Articles tagged with Dinosaur Fossils
Researchers propose a new explanation for how dinosaur mummies might form, suggesting desiccation and deflation as a common pathway. This process is also observed in modern animal carcasses, revealing that rare fossils may not be as unusual as previously thought.
A new study identifies Scleromochlus taylori as an early relative of pterosaurs, shedding light on the evolution of flying reptiles. The discovery uses CT scans to provide detailed reconstructions of the fossil, confirming its link to lagerpetids and supporting the hypothesis that flying reptiles evolved from small, bipedal ancestors.
Researchers found evidence of declining dinosaur diversity in central China, with only three species of eggs and low number of dinosaurs for the last 2 million years. This decline may have been caused by global climate fluctuations and massive volcanic eruptions.
Paleontologists at Tübingen University's Senckenberg Centre have discovered a previously unknown genus and species of dinosaur, Tuebingosaurus maierfritzorum. The herbivore lived in the Swabian Alb region from 203 to 211 million years ago, displaying similarities with large long-necked sauropods.
A team of paleontologists led by Virginia Tech has discovered a new, early dinosaur in Zimbabwe, which is the oldest dinosaur skeleton found in Africa. The newly named Mbiresaurus raathi was estimated to be around 6 feet long and weighed between 20-65 pounds.
Scientists discovered that an early bird species called Jeholornis ate fruits and seeds, helping plants dominate the world today. The bird's skull shape and stomach contents showed evidence of a seasonal diet with whole fruits during fruit season.
Researchers have found that spinosaurid dinosaurs had rapid tooth replacement, with up to three generations of teeth developing simultaneously. This trait likely contributed to their overabundance in Cretaceous sites.
A new study published in Evolutionary Biology refutes a claim that Tyrannosaurus rex should be reclassified into three separate species based on variations in leg bones and teeth. The researchers found that the earlier proposal lacked sufficient evidence and was based on limited comparative samples, non-comparable measurements, and imp...
The new species, Meraxes gigas, has disproportional short arms like T. rex and evolved independently to have such characteristics. The team proposes that the short arms may have supported reproductive behavior or helped with movement, offering a unique survival advantage.
A new giant dinosaur species has been discovered in Patagonia, providing insight into the evolution and biology of dinosaurs like Tyrannosaurus rex. The research reveals that large carnivorous dinosaurs grew their skulls larger while their arms shortened over time.
A new species of large-bodied meat-eating dinosaur, an abelisaurid theropod, has been found in the Bahariya Oasis of Egypt's Western Desert. The discovery provides the first known record of this group from a middle Cretaceous-aged rock unit, and sheds light on the biodiversity of Cretaceous dinosaurs in Egypt and northeastern Africa.
Scientists have described a new species of therizinosaurid from Japan, shedding light on the function and evolution of their fearsome claws. The discovery indicates that therizinosaurs existed in Asia over a longer timescale than previously known and were adapted to coastal environments.
A new study has found that most dinosaurs were warm-blooded, contrary to long-standing debate. By analyzing molecular waste in fossilized bones, researchers inferred dinosaur metabolic rates and found they were generally high.
Paleontologists discovered sets of fossils representing three new ichthyosaurs, including the largest ichthyosaur tooth ever found. The discovery includes a 15-meter-long ichthyosaur and the largest trunk vertebra in Europe, rivaling the 21-meter long Shastasaurus sikkanniensis.
Paleontologist Kevin Padian suggests that T. rex's short arms evolved to prevent accidental or intentional amputation during pack feeding, a behavior thought to be common among the species. This hypothesis proposes that the reduced forelimbs provided an adaptive advantage by reducing the risk of injury during intense feeding interactions.
Researchers found that Spinosaurus and its close relative Baryonyx had dense bones that would have allowed them to submerge underwater to hunt. In contrast, Suchomimus had lighter bones that made swimming difficult, leading the team to conclude that these dinosaurs likely waded instead.
Researchers from Vrije Universiteit Brussel used new techniques to determine the age of limestone layers and fossils in Maastricht quarries, dating back to the last dinosaur age. The study found that the shallow sea was rich in oxygen, suitable for sustaining a diverse ecosystem.
A new species of stegosaur, Bashanosaurus primitivus, has been discovered in China, dating back to the Middle Jurassic period, around 168 million years ago. This discovery sheds light on the evolution of stegosaurs and suggests that they may have originated in Asia.
Researchers identified two new species of ancient bird fossils found in northwestern China. One species, Brevidentavis zhangi, had small peg-like teeth and a movable bony appendage at the tip of its lower jaw that may have helped it root for food.
A young diplodocid dinosaur with abnormal bony protrusions in its neck bones may have suffered from a fungal respiratory infection similar to aspergillosis. The study provides the first evidence of an avian-style respiratory infection in a non-avian dinosaur.
Researchers discovered abnormal bone growths in a 150-million-year-old diplodocid dinosaur, suggesting an avian-style respiratory infection. The infection likely caused symptoms like coughing, trouble breathing, and fever, potentially leading to the animal's death.
A new fossil discovery at the Chengjiang Fossil Site has provided a crucial link in understanding how arthropods evolved specialized limbs for breathing. The 520-million-year-old Erratus sperare organism has revealed the origins of biramous limbs, found in modern water-dwelling arthropods.
A new study by DePaul University researchers has found that all previously proposed body forms of the Megalodon shark are based on speculations. The lack of scientific evidence means that the public image of a massive, monstrous shark remains unchanged, while paleontologists continue to search for clues in the fossil record.
A new study led by Hank Woolley finds that incomplete fossils can contain reliable phylogenetic information, increasing the scientific value of all specimens housed in collections. This increases the ability to include more of Earth's extinct biodiversity as we continue to study the past.
A recent study uses deep neural networks to analyze CT scans of dinosaur fossils, reducing manual segmentation time from days to minutes.
A 72-66-million-year-old dinosaur embryo discovered in a fossilized egg is found to have a bird-like posture, similar to modern bird embryos. The discovery suggests that these postures may be an evolutionary precursor to the tucking behavior seen in modern birds.
The newly discovered dinosaur Vectiraptor greeni, from the Early Cretaceous period, was a large, heavily built relative of Velociraptor with powerful claws and serrated teeth. It is believed to have hunted larger prey, using its strength rather than speed.
A rare dinosaur embryo discovered in southern China exhibits a bird-like posture before hatching, suggesting that oviraptorosaurs may have developed avian-like postures late in their incubation. This finding challenges current understanding of non-avian theropod behavior and opens up new avenues for research.
Sauropod dinosaurs were restricted to warmer, drier habitats than other dinosaur types, which could thrive in Earth's polar regions. The researchers found that sauropods' range was more limited during colder periods, suggesting a unique physiology closer to being 'cold-blooded'.
Researchers found that theropods strengthened their jaws through time, with expanding rear jaw portions and evolving different jaw shapes depending on diet. This allowed them to exploit a wider range of food items and minimized bone fracture risk.
A new study in Scientific Reports reveals the first palaeontological site with multiple, exceptionally complete dinosaur skeletons from Italy. The Villaggio del Pescatore site in north-eastern Italy has yielded seven individuals of Tethyshadros insularis, the biggest and most complete dinosaur ever found in Italy.
A study using CT-based imaging identified bone disease in a T. rex jaw, characterized by thickening and a mass with high fluorine content, supporting the diagnosis of tumefactive osteomyelitis. This non-invasive approach could revolutionize paleontology, allowing for the characterization of unique fossils without destruction.
A new genus and species of iguanodontian dinosaur, Brighstoneus simmondsi, has been discovered on the Isle of Wight. The herbivorous dinosaur is estimated to be around 8 meters in length and weigh 900kg.
Researchers discovered that sauropod dinosaurs had simple teeth despite being herbivores, with fast tooth replacement rates allowing them to eat a variety of plants. This unique adaptation allowed them to thrive alongside other plant-eaters without the need for complex teeth.
Researchers uncover fossil remains of Issi saaneq, a long-necked herbivore that lived on Greenland during the Late Triassic Period. The discovery sheds light on the evolutionary pathways and timeline of sauropods, iconic land animals that existed for nearly 150 million years.
The discovery of two new species, a skink and a fish, sheds light on the variety of animals inhabiting North America during the Early Cretaceous Period. The findings confirm that North America had limited faunal diversity during this time, with many species similar to those found in other regions.
A study published in Scientific Reports found fossilized remains of sauropodomorphs, including eggs and skeletal remains, that suggest the earliest evidence of herd living in dinosaurs. The fossils, dated to approximately 193 million years old, show age-specific clusters of individuals, indicating possible herding behavior.
A new study reveals that early dinosaurs, such as Mussaurus patagonicus, likely formed complex herds with adults foraging and taking care of young. Fossils found in southern Patagonia indicate an age segregation, suggesting a larger community structure where adults shared in raising the whole community.
A 'raptor-like' dinosaur was actually a timid, long-necked herbivore, according to recent reanalysis of fossil footprints found in an Australian coal mine. The Prosauropod, a plant-eating dinosaur with legs about 1.4 metres tall and a body length of six metres, is the earliest evidence of its kind in Australia, marking a 50-million-yea...
Scientists have discovered two new species of spinosaurid dinosaurs on the Isle of Wight, providing significant insights into the UK's spinosaurid population. The newly found fossils, including Ceratosuchops and Riparovenator, measure around nine meters in length and suggest a diverse ecosystem with multiple predators.
A team of scientists has isolated exquisitely preserved cartilage cells from a 125-million-year-old dinosaur, revealing nuclei with remnants of organic molecules and chromatin. This discovery provides preliminary data suggesting that original dinosaur DNA may still be preserved, challenging traditional fossilization theories.
A study published in PLOS ONE reveals a surprising diversity of Cretaceous reptiles at an Argentina fossil site. The research expands the known diversity of reptiles at the Cerro Fortaleza locality, which previously only preserved skeletal remains of giant sauropods.
New research from Portland State University suggests that Allosaurus, a large carnivorous dinosaur, acquired most of its calories by scavenging on sauropod carcasses. The study's agent-based model and morphological analysis support this hypothesis, challenging 150 years of established thought about Allosaurus' ecological role.
A new digital study has found that Tyrannosaurus rex's jaw had nerve sensors enabling it to better detect and eat its prey. The researchers used computed tomography to analyze the distribution of neurovascular canals in a fossil mandible, revealing complex branching patterns similar to those of modern-day crocodiles and birds.
Researchers used CT scans to digitally reconstruct the brain, inner ear, and surrounding bones of two well-preserved Daspletosaurus specimens, finding more variation in braincase structure than expected. The study suggests that these variations may provide insights into the sensory biology and life of the dinosaur.
A joint Sino-Brazilian research team has reported new dinosaur fossils from the Early Cretaceous Hami Pterosaur Fauna, including two giant sauropod species. The findings, published in Scientific Reports, provide significant insights into Chinese sauropods and the ecological diversity of the region.
A new species of pterosaur, Thapunngaka shawi, was discovered in Queensland with a 7-meter wingspan, showcasing the fearsome beast's spear-like mouth and powerful flight capabilities. The fossil, found on Wanamara Country, near Richmond, contributes to Australia's understanding of pterosaur diversity.
Researchers discovered a rare bird fossil with nearly complete skull, allowing them to compare ancient bird brains to living birds. The study suggests that complex brain structure may have played a key role in the survival of bird ancestors during the mass extinction event.
A new iguanodon-like dinosaur has been identified from a jawbone fossil in Spain. The creature is believed to have been around 6-8m long and was closely related to species found in modern-day China and Niger.
A 200-million-year-old South African dinosaur, Heterodontosaurus tucki, breathed by expanding its chest and belly, unlike birds which use air sacs. This discovery sheds light on the evolution of how dinosaurs breathed and could help paleontologists understand what features allowed certain species to survive or go extinct.
A new fossil discovery has revealed that dinosaurs did not breathe in the same way, with Heterodontosaurus having unique paddle-shaped ribs and expanded belly to breathe. The study provides insight into the biology of ornithischian dinosaurs and fills gaps in knowledge about their evolution.
A 120-million-year-old fossil of a tiny bird found in China shares structural and functional features with the massive Tyrannosaurus rex. The discovery sheds light on the evolution of birds from dinosaurian ancestors.
A new species of Oculudentavis has been discovered in a 99-million-year-old amber fossil, revealing physical characteristics that distinguish it from birds and confirm its status as a lizard. The discovery sheds light on the early evolution of squamates during the Cretaceous Period.
Researchers measured the bite force of juvenile Tyrannosaurus rex fossils, finding they could exert up to 5,641 newtons, between that of adult T. rexes and smaller dinosaurs. This discovery provides insight into how young T. rexes fed and interacted with their environment.
Menefeeceratops sealeyi, a newly described horned dinosaur, lived in New Mexico 82 million years ago and is one of the earliest known ceratopsid species. The discovery provides important insights into the evolution of ceratopsid dinosaurs and their evolutionary relationships.
The study uses Monte Carlo computer simulation to determine the population numbers of T. rexes, with a standing population size of 20,000 adults at any given time. The total number of individuals that existed over its lifetime could have been anywhere from 140 million to 42 billion.
Researchers from the University of Bonn have developed a new method to identify and separate individual dinosaur fossils by analyzing bone tissue. By examining the growth patterns, vascularization, and annual rings in fossilized bones, scientists can now determine whether a particular bone belongs to a specific animal or skeleton.
A rare oviraptorid dinosaur fossil was found in southern China, showing the animal sitting on a nest of at least 24 eggs with well-developed embryos. The fossil provides significant insights into the reproductive biology of non-avian theropod dinosaurs.
Researchers found a pattern where carnivorous dinosaur communities lacked medium-sized species between 100-1000kg, with juvenile megatheropods filling the gap. This discovery suggests that growth and development played a significant role in shaping ecosystem dynamics.
Dzharatitanis kingi is a newly discovered sauropod dinosaur from Uzbekistan, the first rebbachisaurid species found in Asia. The fossil discovery sheds light on the diversity of sauropod dinosaurs in Asian continents.