Articles tagged with Paleontology
The discovery of two new palaeoscolecid worm species, Anguiscolex africanus and Wronascolex superstes, sheds light on the Ordovician period's marine life. The worms are found to be significantly larger than previously recorded specimens, hinting at 'polar gigantism' in response to Morocco's geographical location during that time.
A modelling study published in Scientific Reports found that diplodocid tails were unlikely to create a supersonic boom due to their slow movement speed. The authors simulated tail movements using a model and found that adding hypothetical structures to the end of the tail did not allow it to reach the speed of sound without breaking.
A 120-million-year-old bird fossil called Yuanchuavis kompsosoura reveals a mosaic of dinosaurian and bird traits, including a feathered body with wings, a toothed mouth, and an immovable dinosaurian palate. The study provides clues about the origin of cranial kinesis, a fundamental feature of modern bird skulls.
Scientists have solved a decades-long puzzle about why ancient tetrapod fossils in Ireland's Jarrow Assemblage had their internal bone structure altered. The team used CT scans and laser ablation to analyze the chemistry of the bones, finding evidence of superheated fluids that cooked and melted the bones.
A new species of ancient bird, Janavis finalidens, has been found with a mobile beak, challenging the long-held assumption that modern birds evolved from a 'ancient jaw' group. The fossil shows a fused palate bone, similar to those of ostriches and their relatives.
A new diapsid reptile species has been discovered in Oklahoma with evidence of dental pathology, providing insights into its biology and evolution. The fossil, dated to the early Permian period, was analyzed using neutron tomography and revealed abnormalities in its teeth.
A new egg species, Ramoprismatoolithus okurai, has been identified from Early Cretaceous fossil eggshell fragments found in Japan. The analysis of the eggshell fragments and impressions suggests an affinity with the troodontids, a group of small non-avian theropod dinosaurs.
A new study on a 525-million-year-old fossil has shed light on the origin and composition of arthropod heads, resolving a century-old debate. The discovery of a delicately preserved nervous system in the fossil of Cardiodictyon catenulum, a tiny sea creature, suggests that the brain and trunk nervous system evolved separately.
A team of scientists has estimated the weight of a prehistoric salamander using five living animal analogues and 19 body mass estimation techniques. The study found that the large-bodied Eryops was around 160 kilograms, while the Paracyclotosaurus was roughly 260 kilograms.
A new study suggests that ray-finned fish diversified earlier than previously thought, accumulating small changes before the Carboniferous period. The fossil specimen Palaeoneiros clackorum shows features typical of younger species, indicating a more complex picture of species diversification.
A new species of ancient turtle, Leviathanochelys aenigmatica, has been discovered in Spain with an estimated body length of up to 3.74 meters. This specimen represents the largest marine turtle ever found in Europe and one of the largest worldwide, challenging previous records held by the extinct genus Archelon.
Researchers analyzed the survival mechanisms of snail species during the end-Triassic mass extinction event. Over half of other gastropod species were affected, with some species exhibiting adaptations that allowed them to thrive.
Scientists have discovered exceptionally well-preserved fossils in China that date back 514 million years, revealing the first animals to build hard and robust skeletons. The fossils show features characteristic of modern jellyfish and cnidarians, including a tubular structure made of calcium phosphate.
A new study reveals that mammal diversity declined over time, with faster evolutionary rates among social, aquatic, and herbivorous species. Using skull shapes of 322 living and extinct mammals, researchers found that the rate of change tapered off after a peak around the Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction.
A new ancient whale genus has been discovered in Morocco, dating back to around 40 million years ago. The species likely employed manatee-like swimming and feeding habits.
A study published by the University of Zurich has found that vocal communication in vertebrates has a common and ancient evolutionary origin, dating back to around 407 million years ago. The research used vocal recordings and contextual behavioral information from 53 species across four major clades of land vertebrates.
Researchers digitally reconstructed a Jeholornis skull, shedding light on its vision and sense of smell. The study found that Jeholornis had a larger olfactory bulb than modern birds, suggesting it relied heavily on its sense of smell.
Researchers analyzed high-resolution photos of SUE's jaw with healed breaks in other fossil skeletons and compared them to trepanation holes made by Inca surgeons. The study found that SUE's injuries were consistent with these examples, suggesting the animal survived long enough for bones to begin repairing themselves.
Researchers studied the bones of an extinct amphibian species and found that its shoulder girdle was densely compact, similar to modern manatees. This adaptation allowed the creature to sink and hunt underwater, while its smaller legs and rounded skull suggest it may have only surfaced occasionally.
The discovery of complete early Silurian jawed fishes is a significant finding that sheds light on the origin of jaws in vertebrates. The two species, Xiushanosteus mirabilis and Shenacanthus vermiformis, have revealed key features about their body shape, form, and evolution.
Scientists have discovered 439-million-year-old remains of a toothed fish in China that suggest the origins of modern osteichthyans and chondrichthyans. The fossils, named Qianodus duplicis, possessed spiral-like dental elements with multiple generations of teeth.
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 team of researchers has discovered a 439-million-year-old ancient 'shark' that predates the earliest jawed fish and is believed to be humans' oldest jawed ancestor. The fossil, named Fanjingshania, features an external bony armor and multiple pairs of fin spines.
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.
Researchers found evidence of declining dinosaur diversity in central China, with only three species of eggs and low number of dinosaurs for the last 2 million years. This decline may have been caused by global climate fluctuations and massive volcanic eruptions.
Exceptionally well-preserved fossilized soft-tissue organs from Devonian-age placoderms have provided new insights into the early evolution of jawed vertebrates. The discovery sheds light on major changes to skeletal and soft tissue anatomy, revealing a flat S-shaped heart separated from other abdominal organs.
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.
Researchers have discovered a 380-million-year-old heart and surrounding organs in an ancient fish, providing new insights into the evolution of human bodies. The discovery, published in Science, found that the position of organs in the body is similar to modern shark anatomy.
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 discovered hydrated glass in Antarctic rocks that indicates polar glaciation during the Late Cretaceous, around 66-100 million years ago. The findings suggest that climate conditions in Antarctica were more complex than previously thought, with evidence of ice sheets existing alongside a generally warm and humid environment.
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.
Researchers found 87 genes affected by deletions or short insertions in the woolly mammoth genome, potentially impacting its adaptability to cold environments. These changes may have contributed to unique traits such as fur growth and hair shape.
A new panda species, Agriarctos nikolovi, has been discovered in Bulgaria, which may have been Europe's last known giant panda. The fossilized teeth, found in the late 1970s, suggest that this ancient panda consumed a largely vegetarian diet, unlike modern pandas.
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.
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.
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.
Ancient DNA research has made significant strides in the past decade, enabling scientists to reconstruct genomes of extinct species like Neanderthals and Denisovans. The latest advancements have improved efficiency and accuracy, allowing for the recovery of usable data from degraded samples. These findings shed light on human migration...
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.
A new study describes Qikiqtania wakei, a close relative of Tiktaalik roseae with features more suited for swimming and life in the water. The fossil includes partial jaws, neck, and scales, as well as a complete pectoral fin with a smooth and curved upper arm.
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 new study suggests that voluntary imagination, rather than speech, is crucial for combinatorial language acquisition in children with language deficiencies. The research found that children who engaged in a voluntary imagination intervention showed significant improvement in language comprehension.
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.
Fossilized brains of a 500-million-year-old marine predator, Stanleycaris, have revealed new insights into the evolution of arthropod brain structure. The two-segmented head and brain of Stanleycaris suggest that this trait may be more ancient than previously thought.
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.
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.
Researchers found a sharp spike in wildfire activity during the end-Permian mass extinction, which led to the collapse of entire ecosystems. The study highlights the potential for wildfires as a direct driver of extinction, rather than just a symptom of climate change.
A fossilized wrist bone from a 6-7 million-year-old giant panda ancestor reveals the earliest evidence of a bamboo diet and the evolution of its unique 'thumb' structure. The discovery sheds light on how this adaptation allowed ancient pandas to thrive on a low-nutrient bamboo diet.
A new species of large carnivore, Tartarocyon, has been discovered in the Pyrenees with a fossilized lower jaw weighing around 200 kg. The discovery provides insights into the development of European 'bear dogs' during the late Miocene period.
Researchers discovered a new spinosaurid dinosaur, 'White Rock spinosaurid', on the Isle of Wight, known for its impressive length and limited fossil material. The discovery supports previous findings that spinosaurids originated in western Europe.
A new species of large-bodied meat-eating dinosaur, an abelisaurid theropod, has been found in the Bahariya Oasis of Egypt's Western Desert. The discovery provides the first known record of this group from a middle Cretaceous-aged rock unit, and sheds light on the biodiversity of Cretaceous dinosaurs in Egypt and northeastern Africa.
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.
Researchers suggest that giraffes' unique head and neck morphologies were adapted for fierce head-butting behavior in competition for mates. The discovery of ancient fossils reveals a complex evolution driven by both food competition and sexual selection.
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.
A new study has found that most dinosaurs were warm-blooded, contrary to long-standing debate. By analyzing molecular waste in fossilized bones, researchers inferred dinosaur metabolic rates and found they were generally high.