Articles tagged with Dinosaurs
A new raptorial dinosaur fossil named Changyuraptor yangi has shed light on how larger-bodied dinosaurs took to the air, with exceptionally long feathers playing a crucial role in safe landings. The 125-million-year-old fossil, found in China, confirms that flight preceded the origin of birds and was not limited to small animals.
A remarkable new dinosaur tracksite in Denali National Park, Alaska, has provided insights into the herd structure and paleobiology of northern polar dinosaurs. The discovery reveals that these animals not only lived in multi-generational herds but also thrived in a high-latitude, polar ecosystem.
A new sauropod dinosaur species, Leinkupal laticauda, has been discovered in Argentina, shedding light on the survival of Diplodocidae in South America. The fossil findings suggest that the extinction event at the end of the Jurassic or beginning of the Cretaceous period may not have been global.
Scientists have discovered a new species of long-snouted tyrannosaur, Qianzhousaurus sinensis, which lived alongside deep-snouted tyrannosaurs but hunted different prey. The discovery confirms the existence of tyrannosaur species with long snouts and provides insights into the diversity of these fearsome carnivores.
A study found that birds underwent rapid body size changes to exploit new ecological niches, while other dinosaur lineages stagnated. The team estimated the body mass of 426 species using leg bone thickness, revealing a prolonged period of high evolutionary rates in the lineage leading to birds.
Researchers used synchrotron-imaging to examine 150-million-year-old predatory dinosaur bones, discovering that many healed injuries were not fatal to humans. The study sheds light on the chemical signatures of bone healing and remodelling strategies in extinct vertebrates.
A study found that dinosaurs showed rapid rates of body size evolution in early forms, but these slowed down over time. However, the evolutionary line leading to birds continued to change size at this rate for 170 million years, producing new ecological diversity not seen in other dinosaurs.
The international research team has discovered and named the earliest and most primitive pterodactyloid species, Kryptodrakon progenitor, which lived above the earth 163 million years ago. The fossil was found in northwest China and revealed that pterodactyloids originated and evolved in terrestrial environments.
A new international study reveals that humans have left an unprecedented legacy of technofossils, including built environments and consumer products, which will be preserved for millions of years. These technofossils are expected to become the defining characteristic of the Anthropocene epoch.
Scientists discover unusual bird-like dinosaur with feathers on arms and tail, and a toothless beak. The new species, Anzu wyliei, lived 68-66 million years ago and provides the first detailed picture of North American oviraptorosaurs.
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.
A study revising rules for deciphering dinosaur color suggests a link between color, physiology, and the origin of flight. Researchers found diverse melanosome shapes and sizes in feathered dinosaurs, paravians, and living mammals and birds.
A new sauropod species, Yongjinglong datangi, has been discovered in northwestern China, providing insights into the diversity of Titanosaurs. The fossil remains suggest that the animal was a juvenile or subadult, with features indicating potential for growth and increased size in adults.
Scientists propose a new hypothesis explaining the evolution of bird wings. According to this theory, the little finger was reduced first, followed by the ring finger, resulting in the modern bird hand configuration.
A rare mummified specimen of the duck-billed dinosaur Edmontosauraus regalis has revealed a fleshy comb on its head, similar to a rooster's red crest. This discovery dramatically alters our understanding of these gentle giants and raises the possibility of similar crests among other dinosaurs.
A study by University of Utah researchers found that monitor lizards have a mostly one-way, looping air flow in their lungs, challenging previous notions about the function of this breathing pattern. The discovery raises questions about the evolutionary origins of this unique pattern, which may be as old as 270 million years.
Researchers at Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute create detailed map of Campeche Escarpment, a steep underwater cliff near the impact site. The maps reveal that rocks formed before, during, and after the asteroid impact are exposed along different parts of the escarpment.
A 115-million-year-old fossilized wasp from Brazil features an ovipositor similar to those of present-day fig wasps, raising questions about the co-evolution of these organisms. The finding highlights the value of studying insect fossils for understanding evolutionary history and plant origins.
A new PLOS Collection delves into the complex evolutionary cascade theory that made sauropod dinosaurs' gigantism possible. Researchers investigate factors contributing to their unique body size, including mobility, posture, and nutrition.
Researchers from the University of Manchester successfully recreated the walking and running movements of Argentinosaurus using computer simulations. The study provides new insights into the dinosaur's locomotion ability, dispelling previous suggestions that it was inflated in size.
Scientists have documented a widespread extinction of bees that occurred 65 million years ago, concurrent with the mass extinction that wiped out land dinosaurs and many flowering plants. The findings shed light on the current decline in bee species and could provide insight into their current struggle.
A high school student's discovery of a baby Parasaurolophus skeleton has revealed new insights into the growth and development of this unique herbivorous dinosaur. The nearly complete fossil measures six feet long and is estimated to be only a year old when it died, growing to an adult measuring nearly 25 feet in length.
A new analysis of ostriches suggests that sauropod neck flexibility was probably lower than previously estimated due to the impact of soft tissues like muscle and cartilage. This reduced flexibility may have restricted the range of foods these dinosaurs could reach, leading to more active foraging.
Researchers analyze dinosaur skulls using 3D geometric morphometrics and conclude that three previously identified species are actually one. The study reveals that differences among specimens arose from the burial and compression process, highlighting the importance of considering these factors in taxonomic classifications.
A new study published in Nature reveals that at least a few non-avian dinosaurs had brains as large or larger than those of Archaeopteryx, indicating they may have had the neurological hardwiring necessary for flight. This challenges the idea that Archaeopteryx was uniquely transitional between feathered dinosaurs and modern birds.
Researchers at the University of Adelaide have discovered that dinosaurs required more muscular power to prey on other animals and dominate over mammals than previously thought. The study challenges the long-held notion that dinosaurs were cold-blooded, like reptiles.
Sauropod dinosaurs like Diplodocus and Camarasaurus replaced their teeth frequently, with some species replacing up to one tooth every 62 days. This constant growth and replacement was likely caused by the high amount of plant food they consumed, which led to extensive tooth wear.
A new horned dinosaur species, Nasutoceratops titusi, has been discovered in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in Utah. The species features an unusually enlarged nose region and exceptionally long, curving horns, with possible functions including visual signals of dominance and mate attraction.
A new study by Dr. Jordan Mallon reveals that large plant-eating dinosaurs specialized in eating different types of vegetation to coexist successfully. The research, which analyzed nearly 100 dinosaur skulls, supports the concept of niche partitioning and provides insight into the ecological roles of these ancient creatures.
A team of scientists studied Psittacosaurus dinosaurs to understand their growth patterns. They found that arm bones grew fastest during the first few years of life, while leg bones experienced a massive growth spurt, eventually becoming twice as long as the arms.
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 studied 150-million-year-old dinosaur fossils to reconstruct their brain and inner ear anatomy. The study found that the brain underwent significant changes during growth, with important parts for hearing and cognitive processes already well-developed in young dinosaurs.
A University of Alberta researcher has discovered that there were four distinct species of ankylosaurs instead of one, shedding new light on the lives of these ancient creatures. The study, published in PLOS ONE, reveals that three of the species coexisted in what is now Dinosaur Provincial Park in southern Alberta.
A new species of bone-headed dinosaur, Acrotholus audeti, has been identified from Alberta, Canada, representing the oldest known bone-headed dinosaur in North America. The discovery provides valuable insights into the evolution and diversity of small plant-eating dinosaurs.
Fossil records from Tanzania and Zambia reveal a lineage of animals thought to have led to dinosaurs, contradicting previous assumptions about their predecessors' fate. The discovery provides new insights into the recovery of animal communities after the mass extinction.
Scientists have discovered new fossils showing that dinosaur predecessors were more widespread than thought after the mass extinction event. The findings suggest that archosaurs, a group including crocodiles and dinosaurs, diversified in Tanzania and Zambia before becoming more widely distributed.
Dr. Lawrence Witmer's Visible Interactive Dinosaur (VID) project aims to digitally recreate the tissues stripped away by time, creating the most realistic dinosaur renderings. The project has dual purpose of helping paleontologists and educating the public about physiology and anatomy.
Researchers found fossilized remains of Microraptor with stomach content of fish, revealing its varied diet. The dinosaur's unique teeth were adapted for catching slippery prey like fish.
Researchers found that a small meat-eating dinosaur called Troodon likely hatched its young in a way similar to brooding birds. The study provides insights into how dinosaurs incubated their eggs and supports the close evolutionary relationship between birds and dinosaurs.
Researchers from the University of Bonn have found the oldest known dinosaur embryos in China, shedding light on the rapid growth and high reproductive rate of these ancient animals. The discoveries provide valuable insights into the biology of dinosaurs, including their development and behavior.
A team of scientists from Canada, Taiwan, and Australia excavated over 200 bones from embryonic dinosaurs, providing a rare glimpse into their growth patterns. The fossils, dating back over 100 million years, show evidence of protein structures, suggesting that dinosaurs moved around inside their eggs.
Scientists have measured the nerves in crocodilians, which are sensitive to changes in their environment. This new measurement will aid biologists in understanding how ancient animals interacted with their surroundings. The research also aims to trace the evolution of this nerve and its relation to animal ecology.
Researchers found lower than expected levels of iridium and osmium at the K-Pg boundary, contradicting the asteroid impact theory. A comet explanation reconciles this with evidence of a massive crater.
A study in the Coll de Nargó archaeological site in Lleida has documented detailed records of four new dinosaur egg species, expanding our understanding of sauropod nesting habits. The discovery also sheds light on the geological formation of the region and its connection to French dinosaurs.
University of Alberta researchers identified 23 species of small meat-eating dinosaurs with fossilized teeth, revealing multiple short-lived species instead of a few long-lived ones. The findings suggest that these tiny predators roamed the region for distinct geographic areas and time periods.
A team of paleontologists has discovered a way to identify the sex of an ancient avian species, revealing that early birds began reproducing before they were fully grown. The study provides evidence for an important difference in when female avian species matured compared to modern birds.
Researchers found evidence that some feathered dinosaurs, such as oviraptors, used their tail feathers to attract mates and engage in visual exhibitions. The discovery provides insight into the evolution of feathers in dinosaurs and their similarity to modern birds.
A new study published in PLOS ONE found that dinosaurs have a greater number of larger species compared to all other back-boned animals. The researchers analyzed the femur bone length and weight of 329 dinosaur species, suggesting that young dinosaurs occupied a different ecological niche than their parents.
Researchers discovered a new species of mosasaur that lived about 84 million years ago in freshwater river environments. The largest specimens reached up to 20 feet in length and had unique characteristics such as limbs like a terrestrial lizard, a flattened skull, and a tail unlike other known members.
The study found that conifers' genomic structure has remained stable for at least 100 million years, leading to their resemblance with ancient fossils. This stability allows conifers to thrive in cold climates without undergoing significant evolutionary changes.
Researchers suggest that the large size of sauropod dinosaurs may be attributed to a high C/N ratio in their plant-based diet. This theory proposes that young sauropods had a metabolism similar to modern mammals, while adults might have relied on humps of fat reserves instead of heat dissipation due to overheating.
A new study found that the asteroid collision that killed the dinosaurs also led to the extinction of a newly identified lizard species, Obamadon gracilis. The impact wiped out nearly 83% of all snake and lizard species, with no species larger than one pound surviving.
Researchers uncover fossils of a previously unknown species, Nyasasaurus parringtoni, that is believed to be the earliest dinosaur or closest relative yet. The discovery pushes back the origins of dinosaur lineage by 10-15 million years and reveals characteristics common to early dinosaurs.
Researchers at CU-Boulder have discovered that the western Grand Canyon was largely carved out of its current depth by about 70 million years ago, during the time of the dinosaurs. This new date challenges the conventional understanding of the canyon's formation and suggests a more complex history of geological events.
The study reveals that early bird ancestors had more primitive wing designs, with simpler feathers that were different from those of modern birds. The researchers believe that these early wings may have worked effectively for gliding and high-speed flapping flight, but not for low-speed flight or ground takeoff.
A team of researchers confirms ancient protein preservation in dinosaur bone cells using antibodies that target specific proteins found in vertebrate bone cells. This finding further solidifies the case for preservation of cells and possibly DNA in ancient remains.
Hadrosaurs, herbivorous dinosaurs from the late Cretaceous period, had a complex tooth structure with six tissues instead of two. The discovery was made possible by collaborations between paleontologists and engineers using advanced testing tools.
A new study reveals that duck-billed dinosaurs had six types of dental tissues, four more than reptiles, allowing for advanced grinding capacity. Their teeth functioned perfectly if put back into a living dinosaur, opening doors for studying fossilized teeth.
A new species of plant-eating dwarf dinosaur, Pegomastax africanus, has been discovered in southern Africa. The species had a unique combination of features, including a short parrot-shaped beak and stabbing canines that were likely used for self-defense and competitive sparring.
The analysis of Sinocalliopteryx gigas' abdominal contents suggests that these dinosaurs were adept stealth hunters capable of tackling prey over a third their size. The study also found evidence of eating bird-like dinosaurs and primitive birds, providing new insights into their hunting behavior.