Articles tagged with Fossils
A team of scientists uncovered fossilized remains of galeaspids, a type of jawless fish that breathed new life into the long-standing fin and limb evolutionary hypothesis. The fossils revealed paired fins extending from head to tail, contradicting previous assumptions of their absence.
A 518-million-year-old fossilized worm named Wufengella has shed light on the evolution of three major animal groups: brachiopods, phoronids, and bryozoans. The discovery reveals that these ancient animals shared a common ancestor with segmented worms.
A new analysis suggests that bird-hipped dinosaurs evolved from silesaurs, which were first identified two decades ago. The study reveals a 25-million-year gap in the fossil record, but provides insight into the early evolution of ornithischians.
Scientists discover Opisthiamimus gregori, a new extinct species of lizard-like reptile that lived in Jurassic North America alongside dinosaurs. The discovery sheds light on the evolution of rhynchocephalians, an order that diverged from lizards over 230 million years ago.
Paleontologists at Tübingen University's Senckenberg Centre have discovered a previously unknown genus and species of dinosaur, Tuebingosaurus maierfritzorum. The herbivore lived in the Swabian Alb region from 203 to 211 million years ago, displaying similarities with large long-necked sauropods.
Researchers have discovered a massive new mosasaur species from Morocco, named Thalassotitan atrox, which filled the apex predator niche. The giant mosasaur had massive jaws and teeth like those of killer whales and hunted other marine reptiles.
Research team analyzed hundreds of new fossil specimens to clarify the anatomy and evolutionary affinity of Saccorhytus. They found evidence supporting its classification as an ecdysozoan, including a terminal mouth, cuticle integument, and radially arranged circumoral structures common to Cambrian and extant ecdysozoans.
Scientists discovered that an early bird species called Jeholornis ate fruits and seeds, helping plants dominate the world today. The bird's skull shape and stomach contents showed evidence of a seasonal diet with whole fruits during fruit season.
A team of UNLV-led researchers questions the hypothesis that modern humans experienced an evolutionary decrease in brain size during the transition to complex societies. They analyzed a dataset of early human fossil and museum specimens, finding no reduction in brain size over 30,000 years.
The New Mexico site provides conclusive evidence for early human settlement in North America, dating back to 36,250-38,900 years ago. The site's fossil record includes blunt-force fractures, bone flake knives, and signs of controlled fire, which were not typical of earlier archaeological sites.
Scientists found parasite eggs in coprolites of giant short-faced hyena Pachycrocuta, dating back 1.5-1.8 million years. This discovery suggests that toxocariasis was a widespread disease among extinct hyenas.
A new study found that North American mammal communities have become more than twice as homogenous as they were 10,000 years ago, primarily due to early human hunting and farming activities. The accelerated homogenization is likely linked to the spate of large-mammal extinctions, which increased similarity among remaining species.
A new study found evidence that multituberculates, an extinct group of mammals, likely reproduced in a placental-like manner. This discovery questions the long-held idea that marsupials were less advanced than placentals in terms of reproductive strategy.
Scientists used inner ear biomechanics to infer body temperatures in ancient mammals. Mammal ancestors didn't develop ideal inner ear structures for warm-bloodedness until 233 million years ago.
The Liexi Fauna discovery provides new evidence for the Great Ordovician Biodiversification Event, featuring a rich array of biomineralized fossils and non-mineralized tissues. The fauna reveals a flourishing Early Ordovician marine ecosystem with diverse organisms and varied lifestyles.
A Harvard researcher has been awarded a $1.1 million grant to study the evolution of aerial breathing in arthropods, exploring how they transitioned from water to land over 100 million years ago. The team aims to understand the role of atmospheric oxygen in facilitating this process and its impact on respiratory structures.
Researchers analyzed fossil corals to reveal changed ocean current circulation patterns. The data supports a scenario where the upper Pacific Ocean was more mixed during the last ice age, contributing to carbon storage and cooler climates.
A new study reveals that Triassic dinosaur species endured freezing conditions due to their well-developed feathers. This adaptation allowed them to thrive in colder climates, while other reptiles perished. The discovery sheds light on the ecological rise of dinosaurs after the Triassic-Jurassic Extinction.
A new giant dinosaur species has been discovered in Patagonia, providing insight into the evolution and biology of dinosaurs like Tyrannosaurus rex. The research reveals that large carnivorous dinosaurs grew their skulls larger while their arms shortened over time.
Scientists have discovered evidence that yunnanozoans are the oldest known stem vertebrates, with cellular cartilages in the pharynx similar to those found in modern vertebrates. The team's findings support the evolutionary placement of yunnanozoans at the very basal part of the vertebrate tree of life.
Fossil frogs died during mating due to drowning as they were submerged by one or more males. The study suggests that the mating behaviours of modern frogs are ancient and have been in place for at least 45 million years.
Fossils from Sterkfontein Caves in South Africa reveal nearly four million years of hominin evolution. The new ages of Australopithecus-bearing deposits place the South African hominins as contemporaries of other early species, like Australopithecus afarensis, in east Africa.
Two new species of giant dwarf crocodiles, Kinyang mabokoensis and Kinyang tchernovi, were discovered in East Africa between 18 million and 15 million years ago. The ancient forms were massive predators that likely posed a significant threat to human ancestors.
Scientists found evidence of a vertebrate spiracle originating from fish gills in ancient Chinese fossils. The discovery sheds light on the evolution of the human middle ear and how it adapted to transport sound vibrations into the inner ear.
A new discovery in China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region has found the oldest known mayfly swarm, dating back to the Early Jurassic period. The finding reveals complex mating-swarm behavior in stem-group mayflies, highlighting the underappreciated ecological significance of insects in ancient ecosystems.
A new fossil discovery solves the giraffe evolutionary mystery by revealing that long necks evolved as a weapon in male courtship competition. The unique characteristics of the fossil, including its disc-like ossicone and complex joints, suggest an extreme adaptation for high-speed head-to-head impact.
A new study by an international collaboration of researchers highlights the legacy of colonialism in scientific practice across the Caribbean archipelago. The authors outline systemic issues related to perceptions and scientific practice, but also describe positive steps being taken in countries like Trinidad and Tobago and The Bahamas.
Scientists have described a new species of therizinosaurid from Japan, shedding light on the function and evolution of their fearsome claws. The discovery indicates that therizinosaurs existed in Asia over a longer timescale than previously known and were adapted to coastal environments.
A team of researchers has identified the ancient bird species behind giant prehistoric eggs in Australia, resolving a years-long debate. The study found that the eggs belonged to a unique duck-like line of megafauna known as the 'Demon Ducks of Doom', which was laid by the Genyornis newtoni bird.
The study reveals that early animal communities exhibited complex ecological structures more than 550 million years ago, setting the stage for the Cambrian explosion. The analysis of metacommunity structure suggests competitive exclusion as the cause of the diversity drop in the late Ediacaran period.
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.
Researchers at the University of Kansas discovered that microalgae-produced diatoms played a crucial role in preserving ancient spider fossils at Aix-en-Provence. The unique chemical process, similar to industrial vulcanization, stabilized carbon-based exoskeletons and promoted sulfurization, resulting in exceptional fossil preservation.
A study has discovered that humans are disrupting a fundamental pattern in ecosystems, which dates back at least 66 million years. The U-shaped relationship between diet and size in modern land mammals has been found to span across multiple vertebrate groups, including birds, reptiles, and fish.
New research suggests diverse microbial life existed on Earth at least 3.75 billion years ago, dating back to a time when the planet was still forming. The study, led by UCL researchers, analyzed ancient rock formations and found evidence of complex structures that could not have been created through chemical reactions alone.
A new large early ichthyosauromorph, Baisesaurus robustus, has been discovered in the Lower Triassic rocks of Zhebao, Guangxi Province, extending its geographic distribution. The fossil is estimated to be around 3m long and shares similarities with Utatsusaurus from Japan.
Scientists have discovered two complete ichthyosaur specimens from the Solnhofen area, preserving outer body shape and skin. The fossils, dated to around 150 million years old, provide new insights into the anatomy of these marine reptiles.
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 analyzed fossil collections from the Wonderwerk cave, discovering that barn owls remained a dominant predator throughout the Lower Palaeolithic era. The consistent presence of barn owl remains suggests reliable paleo-environmental results over nearly 2 million years.
A fossilized owl skeleton has been discovered in China's Tibetan Plateau, showcasing an extinct species that was active during the day. The study reveals that this ancient owl, Miosurnia diurna, was part of a group of owls that evolved to be diurnal.
Scientists confirm a brief rise in CO2 emissions before the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM), an abrupt global warming event. The study reveals unique insights into how Earth's current climate could respond to continued carbon emissions.
Researchers describe a newly discovered saber-toothed mammal from the Eocene Period, offering insights into the evolution of meat-eaters. The fossil, Diegoaelurus vanvalkenburghae, was found in San Diego County and features specialized teeth for slicing flesh.
Researchers found exceptionally preserved fossils from different locations, suggesting that rising global temperatures during the Early Jurassic period may have created favorable conditions for fossilization. The study suggests that past climate change could have enabled exceptional preservation in various environments.
A new species of vampyropod cephalopod has been discovered in a 328-million-year-old fossil, providing evidence that the common ancestor of octopuses and vampire squids had 10 arms. The find pushes back the age of Vampyropoda by nearly 82 million years.
A recent study reveals that Megalodon's body size was influenced by water temperature, with individuals growing larger in cooler waters. The research suggests that Bergmann's rule may have played a role in the shark's gigantism.
Researchers from China, Germany, France and Spain uncovered the lifestyle of humans living in East Asia 40,000 years ago. The study found evidence of ochre processing, miniature stone tools and bone tools, demonstrating technological innovations and cultural diversification.
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.
Scientists applied a social networking algorithm to the fossil record to track changes in ancient communities during mass extinctions. The study found that community losses did not always correlate with biodiversity decline, suggesting complex ecological interactions.
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 team of researchers developed an enhanced version of a modern forensic test to solve a 5000-year-old cold case. The test confirmed the cause of death for a Neolithic man whose remains were found in a mass grave on the coast of Northern Chile, suggesting he died by drowning in shallow saltwater.
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 study using a two-dimensional drawing technique has found no general patterns in the fin and body shapes of five warm-blooded Lamniformes species to determine Megalodon's shape. The research challenges previous conclusions about the extinct shark's body form, suggesting that warm bloodedness does not make sharks differently shaped.
A study published in Scientific Reports uses fossilized mollusk shells to investigate ocean chemistry during the end-Permian mass extinction. The analysis found no signs of severe ocean acidification, contradicting previous theories.
A 100-million-year-old cockroach fossil provides insights into its sensory organs, which suggest the species lived in bright environments during the day. The study found that the extinct species had well-developed eyes and a unique pattern of receptors on its antenna, indicating it may have used these to communicate between sexes.
Researchers have discovered the earliest known ant mimics in mid-Cretaceous Kachin amber, extending the geological range of myrmecomorphy by approximately 50 million years. The study found that these ancient organisms closely mimic different hymenopteran models during different stages of development.
A massive fossil of the giant millipede Arthropleura has been discovered in Northumberland, England, revealing it was up to 2.7 meters long and weighed 50 kilograms. The find sheds new light on the animal's habitat and evolution, suggesting it preferred open woodland habitats near the coast.
Researchers have discovered the internal soft tissues of an exceptionally preserved 20-million-year-old ammonite fossil using advanced imaging techniques. The study reveals that these ancient cephalopods used hyponomes to jet propel themselves through water, similar to modern squid and octopuses.
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.
A groundbreaking analysis of the fossilized remains of Effigia, a 205-million-year-old herbivore, has cast doubt on the prevailing notion that it fed by pecking at plant material. Instead, researchers suggest that its unique beak and jaw structure would have allowed it to nibble at soft, vulnerable tissues like young shoots or ferns.
A new marine reptile fossil from 130-million-year-old rocks in Colombia has revealed a unique dentition allowing it to eat large prey. The discovery clarifies the evolutionary tree of ichthyosaurs and tests new ideas on their evolution.