In Depth Along with Tyrannosaurus, Allosaurus is probably the most often represented large theropod dinosaur in popular culture. This is because it was one of the earliest discovered large predators and is known from more remains than any other large predatory dinosaur. One myth about Allosaurus that does need to be dispelled is that it … Read more
In Depth Aldabrachampsus was a fairly small crocodile known to have been active around the Seychelles in the Indian Ocean during the Pleistocene period. It is believed that Aldabrachampsus came to Aldbara Atoll by migration because previously the atoll had been submerged for over one hundred thousand years. A possible source could be either Madagascar … Read more
In Depth Yacarerani is a small notouchian crocodilomorph that lived in South America during the early stages of the Late Cretaceous. Yacarerani has a highly specialised dentition with the two most forward incisors in the lower jaw almost pointing directly forwards. The upper fore teeth also protrude forwards and these teeth may have been for … Read more
In Depth Narambuenatitan was a fairly small genus titanosaur that lived in South America during the Late Cretaceous. Narambuenatitan has also been noted as being similar to the genus Epachthosaurus, and the two are included within the Lithostrotia titanosaurs. Further Reading - A new titanosaur sauropod dinosaur from the Upper Cretaceous of North Patagonia, Argentina. … Read more
In Depth Boreonykus is a genus of dromaeosaurid dinosaur that lived in Canada during the late Cretaceous. Further Reading - A high-latitude dromaeosaurid, Boreonykus certekorum, gen. et sp. nov. (Theropoda), from the upper Campanian Wapiti Formation, west-central Alberta. - Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology e1034359. - P. R. Bell & P. J. Currie - 2015.
In Depth What makes Therizinosaurus and others from its group stand out from other dinosaurs are the huge claws that are on the end of its fingers. In Therizinosaurus these claws reached up to one meter long, and there purpose has three main theories. The first is for display, with the larger claws being indicative … Read more
In Depth Kaijutitan is a genus of titanosaur that lived in South America during the late Cretaceous. The name Kaijutitan is derived from the Japanese word ‘Kaiju’ which means ‘monster’. Further Reading - A new giant basal titanosaur sauropod in the Upper Cretaceous (Coniacian) of the Neuqu�n Basin, Argentina. - Cretaceous Research 100:61-81. - L. … Read more
In Depth Albertonectes is one of the best preserved elasmosaurid plesiosaurs to be discovered in Canada, and has a total of 76 cervical (neck) vertebrae . Elasmosaurid pesiosaurs like Albertonectes are noted for having their long necks that are proportionately much longer than earlier plesiosaur types. This would have been a specialist feeding adaptation allowing … Read more
In Depth Described from a single partially preserved skull, Alexandronectes was an elasmosaurid plesiosaur that swam in the waters around what is now New Zealand during the late Cretaceous. These were dangerous waters as fossils of large mosasaurs such as Taniwhasaurus are also known from the same formation as Alexandronectes, and these predators were certainly … Read more
In Depth Due to the incomplete nature of the holotype fossils, Ultrasaurus is today seen as a dubious genus of sauropod dinosaur, given that it would be near impossible to attribute further remains to the genus. Ultrasaurus is actually more famous for forcing a naming change in a North American genus of diplodocid dinosaur. In … Read more