In Depth Tacuadactylus is a genus of ctenochasmatid pterosaur that lived in South America during the late Jurassic. As a ctenochasmatid, Tacuadactylus would have probably been a filter feeder, using its teeth which faced out to the sides to filter out small invertebrates from soft silt and mud. Further reading - A new ctenochasmatid (Pterosauria, … Read more
In Depth Dineobellator is a genus of dromaeosaurid dinosaur that lived in North America during the last stage of the Cretaceous. When compared to other dinosaurs, Dineobellator seems to have been on the way to developing some advanced specialisations, and shows greater range of motion in both hands and feet. Additionally there also seems to … Read more
In Depth Nuurtherium is a genus of cynodont therapsid that lived in Asia during the Late Jurassic. Further Reading - Two New Tritylodontids (Synapsida, Cynodontia, Mammaliamorpha) from the Upper Jurassic, Southwestern Mongolia. - American Museum Novitates 3874:1-35. - P. M. Velazco, A. J. Buczek & M. J. Novacek - 2017.
In Depth Today Elasmosaurus is one of the best known plesiosaurs in the world, and is the type genus for the Elasmosauridae. This group is noted for having particularly long necks, proportionately even longer than the more standard plesiosaurs. These long necks are composed of a large number of cervical vertebrae that in Elasmosaurus number … Read more
In Depth Named in 1876 upon the description of some teeth, we know that Zapsalis was a dromaeosaurid dinosaur, but that’s about it. For this reason the genus is often listed as dubious, as like with most tooth taxons it would be very difficult to attribute actual fossils of bones. Zapsalis was initially described from … Read more
In Depth So far only known from the head shield, Dartmuthia was a bottom feeding jawless fish of the Silurian period. Further Reading - The ostracoderm genus Dartmuthia patten, George M. Robertson - 1935.
In Depth Baisesaurus is a genus of ichthyosauromorph reptile that lived in the early Triassic. Though the holotype is incomplete, Baisesaurus is thought to have had a strong resemblance to the better known Utatsusaurus. Like Utatsusaurus, Baisesaurus would have been a fully marine reptile that hunted for fish and other aquatic creatures. Further Reading - … Read more
In Depth Hovasaurus was a diapsid reptile that developed special adaptations for an aquatic lifestyle. The toes of the feet were long and had webbing between them to make them work as flippers. The caudal vertebrae are extended up and below to support a vertically flattened tail. This would have provided a strong method of … Read more
In Depth Microgomphodon is one of the more common genera of therocephalian therapsids, and is also one of the last known to have survived. Further Reading - New Material of Microgomphodon oligocynus (Eutherapsida, Therocephalia) and the Taxonomy of Southern African Bauriidae”. Early Evolutionary History of the Synapsida. - Vertebrate Paleobiology and Paleoanthropology. - F. Abdala, … Read more
In Depth Not only is Eocursor one of the earliest known ornithischian dinosaurs, it is also one of the most completely preserved, and for this reason the genus has become something of a benchmark when studying early ornithischian dinosaurs. The holotype specimen of Eocursor was of an individual approximately one meter long, though because of … Read more