In Depth Noasaurus is the type genus of the noasauridae, a side group of theropod dinosaurs that are thought to have had the same immediate origins as the abelisaurids (such as Abelisaurus and Aucasaurus). Noasaurus however is only known by very partial remains which makes it difficult to ascertain specific details about this dinosaur. At … Read more
In Depth Ubirajara is a genus of compsognathid dinosaur that lived in South America during the early Cretaceous. At the time of its description Ubirajara is unique amongst the compsognathids due to the elaborate feather covering. This is mainly from a bushy mane of hair like proto-feathers that measured up to 11 centimetres long over … Read more
In Depth Shanxia is a genus of ankylosaur that lived in China during the Late Cretaceous. However not much fossil material is available and there is speculation that Shanxia may actually just be further remains of the genus Tianzhenosaurus. Further Reading - A new ankylosaurian dinosaur (Ornithischia: Ankylosauria) from the Upper Cretaceous of Shanxi Province, … Read more
In Depth Nanshiungosaurus was first described from partial remains mostly consisting of vertebrae in 1979. To begin with Nanshiungosaurus was thought to be a titanosaurian sauropod dinosaur, a bit later it was realised to be a therizinosaur. As a therizinosaur, Nanshiungosaurus was a theropod dinosaur that had adapted to a herbivorous diet instead of a … Read more
In Depth Ornithostoma was once considered to identical to Pteranodon, although modern thinking has it recognised as its own genus. Unfortunately Ornithostoma has suffered from the wastebasket effect with numerous poorly preserved remains being attributed to it. Although not much is known for certain, the toothless beak of Ornithostoma likely indicates a fish eating piscivorous … Read more
In Depth Barrosasaurus is a genus of sauropod dinosaur that lived in South America during the late Cretaceous. At the time of its description, the genus is only represented by three dorsal vertebrae. Further Reading - Barrosasaurus casamiquelai gen. et sp. nov., a new titanosaur (Dinosauria, Sauropoda) from the Anacleto Formation (Late Cretaceous: early Campanian) … Read more
In Depth Named in 2010, Kosmoceratops has quickly become a dinosaur fan favourite, thanks largely to the highly ornate form of the skull, which was also the inspiration for the genus name. To start, the frill section of the skull is twice as wide as it is long, which by physical proportions, means that it … Read more
In Depth The few scant fragmentary remains of Labocania make it very difficult to classify, but analysis of the post cranial elements suggest that it was a tyrannosaurid. What parts of the skull which are known are more robust however suggesting that Labocania had a differently shaped skull. It is easy to see why Labocania … Read more
In Depth Rhabdodon is for lack of a better term a puzzle. Although usually described as an iguanodont, Rhabdodon has also been considered as a hypsilophodont, and on top of this it has also been described as a ‘missing link’ between these two groups of dinosaurs. To further the confusion however, Rhabdodon lived in the … Read more
In Depth Protostega is one of the largest turtles to ever swim in the ocean and so far is only eclipsed by Archelon in terms of overall size. Like with Archelon, Protostega is thought to have had a ‘soft’ shell similar to the modern leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea). Also like with Archelon, Protostega is thought … Read more