Articles tagged with Paleontology
The webinar, titled 'The first carnival of the animals: Causes and consequences of the diversification of Early Palaeozoic marine life', will be presented by leading palaeontologists Professor David Harper and Professor Renbin Zhan. It will examine how major biotic events such as the Cambrian Explosion influenced life on Earth.
A new study has announced the discovery of well-preserved 110-120-million-year-old footprints belonging to a large bipedal ancestor of modern-day crocodiles from South Korea's Jinju Formation. The tracks suggest that these ancient animals were 3-4 meters long and walked on two legs.
A new study by Dr. Thomas D. Carr finds that the size and weight of Tyrannosaurus rex do not determine its age, contrary to long-held assumptions. The research reveals a high-resolution growth series for T-Rex, which shows that even small juveniles had powerful skulls and teeth, making them just as deadly as adults.
Researchers at FAU found that belemnites, ancient squid-like creatures, shrank significantly as water temperatures rose during the Toarcian period. The study suggests climate change played a significant role in shaping the morphology of aquatic organisms and may have contributed to their extinction.
Scientists have discovered a 62-million-year-old bird species in New Zealand, which is one of the oldest named bird species in the world. The discovery of Protodontopteryx ruthae sheds new light on the evolution of seabirds and their adaptation to different environments.
Four new species of extinct Paradoxosisyrinae were discovered in Burmese amber, revealing nectar-feeding habits and inefficient proboscis design. Researchers found the insects could not seal their proboscis for effective nectar uptake, limiting their ability to feed on deep-flowered plants.
A review explores the complexity of evolution's predictability, revealing a mix of contingency and determinism in evolutionary change. The study analyzed various empirical studies to characterize repeatability and contingency in evolution, finding that there is no easy answer to whether history affects the repeatability of evolution.
Fossilized tree trunks from China suggest early forest trees grew by building a hollow cylindrical skeleton that collapsed under its own weight. This controlled collapse allowed the tree to achieve great size and provide insights into the evolution of tree growth.
A new discovery in Dinosaur Provincial Park reveals the existence of two previously unknown species: Latenivenatrix mcmasterae and Stenonychosaurus inequalis. These findings challenge current understanding of the Troodontid family tree in North America.
A team of researchers used a low-cost Kinect scanner to create a high-resolution 3D scan of the T. rex skull, contradicting previous theories about the holes in its jawbone. The scan reveals that the angles at which the holes bore through the jaw are inconsistent with bite patterns, casting doubt on two popular hypotheses.
A newly discovered ancient reptile from Switzerland shows its unique scale armor for the first time. The Eusaurosphargis dalsassoi has a life on land skeleton despite being found with fish and marine reptiles.
A new primate species from India has been discovered, revealing a previously unknown branch of the evolutionary tree. The ancient Ramadapis sahnii existed around 11-14 million years ago and is connected to lemurs and humans through its Sivaladapidae family ties.
A recent discovery of a small-bodied ape in Spain shares features of both catarrhines and great apes, suggesting that the last common ancestor of all apes may have been less great ape-like than previously assumed. This finding has significant implications for our understanding of hominoid evolution.
Two new species of Saurichthys, a predatory ray-finned fish, have been discovered in Monte San Giorgio, Switzerland. These ancient fishes exhibit distinct skull and body shapes, suggesting different hunting styles and habitats, contributing to their evolutionary success.
Researchers analyze fossil assemblages from Ohio buhrstone to determine its provenance, revealing characteristics that distinguish it from French buhrstone. The study sheds light on the use of non-destructive techniques in studying ancient artifacts, with potential applications for understanding the origins of other tools.
Scientists successfully reassemble two halves of a giant sea turtle bone, one dating back to the Cretaceous Period and the other from the 19th century. The discovery reveals that some exposed fossils can survive longer than previously thought, with calculated estimates suggesting the turtle's size was around 10 feet long.
Researchers developed a method to harden bones by growing aragonite on their surfaces, making them 50-70% sturdier. This technique has wide implications for preserving valuable remains and restoring cultural clues.
Researchers have discovered two new fossil crocodile species in the Urumaco region, revealing that up to 14 different species coexisted around 5 million years ago. The discovery sheds light on the diverse array of crocodilian species that once inhabited South America and Southeast Asia.
A University of Alberta paleontologist has discovered that Tyrannosaurus rex had the greatest variation in tooth morphology or structure among all tyrannosaurids. The varying edges enabled strong teeth to cut through flesh and bone, while the placement and angle directed food into its mouth.
A Michigan State University professor is exploring the origin of life at its fundamental building blocks, finding connections between bacteria and humans through molecular complementarity. This shared set of modules may hold the key to understanding evolution and explaining diseases like diabetes.
A new study from Montana State University has uncovered enormous bones of the sauropod dinosaur Alamosaurus sanjuanensis, which is now recognized as North America's biggest dinosaur. The giant vertebrae and femur measured up to 100ft long and weighed over 70 tons.
A team of researchers, including University of Michigan paleontologists, has discovered a new species of herbivorous sauropod dinosaur, Abydosaurus mcintoshi. The fossilized remains, found near the Carnegie Quarry in Dinosaur National Monument, provide valuable insights into the evolution of these massive creatures and their diets.
Raptorex displays all the hallmarks of Tyrannosaurus rex, including a large head and tiny arms, at about 100th the size that would eventually become T. rex. This suggests that tyrannosaur design evolved at a small body size, with larger animals developing later.
Scientists re-examined data to discover a flawed statistical model used for calculating dinosaur mass, leading to revised estimates of Apatosaurus louisae at 18 tonnes instead of 38 tonnes. This finding has significant implications for various theories about dinosaur biology.
A team of paleontologists from the University of Utah and independent scientists have found no evidence of dinosaur tracks at the 'dinosaur dance floor' site in northern Arizona. Instead, they suggest the features may be unusual potholes eroded in the sandstone.
Researchers at the University of Manchester used a laser scanning system to create a detailed 3D model of dinosaur tracks in Spain. The portable RIEGL LMS Z420i scanner allowed for rapid and high-resolution mapping of the fragile site, preserving important information on dinosaur locomotion.
Russell G. Slayback receives the William B. Heroy Jr. Award for his exceptional long-term service to AGI, while Warren D. Allmon is recognized for his outstanding contribution to public understanding of geoscience through his work at PRI.
A study found that four paleontologists developed acute illness after returning from expeditions in Mongolia, with antibodies detected in their blood. The risk of acquiring North Asian tick typhus is unknown during travel to endemic regions, and travelers should be suspected of having the disease even without a recognized tick bite.
Roger Buick emphasizes the importance of searching for simple evidence of ancient life on Earth to find signs of life elsewhere. He suggests using basic techniques and having an open mind due to the complexities of finding early life.