In Depth Zhangheotherium was the first symmetrodont known by a complete specimen. Zhangheotherium had pointed multicusped (up to five) teeth towards the rear of the mouth, something which is reflected in the species name Z. quinquecuspidens. Despite the fact that Zhangheotherium was a mammal, the limbs sprawled out to the sides like a lizard rather … Read more
In Depth Dorudon is a good example of some of the many primitive whales that were swimming in the world’s oceans during the Eocene period. As an early cetacean, Dorudon was a dedicated predator of other marine creatures that may have included everything from fish to other marine mammals. Dorudon itself does bear a strong … Read more
In Depth Ojoraptorsaurus is a genus of oviraptosaur that lived in what is now New Mexico during the earlier stage of the Maastrichtian. Although only named from fossilised pubis bones, Ojoraptorsaurus has been identified as a caenagnathid oviraptosaur, making it a closer relative to genera such as Elmisaurus and Gigantoraptor. With the holotype fossils of … Read more
In Depth Kazakhstanosaurus is a genus of ichthyosaur that lived during the late Jurassic. Kazakhstanosaurus is considered to be similar and perhaps even an ancestor to the genus Undorosaurus. Further reading – новый вид kazakhstanosaurus efimovi yakupova et akhmedenov sp. nov. (ichthyosauria, undorosauridae) из верхнеюрских отложений среднего поволжья России. (new species kazakhstanosaurus efimovi yakupova et … Read more
In Depth Since its description in 1989, Zhyrasuchus has remained only known by fragmentary remains. As such, although Zhyrasuchus has been considered to be a eusuchian, and therefore a relative of modern crocodiles, palaeontologists still cannot be certain how Zhyrasuchus was related. Zhyrasuchus is also known to have lived at the same time and locations … Read more
In Depth Ophthalmothule is a genus of cryptoclidid plesiosaur known to have lived towards the end of the Jurassic, possibly early Cretaceous. Ophthalmothule is noted to have very large eye sockets, something which obviously suggests the presence of very large eyes. Large eyes would be able to trap more light, even at the lower murkier … Read more
In Depth With confirmed fossils of Daphoenodon stretching all the way from California and Oregon on the west coast to Florida on the east, and between Wyoming and Nebraska in the North and Texas in the South, Daphoenodon had a very broad range across most of the United States. This distribution could have also brought … Read more
In Depth Loricatosaurus was named as part of a study that concluded that the type species of Lexovisaurus was based upon un-diagnostic material, and that other remains cannot be attributed to it. Although many palaeontologists still treat Lexovisaurus as a valid genus, many of the fossils once assigned to it have now been named as … Read more
In Depth Niaftasuchus is a genus of biarmosuchian therapsid that lived in Russia during the mid/late Permian. At the time of writing Niaftasuchus is only known from a partial skull, but as a biarmosuchian, Niaftasuchus would be expected to have been a predator. Given the small size of the skull, Niaftasuchus would have probably been … Read more
In Depth Karaurus has been hailed as one of the earliest known true salamanders to appear. This is based upon the striking similarity of the Karaurus holotype to modern forms, and it is quite likely that Karaurus lived in a similar manner hunting for small invertebrates in the water. Further Reading - Urodelans from the … Read more