A team of palaeontologists has discovered the first Diplodocus fossil outside North America, found in Spain and dating back 150 million years. The fossil, which includes 14 exceptionally preserved caudal vertebrae and chevron bones, confirms that Diplodocus inhabited Europe during the Late Jurassic period.
Researchers found a well-preserved feather in a 66-million-year-old dinosaur coprolite, shedding light on why birds survived the mass extinction. The feather's features suggest a middle ground between ancient and modern bird feathers, potentially explaining why one group of birds, Neornithes, survived.
A University of Washington-led research team discovered well-preserved fossil feathers in a dinosaur coprolite, which could provide insight into why some birds survived the mass extinction. The feathers have features similar to modern birds' feathers, including a sponge-like center, and may have played a role in the extinction event.
Researchers discover two Denisovan parietal bones and one partial radius, providing clues to Denisovan physical traits. The study uses a novel proteomic strategy to identify hominin remains, filling a long-standing distribution gap for Denisovans in Southwest China.
The discovery of the first adult T. rex trackway provides insights into the movement of this iconic predator. The 23-foot-long trackway, consisting of four three-toed footprints, was estimated to be around 66.5 million years old and suggests the T. rex was walking at a pace comparable to a brisk human walking pace.
A multidisciplinary study in ancient Gansu found no evidence of direct population influx with western-derived agriculture, suggesting cultural diffusion through the Inner Asian Mountain Corridor. Genetic analysis also revealed complex kinship networks and burial customs, with no strict alignment between genetic ancestry and archaeologi...
The Society of Vertebrate Paleontology joins co-plaintiffs in suing the Trump Administration for shrinking Bears Ears National Monument, which lost nearly 3 million acres of national monument protections. The organization asserts that the President's proclamation reducing Bears Ears was illegal and violates the Antiquities Act.
Researchers discovered plant bundles from the Wuwangdun Tomb, containing rice, millets, and other cereals, wrapped in oak leaves, with similar structures to modern zongzi. The bundles were likely used as funerary offerings, distinguishing them from their modern counterparts.
A 300-million-year-old event shows that volcanic activity and orbital forcing combined to trigger rapid warming. The study reveals the importance of sustained orbital forcing in triggering positive climate-carbon cycle feedbacks, leading to massive carbon release and abrupt large-scale warming.
A 304-million-year-old warming event could inform scientists about rapidly changing Earth conditions. A small temperature spike led to a larger one from melting permafrost, with global sea surface temperatures rising by over 7 degrees Celsius.
Researchers have discovered a new species of extinct amphibian, the spadefoot toad Spea labreae, from La Brea Tar Pits. The discovery highlights the impact of climate change on species distribution and provides insights into ancient environmental conditions.
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.
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.
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...
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.
A new study found evidence of repeated fire use at Wonderwerk Cave between 1.07 and 1.79 million years ago, revealing that early humans brought naturally occurring fire into the cave and maintained it. The findings provide new insights into how our ancestors first began to harness fire.
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 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...
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.
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.
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, a geoscientist with a background in paleontology and geochemistry, has been named the 2026-2027 GSA-USGS Congressional Science Fellow. She will support legislative work on issues where science informs public decisions.
Scientists have discovered two genetic mutations in H. erectus fossils, revealing links to modern humans and Denisovans. The findings provide insights into the evolutionary history of H. erectus and its potential connections to present-day human populations.
A study of Maiasaura peeblesorum fossilized teeth reveals that juvenile dinosaurs likely received nutritious food while adults consumed tougher plant parts, indicating bird-like parental care. This behavior may have originated in dinosaurs and predates the emergence of birds.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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...
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.