Articles tagged with Theropods
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A new species of Jurassic scansoriopterygid dinosaur with associated feathers and membranous tissues has been discovered, providing new insights into the origin of flight in Dinosauria. The well-preserved skeleton of Ambopteryx longibrachium preserves a unique wing structure supported by a rod-like wrist bone.
A new genus and species of ceratosaurian, Saltriovenator zanellai, has been discovered in the Lower Jurassic of Italy, dating back over 25 million years. The specimen is the world's largest predatory dinosaur and features a unique combination of ancestral and advanced anatomical features.
A new Spinosaurus fossil from Africa is reported to be the smallest known individual of this giant, sail-backed theropod. The tiny claw phalanx found in Cretaceous-aged sandstones retains the same locomotor adaptations as larger adults.
Researchers studied the teeth of carnivorous dinosaurs and found that different species used varying biting strategies to capture and consume their prey. The study reveals that some dinosaurs, like Dromaeosaurus, were adapted for handling struggling prey or processing bone, while others, like Troodon, preferred softer fare.
A new genus and species of amphibious dinosaur, Halszkaraptor escuilliei, has been discovered in Mongolia. The fossil, found at Ukhaa Tolgod, exhibits a unique mix of features that suggests it was an aquatic predator, with flipper-like forelimbs and a long neck.
A recent proposal to reorganize the traditional dinosaur family tree has sparked debate among experts. However, a new analysis by an international consortium found that the current model of an Ornithischia-Saurischia split remains supported, albeit with weak evidence for an alternative arrangement.
A team of international experts has re-evaluated a radical proposal to split dinosaurs into two new groups, finding that the evidence is not strong enough to overthrow traditional classification models. The study suggests that the most likely site of origin for dinosaurs is still in the southern hemisphere, particularly South America.
A new species of mega-carnivore has been discovered in southern Africa with footprints measuring 57cm long and 50cm wide. The estimated body length of the dinosaur is around nine meters, four times that of a lion, making it one of the largest carnivores to roam the continent.
Researchers have found that ceratosaurian theropod dinosaurs had teeth as young juveniles that were gradually lost as they grew up. The discovery reveals a unique developmental process where the toothed jaws of juvenile individuals transition to a completely toothless beaked jaw in more mature individuals.
A new theropod dinosaur discovered in Patagonia has forelimbs most similar to those of T. rex, indicating independent evolution of this unusual trait. The study suggests that small T. rex-like arms may have evolved multiple times, adding evidence to the evolutionary history of these dinosaurs.
A newly-discovered Patagonian allosaurid named Gualicho has short, two-fingered claws similar to those of T. rex, but its unique limbs evolved independently rather than arising from a common ancestor. The dinosaur's unusual features make it a 'mosaic dinosaur', with characteristics found in different kinds of theropods.
Researchers confirm medullary bone, a gender-specific reproductive tissue found in birds, in a 68 million-year-old T. rex fossil. This discovery sheds light on the evolution of egg-laying in modern birds and provides a new tool for identifying dinosaur sex.
A new carnivorous dinosaur species, Dracoraptor hanigani, has been uncovered in south Wales, potentially dating back to the earliest days of the Jurassic Period. The fossil, discovered in 2014, represents one of the most complete theropod specimens from Wales and may be one of the oldest known Jurassic dinosaurs in the UK.
Research found that theropod dinosaurs like T. rex and Allosaurus could open their jaws wide due to their powerful muscles, while herbivorous Erlikosaurus had limited jaw movement. This study provides new insights into the relationship between dinosaur diet and jaw musculature.
Researchers discovered that some dinosaurs, like oviraptorid theropods, had intermediate body temperatures between endotherms and ectotherms. They found evidence of higher temperatures in fossil eggshells, suggesting these animals may have been more active than previously thought.
Researchers from UCLA report that some dinosaurs had the ability to warm themselves by drawing heat from the sun, contradicting previous theories. The study found that these dinosaurs had higher body temperatures than modern alligators and crocodiles, suggesting they were more active.
Researchers have identified six additional species of carnivorous theropods from isolated teeth in the South Pyrenees Basin in Spain. The study quadrupled the known diversity of dinosaur fossils in the area, providing new insights into the evolution and extinction of these creatures.
A new study reveals that the distinctive, saw-like tooth structure of theropod dinosaurs enabled them to effectively process food, contributing to their success as predators. The discovery sheds light on the evolution of dinosaur dentition and has implications for our understanding of these ancient creatures.
Researchers reconstructed dinosaur tracks at a 154-million-year-old quarry site, suggesting carnivorous dinosaurs hunted herbivorous island-dwelling dinosaurs. The digital model reveals that the predators could have immigrated via a land bridge as sea levels dropped.
A new species of dinosaur, Chilesaurus diegosuarezi, has been discovered in Chile with a mix of characteristics from different groups of dinosaurs. The plant-eating theropod has a small skull and feet similar to long-necked dinosaurs, challenging previous understanding of evolutionary divergence.
A newly discovered crocodilian ancestor, Carnufex carolinensis, filled one of North America's top predator roles before dinosaurs arrived on the continent. The 9-foot long land-dwelling crocodylomorph likely preyed upon smaller inhabitants like armored reptiles and early mammal relatives.
Researchers discovered that the theropod dinosaur lineage, which gave rise to modern birds, underwent an unprecedented phase of shrinking and evolutionary innovation. This transformation allowed bird ancestors to adapt to new environments, such as climbing trees and flying, ultimately helping them survive a deadly meteorite impact.
Researchers digitally reconstructed a model of a dinosaur chase using theropod and sauropod footprints excavated in Texas 1940. The reconstruction allowed scientists to view the entire 45m long tracksite in 3D for the first time since excavation, corroborating maps drawn by original excavator.
Researchers at George Mason University and University of Lincoln found that dinosaurs likely shared incubation duties with both moms and dads, contrary to previous claims of male-only care. This new analysis helps understand the evolution of incubation in birds and sheds light on dinosaur reproductive behavior.
A new species of small theropod dinosaur has been identified in northwestern China, with fossil remains estimated to be less than a year old. The discovery, made by a team led by George Washington University biologist James Clark, provides insights into the early evolution of meat-eating dinosaurs.
A new study tested Cope's Rule, which suggests that small animals evolve into bigger ones, on non-avian dinosaurs. The research found that some groups of dinosaurs, such as ceratopsids and hadrosaurs, tend to increase in size over time, while others, like four-legged sauropods, show no upper limit to their body size.
Researchers have discovered a fossil egg in Lleida, Spain, with an oval shape similar to that of chicken eggs. The Sankofa pyrenaica egg belongs to the same species and provides evidence for a connection between dinosaurs and modern birds.
A new species of raptor dinosaur, Talos sampsoni, has been discovered in southern Utah, providing insights into the function of its enlarged talon and revealing a previously unknown level of feathered, bird-like characteristics. The study also sheds light on the behavior of theropod dinosaurs during the Late Cretaceous period.
Paleontologists have found over 20 polar dinosaur tracks in Victoria, Australia, offering insights into the animals' behavior during a period of pronounced global warming. The tracks belong to three different sizes of small theropods and may have been made by three species.
A new species of gigantic theropod dinosaur, Zhuchengtyrannus magnus, was identified from fossil skull and jaw bones discovered in China. The newly named dinosaur measured about 11 metres long, stood about 4 metres tall, and weighed close to 6 tonnes.
A new species of parrot-sized dinosaur, Linhenykus monodactylus, has been discovered in Inner Mongolia with only one finger. The fossil found preserved bones from the vertebral column, forelimb, and hind limbs. It is believed that this feature may have been used for digging into insect nests.
A new analysis by Field Museum scientists found that 44 theropod species distributed across six major lineages were eating plants, with the ancestor to modern birds likely losing its appetite for flesh alone. The study suggests that iconic predators like Velociraptor and T. rex should be viewed as exceptions rather than the rule.
A rare primitive theropod, Tawa hallae, has been discovered in New Mexican sediments from the Upper Triassic period, forcing a redefinition of early dinosaur evolution. The fossil finds evidence of air sacks and pneumatization in birds, showing that these traits are more primitive than previously thought.
The discovery of Tawa, a new meat-eating dinosaur, has resolved a long-standing debate about the evolutionary relationships between dinosaurs. The fossil remains reveal that Tawa shares characteristics with both theropod and non-theropod dinosaurs, confirming Herrerasaurus as a member of the theropod lineage.
Researchers analyzed a fossilized tracksite in southern Africa, discovering how early dinosaurs adjusted their movements to cope with slippery and sloping terrain. The study provides insight into the later evolution of the group, highlighting differences in walking styles between ornithischians and theropods.
Theropod dinosaurs likely targeted young and small dinosaur species as a primary food source, exploiting their softer bones. This hypothesis is supported by fossil finds and stomach contents, suggesting that giant carnivores mainly fed on juvenile animals, not large herbivorous dinosaurs.
A new species of early T.rex relative, Xiongguanlong, and a giant ornithomimosaur, Beishanlong grandis, are described as part of a study on theropod dinosaurs from China. These discoveries provide insight into the evolution of tyrannosaurs, revealing that massive skulls evolved from animals with long, slender snouts.
The Geological Society of America's South-Central Section Meeting will feature a presentation on the Arlington Archosaur Site, which has yielded over 95 million-year-old fossils including a new species of lungfish. The site is also home to well-preserved remains of a carnivorous theropod and a large herbivorous hadrosaur.
Researchers at University of Calgary and Royal Tyrrell Museum uncover a one-of-a-kind fossil nest with eggs, shedding light on dinosaur nesting behavior and evolution. The discovery provides valuable insights into the characteristics of modern birds and the ancient behaviors of small theropod dinosaurs.
Researchers used computer modeling to show Baryonyx's skull bent and stretched like a crocodile's while eating, revealing it was a fish-eater despite its dinosaur appearance. The discovery sheds light on the evolutionary history of this unusual creature.
A new species of massive carnivorous dinosaur, Carcharodontosaurus iguidensis, has been discovered in Niger, measuring up to 13-14 meters long and 1.75 meters skull length. The fossils provide insights into the ecosystems of Africa 95 million years ago and shed light on the evolution of these ancient creatures.
Researchers provide a guide for geologists to account for various factors, including erosion types and surface conditions, when examining dinosaur tracks. They describe different levels of preservation, such as true tracks and undertracks, which reveal the squishing and displacement of sand when dinosaurs took steps.
Recent discoveries in China have led to new questions about the claim of direct derivation between birds and theropod dinosaurs. Researchers found no evidence for protofeathers on dinosaurs and suggest decomposition patterns may be mistaken for feathers.
The discovery of Revueltosaurus, a crocodile ancestor, upends the traditional understanding of dinosaur evolution. The fossil finds suggest that herbivorous ornithischians and meat-eating theropods did not co-evolve in the Late Triassic as previously thought.
A new species of carnivorous dinosaur, Sinovenator changii, has been discovered in China, revealing that major structural modifications towards birds occurred earlier than previously thought. The fossil is closely related to the oldest known bird, Archaeopteryx, and provides evidence that birds did not evolve from dinosaurs.
Dr. Peter Makovicky's discovery sheds new light on the feeding behavior of ornithomimid dinosaurs, revealing a possible adaptation to filter-feed tiny invertebrates and particles from water and sediment. The find is significant as it provides evidence for the unique beak structure found in two well-preserved specimens.
A new predatory dinosaur, Masiakasaurus knopfleri, has been discovered in Madagascar with unique features including specialized teeth and jaws. The fossil remains date back to the Late Cretaceous period, around 65-70 million years ago.
Researchers discovered three-dimensional record of locomotor behavior in Triassic-period dinosaurs preserved in fossil footprints. The tracks showed that both theropod dinosaurs and birds moved their feet in a similar way, with the toes collapsing together below the surface as the entire foot emerged.
A newly discovered fossil provides unprecedented insights into the biology of theropod dinosaurs, revealing they had high metabolic rates and lacked bird-like lungs. The findings confirm that these ancient reptiles were cold-blooded, contradicting previous theories about their potential avian ancestry.