Articles tagged with Vertebrate Paleontology
Comprehensive exploration of living organisms, biological systems, and life processes across all scales from molecules to ecosystems. Encompasses cutting-edge research in biology, genetics, molecular biology, ecology, biochemistry, microbiology, botany, zoology, evolutionary biology, genomics, and biotechnology. Investigates cellular mechanisms, organism development, genetic inheritance, biodiversity conservation, metabolic processes, protein synthesis, DNA sequencing, CRISPR gene editing, stem cell research, and the fundamental principles governing all forms of life on Earth.
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Comprehensive study of the universe beyond Earth, encompassing celestial objects, cosmic phenomena, and space exploration. Includes astronomy, astrophysics, planetary science, cosmology, space physics, astrobiology, and space technology. Investigates stars, galaxies, planets, moons, asteroids, comets, black holes, nebulae, exoplanets, dark matter, dark energy, cosmic microwave background, stellar evolution, planetary formation, space weather, solar system dynamics, the search for extraterrestrial life, and humanity's efforts to explore, understand, and unlock the mysteries of the cosmos through observation, theory, and space missions.
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Study of abstract structures, patterns, quantities, relationships, and logical reasoning through pure and applied mathematical disciplines. Encompasses algebra, calculus, geometry, topology, number theory, analysis, discrete mathematics, mathematical logic, set theory, probability, statistics, and computational mathematics. Investigates mathematical structures, theorems, proofs, algorithms, functions, equations, and the rigorous logical frameworks underlying quantitative reasoning. Provides the foundational language and tools for all scientific fields, enabling precise description of natural phenomena, modeling of complex systems, and the development of technologies across physics, engineering, computer science, economics, and all quantitative sciences.
Researchers employed high-resolution X-ray CT scanning and digital visualization techniques to restore a complete skull of the 3-4m herbivorous dinosaur Erlikosaurus andrewsi. The team digitally dissected the skull, filling in breaks and cracks, duplicating missing elements, and reversing deformation, resulting in a life-like restoration.
A new fossil dolphin species from the Miocene era has been discovered in Peru, shedding light on the history and relationships of river dolphins. The species, Huaridelphis raimondii, is part of a rare extinct family, squalodelphinids, which are related to endangered Ganges and Indus river dolphins.
A new study reveals ancient hedgehog and tapir fossils from Driftwood Canyon Provincial Park in British Columbia, which lived around 52 million years ago. The discovery fills a significant gap in the geographic distribution of mammals during this period.
Nizar Ibrahim, a University of Chicago paleontologist, has been selected to National Geographic's Emerging Explorers program. He receives a $10,000 award to aid further research and exploration in the deserts of North Africa, where he discovers fossil footprints and a new species of flying reptile.
A new study re-describes the oldest species of dolphin, Eodelphis kabatensis, shedding light on their origins and evolution. The discovery resolves a discrepancy between fossil records and molecular-based studies, providing crucial insights into the evolutionary history of dolphins.
The fossil, Eocasea martini, provides evidence that large caseid herbivores evolved from small carnivorous ancestors. This finding contributes to our understanding of the early evolution of herbivory in terrestrial vertebrates.
Fossils from the Middle-Upper Jurassic Period in northeastern China have revealed an exceptional window into life approximately 160 million years ago. The Daohugou Biota contains superbly preserved specimens of a diverse group of amphibian, mammal and reptile species.
New fossils from Belgium have revealed the earliest known ancestor of modern carnivores, with species such as lions, tigers and bears tracing their ancestry to primitive carnivorous mammals. The new specimens, including over 250 teeth and ankle bones, provide valuable insights into the evolutionary history of these iconic animals.
A new, giant species of extinct platypus, Obdurodon tharalkooschild, has been discovered in Australia. The estimated length of the species is nearly a meter, twice that of the modern platypus. The fossil record suggests that platypuses became smaller and reduced their teeth through time.
Researchers found that mammalian body size decreased during two ancient global warming events, the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM) and Eocene Thermal Maximum 2 (ETM2). The study suggests that mammals may adapt to extreme warming by becoming smaller.
Researchers discovered that the giant Triassic amphibian Metoposaurus had a two-seasonal climate and needed water for its lifestyle. The species used broad, flat head and forearms to burrow under the ground during dry season, while its growth pattern revealed unique adaptations.
A new study reveals that a Pangean desert supported a unique fauna, including the giant pareiasaur Bunostegos, which sported large, bulbous skulls resembling modern giraffe horns. The discovery supports the theory of central Pangea being climatically isolated, allowing this relict fauna to evolve distinct anatomical features.
A new study reveals a previously overlooked diversity of small dinosaurs, including the smallest known plant-eating dinosaur species from Canada. The research team identified Albertadromeus syntarsus as a speedy runner that lived in what is now southern Alberta during the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 77 million years ago.
Researchers have discovered two new ancient extinct alligator-like animals and an extinct hippo-like species in Central America during the Miocene period. The fossils shed light on species distribution before the formation of the Isthmus of Panama.
New fossil discoveries shed light on the history of animal distributions between the Americas, revealing that caimans dispersed north from South America by the early Miocene. The presence of fossils in Panama supports a recent hypothesis that Central and South America were closer together than previously thought.
A new feathered dinosaur fossil found in China's Jurassic period pushes back the known origins of birds, which were previously thought to have evolved from theropod dinosaurs around 120-130 million years ago. The discovery provides additional evidence for a more complex evolution of flight.
A new fossil discovery reveals a bird with specialized teeth for eating hard prey, greatly expanding the known diversity of tooth shape in early birds. The find suggests that dietary differences may have contributed to the decline of enantiornithine birds during the Cretaceous period.
Researchers have uncovered historic letters written by Edward Drinker Cope to geologist Robert T. Hill, shedding new light on the Texas connection to the Bone Wars. A newly translated German ode to a fossil also provides insight into the era's intense fossil collecting frenzy.
A second specimen of Ernanodon antelios sheds new light on the mysterious ancient mammal, revealing it was highly specialized for digging. The fossil skeleton provides key information about its habits, lifestyle, and affinities, resolving long-standing controversies in the scientific community.
A new fossil discovery solves the mystery of flatfish evolution, revealing a 50-million-year-old fossil fish named Heteronectes that shows an intermediate stage between most fish and specialized flatfish. The study provides evidence for the gradual evolution of flatfish anatomy.
The study of Acanthodes bronni, a 290-million-year-old fossil fish, sheds light on the evolution of early jawed vertebrates. The researchers found that the common ancestor of all jawed vertebrates resembled a shark, with features such as cartilaginous jaws and primitive sensory organs.
Researchers have reconstructed the giant prehistoric New Zealand penguin, Kairuku, from two separate fossils, providing new insights into its body shape and uniqueness. The reconstruction reveals a slender body, long flippers, and short legs, standing around 4-feet-2 inches tall.
A 247 million-year-old fossil from China has been reclassified as an archosaur, revealing that the bird and crocodile family trees split earlier than previously thought. The discovery provides new evidence for the evolution of archosaurs and sheds light on the origins of these dominant land vertebrates.
Researchers Wang and Chang have found Pliocene cyprinid fish fossils in the Kunlun Pass Basin, suggesting relatively extensive water systems in the area during the Pliocene. The study suggests a more humid climate and less amplitude of uplift compared to previous proposals.
Researchers from UF and Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute found a 60-million-year-old fossil of Cerrejonisuchus improcerus, an ancient crocodile relative that was likely preyed upon by Titanoboa. The study provides new insights into the diversity of ancient South American rainforest ecosystems.
A new study compares expert identification and computer analysis in reconstructing ancient fossils from hundreds of thousands of jumbled pieces. The research found that specialized experts provided the most reliable identifications, while less experienced palaeontologists made more mistakes.
The discovery of Suminia getmanovi, a small plant-eating synapsid, provides evidence that vertebrates took to trees early in Earth's evolution. The tree-climbing lifestyle offers access to new food resources and protection from ground-dwelling predators.
Researchers studied 35 ancient tetrapods to understand anatomical changes during the transition from fish to amphibians. They found that bones changed size at different rates, resulting in reshaping of body shape over time. This study supports the idea that modern amphibians evolved through paedomorphosis and miniaturization.
Researchers uncover jawbone of transitional fossil Megapiranha paranensis, showing intermediate pattern of teeth. The discovery confirms the evolutionary link between piranhas and their herbivorous relatives, with implications for understanding the piranha's distinctive bite.
A UBC paleontologist has solved the enigma of a massive bonebed in southern California by proposing that it formed over a 700,000 year time-span approximately 15 million years ago. The team found only five shark bite specimens out of over 3,000 bones and teeth analyzed, supporting the deposit-over-time theory.
A set of fossil teeth belonging to an ancient three-toed browsing horse, Anchitherium clarencei, has been discovered in the Panama Canal earthworks. The find supports earlier proposals that the habitat was a mosaic of dense forest and open woodlands, extending the southern range of this horse species.
A University of Florida study has resolved a long-standing debate in shark paleontology by concluding that modern great whites evolved from the broad-toothed mako shark. The preserved fossil, dating back 4-5 million years, features a complete jaw with intact teeth and vertebrae.
Researchers found a colossal boa constrictor-like creature that stretched longer than a city bus and weighed over 1.25 tons, providing a rare window into past equatorial environment. The discovery suggests the mean annual temperature at equatorial South America during that time was nearly 33 Celsius, about six degrees warmer than today.
The largest prehistoric snake ever recorded was Titanoboa cerrejonensis, which measured 13 meters and weighed 1,140 kilograms. Scientists estimate that the snake would have required an average annual temperature of 30 to 34 C to survive.
Researchers have discovered a 42- to 45-foot-long snake species called Titanoboa, which lived during the Paleocene Epoch and was larger than previously estimated. The discovery provides insights into the climate and ecosystems of tropical South America 60 million years ago.
Paleontologists from Emory University have discovered large carnivorous dinosaur tracks in Victoria, Australia, revealing that these dinosaurs roamed a polar environment. The tracks are estimated to be around 115 million years old and suggest that dinosaurs were larger than previously thought.
A 40,000-year-old human skeleton found in China suggests that modern humans may have migrated to the region via multiple routes rather than a single 'out of Africa' event. The discovery provides valuable insights into the emergence of modern humans in eastern Asia.
Researchers uncover 95 million-year-old snakelike marine animal with vestigial limbs, challenging previous understanding of limb loss in lizards. The discovery provides clues to the evolution of terrestrial lizards as they returned to water and offers insights into the development of body plans.
Researchers have found a remarkably well-preserved fossil lamprey from the Devonian period that reveals today's lampreys as 'living fossils.' The discovery pushes back the lamprey fossil record by 35 million years and adds essential new detail to the emerging picture of early vertebrate evolution.
Scientists have discovered that global warming led to drastic changes in ancient forests 55 million years ago, including the appearance of tropical plants from Europe. This finding has implications for understanding the evolution of modern primates and their adaptations.
Scientists have discovered a new species of camel, dated two million years ago, with mountain goat-like features. Additionally, researchers have found dinosaur nesting grounds in Patagonia, providing insights into sauropod reproductive biology and behavior.