In Depth Fossils of Schleitheimia were originally recovered in the early 1950s by Emil Schutz, then in 1986 named as belonging to Plateosaurus. A subsequent study of the fossils in 2020 (Rauhut et al) found them different enough to warrant the creation of a new genus. The name Schleitheimia is derived from the name Schleitheim, … Read more
In Depth Kayentasuchus is a genus of small sphenosuchian crocodilomorph that lived in the south-west of the USA during the early Jurassic. Overall Kayentasuchus is noted for having a gracile build with slender limbs. The front of the skull is narrow with the lower jaw curved upwards, indicating that Kayentasuchus may have been quite specialised … Read more
In Depth The most noteworthy feature of Coelurosauravus are the dermal ossicles, creating thin strands of bone that extended from the flanks and supported a gliding wing. This may have provided a limited flight capability over short distances by jumping from a high point and steering itself by twisting towards a lower spot as it … Read more
In Depth Although known from very well preserved remains, there is still quite a bit of mystery surrounding Limusaurus. Study of the bones has revealed that it is a member of the Ceratosauria (the first one known from Asia), a group of theropods defined by the type genus Ceratosaurus. However the one specimen where the … Read more
In Depth Qiaowanlong was first thought to be an Asian representative of the world famous Brachiosaurus, but has since been found to be similar to other Asian sauropods like Euhelopus. Further Reading – The first well-preserved Early Cretaceous brachiosaurid dinosaur in Asia. – Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences. – H.-L. You & … Read more
In Depth Himalayacetus is one of if not the oldest archaeocetid whale currently known to us. Unfortunately at the time of writing the only part of this primitive whale that we have is a partial jaw, but this is still enough to identify Himalayacetus as a relative of the better known Ambulocetus. Himalayacetus should not … Read more
In Depth Lanthanostegus is a genus of synapsid that lived in South Africa during the Permian. Further Reading - Erratum: A replacement name for Lanthanocephalus Modesto, Rubidge and Welman 2002, not Lanthanocephalus Williams and Starmer 2000. - Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences 40(3):467. - S. P. Modesto, B. S. Rubidge & J. Welman - 2003.
In Depth At the time of the genus being named, Orovenator is the oldest neodiapsid reptile known to science. The neodiapsids are the ancestral reptile group which includes most modern reptile forms. Further Reading - A new Early Permian reptile and its significance in early diapsid evolution. - Proceedings of the Royal Society B 278 … Read more
In Depth The holotype fossils of Kayentavenator were originally described as Syntarsus kayentakatae until later study declared them to represent a distinct genus of theropods (additionally Syntarsus has now been declared a synonym of Megapnosaurus). Not a lot can be said for Kayentavenator because the skeletal remains are incomplete and of a juvenile dinosaur; combined … Read more
In Depth Whakakai is a genus of whale that lived in waters around New Zealand during the Oligocene. Further Reading - Archaic baleen whale from the Kokoamu Greensand: earbones distinguish a new late Oligocene mysticete (Cetacea: Mysticeti) from New Zealand. - Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand 46(2):117-138. - C. H. Tsai & … Read more