Articles tagged with Paleontology
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
Researchers discovered 'ghost' nannofossils in black shale deposits worldwide, revealing plankton were more resilient to past warming events than thought. These findings contradict previous interpretations of declines in nannoplankton fossils during global warming events.
Researchers from Nagoya University found that Quetzalcoatlus was not suited for soaring flight due to its large wing loading. The study suggests that the Quetzalcoatlus's thermal soaring abilities were below those of modern birds, contrary to previous assumptions.
Paleontologists have found the jaws of an Etruscan bear in a Crimean cave, dating back to 2-1.5 million years ago. The discovery suggests that early humans may have lived on the Crimean Peninsula around the same time.
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.
Researchers have re-examined ancient fossil material from Brazil, revealing two distinct species: Maehary bonapartei and Faxinalipterus minimus. The discovery contradicts previous assumptions that Faxinalipterus was a flying reptile, instead confirming it as a primitive reptile.
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.
Neanderthals occupied a lightly wooded lakeshore about 90,000 years ago in a relatively temperate climate. Stone tools found at the former campsite attest to activities such as woodworking and plant processing.
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.
A new study has found that pterosaurs could change the color of their feathers using melanin pigments. The research is based on a 115-million-year-old fossilized headcrest of the Tupandactylus imperator pterosaur from north-eastern Brazil.
The Linyi Lagerstätte, a new middle Cambrian fossil site in North China, has provided valuable insights into the evolution of animals during this period. The discovery has shed light on the morphological disparity and community structure of marine fauna following the Cambrian explosion.
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.
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.
Paleontologist Kevin Padian suggests that T. rex's short arms evolved to prevent accidental or intentional amputation during pack feeding, a behavior thought to be common among the species. This hypothesis proposes that the reduced forelimbs provided an adaptive advantage by reducing the risk of injury during intense feeding interactions.
During the Paleocene, placental mammals first expanded their body sizes to occupy new ecological niches left behind by dinosaurs. Later, during the Eocene, brain size increased as enhanced cognition became more important in saturated ecosystems.
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.