In Depth Just one of many primitive whale forms from Pakistan, Takracetus is related to other primitive forms such as Rodhocetus and Protocetus amongst others. Further Reading Further reading- New archaeocetes (Mammalia, Cetacea) from the Middle Eocene Domanda Formation of the Sulaiman Range, Punjab (Pakistan). – Contributions from the Museum of Paleontology, University of Michigan … Read more
In Depth Although Champsosaurus looked like a crocodile and almost certainly lived like a crocodile, the genus was actually a member of the Choristodera. This is a separate group of diapsid reptiles which means that despite the physical similarity, Champsosaurus was not related to the modern crocodiles that we know today. Out of all the … Read more
In Depth Amurosaurus has been based only upon very partial remains, though these were taken from a bonebed of multiple dinosaurs, and further remains are likely to be in there somewhere. Slowly the picture of a lambeosaurine hadrosaurid (the kind with a hollow crest) has been pieced together with an appearance similar to that of … Read more
In Depth Eriphostoma is a little known genus of gorgonopsid, but one that is important to the study of them given that Eriphostoma may well represent the earliest known gorgonopsid. There has been speculation that another genus called Broomisaurus and known only from fragmentary fossils may be junior synonym to Eriphostoma. Further Reading Further reading- … Read more
In Depth The description of Velafrons is based upon the remains of a juvenile individual. This has allowed for an increased insight into how hadrosaurs developed as they grew up, though the case of Velafrons is a little different. Most hadrosaurs known from juvenile individuals show a proportionately large skull in relation to the body … Read more
In Depth Trematolestes is a genus of temnospondyl amphibian that is known to have lived in Germany during the Mid Triassic. Further Reading - A Complete Trematosaurid Amphibian From The Middle Triassic Of Germany. - Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 26 (1): 29–43. - Rainer R. Schoch - 2006.
In Depth Vegavis is a close relative of modern ducks and geese, but probably not a direct ancestor. Still, the discovery of Vegavis was still a very important and exciting discovery for those interested in the evolution of birds, as it is a clear sign that by at least the end of the Maastrichtian period … Read more
In Depth Geikia is a genus of dicynodont known to have lived during the latest stage of the Permian. Like other dicynodonts Geikia would have been a plant eater with two prominent tusks projecting down from the upper jaw. Further Reading - On some New Reptiles from the Elgin Sandstones. - Transactions of the Royal … Read more
In Depth It is a wonderful coincidence that the construction of a dinosaur museum would actually result in the discovery of a new dinosaur, Agilisaurus. In fact the remains of Agilisaurus are now on display in the very same museum, the Zigong Dinosaur Museum. The name Agilisaurus is in reference to its lightweight build and … Read more
In Depth Anaschisma is a genus of temnospondyl amphibian known to have lived in North America during the late Triassic. Anaschisma were primarily aquatic predators using their salamander-like bodies to swim through the water and navigate submerged obstacles in searching for prey. Anaschisma is regarded as a metoposaurid temnospondyl amphibian, which means that it is … Read more