In Depth The partially preserved skull of Cuspicephalus was first recovered in 2009 by Steve Etches, and is preserved on a slab of stone. Although incomplete the feature that stands out most at first glance is the enlarged nasoantorbital fenestra (the opening that would be in front of the eye socket) that is greater than … Read more
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 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 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
In Depth Loricatosaurus was named as part of a study that concluded that the type species of Lexovisaurus was based upon un-diagnostic material, and that other remains cannot be attributed to it. Although many palaeontologists still treat Lexovisaurus as a valid genus, many of the fossils once assigned to it have now been named as … Read more
In Depth Borealosaurus is a genus of titanosaurid dinosaur that lived in China around the boundary of the early/late Cretaceous. Though only known from partial remains, Borealosaurus has been interpreted as being potentially related to the better known Opisthocoelicaudia. In addition to this the Japanese titanosaur Fukuititan has also been interpreted as a close relation … Read more