Articles tagged with Dinosaur Fossils
A new study found that dinosaurs and their prey likely ate seaweeds, which provides an explanation for the high carbon isotope signatures in their teeth. The research used fossils from coastal sites along the Western Interior Seaway and determined that the extra carbon source must have been low in the food chain to affect both aquatic ...
A new species of 240-million-year-old prehistoric animal from Tanzania has been discovered, which could refine the age of one of the world's most significant fossil sites and reshape the timeline of early dinosaur evolution. The discovery links Tanzanian and South American fossil-bearing rocks, showing they are of equivalent age and co...
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.
Researchers analyzed fossilized remains from Troodontid dinosaurs, revealing changes in hip and leg bones over time, shedding light on the species' development and potential health issues. The study's findings support the designation of a specific subset of fossils as the primary representative of Troodon formosus.
A new study sheds light on the diversity of ancient coastal ecosystems in Japan, revealing that iguanodontians of varying body sizes inhabited the coastal environments of East Asia. The fossil discovery provides valuable insights into the evolution and biogeography of these herbivorous dinosaurs.
Researchers have found a new species of dinosaur, Jian changmaensis, which is believed to be the missing predator that hunted early birds. The dinosaur had long feathers on its front and back limbs, giving it four 'wings' that may have been used for gliding.
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.
A new species of long-necked dinosaur, Dasosaurus tocantinensis, was discovered in Northeast Brazil and found to be a close relative of a European species. The dinosaur is estimated to have been around 20 meters long and lived approximately 120 million years ago.
The newly discovered Bicharracosaurus dionidei is a 20-meter-long sauropod that shares characteristics of both Brachiosauridae and Diplodocids. Its fossil discovery in Patagonia provides valuable comparative material for understanding the evolutionary history of these animals in the Southern Hemisphere.
A Virginia Tech student's discovery of a rare, ancient meat-eating dinosaur sheds light on the evolution and spread of dinosaurs during the Jurassic period. The species, Ptychotherates bucculentus, had massive cheekbones and a short snout, indicating constant evolution in early dinosaurs.
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A new species of baby dinosaur, Doolysaurus huhmini, has been discovered on Aphae Island in Korea, estimated to be around two years old. The fossil was analyzed using X-ray technology and revealed growth markers, gastroliths, and a possible fuzzy coat, providing insights into the dinosaur's diet and anatomy.
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.
A nearly complete skeleton of Alnashetri cerropoliciensis has been discovered in Argentina, providing the first evidence of this enigmatic group of dinosaur. The fossil's age and anatomy reveal that these tiny animals existed when the continents were still connected as Pangaea.
A new spinosaurid species, S. mirabilis, with a distinctive scimitar-shaped crest has been discovered in Niger's central Sahara, adding to the understanding of spinosaurid evolution. The fossil find challenges the long-held hypothesis that these fish-eating theropods lived in an oceanic habitat.
The earliest known bird, Archaeopteryx, had unique mouth features such as oral papillae, tongue bones, and bill-tip organs. These structures suggest that early birds evolved specialized ways to find and digest food efficiently, which is key to flight. The discovery provides new criteria for identifying dinosaur fossils as birds.
The discovery of Foskeia pelendonum, a tiny ornithopod dinosaur, overturns global ideas on dinosaur evolution. The species' small size belies its specialized dentition and shifting posture during growth.
A new study reveals that young sauropods were a key food source for Late Jurassic predators, with adults unable to care for their eggs and offspring. The research team mapped out a 'food web' of the time, finding that sauropods had a significant impact on their ecosystem.
Researchers found a new species of filter-feeding pterosaur, Bakiribu waridza, in fossilized vomit from 110 million years ago. The pterosaur had fine teeth and was likely swallowed by a predator that regurgitated its skull and four fish, which were well-preserved.
A tiny fossil bird named Chromeornis funkyi has been discovered with a massive cluster of stones in its throat, suggesting it likely choked to death. The unusual find provides new insights into the evolution of dinosaurs and birds, revealing that this species may have died due to regurgitation of swallowed rocks.
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 paper published in Science reveals that Nanotyrannus is nearly fully grown and not an immature T. rex, while also providing insights into how giant predators achieved terrifying sizes quickly.
Researchers discovered a new 233-million-year-old nonflying relative of pterosaurs that provided breakthrough insights into the evolution of flight in these animals. The study found that pterosaurs evolved their own 'flight computers' from scratch, with unique brain structures and smaller brain sizes compared to birds.
A unique looping trail of ancient footprints in Colorado has provided insights into the behavior of a long-necked dinosaur, including possible evidence of limping. The analysis of over 130 footprints revealed subtle patterns, such as variations in footprint width and step length differences between left and right feet.
Researchers found over 800 vertebrate fossils from a small area, including dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures. The discovery provides valuable insights into the evolution of European dinosaur faunas during the Late Cretaceous period.
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.
Vibrant orange-coloured lichens are helping scientists discover dinosaur fossils in Canada. The team found that two lichen species colonise up to 50% of exposed fossil bones but less than 1% of surrounding rock fragments, providing a distinct spectral signature detectable from 30 metres above ground using drones.
Researchers used computational engineering techniques to simulate weight and gravitational stress on sauropod femurs. They found that two South American genera, Uberabatitan and Neuquensaurus, could generally remain standing for extended periods, allowing them to feed on high branches and defend against predators. The simulations sugge...
A team of UChicago paleontologists unveiled fossil specimens of the duck-billed dinosaur Edmontosaurus annectens, revealing its fleshy external anatomy in unprecedented detail. The 'mummies' preserved fine details of scales and hooves, including a spike row over its tail and hooves sheathing its toes.
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.
Paleontologists have identified a new species of dinosaur from Triassic fossil beds in South Wales, using modern digital scanning techniques. The fossil jawbone was correctly identified after being on display for over 125 years.
Researchers in China have dated dinosaur eggs from the Qinglongshan site to be around 85 million years old, shedding light on the Late Cretaceous climate. The new dating method, called atomic clock for fossils, allows for precise measurement of uranium and lead atoms in eggshell samples.
A new study from North Carolina State University has confirmed the presence of hemoglobin in bone extracts from two dinosaurs, Brachylophosaurus canadensis and Tyrannosaurus rex. The researchers used Resonance Raman (RR) imaging to detect heme bound to globin proteins and heme bound to goethite, a mineral associated with iron oxidization.
The discovery of Spicomellus afer reveals an armoured dinosaur with metre-long spikes on its neck and tail weapon, showcasing the diversity of ankylosaurs' armour. This find pushes back the evolution of ankylosaur tail weapons by over 30 million years.
Researchers found signs of osteomyelitis in sauropod fossils from the Cretaceous period, suggesting a fatal bone disease that killed animals quickly. The study identified three previously unknown manifestations of osteomyelitis and provides insights into the environment that favored pathogens.
A new method reconstructs carbon dioxide levels and photosynthesis from fossilized tooth enamel, shedding light on the climate of the Mesozoic era. The analysis found that atmospheric CO2 levels were four times higher in the late Jurassic period and three times higher in the late Cretaceous period than they are today.
A new iguanodontian dinosaur species, Istiorachis macarthurae, has been identified from fossils on the Isle of Wight. The discovery suggests that the animal's striking sail-like structure was used for visual signalling and may have evolved through sexual selection to impress potential mates.
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.
Fossilized dinosaur teeth contain oxygen isotopes that indicate high carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere during the Mesozoic Era, which was four to three times higher than today. This data suggests dynamic climates with double primary plant production, contributing to their extinction.
A new analysis of 18 species of carnivorous dinosaurs reveals that not all giant predators had strong bites, but instead specialized in different feeding styles. This study demonstrates the diversity of feeding strategies among giant carnivores, challenging the assumption that one 'best' skull design existed for being a predatory giant.
Researchers found that different species of dinosaurs had distinct preferences for plant parts, including leaves, buds, and woody tissues. This discovery helps explain how so many large herbivores coexisted in the same ecosystem without competing for resources.
Researchers found that a specific wrist bone, called pisiform, appeared in bird ancestors millions of years earlier than previously thought. This discovery suggests that the integration of this bone into the wrist was crucial for stabilizing wings during flight, tying arm musculature to wrist motion.
A new species of dinosaur, Khankhuuluu, is described as the closest-known ancestor to the giant Tyrannosaurs. It was a mesopredator that used speed and agility to take down its prey.
A recent study published in Current Biology found that sauropods, a type of herbivorous dinosaur, relied heavily on their gut microbes for digestion. The analysis of plant fossils in the dinosaur's gut suggests that they engaged in minimal oral processing and instead ate bulk feeders.
Researchers from Anglia Ruskin University and Imperial College London used advanced paleoproteomic techniques to analyze dinosaur fossils, discovering red blood cell-like structures in a fossil. This finding raises the possibility that soft tissue and cellular components are more commonly preserved in ancient remains than previously th...
A group of elasmosaur fossils has been formally identified as belonging to a new genus, Traskasaura sandrae. This ancient marine reptile, measuring 12 meters long and having heavy, sharp teeth, likely hunted prey from above using its strong swimming capabilities.
A University of Queensland-led research team used advanced digital modelling techniques to reconstruct the Phoenix Trackway, a 70-meter-long set of footprints made by a two-legged predator. The study reveals the dinosaur walked at a steady 5.3 km/h, stood 1.13 meters tall, and weighed up to 292 kilograms.
The study suggests that T. rex and its cousins may have been better suited to cooler climates due to having feathers or a more warm-blooded physiology. The team found that megaraptors, a closely related group, were more widely distributed across the globe than previously thought, originating in Asia about 120 million years ago.
A new study led by UCL researchers found that the quality of the dinosaur fossil record worsened during the final 6 million years prior to the asteroid impact. The team analyzed over 8,000 fossils and estimated that dinosaurs may have been doing better than previously suggested in the lead-up to the asteroid impact.
Researchers found clear evidence of air sacs in fossilized alvarezsaurian bones, which may have helped modern birds fly. This discovery provides new insights into the evolution of bird flight and the role of 'hollow bones' in this process.
A mass mortality event occurred in Triassic Wyoming, where dozens of giant amphibians called metoposaurid temnospondyls died together on an ancient floodplain. The study provides a unique snapshot of a single population and doubles the known number of individuals of the species Buettnererpeton bakeri.
Research from the University of Chicago and University of Missouri reveals how modern birds' larger brains led to changes in their skulls, jaw muscles, and feeding mechanics. This evolution allowed for the development of cranial kinesis, enabling birds to move different parts of their skull independently.
Researchers have discovered fossilized eggs from three feathered bird-like dinosaurs, two herbivorous dinosaurs, and a previously unknown crocodile-like species in the Cedar Mountain Formation. The findings provide valuable insights into the diversity of ancient life forms and their habitats.
Fossil discovery in Australia rewrote the evolutionary history of theropod dinosaurs, revealing a predator hierarchy unique to Cretaceous Australia. The findings showcase the world's oldest known megaraptorid fossils and the first evidence of carcharodontosaurs in Australia.
Researchers at North Carolina State University found that soft tissue preservation in fossils does not seem to depend on the species, age or burial environment. The team was able to retrieve vessels from six dinosaur specimens, including four Tyrannosaurus rex and one Brachylophosaurus canadensis, using a suite of analytical tools.
A nearly complete 69-million-year-old skull from the Cretaceous Period has provided new insights into the evolutionary history of modern birds. The fossil, Vegavis iaai, exhibits traits consistent with those of waterfowl and is now considered one of the earliest known members of this group.
A recent study published by researchers at the University of Liverpool has confirmed that Mesozoic fossils, including dinosaur bones and teeth, still preserve their original organic materials. The team used advanced mass spectrometry techniques to identify preserved collagen remnants in a well-preserved Edmontosaurus fossil.
Researchers suggest earliest dinosaurs emerged in hot, arid environments of low-latitude Gondwana, filling gaps in fossil record. This finding provides a potential origin for the iconic creatures, contradicting previous assumptions.
Paleontologists re-evaluate fossil records and discover a previously unknown predatory dinosaur species, Tameryraptor markgrafi, with significant differences from Carcharodontosaurus. The new findings suggest a more diverse dinosaur fauna in North Africa than previously thought.