Articles tagged with Dinosaurs
A single footprint from a tiny cat-sized stegosaur has been discovered in China, revealing characteristics similar to other stegosaur footprints but with a heel-lifted gait. The finding suggests that young stegosaurs may have walked on two legs or used a 'toe-walking' posture.
The study provides precise geochronological constraints on the duration of the Yixian Formation and its units, revealing a shorter duration than previously estimated. The results suggest a rapid bio-diversification event during this period, supported by the exceptionally preserved volcanic-influenced ecosystem.
Researchers found that stegosaurs ate tough food, likely plant-based, and had complex jaw movements, including a longitudinal phase. They also discovered that their teeth formed quickly, suggesting they may not have suffered from caries.
Researchers analyzed ankylosaurid skeleton from Mongolia's Baruungoyot Formation, finding evidence of adaptations for digging. The discovery sheds light on the behavior and habits of these ancient creatures.
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.
The first herbivorous dinosaurs in East Greenland arrived 214 million years ago, coinciding with a drastic drop in atmospheric CO2 levels. This climate shift made it difficult for them to disperse from their original habitat, resulting in a 15-million-year journey.
A new study reveals that the Anteosaurus, a 260-million-year-old predator, was capable of outrunning and tracking down its prey effectively due to its specialized nervous system and fine-tuned sensory organs. The research found that the animal's brain and balance organs were optimized for hunting swiftly and striking fast.
A study of prehistoric teeth sheds new light on the diets of ancient lizards and snakes, revealing they already had a full spectrum of diet types, including flesh-eating and plant-based. The research found that these species had achieved modern levels of dietary specialization by 100 million years ago.
The study reveals that Plateosaurus trossingensis had a unique combination of features, with differences in characteristics attributed to natural variation between individuals and bone deformation during fossilization. The researchers found that there is no evidence for multiple species within the same genus.
A new study reconstructs the ancient habitat of early dinosaurs in the UK around 200 million years ago. The research reveals that small dinosaurs and lizard-like animals coexisted on flooded tropical islands, contradicting previous assumptions about their desert habitats.
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.
A new study reveals that megatheropods like Tyrannosaurus rex shaped dinosaur communities by filling ecological niches, explaining low species diversity among smaller dinosaurs. Communities worldwide lacked mesocarnivores due to the flood of resources from rapidly growing juveniles.
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.
The study documents the discovery of Purgatorius fossils, which are estimated to be 65.9 million years old, providing insight into primates' evolution and diversification after the Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction event. The findings suggest that primates likely emerged by the Late Cretaceous period and lived alongside large dinosaurs.
Researchers found quartz crystals in the stomach of a 120-million-year-old bird, complicating its dietary mystery. The discovery challenges current understanding of enantiornithine birds' digestive systems and highlights the complexity of their ancient ecosystems.
A new study suggests that a 15-million-year journey was aided by a drop in atmospheric CO2 levels around 214 million years ago. The lower CO2 may have reduced climatic barriers, making it easier for sauropodomorph dinosaurs to migrate from Argentina and Brazil to Greenland.
A team of researchers from the University of Portsmouth discovered a massive ancient fish fossil, estimated to be around 5 meters long, which is the largest of its type ever found. The fossil, composed of many thin bony plates arranged like a barrel, was identified as a coelacanth, a species believed to be extinct for millions of years.
A new study by Queen Mary University of London and the University of Maryland challenges the idea that Spinosaurus was an active aquatic predator. Instead, researchers suggest it likely fed from the shoreline, snatching fish like a heron or stork, while also taking small prey on land or in water.
The new Parasaurolophus skull reveals the structure of its iconic tube-shaped nasal passage, showing that the crest functions primarily as a sound resonator and visual display used to communicate within species. The discovery provides long-awaited answers about the evolution of this bizarre feature.
Researchers have reconstructed a small Psittacosaurus dinosaur's all-purpose opening for the first time, comparing it to modern vertebrates. The cloaca displays pigmentation and features reminiscent of crocodilians and baboons, potentially indicating display and signaling functions.
Research suggests that crocodiles' slow evolutionary rate is a result of their versatile body plan, allowing them to adapt to environmental changes. This efficiency may explain why they thrived during the Cretaceous period when dinosaurs perished.
Plant communities shifted towards more terrestrial plants and trees, despite dramatic climate changes. Researchers found that rainfall patterns remained relatively minor and short-lived during the mass extinction event.
The newly discovered dinosaur, Ubirajara jubatus, boasts long fur down its back and stiff ribbons projecting from its shoulders. Its unique features suggest that it may have used these to attract mates or intimidate rivals.
Researchers used advanced imaging and 3-D modeling to digitally rebuild the brain of Thecodontosaurus, finding it may have eaten meat and walked on two legs. The study also suggests the dinosaur was relatively agile and had a high hearing frequency, indicating social complexity.
Researchers discover lagerpetids, small wingless reptiles, as the closest relatives of pterosaurs, filling a 200-year-old gap in their evolution. The study reveals similarities between lagerpetid brains and sensory systems and those of pterosaurs.
The graphic novel 'Europasaurus - Life on Jurassic Islands' provides a realistic look at the life of this dwarfed giant dinosaur and other prehistoric creatures. The book contains scientifically accurate information about the Mesozoic era, verified by international experts.
A new study from the University of Bath and Natural History Museum found that dinosaurs were not declining in diversity at the time of their extinction. The researchers used statistical modelling to assess dinosaur family trees and found no evidence of decline, contradicting previous studies. If the asteroid impact hadn't occurred, din...
Researchers discovered a nearly complete skeleton of a juvenile Plateosaurus, nicknamed 'Fabian', which showed a largely fully developed morphology at an early age. The young dinosaur was estimated to be around 7.5 feet long and weigh 40-60 kilograms.
The discovery of Ajnabia odysseus in Morocco suggests that dinosaurs crossed hundreds of kilometers of open water to colonize Africa. The tiny duckbill was likely a powerful swimmer, with large tails and powerful legs, and may have simply swum the distance.
A new study reveals that mammals were socially interacting during the Age of Dinosaurs, contradicting previous assumptions. The discovery of a new genus, Filikomys primaevus, indicates that these early mammals engaged in multi-generational, group-nesting and burrowing behavior.
A new study reveals that mammals developed social behavior much earlier than previously thought, interacting with dinosaurs in tightly packed clusters. The fossils, which are about 75.5 million years old, show evidence of multiple mature adults and subadults congregating, indicating a complex social structure.
Scientists used a new method to show that pterosaurs gradually improved their flight performance over millions of years, adapting their body shape and size to use 50% less energy. The study also revealed that one group of pterosaurs, azhdarchoids, did not improve their flying abilities despite growing in size.
A newly discovered species of toothless, two-fingered dinosaur has provided evidence of digit loss in the oviraptor family, enabling them to adapt and diversify during the Late Cretaceous Period. The discovery also revealed that young dinosaurs roamed together in groups, suggesting a social behavior.
A new study finds that Megalodon's estimated body length of up to 15 meters exceeds the general size limit for non-planktivorous sharks, which typically reach 7 meters. The research proposes live-bearing reproductive strategy and cannibalistic egg-eating behavior as possible causes for gigantism in lamniform sharks.
Pterosaur experts refuted earlier claims of feathered pterosaurs, suggesting they were bald instead. The finding has huge implications for the evolution of feathers in dinosaurs and pterosaurs.
Researchers at the University of Hong Kong used Laser-Stimulated Fluorescence to reveal the fingernail-like 'soft beak' of Confuciusornis, a feature found in every bird. The study suggests that early beaked birds were suited to eating soft foods and offers new insights into ancient bird evolution.
A team of researchers from the University of Portsmouth discovered over 1,200 dinosaur teeth that confirm Spinosaurus was a river-monster. The findings support the theory that dinosaurs were adapted to an aquatic lifestyle, with Spinosaurus being the most commonly found creature in the Kem Kem river system.
A new mass extinction event was discovered 233 million years ago, which led to the dinosaur takeover of the world. The Carnian Pluvial Episode caused widespread biodiversity loss due to climate change and increased greenhouse gases, but ultimately paved the way for the evolution of modern ecosystems.
A new study published in Biological Reviews reviewed dinosaur body mass estimation techniques, finding that most estimates agree despite different approaches. The researchers recommend better-integrating scaling and reconstruction methods to estimate the sizes of Mesozoic dinosaurs more accurately.
Scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery of a perfectly preserved dinosaur embryo, revealing that sauropods had stereoscopic vision and a horn on the front of their face. The discovery has challenged previous theories about the appearance of these giant herbivores, which lived 80 million years ago.
The discovery of the first near-intact embryonic skull of a sauropod sauropodomorph has revealed unexpected facial features. The study suggests that hatchlings may have had specialized features, such as a thickened prominence or single-horned face, that changed as they grew into adults.
The complete dinosaur skeleton of Scelidosaurus has been studied in detail, revealing new insights into its anatomy and relationships. The analysis suggests that Scelidosaurus was an early ancestor of ankylosaurs, a group of armored dinosaurs.
Paleontologists used a new approach to estimate sexual variation in dinosaur fossils, finding patterns in size differences between males and females. The study suggests that using effect size statistics can produce accurate estimates of sexual dimorphism even with limited fossil data.
A team of researchers led by Dr. Tanja Wintrich discovered that even Tyrannosaurus rex could have suffered a slipped disc, as ancient reptiles had intervertebral discs similar to those in humans. This finding provides new insights into human spine mobility and medicine.
Researchers discovered that hadrosaurs and other dinosaurs have a unique trabecular bone structure capable of supporting large weights, different from mammals and birds. This adaptation allowed them to carry massive loads without excessive skeletal weight.
A recent study challenges the notion that birds evolved rapidly following the mass extinction of non-avian dinosaurs. Instead, researchers found that bird skull evolution actually slowed down compared to non-avian dinosaurs. This slower pace of evolution is attributed to adaptations in beak shape and size.
A new study confirms Deinosuchus had the head size and jaw strength to prey on dinosaurs. The massive creature lived in North America during the late Cretaceous period, up to 33 feet in length, making it one of the largest crocodylian genera ever in existence.
The study reveals a remarkable genetic connection between the tuatara, a reptile that lived with dinosaurs, and mammals such as platypus and echidna. The genome analysis shows an unusual combination of mammalian and reptilian components, with some sequences similar to those found in platypus.
An international team sequenced the complete genome of the tuatara, a lizard-like creature that lives on New Zealand's islands. The study reveals that tuataras have fewer DNA substitutions over time than other reptiles, making them unique in terms of molecular evolution.
Researchers at Royal Ontario Museum and McMaster University diagnosed osteosarcoma, an aggressive bone cancer, in a Centrosaurus apertus dinosaur fossil. The diagnosis was made possible by advanced imaging techniques and microscopic analysis of the fossil bone.
The study reanalyzed fossils of Pisanosaurus and dated rocks from the Ischigualasto Formation, finding that Ornithiscians and Saurischians first appeared and diverged around the same time. The researchers also found that the period over which the formation was deposited overlaps with the Chinle Formation in North America.
Researchers analyzed over 2,300 fossil bones and found over 400 marks left by insects and snails, shedding light on paleo diversity and climate of the Jurassic period. The high number of insect traces suggests that dinosaur carcasses remained unburied for an extended period, providing valuable insights into prehistoric stench.
A recent study reveals that the Carnian Pluvial Episode, a period of intense warming and humidity, occurred globally, particularly in South America. The research suggests that this global climate event may have spurred the emergence of early dinosaurs.
A small fossil jawbone from Alaska represents a rare example of juvenile dromaeosaurid dinosaur remains from the Arctic, providing clues to the history of dinosaur dispersal between continents. The study suggests that some dinosaurs likely nested in the far north, contradicting previous theories about their migration patterns.
A new analysis of Dilophosaurus fossils reveals the largest land animal of its time had much in common with modern birds, including powerful muscles and air-filled bones. The study also sheds light on how Dilophosaurus evolved and its place in the family tree.
Researchers report a small fossil reptile named Kongonaphon kely, related to dinosaurs and pterosaurs, which suggests that these giant animals originated from extremely small ancestors. The analysis of body size evolution and fossil wear indicates a diet of insects.
A newly described species from Madagascar suggests that dinosaurs and pterosaurs originated from extremely small ancestors. The discovery sheds light on the origins of flight in pterosaurs and the presence of 'fuzz' on the skin of both groups.
Researchers tracked guineafowl movement using X-ray technology to study foot patterns below ground. They found that despite varying substrates, the birds' foot movement remained consistent, suggesting fossilized dinosaur tracks could be from the same species.
Researchers at Imperial College London found that asteroid impact caused an impact winter decades long, decimating dinosaur habitats worldwide. In contrast, volcanic eruptions had a limited effect on global ecosystems.
Scientists have found that the first dinosaurs laid soft-shelled eggs, contradicting long-held assumptions. The study analyzed the eggs of two non-avian dinosaurs and found they resembled those of turtles in terms of microstructure and mechanical properties.