Search results for “Paleontology”

Fossil footprints reveal that an ancient human relative was larger than previously thought and traveled in groups 1.4 million years ago

A study of ancient human relatives' fossil footprints reveals that a previously thought smaller species was actually larger, while also showing evidence of group travel. The tracks, preserved over 1.4 million years ago in northern Kenya, offer insights into the behavior and interactions of these early humans.

Society of Vertebrate Paleontology urges preservation of scientifically significant fossils in public trust ahead of T. rex auction

The Society of Vertebrate Paleontology emphasizes that scientifically significant vertebrate fossils should be permanently curated in accredited museums and universities to ensure their long-term scientific value and accessibility. These institutions provide a platform for ongoing research, education, and public exhibition.

Fossil reveals the earliest evidence of “right-handedness” in the animal kingdom

Researchers discovered that ancient organism Spriggina floundersi preferred to bend to the right, showing the oldest known example of lateralized behavior. This finding provides new insights into the origins of left-right asymmetry in animals and suggests that behavioral preferences emerged earlier in evolutionary history than previous...

New research shows moose are native to Colorado

Researchers analyzed historical records and archaeological sites to discover moose were part of southern Rocky Mountain ecosystems long before modern reintroductions. They found evidence of moose being well-known and deeply integrated into traditional knowledge of Native people in the region.

Fossil discovery fills in missing information about modern fish evolution

A research team discovered six modern fish groups, including jack, moonfish, and pipefish, dated to 62.2 million years ago, helping to fill a 10 million year gap in the fossil record. The findings suggest that certain fish groups likely went extinct at the end of the Cretaceous Period, while others were established early on.

The dawn of modern ocean fishes

The study of exceptionally preserved fossils from a 62.2-million-year-old site in Egypt reveals that modern marine fish communities were already established approximately 4 million years after the dinosaur extinction. The Qreiya 3 Lagerstätte, an offshore marine ecosystem from the Danian Age, has yielded hundreds of fossil fishes, incl...

Heron-like, fish-eating dinosaur from 70 million years ago discovered in Argentina

A new species of raptor-like dinosaur, Kank australis, has been unearthed from southern Patagonia, Argentina, and is believed to have grown up to three meters long. The discovery provides insight into the fish-eating habits of theropod dinosaurs, challenging common portrayals of raptors as terrestrial predators.

New species of bizarre, bipedal, toothless crocodile relative from the Triassic discovered

Labrujasuchus expectatus, a bizarre creature with tiny arms and a toothless mouth, has been discovered in Ghost Ranch, New Mexico. The species fills the gap between two earlier shuvosaurs, providing insight into convergent evolution and the diversification of ancient animals.

Discovery of new fossils in Northwest Canada changes view of early animal evolution

Researchers have uncovered a remarkable fossil site in Canada's Northwest Territories, revealing earlier origins of animal movement, sexual reproduction, and complex life. The discovery provides unprecedented insight into the earliest evolution of complex animal life on Earth.

Stephanie Plaza-Torres named 2026–2027 GSA-USGS Congressional Science Fellow as program marks 40 years

Researchers reveal new clues about H. erectus evolution while advancing paleoproteomics

Dinosaur dental fossils reveal bird-like parental care bonds

Researchers discover the fossil of a new hamster-sized mammal that lived alongside dinosaurs on the Pacific Coast

A new species of hamster-sized mammal, Cimolodon desosai, has been discovered in the Upper Cretaceous El Gallo Formation of Baja California. The fossil, estimated to be 75 million years old, was found alongside dinosaur fossils and provides insights into the survival strategies of early mammals.

The naming of mollusks evolves at a snail's pace

Research by Taro Yoshimura examines the history and linguistic landscape of biodiversity, finding that ancient Greek dominates molluscan family names, often due to prestige and style. This highlights a human side to naming, where science is shaped by epistemic values and cultural biases.

Oldest dinosaur tracksite in Northeast Asia discovered: evidence shows large dinosaurs ranges as far as northern Mongolia 120 million years ago

A joint research team has rediscovered a dinosaur tracksite in the Saizhurakh area of northern Mongolia, revealing footprints of both large herbivorous and carnivorous dinosaurs. The site provides clear evidence that large dinosaurs inhabited regions as far north as northern Mongolia during the Early Cretaceous period.

Breathing and moving in the ancient world of reptiles: What a mummified 289-million-year-old reptile can reveal about us today

A 289-million-year-old mummified reptile has provided scientists with a unique window into the evolution of breathing and movement in ancient reptiles. The study found that the reptile's respiratory system is similar to that of modern reptiles, birds, and mammals, suggesting an efficient mechanism for respiration.

A 500-million-year-old clawed predator rewrites the origin of spiders and horseshoe crabs

A 500-million-year-old fossil reveals the earliest known chelicerate with a claw, pushing back the evolutionary history of chelicerates by 20 million years. This discovery sheds light on the assembly of the chelicerate body plan and their early ecological context.

New study finds respiratory evolution drove body size differences in early land vertebrates

Early land vertebrates exhibited distinct patterns of body size evolution, with amniote-lineage land vertebrates experiencing a relaxation of constraints, enabling them to expand their maximum body size limit. Lissamphibian precursors showed stronger constraints on body size evolution and relied on cutaneous CO2 excretion.

Masripithecus: A new Miocene ape from Egypt sheds light on the origins of modern apes

A newly discovered fossil ape from Egypt, Masripithecus moghraensis, sheds light on the origins of modern apes. The species, which lived around 17-18 million years ago, provides a crucial intermediate link between African and Eurasian fossil records, revealing that apes were already diversifying in the region.

New ice age animals and slice of earth history found in central Texas water cave

A team of paleontologists has uncovered fossilized remains of giant tortoises, armadillos, and other Ice Age animals in a Central Texas water cave. The discovery, published in Quaternary Research, provides new insights into the region's past environment and animal community.

Researchers show dinos hatched eggs less efficiently than modern birds

Researchers in Taiwan studied oviraptor incubation patterns, finding that oviraptors used the sun's warmth to hatch eggs, unlike modern birds. This study sheds light on the evolution of avian-style incubation and reveals that oviraptors may not have been as efficient at hatching eggs as modern birds.

“Peculiar” ancient ancestor of the crocodile started life on four legs in adolescence before it began walking on two

A new study reveals that the ancient reptile Sonselasuchus, a relative of the crocodile, began life on four legs before learning to walk on two. The discovery was made by analyzing the proportions of the limb skeletons of different animals, suggesting that the creature's bipedal stance may have resulted from differential growth patterns.

Oldest known bony fish fossils uncover early vertebrate evolution

The discovery of Eosteus chongqingensis and Megamastax amblyodus provides a major breakthrough in understanding the evolution of bony fishes, revealing primitive characteristics that evolved much earlier than previously thought. These findings confirm South China as the cradle for the origin of jawed vertebrates.

Paleontologist Stephen Chester and colleagues reveal new clues about early primate evolution

Scientists have discovered the southernmost Purgatorius fossils, challenging long-standing assumptions about archaic primate habitats. The new findings suggest that these early primates originated in the north and spread southward, diversifying after the mass extinction event.

Miniscule fossil discovery reveals fresh clues into the evolution of the earliest-known relative of all primates

The discovery of miniscule Purgatorius fossils in Colorado provides fresh insights into the evolution of the earliest-known relative of all primates. The find suggests that archaic primates originated in the north and spread southward, diversifying soon after the mass extinction at the end of the Cretaceous Period.

Vertebrate paleontology has a numbers problem. Computer vision can help

A new study finds that fewer than 250 fossils are required to train an image-based AI algorithm, a significant improvement on previously thought numbers. The discovery could greatly speed up the identification process in vertebrate paleontology, where most fossils are fragmented and difficult to analyze.

Rare fossil at Montana State’s Museum of the Rockies records Tyrannosaurus attack

A rare fossil discovery in Montana State University's Museum of the Rockies has shed new light on the feeding habits of Tyrannosaurus. The embedded tooth in an Edmontosaurus skull suggests a face-to-face encounter between the two species, revealing a terrifying picture of the last moments of the duck-billed dinosaur.

Climbing behaviors of tree-dwelling critters unlock insights on early primate evolution

Researchers analyzed downward climbing behaviors in 21 small-to-medium-sized arboreal mammal species to understand early primate evolution. They found primates used tail-first and side postures more often than non-primates, suggesting upright postures evolved to adapt to tree environments.

Open-source modular robot for understanding evolution

A new tool has arrived: a highly customizable, open-source robot design called The Robot of Theseus (TROT), developed at the University of Michigan. TROT can model most mammals and enable direct comparisons of variations on the same structure, helping researchers discover the advantages related to limb length and segmentation.

UT San Antonio-led research team discovers compound in 500-million-year-old fossils, shedding new light on Earth’s carbon cycle

A UT San Antonio-led research team identified chitin in trilobite fossils over 500 million years old, offering new insights into fossil preservation and the long-term carbon cycle. This discovery has significant implications for understanding how organic carbon is stored in Earth's crust over geologic time.

Xigou site discovery challenges long-held views on early human technology in East Asia

The Xigou site in central China has yielded evidence of sophisticated stone tool technologies dating back 160,000 to 72,000 years, revealing that hominins in the region were more innovative and adaptable than previously thought. The discovery challenges long-held views on early human technology in East Asia.

Discovery challenges long-held beliefs on early human technology in East Asia

A newly excavated archaeological site in central China has uncovered evidence of advanced stone tool technologies, dating back 160,000-72,000 years ago, challenging long-held assumptions about early hominin behaviour in Eastern Asia. The findings suggest that hominins in this region were more inventive and adaptable than previously bel...

Dinosaur exhibition in Aira City draws 11,580 visitors, closes successfully

The 'Wakuwaku Aira Dinosaur Museum Exhibition' drew 11,580 visitors to Aira Square in Aira City. The exhibition featured a reconstructed tyrannosaurid skeleton and recreated excavation site from Mongolia, as well as hands-on learning opportunities for children.

A new chapter for Swiss geosciences and paleontology: Pensoft welcomes two new journals to its portfolio

Pensoft has welcomed the Swiss Journal of Palaeontology (SJP) and Swiss Journal of Geosciences (SJG) to its portfolio. Both journals have transitioned to open-access models, leveraging Pensoft's ARPHA publishing platform for streamlined processes and increased visibility.

Young shark species more vulnerable to extinction

Researchers at the University of Zurich examined fossil records worldwide and found a consistent pattern: young shark species are more likely to go extinct. This challenges the long-held assumption that older species are less vulnerable to extinction.

The fastest-running theropod trackway in the Cretaceous from Ordos, Inner Mongolia, China

The study reveals a 81m dinosaur trackway as the longest known in China and the fastest running theropod trackway from the Cretaceous period. The analysis indicates that medium-sized theropods ran at speeds of up to 45 km/h, while large theropods walked at slower speeds.

New study confirms Nanotyrannus holotype was distinct species from T. rex

A new study using hyoid bone analysis has confirmed that Nanotyrannus was a distinct species from T. rex, with the fossil standing at 18 feet tall compared to the massive 40-foot long T. rex. The findings provide conclusive evidence for the existence of Nanotyrannus and shed light on its growth patterns and ecosystem dynamics.

'Tiny' tyrannosaurid, Nanotyrannus lancensis, was a distinctive species, not juvenile T. Rex

A new study reveals that Nanotyrannus lancensis was a fully mature, distinct species of smaller tyrannosaurid, not a juvenile T. Rex. The discovery sheds light on late Cretaceous ecosystems, suggesting greater predatory diversity than previously recognized.

Fossils reveal anacondas have been giants for over 12 million years

A University of Cambridge-led team analyzed giant anaconda fossils to determine their maximum size occurred 12.4 million years ago. The study found that ancient anacondas were four to five metres long, matching the size of modern anacondas, suggesting they have remained giants due to a suitable environment.

UTEP dinosaur discovery extends known range of ancient species

A UTEP researcher discovered fossils of the plant-eating dinosaur Tenontosaurus in West Texas, extending its known geographic range. The discovery adds to our understanding of how dinosaurs dispersed across North America and adapted to diverse environments.

Nanotyrannus confirmed: Dueling dinosaurs fossil rewrites the story of T. rex

A new fossil discovery confirms Nanotyrannus as a distinct species from Tyrannosaurus rex, challenging decades of research on T. rex growth. The fossil reveals that Nanotyrannus was physically mature at age 20 and had distinct skeletal features incompatible with T. rex.

Earliest long-snouted fossil crocodile from Egypt reveals the African origins of seagoing crocs

The discovery of Wadisuchus kassabi in the Campanian period (80 million years ago) sheds light on the origin and biogeography of Dyrosauridae, a group of ancient crocodiles that thrived in coastal and marine environments. The species highlights Egypt's Western Desert as a cradle of marine croc evolution.

Small but mighty: Miniaturized stone tools reveal human resilience to climate change

A new study analyzed over 12,000 artifacts from three archaeological sites in South China, revealing distinct strategies for producing small, portable, and efficient tools. The findings highlight how human groups used technological innovation to respond to fluctuating environments and shifting population dynamics.

A skeleton and a shell? Ancient fossil finally finds home on the tree of life

Salterella, a tiny Cambrian creature, has been reclassified with cnidarians due to its unique shell structure and mineral composition. The research team suggests that Salterella's shell served a distinct purpose, possibly related to feeding or stability.

Fossilized ear bones rewrite the history of freshwater fish

A new study revises the origin story of freshwater fish, suggesting that oceanic fish invaded fresh water multiple times to develop improved hearing systems. The discovery was made using a newly discovered fossil fish with a Weberian apparatus, which allows it to hear sounds at high frequencies.

New discovery of Jurassic reptile blurs the line between snake and lizard

Scientists have uncovered a 167 million-year-old fossil lizard with snake-like features, challenging earlier assumptions about the evolution of snakes. The newly discovered species, Breugnathair elgolensis, has a mix of primitive and specialized traits that shed light on the origins of snakes and lizards.

Million-year-old skull Yunxian 2 from China rewrites human evolution timeline

A reanalysis of the one-million-year-old Yunxian 2 skull from China suggests a new branch in the human family tree and a possible link to Denisovans. The study proposes that the split between modern humans, Neanderthals, and this Asian clade occurred much earlier than previously thought.

Researchers identify four-step process of mammalian jaw joint evolution

The study proposes a clear, four-stage sequence showing how chewing and hearing functions were gradually split between jaw and ear. The discoveries of unique jaw joints in fossil specimens reveal multiple independent origins for jaw joint types and expand our understanding of mammalian evolution.

Montana State alumnus discovers new, extinct crocodyliform in Montana

A 2023 MSU graduate's undergraduate research project uncovered a new, 95-million-year-old crocodyliform named Thikarisuchus xenodentes. This tiny creature lived on land, feasting on plants and insects, with unique teeth that shed light on ancient ecosystems and evolutionary patterns.

Pleistocene lake landscapes reveal early human adaptability

Researchers reconstructed environmental changes during the Middle Pleistocene and found that hominins occupied the Jijiazhuang site during a temperate, wooded grassland phase. The prolonged interglacial conditions provided opportunities for human innovation and resilience in challenging northern environments.

310-million-year-old fossil takes a bite out of fish evolution

A University of Michigan researcher has discovered a 310-million-year-old fossil that shows an early innovation in the way fish eat. The Platysomus fish had a toothy, tongue-like apparatus for biting, which was a convergent adaptation among different groups of fishes.

The European roots of Africa's giant predatory dinosaurs

New evidence suggests that giant spinosaurs, like Spinosaurus, had their roots in Europe. A Spanish species, Camarillasaurus cirugedae, was found to be a close relative of North African spinosaurs.

‘Teen’ pachycephalosaur butts into fossil record

A newly discovered pachycephalosaur fossil from Mongolia's Gobi Desert provides crucial insights into the dinosaur group's growth and development. The 15-million-year-old specimen, called Zavacephale rinpoche, is the oldest and most complete skeleton of this iconic dinosaur group found to date.

Your ecosystem engineer was a dinosaur

A University of Michigan study reveals that the sudden loss of dinosaurs allowed forests to flourish, stabilizing sediments and creating broad meanders in rivers. This change had a profound impact on landscapes, demonstrating how life can alter its environment through catastrophic events.

Ancient flower-visiting bug in amber

A new fossil discovery confirms that ancient bugs, not just bees and butterflies, played a significant role in plant pollination during the Mesozoic era. The iridescent bug found in Burmese amber likely visited flowers and was likely involved in pollination.

Paleontologists go back to the future, reconstruct fossilized functional diversity to inform conservation goals

Researchers have developed a method to reconstruct functional diversity of past ecosystems from fossils, enabling conservationists to compare healthy ecosystems with modern counterparts that have been altered by humans. This information can be used to set restoration and protection goals for endangered species.

New discovery of wild cereal foraging – a precursor to agriculture – far from the fertile crescent

Researchers found evidence of wild barley harvesting 9,200 years ago in Toda Cave, southern Uzbekistan, suggesting a more widespread transition to farming. The discovery contradicts the idea that agriculture developed independently in various parts of the world, instead revealing a more complex and interconnected process.

Fresh fossil finds in Africa shed light on the era before Earth’s largest mass extinction

A team of paleontologists has uncovered new fossils in Tanzania and Zambia, providing a global perspective on the Permian era. The discoveries include saber-toothed predators, burrowing reptiles and salamander-like creatures that thrived just before the Great Dying event.

Dr. Ilya Bobrovskiy moves to MARUM with his ERC Starting Grant

Dr. Ilya Bobrovskiy's research aims to improve understanding of ancient habitats' carbon cycles, tracking coevolution of life and environments. He will analyze rocks using organic geochemistry, isotope geochemistry, and paleontology.

Smithsonian digitizes pollen From 18,000 plant species

The Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute is digitizing images of pollen from over 18,000 plant species to create a massive database. This dataset will be used to train an AI model to aid pollen identifications, transforming the process into a digital and universally accessible one.