Fossil Discovery Sheds Light on the Origins of Earth’s First Fish

Posted on February 4, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Paleontologists from Australia and China have conducted two groundbreaking studies on the fossilized remains of a remarkable Devonian lungfish. Utilizing advanced imaging technology, they have unearthed previously overlooked anatomical details, significantly enhancing our understanding of early vertebrate evolution. Their findings have been published in the Canadian Journal of Zoology and the journal Current Biology.

Paleolophus yunnanensis, a unique lungfish species that thrived in southern China’s waters 410 million years ago. Image credit: Brian Choo, Flinders University.

In a recent study, lead researcher Alice Clement, a paleontologist at Flinders University, investigates The Mystery of Kainokara, a fossil known from a single specimen found in the Late Devonian Gogo Formation of Western Australia.

“New research, including the analysis of previously neglected specimens, is gradually uncovering the rich diversity of lungfishes found in Australia’s significant fossil sites,” said Dr. Clement.

“One particularly enigmatic specimen originates from Australia’s earliest ‘Great Barrier Reef’, a Devonian reef located in the Kimberley region of northern Western Australia.”

“When first described in 2010, this unusual specimen was so perplexing that the authors speculated it might represent an entirely new type of fish never documented in science.”

“Using advanced scanning techniques, we developed comprehensive digital images of both the external and internal structures of the skull, revealing the complexity of this fascinating lungfish’s brain cavity.”

“In fact, we confirmed that earlier interpretations may have been from an upside-down perspective.”

“We were also able to compare the well-preserved inner ear region with other lungfishes,” noted Flinders University paleontologist Hannah Thiele.

“This provides an essential data point in the rich collection of lungfish and early vertebrate species.”

“This research enhances our understanding of the evolutionary progression of these ancient lobe-finned fishes, both in Gondwana and globally.”

In a separate study, Flinders University paleontologist Brian Chu and colleagues reveal a newly discovered species of lungfish from the Devonian period in China, Paleolophus yunanensis.

“The discovery of Paleolophus yunanensis offers unprecedented insight into the transitional phase between the early appearance of lungfish and their extensive diversification millions of years later,” said Dr. Chu.

“At this time, this group was just beginning to develop unique feeding adaptations that would serve them well throughout the remainder of the Devonian period and into the present.”

“Lungfish, including the ancient lineage found in Queensland, Australia, have fascinated researchers due to their close evolutionary relationship with tetrapods, the four-limbed vertebrates that include humans.”

“The distinctive skull of the newly discovered lungfish from 410-million-year-old rock formations in Yunnan offers crucial insights into the rapid evolutionary changes during the Early, Middle, and Late Devonian periods.”

“The new specimens exhibited both similarities and differences compared to the earliest known specimens, such as Diabolepis fossils from southern China and uranolophus found in locations like Wyoming and Australia.

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Hannah S. Thiele et al., deciphering The Mystery of Kainokara from the Late Devonian Gogo Formation, Australia. Canadian Journal of Zoology, published online January 28, 2026. doi: 10.1139/cjz-2025-0109

Tuo Qiao et al., 2026. New fish fossil sheds light on the rapid evolution of early lungfish. Current Biology 36 (1): 243-251; doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2025.11.032

Source: www.sci.news

Massive Fossil Discovery Unearths 512-Million-Year-Old Ecosystem Treasures

Posted on January 28, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Artist’s Impression of the Huayuan Biota Ecosystem

Dinghua Yang

A remarkable fossil find has emerged in southern China, unveiling an ecosystem that dates back 512 million years, immediately postdating Earth’s first mass extinction event.

The fossils belong to the Cambrian period, initiated 541 million years ago, a time characterized by a significant increase in animal diversity which led to the emergence of most major animal groups.

This evolutionary flourishing faced a dramatic setback with the Shinsk event around 513.5 million years ago, when oceanic oxygen levels plummeted, resulting in the extinction of various animal groups.

Han Zeng and his team at China’s Nanjing Institute of Geology and Paleontology began unearthing these fossils in 2021 at a quarry in Huayuan County, Hunan Province.

So far, researchers have documented 8,681 fossils from 153 distinct species, approximately 60 percent of which are previously unknown to science. This ancient ecosystem has been dubbed the “Flower Garden Biota,” potentially surpassing Canada’s renowned Burgess Shale in significance.

This ecosystem comprises 16 major animal groups believed to have thrived in deep-sea environments, largely unaffected by the Shinsk event.

“Our understanding of the Shinsk extinction event was limited to skeletal fossils of certain animals, such as archaeal sponge reefs, trilobites, and small shelled fossils,” Zeng explains.

The Flower Garden Biota also includes various mollusks. Zeng noted, “The extinction predominantly affected shallow-sea habitats, while the deep-sea environments, where the Huazono biota thrived, remained largely stable.”

Arthropods of the Hanazono Biota Family

Han Zeng

The majority of fossils unearthed belong to arthropods akin to modern-day insects, spiders, and crustaceans. Other fossil types include mollusks, brachiopods, and cnidarians, relatives of jellyfish.

One notable specimen is Guangshancharis Kunmingensis, an 80 cm long arthropod recognized as the largest animal discovered at the site, likely a predatory species within the Huayuan ecosystem.

Another arthropod, Hermetia, was previously known only from Canada’s Burgess Shale but is now found in the Flower Garden Biota, indicating that these early animals were capable of long-distance dispersal via ocean currents, according to Zeng.

Zeng emphasized that the exceptional preservation of the fossils is due to rapid burial under fine sediment, capturing intricate details of soft anatomy including limbs, antennae, tentacles, gills, and even nervous tissues.

*Aronia*: A Cambrian Sea Creature Similar to Sponges

Han Zeng

Joe Moishuk from Canada’s Manitoba Museum reflects that the site ranks among top Cambrian fossil locations, celebrated for its biodiversity and preservation quality.

While some groups like sponges and trilobites are known to have declined significantly during the mid-Cambrian Shinsk event, many animal groups’ fates remain unclear.

“Findings like the Hanazono biota offer invaluable insights into the biodiversity of this period, helping to illuminate gaps in our understanding of Earth’s history,” notes Moisiuk.

Tetsuto Miyashita of the Canadian Museum of Nature mentions that two key Cambrian fossil sites are the 520-million-year-old Chengjiang Biota in China and the 508-million-year-old Burgess Shale in Canada.

“Comparing these sites is akin to contrasting Bach’s ensemble with The Beatles; understanding the variances is crucial before grasping the overarching narrative of these ecosystems,” Miyashita states. “New biota discoveries assist paleontologists in unraveling the influence of geographical features, mass extinctions, and oceanic conditions.”

A conspicuous absence in the Flower Garden Biota is any evidence of fish. “Where are the fish?” queries Miyashita. “Are they scarce, which is globally uncommon, or are other ecological factors at play?”

Zeng mentions that not all fossils have been thoroughly scrutinized yet, suggesting the possibility of undiscovered species, including fish, as further exploration continues.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Fossil Shorebirds Unveil New Insights Into Australia’s Climate Change History

Posted on January 22, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Shorebirds serve as important indicators of coastal and wetland ecosystems, and their widespread distribution highlights their ecological significance. Although wading shorebirds are infrequently found in the fossil record, a remarkable collection of shorebird fossils has emerged from Pleistocene deposits at the Naracoorte Caves World Heritage Site in South Australia. Recent studies on these fossils provide insights into the evolution of wetland environments, revealing that flourishing habitats vanished with climate shifts as far back as 60,000 years ago. The research links a drying phase around 17,000 years ago to the decline of many of the nine or more shorebird species discovered in one of the Naracoorte Caves.

Red knot (Calidris canutus), near Grinet, Brittany, France. Image credit: Stephan Sprinz / CC BY 4.0.

“Shorebirds are rare in the fossil record, making the discovery of numerous shorebird fossils in Blanche Cave surprising,” stated PhD candidate Karl Lenser from Flinders University.

“This finding suggests that wetlands and tidal flats—vital feeding grounds for plovers, sandpipers, and other shorebirds—were more prevalent during the last Ice Age.”

Currently, climate change and habitat loss are contributing to the decline of Australia’s shorebird populations.

Gaining insights into how these species adapted to historical climate changes may be essential for forecasting their future.

Lenser and his team were particularly intrigued by the remains of the Plains Wanderer, an endangered bird found mostly in Victoria and New South Wales, which was among the most common fossils identified in this study.

Out of approximately 300 examined bones, more than half were identified as those of Plains Wanderers.

“Today’s Plains Wanderers are selective about their habitats; however, other fossils from Naracoorte indicate that the area once featured wooded environments—starkly different from the treeless grassland they inhabit today,” Lenser explained.

Naracoorte represents the only fossil site in Australia with such a substantial population of Plains Wanderers, indicating a significant decline in their numbers over the last 14,000 years due to habitat restriction.

Dr. Trevor Worthy from Flinders University highlighted the uniqueness of this sandpiper fossil sample, noting its representation of migratory species that travel from the Northern Hemisphere to spend winters in Australia.

“This includes three species from the Calidris genus and the Latham Sandpiper (Galinago hardwickii),” he added.

“Fossil assemblages also include blue-bellied plovers that migrate from Australia to New Zealand for breeding.”

“Fossil evidence shows that two young birds flew approximately 2,000 km from New Zealand and were captured by owls near Blanche Cave in Naracoorte,” Dr. Worthy explained.

“There remains much to uncover about Australia’s bird species from the last Ice Age, and fossils from sites like Naracoorte are crucial for filling in these knowledge gaps,” Lenser noted.

“Naracoorte Caves holds a 500,000-year record of biodiversity in Southeast South Australia,” stated Dr. Liz Reid from the University of Adelaide.

“As this study clearly demonstrates, caves offer a glimpse into pre-European landscapes, providing valuable information for the conservation of endangered species today.”

Visitors to Naracoorte Caves can explore the excavation site and delve into the science behind South Australia’s only World Heritage Site.

Findings have been published in the online journal Old Trogia Electronica about the study.

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Karl M. Lenser et al. 2026. Fossil shorebirds (order: Charadriidae) revealing a Pleistocene wetland trend at Naracoorte Caves, South Australia. Old Trogia Electronica 29 (1): a2; doi: 10.26879/1608

Source: www.sci.news

2.6 Million-Year-Old Ethiopian Fossil Reveals Widespread Existence of Paranthropus Hominid

Posted on January 21, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

The recently unearthed fossil represents the first known partial specimen of a 2.6-million-year-old lower jaw from Ethiopia’s Afar region, specifically belonging to the genus Paranthropus. This fossil is among the oldest remains found in the region and is likely the earliest of its kind across Africa. This groundbreaking discovery significantly reshapes paleoanthropologists’ perspectives on early hominid evolution, suggesting that these ancient relatives had a more extensive and adaptable lineage than previously recognized.

Paranthropus boisei. Image credit: © Roman Yevseyev.

The newly labeled fossil, MLP-3000, was discovered in the Mille Logia research area and comprises an edentulous mandibular body, complete with preserved roots and a partial molar crown.

Geological and magnetostratigraphic analyses indicate that these fossils date back approximately 2.9 to 2.5 million years during a period marked by dramatic environmental shifts in eastern Africa.

“To understand our evolutionary trajectory as a genus and species, we must also comprehend the ecological and competitive factors that influenced our evolution,” said Zeresenai Alemseged, a professor at the University of Chicago.

“This discovery offers more than just a snapshot; it sheds new light on the underlying forces driving the evolution of Paranthropus.

Until now, Paranthropus fossils had primarily been documented from southern Ethiopia to South Africa, with no prior findings in the Afar region. This lack of evidence was confounding given the region’s abundance of fossils spanning around 6 million years, including significant discoveries of Australopithecus and early homo.

Recent findings reveal that Paranthropus, from its earliest known existence, had a broader geographic range than previously understood.

“We seek to comprehend who we are and how we evolved, influencing our behavior and the environment around us,” Professor Alemseged stated.

“The fossil record showcases more than 15 hominin species, typically classified into four categories: facultative bipeds, habitual bipeds, obligate bipeds, and obligate hominids.”

“Numerous fossils belonging to more than a dozen species, including Ardipithecus, Australopithecus, and homo, have been discovered in the Afar region of northern Ethiopia. The lack of Paranthropus fossils in this area was striking and perplexing for paleoanthropologists, many of whom theorized that this genus never expanded that far north.”

“Some experts have posited that dietary specialization may have restricted Paranthropus, suggesting that competition with more adaptable homo species limited its range,” he added.

“However, this assumption is incorrect; Paranthropus was as adaptable and versatile as homo, and this discovery illustrates that its absence in the Afar area was merely a result of the fossil record.”

According to anatomical analysis, the jaw exhibits a unique blend of features, showcasing characteristics of Paranthropus alongside those found in more primitive hominids, including a notably robust mandibular body and exceptionally large posterior canines.

This mosaic of traits leads researchers to tentatively classify the fossil as Paranthropus sp., without assigning it to a specific species.

The context of this discovery is equally vital as the fossil itself.

The Mille Rogia area preserves sediments from a time of significant environmental change, roughly between 3 million and 2.4 million years ago, during which the climate shifted toward more open grasslands, becoming the dominant habitat.

Fossils of associated animal species highlight these habitat transformations; Paranthropus was not confined to a narrow ecological niche but could thrive in various environments.

The presence of Paranthropus in the Afar region additionally suggests that multiple hominin lineages coexisted in this area during the late Pliocene.

Fossils of early homo and Australopithecus, dating to a similar period, have already been located at nearby archaeological sites, indicating a surprising level of diversity in early homo evolution.

By extending the known range of Paranthropus over 1,000 km north of its previously recognized boundaries, this discovery challenges long-held assumptions regarding the ecology and migration patterns of early hominids.

“This new finding enhances our understanding of adaptation and behavior, including the competitive dynamics between species, diet, physical adaptations, and potential use of stone tools,” Professor Alemseged remarked.

“Discoveries like this spark intriguing questions that prompt us to examine, revise, and formulate new hypotheses about the significant differences among major hominin groups.”

This important finding has been detailed in the following article: paper, published in today’s edition of Nature.

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Zeresenai Alemseged et al.. First long-distance Paranthropus fossils expand the distribution of this adaptable genus. Nature published online on January 21, 2026. doi: 10.1038/s41586-025-09826-x

Source: www.sci.news

7 Million-Year-Old Sahelanthropus Fossil: The Oldest Evidence of Bipedalism

Posted on January 6, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

For over 20 years, Sahelanthropus tchadensis, one of the earliest hominid species (dating back 6.7 to 7.2 million years), was discovered in Chad in 2001. This species is central to a heated debate: Did our earliest ancestors walk upright? A groundbreaking study by paleoanthropologists at New York University provides compelling evidence supporting this notion. The research indicates that Sahelanthropus tchadensis, an ape-like ancestor from Africa, showcases some of the earliest adaptations for bipedal terrestrial locomotion.

Reconstruction of Sahelanthropus tchadensis. Image credit: University of Silesia.

According to New York University, “Sahelanthropus tchadensis was essentially a bipedal ape with a brain size similar to that of a chimpanzee, likely spending considerable time foraging and finding safety in trees,” as noted by Dr. Scott Williams.

“Despite its ape-like appearance, Sahelanthropus tchadensis demonstrated adaptations for bipedal posture and movement on land,” Dr. Williams added.

The team focused on the femur and two partial forearm bones found at the Toros Menara site in Chad. Previous research had asserted that these bones were too ape-like to indicate upright walking; however, this latest study utilizes 3D shape modeling and anatomical analysis tailored to human locomotion.

“These characteristics suggest a similarity in hip and knee function between Sahelanthropus tchadensis and modern humans, possibly representing fundamental adaptations toward bipedalism in the human lineage,” the researchers concluded.

Although the external shape of the limb bones resembles that of chimpanzees, the proportions indicate a more human-like configuration.

The researchers found that the relationships between arm and leg lengths are comparable to modern bonobos and early human predecessors.

Notably, they discovered the femoral tubercle—a bony structure on the femur crucial for attaching the iliofemoral ligament, which stabilizes the human hip joint—unique to hominids.

Additionally, the femur exhibited significant internal torsion known as front twist (medial torsion of the femoral shaft), a feature linked to aligning the knee with the body’s center of gravity during walking, distinctly present in hominids compared to extant apes and extinct Miocene species.

These findings challenge long-held beliefs regarding the timeline and mechanics of upright walking evolution.

Scientists propose that bipedalism emerged gradually rather than as a sudden change. “We consider the evolution of bipedalism as an ongoing process,” researchers stated.

“Sahelanthropus tchadensis could represent an early form of habitual bipedalism.”

“In addition to terrestrial bipedalism, Sahelanthropus tchadensis likely engaged in various arboreal activities, including vertical climbing, forelimb suspension from branches, and both arboreal quadrupedal and bipedal locomotion.”

The study interprets this fossil as evidence of early human evolution from an ape-like ancestor, asserting that chimpanzee-like species are positioned near the root of the human family tree.

“Our analysis reveals that Sahelanthropus tchadensis demonstrates an early adaptation for bipedalism, suggesting that this trait evolved early in our lineage from ancestors closely related to present-day chimpanzees and bonobos,” Dr. Williams stated.

For further details, refer to the study published in this month’s issue of Scientific Advances.

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Scott A. Williams et al., 2026. The Earliest Evidence of Bipedalism in Humans: Sahelanthropus tchadensis. Scientific Advances 12(1); doi: 10.1126/sciadv.adv0130

Source: www.sci.news

Fossil Analysis Sheds Light on Early Human Walking Evolution: Expanding the Debate

Posted on January 3, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

*Sahelanthropus*: Fossil comparison with chimpanzees and humans

Williams et al., Sci. Adv. 12, eadv0130

Comparison of Sahelanthropus fossils with chimpanzees and humans — *Sahelanthropus*: Fossil comparison with chimpanzees and humans

Williams et al., Sci. Adv. 12, eadv0130

The long-standing debate regarding whether our earliest ancestors walked on knuckles like chimpanzees or stood upright like modern humans may be closer to resolution, yet skepticism remains.

Scott Williams and researchers at New York University recently reanalyzed fossil remains of Sahelanthropus tchadensis, indicating that this species possessed at least three anatomical features suggesting it was our earliest known bipedal ancestor.

The journey to this conclusion has been extensive.

Fossilized remains of a skull, teeth, and jawbone from approximately 7 million years ago were first identified in 2002 in Chad, north-central Africa. The distinctive features of this ancient species, including its prominent brow ridge and smaller canine teeth, were quickly acknowledged as diverging from ape characteristics.

Analyzing the skull’s anatomy suggests it was positioned directly over the vertebrae, analogous to other upright, bipedal hominins.

In 2004, French scientists uncovered the femur and ulna associated with the Sahelanthropus skull from Chad. However, it wasn’t until 2020 that researchers claimed the femur exhibited curvature similar to that of non-bipedal great apes.

Since then, scholarly debate has fluctuated. For instance, in 2022, researchers Frank Guy and Guillaume Daver of the University of Poitiers argued for anatomical features of the femur that indicate bipedalism. In 2024, Clement Zanoli and colleagues from the University of Bordeaux countered, suggesting Guy and Daver’s assertions were flawed, as the anatomical characteristics of bipedalism may also appear in non-bipedal great apes.

Lead study author Williams started with a “fairly ambivalent” stance on Sahelanthropus.

His team investigated the femur’s attachment point for the gluteus maximus muscle, finding similarities to human femur anatomy.

They also compared the femur and ulna size and shape; while similar in size to chimpanzee bones, they aligned more closely with human proportions.

Additionally, they identified the “femoral tuberosity,” a previously overlooked feature of Sahelanthropus.

“We initially identified it by touch, later confirming it with 3D scans of the fossil,” Williams shared. “This bump, present only in species with a femoral tubercle, contrasts smooth areas found in great apes and plays a critical role in mobility.”

This area serves as an attachment point for the iliofemoral ligament, the strongest ligament in the human body. While relaxed when seated, it tightens during standing or walking, securing the femoral head in the hip joint and preventing the torso from tilting backward or sideways.

However, Williams expressed doubts about whether this study would fully end the conversation about how Sahelanthropus moved.

“We are confident Sahelanthropus was an early bipedal hominin, but we must recognize that the debate is ongoing,” Williams noted.

In response to a recent paper, Guy and Daver issued a joint statement asserting that humans likely began walking on two legs by 2022: “This reaffirms our earlier interpretations about Sahelanthropus adaptations and locomotion, suggesting habitual bipedalism despite its ape-like morphology.”

They acknowledged that only new fossil discoveries could unequivocally conclude the matter.

John Hawkes, a professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, also endorsed the new findings, noting their implications for understanding the complex origins of the hominin lineage.

“It may be deceptive to perceive Sahelanthropus as part of a gradual evolution towards an upright posture. It reveals crucial insights into these transformative changes,” Hawkes commented.

However, Zanoli contended, stating, “Most of the evidence aligns Sahelanthropus with traits seen in African great apes, suggesting its behavior was likely a mix between chimpanzees and gorillas, distinct from the habitual bipedalism of Australopithecus and Homo.

Explore the Origins of Humanity in South-West England

Join a gentle walking tour through the Neolithic, Bronze Age, and Iron Age, immersing yourself in early human history.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Paleontologists Uncover Earliest Evidence of Ancient Honey Bees Nesting in Vertebrate Fossil

Posted on December 18, 2025 by

Bees exhibit an extraordinary range of species and behavior, from solitary types that nest in burrows to social variants that construct intricate nests. This nesting diversity is partially captured in the fossil record, with trace fossils dating from the Cretaceous to the Holocene. In a recent study, Field Museum paleontologist Lázaro Vignola López and his colleagues unveil novel nesting behaviors based on trace fossils unearthed from Late Quaternary cave deposits on the Caribbean island of Hispaniola. Osnidam Almontei was discovered within the cavity of a vertebrate corpse.

A reenactment of the life of bees with evidence of them building their nests in caves and using the bone cavities as housing chambers for several egg-laying cells. Image credit: Jorge Mario Macho.

“The initial descent into the cave isn’t very deep. You secure a rope to the side and rappel down,” Dr. Vignola López explained.

“Entering at night, you can spot the eyes of tarantulas residing there. As you navigate through the 10-meter-long underground tunnel, fossils start to emerge.”

Fossil layers were separated by carbonate deposits formed during rainy periods in antiquity.

Although rodents made up most of the fossils, remains of sloths, birds, and reptiles—over 50 species in total—were also found. Together, these fossils narrate a compelling story.

“We hypothesize this cave served as a home for owls over generations, potentially for hundreds or even thousands of years,” Dr. Vignola López remarked.

“The owl would venture out to hunt and return to the cave to regurgitate pellets.”

“We’ve collected fossils of the prey the owl consumed, its own remains, and even bones of turtles and crocodiles that may have inadvertently fallen into the cave.”

Dr. Vignola López and his colleagues observed that the sediments in empty tooth sockets of mammalian jaws didn’t accumulate randomly.

“The surface was notably smooth and slightly concave, which is unusual for sediment burial. I noticed this pattern across multiple specimens and thought to myself, ‘There’s something peculiar here.’ It reminded me of a hornet’s nest,” he noted.

Many well-known nests constructed by bees and wasps belong to social species that coexist in large colonies, raising their young together—like the bees in honeycombs or paper wasp nests.

“However, the majority of bee species are solitary. They deposit eggs in small cavities and leave pollen for their larvae’s nourishment,” Dr. Vignola López continued.

“Some bee species create nests in tree hollows, in the ground, or utilize vacant spaces. Certain species in Europe and Africa even nest within discarded snail shells.”

To investigate the possible insect nests within the cave fossils, the researchers conducted CT scans and X-rays of the bones, capturing 3D images of the compacted soil in the tooth sockets without damaging the fossils.

The shape and composition of the deposits bore similarities to mud nests created by some contemporary bee species. Some of these nests contained ancient pollen grains that mother bees had sealed for their larvae.

The researchers propose that bees combined saliva and soil to construct small nests for their eggs, smaller than the eraser on a pencil.

Nesting within larger animal bones provided protection for bee eggs from potential predators such as wasps.

While the bees themselves were not preserved, the unique characteristics of the nests allowed for a taxonomic classification.

They named the nests Osnidam Almontei, in honor of the scientist Juan Almonte Milan, who first discovered this cave.

“Since no bee remains were found, they may have belonged to a currently existing species. Our knowledge on the ecology of various bee species in these islands is limited,” Dr. Vignola López stated.

Scientists speculate that this behavior arises from a combination of factors. With little soil covering the limestone terrain in this region, bees may have opted for caves as their nesting sites, rather than digging into the ground like many other species.

Additionally, this cave had been home to generations of owls, with numerous owl pellets accumulating over the years, providing the bees with ample use of the bones the owls left behind.

“This finding illustrates the peculiarities of bees. They can be surprising, and it emphasizes the importance of meticulous examination when studying fossils,” Dr. Vignola López remarked.

of paper published today in Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences.

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Lazaro W. Vignola-Lopez and others. 2025. Fossil traces in mammal remains reveal a new nesting behavior for bees. R Soc Open Science 12(12):251748; doi: 10.1098/rsos.251748

Source: www.sci.news

New Study Suggests Remarkable South African Fossil Could Represent a New Australopithecus Species

Posted on December 16, 2025 by

A recent study conducted by researchers from the University of Cambridge and La Trobe University questions the classification of the Littlefoot fossil, Australopithecus prometheus.

Littlefoot fossil from Sterkfontein Cave, central South Africa. Image credit: Purdue University.

The Littlefoot fossils were found in 1994 within a cave in Sterkfontein, central South Africa.

This specimen, referred to as StW 573, drew its name from the four small leg bones discovered in a box containing animal fossils, leading to the uncovering of the skeleton.

In the 2010s, paleoanthropologist Ronald Clark proposed that Littlefoot belonged to a hominin species known as Australopithecus prometheus.

Others argued that it was Australopithecus africanus, a hominid species first identified by Australian anatomist Raymond Dart in 1925 and already well-known in the region and across South Africa.

However, a new investigation by Dr. Jesse Martin and his team at La Trobe University has determined that Littlefoot does not exhibit a distinct set of traits linked to either species, suggesting it may be a completely new species.

“This fossil represents one of the most significant discoveries in human history, and its identity is crucial for understanding our evolutionary background,” stated Martin.

“We believe it’s evident that it does not belong to Australopithecus prometheus or Australopithecus africanus. This is likely a previously unidentified ancestor of humans.”

“Dr. Clark deserves recognition for discovering Littlefoot and for being among the few to suggest the presence of two hominin species in Sterkfontein.”

“Littlefoot indicates that this is likely true; there are indeed two species.”

Another forensic facial reconstruction of Australopithecus species – afarensis. Image credit: Cicero Moraes / CC BY-SA 3.0.

The researchers now intend to determine which species Littlefoot represents and how it fits within the human evolutionary tree.

Professor Andy Herries, a researcher at La Trobe University and the University of Johannesburg, remarked: “Littlefoot is one of the most complete and significant fossils ever discovered, providing valuable insights into early human diversity and how our ancestors adapted to various environments in southern Africa.”

“It is distinctly different from the designated specimen of Australopithecus prometheus, a classification based on the notion that early humans mastered fire, which we now understand was not the case.”

“Its unique significance compared to other contemporary fossils clearly indicates the necessity of defining it as a distinct species.”

Regarding this research, a paper was published in the December 2025 issue of the American Journal of Biological Anthropology.

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Jesse M. Martin et al. 2025. StW 573 Littlefoot fossil is Australopithecus prometheus. American Journal of Biological Anthropology 188 (4): e70177; doi: 10.1002/ajpa.70177

Source: www.sci.news

New Fossil Discovery Indicates Mosasaurs Could Thrive in Freshwater Environments

Posted on December 16, 2025 by

Paleontologists have discovered a 66-million-year-old Mosasaurus tooth within the Hell Creek Formation in North Dakota, USA. This find reinforces the idea that mosasaurs, often viewed as marine reptiles, also hunted in freshwater rivers.

Artist’s reconstruction of the Hell Creek Mosasaurus. Image credit: Christopher DiPiazza.

“Mosasaurs were apex predators in marine environments, diversifying during the Late Cretaceous and dominating a range of ecological niches,” stated paleontologist Melanie Dooling from Uppsala University and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam alongside her team.

“The mosasauridae family is divided into three subfamilies: mosasauridae, plioplatecarpinidae, and tylosauridae, each showcasing unique adaptations that allow them to exploit various ecological opportunities.”

“Although mosasaurid fossils are often linked to shallow marine environments, findings of fossils in estuarine and freshwater settings challenge the notion that they were solely marine creatures.”

In 2022, a significant mosasaur tooth was unearthed from a multi-species fossil site in the Hell Creek Formation.

This area, once part of the ancient Western Interior Seaway, is well-known for a scarcity of marine species, primarily housing fossils of terrestrial and freshwater organisms.

The fossil was found in river sediments alongside an ancient tooth from a tyrannosaurus rex and a crocodile jawbone, indicating a rich ecosystem that included fossilized dinosaurs like edmontosaurus.

This specimen is related to the mosasaurid family prognatodontini, as its surface texture resembles that of other members in this group.

Researchers also studied isotopes within the tooth enamel to deduce the habitat of mosasaurs, discovering oxygen and strontium isotopic signatures indicative of freshwater conditions.

This may imply that mosasaurs preyed on freshwater animals, suggesting they could thrive and hunt away from oceanic environments.

“The carbon isotopes in teeth generally reflect the diet of the organism,” Dr. Dühring explained.

“Many mosasaurs exhibit low ¹³C values, allowing for deeper dives.”

“The teeth of Mosasaurus, in contrast, have higher ¹³C values compared to those of all known mosasaurs, dinosaurs, and crocodiles, indicating they likely did not dive deeply and may have occasionally consumed drowned dinosaurs.”

“Isotopic data suggest this mosasaur inhabited freshwater river environments.”

“When we examined two additional mosasaurus teeth from a nearby, slightly older site, we noted similar freshwater isotopic signatures.”

“These analyses indicate that mosasaurs inhabited fluvial environments for about the last million years before their extinction.”

Further examination of older mosasaurus teeth and other fauna from the Western Interior Seaway suggested isotopic concentrations more aligned with freshwater rather than saltwater habitats.

This points to a gradual decrease in salinity in the region over time.

The authors propose that members of Prognathodontini might have been opportunistic predators inhabiting niches similar to modern species, akin to the saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus), believed to have adapted to freshwater systems in response to the receding salinity of the Western Interior Seaway, gradually moving into the Hell Creek channel.

“We also analyzed fossils from other marine species and found distinct differences,” stated Dr. Per Ahlberg, a paleontologist at Uppsala University.

“Gill-breathing animals possessed isotopic signatures linked to brackish or saltwater, while all lung-breathing organisms did not.”

“This indicates that mosasaurs, which required surface access to breathe, lived in the upper freshwater layer rather than the saltier deeper layers.”

The team’s paper was published in the Journal on December 12, 2025, in BMC Zoology.

_____

in the midst of chaos others. 2025. King of the Riverside offers a fresh perspective on pre-extinct mosasaurs through a multi-proxy approach. BMC Zuhl 10, 25; doi: 10.1186/s40850-025-00246-y

Source: www.sci.news

Bolivian Fossil Site Captures Thousands of Cretaceous Dinosaur Footprints, Tail Marks, and Swim Trails

Posted on December 5, 2025 by

The Carreras Pampas archaeological site within Bolivia’s Toro Toro National Park has documented 1,321 tracks and 289 isolated footprints, totaling 16,600 theropod dinosaur footprints. Additionally, 280 swim tracks have been identified, amounting to 1,378 swim tracks in total. Some of the tracks include tail traces.

Dinosaur footprints at the Carreras Pampas Stadium in Bolivia’s Toro Toro National Park. Image credit: Esperante et al., doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0335973.

Bolivia boasts one of the most comprehensive and diverse records of dinosaur footprints globally, covering the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous periods.

Despite the abundance of track sites, there has been limited scientific research published.

A recent study led by paleontologist Raul Esperante from the Institute of Geosciences, along with his colleagues, has documented an extraordinary variety of dinosaur footprints at the Carreras Pampas site in Toro Toro National Park.

In nine different study areas, the research team uncovered 16,600 footprints left by three-toed theropod dinosaurs from the late Cretaceous.

These footprints vary in size from small (less than 10 cm) to large (over 30 cm) and capture a range of dinosaur behaviors, including running, swimming, tail dragging, and abrupt turns.

“The waist height of most (80%) of the trackmakers was between 65 cm and 1.15 meters, with a significant portion measuring between 75 cm and 1.05 meters,” stated the paleontologist.

“Interestingly, very few trackmakers exceeded 1.25 meters in height.”

The majority of these footprints are oriented approximately northwest to southeast, and the sediments retain ripple marks, indicating that these dinosaurs traversed ancient shorelines.

“The Carreras Pampas track set a new world record for the number of individual dinosaur footprints, continuous tracks, tail marks, and swimming marks,” the researchers noted.

“This exceptional frequency suggests it was a heavily trafficked area, and the parallel alignment of some footprints may imply groups of dinosaurs traveled together.”

“Numerous more footprints at this site and other locations in Bolivia remain to be studied,” they added.

“This site offers a remarkable glimpse into the region’s past. It reveals not only how many dinosaurs inhabited the area but also their behaviors during migration.”

“It’s truly incredible to work here, as the ground is covered with dinosaur footprints wherever you look.”

The team’s findings were published in the online journal PLoS ONE.

_____

R. Esperante et al. 2025. Morphology, preservation, and taphonomy of dinosaur footprints, tail prints, and swim tracks in the world’s largest athletic arena: Carreras Pampas, Toro Toro National Park, Bolivia (Upper Cretaceous). PLoS One 20 (12): e0335973; doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0335973

Source: www.sci.news

Fossil Fuel Emissions Increase Again, While China’s Emissions Stay Steady

Posted on November 13, 2025 by

Lignite Power Plant in Germany

Patrick Pleul/DPA/Alamy

Global emissions from fossil fuels are projected to rise by 1.1% in 2025, hitting a record high as hydrocarbon consumption accelerates, as per the annual Global Carbon Budget report.

On a more optimistic note, emissions from China, the leading emitter globally, seem to be stabilizing and may have peaked, offering hope that worldwide emissions may soon follow the same trend.

“We are not yet in a situation where emissions are decreasing at the pace required to combat climate change,” states Corinne Le Quéré, a researcher at the University of East Anglia. “However, it is encouraging to see emissions growth in China and India beginning to slow.”

The report estimates that humanity will emit 38.1 billion tonnes of fossil CO2 this year, comparable to the emissions from driving 9 billion gasoline cars annually. While renewable energy sources are replacing hydrocarbons in several regions, they remain insufficient to meet the rising energy demands, most of which continue to be fulfilled by fossil fuels. The consumption of coal, oil, and natural gas is still on the rise this year.

As noted in the report, the Earth is now 1.36 degrees Celsius warmer than before the industrial era. The current emissions trajectory makes it nearly impossible to keep global warming below the 1.5°C threshold set by the Paris Agreement, according to the report’s authors. Exceeding this limit substantially increases the risks of severe climate impacts, including irreversible changes like ice sheet collapses.

Last month, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged world leaders at the COP30 climate summit that surpassing 1.5°C of warming seems likely, urging humanity to reduce emissions and minimize this overshoot.

While global CO2 emissions are expected to decline slightly in 2025 when factoring in carbon absorption by oceans and land ecosystems, this is primarily attributed to the conclusion of the warm El Niño event, which hindered photosynthesis in major carbon sinks like tropical forests.

As the climate continues to warm, these sinks are becoming less effective at absorbing CO2, as highlighted in a separate study conducted by the team behind the Global Carbon Budget Report.

Nonetheless, the overall rise in emissions over the past decade has been slower compared to the previous decade, notes Pierre Friedlingstein from the University of Exeter, one of the report’s authors. “There are positive trends,” he asserts. “When looking at the growth rate, it’s significantly lower now.”

The report projects a 0.4% increase in emissions from China in 2025. An analysis by Carbon Brief illustrates that emissions have remained flat through the third quarter of this year. Solar power generation in the country has surged by 46% year-on-year, which has helped to mitigate the increased electricity demand. Meanwhile, rising electric vehicle sales have contributed to reduced pollution in the transport sector, although a spike in the production of oil-heavy chemicals and plastics has led to an uptick in static electricity emissions overall.

The think tank “Ember” mentions in another report that, thanks to the solar power boom, China’s fossil fuel electricity generation declined by 1.1% in the first three quarters of 2025, indicating “structural changes within the country’s electricity system.” India is also experiencing a significant increase in solar and wind energy installations, which fell by 3.3% during this period.

Enver stated that for the first time since the onset of COVID-19, global fossil electricity generation, excluding transportation, industry, and other sectors, will see no increase in 2025.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

New Fossil Discoveries Indicate Asian Forest Tortoise Ancestors Evolved in Europe

Posted on November 6, 2025 by

Paleontologists from the Institute of Paleontology of the Polish Academy of Sciences and the Autonomous University of Barcelona have identified a new species within the genus Turtle, known as Manuria. This discovery is based on fossilized remains found in the Czech Republic.

Life restoration of Manulia morula. Image credit: Rudolf Hima.

Manulia morula thrived in the wetlands of what is now the Czech Republic during the early Miocene epoch, roughly 20 to 17 million years ago.

This species is recognized as the oldest member of Manuria, which currently exists solely in Southeast Asia and comprises four extinct species along with two living ones: Manulia Emmis and the impressed turtle (Manulia Impreza).

“Tortoise paleontologist Dr. Milan Kraust from the Institute of Paleontology of the Polish Academy of Sciences remarked, ‘Turtles of the family Testudinidae are a clade highly specialized for terrestrial environments, predominantly inhabiting semi-arid conditions.’

“Members of the Testudinidae family, with carapace lengths ranging from 35 to 75 cm (14 to 30 inches), are categorized as medium to large-sized turtles, while those exceeding 75 cm are classified as giant-sized turtles.”

“Extant species of the Testudinidae can be divided into three main groups: gophers and Manuria (which appears as a basal genus or continuous branch), geokerona clade, and test duna clade, with the latter two forming the subfamily Testudininae.”

The fossil remains of Manulia morula include parts of the carapace and plastron, along with numerous unidentified shell fragments, which were uncovered at the Arnikov I fossil site in the Most Basin of Bohemia.

The length of the turtle’s shell is estimated to have been around 50 cm (20 inches).

“The Anikov I area has long been recognized as a region where wetlands featuring flooded rivers and shallow lakes have been documented,” the paleontologists stated.

“The wetland habitat near the coast was also inferred from the abundance of juvenile crocodiles and potentially the presence of Coristodere.”

“However, based on research findings regarding this genus, Manuria suggests a humid forest of evergreen broad-leaved trees situated near water, characterized by a rainy season and a distinct drier, cooler season, reminiscent of the current Kaeng Krachan National Park in Thailand.”

The discovery of Manulia morula broadens the paleobiogeographical distribution of this genus, Manuria, extending its range from Asia into the heart of Europe.

“According to our findings, the genus Manuria originated in Europe just prior to the Miocene climate optimum, subsequently spreading to Asia, where it continues to thrive today,” the researchers elaborated.

These findings were published on October 3, 2025, in the Swiss Journal of Paleontology.

_____

M. Kraust et al. 2025. Manulia morula sp. Nov.: An ancient large turtle from a Miocene swamp in Anikov, Czech Republic. Swiss Journal of Paleontology 144, 63; doi: 10.1186/s13358-025-00400-6

Source: www.sci.news

Mysterious Brazilian Fossil Reveals Widespread Presence of Lichens in the Early Devonian Period

Posted on October 31, 2025 by

Paleontologists have discovered a specimen dating back 410 million years: cavernous cavernosa nanum. This lichen is one of the oldest and most extensively distributed in the fossil record and was found in Brazil’s Paraná Basin, specifically within the Ponta Grossa Formation.

Artistically reconstructed cavernous cavernosa nanum from the Early Devonian, depicting high-latitude sedimentary systems of the Paraná Basin. Image credit: J. Lacerda.

The colonization of land and the evolution of complex terrestrial ecosystems rank among the most significant evolutionary milestones in the history of life.

This phenomenon greatly affected terrestrial and marine ecosystems, leading to the sequestration of atmospheric carbon dioxide, enhanced weathering, nutrient absorption in oceans, soil formation, and the emergence of major groups of terrestrial animals.

It is well-established that early plants played a crucial role in land colonization, particularly in establishing the first plant communities.

The earliest records of ancient land plants appear in the form of cryptospores from the Middle Ordovician, around 460 million years ago. The first macrofossils of vascular plants are found in Silurian deposits dating from approximately 443 to 420 million years ago.

Despite this, the specific role and presence of lichens during various stages of terrestrialization remain uncertain.

“cavernous cavernosa nanum displays a partnership of fungi and algae akin to modern lichens,” noted Dr. Bruno Becker Kerber from Harvard University.

“Our research illustrates that lichens are not merely peripheral organisms; they were vital pioneers in reshaping Earth’s terrain.”

“They contributed to the soil formation that enabled the colonization and diversification of plants and animals on land.”

Morphology and internal structure of cavernous cavernosa nanum. Image credit: Becker-Kerber et al., doi: 10.1126/sciadv.adw7879.

Findings indicate that ancient lichens originated in the cold polar regions of the Gondwana supercontinent, now known as parts of modern-day South America and Africa.

“cavernous cavernosa nanum is a remarkable fossil, preserved in an incredible state. Essentially, they are mummified with their organic matter intact,” remarked Professor Jochen Brocks from the Australian National University.

“In simple plants, the tough component is cellulose. In contrast, lichens are unique; they consist of chitin, the same material that gives insects like beetles their strength.”

“Chitin contains nitrogen. In our analyses, cavernous cavernosa nanum yielded an unprecedented nitrogen signal.”

“Such clear results are rare. It was a true Eureka moment.”

“Today, lichens continue to be vital in soil creation, nutrient recycling, and carbon capture in extreme environments spanning from deserts to the polar regions.”

“Yet, due to their delicate structure and infrequent fossil records, their origins remain elusive.”

“This research underscores the necessity of blending traditional techniques with innovative technology,” explained Dr. Nathalie L. Alchira, a researcher at the Synchrotron Light Institute in Brazil.

“Preliminary measurements enabled us to identify crucial areas of interest and collect 3D nanometer imaging for the first time, unveiling the intricate fungal and algal networks that define cavernous cavernosa nanum as a true lichen.”

The team’s study was published in this week’s edition of Scientific Advances.

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Bruno Becker-Kerber et al. 2025. The role of lichens in the colonization of terrestrial environments. Scientific Advances 11(44); doi: 10.1126/sciadv.adw7879

Source: www.sci.news

Nanotyrannus: Dinosaur Skeleton Resolves Long-Standing Debate Over ‘Small Tyrannosaurus’ Fossil

Posted on October 30, 2025 by

Artist’s interpretation of the pack Nanotyrannus assailing a young tyrannosaurus

Anthony Hutchings

Fossils previously thought to belong to a juvenile tyrannosaurus rex have been identified as a fully mature carnivore of a distinct species, resolving a long-standing debate in paleontology.

This controversy originated from a skull unearthed in the Hell Creek Formation in Montana during the 1940s, which was initially identified as gorgosaurus. It was later proposed to be a juvenile tyrannosaurus. In 1988, other researchers posited that the fossil represented an adult of a smaller related species, which they designated Nanotyrannus lansensis.

Since then, a number of additional fossils classified as Nanotyrannus have been discovered, although many paleontologists contend that they are merely tyrannosaurus juveniles.

Now, researchers have examined a complete skeleton for the first time, providing compelling evidence that Nanotyrannus is indeed a separate species.

The skeleton is among a pair of specimens known as “Dueling Dinosaurs,” found by private fossil hunters in 2006, which includes a triceratops and what was initially believed to be a juvenile T. rex buried approximately 67 million years ago.

It was only in 2020, when the fossil came into the possession of the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, that paleontologists could conduct a thorough analysis of it.

“Upon receiving the specimen, we recognized it was extraordinary,” remarks Lindsey Zanno from the North Carolina Museum of Natural Science. “We had no inkling it would radically alter decades of research concerning the world’s most renowned dinosaur.”

Mr. Zanno collaborated with his colleagues, including James Naples, a postdoctoral researcher at Stony Brook University in New York. She had initially supported the juvenile tyrannosaurus theory but was compelled to reevaluate her stance based on the findings.

“Nanotyrannus displays unique nerve and sinus patterns, a greater number of teeth, larger hands, and shorter tails. These traits remain consistent as the species develops from juvenile to adult,” she notes.

Lindsay Zanno with the proposed *Nanotyrannuslansensis* skeleton

North Carolina State University

Zanno and Napoli’s examination of the dinosaur’s limb bones confirmed that it was a fully mature specimen, approximately 20 years old, weighing around 700 kilograms and measuring about 5.5 meters in length. “This is roughly one-tenth the weight of an adult human and half the length of a tyrannosaurus,” Zanno explains.

Additionally, Zanno and Napoli reanalyzed 200 tyrannosaur fossils and concluded that another nearly complete skeleton, known as Jane from the Hell Creek Formation, is misclassified as a tyrannosaurid fossil. They propose that Jane is actually a new species within this genus, designated Nanotyrannus letaeus.

“Although we possess only one skeleton of N. Retheus, its anatomy suggests it was part of a larger species,” remarks Zanno. “The configuration of the palatal sinuses and the shape of the bone behind the eye are distinctive.”

Proposed *Nanotyrannus lansensis* skull features more teeth than the *tyrannosaurus* skull.

Matt Zeher/North Carolina Museum of Natural Science

Scott Parsons, a researcher at the South Carolina State Museum, asserts that this latest study clarifies the debate surrounding Nanotyrannus being its own genus and species.

“In my opinion, Nanotyrannus was among the most formidable dinosaur predators, and being pursued by one would be quite a terrifying experience,” Parsons remarks, noting its long legs and fearsome thumb claws.

“In essence, we can compare Nanotyrannus and tyrannosaurus to modern-day cheetahs and lions. While they shared a similar overall anatomy, they had distinct hunting strategies.”

Thomas Carr from Carthage College in Wisconsin has expressed that the new findings are “quite definitive” that the dueling dinosaur specimen represents an almost adult species, one that differs from tyrannosaurus.

Additionally, Holly Ballard from Oklahoma State University, who led the 2020 research, stated that there is “no contention” regarding the team’s conclusion that the fossil belonged to an individual nearing adult size.

However, neither Ballard nor Carr are fully convinced that the other fossil, Jane, constitutes a new species of Nanotyrannus. “Jane is still maturing and large,” emphasizes Ballard, suggesting it may be a new taxon rather than a juvenile tyrannosaurus. “We’re returning to the old debates,” Ballard laments.

“Moreover, in the Hell Creek Formation, if there are numerous small tyrannosaurs in circulation, where are the juvenile tyrannosaurus? ” Kerr questions, stating that it complicates the fossil record. “We simply haven’t uncovered enough tyrannosaurs to fully elucidate what was occurring during the growth phases of the tyrannosaurids in the Hell Creek Formation.”

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Fossil of 80-Million-Year-Old Long-Nosed Crocodile Discovered in Egypt

Posted on October 28, 2025 by

Paleontologists have unearthed two partial skulls and three partial jaws from an early diverging crocodile dinosaur in the Quseir Formation of Egypt.

Artist’s impression of Wasdiskus Kassabi. Image credit: Nathan Dehaut / MUVP.

This newfound species of crocodile existed in what is now Egypt roughly 80 million years ago during the late Cretaceous period.

Dubbed Wasdiskus Kassabi, it belongs to the Dirosauridae family. This group of crocodilians is known for its diverse skull morphology and broad distribution from the Late Cretaceous to the Paleogene.

“In contrast to modern crocodiles, dirosaurs flourished in coastal and marine habitats, characterized by elongated snouts and thin, needle-like teeth optimal for capturing slippery prey like fish and turtles,” stated paleontologist Sara Saber from Assiut University and her colleagues.

“Their notable survival and dispersal following the extinction of the dinosaurs is vital for understanding how reptiles adapted and diversified during the collapse of global ecosystems.”

Wasdiskus Kassabi was estimated to be 3.5 to 4 meters in length, featuring a lengthy snout and sharp, tall teeth.

“What sets it apart from other dirosaurids is its four teeth at the front of the snout versus the primitive five, nostrils placed at the top of the snout for surface breathing, and a notable notch at the snout’s tip where the jaws converge,” Saber added.

“These characteristics suggest that the dirosaurids’ bite was a gradual adaptation, representing a significant milestone in their evolutionary journey.”

Two partial skulls and three partial jaws of Wasdiskus Kassabi were discovered in the Kharga and Baris oases within Egypt’s Western Desert.

“Apart from its unique features, Wasdiskus Kassabi significantly contributes to our understanding of the origins of the dyrosaurid family,” Dr. Saber remarked.

“This new species extends the timeline for the African origin of dirosaurids and suggests their diversification may have begun earlier than previously thought, potentially during the early Coniacian-Santonian period (approximately 87 to 83 million years ago) rather than the Maastrichtian period (around 72 to 66 million years ago) as had been traditionally assumed.”

“This discovery highlights Africa as the evolutionary cradle of dirosaurids, from which subsequent lineages spread worldwide and have consistently been positioned in our phylogenetic analyses.” Wasdiskus Kassabi “is the ancestor of the dirosaurid lineage,” noted Belal Salem, a researcher affiliated with Mansoura University, Ohio University, and Benha University.

“The significance of Wasdiskus Kassabi lies not only in its revelations about the evolutionary history of this remarkable crocodilian group but also in the reminder that Egypt’s Western Desert still holds treasures that guard the mysteries of Earth’s ancient past.”

The findings are detailed in a study published today in the Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society.

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Sarah Saber et al. 2025. Early dirosaurids (Wasdiskus Kassabi) discoveries from the Campanian of Egypt illuminate the origin and biogeography of dirosaurids. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 205 (2): zlaf134; doi: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlaf134

Source: www.sci.news

New Research Indicates Australia’s First Inhabitants Were Fossil Collectors

Posted on October 23, 2025 by

In a recent study, Professor Mike Archer from the University of New South Wales and his team revisited the fossilized tibia (the lower leg bone) of the now-extinct giant stenurine kangaroo. These bones, discovered in Mammoth Cave in southwestern Australia around World War I, provided solid evidence that Indigenous Australians hunted large animals, a finding in which Professor Archer was involved. A 1980 study had concluded that distinctive notches in the fossilized bones indicated slaughter. However, Professor Archer is now ready to acknowledge that this initial conclusion was incorrect.

Giant animal unearthed from mammoth cave about 50,000 years ago: giant long-beaked echidna Malayanglossus hackettii, giant kangaroo Procoptodon brauneorum, giant diprotodont Zygomaturus trilobus, and possum (Thylacinus cynocephalus). Image credit: Peter Schouten.

“As a scientist, updating the record as new evidence emerges is both my duty and responsibility,” Professor Archer stated.

“In 1980, we interpreted those cuts as signs of slaughter based on the best conclusions we could reach with the tools available to us then.”

“With advancements in technology, we now understand that our original interpretation was incorrect.”

“After the 1960s, there was a significant debate about whether Aboriginal peoples coexisted with Australia’s prehistoric megafauna or contributed to their extinction.”

“Many believed the incisions in the bones were made by humans using tools, suggesting that the extinction of megafauna and the arrival of humans approximately 65,000 years ago were not coincidental.”

“For decades, the bones from Mammoth Cave were seen as the ‘smoking gun’ indicating that Indigenous Australians hunted giant animals, but with that evidence dispelled, the discussion on megafauna extinction is now reopened, and the role of humans is more ambiguous than ever.”

To reexamine the same dissected stenurine leg bone, Professor Archer and his co-authors utilized advanced 3D scanning technology to analyze the bone without causing any damage.

They also employed modern radiometric dating methods to accurately determine the age of the bones and their cut surfaces while conducting detailed microscopic examinations.

Their findings indicated that the cuts were made after the bone had dried and cracked, suggesting the bones were likely already fossilized when the incisions occurred.

Paleontologists also investigated a fossilized tooth given to archaeologist Kim Ackerman by a Wora man from the Mowanjum mission, who had collaborated with Indigenous communities in the Kimberley during the 1960s.

This tooth, belonging to the Zygomaturus trilobus, a species of giant marsupial related to wombats, was part of Australia’s Pleistocene megafauna.

The tooth was retrieved from the Kimberley in northwestern Australia, and its characteristics closely matched other fossils found in Mammoth Cave in southwestern Australia.

Dr. Kenny Trabouillon from the Western Australian Museum remarked, “The discovery of this tooth in the Kimberley, far from its likely origin in Mammoth Cave, implies it may have been transported or traded by humans across great distances.”

“This suggests that cultural appreciation and symbolic usage of fossils existed long before the advent of European science.”

“The First Peoples might have been the continent’s, and possibly the world’s, earliest paleontologists.”

Researchers haven’t entirely dismissed the possibility of Aboriginal people having hunted Australia’s megafauna.

However, without concrete evidence, we cannot definitively assert that Indigenous Australians caused its extinction.

“While these remain hypotheses, we need substantiated proof before concluding that predation by Indigenous peoples contributed to the extinction of now-vanished megafauna, especially considering the long history of Indigenous peoples respecting and sustainably utilizing Australia’s wildlife,” Professor Archer stated.

“If humans were truly responsible for the unsustainable hunting of Australia’s megafauna, we would expect to find much more evidence of such hunting in the fossil record. Instead, the only solid evidence we had until now was this single bone, which now shows strong indications that the mutilations occurred post-mortem.”

If humans were not solely accountable for the extinction of Australia’s ancient megafauna, then what was?

Researchers indicate that many megafauna species went extinct long before humans arrived, and while some coexisted with humans for millennia, their decline often aligned with significant climate changes.

“What we can ascertain is that the First Peoples were the first in Australia to exhibit a keen interest in and collect fossils, likely thousands of years before Europeans arrived on the continent,” the researchers affirmed.

Their paper was published in the journal Royal Society Open Science.

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Michael Archer et al. 2025. Australia’s first people: hunters of extinct megafauna or Australia’s first fossil collectors. R. Soc. Open Science 12(10):250078; doi: 10.1098/rsos.250078

Source: www.sci.news

New Fossil Indicates Paranthropus Boisei May Have Crafted Tools

Posted on October 21, 2025 by

Paleoanthropologists have discovered and analyzed a partial hominin skeleton consisting of limb bones that are unmistakably linked to human skull components. Paranthropus boisei, an early hominin species that existed in East Africa between 2.3 and 1.2 million years ago, exhibits characteristics of manipulation and bipedal adaptations similar to those found in the genus homo. Furthermore, the hand morphology of this species shows convergence with gorillas in a way that supports manual food processing, potentially enabling strong gripping abilities akin to those required for climbing trees.

Paranthropus boisei. Image credit: © Roman Yevseyev.

The earliest members of the genus homo were known to have manufactured and utilized stone tools.

However, stone tools dating back 3.3 million years and Oldowan artifacts from 3 million years ago were found at Lomekwi. These discoveries at two locations in Nyayanga, Kenya, have reignited discussions surrounding the potential use of tools by other species.

“When Mary Leakey uncovered the OH 5 skull, Paranthropus boisei was discovered alongside Oldowan stone tools, leading this stone tool to be labeled the ‘oldest stone tool maker yet found,'” stated Dr. Carrie Mongul from Stony Brook University and her team.

“The debate over whether Paranthropus made and used tools has continued since, largely due to the absence of definitive hand bones that can be assigned to this genus.”

In a recent study, the researchers investigated partial human skeletons uncovered between 2019 and 2021 at Koobi Fora, east of Lake Turkana in Kenya.

The specimen, designated KNM-ER 101000, is estimated to be slightly over 1.52 million years old.

The teeth and skull of this specimen align with previous records of Paranthropus boisei fossils.

“KNM-ER 101000 provides the first hand and foot bones definitively linked to human teeth and skull of Paranthropus boisei,” reported the researchers.

Characteristics of KNM-ER 101000’s hands resemble both modern humans and African apes.

For instance, the ratio of thumb to finger length indicates that Paranthropus boisei likely had grip strength and dexterity comparable to that of humans, although they probably did not possess a precise pinch grip.

In contrast, some hand bones bear similarity to those of gorillas, suggesting that Paranthropus boisei may have had a strong grip beneficial for climbing.

“The findings imply that Paranthropus boisei could create and utilize tools to some extent, while also supporting the proposed distinction in dietary adaptations between Paranthropus and homo,” noted the scientists.

“Besides shedding light on less recognized aspects of postcranial functional anatomy in Paranthropus, this discovery highlights broader trends in the evolution of human hands and tool usage.”

The results of this research were published in a new paper in the journal Nature on October 15th. Read the article here.

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CS Mongul et al. A new fossil reveals aspects of the human hand in Paranthropus boisei. Nature published online October 15, 2025. doi: 10.1038/s41586-025-09594-8

Source: www.sci.news

Huayracursor jaguensis Fossil Challenges Prevailing Theories on the Evolution of Sauropod Neck Lengths

Posted on October 15, 2025 by

Triassic dinosaur illustration *Huayracursor jaguensis*

Jorge Blanco.

SEI 270327767 — Triassic dinosaur illustration *Huayracursor jaguensis*

Jorge Blanco.

Deep in Argentina’s Andes Mountains, paleontologists have uncovered the remains of a small dinosaur, giving insight into the early adaptations that characterized sauropod dinosaurs, specifically the extended neck seen in diplodocus.

The fossil, named Huayracursor jaguensis, represents a partial skeleton of a creature that roamed the Earth during the Triassic period, roughly 230 million years ago. It is estimated to have measured around 2 meters in length and weighed about 18 kilograms.

Subsequent sauropods like brontosaurus and Patagotitan would grow to impressive sizes—over 35 meters long and weighing more than 70 tons, marking them as the largest and longest-necked animals in history.

Previously, scientists believed that the ancestors of these long-necked, herbivorous dinosaurs were small, short-necked, and possibly even omnivorous.

At the same time, other smaller sauropods, such as homo jaguensis, measured approximately 1 meter and displayed no signs of elongated neck bones, unlike the newly identified species. This led paleontologists to think that substantial growth in size and neck elongation in sauropods didn’t occur until millions of years later.

The discovery of homo jaguensis at Santo Domingo Creek in northwestern Argentina has prompted a reevaluation of how these dinosaurs developed their iconic long necks, according to Martin Hechenleitner from Argentina’s National Council for Scientific and Technical Research.

“Waila cursor presents a different narrative than the gradual transition model,” Hechenleitner points out. “This is evident since it coexisted with closely related species that were smaller and had relatively shorter necks.”

This dinosaur had a small skull, muscular hind limbs, slender hips, and notably short arms, with relatively large and robust hands compared to other dinosaurs of its era.

This suggests that the traits of increased size and neck elongation emerged early in this evolutionary line, Hechenleitner explains.

“Waila cursor allows us to trace the origins of elongated necks and larger body sizes back to the dawn of dinosaurs in the fossil record,” he says, referencing species like argentinosaurus and Patagotitan, which emerged from a lineage that originated over 100 million years ago, with early bipedal forms measuring just over a meter long and weighing between 10 and 15 kilograms.

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Fossil of Long-Snouted Ichthyosaur Unearthed in the UK

Posted on October 14, 2025 by

Dean Lomax, a palaeontologist at the University of Manchester, along with his team, has unveiled a new genus and species of leptonectid ichthyosaur based on fossil remains found in Dorset, England.

Reconstruction of Siphodracon goldencapensis. Image credit: Bob Nichols.

The near-complete skeleton of this dolphin-sized ichthyosaur was unearthed near Golden Cap in 2001 by fossil collector Chris Moore from Dorset.

This specimen features a skull with large eye sockets and a long, sword-like snout, marking it as a new genus and species.

Dating back to the Pliensbachian period of the Early Jurassic, the fossil is estimated to be between 193 and 184 million years old.

“I vividly recall first seeing the skeleton in 2016. While we recognized its rarity then, we didn’t anticipate its significant contribution to our understanding of the intricate faunal turnover during the Pliensbachian period,” stated Dr. Lomax.

“This era is critical for ichthyosaurs, as certain families disappeared while new ones emerged, making this new species potentially the ‘missing piece of the ichthyosaur puzzle.’

“It is more closely related to species from the Late Jurassic, and its discovery helps indicate that faunal turnover transpires much earlier than we previously thought.”

“This marks the first early Jurassic ichthyosaur genus to be described in this region in over a century.”

Skeleton and skull of Siphodracon goldencapensis. Image credit: Dean Lomax.

Named Siphodracon goldencapensis, this new ichthyosaur measures approximately 3 meters (10 feet) in length and likely preyed on fish and squid. Evidence of its last meal can also be observed in the remains.

According to Dr. Erin Maxwell, an ichthyosaur specialist at the State Museum of Natural History in Stuttgart: “This skeleton not only offers essential insights into the evolution of ichthyosaurs but also enhances our understanding of life in Britain’s Jurassic seas.”

“The limb bones and teeth appear malformed, suggesting the animal suffered significant injury or disease during its life, and indications show the skull may have been bitten by a large predator, possibly another larger ichthyosaur, leading to this individual’s death.”

“Life in the Mesozoic ocean was perilous.”

The researchers identified several traits in Siphodracon goldencapensis that have not been seen in any known ichthyosaur.

One of the most peculiar features is the lacrimal bone, which has a unique protruding structure around the nostril.

“Thousands of complete or nearly complete ichthyosaur skeletons exist from both pre- and post-Pliensbachian layers,” noted Judy Massare, a ichthyosaur expert from the State University of New York at Brockport.

“Although the overall ecosystem shows similarities, the two faunas differ significantly with no overlapping species.”

“Evidently, a substantial shift in species diversity took place at some point during the Pliensbachian period.”

“Siphodracon goldencapensis aids in pinpointing when this change happened, yet we still lack insight into the reasons.”

This work is detailed in a study published in this month’s edition of Paleontology Papers.

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Dean R. Lomax et al. 2025. A new species of ichthyosaur with an elongated snout reveals complex faunal alterations during the poorly sampled Early Jurassic (Pliensbachian) period. Paleontology Papers 11 (5): e70038; doi: 10.1002/spp2.70038

Source: www.sci.news

Studies Suggest the 1-Million-Year-Old Yunxian Fossil Is an Early Hominid

Posted on September 26, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Different varieties of Homo, such as Homo Longhi, coexisted during the mid-Pleistocene era. The debate over whether these fossilized humans represent distinct species continues. The 1-million-year-old Yunxian 2 skulls from China are crucial for understanding the beginnings of Homo. In a recent study, paleontologists applied cutting-edge technology to recover and reconstruct the distorted Yunxian 2 fossils. Their findings indicate that this skull exhibits both primitive and advanced features in a mosaic pattern. Team analysis proposes that it belongs to an early Asian branch of Homo Longhi, which is closely related to Denisovan and is a significant part of the clade leading to Homo sapiens.

Reconstruction of Homo Longhi in its habitat. Image credit: Chuang Zhao.

Fossil evidence indicates the presence of multiple forms of Homo during the mid-Pleistocene period.

A significant portion of what we know about human evolution and archaic humanity is based on fossil skulls.

Nonetheless, many specimens from this time are damaged or deformed, creating uncertainty in species classification.

For instance, three human skulls from the Yunxian site in China, dating back nearly a million years, exhibit a mix of primitive traits.

The two already known Yunxian fossils, Yunxian 1 and 2, both show distortion. The newly discovered Yunxian 3 skull is still under analysis.

In this recent study, Dr. Xiaobo Feng, affiliated with Shanghai University and Huqiaotech University, along with his research team from the Yunxian Man Site’s Garden Team Laboratory, utilized advanced CT scanning and digital reconstruction methods to address the compression and distortion present in Yunxian 2.

The team’s analysis reveals a blend of previously unidentified primitive and derived characteristics, suggesting that this fossil belongs to the Asian Homo Longhi clade, closely related to Homo sapiens, which may include Denisovan traits.

Individuals within the Homo Longhi clade display distinctive traits, such as a larger cranial capacity, narrower eye spacing, a pronounced graveller depression, and a lower elongated frontal bone, all of which are evident in the Yunxian 2 fossils.

Researchers further posit that the Yunxian fossil is likely the oldest within the Homo Longhi clade, making it particularly significant.

“With geological ages ranging from 0.94 to 1.1 million years, Yunxian is closely aligned with the theoretical origins of the Longhi and Sapiens clades,” the team stated.

“Phylogenetically, it is nested within the Homo Longhi clade. However, its mosaic characteristics retain some plesiomorphic traits seen in Homo Erectus and Homo Elgustar. While Kabwe and Petralona show shared apomorphic traits, Homo Longhi and Homo sapiens may exhibit transitional functions close to the clade’s origin.”

“The narrow temporal gap between Yunxian and the deeper Longi nodes suggests a swift, early diversification of the Longi clades, similar to those of Sapiens and Neanderthals.”

A study detailing these findings will appear in the journal Science this week.

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Xiaobo Feng et al. 2025. The phylogenetic position of the Yunxian head in relation to Homo Longhi and Denisovan. Science 389 (6767): 1320-1324; doi: 10.1126/science.ado9202

Source: www.sci.news

The UK’s Oldest Known Lepidosaurus Fossil Discovered

Posted on September 11, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Paleontologists have discovered the complete skull and skeleton of the Triassic Lepidosaurus species – Agriodontosaurus Helsbypetrae – from the Hellsby Sandstone Formation in Devon, England.

Agriodontosaurus Helsbypetrae. Image credit: Bob Nichols.

Lepidosauria is the most species-rich group of terrestrial vertebrates.

This group comprises around 12,000 species of lizards and snakes, along with a single species of Rhynchocephalia, the Tuatara (Sphenodon Punctatus) from New Zealand.

Collectively known as Squamata, these lizards and snakes not only range in size but also possess highly mobile skulls that enable them to capture large prey effectively.

These vital features of their skulls are absent in tuatara, making the understanding of their common ancestor essential.

The scalypidosaurs thrived during the Triassic period, 252 to 201 million years ago, but incomplete fossils have led to some confusion. Many are general scale pidosauromorphs that lack squamous epithelium or Rhynchocephalians.

“It was always expected that the earliest scalypidosaurs would exhibit some lizard characteristics, such as partially hinged skulls, open lower bars, and numerous teeth on the palate.”

“All of these traits are found in modern lizards and snakes, enabling them to grasp large prey by extending their mouths and using palate teeth to seize smaller prey.”

“The lower bar acts akin to the cheekbone, situated between the cheek and the jaw hinge, and is absent in present-day lizards and snakes.”

“Snakes and many lizards possess all these traits while enhancing skull flexibility.”

“Only the tuatara features a completely low temporal bar, presenting an archaic appearance reminiscent of some early reptiles, coupled with some substantial palate teeth.”

The fossil remains of Agriodontosaurus Helsbypetrae were found in 2015 on a beach in Devon, UK.

The specimen is dated to 242 million years ago (middle Triassic epoch), just prior to the emergence of dinosaurs.

It is approximately 3 to 7 million years older than the oldest known Lepidosaurus, Wirtembergia, from the Erfurt Formation.

“The new fossils revealed characteristics we didn’t anticipate,” remarked Dan Mark, a paleontologist at the University of Bristol and the University of Edinburgh.

“There are no teeth on the palate nor indications of hinges. While there is an open bar on the side, it’s not just one of the three, but also features a grand, large tooth in comparison to its closest relatives.”

Agriodontosaurus Helsbypetrae measured about 10 cm in length and showcased a unique combination of traits.

“When you observe the fossil, the entire skeleton fits in the palm of your hand,” said Professor Michael Benton from the University of Bristol.

“However, thanks to student efforts in cleaning up and scanning the data, we are uncovering remarkable details.”

“This new species possesses relatively large triangular teeth, likely adapted for slicing through the tough exteriors of insect prey, similar to modern tuataras.”

“The discoveries challenge our understanding of the evolutionary pathways of lizards, snakes, and tuataras,” Mark concluded.

The study results were published today in the journal Nature.

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D. Marche et al. The origins of feeding adaptations in the oldest known Lepidosaurus. Nature Published online on September 10, 2025. doi:10.1038/s41586-025-09496-9

Source: www.sci.news

Paleontologists Discover Several New Fossil Coelacanths

Posted on September 8, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Recently discovered species of coelacanth, which thrived at the end of the Triassic period around 200 million years ago, have been identified from museum specimens excavated in the UK over a century and a half ago.

Reconstruction of the large Mausonian Coelacanth artist from the Lezians of England. Image credit: Daniel Phillips.

Coelacanths are unique fish that first appeared in the early Devonian epoch fossil record approximately 419 million years ago.

Since the Paleozoic and Mesozoic periods, over 175 fossil coelacanth species have been identified.

During the Mesozoic Era, these fish exhibited significant diversification, with some species developing unusual body shapes.

However, at the close of the Cretaceous period, around 66 million years ago, they inexplicably vanished from the fossil record.

It is believed that coelacanths went extinct due to a mass extinction event during the Cretaceous period. Nonetheless, in 1938, the first specimen of the living species Latimeria chalumnae was fortuitously captured in South Africa.

“Our team has encountered numerous fossils that were initially classified as small marine reptiles. Pachistrophius,” said Professor Mike Benton of the University of Bristol, who is a senior author of the study.

“Many Pachistrophius share peculiar similarities with coelacanth fossils, but we’ve traveled to collections nationwide and discovered that this misidentification has occurred repeatedly.”

“Notably, several of these specimens have been stored in museum facilities, including public collections, since the 1800s,” stated Jacob Quinn, a paleontologist at the University of Bristol.

“From four previous reports of coelacanths from the Triassic era in the UK, we identified more than 50 individuals.”

Paleontologists conducted X-ray scans of numerous specimens to verify their identification.

The specimens mainly belong to the extinct group Mawsoniidae of the coelacanth, while also being closely related to living fish.

“The materials we identified are isolated specimens, but we can see they originate from individuals of various ages, sizes, and species.”

Dr. David Whiteside, a paleontologist at the University of Bristol, remarked:

“Like modern coelacanths, these large fish are opportunistic predators, lurking along the seabed and likely preying on whatever they encountered, including small Pachistrophius marine reptiles, which have been misidentified as coelacanth fossils for decades.”

The study is set to be published in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology.

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Jacob Quinn et al. 2025. British Triassic coelacanth fish. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 45: E2520921; doi: 10.1080/02724634.2025.2520921

Source: www.sci.news

Unique Fossil of a Boy’s Chest Dragon Unearthed in Germany

Posted on August 2, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Rhynchocephalians – These are members of the sister group to squamates (which include lizards, snakes, and worm lizards) and encompass living Tuataras (Sphenodon punctatus), dating back to the late Jurassic period in the Solnhofen Archipelago. They have been recognized for nearly two centuries, with an increasing number of specimens and species, yet their evolutionary development remains poorly understood. A well-documented marine rhynchocephalian genus, Plerosaurus, existed during the late Jurassic period about 150 million years ago, but clear juvenile specimens have yet to be identified among more than 15 known specimens (with several unlisted).

Plerosaurus is a remarkable long-swimming Rhynchocephalian that lived around 150 million years ago in what is now Germany during the late Jurassic period. Image credit: Roberto Ochoa.

“Genuine Plerosaurus is the most common rhynchocephalian found in the Late Jurassic deposits of Canjuers and Cerin, France, as well as in the Solnhofen Archipelago, Germany,” stated Dr. Victor Beccari from the SNSB-Bayerische Staatsammlung für Paläontologie and the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, along with his colleagues.

“This genus is characterized by an elongated triangular skull, a reshaped anterior jaw, an absence of a low anterior flange in the front part of the teeth, and reduced forelimbs.”

“Currently, there are two species within this genus: Pleurosaurus goldfussi and Pleurosaurus ginsburgi.”

“The specific distinctions are based on the count of anterior sacral vertebrae (50 and 57, respectively), the ratio of skull to appendix, and more advanced pelvic development in Pleurosaurus goldfussi.”

“Extensive research has been undertaken; however, in the more than 15 published specimens of Plerosaurus, no clear juvenile specimens have been recorded as of yet.”

Plerosaurus cf. P. ginsburgi: (a) Standard light photographs. (b) Photo under UV light. (c) Interpretation diagram of the specimen. Image credit: Beccari et al., doi: 10.1002/ar.25545.

In a recent study, researchers described a juvenile specimen of Plerosaurus.

The fossils were sourced from the Mörnsheim Formation near Müllheim, close to Solnhofen, Bavaria, Germany.

“This fossil is especially intriguing as it distinctly exhibits characteristics typical of young animals,” commented the paleontologist.

“Its teeth are small, show no signs of wear, its bones remain underdeveloped, and the vertebrae are still forming.”

“This small size, along with other features, makes it the first clearly identified juvenile Plerosaurus. These specimens bridge crucial gaps in understanding the growth and development of these extinct reptiles.”

Findings of juvenile Plerosaurus have significant implications for classifying another genus, Acrosaurus.

“Historically, some paleontologists have posited that Acrosaurus might represent a juvenile form of Plerosaurus, but until now, there was no substantial evidence to support this theory,” the researchers noted.

“These new fossils exhibit numerous similarities to previously identified Acrosaurus, suggesting that it is not a separate genus, but rather a hatchling form of Plerosaurus.”

“For years, I have sought to comprehend how these animals grew and developed, but I had never encountered such a young, well-preserved specimen,” remarked Dr. Andrea Villa from the Paleontologia Miquel Crusafont Institute.

The team’s paper was published in the March 2025 issue of Anatomical Records.

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Victor Beccari et al. 2025. Young Pleurosauride (Rhynchocephalia) from the Titonians of the Mörnsheim Formation, Germany. Anatomical Records 308(3):844-867; doi:10.1002/ar.25545

Source: www.sci.news

New Fossil Reveals Cambrian Nectocalid as an Early Ancestor of the Arrow Bug

Posted on July 25, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Nectakarizids are enigmatic Paleozoic creatures with a debatable classification. These beings evolved for aquatic life, boasting fins, camera-like eyes on stalks, and paired tentacles. Earlier theories proposed they belonged to a unique crustacean-like phylum, notochord, cephalopods, or even radioyoloons. However, new fossil discoveries from North Greenland indicate that Nectocalids are actually the early relatives of Arrow worms, also known as Chaetognaths. This discovery suggests that these relatively simplistic marine arrow worms had ancestors that played a significant predatory role within much more intricate anatomical structures and food webs.

Reconstructing the life of Nektognathus evasmithae. Image credit: Bob Nichols.

“About 15 years ago, a study based on the notable Burgess Shale fossil suggested that Nectochalidosis is a type of cephalopod,” said Jacob Vincer, a paleontologist at the University of Bristol.

“This argument seemed illogical to me as it contradicts much of what I understand about the taxonomy of these organisms.

In the recent research, Dr. Vinther and his team described Nektognathus evasmithae, a newly identified Nectocalid from the Sirius Passett Lagerstätte, dating back 519 million years in North Greenland.

By examining 25 fossil specimens of Nektognathus evasmithae, they successfully positioned the Nectocalid within the Tree of Life.

“We found that remnants of the nervous system manifested as paired mineralized structures, providing insight into these animals’ position in the evolutionary tree,” Dr. Winter remarked.

Nektognathus evasmithae holotype. Image credit: Vinther et al., doi: 10.1126/sciadv.adu6990.

Recently, paleontologists found a fossil from Sirius Passett, which belongs to a different branch of the evolutionary tree—a small group of swimming organisms known as arrow bugs and Chaetognaths.

“These fossils exhibit distinctive traits that set them apart from arrow worms, particularly the abdominal ganglia,” explains Dr. Tae Yoon Park, a paleontologist at the Korean Institute of Polar Research.

The abdominal ganglia consist of large nerve clusters situated above the abdomen in living arrow bugs, typical for this type of creature.

The distinctive anatomical features, coupled with unique preservation conditions, indicate that they may be replaced by phosphate minerals during the decomposition process.

“We now have a compelling piece of evidence to resolve the Nectkalido debate,” Dr. Park stated.

“Nectocaridids share numerous features with other fossils that are also part of the arrow worm lineage.”

“Many of these characteristics may superficially resemble squid and demonstrate a simple adaptation of invertebrates to a more dynamic swimming lifestyle, paralleling how whales and ancient marine reptiles evolved similar traits for their aquatic lifestyles.”

“Nectakalids possess complex camera-like eyes akin to ours,” Dr. Vincer elaborated.

“Contemporary arrow worms have a limited ability to form images, primarily detecting movement in well-lit environments.”

“Thus, the ancestors of arrow worms were indeed sophisticated predators, much like squids that appeared around 400 million years later.”

“Consequently, we can illustrate how arrow worms have a more significant role in the food chain than previously thought.”

“Our fossils are notably larger than the average living arrow worm and likely feature various adaptations for swimming, such as eyes and elongated antennae.

“To further substantiate the carnivorous nature of Nectkalizids, we discovered several specimens containing the remains of a swimming arthropod known as Isoxys in their gastrointestinal tract.

This study was published this week in the journal Advances in Science.

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Jacob Winter et al. 2025. Fossilized abdominal ganglia reveal the affinity of Chaetognaths for Cambrian calizids. Advances in science 11 (30); doi:10.1126/sciadv.adu6990

Source: www.sci.news

Tree Planting Alone Can’t Compensate for Global Fossil Fuel Emissions

Posted on June 20, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Afforestation Initiative in British Columbia, Canada

James McDonald/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Achieving sufficient tree planting to counterbalance the climate effects of fossil fuel combustion is nearly unfeasible. The land required to offset around 182 billion tonnes of carbon contained in the reserves of the world’s leading fossil fuel companies exceeds the available area of North and Central America combined.

In a study, Alain Naef from France’s Essec Business School, along with his team, assessed the economic viability of offsetting the carbon emissions originating from the oil, gas, and coal reserves owned by the top 200 fossil fuel firms.

The research indicates that newly planted trees must cover an area greater than 24.75 million square kilometers, equivalent to all land in North, Central, and South America, to mitigate the effects of burning these fossil fuel reserves.

Such a scale of afforestation is impractical, necessitating significant relocations of communities, agricultural lands, and other existing ecosystems.

“There isn’t enough available land to accommodate the requisite planting needed to offset emissions tied to fossil fuels,” states Rich Collet White, a British energy analyst at Carbon Tracker. “Attempting to achieve such extensive planting could drive food prices up due to farmland being converted to forest, or lead to deforestation elsewhere.”

Simultaneously, the financial implications of implementing such widespread planting initiatives are staggering. The cost to plant trees is approximately $16 per tonne equivalent of carbon offset. At this rate, it was calculated that offsetting emissions from fossil fuel reserves using trees could negate the entire market value of 64% of the largest fossil fuel corporations, excluding the costs associated with land acquisition.

If higher carbon prices highlight the adverse social and economic effects of burning fossil fuels, the results indicate that many companies might face bankruptcy.

Naef and his associates recognize the slim probability of fossil fuel companies opting to voluntarily offset reserve emissions. They assert that their study is more of a thought experiment aimed at indicating why offsets shouldn’t be leveraged to allow the fossil fuel industry to persist. “The crucial takeaway from this paper is that oil and gas should remain untapped underground,” Naef emphasized during a press briefing on June 18th.

Tim Leyden, representing Trillion Trees, a UK-based tree planting initiative, concurs. “Tree planting should not serve as a substitute for the urgent cessation of fossil fuel use nor as a strategy for decarbonizing our economy,” he asserts.

Topics:

Source: www.newscientist.com

Paleontologists Discover New Biomarkers for Identifying Megafauna Species in Australia’s Fossil Record

Posted on June 3, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Paleontologists have discovered peptide markers for three extinct Australian megafauna. This breakthrough facilitates research on creatures such as hippo-sized wombats, colossal kangaroos, and marsupials with enormous claws, aiding our understanding of the series of enigmatic extinctions that took place 50,000 years ago and the potential role of humans in these events.

Palorchestes Azael. Image credit: Nellie Pease/CABAH/CC BY-SA 4.0.

“The geographical distribution and extinction timeline of Australia’s megafauna, along with their interaction with early modern humans, are subjects of intense debate,” commented Professor Katerina Dorca from the University of Vienna.

“The limited fossil finds at various paleontological sites across Australia complicate the testing of hypotheses regarding the extinction of these animals,” added Dr. Kali Peters, Ph.D., of the University of Algarbe.

“Using ZooMS (Zoo departments by mass spectrometry) can aid in increasing the number of identified megafauna fossils, provided that collagen peptide markers for these species are accessible.”

Through the analysis of peptides in collagen samples, researchers can differentiate between various animal species, occasionally even distinguishing among different variants.

Collagen proves to be more resilient than DNA, making this method effective in tropical conditions where DNA may not endure.

However, most reference markers originate from Eurasian species that are not found elsewhere.

This study aims to develop new reference markers tailored for Australian contexts, enhancing the understanding gleaned from the fragmented fossil records of Australia.

“Proteins tend to endure better over extensive time periods and in harsh environments compared to DNA,” noted Dr. Peters.

“Thus, in studying megafauna extinction, proteins might still be preserved even in the absence of DNA.”

The research focused on three species crucial for comprehending megafauna extinction: Zygomaturus trilobus, Palorchestes Azael, and Protemnodon Mamkurra.

Zygomaturus trilobus and Palorchestes Azael belong to a lineage of animals that vanished entirely during the late Quaternary period, while Protemnodon Mamkurra survived long enough to likely coexist with humans arriving in Tasmania.

Scientists previously dated fossilized bones from one species back over 43,000 years.

“Zygomaturus trilobus was among the largest marsupials that ever lived, appearing much like a hippo-sized wombat,” said Professor Douka.

“Protemnodon Mamkurra was a massive, sluggish kangaroo that might have occasionally walked on all fours.”

“Palorchestes Azael was a uniquely shaped marsupial with a distinctive nose and long tongue, powerful forelimbs, and a skull equipped with large claws.”

“If ancient continents connected early modern humans to what we now know as Australia, New Guinea, and Tasmania 55,000 years ago, they would have encountered astonishing creatures.”

The researchers eliminated contaminants and compared peptide markers using reference markers.

The collagen in all three samples was well-preserved, enabling the identification of appropriate peptide markers for each species.

With these markers, paleontologists successfully differentiated Protemnodon from five living genera and one extinct genus of kangaroo.

They could also differentiate Zygomaturus and Palorchestes as these two species couldn’t be distinguished from other large extinct marsupials.

This is common in ZooMS, given that collagen changes accumulate slowly over millions of years of evolution.

Unless further studies enhance specificity, these markers are most effective at identifying bones at the genus level rather than the species level.

Nevertheless, Zoom’s ability to distinguish genera from temperate regions presents opportunities to try and identify bones from tropical regions, where closely related species may feature similar or identical peptide markers, since DNA preservation is rare in these environments.

“The introduction of newly developed collagen peptide markers allows us to identify a multitude of megafauna remains in Australia’s paleontological collections,” stated Dr. Peters.

“Yet, many more species still require characterization through collagen peptide markers.”

“For instance, Diprotodon, the largest marsupial genus ever known, and Thylacoleo, the largest marsupial predator.”

The team’s findings will be published in the journal Frontiers in Mammal Science.

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Kari Peters et al. 2025. Collagen peptide markers from three Australian megafauna species. Front. Mammal. Sci. 4; doi:10.3389/fmamm.2025.1564287

Source: www.sci.news

Fossil Trucks Discovered in Australia Extend Reptile Origins by 35 Million Years

Posted on May 16, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Paleontologists have uncovered fossilized tracks of reptile-like creatures from the early Carboniferous Tonan period, approximately 355 million years ago, within the snow plain formation in Victoria, Australia. This discovery indicates that such animals originated from Gondwana, where Australia was centrally located.

Artist’s impression of early reptile track makers from 355 million years ago. Image credit: Martin Ambrozik.

Tetrapods evolved from a group of fish that transitioned from aquatic to terrestrial life around 390 million years ago during the Devonian period.

These ancestral beings are the forebears of all modern vertebrates inhabiting land, including amphibians and various mammals, reptiles, and birds.

The oldest known amniotic fossils previously discovered date back to the late Carboniferous period, roughly 320 million years ago.

The findings from this 355 million-year-old snow plains slab, found by two amateur paleontologists, reveal that reptiles were already present 35 million years earlier than previously thought, at the dawn of the Carboniferous.

“Upon recognizing this, I understood that we had the oldest evidence globally of animals akin to reptiles, pushing back the evolutionary record by at least 35 million years beyond prior findings in the Northern Hemisphere,” stated Professor John Long from Flinders University.

“The fossilized tracks uncovered in the Mansfield region of northern Victoria, Australia, were created by creatures resembling small, agile, Goanna-like animals.”

A slab containing 355 million-year-old tracks from Australia’s Snowy Plains formation. Image credit: Long et al., doi: 10.1038/s41586-025-08884-5.

“When I initially encountered this specimen, I was astounded. Just seconds later, I noticed that the nail impressions were remarkably preserved,” said Dr. Grzegorz Niedwiedzki, a researcher at Uppsala University.

“Nails are characteristic of all early amniotic species but are absent in other quadruped lineages,” added Per Erik Ahlberg, a professor at Uppsala University.

“The combination of nail marks and foot shapes suggests that the track maker was a primitive reptile.”

According to the research team, this discovery profoundly impacts the understanding of early tetrapod evolution.

Although all stem tetrapods and stem amniotes must have emerged during the Devonian period, evidence suggests that tetrapod evolution progressed significantly faster than previously believed, with far fewer Devonian tetrapods than assumed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jj7bttru0l8

“Skeletons can reveal much about an animal’s capabilities, but trackways capture behavior and illustrate how the animal functioned,” explained Dr. Alice Clement from Flinders University.

“This new fossilized trackway we examined dates from the early Carboniferous, making accurate age identification crucial. We achieved this by comparing the various fish fauna in these rocks to similar morphotypes found in well-dated sedimentary layers from across the globe, providing a timeline constraint of approximately 10 million years.”

“This finding redefines a segment of evolutionary history,” remarked Dr. Gillian Garvey from La Trobe University.

“Much has occurred in Australia and Gondwana, indicating that the narrative is still unfolding.”

The findings are detailed in a paper published in the journal Nature.

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Ja Long et al. Early amniote tracks revise the timeline of tetrapod evolution. Nature published online on May 14th, 2025. doi:10.1038/s41586-025-08884-5

Source: www.sci.news

Fossil Trucks Redefine the Story of Terrestrial Animals, Departing from Aquatic Origins

Posted on May 15, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Tracks that form an impression of artists with lizard-like beings

Marcin Ambrozik

A discovery in Victoria, Australia has unearthed evidence of some of the earliest reptile-like ancestors, which are the forerunners to many modern creatures including birds, reptiles, and mammals. This finding could potentially alter the timeline of when such animals transitioned from aquatic environments to terrestrial habitats, marking a pivotal evolutionary milestone, though opinions remain divided.

In 2021, two amateur fossil hunters stumbled upon a sandstone slab while exploring the banks of a river near Mansfield, Victoria. This slab bore three distinct sets of tracks, believed to belong to the same type of tetrapod—four-legged creatures. Notably, two of these sets exhibited five-digit impressions with curved claws.

Fossils caught the attention of John Long from Flinders University in Adelaide, who, along with his team, dated the slab to around 356 million years ago. This predates the previously known oldest nail fossils by over 35 million years, which were discovered in Nova Scotia, Canada, according to research findings.

“These new trackways clearly illustrate beautiful five-fingered hands and hooked claws,” Long states. He describes these as “remarkable finds,” representing creatures that developed young in amniotic fluid or via egg-laying—this includes reptiles, mammals, and notably, humans.

Moreover, Long eliminates the possibility that these animals were amphibians since early amphibians were characterized by a larval stage of development. “None of the early amphibians possessed well-formed claws.” he affirms.

This implies that the fossilized tracks are likely the earliest known examples of land-dwelling reptiles. “This marks a profound change in evolution, as it suggests that hard-shelled eggs allowed these creatures to move onto dry land and populate new territories,” he explains.

Fossil tracks illustrate front footprints (yellow) and rear footprints (blue)

Grzegorz Niedzwiedzki

Additional evidence indicating that the tracks were made on land, rather than in water, includes the presence of raindrop impressions within the surrounding slabs, according to Long. While researchers remain cautious, he expresses a strong belief that “99% certainty points to early reptiles.”

Blake Dixon from the University of New South Wales in Sydney adds that both images and analyses suggest confidence that the fossils belong to clawed animals. “This represents the earliest evidence we have of advanced terrestrial movement,” he asserts.

However, trackway researchers Stephen Salisbury and Anthony Romilio from the University of Queensland acknowledge the significance of the new fossils but raise questions regarding whether the impressions are true nails or merely pointed digits.

“The discovery is on the cusp of understanding claws,” remarks Romilio. “If they are indeed nail impressions, that positions them closer to reptiles.” Long maintains that he believes these footprints do represent nails.

Salisbury also points out that the presence of raindrop impressions does not definitively indicate when the tracks were made; rather, it reflects conditions of the surface at the time. Long counters, stating, “The fact that raindrops left impressions signifies that they were present before the creature made its tracks, thus ruling out underwater creation.” The implications of these findings are extensive for understanding early terrestrial life.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

CICADA: A Newly Discovered Fossil Song Species from Germany

Posted on May 10, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

The Cicadidae family is among the most diverse insect families today. However, the fossil record of Cicadidae is notably sparse compared to the number of extant species. The recently discovered species, Eoplatypleura Messelensis, is not only one of the earliest Cicadidae fossils found on the Eurasian continent, but it also represents the oldest record of the subfamily CICADINAE globally.

Reconstruction of Eoplatypleura Messelensis. Image credit: Dinghua Yang.

Eoplatypleura Messelensis thrived in Europe approximately 47 million years ago during the Eocene period.

“The Cicada family is one of the most diverse groups of insects today,” states Dr. Sonja Wedmann, a paleontologist at the Senckenberg Forschungsinstitut und Naturmuseum Frankfurt/Main.

“Despite this, the fossil record is quite limited compared to the many modern species.”

“The Platypleurini group within this family is particularly noteworthy, containing numerous species with wide distributions and unique traits.”

“For the first time, we have described a fossil from this Cicada group.”

Two fossil specimens of Eoplatypleura Messelensis were found at Messelpit, an open-cast oil shale mine located 10 km northeast of Darmstadt in Hesse, Germany.

“The new Messel fossil showcases a compact head with a subtle composite eye and a broad forewing featuring a distinctly curved tip,” notes Dr. Hui Jang, a paleontologist at the Senckenberg Forschungsinstitut and a doctoral researcher at the University of Maine and Nanjing University.

“The fossils are female, but their classification implies that males in this group may produce loud mating calls.”

Eoplatypleura Messelensis, an adult female. Image credit: Senckenberg Forschungsinstitut und Naturmuseum Frankfurt/Main.

These ancient insects measure 2.65 cm in body length and have a wingspan of 6.82 cm, notable for their expansive, intricately patterned wings.

“These patterns resemble those of contemporary Cicada species in the Platypleurini group, which inhabit wooded and scrub areas,” explains Dr. Jang.

“Considering the subtropical vegetation of the Messel region approximately 47 million years ago, these color patterns may have served important ecological functions, such as camouflage.”

Eoplatypleura Messelensis is one of the oldest known representatives of today’s true cicadas in Eurasia and signifies the earliest records of the subfamily Cicadinae worldwide,” Dr. Wedmann remarks.

“This is also the Cicada that has been first described from the Messel Pit.”

“This discovery not only enhances our understanding of the fauna at Messelpit but also fills a crucial gap in the history of Eocene cicadas.”

“In the future, Eoplatypleura Messelensis may serve as a reference point for significant time series in genetic research regarding the evolutionary history of these insects, providing new insights into the origins and dispersal of Platypleurini.”

The team’s paper was published in the journal Scientific Reports on April 29, 2025.

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H. Jiang et al. 2025. Sound from the Eocene: The first singing Cicada from Messelpit, Germany. Sci Rep 15, 12826; doi:10.1038/s41598-025-94099-7

Source: www.sci.news

Ancient Fossil Feathers of a Gryphon Vulture Discovered in Italy Dating Back 30,000 Years

Posted on March 20, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Fossil feathers are usually preserved or embedded in amber as impressions of carbonaceous membranes and lake sediments and marine sediments, but are rarely mineralized. In a new study, paleontologists have examined the mineralised feathers of 30,000 years old Griffon vultures preserved in ash-rich volcanic deposits of the Koli-Albani Volcanic Complex in Rome, Italy. Bird feathers were conserved in three dimensions, conserving tissue ultrastructures such as melanosomes. These ultrastructures are mineralized with nanocrystalline zeolites, a preservation mode that has not been previously reported in fossil soft tissue.

A 30,000-year-old fossil feather of a Griffon vulture preserved in volcanic rocks at the Koli-Albani Volcanic Complex in Rome, Italy. Image credit: Edoardo Terranova.

The fossil vulture was discovered in 1889 near Rome by a local landowner who recognized its incredible preservation.

The entire body was preserved as a three-dimensional impression, with fine details such as the lid of the eye and wing wings.

The new study, led by University College Cork paleontologist Valentina Rossi, shows that feather preservation extends to the pigmented structure of small microscopic feathers.

“Fossil feathers are usually preserved in ancient mudstones laid in lakes and lagoons,” Dr. Rossi said.

“Fossil vultures are preserved in ash deposits, which is very unusual.”

“When analyzing the feathers of fossil vultures, we found ourselves in unknown territory.”

“These feathers are different from what we normally see in other fossils.”

The authors discovered that feathers are preserved in mineral zeolites by analyzing small samples of fossil feathers using electron microscopy and chemical testing.

“Zeolites are silicon and aluminum rich minerals and are common in volcanic and hydrothermal geological environments,” Dr. Rossi said.

“Zeolites can be formed as primary minerals (using clean crystals) or secondary during the natural changes in volcanic glass and ash, giving rocks a mudlock-like side.”

“The changes in ashes due to the passage of water induced precipitation of zeolite nanocrystals, replicating feathers to the details of the smallest cells.”

“Fine preservation of feather structures indicates that vulture corpses were buried in cold thermal clastic matter.”

“We are used to think that volcanic deposits are associated with high temperature, fast-moving thermal breaking flows that destroy soft tissue,” says Professor Dawid Iurino of the University of Milan.

“However, these geological environments are complex and can include cold deposits that can store soft tissue at the cellular level.”

“The fossil record is constantly amazed us with new fossil species, strange new body shapes, in this case a new style of fossil preservation,” said Professor Maria McNamara, a professor of Cork at the University.

“We never found any delicate tissues, such as feathers, preserved in volcanic rocks.”

“Discoveries like these broaden the range of potential rock types that can be found in fossils.

a paper The findings were published in the journal Geological.

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Valentina Rossi et al. Fossil feathers from the Coralbani Volcanic Complex (central Italy, late Pleistocene) preserved in zeolites. GeologicalPublished online on March 18th, 2025. doi: 10.1130/g52971.1

Source: www.sci.news

New fossil findings show a variety of terrestrial ecosystems 75,000 years post-Endopermian mass extinction

Posted on March 13, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Searching for the land refugia is essential for human survival during the hypothetical sixth mass extinction. Studying comparable crises in the past can provide insights, but there is no evidence of fossils of diverse giant fluid ecosystems that survived the most severe biological crisis of the past 540 million years. In a new study, paleontologists have investigated plant and tetrapod fossils and various microfossils in the Permian-Triassic Nantaodonggou section in Xinjiang, China. Their fossil records reveal the presence of gymnasium forests and fern fields in a vibrant area, but marine life has experienced mass extinction.

Artistic reconstruction of the end of Permian mass extinctions based on fossil parinomorphs, plants, and tetrapods, and the end of Permian mass extinctions based on sedimentary data from the Southern Jiang section of China's New Jiang. Image credit: DH Yang.

The mass extinction of Permian, which occurred about 252 million years ago, is widely recognized as the most serious of the five major plant zoic extinctions.

This catastrophic event leads to the extinction of about 80% of known species and is a fact that is well supported by marine fossil records.

Some scientists suggest that volcanic eruptions in Siberia caused widespread terrestrial destruction through wildfires, acid rain and toxic gases.

This evidence includes the continuous extinction of properties. Gigantopteris Flora in southern China Grosso Pteris Flora crossing Gondwanaland around the mass extinction of the Endopermians.

However, other scientists argue that these devastating effects are limited by latitude and atmospheric circulation.

Several fossil discoveries suggest that certain Mesozoic plants exist before extinction events, referring to uninterrupted evolution.

Newly discovered fossils from the southern taodonggou section, located in the Tapan Hami Basin in Xinjiang Province, northwestern China, offer a unique perspective.

“We further confirm that the presence of intact tree trunks and fern stems represents local vegetation rather than transported remains,” said Professor Minli Wang, a researcher at the Institute of Geology and Paleontology at the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Although some plant species have disappeared locally, researchers have found that the overall extinction rate for spores and pollen species is probably only about 21%.

This conclusion is based on the discovery of many “missing” species in the early Triassic formations elsewhere, indicating temporary migration rather than permanent extinction.

This stable vegetation base was essential for the rapid recovery of local ecosystems.

Fossil evidence shows that within just 75,000 years after the extinction ended, the region supported a diverse tetrapod, including herbivorous. lystrosaurus And carnivorous chronicers show that they can quickly return to complex food webs.

This finding contrasts with previous understanding that it took more than a million years for the ecological restoration of the Endopermians to follow the extinction.

New evidence suggests that local ecological diversity in this field has recovered more than 10 times faster than in other regions.

Scientists cited the region's stable, semi-humid climate as essential to its biological resilience. According to a Paleosol Matrix analysis, the area received consistent rainfall of approximately 1,000 mm per year during this period.

Its consistent precipitation has provided southern gu with more abundant vegetation and habitable environment than other regions following the mass extinction of Permians, providing important support for migrating migrant animals.

Despite its proximity to the volcanic activity that caused the extinction of the Endopermians, the Tarpanhami Basin provides safe shelter for terrestrial life, indicating that even seemingly dangerous places can harbor important biodiversity.

“This suggests that local climate and geographical factors create an incredible pocket of resilience and hope for conservation efforts in the face of changes in the global environment,” says Professor Feng Shui of Nanjing Geology Institute, the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

“In light of current concerns about a potential sixth large-scale extinction driven by human activity, this discovery of a “life oasis” underscores the importance of identifying and protecting such natural refsias. ”

study Published in the journal Advances in science.

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Huiping Peng et al. 2025. Refludium in the abandoned indid: Unearthing the lost flora that escaped the mass extinction of Permians. Advances in science 11 (11); doi:10.1126/sciadv.ads5614

Source: www.sci.news

Precioauro’s remarkable fossil retains its skin and scales

Posted on February 7, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

A new Pleciosaurus skeleton from Ulwerd Mushamhauf, Holzmaden, Germany

Klaus nilkens/urwelt-museum hauff

The soft tissue of the Pleciosaurus was first studied in detail, revealing that marine reptiles living in the dinosaur era and simultaneously extinct, had similar scales to modern sea turtles.

The 183 million years of 4.5 meters long Plesiosaurus fossil known as the MH7 was first excavated in 1940 from a quarry near Holzmadden, Germany, but was intended to protect it during World War II. He was buried in the museum garden. . It then spent the next 75 years in storage until it was finally assembled in 2020 and ready to study.

Miguel Marx Lund University in Sweden and his team provided thin sections of fossils. The minerals then melted and were treated with organic ruins. This allowed them to study the microscopic structure of fossil tissue.

Illustration of a plesiosaurus with smooth, unscaled skin along the scale and body on a flipper

Joshua Nuppe

Although at least eight other plesiosaurus fossils are known to have soft tissue conservation, most are historically important museum specimens and are used to study them using destructive sampling methods. It's impossible to do, says Marx. “This is the first time we have performed a detailed analysis of fossilized soft tissues from Plesiosaurus,” he says.

The team was surprised to find that the reptiles have both areas of smooth, scaly skin. “Together, this plesioaurus was an interesting chimera between a scaled green sea turtle-like thing and scale. [smooth-skinned] Leatherback turtle,” says Marx. “I would have expected this plesiosaurus to be as scaleless as modern Fischozard.”

The scaled skin of the flippers, he says, helped the plesiosaurus swim in the water, perhaps by providing stiffness, or migrated along the seabed while searching for food. Scaleless skins on the rest of the body would have reduced the impact of drag when swimming.

“The actual appearance of the long neck plesio sauce is truly everyone's guess, but thanks to this new fossil, we now have a better idea,” says Marx.

topic:

Source: www.newscientist.com

Opponent of Biology Discovers Authentic Collagen in Edmontosaurus Fossil Bones

Posted on February 3, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

The detection of soft tissues (such as proteins) in fossil bones is a growing research field, and new research, led by Liverpool University, has contributed to such discoveries. The authors use three independent analytical combinations to indicate that some dinosaur bones of collagen bones are the original fossils.

Tuinstra et al。 In order to replenish the two mass-specific (MS) technologies used, the total attenuation (ATR) -ftir and intersection polarized microscopes (Xpol), which replenish two mass spectrometics (MS) technologies. Edmont Saurus SP. Fossil bones. Image credit: Tuinstra et al。 , Doi: 10.1021/ACS.ANALCHEM.4C03115.

In their research, Professor Steve Taylor and his colleagues of Liverpool University examined the 22 kg hip bone of herbivorous dinosaurs that bred ducks. Edmont Saurus。

The specimen was excavated from the late Cretaceous band of the Helkleak layer in Harding County, South Dakota, USA.

Using advanced mass spectrometry and other technologies, old -life scholars have identified collagen remnants with fossil bones.

“This study shows that organic body molecules, such as collagen -like proteins, seem to be present in some fossils,” said Taylor.

“Our results have a wide range of meanings. First, the hypothesis that organic matters contained in fossils need to be caused from contamination.”

“Second, it suggests to reconsider the cross -polarized microscopes of fossil bones collected over the first century.”

“These images may clarify the intact patches of bone collagen, and may provide candidates for ready -made fossil candidates for further protein analysis.”

“This may release a new insight about dinosaurs. For example, we will clarify the connection between dinosaur species as it is.”

“Finally, the result of this survey tells you an interesting mystery about how these proteins have long lasted in fossils.”

“This study not only solves the scientific discussion for many years, but also has a further path to study ancient life, and can be seen on the biochemical preservation of the fossils of extinct creatures.”

Team result Published in the journal on January 17th Analytical chemistry。

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Lucien Tuinstra et al。 Evidence of endogenous collagen Edmont Saurus Fossil bones. anus. ChemistryReleased online on January 17, 2025. Doi: 10.1021/ACS.ANALCHEM.4C03115

Source: www.sci.news

Ancient mastodon fossil discovered in pristine condition in New York

Posted on December 26, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Paleontologists from the New York State Museum and New York University Orange, New York, unearthed the fossilized remains of an adult mastodon near Scotchtown, New York, USA.

A fossilized adult mastodon jaw discovered near Scotchtown, New York, USA. Image credit: New York State Museum.

mastodon any species of extinct proboscis in the genus mammut.

Although often confused with mammoths, they are more distantly related to living elephants.

These animals diverged from their elephant ancestors about 27-25 million years ago (Oligocene epoch).

They roamed widely throughout North America as well as surrounding areas such as the tropics of Honduras and the Arctic coast of Alaska until they finally became extinct about 11,000 years ago.

Currently, eight species are recognized, including the famous American mastodon (mammut americanum), widely distributed in nearly every state in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

A well-preserved jaw, part of a toe bone, and rib fragments from an adult mastodon were discovered in the backyard of a home near Scotchtown in Orange County, New York.

The fossils were recovered by a team of paleontologists from the New York State Museum and the State University of New York at Orange.

“The jaw of an adult mastodon was discovered protruding from the topsoil, drawing the attention of homeowners and sparking research that will continue to uncover scientific insights for years to come,” they said. Ta.

“The discovery began when the homeowner found two teeth hidden in the leaves of a plant on the property.”

“Upon further investigation, the homeowner unearthed two more teeth just a few inches underground.”

“This important discovery will deepen our understanding of the region's Ice Age inhabitants and highlight the wealth of prehistoric wonders yet to be discovered.”

This figure shows the reconstruction of the American mastodon (mammut americanum) top. Below is a comparison between an American mastodon and a woolly mammoth (Mammuthus primigenius). Image credit: © George 'Rinaldino' Taichmann.

“When we found the tooth and held it in our hands to examine it, we knew it was something special and decided to call in the experts,” said the resident, who had a prehistoric treasure guarded in his backyard.

“We are thrilled that our property has led to such important discoveries for the scientific community.”

“Although the jaw is the star, additional fragments of toes and ribs provide valuable context and potential for further study,” said researcher Corey Harris-Chair, Ph.D., of the State University of New York at Orange. Ta.

“We also want to further investigate the nearby area to see if there are any more preserved bones.”

More than 150 mastodon fossils have been discovered across the state, about one-third of them in Orange County, an area that remains home to ancient relatives of modern elephants. is a major hotspot.

“This discovery is evidence of New York's rich paleontological history and our continued efforts to understand its past,” said Robert Ferra, Director of Research and Collections and Curator of Ice Age Animals at the New York State Museum. Dr. Neck said.

“This mastodon jaw provides a unique opportunity to study the ecology of this amazing species and will improve our understanding of the region's ice age ecosystems.”

“Fossils are a resource that provide remarkable snapshots of the past, allowing us to reconstruct ancient ecosystems as well as gain better context and understanding of the world around us today.”

“With each discovery like this, we move one step closer to understanding the full story of New York.”

Source: www.sci.news

Earwig fossil discovered in Denmark dates back 55 million years

Posted on December 19, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Apachius Madseni This is the first fossil representative of the mysterious earwig family Apachiidae.

Apachius Madseni. Image credit: Simonsen others., doi: 10.11646/palaeoentomology.7.5.7.

The newly described species lived in what is now Europe during the early Eocene, about 55 million years ago.

with scientific name Apachius Madsenithe ancient insect was about 1.9 centimeters (0.75 inches) long.

belongs to the genus Apacius in the family Apacidaeis part of a larger insect order Dermatoptera (commonly known as earwig).

Currently, extant species of this family are found only in south-central Africa, India, Southeast Asia, and Australia.

They are generally characterized by relatively large, flat bodies and often bright colors.

“Today, the Apaceae family consists of 15 living species in two genera, 13 of which are Apacius And in two Dendroiketes) similarly Apachius Madseni'' said paleontologist Jan Audun Rasmussen of the Mors Museum.

“The current species are distributed in Central Africa (three species) and from India to the Philippines and Australia (the remaining species).”

The discovery of Apachius Madseni Therefore, we show that the range of Apacidae has expanded considerably, indicating that the current distribution of this family is not necessarily indicative of its past distribution or biogeographic origin. ”

almost completed single Apachius Madseni The fossil was discovered in a fur layer in Mors, northwestern Denmark.

“This fossil is the second species of Dermatoptera to be described from the fur layer, and the first representative of the enigmatic Apacidae,” the paleontologists said.

According to the authors, this formation's diatomaceous clay deposits formed the seafloor of northwestern Denmark during the early Eocene, when Denmark was completely covered by sea.

Because modern members of the Apaceae family live under the bark of trees, they believe that: Apachius Madseni It was carried to the sea covered in the bark of a tree trunk that is thought to have drifted ashore from Sweden or Norway about 55 million years ago.

“It's no surprise that we found the ancestor of this tropical and subtropical earwig family so far north as Denmark,” Dr. Rasmussen said.

“55 million years ago, the ocean that covered what is now Denmark was subtropical to almost tropical, as evidenced by the fish, bird, insect, and plant fossils found in ancient seafloor deposits on the islands of Mors and Fir. It is reflected.”

of findings appear in the diary paleoentomology.

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Thomas J. Simonsen others. 2024. Apachius Madseni (Dermoptera: Apacidae) sp. November discovery in the Ypresian fur layer in Denmark: the first fossil record of the mysterious earwig family Apacidae. paleoentomology 007 (5): 638-644;doi: 10.11646/Paleoentomology.7.5.7

Source: www.sci.news

Entire Mastodon Jaw Fossil Discovered in New York Backyard

Posted on December 18, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

A momentous (or more accurately prehistoric) finding was unearthed just below the Earth’s surface on a New York homeowner’s lawn.

A full mastodon jaw was found in the backyard of a house in Scotchtown, a town in Orange County, as confirmed by state officials. The New York State Museum and the State University of New York at Orange researchers retrieved the jaw and additional bone fragments, as announced by the state Department of Education in a press release on Tuesday.

It has been over 11 years since a discovery of this kind has been made in New York.

The mastodon jaw, presumed to belong to an adult, was discovered by researchers after a homeowner noticed it surfacing on his lawn. Initially, the homeowner found two teeth hidden in plants on the property, and after some digging, two more teeth were discovered.

“Upon finding the tooth and examining it closely, we knew it was unique and decided to seek out an expert,” stated the homeowner.

Following this, museum and university staff conducted an excavation that led to the unveiling of the well-preserved jaw of a mastodon, an ancient relative of present-day elephants. Additionally, part of a toe bone and rib fragments were found.

Mastodon jaw unearthed in backyard in Scotchtown, New York new york state museum

“Though the jaw is the highlight, the additional toe and rib fragments provide valuable context and possibilities for further research,” said Dr. Corey Harris, chair of the Department of Behavioral Sciences at New York University at Orange. “We are also keen on exploring the surrounding area to look for more preserved bones.”

The fossil will undergo carbon dating and analysis to determine the mammal’s time of existence in the area, its dietary habits, and habitat details. The discovery will be showcased on public television as of 2025 and is expected to be featured in magazines.

“This finding proves New York’s rich paleontological history and our persistent efforts to understand the past,” said Robert Ferra, Director of Research and Collections and Curator of Ice Age Animals at the New York State Museum. Dr. Neck mentioned, “This mastodon jaw offers a unique chance to study the ecology of this extraordinary species and enhance our comprehension of the ice age ecosystems in the region.”

To date, approximately 150 mastodon fossils have been found in New York, with about one-third of them located in Orange County.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

New fossil discovery suggests that Therapsids originated in the tropics, not temperate regions

Posted on December 17, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Paleontologists have discovered a new species of early gorgonopsian therapsid that was part of the ancient summer humid biome of equatorial Pangea.

Recreating the life of the Gorgonopsians of Mallorca in a floodplain environment. Image credit: Henry Sutherland Sharpe.

Therapsids were a major component of Permian terrestrial ecosystems around the world, eventually giving rise to mammals in the early Mesozoic Era.

However, little is currently known about when and where it originated.

“Therapsids are a diverse and ecologically successful clade of tetrapods, of which the modern representatives are mammals,” says paleontologist at the Museum of Science and Nature in Barea and the Paleontological Institute of Catalonia. said Dr. Rafel Matamares and colleagues.

“The roots of this clade date back to the late Paleozoic era, when non-mammalian therapsids were important components of terrestrial ecosystems.”

“The oldest distinct therapsids known to date were Laranimus dashankoensisprobably from the Rhodian (Late Middle Permian) deposits of Central East Asia.

“However, phylogenetic analyzes consistently show that therapsids are a sister group to the pterosaur ‘perisaurian’ class monoapsids, which originated in Pennsylvania (about 320 million years ago). It suggests that

“This implies a long lineage of therapsid ghosts spanning about 40 million years.”

The newly discovered therapsid is the oldest of its kind, and possibly the oldest therapsid ever discovered.

This dog-like saber-toothed animal does not yet have a species name, but it belongs to a group of therapsids called gorgonopsids.

“Gorgonopsids are more closely related to mammals than to other modern animals,” said Dr. Ken Angielczyk, a paleontologist at the Field Museum.

“They have no modern descendants and are not our direct ancestors, but they are related to species that were our direct ancestors.”

“The oldest known gorgonopsids lived about 265 million years ago, but the newer fossils date from 270 to 280 million years ago.”

“This is probably the oldest chrysophyte on Earth,” said Dr. Josep Fortuny, a paleontologist at the Miquel Crusafont Catalan Institute of Paleontology.

This fossil was discovered on the Spanish island of Mallorca in the Mediterranean Sea. However, during the time of the Gorgonopsians, Mallorca was part of the supercontinent Pangea.

“The amount of bone remains is surprising,” Dr. Matamares said.

“We found everything from fragments of skulls, vertebrae and ribs to a very well-preserved femur.”

“In fact, when we started this excavation, we did not expect to find so many fossils of this type of animal in Mallorca.”

“If you saw this animal walking down the street, you would think it would look a little like a medium-sized dog, maybe about the size of a husky, but that’s not entirely true,” says Dr. Angielczyk.

“It didn’t have any fur, and it probably didn’t have dog ears.”

“But this is the oldest animal with long, blade-like canine teeth that scientists have ever discovered.”

“These saber-like teeth suggest that this gorgonopsid was the top predator of its time.”

The fact that this gorgonopsian is tens of millions of years older than its closest relatives has changed scientists’ understanding of the evolutionary time of therapsids, key milestones to the emergence of mammals, and, by extension, where we came from. It tells us something about Tanoka.

“Before the age of dinosaurs, there was the age of our ancient mammalian relatives,” Dr. Angielczyk said.

“Most of those ancient mammal relatives looked nothing like what we think of as mammals today.”

“But they were really diverse and had different ecological roles.”

“This new fossil discovery is another piece of the puzzle of how mammals evolved.”

This finding is reported in the following article: paper Published in a magazine nature communications.

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R. Matamares-Andrew others. 2024. Early-Middle Permian Mediterranean gorgonopsids suggest an equatorial origin for therapsids. Nat Commune 15, 10346; doi: 10.1038/s41467-024-54425-5

Source: www.sci.news

Ancient Ichthyosaur Fossil, 98 Million Years Old, Unearthed in New Zealand

Posted on December 10, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

New Zealand paleontologists have discovered a partial skeleton. platypterygoid ichthyosaur It dates back to the Cretaceous period.

a pair of Platypterygius sp. Image credit: Dmitry Bogdanov / CC BY 3.0.

“Ichthyosaurs are a clade of secondary aquatic marine reptiles that lived in the oceans for much of the Mesozoic, first appearing in the Early Triassic and eventually becoming part of the Cenomanian.'' It became extinct at the Turonian border.”

“Cretaceous ichthyosaurs were once thought to be a group with low diversity and disparity, the result of a long-term decline since the Jurassic.”

“However, recent studies have produced a growing body of evidence that Cretaceous ichthyosaurs were much more diverse than previously thought.”

“Ichthyosaur fossils were first recorded in New Zealand by von Haast in 1861 from Pott Mountain in the central South Island,” they added.

“Over the next 150 years, ichthyosaur fossil material was recovered from the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous periods.”

The new New Zealand ichthyosaur was discovered in the Coverham area at the northern end of the Waiau Toa/Clarence Valley.

The specimen is a disarticulated partial skeleton preserved in a tubercle.

Its origins date back to 98 million years ago during the Cretaceous period, about 4 million years before ichthyosaurs finally became extinct.

“This material comes from the condensate that was discovered.” on site “It lies within the Swale Silt Formation of the Split Rock Formation, a siliciclastic unit deposited during the Cenomanian period and found throughout southern Marlborough and northernmost Canterbury on New Zealand's South Island,” the paleontologists said.

“All Cretaceous ichthyosaur material ever described in New Zealand comes from the North Island.”

This specimen is the most completely preserved ichthyosaur known from New Zealand.

It has a well-preserved pelvis and dorsal fin, adding to the known data set of these elements, which are poorly preserved in Cretaceous species.

“Although the specimen is too fragmentary to be formally named, this taxon has an extremely reduced basioccipital extracondylar area, a scapula with a prominent acromion process and a strap-like scapular shaft, and A complete left pelvic girdle with an elongated depression “located on the anteroproximal aspect of the ischium” is shown, the researchers said.

They suggest that it is a late-diverging member of the platypterygian ichthyosaurs and is closely related to East Gondwanan species. Platypterygius australis and many European Cretaceous ichthyosaurs.

However, it appears to be unrelated to the Cretaceous ichthyosaurs of western Gondwana, suggesting potential regionalism in the Cretaceous ichthyosaur populations of Gondwana.

“New Zealand ichthyosaurs add to the known diversity of Gondwanan-Cretaceous ichthyosaurs, and suggest that ichthyosaur populations were distributed regionally, rather than internationally, near the margins of Cretaceous Gondwana. “This may indicate that,” the scientists concluded.

of findings will appear in Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology.

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George R.A. Young others. A platyptera ichthyosaur from the Cenomanian region of central New Zealand. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontologypublished online October 30, 2024. doi: 10.1080/02724634.2024.2408391

Source: www.sci.news

New study proposes Neanderthals were the original fossil collectors

Posted on December 3, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Approximately 46,000 years ago, a group of Neanderthals resided in caves in what is now Spain and gathered fossils, as reported by a researcher in a paper published in the magazine Quaternary period.

Marine fossils from the Prado Vargas Cave, Spain. Image credit: Lewis others., doi: 10.3390/quat7040049.

Collecting is a form of leisure, even a passion, involving the collection, preservation, and display of objects.

When tracing its origins in literature, we are reminded of the Assyrian king Ashurbanipal (7th century BC) known for collecting books, marking the emergence of writing and the dissemination of knowledge on clay tablets.

This innate curiosity and interest in collecting stones and fossils, known as manuports, dates back to the dawn of humanity.

Archaeologists have long known that Neanderthal dwellings contained objects devoid of practical value, indicating a cultural significance attached to these items.

In the case of the Prado Vargas Cave in Cornejo, Burgos, Spain, archaeologist Marta Navazo Ruiz and her team unearthed 15 marine fossils from the Late Cretaceous period in the cave’s Mousterian level.

The fossils, primarily mollusks and a few echinoderms, hinted at a deliberate collection rather than accidental gathering by the Neanderthals.

The presence of these fossils within the cave suggests intentional behavior, possibly for social or symbolic purposes.

The researchers proposed hypotheses ranging from aesthetic appreciation to cultural identity reinforcement through these fossil collections.

This discovery elevates the Prado Vargas Neanderthals as early fossil collectors, shedding light on their efforts towards understanding and preserving natural history.

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Marta Navazo Ruiz others. 2024. Were Neanderthals the first collectors? First evidence found in level 4 of the Prado Vargas cave in Cornejo, Burgos, Spain. Quaternary period 7(4):49;doi: 10.3390/quat7040049

Source: www.sci.news

A new species of armadillo fossil unearthed in Brazil

Posted on December 3, 2024 by Igor Mitreski

Paleontologists identify new species of extinct armadillo Partetus From fossilized bone embryos collected in the state of Paraná in southern Brazil.

Hypothetical artistic reconstruction Partetus Oliveirai Middle to late Eocene of Brazil. Image credit: Marcio L. Castro.

Partetus Oliveirai It lived in South America from 42 million years ago to 39 million years ago (mid-late Eocene).

The ancient species belongs to Euphractinae group of armadillo family Dasipidae.

Paleontologist Tabata Klimek of Santa Federal University and his colleagues said, “The armadillo family is represented by modern armadillos and extinct armadillos.''

“This group is stratigraphically and geographically widespread, from southern Patagonia to southern North America.”

“The paleontological record of armadillos is represented primarily by osteoderms.”

“According to other interpretations, they are known from nearly all South American mammal faunas from the late Paleocene/early Eocene, or only from the early Eocene.”

“Euphractinae is the most diverse clade (subfamily) of Dasypodidae,” they noted.

“The earliest undisputed occurrences of euphractin date back to the mid-to-late Eocene of the Gran Barranca region of Argentine Patagonia and the mid-Eocene Upper Lumbrella Formation of northwestern Argentina.”

“Partetus “It is one of the earliest branching euphractins,” they added.

“The genus was described in 1902 and the type species is Partetus chicoensis I'm from Patagonia, Argentina. ”

8 bone embryo fossils Partetus Oliveirai It was discovered in the Guavirotuba Formation in Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil.

“The Guavilotuba Formation is the main lithostratigraphic unit of the Curitiba sedimentary basin,” the paleontologists said.

“It is represented by distributed fluvial system deposits consisting of immature subalcoholic sand and mud interspersed with limited gravel deposits at the edges of the basin.”

“Geological features indicate a semi-arid environment, with temporary rivers forming during the rainy season, transporting sediment and forming alluvial fans.”

This new species expands our knowledge of the diversity of armadillos, which lived in southeastern South America during the Paleogene period.

“Partetus OliveiraiThe osteoderm differs from other species of this genus in the following ways: (i) More surface glandular and ciliary pores. (ii) flat surface joint areas between osteoderms; There is no groove in the central part of the osteoderm. (iii) large size,” the researchers said.

“Combined, this set of traits does not exist in any other species. Partetus Genus. ”

“The increase in the number and size of surface glandular and ciliary pores may be related to the global cooling that occurred during the mid-to-late Eocene, which affected South American faunas. .”

“Finally, this new species expands our knowledge of the lesser-known diversity of mammals that lived in southeastern South America during the Eocene.”

of findings Published in Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology.

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TDF Klimek others. 2024. Uncovering the diversity of Paleogene zonal fauna from Brazil: new species Partetus (Euphractinae) Guavilotuba Formation (Middle to Late Eocene). Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 44 (1): e2403581;doi: 10.1080/02724634.2024.2403581

Source: www.sci.news