In Depth Eunotosaurus was long considered the ancestor to turtles. This theory came from the specially enlarged and curved vertebrae and ribs that balloon outwards that would have created the appearance of a skin covered shell. It is now thought however that the vertebrae and rib adaptation of Eunotosaurus and the evolution of turtles are … Read more
In Depth Since the naming of the genus in 1893, Microcoelus has become something of a dubious genus of titanosaur. This is because at the time if writing only a single dorsal (back) vertebra is known. A humerus (upper arm bone) that was once assigned to the genus has now been moved to the genus … Read more
In Depth Yangchuanosaurus is often likened to fulfilling the same ecological niche as Allosaurus, except in Asia instead of North America. Not only does Yangchuanosaurus have a similar morphology to Allosaurus it also had access to similar prey items such as stegosaurs and sauropods. Yangchuanosaurus had a characteristic growth on top of its nose as … Read more
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 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 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 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
In Depth Liaodactylus is a genus of pterosaur that lived in Asia during the late Jurassic. Liaodactylus is noted for having numerous small teeth in comb-like structures that meshed together when the jaws closed. This would have allowed Liaodactylus to feed by filtering out small invertebrates from water and soft sediment. Further Reading - Earliest … Read more