In Depth The sauropodomorph dinosaurs are the missing links between earlier theropod dinosaurs, and later sauropod descendants. As a group they show a transition from a predatory carnivorous lifestyle, to an herbivorous one. Buriolestes is a sauropodomoprh dinosaur, yet the teeth and jaw structure are much more like those seen in meat eating theropod dinosaurs. … Read more
In Depth Shastasaurus species and fossil distribution Shastasaurus hit the record books in 2011 with the re-examination of a set of ichthyosaur remains from British Columbia that were initially described as a new species of Shonisaurus back in 2004. Study of the remains has found that while they are similar, the remains are a better … Read more
In Depth Calciavis is a genus of bird that lived in North America during the Eocene. Calciavis likely foraged upon the ground, though the precise diet is still unknown at the time of writing. Further Reading - The anatomy and taxonomy of the exquisitely preserved Green River Formation (early Eocene) lithornithids (Aves) and the relationships … Read more
In Depth The problem with the genus Macrurosaurus is that it is only represented by two sets of caudal vertebrae that were both found separately and then later added together. This combined with the lack of other fossil remains for the genus mean that some palaeontologist consider the genus to be dubious because it would … Read more
In Depth With only the end of the tail missing, Aucasaurus has the most complete single abelisaurid skeleton currently known. This has allowed for more accurate general features which are thought to be common to the group such as the famously underdeveloped arms that are even more puny than those that appear upon Tyrannosaurus, to … Read more
In Depth Kapes was a little parareptile that was once considered to be a synonym to the earlier named Anomoiodon. Later study has no re-affirmed the validity of this genus, and now Kapes is considered to be a very close relative of Anomoiodon. Further Reading - O Rodovom Sostave Rannetriasovykh Prokolofonid Priuralya [On the Genus … Read more
In Depth Dvinia is a genus of small cynodont that lived in Russia during the late Permian. Dvinia is known to have lived in the same habitats as Dicynodon and Scutosaurus as well as the large predator Inostrancevia. Further Reading - Diagnoses of the new forms of vertebrates and plants from the upper Permian of … Read more
In Depth Gorgetosuchus is a genus of aetosaur that lived in North America during the late Triassic. At the time of its description, Gorgetosuchus was named upon the basis of osteoderms (bony plates) that would have gone around the skin. These plates are unique from other aetosaurs in that they reach almost all the way … Read more
In Depth Victoriaceros is a genus of extinct elamostherine rhinoceros that lived in what is now Kenya during the mid Miocene. The nasal horn of Victoriaceros has been noted as being particularly large. Victoriaceros is named after Lake Victoria in Kenya which is near where the holotype remains were found. The type species name means … Read more
In Depth Botucaraitherium is a genus of cynodont that lived in South America during the late Triassic. Further Reading - A new prozostrodontian cynodont (Therapsida) from the Late Triassic Riograndia Assemblage Zone (Santa Maria Supersequence) of Southern Brazil. - Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ci�ncias 86(4):1673-1691. - M. B. Soares, A. G. Martinelli & T. … Read more