In Depth Penghusuchus is a genus of tomistomine crocodile that lived in what is now Taiwan during the late Miocene. Penghusuchus is noted as having a similarity to the modern day false gharial as well as Toyotamaphimeia which lived in Japan during the Pleistocene. With a skull length up to 85 centimetres long, Penghusuchus would … Read more
In Depth Research into Platecarpus has arguably advanced our understanding of the mosasaurs more than any other genera, part of this being down to the number of known Platecarpus fossils. Some of these specimens of Platecarpus are so well preserved that they actually reveal impression of soft tissues of body parts like the internal organs. … Read more
In Depth Contectopalatus was originally described as a species of Ichthyosaurus, the type genus of the Ichthyosauria that in the early days of palaeontology was treated as a catch all wastebasket taxon for any and all ichthyosaur fossils. Later study saw Ichthyosaurus atavus assigned to the Mixosaurus genus upon the grounds of overall similarity to … Read more
In Depth Although only known from a partial skull, Ovoo represents not only one of the smallest monitor lizards to ever live, but also one of the earliest appearances of a monitor lizard. Unfortunately because Ovoo is only known from an incomplete skull, it is very difficult to estimate the full body size of Ovoo … Read more
In Depth Brochuchus is a genus of crocodile that lived in Africa during the Miocene. The genus Brochuchus was named after Christopher A. Brochu in recognition for his work on cocodylians and associated animals. Further reading - New specimens of ‘Crocodylus’ pigotti (Crocodylidae) from Rusinga Island, Kenya, and generic reallocation of the species. - Journal … Read more
In Depth In terms of paleontological study, Hadrosaurus was a genus of firsts. One of the things that the genus is famous for is that it was the first dinosaur to have a skeleton mounted for public display. Earlier reconstructions such as the now outdated dinosaurs of Crystal Park in England are brick and concrete … Read more
In Depth Xingxiulong is a genus of sauropodomorph dinosaur that lived in China during the early Jurassic. The robust nature of the fossils bones strongly suggest that Xingxiulong would have been heavily built in life, though likely still would have been bipedal. Further Reading - A new basal sauropodiform dinosaur from the Lower Jurassic of … Read more
In Depth Jinbeisaurus is a genus of tyrannosaur that lived in China during the Late Cretaceous, and is the first dinosaur of its kind discovered in Shanxi Province. Fossils of Jinbeisaurus are very partially preserved meaning it is hard to be certain about too much detail about this dinosaur. The size of the fossils of … Read more
In Depth Hadrosaurs have a long association with North America, but they are known from other areas like Asia where they are usually represented by incomplete remains. Olorotitan however was almost complete and became widespread through palaeontology circles as the most complete lambeosaurine hadrosaurid outside of North America. With eighteen vertebrae Olorotitan is also remarkable … Read more
In Depth Trematochampsa is a genus of crocodile that lived in what is now Niger during the Late Cretaceous. A second species named in 1979 as T. oblita has now been reassigned to its own genus, Miadanasuchus. Trematochampsa is now considered to be more of a nomen dubium since these fossils are actually made up … Read more