Articles tagged with Dinosaurs
Fossil finds from the High Alps reveal giant ichthyosaurs that lived around 205 million years ago, measuring up to 20 meters in length. The discovery sheds new light on these prehistoric creatures and their paleobiological implications.
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.
A new SMU study suggests that precipitation played a more direct role in shaping large herbivore populations than temperature in ancient Alaska. The research provides historical insights into the consequences of climate change and may help inform modern strategies to mitigate its effects.
A new study has found that pterosaurs could change the color of their feathers using melanin pigments. The research is based on a 115-million-year-old fossilized headcrest of the Tupandactylus imperator pterosaur from north-eastern Brazil.
A triceratops specimen known as 'Big John' displays injuries to the skull that may have occurred during combat with another triceratops. The fossilized remains show signs of a traumatic injury and healing process, suggesting similarities between dinosaur and mammalian bone repair mechanisms.
Researchers analyzed an abnormal trackway of six theropod dinosaur footprints in Spain, dating to around 129 million years ago. The tracks show evidence of an injured innermost toe and abnormal gait as the dinosaur compensated for its injury.
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.
For the first 10 million years after dinosaurs died out, mammals bulked up to boost their survival chances. Their brain sizes decreased as a result, with relative brain sizes of early mammals decreasing due to increased body size.
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.
A massive volcanic eruption at the end of the Triassic period caused a global cooling effect, leading to the mass extinction. The event paved the way for the rise of dinosaurs as their natural predators went extinct.
Researchers analyzed bone density and found Spinosaurus and its relative Baryonyx had dense bones like fish-eating predators, allowing them to submerge underwater. This supports the aquatic lifestyle of these dinosaurs, contrary to previous debates.
New research links high levels of stratospheric sulfur to the Chicxulub impact, which ignited widespread fires and global cooling. The unique fingerprints in sulfur aerosols provide direct evidence for catastrophic climate change and cooling.
A recent study has identified soil erosion and wildfire activity as significant contributors to the mass extinction event that occurred at the end of the Triassic period. The research found that soil erosion was a more prominent terrestrial ecological stress than intensive wildfire activity, with fire events likely being localized rath...
A newly described softshell turtle, Hutchemys walkerorum, lived in North Dakota 66.5 million years ago, surviving the end-Cretaceous mass extinction alongside Tyrannosaurus rex and Triceratops. The find sheds light on the evolution of softshell turtles during this period.
Researchers from Denmark and Sweden have dated the massive Hiawatha impact crater in Greenland to 58 million years ago, revealing it occurred a few million years after dinosaurs went extinct. The crater's age opens up a new understanding of Earth's evolution during this period.
Using 1D kinematics, students calculate the winner of a 193 million year-old race between Usain Bolt and Dilophosaurus wetherilli. Newton's second law helps Bolt leverage his acceleration to win by 2 seconds.
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 found physical differences in femur, dental structures across specimens suggesting re-categorization into three groups or species. Two new species, T. imperator and T. regina, are proposed based on analysis of 37 Tyrannosaurus specimens.
The Chicxulub asteroid's impact, occurring in spring, marked the demise of non-avian dinosaurs and most marine reptiles. The fossilized fish bones revealed seasonal growth patterns and feeding habits that point to a catastrophic extinction event.
Researchers analyzed fossilized fish bones from the Tanis locality to reconstruct the latest Cretaceous seasonality. The study reveals that the catastrophic extinction occurred during northern-hemisphere spring and affected sensitive life stages of organisms, including dinosaurs.
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 new spinosaurid dinosaur from Portugal's early Cretaceous period had a distinctive crocodile-like skull and a spiny back. The species, which lived over 125 million years ago, may have been a wading fish-eater, adding to our understanding of spinosaurid evolution.
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 species of titanosaur dinosaur, Abditosaurus kuehnei, has been discovered in the Pyrenees with a semiarticulated 70.5-million-year-old skeleton being the most complete specimen found so far in Europe. The species is estimated to be 17.5 meters long and 14,000 kg heavy, representing a senescent individual.
A study on Ankylosaurus austriacus, a nodosaurid dinosaur from Austria, found that its brain was similar to those of its relatives, but with a small flocculus indicating poor balance. The dinosaur's auditory capacities were also limited due to a short lagena, suggesting an exceptionally sluggish lifestyle.
A new bird-like dinosaur, Vectiraptor greeni, has been found in England, dating back to the Early Cretaceous period. The fossilized remains suggest a large and powerful animal with massive bones, which would have used brute strength to overpower its prey.
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.
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 groundbreaking study confirms the timing of the Chicxulub asteroid impact, which occurred during the spring-summer growth phase, leading to the extinction of dinosaurs and 75% of life on Earth. The research team used multiple lines of evidence, including fossil pollen, index fossils, and radiometric dating, to pinpoint the exact time...
A new study from the University of Texas at Austin suggests that extinct dinosaurs expressed bright colors on their beaks, legs, and around their eyes. The researchers analyzed data from living bird species and found a 50% chance that the common ancestor of birds and extinct dinosaurs had bright colors in its soft tissues.
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.
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.
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 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.
Researchers from Syracuse University and UC Berkeley investigate the Late Ordovician mass extinction, finding that climate cooling combined with other factors likely led to the event. The study suggests that temperature change, rather than oxygen depletion, was the primary cause of the mass extinction.
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.
Researchers developed a predictive tool using %V bur (min) to categorize phosphine structures as active or inactive in many experimental datasets. This advancement will facilitate organometallic chemistry and catalysis, enabling easier computation and prediction of phosphine reactivity.
A recent study suggests that primates and marsupials were among the few tree-dwelling mammals that survived an asteroid impact 66 million years ago. The researchers used computer models and fossil records to find that most surviving mammals did not rely on trees, but some arboreal species may have been versatile enough to adapt.
Researchers discovered an alternating pattern of tooth replacement in ancient birds, similar to dinosaurs and crocodilians. The study suggests that the genetic controls for tooth replacement survived even after the split between birds and crocodilians millions of years ago.
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 new study found that four distinct episodes of volcanic activity coincided with significant environmental changes, including the Late Triassic Carnian Pluvial Episode, which drove animal and plant diversification. The research suggests that large volcanic eruptions had a profound impact on global temperature and humidity.
Scientists discovered a fossil bird with elaborate tail feathers, showing how natural and sexual selection influenced bird evolution. The discovery sheds light on the balance between traits that aid survival and those used for display.
A new study describes two dinosaurs from Appalachia, including a tyrannosaur with distinct features and a herbivorous hadrosaur, providing insight into the evolution of Eastern North American dinosaurs. These fossils help fill a gap in the fossil record and demonstrate geographic isolation's impact on dinosaur evolution.
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.
Three new fossil mammal species, including Beornus honeyi, Miniconus jeanninae, and Conacodon hettingeri, have been discovered at an ancient riverbed site in southern Wyoming. The species lived after a mass extinction event and were ancestors of today's hoofed animals.
Scientists have discovered three new dinosaur fossils in Northwest China, representing two new species: Silutitan sinensis and Hamititan xinjiangensis. The findings shed light on sauropods in the region and increase the known diversity of Mesozoic reptiles in the area.
A study published in PLOS Biology found that shark diversity remained relatively constant during the mass extinction event at the end of the Cretaceous period. However, some groups of apex predators suffered selective extinctions, while others increased in diversity after the K-Pg boundary.
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.
Paleobotanists describe two new genera of ancient conifers based on beautifully preserved fossil seed cones from the Upper Cretaceous of Hokkaido, Japan. The discovery sheds light on the diversity and decline of cunninghamioid conifers during the Cretaceous period.
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.
Researchers found that large asteroids from the outer half of the main asteroid belt strike Earth at least 10 times more often than previously calculated
A hadrosaur, known as Bonapartesaurus rionegrensis, was found to have a tumor on its foot and two fractures in its tail. Despite these severe injuries, the dinosaur managed to survive for some time before its death, possibly due to infections or further trauma.
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.
Alvarezsaur dinosaurs reduced in size from turkey-sized to chicken-sized around 95 million years ago when they transitioned to an ant-based diet. Their bodies also underwent significant changes, including modified claws and a shift from flesh-eating to termite consumption.
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 team of researchers found an unexpected collection of fossilized shark teeth, dated to around 80 million years ago, in a 2,900-year-old site in the City of David in Jerusalem. The teeth were likely transported from a distant location and assembled by collectors, possibly during the Iron Age period.
A new beetle species, Triamyxa coprolithica, has been found in 230-million-year-old fossil feces attributed to a dinosaur ancestor. The beetles were preserved in the coprolite fragment, providing a detailed description of the new genus and insights into early insect evolution.