In Depth If the name Targaryendraco sounds like something out of the television series Game of Thrones (or the A Song of Ice and Fire novel series), then you are actually right. The name of this pterosaur actually means ‘Targaryen dragon’, a reference to the house of Targaryen from A Song of Ice and Fire/Game … Read more
In Depth Norellius is a genus of gekkonomorph that lived in Mongolia during the early Cretaceous. Further Reading - Naming and rediagnosing the Cretaceous gekkonomorph (Reptilia, Squamata) from ��sh (�v�rkhangai, Mongolia). - Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 35(5):e980891:1-5. - J. L. Conrad & J. D. Daza - 2015.
In Depth Although Leptolepis may just be a little unremarkable looking fish, it is important as it is the first true bony fish that is known in the fossil record. Its predecessors had cartilagninous skeletons meaning they would only preserve when conditions were absolutely right. There are several deposits that show large numbers of Leptolepis … Read more
In Depth Beibeilong is a genus of oviraptorid dinosaur that lived in Asia during the earlier stages of the late Cretaceous. The genus was described from fossilised embryos and eggs. Adult details including maximum size of Beibeilong are unknown at the time of writing, but the original describers of the genus speculated that when fully … Read more
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