621 NSF grant for a micro-computed tomography machine to enhance research in the greater New York metropolitan scientific community. The machine will aid in strengthening interdisciplinary research in biology, paleontology, nanotechnology, engineering, and life sciences.
Biological anthropologists from the University of Texas at Austin have discovered three previously unknown ancient primates in San Diego County. The fossils date back 42 million to 46 million years, with estimated weights ranging from 113 to 796 grams.
A newly-discovered fossil turtle, Eorhynchochelys sinensis, lived 228 million years ago with a beak but no shell. This find sheds light on the evolution of turtles and challenges traditional theories, supporting mosaic evolution and shedding new light on turtle ancestry.
A team of paleontologists discovered dozens of hadrosaur and therizinosaur tracks in Denali National Park's lower Cantwell Formation, providing evidence that Alaska served as a gateway for dinosaur migration between Asia and North America during the Late Cretaceous period. The co-occurrence of these dinosaurs in Alaska challenges previ...
Researchers discovered a large bone belonging to the extinct marine mammal Paleoparadoxia, which lived in Japan and the western coast of North America 23-10 million years ago. The well-preserved fossil provides valuable insights into the locomotion of hind limbs.