Pleistocene Fossils Uncover Evidence That Hopping Was Common Among Large Species, Not Just Small Kangaroos

Posted on January 24, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

A groundbreaking study conducted by paleontologists from the University of Bristol, the University of Manchester, and the University of Melbourne has uncovered that the giant ancestors of modern kangaroos possessed robust hindlimb bony and tendon structures, enabling them to endure the stress of jumping. This challenges the previous assumption that body size strictly limited this iconic locomotion.

Simosthenurus occidentalis. Image credit: Nellie Pease / ARC CoE CABAH / CC BY-SA 4.0 Certificate.

Currently, red kangaroos represent the largest living jumping animals, averaging a weight of approximately 90 kg.

However, during the Ice Age, some kangaroo species reached weights exceeding 250 kg—more than double the size of today’s largest kangaroos.

Historically, researchers speculated that these giant kangaroos must have ceased hopping, as early studies indicated that jumping became mechanically impractical beyond 150 kg.

“Earlier estimates relied on simplistic models of modern kangaroos, overlooking critical anatomical variations,” explained Dr. Megan Jones, a postgraduate researcher at the University of Manchester and the University of Melbourne.

“Our research indicates that these ancient animals weren’t simply larger versions of today’s kangaroos; their anatomy was specifically adapted to support their massive size.”

In this new study, Dr. Jones and her team examined the hind limbs of 94 modern and 40 fossil specimens from 63 species, including members of the extinct giant kangaroo group, Protemnodon, which thrived during the Pleistocene epoch, approximately 2.6 million to 11,700 years ago.

The researchers assessed body weight estimates and analyzed the fourth metatarsal length and diameter (a crucial elongated foot bone for jumping in modern kangaroos) to evaluate its capacity to endure jumping stresses.

Comparisons were drawn between the heel bone structures of giant kangaroos and their modern counterparts.

The team estimated the strength of tendons necessary for the jumping force of a giant kangaroo and determined whether the heel bones could accommodate such tendons.

The findings suggest that the metatarsals of all giant kangaroos were adequate to withstand jumping pressures, and the heel bones were sufficiently large to support the width of the required jump tendons.

These results imply that all giant kangaroo species had the physical capability to jump.

Nevertheless, the researchers caution that giant kangaroos likely did not rely solely on hopping for locomotion, given their large body sizes, which would hinder long-distance movement.

They highlight that sporadic hopping is observed in many smaller species today, such as hopping rodents and smaller marsupials.

Some giant kangaroo species may have used short, quick jumps to evade predators. Thylacoleo.

“Thicker tendons offer increased safety but store less elastic energy,” said Dr. Katrina Jones, a researcher at the University of Bristol.

“This trait may have rendered giant kangaroo hoppers slower and less efficient, making them more suited for short distances rather than extensive travel.”

“Even so, hopping doesn’t need to be maximally energy-efficient to be advantageous. These animals likely leveraged their hopping ability to rapidly navigate uneven terrain or evade threats.”

University of Manchester researcher Dr. Robert Nudds remarks: “Our findings enhance the understanding that prehistoric Australian kangaroos exhibited greater ecological diversity than seen today, with some large species functioning as herbivores, akin to modern kangaroos, while others filled ecological niches as browsers, a category absent among today’s large kangaroos.”

For more details, refer to the study results published in the journal Scientific Reports.

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M.E. Jones et al. 2026. Biomechanical Limits of Hindlimb Hopping in Extinct Giant Kangaroos. Scientific Reports 16/1309. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-29939-7

Source: www.sci.news

Fossils Unravel the Dietary Secrets of One of History’s Strangest Animals

Posted on January 15, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

*Hallucigenia*: One of the Strangest Animals of All Time

Credit: Alamy

Hallucigenia: One of the Strangest Animals of All Time — *Hallucigenia*: One of the Strangest Animals of All Time

Credit: Alamy

Among the most peculiar creatures ever to roam the Earth is Hallucigenia, a scavenger that thrived on the carcasses of Kushi jelly. Recent studies have reinvigorated our understanding of this enigmatic organism first discovered in the 1970s.

Hallucigenia measured approximately 5 cm in length and boasted an insect-like body with multiple legs and lengthy, sharp spines along its back. Its unusual morphology led paleontologists to initially reconstruct it upside down, mistaking its vertebrae for legs.

This unique creature inhabited the deep sea during the Cambrian period, roughly 539 to 487 million years ago, when various major animal groups emerged. Hallucigenia was first identified in the Burgess Shale formation in British Columbia, Canada. It shares evolutionary ties with velvet worms, tardigrades, and arthropods, a group that includes insects and spiders.

Despite the wealth of fossils, much about the lifestyle of ancient creatures such as Hallucigenia remains a mystery. For instance, researchers have yet to determine what they fed on, as existing fossils have not preserved intestinal contents.

Harvard University’s Javier Ortega Hernandez has conducted a thorough investigation of the Burgess Shale fossils. He revisited the original description of Hallucigenia in 1977, which had not been revisited until now.

Among the findings was a fragment of a severely damaged, soft-bodied gelatinous organism measuring 3.5 cm by 1.9 cm, which Ortega Hernández identified as a comb jelly (ctenophore).

He proposed that the spines attributed to Hallucigenia represent a group of seven individuals that voraciously fed on a dead Kushi jelly, which had drifted to the ocean floor. This event likely involved suction feeding, as they were all eventually enveloped in sediment and transformed into fossils.

Ortega Hernández opted against interviews for New Scientist since this research is currently pending peer review.

“This represents a fascinating ecological interaction,” remarks paleontologist Alison Daly from the University of Lausanne, Switzerland, referring to these findings as “snapshots” that capture fleeting moments in the fossil record, lasting perhaps only a few minutes or hours.

As noted by Daly, Hallucigenia thrived in the nutrient-poor depths of the ocean, so it’s plausible that these creatures survived by rapidly locating and consuming abundant food sources like deceased Kushi jelly. “Suction feeding is highly effective for soft-bodied organisms,” she comments.

However, Jean-Bernard Caron of the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto expresses some skepticism. The fact that fossils of ctenophores were found in proximity to Hallucigenia does not definitively indicate interaction, he suggests, as an underwater landslide could have transported them to the same resting place.

Furthermore, Caron proposes an alternative interpretation: the discovered fossils may simply be detached spines, indicating that these creatures may have shed their skin as they grew.

Dinosaur Hunting in Mongolia’s Gobi Desert

Embark on an exhilarating expedition to uncover dinosaur remains in the vast wilderness of the Gobi Desert, one of the world’s premier paleontology hotspots.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Ancient 773,000-Year-Old Hominin Fossils from Morocco Shed Light on the Origins of Homo sapiens

Posted on January 8, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Recent discoveries of hominin fossils in the Thomas Quarry I cave located in Casablanca, Morocco, provide crucial insights into the early origins of homo sapiens. These findings indicate that the lineage leading to modern humans was potentially established in Africa nearly 800,000 years ago. The fossils, although similar in age to the ancestor of homo discovered in Spain, display a mix of primitive and advanced traits reminiscent of post-Eurasian hominins, including homo sapiens.

Reconstruction of homo erectus.

Paleoanthropologists have long debated the origins of Neanderthals and Denisovans, the last common ancestors of modern humans. Genetic studies reveal that this ancestor likely existed between approximately 765,000 and 550,000 years ago, although fossil records are still inconclusive.

While some researchers have posited a Eurasian origin based on fossils unearthed in Atapuerca, Spain, dating back to 950,000 to 770,000 years ago, the new findings from Morocco reinforce the theory of an African origin.

Recent discoveries from the Moroccan cave, including mandible fragments, teeth, vertebrae, and femur pieces, bolster the evidence supporting Africa as the cradle of human evolution.

Analysis of the sediments surrounding these fossils indicates that they date back approximately 773,000 years, coinciding with significant changes in the Earth’s magnetic field, aligning with the era of the ancestor of homo.

Interestingly, the new fossils present distinct morphological differences. The evidence suggests that regional differentiation between Europe and North Africa was already evident by the late Early Pleistocene, spanning from around 1.8 million to 780,000 years ago.

The Moroccan fossils exhibit a blend of primitive features linked to species like homo erectus alongside more modern traits found in homo sapiens and Neanderthals.

For instance, their molar size aligns with earlier homo sapiens fossils, while the jaw shape resembles that of Neanderthals and other African archaic humans.

Although the Moroccan fossil may not serve as the ultimate last common ancestor of modern humans, Neanderthals, and Denisovans, it is likely a close precursor.

“The Moroccan fossils likely represent an advanced form of homo erectus in North Africa, situated on a lineage close to the evolutionary divergence between African and Eurasian lineages,” stated the researchers.

“Our findings underscore the Maghreb region as vital for understanding the emergence of our species and strengthen the argument for an African origin of homo sapiens,” they concluded.

Findings are detailed in a recent study published in Nature.

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J.J. Havlin and colleagues. Early human fossils from Morocco and the emergence of homo sapiens. Nature, published online January 7, 2026. doi: 10.1038/s41586-025-09914-y

Source: www.sci.news

Moroccan Hominin Fossils: Potential Close Ancestors of Modern Humans

Posted on January 7, 2026 by Igor Mitreski

Ancient Human Jawbone Discovered in Morocco’s Man Cave

Hamza Mehimdate, Casablanca Pre-History Program

Approximately 550,000-year-old fossils discovered in North Africa potentially belong to a shared ancestor of Neanderthals, Denisovans, and modern humans, existing right before these three significant hominin lineages diverged.

Neanderthals and Denisovans, the final common ancestors of modern humans, are believed to have thrived between 765,000 and 550,000 years ago. However, key questions about their existence and habitats still challenge our understanding of human evolution.

Recent fossil discoveries suggest that researchers, including Jean-Jacques Hublin from the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig, Germany, are nearing the pivotal moment of divergence in ancient human lineages.

Hublin and his team examined various fossils, including two adult jawbones, one juvenile jawbone, and several vertebrae unearthed from a cave referred to as the Cave of Mankind near Casablanca, Morocco. One of the adult jawbones had been detailed in a 1969 study, while the remaining specimens are presented for the first time.

The fossilized molars share similarities with early Homo sapiens and Neanderthals, yet their jaw structures resemble ancient African Homo erectus.

Fortunately, these Moroccan hominids existed around the same period as changes in Earth’s magnetic field, recorded within the geological formations containing the fossils, allowing for precise dating to approximately 773,000 years ago.

Hublin described the find as filling a “significant gap” in the African human fossil record dating back to between one million and 600,000 years ago. Paleogenetic studies reveal that the ancestors of Neanderthals and Denisovans diverged around this time, while H. sapiens evolved independently in Africa.

The newly identified fossils are contemporaneous with a hominid population in Spain, previously hypothesized to serve as a common ancestor between Homo sapiens and Neanderthals.

Excavation Team at Moroccan Fossil Site

R. Gallotti, Casablanca Pre-History Program

Both Homo ancestors and Moroccan hominins exhibit “a mosaic of primitive and derived features,” Hublin notes, suggesting possible genetic exchanges across the Strait of Gibraltar. However, notable distinctions exist between the fossils from both areas, with Spanish specimens appearing more Neanderthal-like.

“The last common ancestor likely inhabited both sides of the Mediterranean during that era, indicating a deep African lineage for Homo sapiens opposed to the Eurasian origin theories proposed by some,” Hublin states.

Julian Lewis, a professor at Griffith University in Brisbane, Australia, expresses intrigue over the physical differences in early Pleistocene hominids closely related to our species.

“The key takeaway is that these differences have been developing for a substantial period,” Lewis concluded, alluding to the arrival of the Homo ancestor in Spain, indicating it may represent one of several species across North Africa that eventually crossed over to Europe.

Chris Stringer from the Natural History Museum in London has also contributed to this discussion. His research, including findings from human fossils in China published last year, suggests that the last common ancestor of Homo sapiens, Neanderthals, and Denisovans could date back over a million years.

“The specific continent for that common ancestor’s existence remains unknown,” Stringer remarked. “Yet even if it lived outside Africa, our analysis indicates that the evolution of Homo sapiens predominantly took place in Africa, suggesting a potential early migration back into Africa for continued evolution.”

These newly identified Moroccan fossils may even represent early specimens of Homo sapiens, though sufficient skeletal fragments are lacking for definitive classification.

Ongoing comparisons with previously studied fossils will help ascertain their evolutionary positioning.

Topics:

Human Evolution/
Ancient Hominins

Source: www.newscientist.com

Jurassic Dinosaur Fossils Illuminate the Evolution of Flight

Posted on December 19, 2025 by

Paleontologists studied fossils that are 160 million years old. Anchiornis Huxley, a non-avian theropod dinosaur, was unearthed from the Late Jurassic Tianjishan Formation in northeastern China. The preserved feathers indicated that these dinosaurs had lost their flying capability. This rare find offers insights into the functions of organisms that existed 160 million years ago and their role in the evolution of flight among dinosaurs and birds.

This fossil of Anchiornis Huxley has nearly complete feathers and coloration preserved, allowing for detailed identification of feather morphology. Image credit: Kiat et al., doi: 10.1038/s42003-025-09019-2.

“This discovery has significant implications, suggesting that the evolution of flight in dinosaurs and birds was more intricate than previously understood,” said paleontologist Yosef Kiat from Tel Aviv University and his team.

“It is possible that some species had rudimentary flight abilities but lost them as they evolved.”

“The lineage of dinosaurs diverged from other reptiles approximately 240 million years ago.”

“Shortly after (on an evolutionary timeline), many dinosaurs began developing feathers, unique structures that are lightweight and strong, made of protein, and primarily used for flight and thermoregulation.”

About 175 million years ago, feathered dinosaurs, known as Penaraputra, emerged as distant ancestors of modern birds; they are the only dinosaur lineage that survived the mass extinction marking the end of the Mesozoic Era 66 million years ago.

As far as we know, the Pennaraputra group developed feathers for flight, but some may have lost that capability due to changing environmental conditions, similar to modern ostriches and penguins.

In this study, the researchers examined nine specimens of a feathered pennaraptorian dinosaur species called Anchiornis Huxley.

This rare paleontological find, along with hundreds of similar fossils, had its feathers remarkably preserved due to the unique conditions present during their fossilization.

Specifically, the nine fossils analyzed were selected because they retained the color of their wing feathers: white with black spots on the tips.

“Feathers take about two to three weeks to grow,” explains Dr. Kiat.

“Once they reach their final size, they detach from the blood vessels that nourished them during growth and become dead material.”

“Over time, birds shed and replace their feathers in a process known as molting, which is crucial for flight.” He notes that birds that depend on flight molt in an organized and gradual manner, maintaining symmetry and allowing them to continue flying during the process.

Conversely, the molting of flightless birds tends to be more random and irregular.

“Molting patterns can indicate whether a winged creature was capable of flight.”

By examining the color of the feathers preserved in dinosaur fossils from China, researchers could reconstruct the wing structure, which featured series of black spots along the edges.

Additionally, newly grown feathers, which had not fully matured, were identifiable by their deviation in black spot patterns.

A detailed analysis of the new feathers in nine fossils revealed an irregular molting process.

“Based on our understanding of contemporary birds, we identified a molting pattern suggesting these dinosaurs were likely flightless,” said Dr. Kiat.

“This is a rare and particularly intriguing discovery. The preservation of feather color offers a unique opportunity to explore the functional characteristics of ancient organisms alongside body structures found in fossilized skeletons and bones.”

“While feather molting might seem like a minor detail, it could significantly alter our understanding of the origins of flight when examined in fossils,” he added.

“Anchiornis Huxley‘s inclusion in the group of feathered dinosaurs that couldn’t fly underscores the complexity and diversity of wing evolution.”

The findings were published in the journal Communication Biology.

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Y. Kiat et al. 2025. Wing morphology of Anchiornis Huxley and the evolution of molting strategies in paraavian dinosaurs. Communication Biology August 1633. doi: 10.1038/s42003-025-09019-2

Source: www.sci.news

Fossils from Venezuela Uncover the Early Origins of Anaconda Giants

Posted on December 3, 2025 by

The anaconda is among the largest surviving snake species in the world. Typically, its length ranges from 4 to 5 meters, although exceptional cases can reach up to 7 meters. A recent study conducted by paleontologists on giant anaconda fossils from South America suggests that these tropical reptiles achieved their maximum size approximately 12.4 million years ago and have maintained their large dimensions continuously since then.

Green anaconda (Eunectes murinus). Image credit: MKAMPIS / CC BY-SA 4.0.

“Current snakes display a broad spectrum of body lengths, averaging about 1 meter, with sizes ranging from 10 centimeters for the smallest leptotyphloid thread snakes to roughly 7 meters for anacondas.” Eunectes Andrés Alfonso Rojas, a PhD student at the University of Cambridge, and his colleagues state:

“Within the Eunectes genus, the green anaconda (Eunectes murinus) is the largest species, averaging 4 to 5 meters in length, with maximum recorded lengths of 6 to 7.2 meters.”

“Limited fossil findings from Brazil, Colombia, Peru, and Venezuela suggest that the evolutionary timeline of anacondas dates back to the mid-to-late Miocene.”

“However, our understanding of the body size of early anacondas, which coexisted with massive crocodilians, turtles, ungulates, and xenartranians, remains scarce.”

In their research, the authors examined 183 fossilized anaconda spines representing at least 32 snakes discovered in the state of Falcón, Venezuela.

By integrating these measurements with fossil data from various South American locations, they concluded that ancient anacondas measured 4 to 5 meters in length, similar to today’s anacondas.

“While other species, including giant crocodiles and colossal turtles, have become extinct since the Miocene—likely due to declining global temperatures and reduced habitats—giant anacondas have persisted. They demonstrate remarkable adaptability,” noted Alfonso Rojas.

“The analysis of fossils indicates that anacondas’ body size evolved significantly soon after their emergence in tropical South America around 12.4 million years ago, and this size has remained consistent ever since.”

The researchers cross-verified their estimates using an alternative method known as ancestral state reconstruction, employing snake family trees to estimate the length of giant anacondas and related modern species like tree boas and rainbow boas.

This method corroborates the notion that when anacondas first appeared in the Miocene, their average size was 4 to 5 meters.

Anacondas inhabit swamps, marshes, and substantial rivers, such as the Amazon. During the Miocene, northern South America resembled the contemporary Amazon region, allowing anacondas to thrive in wider areas than seen today.

Nonetheless, the current environment still offers ample food sources, including capybaras and fish, and suitable habitats that support the continued growth of modern anacondas.

As snakes are particularly sensitive to temperature changes, it was previously believed that anacondas might have grown even larger during earlier warm periods.

“This finding is unexpected, as ancient anacondas were thought to have reached lengths of 7 to 8 meters,” remarked Alfonso Rojas.

“However, we found no evidence supporting the existence of larger snakes during the Miocene, even when global temperatures were higher.”

These findings were published recently in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology.

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Andres F. Alfonso-Rojas et al. Early origins of gigantism in anacondas (Serpentes: Eunectes) revealed by the fossil record. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology published online on December 1, 2025. doi: 10.1080/02724634.2025.2572967

Source: www.sci.news

New Fossils from West Texas Extend the Range of Tenontosaurus

Posted on November 12, 2025 by

Paleontologists from the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science, the University of Texas at El Paso, and Montana State University unearthed fossil bones of a tenontosaurus sp. This early Cretaceous ornithopod dinosaur from North America inhabited the Yucca Formation located in the far west of Texas, USA. Notably, this southernmost finding of Tenontosaurus in the interior West is around 400 km east of the Arizona record and about 900 km southwest of the north-central Texas record.

Life restoration of Tenontosaurus tilletti. Image credit: Nobu Tamura http://spinops.blogspot.com.

Tenontosaurus is a genus of iguanodont ornithopod dinosaur that roamed North America around 115 million years ago during the early Cretaceous period.

This genus includes two known species: Tenontosaurus tilletti and Tenontosaurus dossi.

Both species possessed particularly long and broad tails, which were strengthened by a framework of bony tendons, similar to their backs.

The recent fossils were retrieved from the Upper Yucca Formation of the Indio Mountains, situated approximately 35 km southwest of Van Horn in West Texas.

“I wasn’t specifically searching for fossils that day,” stated Dr. Jason Ricketts, a paleontologist at the University of Texas at El Paso.

“While examining rocks in the area, we spotted debris weathered from the soft shale.”

“There was no need for excavation; I simply collected them. It was a surprising and thrilling discovery. My family joined me to help gather the pieces.”

“Fossils of dinosaurs are uncommon in West Texas, and finding fossilized bones instead of just footprints is especially rare.”

“The fossils were found as separate fragments, with the largest confirmed to be a part of a femoral leg bone.”

“Despite their imperfect state, these fossils hold significant scientific value,” he remarked.

“Before this discovery, similar fossils were only found in other regions of Montana, Idaho, Arizona, and Texas.”

This new finding extends the known range of Tenontosaurus further southwest than previously documented.

“Until now, fossils of this kind were mostly located in northern and eastern states, such as Utah and Wyoming,” Ricketts noted.

“This discovery… indicates that Tenontosaurus lived as far south as West Texas.”

While research on the fossil fragments continues, the authors hope this discovery will encourage additional exploration in West Texas, where dinosaur fossils are largely uncharted.

“This finding demonstrates that there is still a wealth of knowledge to acquire about our region’s prehistoric history,” said Dr. Ricketts.

“It’s a privilege to contribute, even if only in a small way, to that larger narrative.”

This discovery is detailed in the following article: paper published in the Bulletin of the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science.

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Spencer G. Lucas et al. 2025. An ornithopod dinosaur that lived in the early Cretaceous of West Texas. Bulletin of the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science 101:291-294

Source: www.sci.news

Fossils Uncover First Evidence of Herbivorous Pterosaurs

Posted on November 7, 2025 by

Paleontologists from China and Brazil have reported the discovery of 320 phytoliths (tiny mineral structures formed within plant cells) found in the fossilized stomach of a pterosaur species known as Synopterus atavismus.

Rebuilding the life of Synopterus atavismus. Image credit: Maurilio Oliveira / Science China Press.

Pterosaurs, a group of reptiles that went extinct during the Mesozoic Era, were the first vertebrates to develop powered flight.

However, their dietary habits remain largely enigmatic.

Various hypotheses have been proposed regarding pterosaur diets, including insectivorous, piscivorous, carnivorous, omnivorous, herbivorous/frugivorous, filter feeding, and generalized diets.

Though stomach contents provide compelling evidence, such finds are exceedingly rare.

In addition to scales associated with the thorax of Eudimorphodon, only five confirmed instances of pterosaur gastric contents have been documented since the Late Triassic in Italy, all related to Rhamphorhynchus from the Late Jurassic Solnhofen limestone in Germany.

These instances largely consist of remains like dead fish, along with some unidentified items.

In a recent study, Dr. Xiaolin Wang from the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and colleagues investigated the contents of fossilized stomachs from Synopterus atavismus, which existed in China approximately 120 million years ago.

They identified numerous small gastroliths in the stomach contents, from which they extracted 320 phytoliths.

“Phytoliths are microscopic silica structures formed during plant growth, exhibiting diverse morphologies across different plant species and even within various parts of the same plant,” the paleontologists stated.

“This discovery marks the first extraction of phytoliths from a pterosaur and the second documented instance of a pterosaur featuring a gastrolith.”

Specimen of Synopterus atavismus. Image credit: Jiang et al., doi: 10.1016/j.scib.2025.06.040.

To determine whether Synopterus atavismus was indeed herbivorous, the researchers explored other possible interpretations.

“Initially, we confirmed that surrounding rocks did not contain the phytoliths found in the stomach, eliminating contamination as a factor,” the researchers commented.

“We also considered the possibility that the plant material could have originated from animals that consume plants.”

“However, Synopterus atavismus exhibited a rapid metabolism akin to that of birds. If it had consumed vertebrates or insects, traces like bones, scales, or hard insect shells would have been present in the stomach, but none were found.”

“The hypothesis of eating soft-bodied creatures like caterpillars was also insufficient. Why would it require so many gastroliths if hard food wasn’t part of its diet?”

“These stones typically assist in breaking down tough materials such as insect shells and plant matter, making them unneeded for softer prey.”

“Lastly, prior research suggested that Tapejara wellnhoferi, a close relative of Synopterus atavismus, had robust jaws adapted for consuming plants, reinforcing this conclusion.”

“Thus, phytoliths clearly indicate direct dietary intake, while gastroliths were utilized as tools for grinding plant material.”

The team’s paper is published in the October 15, 2025 issue of the journal Science Bulletin.

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Jiang Shunxin et al. 2025. First phytoliths discovered in pterosaurs – evidence of herbivory. Science Bulletin 70 (19): 3134-3138; doi: 10.1016/j.scib.2025.06.040

Source: www.sci.news

Orange Lichen Aids Paleontologists in Locating Dinosaur Fossils

Posted on November 5, 2025 by

Lichens, comprising symbiotic fungi and algae (and/or cyanobacteria), are crucial ecological components that inhabit various substrates, including fossils. A recent study highlights their role as biological indicators of fossils in western North America, and demonstrates that they can be identified through remote sensing techniques.

Preferential colonization of dinosaur bones by lichens. Image credit: Pickles et al., doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2025.09.036.

Dr. Brian Pickles from the University of Reading noted, “This research showcases how extant organisms can assist in uncovering ancient life forms.”

“It’s fascinating to realize that these lichens, which essentially represent miniature ecosystems, thrive on the remains of dinosaurs that went extinct over 75 million years ago.”

“Utilizing drone technology to identify spectral signatures in lichens could transform how paleontologists search for fossils.”

In their research, Dr. Pickles and his team identified two lichen species, Rusabschia elegans and Xanthomendoza trachyphylla, which colonized 50% of exposed fossil bones while affecting less than 1% of nearby rock fragments.

This preference can be attributed to the alkaline, calcareous, and porous nature of dinosaur bones that these lichens favor.

“Although the tendency of lichens to thrive on fossil bones has been observed for decades, it has never been quantitatively assessed until now,” stated Dr. Caleb Brown, a researcher at the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Paleontology.

“During our first encounter with a high concentration of exposed fossil bone, such as in a bone bed, our attention often shifts from the bones themselves to the vibrant orange lichen ‘meadows.’

The researchers deployed a drone fitted with specialized sensors to pinpoint lichen-colonized fossils from aerial imagery boasting a resolution of 2.5 cm.

Lichens reveal distinct spectral characteristics, exhibiting lower reflectance in blue wavelengths and increased reflectance in the infrared spectrum.

This innovative method presents considerable benefits for exploration in paleontology, particularly in remote locations where conventional ground surveys are challenging.

This strategy could expedite fossil discoveries while minimizing field expenses and ecological impacts.

The findings are rooted in decades of anecdotal observations made by paleontologists.

In 1980, paleontologist Darren H. Tanke observed that the orange pigmentation of lichens on centrosaurus bones might soon be detectable via satellite. The potential for locating bones using aerial drone technology appears more achievable than ever.

“This drone study sets the foundation for employing aircraft and satellites to map larger expanses,” remarked Dr. Derek Peddle, a researcher at the University of Lethbridge.

“Our newly developed lichen index will aid in fossil identification across vast terrains.”

“It’s exhilarating to merge our imaging technology with the expertise of this international team to enhance dinosaur discovery through remote sensing of lichens.”

The team’s publication appears in this week’s issue of Current Biology.

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Brian J. Pickles et al., 2025. Remote sensing of lichens by drone to detect dinosaur bones. Current Biology 35 (21): R1044-R1045; doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2025.09.036

Source: www.sci.news

Tiny Fossils Uncover New Lineage of New Zealand Songbirds

Posted on October 27, 2025 by

Paleontologists have unearthed a 2.9-centimeter fossil foot bone believed to belong to a bowerbird at the Miocene site of St Bassans in Aotearoa, New Zealand.

Recreating the life of the St. Bassin’s bowerbird (Aeviperditus gracilis). Image credit: Sasha Votyakova / Te Papa / CC BY 4.0.

The newly identified species existed in New Zealand during the Miocene epoch, approximately 19 to 14 million years ago, well away from its close relatives in Australia and New Guinea.

“This finding offers significant and unique insight into the biological history of Aotearoa’s avian life,” stated Dr. Nick Lawrence, director of the Otago Institute of Paleogenetics.

“For many around the globe, bowerbirds gained fame from Sir David Attenborough’s documentaries featuring their intricate courtship rituals. Males construct arched structures called bowers, adorned with colorful items such as sticks and occasionally fruit, leaves, or even plastic, to attract a mate.”

Known as Aeviperditus gracilis or St. Bassin’s bowerbird, this new bird species was considerably smaller than its modern counterparts.

“It weighs only 33g, much lighter than both existing and extinct bowerbird species, which typically range from 96 to 265g,” Dr. Lawrence explained.

“Its leg bones closely resemble those of Avenue Bower builders, including the brightly colored Flame Bowerbird and Satin Bowerbird.”

“If this bird is indeed a relative of bowerbirds, it could represent an entirely new lineage of songbirds for Aotearoa,” suggested Dr. Elizabeth Steele, a researcher at the University of Cambridge.

“This is particularly crucial given our limited understanding of the region’s ancient songbird fossil record.”

“St Bathan’s Bowerbird signifies the latest lineage of songbirds with a long evolutionary history in Aotearoa, with the earliest representatives of groups like the Uia, Koukako, Tieke, Piopio, and Mohua found here.”

“All these species likely evolved rapidly and dispersed from Australia to New Zealand.”

“Like many of St. Bathans’ unique species, this bird has no surviving descendants in Aotearoa.”

“The bowerbird seems to have been particularly vulnerable to the cooling temperatures preceding the Ice Age and the resulting shifts in forest composition and distribution, contributing to its extinction,” Dr. Lawrence noted.

An article detailing the discovery of Aeviperditus gracilis was published on October 7, 2025, in Historical Biology, International Journal of Paleontology.

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Elizabeth M. Steele et al. Possible early Miocene bowerbirds of New Zealand. Historical Biology, published online October 7, 2025. doi: 10.1080/08912963.2025.2568099

Source: www.sci.news

Fossils of Carnivorous “Swamp Creature” Unearthed in Brazil

Posted on October 24, 2025 by

Paleontologists have unearthed the fossilized lower right canine tooth of a significant proborchiid Sparathodont in Brazil’s Taubaté Basin.

The lower right canine tooth of a large proborchiid sparasodont excavated from the Tremembé Formation in Brazil. Scale bar – 5 mm inches (AE) and 20 mm inches (H). Image credit: Rangel et al., doi: 10.4072/rbp.2025.2.0534.

The newly discovered fossils date back to the Oligocene Desedan period, approximately 29 to 21 million years ago.

This specimen has been classified as a yet unnamed member of the Proborhyaenidae, an extinct family of South American mammals within the Metatherian order of Sparassodonta.

These creatures played the role of carnivorous predators on the Cenozoic continents.

“Sparassodonta represents an extinct clade of metatherians exclusive to South America, which served as the primary predator of terrestrial mammals on this continent throughout the Cenozoic era,” noted paleontologist Dr. Caio César Rangel from the Federal University of Uberlandia and the Federal University of Pernambuco and colleagues.

“Their evolutionary journey included two significant diversification events, first during the Eocene and later in the Miocene.”

“The Oligocene is marked by cooler temperatures compared to the late Eocene and Miocene.”

“This global cooling trend led to substantial environmental changes, resulting in a turnover in fauna across South America, including both extinctions and diversifications among various Metatherian clades.”

Reconstruction of Thylacosmilus atrochus, a type of post-saber-toothed beast that is part of the sister lineage to the Proborhyaenidae. Image credit: Roman Uchytel.

Paleontologists retrieved the new specimen, measuring 5.73 centimeters (2.3 inches) in length, from the lower section of the Tremembé Formation in São Paulo state, eastern Brazil.

The researchers explained, “The Taubate Basin is situated in São Paulo in southeastern Brazil, stretching from the city of Cachoeira Paulista to Jacarei.”

“It measures approximately 150 km (93 miles) in length and 10–20 km (6–12 miles) in width and lies within a rift between the Serra do Mar and Serra da Mantiqueira mountains.”

“The Tremembé Formation is the sole Late Oligocene fossil site in Brazil that preserves a diverse array of mammalian fossils and native species,” they added.

“The fauna within this area includes representatives from Metatheria, Pteroptera, Rodentia, Singleta, Astrapoteria, Litopterna, Notungulata, and Pyrotheria.”

This ancient predator thrived in wetland and lake environments and is believed to have held the position of apex predator.

The researchers noted, “The observable wear on the crown and the associated undulations found on the canines indicate that their frequent use is likely related to the capture or active processing of prey by adult specimens.”

This discovery broadens the geographic distribution of Proborhyaenidae and marks the second record of this member of the Sparasodontidae in Brazil.

“This record enhances the diversity of large mammals found in the Tremembé Formation,” the authors stated.

“In general, this region serves as a crucial geological and paleontological resource that offers valuable insights into the final phases of the Paleogene period in tropical South America.”

For more about this discovery, refer to the published paper in the August 2025 issue of Revista Brasileira de Paleontology.

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CC Rangel et al. 2025. The “swamp monster” of the Tremembé Formation (Taubaté Basin, Brazil, late Oligocene): description of a carnivorous metatherian (Sparasodonta, Proborhyaenidae). Revista Brasileira de Paleontology 28 (2): e20250534; doi: 10.4072/rbp.2025.2.0534

Source: www.sci.news

Fossils from the Oligocene Cycle Reveal Pollination Interactions Between Flowers and Marchalace

Posted on September 23, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Paleontologists have examined fossilized flowers and bees dating back 24 million years, following the scarcity in Enspel, Germany, and unveiled new species of Linden. These include Tilia Magna Separa and two newly identified bumblebee species, Bombos (Chrono Bombos) Mesegas and Timebombus Palaeocrater. The presence of identical tyria pollen in both the flowers and on the outer surfaces of the bumblebees serves as direct evidence of their interactions, identifying Bombos as a pollinator of Tyria. At least due to the late decline, we remain anchored in the present.

Tilia Magna Separa. Image credit: Christian Geier.

“We analyzed countless fossil flowers and insect pollens in hopes of understanding the evolution of flowers, their visitors, and the pollination process,” stated Dr. Friðgeir Grímsson, a researcher at the University of Vienna.

“These microscopic pollen grains were made visible using UV and blue light, and then extracted individually from flower or insect hair, or aggregated from insects, with the aid of extremely thin needles and minimal invasive techniques.”

The pollen grains underwent careful washing and were analyzed using high-resolution light and electron microscopes.

Many of the flowers studied originated from Linden trees, with numerous bumblebees visiting Linden flowers prior to their fossilization in an ancient volcanic crater lake.

“The newly identified linden flower has been named Tilia Magna Separa,” said Christian Geier, a doctoral student at the University of Vienna.

“Additionally, two new bumblebee species have been identified: Bombos (Chrono Bombos) Mesegas and Bombos (Time Bombos) Pereoctor.”

The fossils were uncovered during the excavation of lake sediments from the former volcanic lake near Enspel in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany.

“Tilia Magna Separa marks the first recorded flowers from the European continent, characterized and described as per pollenological standards—the science of pollen,” the researchers noted.

“The fossil bumblebees rank among the oldest representatives of their genus, with only one species from Colorado, USA, predating them.”

“This is the first instance globally where a fossil flower and its pollinator bee have been described arising from the same deposits, with pollen linking them directly,” Geier remarked.

“Such research holds significant potential to enhance our understanding of past pollinator dynamics.”

The Fossil Record offers insights into the evolutionary developments of the past, revealing changes due to climate shifts, species extinction, and evolutionary adaptation.

By analyzing fossilized animal and plant groups, we can infer their behaviors and reactions to environmental changes.

“Our research allowed us to identify specific flower homeostasis among the bumblebees studied,” Geier explained.

“This indicates that they tend to visit only one type of plant during a single flight.”

“These findings are crucial for gaining a deeper understanding of the delicate interactions and resilience within today’s ecosystems.”

The study was published today in the journal New Botanist.

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Christian Gayer et al. 24 million years of pollination interaction between European linden flowers and bumble bees. New Botanist, published online on September 22, 2025. doi: 10.1111/nph.7053

Source: www.sci.news

The Most Complete and Ancient Dome-Head Dinosaur Fossils Discovered in Mongolia

Posted on September 19, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Researchers have uncovered the most ancient and well-preserved fossils of Pachycephalosaur, a category of dinosaurs distinguished by their domed skulls in Mongolia. A new study was released in the journal Nature on Wednesday.

The fossils, estimated to be between 108 and 105 million years old, belong to a juvenile of an unidentified species, referred to by scientists as Zavasepharelinpoche.

This discovery took place in the Klen Duk Formation in Mongolia’s Gobi Desert, located between China and Russia, and was led by paleontologist Tsogtbaatar Chinzorig from the Mongolian Academy of Sciences.

There is limited knowledge about these two-legged herbivores from the Cretaceous period, particularly in North America, but they are considered one of the “most enigmatic” dinosaur groups, according to the study. Their unique bone structures and representations in media like Jurassic Park have made them quite popular.

Previous finds of Pachycephalosaur fossils were largely restricted to skulls.

“You could fit all Pachycephalosaurus [fossils] known worldwide into two bathtubs, more or less. There are very few fossil examples,” remarked Michael Pittman, a paleontologist at China University in Hong Kong, in an interview with NBC News.

Fossilized skull of a dome-headed dinosaur from the Cretaceous period.
Alessandro Chiarenza / Via Reuters

The Mongolian discoveries are considered “most skeletally complete,” providing greater insight into the anatomy of Pachycephalosaurus than previously available.

The individuals identified as Zavasephale were at least two years old and measured approximately three feet in length. More than half of its skeleton has been recovered, featuring long legs, short arms, small hands, and gastroliths, or stones ingested to aid in digesting vegetation.

Though these animals were not fully grown, their skeletons showed already thickened bones above the skull.

The integrity of the fossils “will be a key specimen for understanding how the cranial dome of Pachycephalosaurus evolved,” said Chinzorig, based on insights from the National Museum of History in London.

Scientists have proposed that Pachycephalosaurus may have engaged in head-butting behavior or used their domes to attract mates, though the precise function of the dome is still undetermined.

These fossils are approximately 15 million years older than previously found Pachycephalosaurus specimens, enhancing our understanding of dinosaur evolution.

“This is the oldest variety we’ve encountered, thus providing insight into what earlier species looked like and how they evolved over time,” stated Pittman. “The discovery of earlier specimens indicates that they have possessed this dome for quite a while.”

Zavasephale was smaller than later species of Pachycephalosaurs, growing to an estimated length of about 14 feet.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Newly Discovered Extinct Octagonal Rodent Species Unearthed in Amazon Fossils

Posted on September 16, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Paleontologists have discovered a new species of rodent, acarechimys, an extinct genus that was widely distributed across South America, based on partial jaws and teeth found in Brazil.

Hypothetical reconstruction of Red-tailed miracles hunikuini. Image credit: Márcio Castro.

Red-tailed miracles hunikuini inhabited the Amazon region, present-day Brazil, approximately 10 million years ago during the late Miocene epoch.

This ancient species is part of the Octodontidea, a family of neotropical rodents within the par order Caviomorpha.

“The aquatic rodent families of the Neotropics, specifically Kabiomorpha, are fascinating due to their remarkable taxonomic and ecological diversity, reflecting a complex evolutionary history,” noted Colonia and colleagues.

“These rodents first appear in South American fossil records at the end of the Eocene epoch, according to current data, particularly from the records in Peru’s Amazon region.”

“The early scarcity of these species had already contributed to the diversification seen in the initial representatives of the Crown Group.”

“Today, Caviomorphs comprise 266 species, organized into two major clades and four superfamilies.”

“The superfamily Octodontoidea includes existing groups like Abrocomidae, Echimyidae, Octodontidae, Ctenomyidae, and several extinct lineages.”

“This represents the most diverse and abundant clade within Caviomorpha, both taxonomically and phenotypically.”

The fossilized teeth of Red-tailed miracles hunikuini were collected from outcrops during fieldwork in 2019 and 2022 in the Solimus Formation near the city of Feijó in Brazil’s Acre state.

“Since the mid-19th century, the Solimus Formation has revealed a diverse array of vertebrate fossils,” paleontologists commented.

“Recent dating of the fossil-rich area has suggested that the sediments date back to the Tortonian stage of the Upper Miocene.”

“Mammals represent one of the most diverse fossil groups found here, including bats, sloths, litopterns, marsupials, prominent families of rodents, primates, and Sirenians.”

“Additionally, remains of birds, crocodiles, Chelonians, fish, amphibians, invertebrates, oological bones, and plant materials have also been documented.”

The discovery of Red-tailed miracles hunikuini in this area, alongside various other fauna, indicates the coexistence of multiple superfamilies and highlights the richness of Brazilian Amazonian fauna.

“acarechimys likely emerged following the end of anemia and diversified in the Patagonia region during the early Miocene,” the researchers stated.

“By the mid-Miocene, it expanded beyond Patagonia, spreading into northern South America.”

“In the late Miocene, this lineage persisted only in regions outside Patagonia.”

“This new discovery marks the last known occurrence of the genus, supporting the theory of a late survival of rodent lineages in tropical areas—a pattern also observed in octodontoids, hydrocherines, and neoepimarids.”

“The rapid diversification and radiation of acarechimys, combined with the scarcity of data and discrepancies among studies focused on this group, and the isolated teeth found in the Amazon region, pose significant challenges for research on this genus.”

“Further studies are essential to enhance our understanding of the diversification and temporal variations of this broad octodontoidea lineage.”

The team’s publication has been featured in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology.

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Emmanuel Fontora et al. 2024. New Late Miocene Stem Octodontoids (Rodentia: Cabiomorpha: Octatinkiyoi) from the Solimus Formation (Brazil): Paleogeographical implications. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 44 (1): e2382822; doi: 10.1080/02724634.2024.2382822

Source: www.sci.news

Fossils from the Early Cretaceous Period at the Swiss Museum

Posted on September 9, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Paleontologists have identified a new species within the extinct turtle genus Craspedochelys, based on some remarkable fossil shells and subsequent bones discovered in Colombia.

Artistic reconstruction of Craspedochelys Renzi and the shallow marine ecosystem it inhabited. The flip-like shape of the forelimbs is inspired by the most complete known specimen of Thalassemys bruntrutana. Image credit: Juan Guilard.

Craspedochelys Renzi thrived during the early Cretaceous Hauterivian period, approximately 132 to 125 million years ago.

This ancient species belonged to the Thalassocheridia, a group of marine-adapted turtles from the Jurassic and Cretaceous eras.

“Throughout their evolutionary journey, various unrelated turtle groups have developed adaptations for marine and coastal habitats,” says Dr. Edwin Alberto Cadena, a paleontologist at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute of Natural History.

“One such group is the Thalassocheridia, traditionally classified into three Jurassic families: Eurysternidae, Plesiochelyidae, and Thalassemydidae, which have complex and often debated phylogenetic relationships.”

“Among these families, the ‘Plesiochelyidae’ is particularly diverse, encompassing at least ten species across four different genera: Craspedochelys, Plesiochelys, Portlandomys, and Tropidemys.”

“The shells of ‘Plesiochelyids’ can be distinguished from other thalassocheridians by their large size (40-55 cm in shell length), with adults lacking the thyroid cortex of the hanging skin, typically displaying only a thick layer of fontanel in the center.”

Craspedochelys Renzi is characterized by a distinct shell featuring several occipital bones. Image credits: Cadena et al. , doi: 10.1186/s13358-025-00394-1.

The fossil specimen of Craspedochelys Renzi was first discovered by Swiss geologist Otto Lenz during a field expedition in the Cunja de Cuisa region of Guazila Province, Colombia, in the 1950s.

This specimen included partial shells measuring 25.5 cm long and 23.1 cm wide, along with hind limb bones and caudal vertebrae.

It was later stored in the paleontological collection of the Naturhistorisches Museum Basel in Switzerland, where it remained unnoticed for over 60 years among the fossil invertebrate collection.

“Geological evidence connects these specimens to shallow marine sediments from the Moina Formation, dating to the Hauterivian,” the paleontologist explained.

This fossil represents the youngest known occurrence of Thalassocheridians globally during the Hauterivian, and it is the second record from a non-European group.

“The discovery of Craspedochelys Renzi will greatly enhance our understanding of Thalassocheridians, particularly the ‘Plesiochelyidae’, expanding their geographical range to North Gondwana and temporal range to the Hauterivian,” the researchers stated.

“This find underlines the significance of reevaluating historical collections and the potential for future discoveries in less explored areas such as northern South America.”

“The existence of Craspedochelys Renzi in the Moina Formation further underscores the intricate paleobiogeographic history of early Cretaceous coastal habitats and marine turtles.”

“It also offers new perspectives on the evolutionary dynamics of Thalassocheridia and the still unresolved, unstable phylogenetic relationships within the group, which necessitates further detailed investigation in future research.”

The discovery of Craspedochelys Renzi is discussed in a paper published in the Swiss Journal of Palaeontology.

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ea. Cadena et al. 2025. The first occurrence of the “Plesiochelyidae” turtle in the early Cretaceous period of South America. Swiss J Palaeontol 144, 52; doi:10.1186/s13358-025-00394-1

Source: www.sci.news

Remarkable Discovery: Two Fossils of Young Individuals Tragically Lost to a Catastrophic Storm in Germany

Posted on September 6, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Paleontologists from the University of Leicester studied two immature fossilized skeletal remains of Pterodactylus antiquus, individuals whose wings were damaged and were discovered in Solnhofen limestone, southern Germany. Their findings reveal that these creatures were sadly victims of a powerful Jurassic storm, which created the perfect conditions for fossilization, leading to the preservation of hundreds of similar specimens.

Artistic representation of the hatchling Pterodactylus antiquus, inspired by fossil discoveries, struggling through a tumultuous tropical storm. Image credit: Rudolf Hima.

“Dating back 153-148 million years, the Jurassic Solnhofen limestone deposits in Bavaria, southern Germany, are renowned for their remarkably preserved fossils, including many examples of various pterosaurs, flying reptiles from the Mesozoic era.”

“A puzzling aspect of this site is that while Solnhofen is home to hundreds of pterosaur fossils, almost all are small, immature specimens that are remarkably intact.”

“In stark contrast, larger adult pterosaurs are infrequently found and typically represented by isolated fragments, such as skulls or limbs.”

“This trend contradicts expectations, as larger, more resilient animals should theoretically have a greater chance of fossilization than fragile juveniles.”

In their latest study, the researchers examined the fossilized remains of two immature pterosaurs from the Solnhofen limestone.

These individuals belong to Pterodactylus antiquus, a species that inhabited Germany during the late Jurassic period.

With a wingspan of under 20 cm (8 inches), these hatchlings represent the smallest known pterosaurs.

Both specimens exhibit identical injuries: a clean, sloping fracture in the humerus.

Newborn specimens of Pterodactylus antiquus from Solnhofen limestone, Germany. Scale bar – 20 mm. Image credit: Smyth et al., doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2025.08.006.

One specimen’s left wing and another’s right wing appear broken in a manner consistent with a strong twist, likely caused by a sudden gust of wind rather than impact with a hard object.

The unfortunate pterosaur was likely submerged beneath the lagoon’s surface, overwhelmed by storm waves, and swiftly sank to the seabed, where it was quickly buried by a fine layer of mud stirred up by the tempest.

This rapid entombment facilitated the exceptional preservation observed in the fossils.

It’s reminiscent of a scene only days or weeks after the animals’ demise, with preservation so remarkable that while no significant skeletal trauma is evident, many other small, very young pterosaurs are found within the Solnhofen limestone.

These juvenile pterosaurs, unable to withstand the storm’s ferocity, were also drawn into the lagoon.

This discovery clarifies why smaller fossils are so well preserved—due to the direct aftermath of the storm, which was a common cause of death for pterosaurs in the region.

“For centuries, scientists believed the Solnhofen lagoon ecosystem was primarily composed of small pterosaurs,” stated Dr. Smith.

“However, we now recognize that this perspective was quite skewed; many of these pterosaurs were not lagoon dwellers.”

“Most were likely immature individuals that lived on nearby islands, inadvertently caught in a powerful storm.”

A study detailing these findings was published today in the journal Current Biology.

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Robert S. Smith et al. Fatal incidents in juvenile pterosaurs and selective sampling within fossil Solnhofen communities. Current Biology, published online September 5th, 2025. doi:10.1016/j.cub.2025.08.006

Source: www.sci.news

700-Million-Year-Old Fossils of Crocodile-Like Apex Predators Discovered in Argentina

Posted on August 29, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Paleontologists have unearthed exquisitely preserved skulls and jaws, along with parts of the skull and jaws belonging to a previously unidentified species of Peilosaurus in Patagonia, Argentina.

Reconstruction of Kostensuchus atrox. Image credit: Gabriel Dias Janten.

Kostensuchus atrox roamed the Earth during the Cretaceous period approximately 70 million years ago.

This ancient species was a formidable predator, measuring about 3.5 m (11.5 feet) in length and weighing around 250 kg.

These animals featured broad, powerful jaws and large teeth capable of consuming substantial prey, including medium-sized dinosaurs.

Kostensuchus atrox was a member of the Peirosauridae family of crocodiles within the sub-order Notosuchia.

“This new species belongs to the notosuchian clade Peirosauridae, representing the latest and southernmost records of this crocodile-like group,” stated Dr. Fernando Novas, a paleontologist at Argentino de Ciencias Naturales ‘Bernardino Rivadavia.

The fossilized skulls and bones of Kostensuchus atrox were discovered in the Chorrillo Formation, approximately 30 km southwest of El Calafate in the province of Santa Cruz.

“The Chorrillo Formation dates back about 70 million years,” the paleontologist explained.

“At that time, southern Patagonia boasted a warm, seasonally humid environment filled with freshwater floodplain plants, home to dinosaurs, turtles, frogs, and various mammals.”

“The newly excavated fossils from this layer are almost complete, including skulls and jaws exhibiting visible details, along with multiple bones from the body.”

Kostensuchus atrox ranks as the second-largest predator identified in the Chorrillo Formation and likely served as one of the region’s top predators.

This new species is also the first crocodile-type fossil found in this geological layer and is among the most intact examples of a crocodilian ever discovered, offering scientists unique insights into these prehistoric creatures and their environments.

“The discovery of Kostensuchus atrox significantly enhances our understanding of the anatomy of the widely distributed Peilosaurus population, which was previously known from highly fragmented specimens found in South America and Madagascar,” the researchers noted.

“The new anatomical data illuminate both the similarities and distinctions between the extensive Peirosauridae and Baurosuchidae, other crocodile-like lineages that evolved independently into apex predators during the Cretaceous period in Gondwana.”

“Kostensuchus atrox provides insights into late Cretaceous ecosystems in southern Patagonia, which formed in freshwater habitats within warm climates, supporting diverse faunas of dinosaurs, mammals, and other vertebrates in a seasonally humid environment,” they added.

“The wide and tall snout of Kostensuchus atrox, particularly its robust forelimb anatomy, along with large, sturdy teeth and broad adductor chambers in the skull, suggests this new species was capable of overpowering substantial prey.”

“These characteristics indicate that Kostensuchus atrox occupied the role of the top predator within this ultimate Cretaceous ecosystem.”

The discovery of Kostensuchus atrox is detailed in a paper published this week in the journal PLOS 1.

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Fe Novas et al. 2025. A new large carbonized crocodile from the Maastrichtian in southern Patagonia, Argentina. PLOS 1 20(8): E0328561; doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0328561

Source: www.sci.news

Scientists Unearth Fossils of Armored Spicomeras in Morocco

Posted on August 28, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

“We were astonished by its unusual characteristics and how it differs from other dinosaurs, or even all known living or extinct animals,” stated Richard Butler, co-leader of the project and paleontologist at the University of Birmingham in the UK.

The chance to examine the fossils of Spicomelas was to “sway the spine,” Butler remarked.

It wasn’t only the project participants who were captivated.

“This is genuinely one of the most bizarre and unique dinosaurs I have ever encountered,” said Steve Brusatte, a vertebrate paleontologist at the University of Edinburgh, who was not part of the research.

“With spikes jutting out across its body, it resembles a kind of reptilian porcupine,” he mentioned on Thursday. “If you were a carnivorous dinosaur from the Jurassic period, you would definitely want to steer clear of this creature.”

Brusatte continued: “This exemplifies how much there is still to uncover. Prior to the discovery of these fossils, there was no indication that such a remarkable animal existed.”

Maidment, another co-leader of the study, emphasized the need for further research in Africa, noting that countries such as Morocco are untapped reservoirs for dinosaur exploration.

“It’s vastly underrepresented compared to other continents,” said a representative from the National Museum of History in London.

Maidment mentioned that the Spicomellus project, which commenced in 2018, encountered numerous challenges, including the Covid-19 pandemic.

The UK team was set to travel and collaborate with their Moroccan counterparts when British Prime Minister Boris Johnson declared the lockdown, resulting in a postponement of plans until 2022.

In spite of these obstacles, research initiatives have marked significant progress in Moroccan science.

“This research has significantly advanced Moroccan science. I have never encountered a dinosaur like this before. There’s still so much more to discover in this area.”

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Five-Million-Year-Old Deer Fossils Unearthed in Tennessee

Posted on August 20, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Paleontologists have unearthed fossilized remnants of the extinct deer species eocoileus gentryorum at an early Pliocene grey fossil site located in northeastern Tennessee, USA. This specimen stands as one of the earliest records of the deer family in North America and is the sole pre-factory record of deer from the Appalachian highlands.

Belize white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus nelsoni) with a woman. Image credit: Charles J. Sharp/CC By-SA 4.0.

“Grey fossil sites continue to unveil remarkable findings that enhance our knowledge of ancient life,” remarked Dr. Blaine Schubert, executive director of the Gray Fossil Site and Museum.

“Our team’s collaboration illustrates a fascinating narrative about how ecosystems have transformed over millions of years.”

“From tapirs and mastodons to these early deer, we reveal the remarkable diversity that once thrived in Tennessee, along with the resilience of deer-like species during this geological epoch.”

In a recent study, paleontologists analyzed fragmentary artifacts—including skulls, upper molars, and various limb bones—of eocoileus gentryorum, an extinct deer species first described in 2000.

Previously, eocoileus gentryorum was known only from Florida; the discoveries in Tennessee are pivotal for understanding how swiftly these early deer dispersed across the continent.

Interestingly, these ancient deer were considerably smaller than most modern species.

“These early deer are generally smaller than contemporary deer species in the New World,” stated Olivia Williams, a paleontologist at East Tennessee State University.

“Today, the only smaller species are the important deer found in Florida and the Brocket deer from Central and South America.”

“Fossil evidence from Washington and Florida indicates that these early deer rapidly diversified and adapted to various habitats, extending from coastal areas to Appalachian highlands after their arrival in North America.”

“Deer have maintained the same ecological role in Appalachian forests for nearly 5 million years, thriving through significant climate and habitat changes that have eradicated other large herbivores.”

The findings are detailed in a paper published in the journal Palaeontologia Electronica.

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Joshua X. Samuel et al. 2025. Early Pliocene deer from a grey fossil site, Highlands, Appalachia, Tennessee, USA. Palaeontologia Electronica 28(2): A36; doi: 10.26879/1560

Source: www.sci.news

Fossils from Tanzania and Zambia Illuminate the Permian Mass Extinction

Posted on August 12, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Paleontologists have discovered a variety of animals, including saber-toothed predators, burrowing foragers, and large salamander-like creatures that flourished in southern Pangaea about 252 million years ago, just prior to the mass extinction of the Permian period.

Artistic rendering of an evening about 252 million years ago during the Late Permian Epoch in the Luangwa Basin, Zambia. This scene features several sabertooth Golgonopsians and Dishnodons in the beak. Image credit: Gabriel Ugueto.

“The extinction at the end of the Permian was catastrophic for life on Earth,” stated Professor Christian Saidal of the University of Washington.

“Yet, we do not have a complete understanding of which species managed to survive.

“The fossils we gather in Tanzania and Zambia provide a broader perspective on this remarkable period in our planet’s history.”

All new fossils were uncovered in three basins in southern Africa: the Roof Basin in southern Tanzania, the Luangwa Basin in eastern Zambia, and the Zambezi Central Basin in southern Zambia.

The majority were found by team members during several month-long excavation trips to the region over the past 17 years.

Others were analyzed from specimens excavated decades ago, preserved in museum collections.

“These regions in Zambia and Tanzania are home to incredibly well-preserved fossils from the Permian era,” Professor Saidal remarked.

“They provide us with an unparalleled glimpse into terrestrial life leading up to the mass extinction.”

The Permian period marks the conclusion of what paleontologists term the Paleozoic era.

During this time, animal life, which first emerged in our oceans, began to colonize land and developed complex terrestrial ecosystems.

The Permian epoch saw a diverse range of amphibians and reptile-like creatures inhabit environments ranging from early forests to arid valleys.

The mass extinction at the End-Permian wiped out many of these ecosystems, paving the way for the Mesozoic era, which witnessed the evolution of dinosaurs, the first birds, flowering plants, and mammals.

For decades, scientists relied on the Kalu Basin in South Africa for their best understanding of the Permian, the corresponding extinction, and the onset of the Mesozoic Era, which boasts nearly complete fossil records from before and after that mass extinction.

However, since the 1930s, paleontologists have noted that the fossil records in the Tanzanian and Zambian basins are comparably pristine.

This excavation represents the most extensive analysis of the local fossil record from the period surrounding the Permian mass extinction to date.

“The quantity of specimens found in Zambia and Tanzania is extraordinarily high, and their condition is so exquisite that paleontologists are able to draw species-level comparisons with those in South Africa,” Professor Sidor explained.

“We recognize that there is no better location on the planet to make such precise conclusions and comparisons to glean sufficient detail about this era.”

In the Series of 14 Articles published in Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, researchers have detailed numerous new species of dicynodonts.

These small, burrowing, reptile-like herbivores first emerged during the Central Permian.

By the time of the mass extinction, the Dishnodons had beak-like snouts featuring two small tusks; many of them dug holes and became the dominant plant-eating animals on land.

The findings also uncover several large saber-toothed predators known as Golgonopsians, along with new species of amphibians, such as large salamanders.

“We can analyze two distinct geographical regions of Pangaea and observe the happenings before and after the Permian extinction,” Professor Saidal concluded.

“This allows us to explore critical questions regarding which species survived and which did not.”

Source: www.sci.news

Paleontologists Declare Newly Discovered Fossils the First Known Non-Pirate Roboposians

Posted on July 24, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Initially published in 1865, Palaeocampa anthrax predated the discovery of the Burgess Shale in Canada by nearly 50 years. Over the next 130 years, it underwent various classifications until Richard Knecht and his team at the University of Michigan identified its true nature. This organism primarily inhabited freshwater environments, challenging the notion that Paleozoic Robopodians were exclusively marine.

Reconstruction of the Moncole-Le Mines-Lagertet Environment Palaeocampa anthrax: The large Palaeocampa anthrax is illustrated on the banks of a shallow inland river, concealed by dense vegetation and coal forest mist, alongside various euticulcinoids and a pair of freshwater Xiphosrans, Alanops magnificus; the nearest marine environment is several hundred km southwest. Image credit: Knecht et al., doi: 10.1038/s42003-025-08483-0.

Robopodians are extinct, soft-bodied organisms that connect primitive worm-like ancestors to modern arthropods such as insects and crustaceans.

Their iconic fossils are mainly associated with Cambrian marine sediments like Burgess Shale, including Hallucigenia and Aysheaia pedunculata, the latter discovered in 1911, long thought to be exclusively marine.

“Robopodians may have been prevalent on the Paleozoic seabed, but aside from microscopic creatures and terrestrial velvet worms, we believed they were confined to the ocean,” stated Dr. Knecht.

In their recent study, Dr. Knecht and his co-authors examined 43 specimens of Palaeocampa anthrax, utilizing advanced imaging techniques from two Carboniferous Lagerstätten (Mazon Creek, USA, and Moncole Mines, France), including backscattering scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy.

The analysis revealed intricate anatomical traits, with nearly 1,000 hairy spines covering its body being particularly noteworthy.

Chemical residues at the spine tips were identified using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), indicating potential secretion of toxins to deter predators in wetland habitats.

“I was surprised to find that fragments of biological molecules can be exceptionally well-preserved or altered in fossilized geological materials,” remarked Nanphungyu, a paleontologist at Columbia University.

“We’re thrilled about this technology’s ability to distinguishing fossilized remains from rocky matrices.”

Palaeocampa anthrax from Mazon Creek Lagerstätte. Image credits: Knecht et al., doi: 10.1038/s42003-025-08483-0.” width=”580″ height=”701″ srcset=”https://cdn.sci.news/images/2025/07/image_14089_2-Palaeocampa-anthrax.jpg 580w, https://cdn.sci.news/images/2025/07/image_14089_2-Palaeocampa-anthrax-248×300.jpg 248w” sizes=”(max-width: 580px) 100vw, 580px”/>

Palaeocampa anthrax from Mazon Creek Lagerstätte. Image credit: Knecht et al., doi: 10.1038/s42003-025-08483-0.

The research team posits that Palaeocampa anthrax is closely related to the Hadranax Cambrian Robopodian from Greenland, which is nearly 200 million years older.

Both species are blind, possess 10 pairs of legs, and lack claws. However, Hadranax adapted to navigate deep waters with elongated front appendages, while Palaeocampa anthrax, measuring only 4 cm, had a dense covering of spines over its legs, suggesting it might have thrived in freshwater, perhaps even amphibious environments.

This finding also clarifies the enigma surrounding the Moncole-le-Mines fossil site, which was once thought to be marine.

“Mazon Creek is characterized by a mixture of terrestrial, freshwater, and marine fauna,” Dr. Knecht elaborated.

“In contrast, Moncole-le-Mines, which yielded half of the specimens, was located hundreds of kilometers inland, thus ruling out any marine origin.”

“This reclassification confirms the site’s non-marine nature, offering a unique insight into ancient freshwater ecosystems.”

This discovery broadens our comprehension of Robopodia diversity and poses new evolutionary questions. How many more species could migrate from ocean to freshwater, hidden away in museum collections and misidentified?

“The rarity of conditions conducive to fossilizing soft-bodied creatures such as Robopodians makes this finding significant,” Dr. Knecht concluded.

“While most insights come from Cambrian Lagerstätten, such as Palaeocampa anthrax, opportunities from the Carboniferous Period are scarce, making each new discovery incredibly valuable.”

The results will be published in the journal Communication Biology.

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RJ Knecht et al. 2025. Palaeocampa anthrax: armored freshwater robopod with chemical defenses from the Carboniferous. Commun Biol 8, 1080; doi:10.1038/s42003-025-08483-0

Source: www.sci.news

Triassic Sauropod Dinosaur Fossils Unearthed in Switzerland

Posted on July 22, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Paleontologists have unearthed the skeletal remains of a completely new and unnamed Masopodan Sauropodmorph dinosaur in the Cretgau Formation of Canton Aargau, Switzerland.

Clear skull of a new Masopodian sauropod dinosaur in view on the right. Scale bar – 5 cm. Image credits: Lanier et al., doi: 10.1186/s13358-025-00373-6.

The newly found fossil is estimated to be from the late Triassic Epoch Norian period, around 206 million years ago.

This dinosaur was previously associated with an unidentified member of Masopoda, a vast group of Sauropodmorph dinosaurs that existed during the late Triassic to late Cretaceous epochs.

“Among Mesozoic terrestrial vertebrates, Sauropodomorpha stands out as one of the most successful dinosaur clades, becoming a dominant herbivore component in both Late Triassic and Jurassic paleoecosystems, with a wide global distribution from Antarctica to Greenland,” stated Dr. Alessandro Lania from the Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn and his Swiss colleagues.

“The origin of Sauropodmorph can be traced back to the early late Triassic on the Gondwanan continent, with the oldest examples found in Brazil, Argentina, South Africa, and North America.”

“Based on the South American fossil record, we offer a detailed understanding of the early evolution of sauropods, moving away from a limited number of strains characterized by small size, bipedal locomotion, and a carnivorous diet. This heralds a shift to medium and large body plans, quadrupedal dynamics, and a transition to herbivorous habits in the Norian-Flyzia period.”

Moreover, this notable increase in the diversity of Sauropodmorph in South Pangea during the Norian period is evident through the emergence of new major lineages like Masopoda and Sauropodiformo, marking a significant morphological divergence.

The partially complete skeleton of the new Masopodan Sauropodmorph was discovered in 2013 at the top of the fossil horizon within the Gruharde members of the Kretgau Formation in Flick, Canton Aargau, Switzerland.

“The Kretgau Formation represents one of the most extensive stratigraphic sequences of the Late Triassic in Europe, consisting of a diverse, petrologically heterogeneous series of deposits spanning approximately 26 to 30 million years, from early Karnians to late Lechan,” explained the paleontologist.

“The Kretgau Formation can be seen in various locations across Switzerland, documenting discontinuous sequences of varied Playa deposits influenced by river and oceanic processes, reflecting several lateral paleoenvironmental shifts throughout the stratigraphy.”

This new specimen signifies the first den Plate Saurus of the Canton Aargau sauropods and Swiss sauropods from the 4th Triassic, distinguishing them from non-Sauropodian Sauropodmorph.

“Osteologic investigations combined with morphological comparisons have clarified the anatomy of mosaic cranial cephalogenesis, integrating typical features of non-masopodian plasal aurians and Masopodian sauropods, like Coloradisaurus Brevis from Argentina,” the researcher commented.

According to the authors, this dinosaur represents the first non-Sauropod-type masopodian from Laurasia.

“Interestingly, this scenario raises the hypothesis of the European origins of early Jurassic Masopodans from late Triassic Asia, though more evidence is needed to substantiate this,” they stated.

“Additionally, these fossils enhance our understanding of cranial variability and body diversity in Norian sauropodomorphs in Laurasia, paralleling those in Gondwana, particularly in South America and Africa.”

The team’s paper was published this month in the Swiss Journal of Palaeontology.

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A. Rania et al. 2025. Cranial osteology of the new Masopodan Sauropodmorph (dinosaurs: saury) from the late Triassic period (latest Norian) of Switzerland. Swiss J Palaeontol 144, 39; doi:10.1186/s13358-025-00373-6

Source: www.sci.news

New Molar Species Identified from 3.2 Million-Year-Old Fossils

Posted on July 16, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Paleontologists have discovered a new genus and species within the Talpidae family, based on a partial skeleton found at a Pliocene Age site in Camp dels Ninotto, Girona, Spain.

Reconstructing the life of Vulcanoscaptor ninoti. Image credit: Jesus Gamara / Ifesquelka.

The newly identified species is named Vulcanoscaptor ninoti. This mole lived in Spain approximately 3.25 million years ago.

The fossilized skeleton was uncovered in 2010 at the Camp del Sninott site in Girona, Spain.

“This specimen includes the mandible with complete dentition, parts of the trunk, and some bones from both fore and hind limbs, many of which are still in anatomical relationships.”

“Exceptional preservation is exceedingly rare in small mammals like moles, making this specimen one of the oldest and most complete in Europe.”

“These fossils represent the most comprehensive mole fossils known from the Pliocene in Europe, offering significant insights into the evolutionary history of talpid.”

The fossils were partially encased in dense sediment blocks and were fully extracted during excavation.

To study it without causing damage, paleontologists utilized high-resolution microcomputed tomography (MicroCT) scans, allowing for precise 3D digital reconstruction of the skeletons.

“MicroCT enabled us to analyze very small and delicate structures such as phalanges and teeth.”

“This technological approach allowed us to identify unique anatomical features and incorporate them into a robust phylogenetic analysis.”

The structure of Vulcanoscaptor ninoti shows that both the forelimbs and hind limbs exhibit a high degree of adaptation to an underground lifestyle.

“The humerus is particularly robust, featuring a wide array of prominent muscle attachment sites, suggesting strong digging capabilities,” said Dr. Linares.

“However, the preservation of this specimen in lake sediments and its lateral position increases the likelihood that it possessed some aquatic mobility.”

“While we can’t confirm this definitively, there’s a modern mole that excels at both digging and swimming.”

According to the team, Vulcanoscaptor ninoti was part of the Scaropini tribe, which includes moles found today in parts of North America and Asia.

This finding from the Pliocene of Europe indicates a more complicated evolutionary and paleogeographic scenario than previously believed.

“Our explanation of Vulcanoscaptor ninoti confirms that the evolutionary history of moles is far more dynamic than previously understood, suggesting possible intercontinental dispersion and a greater anatomical diversity than previously acknowledged,” said one of the authors.

“It also emphasizes the significance of exceptional fossil sites in preserving species that are rarely found in the fossil record, like small mammals.”

“Despite its distinct fossil morphology, this mole shares close ties with present-day North American species from the genera Scapanus and Scaropas, indicating a more intricate evolutionary history than we previously assumed,” added Dr. Juliolio.

“Its presence in Europe points to past transcontinental migration of moles, challenging the notion that they are low-dispersive mammals.”

The team’s paper was published this month in the journal Scientific Reports.

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A. Linares-Martín et al. 2025. Unexpected scalopinimols (mammals) from the Pliocene of Europe shed light on thalpido phylogeny. Sci Rep 15, 24928; doi:10.1038/s41598-025-10396-1

Source: www.sci.news

Discovering a Wealth of Cambrian Fossils – Sciworthy

Posted on July 10, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

The journey of animal life, encompassing humans, began approximately 540 million years ago during the Cambrian Period. Since most Cambrian organisms lacked skeletons, paleontologists investigating this era heavily depend on fossils preserving soft tissues and other internal organs. Soft tissue is crucial for understanding these ancient beings. Recently, a research team from Yunnan University and Oxford University uncovered preserved animal fossils in a set of previously neglected rocks in China, unveiling new insights into Cambrian life.

The fossils discovered belong to the Chengjiang Biota found in a distinct section of Chinese rocks known as the Yu’anshan Formation. This formation typically comprises rocks formed at the ocean’s depths. Madstone is particularly effective at preserving the remains of deceased animals and plants.

Scientists identified two mudstone types in the Yu’anshan Formation: the Event Mudstone Bed and the darker Background Mudstone Bed. While past paleontologists primarily collected fossils from event mudstone beds, the fossil finds were notably scarce from the background mudstone beds.

However, the researchers discovered that background mudstone beds preserve soft tissue more effectively than event mudstone beds. They found fossilized muscles, eyes, nervous systems, and gastrointestinal tracts of deceased animals within the background mudstone beds. The team noted that such soft structures are delicate and seldom preserved.

Additionally, the researchers identified a new subset of fossils of deep-sea creatures entombed in the background mudstones. Previously, these animals went undiscovered as event mudstone beds mainly preserved shallow-water species. Between 2008 and 2018, the team gathered 1,328 fossil species from 25 varieties from the background mudstone beds, primarily comprising bottom feeders like sponges and anemones, referred to as Benthos. The most prevalent group found, dubbed euarthropods, included relatives of spiders, crabs, and similar creatures.

For fossil analysis, the team utilized a Scanning Electron Microscope, measuring fossil chemistry by focusing high-energy atomic particles on small areas and analyzing the resulting X-ray energy emissions through Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy. They found that fossils from background mudstone beds contained significantly more carbon than those from event mudstone beds and that the former were richer in iron as well.

The researchers interpreted these chemical discrepancies to indicate different fossilization processes occurring in background versus event mudstone beds. They proposed that fossils in the background mudstone were formed when soft animal tissues were supplanted by iron minerals known as Pyrite through a process termed Pyritization. This process extracts iron from adjacent rocks, explaining why event mudstone beds and their fossils are iron-rich.

Conversely, they suggested that in background mudstone formations, soft tissues were transformed into a thin carbon layer, resulting in a fossil that left an outline of the organism in the stone. This occurrence, referred to as Carbonization, does not involve iron absorption, leading to iron-depleted rocks.

The researchers proposed the preservation variances between the two mudstone formations could provide insights about the environments in which the organisms perished. Pyritization suggests that the animals from event beds died in shallow, oxygen-rich waters before being washed into deeper areas. In contrast, the organisms in the background mudstone beds lived and died in deeper waters, reflecting their lifestyle in their preservation. Some were scavenged while others were swiftly buried and fully preserved.

In summary, the researchers concluded that their novel fossil discoveries have advanced the understanding of the Shangxi creature significantly. Furthermore, the fossils have offered new knowledge about ancient life forms and their habitats, suggesting that these findings will aid paleontologists in unraveling the lifestyles of Cambrian animals and their evolutionary progression to modern species.

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Source: sciworthy.com

Ancient Karawon Fossils Discovered in New Zealand, Dating Back 19 Million Years

Posted on June 28, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Paleontologists have unearthed a new species of large passerine birds based on fossilized remains from the Bannockburn Formation near St. Bathans in Otago, New Zealand.

Australian Magpie (Gymnorhina Tibicen), adults and juveniles, in Tabeumi, Fiji. Image credits: Charles J. Sharp, https://www.sharpphotography.co.uk / CC by-sa 4.0.

The newly identified bird inhabited New Zealand during the early Miocene period around 19 million years ago.

It has been named St. Batan’s Caloun (MioStrepera Canora), closely related to the Australian Magpie (Gymnorhina Tibicen) found in New Zealand today, likely exhibiting an entirely black plumage.

“We’ve experienced a lot of excitement and hard work,” shared Dr. Paul Scofield, senior curator at the Canterbury Museum.

“We probably haven’t encountered a member of this large magpie family for just five million years.”

“New Zealand’s ecosystem has undergone significant transformations over millions of years, welcoming diverse species throughout various eras,” noted Dr. Trevor Worthy, a researcher at Flinders University.

“There’s a notion that we should strive to restore New Zealand to its pre-European ecosystem.”

“However, that ecosystem had been in a constant state of flux for millions of years.”

“By the time humans arrived, Aotearoa had already lost much of the floral diversity that once thrived.”

“There were limited tree seeds available, but the decline of the choloun and other pigeons indicates this loss.”

“Different plant and animal groups emerged between 2.6 million and 11,700 years ago.”

“Even more have come since humans began to inhabit the land.”

“New Zealand’s pre-European ecosystem isn’t inherently better or worse than any other period in the past.”

“The fossil record hints at the absence of a utopian state and encourages us to celebrate the diversity present today.”

The fossilized remains of MioStrepera Canora were found at the St Bathans fossil site, which was once located at the bottom of a vast prehistoric lake.

“The research revealed that the Miocene bird population in New Zealand bears surprising similarities to contemporary Australian birds,” Dr. Scofield mentioned.

“New Zealand was vastly different during the Miocene, between 200,000 to 5 million years ago.”

“If you walked through New Zealand’s forests during that time, you would have seen abundant eucalyptus, laurel, and casuarinas, much like the forests of Australia today.”

“The most significant factor shaping New Zealand’s current landscape was the extinction of many plants and animals that thrived in warmer climates, following a rapid cooling that began around 13 million years ago.”

“It was likely not the only bird call you would have heard in ancient New Zealand.”

The discovery of MioStrepera Canora is detailed in a paper published in the journal Palz.

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Worth it et al. A large-scale clastatin passerine (Aves, Artamidae, Cracticinae) from the early Miocene of New Zealand. Palz published on June 25th, 2025. doi:10.1007/s12542-025-00736-x

Source: www.sci.news

Ancient Frog Fossils Dating Back 55 Million Years Unearthed in Australia

Posted on June 21, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

The discovery of Litoria Tylerantiqua indicates that Australian tree frogs (Perodrius) were already present in Australia when the continent was still attached to Antarctica and South America.

Artist Reconstruction of Litoria Tylerantiqua (right) alongside the previously described species Platyplectrum casca (left) from Margon in southeast Queensland. Image: Samantha Yabsley, https://www.instagram.com/shy_art.

Litoria Tylerantiqua lived in Australia during the early Eocene period, approximately 55 million years ago.

The fossilized frog bones were retrieved in the 1990s by paleontologists at the University of New South Wales while screenwashing clay samples from the Tingamara fossil frog site in Margon, Queensland.

“About 55 million years ago, Australia, Antarctica, and South America were connected as the last remnants of Gondwana,” stated Dr. Roy Furman and his colleagues at the University of New South Wales and the Australian National University.

“During this era, the global climate was warmer, facilitating forested corridors linking South America and Australia.”

“Previously, Australia’s oldest tree frogs were believed to have originated from the late Illuminocene (around 26 million years ago) and the early Miocene (approximately 23 million years ago).”

“Fossils from the late Illuminocene have been discovered in the Northern Territory’s kangaroo wells and the Etadunna formation in Lake Palancarina, South Australia. Furthermore, the Riversley World Heritage Area in Queensland unveiled an early Miocene tree frog.”

“This new species extends the fossil record of Perodrids by roughly 30 million years, bringing it closer to the timeframe when Australian tree frogs diverged from their South American counterparts,” they noted.

“Previous estimates based on molecular clock analyses suggest that Australian and South American frogs diverged approximately 33 million years ago.”

Litoria Tylerantiqua is the only other known frog from Margon, also identified as Platyplectrum casca (previously categorized as Lechriodus Casca), recognized as the oldest frog species in Australia.

Both have existing relatives in Australia and New Guinea, showcasing incredible resilience over time.

“Despite their fragile nature, these frogs have surprisingly thrived, surviving numerous major extinction events since their origin around 250 million years ago.”

“Current global extinction threats, fueled by human activities like rapid climate change and the proliferation of pathogenic bacteria, pose significant challenges for frogs. The fossil record reveals how certain frog groups have navigated past adversities, potentially by adapting to less-threatened habitats.”

“This insight might guide future conservation efforts, such as relocating endangered frogs to safer environments.”

One such species, the Southern Corroboree Frog (Pseudophryne corroboree), is currently endangered due to habitat hostility caused by climate change.

“If fossil records show similarly structured frogs occupying very different habitats, today’s frogs could potentially benefit from reintroductions into comparable environments.”

The findings are detailed in a study published in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology.

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Roy M. Furman et al. New fossil discoveries for early Eocene perodrids from local faunas of Southeast Queensland, Margon, Tingamara, and frog molecular lineages. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology published online on May 14, 2025. doi:10.1080/02724634.2025.2477815

Source: www.sci.news

New Research Indicates Harbin Fossils Are Linked to Denisovan Population

Posted on June 19, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

The renowned “Harbinclanium” dates back at least 146,000 years, previously classified as a distinct species: Homo Longhi.

Reconstruction of Harbin’s individuals in his habitat. Image credit: Chuang Zhao.

The skull of Harbin was unearthed in 1933 during the construction of a bridge over the Songhua River in Harbin city, Jiangxi Province, China.

Due to systematic recovery processes over extensive periods, precise locations and data pertaining to the fossil layers were unfortunately lost.

The fossils are notably large, surpassing all other archaic humans, exhibiting a low and elongated shape that lacks the rounded contours typical of modern human crania.

Features include a large, nearly square eye socket, a pronounced brow ridge, a wide mouth, and prominent teeth.

The cranial capacity is estimated at 1,420 mL, aligning within the ranges of Homo sapiens, Neanderthals, and surpassing earlier Homo species.

This specimen, often referred to as the “Dragon Man” fossil, likely represents individuals under the age of 50.

In a recent study, Dr. Qiaomiei Fu from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and his colleague from the Institute for Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleontology performed a detailed analysis of the fossils and their dental calculus.

They identified over 308,000 peptides, around 20,000 proteins, and confirmed the presence of 95 endogenous proteins.

Additionally, they found 122 single amino acid polymorphisms (SAPs) unique to humanity, reaffirming the classification of the Harbin specimens within the Homo genus.

Significantly, three variants unique to Denisovans were identified, establishing a phylogenetic connection between the Harbin fossil and Denisova 3, small fragments from Denisova Cave.

“Prior to this discovery, Denisovan fossils were sparse and fragmented, complicating our understanding of their morphology and evolutionary background,” the researchers stated.

“The Harbin Fossils, identified as a new species Homo Longhi, exhibit crucial morphological similarities to Denisovan remains found elsewhere.”

Harbin’s personal portrait. Image credit: Cicero Moraes, doi: 10.6084/m9.figshare.24648591.

The researchers also successfully extracted mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) from the dental calculus of the fossil.

The findings confirmed that Harbin individuals belonged to the early mtDNA lineage of Denisovans.

“The mtDNA aligns with the variability observed in Denisovan mtDNA and is associated with the lineage carried by early Denisovan individuals in southern Siberia, previously identified in Denisova Caves,” the authors mentioned.

“This indicates that Denisovans occupied a broad geographical range across Asia during the mid-Pleistocene.”

The detection of Denisovan mtDNA in Harbin’s skull aids in linking Denisovans with distinct morphological traits and recognizing other specimens as Denisovan, particularly when ancient DNA is either poorly preserved or challenging to procure.

For instance, fossils from Dali, Jinniushan, and Hualongdong display comparable morphological features to the Harbin skull, suggesting they may represent the Denisovan population.

“The connection between Denisovan mtDNA and Harbin skull morphology enhances our understanding of the morphological relationships between Denisovans and other central Pleistocene fossils in East Asia,” the researchers concluded.

“Moreover, exploring host DNA from dental calculus opens new avenues for genetic research related to the mid-Pleistocene.”

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Qiaomei Fu et al. Harbin’s personal proteome from the late Pleistocene. Science published online on June 18th, 2025. doi:10.1126/science.adu9677

Qiaomei Fu et al. Denisovan mitochondrial DNA from the dental calculus of the Harbin skull, over 146,000 years old. Cell published online on June 18th, 2025. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2025.05.040

Source: www.sci.news

Paleontologists Discover Early Jurassic Ikchosaurus Fossils in British Columbia

Posted on June 17, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

The partial skeleton discovered in the Fernie Formation in British Columbia, Canada, in 1916, represents a new genus and species of an extinct marine reptile named Ichaosaurus, as stated by an international group of paleontologists.

Photos and interpretation of Fernatator Prentisai skeleton in side view on the left. Image credit: Massare et al.

Fernatator Prentisai existed in North America during the early Jurassic Epoch, approximately 109 million years ago.

“Ichthyosaurs—marine reptiles that superficially resemble dolphins—were prominent marine predators from the early Triassic (Olenek) to the beginning of the late Cretaceous (Cenomanian),” noted Professor Judy Massare from SUNY College.

“They were the dominant large predators of the Triassic and early Jurassic seas.”

“Many partial and complete skeletal remains of early Jurassic ichthyosaurs have been collected, primarily from England and Germany.”

“The early Jurassic Ektisaurus in North America is considered rare,” they emphasized.

“Hence, the discovery of partial skeletal remains from western Canada is significant.”

Excavation of Fernatator Prentisai skeleton. The podium is incomplete, but the additional parts that were lost have since been preserved. T. Prentice At Light, WR Wilson, the general manager of CNP Coal Company, is on the left. Photo taken around 1916, between the Elk River, Morrissey, and Fernie, British Columbia. Photographer unknown. Image credit: Massare et al.

The skeleton of Fernatator Prentisai was found by T. Prentiss in the summer of 1916 while fishing on the Elk River in British Columbia, Canada.

“This specimen represents the most complete ichthyosaur known from the early Jurassic in North America and is one among several ichthyosaur specimens known from the Fernie Formation in western Canada,” the paleontologist remarked.

This new species is a medium-sized ichthyosaur, measuring 3-4 m (10-13 feet) in length, with a distinct combination of features.

“As preserved, the entire skeleton measures 2.8 m long, which includes an impression of the front of the podium,” the researcher added.

“In life, this skeleton likely reached approximately 3.5 m in length, possibly even 4 m.”

“Despite the poor preservation, there is enough identifiable morphology to justify the designation of a new genus and species,” they noted.

“It is characterized by a tall, bar-like orbital, short straight jugals that do not extend beyond the anterior or posterior of the orbit, a long, narrow anterior process of the maxilla, and a cora-like body with a broad curved outer end and a deep anterior region, among other features.”

Fernatator Prentisai symbolizes a sparse record of early Jurassic ichthyosaurs, validated from the Early Jurassic in Canada, and is a significant addition to ichthyosaur taxonomy.

A paper detailing this discovery has been published in the June 2025 issue of the journal Paldicola.

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Judy A. Massare et al. 2025. The most complete early Jurassic ichthyosaur from North America. Paldicola 15(2): 86-99

Source: www.sci.news

Fossils of 160-Million-Year-Old Blue-Stained Bacteria Discovered in China

Posted on June 6, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Fossilized blue-staining bacteria that inhabit coniferous wood, drawing the interest of insects. Xenoxylon Phyllocladoides from the Jurassic Tier Ojisian Formation in China extends the early fossil history of blue-stained bacteria by around 80 million years, reconstructing the evolutionary timeline of this fungal group and offering fresh perspectives on the evolution of ecological relationships with wood-boring insects.

Blue staining bacteria in wood tissue of Xenoxylon Phyllocladoides from the Jurassic in West Liaoning Province, China. Image credit: Tian et al., doi: 10.1093/nsr/nwaf160.

Blue staining bacteria form a distinctive group of wood-inhabiting fungi that do not have the capacity to degrade lignocellulose but can cause significant discoloration, particularly in conifers.

Generally, these fungi are not fatal to their hosts, though they can hasten tree mortality when linked with wood-boring insects.

Recent molecular phylogenetic studies suggest that blue-stained bacteria may represent an ancient group of fungi that existed during the late Paleozoic or early Mesozoic eras.

However, the geological aspects of blue-staining bacteria remain largely unexplored.

“Until 2022, the earliest confirmed fossil evidence of blue-staining bacteria was identified from the Cretaceous period in South Africa, around 80 million years ago,” stated Dr. Ning Tian, a paleontologist at Shenyang Normal University.

Dr. Tian and colleagues uncovered well-preserved fossilized hyphae from a 160-million-year-old petrified forest of Xenoxylon Phyllocladoides from the Tier Ojisian Formation in Northeast China.

“Microscopy revealed darkly pigmented fossil hyphae, resembling the characteristics of modern blue-staining bacteria responsible for forest discoloration,” they noted.

“Notably, when penetrating woody cell walls, hyphae usually form a specialized structure known as permeation pegs.”

“As they invade the wood cell walls, the mycelium tends to be finer and can more easily navigate this robust barrier.”

“The discovery of these penetrating pegs allowed us to confirm that the fossilized bacteria we encountered belong to the blue-stained fungal group.”

“Unlike wood-decomposing fungi that break down wood cell walls through enzyme secretion, blue-staining bacteria lack the enzymatic ability for wood degradation.”

“Instead, their mycelium breaches the wood cell wall mechanically using these penetrating pegs.”

“This discovery of Jurassic blue-staining bacteria from China marks the second report of such fungi and adds to the early fossil record of this group worldwide, as recognized by Nanjing Institute of Geology and Paleontology.”

“It also sheds light on the ecological interactions between blue-staining bacteria, plants, and insects during the Jurassic period.”

The bark beetle subfamily Scolytinae is considered a major spore disperser for present-day blue stain fungi.

However, molecular and fossil data indicate that Scolytinae likely originated before the early Cretaceous period.

Given the current Jurassic age of the fossil fungi, it is proposed that the spore dispersing agent was not Scolytinae but another wood-boring insect prevalent during that time.

The findings are detailed in a paper published in the June 2025 issue of the journal National Science Review.

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Ning Tian et al. 2025. Jurassic blue staining bacteria provide new insights into early evolution and ecological interactions. National Science Review 12 (6): NWAF160; doi: 10.1093/nsr/nwaf160

Source: www.sci.news

Fossils from 73 Million Years Ago Reveal the Earliest Evidence of Bird Nesting in Polar Regions

Posted on May 31, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Polar ecosystems are bolstered and enriched by birds that nest there seasonally, serving as keystone members of these ecosystems. Despite the significant ecological role of polar birds, the origins of high-center nests remain unclear due to limited fossil evidence. A recent study conducted by paleontologists explored an extensive collection of bird fossils from the late Cretaceous Purine Cream Formation in Alaska.

Illustration of Cretaceous birds alongside other dinosaurs from the same period. Image credit: Gabriel Ugueto.

“Birds have existed for 150 million years,” stated Lauren Wilson, a doctoral candidate at Princeton University.

“For a significant portion of that time, they constructed nests in the Arctic.”

In their research, Wilson and colleagues studied the bones and teeth of fossilized birds from the Alaska Prune Creek Formation, dating back 73 million years.

They identified various bird types, including land birds, seagull-like birds, and diving birds that bear similarities to some modern ducks and geese, all of which were nesting in the Arctic while dinosaurs roamed the same territory.

Before this research, the earliest known evidence of breeding birds in the Arctic or Antarctic was approximately 47 million years ago, following the asteroid impact that wiped out 75% of Earth’s species.

“This will extend the timeline by 25-30 million years for records of birds breeding in the polar regions,” remarked Dr. Pat Druckenmiller, director of the University of Alaska Museum.

“The Arctic is recognized as a modern nursery for birds.”

“Finding bird bones from the Cretaceous period is exceptionally rare,” Wilson noted.

“Discovering baby bird bones is almost unheard of, making these fossils particularly significant.”

“We conducted extensive mapping of Alaska for fossil birds—it wasn’t on anyone’s radar,” added Dr. Druckenmiller.

“Now, we are one of the premier locations in the country for bird fossils from the dinosaur age.”

“Given the richness of this information, these small bones and teeth offer exceptional insights into the fauna from that era.”

It remains uncertain whether these newly discovered specimens are the earliest recognized members of Neornithes, a category that encompasses all modern birds.

Some of the newly unearthed bones exhibit skeletal characteristics exclusive to this group. Additionally, like contemporary birds, some did not possess true teeth.

“If they belong to a modern bird lineage, they would represent the oldest fossils ever found,” explained Dr. Druckenmiller.

“Currently, the oldest such fossils are about 69 million years old.”

“However, establishing that requires the discovery of a partial or complete skeleton.”

Survey results I will be featured this week in the journal Science.

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Lauren N. Wilson et al. 2025. Evidence of bird nesting in the Arctic dates back to the Cretaceous period. Science 388 (6750): 974-978; doi: 10.1126/science.adt5189

Source: www.sci.news

Fossils Indicate That Feathered Creatures Flew Like Chickens

Posted on May 14, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

In 1861, researchers found Archeopteryx, a feathered dinosaur, in 150-million-year-old limestone in Solnhofen, Germany. At that time, they were unaware that this fossilized skeleton—and subsequent finds—would provide critical evidence for evolutionary theory, demonstrating that birds indeed descended from dinosaurs.

“They’re maximizing their existence,” remarked Jinmai O’Connor, a paleontologist at Chicago’s open-air museums.

For more than 164 years, scientists have closely examined all available specimens. Thus, one might assume that such well-researched fossil species would yield no further surprises. However, a recent paper published in the journal Nature on Wednesday by Dr. O’Connor and his research team unveiled new details about soft tissues and skeletal structures from a newly identified specimen dubbed the Chicago Archeopteryx. Their findings could offer insights into short flights and clarify how feathered dinosaurs evolved to move from the ground.

Dr. O’Connor noted that for a long time, it has been challenging to understand the flight capabilities and environmental adaptations of Archeopteryx. Many specimens are flattened due to geological processes, which complicates the identification of key skeletal details. While earlier researchers and most modern experts agree the species likely achieved flight, certain anatomical features prompt paleontologists to seek additional data.

The latest specimens acquired by the Field Museum in 2022 and published in 2024 have enabled Dr. O’Connor’s team to begin addressing some of the anatomical uncertainties.

When the fossil arrived at the museum, it was not clearly visible. The specimen matched the color of the surrounding rocks, making most of the soft tissues difficult to discern, according to Dr. O’Connor.

Researchers illuminated the fossils using CT scans and created digital maps of the skeleton to aid in preparing the slab. They also employed special techniques; chemical treatments made soft tissues glow under UV light, helping the team avoid accidentally damaging feathers and skin textures while exposing bones. Such methods weren’t available to fossil preparers in the 1800s.

Unlike other specimens, the bones of the Chicago Archeopteryx are preserved in three dimensions, allowing Dr. O’Connor’s team to closely analyze the skull palate. This revealed the oldest signs of evolutionary trends toward the more flexible skulls of modern birds compared to their ancient counterparts, Dr. O’Connor explained.

In another stroke of fossilization luck, the wings of the specimen were detached from the body and “preserved in detail,” Dr. O’Connor noted. Upon closer examination, the team confirmed that instead of having the previously observed two layers of wing feathers, the Archaeopteryx actually boasts three. In modern birds, this third layer helps connect shorter forearms to the body, creating a continuous lifting surface critical for maintaining flight.

Dr. O’Connor noted that the structure of the wings stands in contrast to other feathered, non-avian dinosaurs, whose long wings remain rigid at the elbows, making them useful but ultimately ineffective for flight.

The absence of a sternum suggests these birds were likely less adept at flying. However, the toe pads found in the Chicago specimen provide additional evidence that these creatures were well-adapted for life on the ground, resembling a Jurassic-era chicken or road runner. They could achieve brief flights if necessary, but generally preferred to sprint.

The newly reported characteristics enhance the current understanding of Archeopteryx and directly support ongoing theories regarding the relationship between the species’ abilities and the origins of flight, according to Michael Pittman, a paleontologist from the University of Hong Kong who was not part of the study.

“This study truly underscores the importance of uncovering new fossils, even in well-known and thoroughly examined specimens,” he stated.

Dr. O’Connor concurred.

“This specimen will keep me engaged for years,” she remarked.

Source: www.nytimes.com

Paleontologists Discover First Fossils of Extant Tropical Tree Species

Posted on May 14, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Fossils of the giant rainforest tree Dryobalanops rappa have been found in Brunei (officially known as Brunei Darussalam), an island nation in Borneo. This discovery marks the first fossil evidence of a living, endangered tropical tree species, opening up new avenues for fossil research and underscoring the importance of Southeast Asian heritage and its preservation.

Leaf architecture from living (C, D, FH) compared to fossils (A, B, E) of Dryobalanops. Image credit: Wang et al, doi: 10.1002/ajb2.70036.

Locally referred to as Kapur Paya, Dryobalanops rappa is a tall tree species that exists today but is threatened with extinction in Borneo’s carbon-rich peatlands, including Brunei.

Fossil leaves estimated to be 2 million years old were uncovered in Kampong Rugh within the Chuton district of Brunei.

“This discovery provides a unique glimpse into the ancient history of Asian tropical wet forests,” noted researchers from Pennsylvania.

“We now have fossil evidence that this remarkable tree species has been integral to Borneo’s forests for millions of years, emphasizing its ecological significance and the urgency to protect its remaining habitats.”

According to Professor Peter Wilf of Pennsylvania, “Fossil records of wet tropical forests in Asia have been surprisingly limited compared to those in the Amazon and Africa.”

Paleontologists identified these fossils by examining the microscopic features of the preserved leaf cuticles, down to the cellular level of Dryobalanops rappa.

“Our findings underscore that these forests are not only thriving with biodiversity today but are also home to iconic tree species that have existed for millions of years,” Wang stated.

“Conservation efforts should not only focus on current species but also aim to preserve the ecological legacy that has endured over millennia.”

“The dominant tree family in Asian rainforests, the bi-pterocarps, plays a crucial role in carbon storage and biodiversity,” the researchers highlighted.

“However, these trees face increasing threats from deforestation and habitat loss.”

“By unveiling the deep historical roots of these trees, this discovery offers a fresh perspective on conservation strategies,” Wang added.

“These findings add a new dimension to conservation, as we strive to protect not only modern species but also ancient survivors that are pivotal to our ecosystem,” Wang concluded.

“This historical context makes both the endangered tree species and their habitats even more critical for conservation efforts.”

“Our research demonstrates how fossil evidence can inform conservation strategies for endangered species and ecosystems, grounded in their historical importance,” Professor Wilf remarked.

“Understanding the history of tropical forests is vital for conservation, especially as numerous key species face rapid decline.” Professor Wilf emphasized.

“Our discovery lays an essential historical foundation for the conservation of keystone trees in tropical Asia, particularly the rapidly diminishing bi-ptery species.”

Details of these findings are documented in a paper published in the American Journal of Botany.

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Teng-Xiang Wang et al. Fossils of the endemic giant dual-pterocarp species open a historic portal into Borneo’s disappearing rainforest. American Journal of Botany, published online on May 8, 2025. doi:10.1002/ajb2.70036

Source: www.sci.news

Paleontologists Unravel the Mystery of Cambrian Fossils Veiled by Spines

Posted on May 10, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Initially thought to be a primitive Cambrian mollusk, Shishania Ashreata—a 500 million-year-old spine-covered fossil from Yunnan, China—has now been identified as a distant relative of sponge-like creatures known as chancelloriids, according to a research team from Yunnan University, Yuki Normal University, and Durham University.

Shishania Ashreata. Image credit: Yang et al., doi: 10.1126/science.adv463.

Shishania Ashreata was previously thought to display characteristics similar to mollusks, including muscular legs and unique mineralized spines.

However, new fossils suggest that these ancient animals are more akin to bag-like creatures, akin to prime minister-like organisms, with spines anchored to the seabeds of Cumbria.

“Our findings reveal that many previously considered mollusk traits are misleading, artifacts of fossilization,” stated Martin Smith, a paleontologist at Durham University, and his colleagues.

“For instance, what were once thought to be ‘feet’ have turned out to be distortions from fossil preservation, a phenomenon known as taphonomy.”

“These ancient fossils have proven to be masters of disguise. Shishania Ashreata appeared to exhibit all the characteristics we expected from early mollusc ancestors.”

“Nevertheless, we discovered that the mollusk-like contours of the fossil material represent misinterpretations, prompting us to revisit our interpretations.”

“My discovery of chancelloriids in very similar conditions started to unravel the mystery.”

Reclassifying Shishania Ashreata places it among chancelloriids, an enigmatic group known solely from Cambrian rocks, significant for having vanished around 490 million years ago.

Though they may look like sponges at first glance, their bodies feature star-shaped thorns, indicating a complex microstructure that could connect them to more advanced animals.

The simple thorns of Shishania Ashreata suggest that they developed elaborate structures independently, rather than evolving from existing skeletal frameworks.

This sheds light on the evolution of complex body plans during the Cambrian explosion—a rapid evolutionary event that led to the emergence of all contemporary animal groups.

“When Shishania Ashreata was first reported last year, I was thrilled—it resembled the ‘slug-like’ creatures I had always imagined,” Dr. Smith remarked.

“However, the new findings required me to reassess everything.”

Further examinations indicated that certain patterns appeared randomly throughout the fossil, and attributes once believed to reflect mollusk biology, such as ‘paintbrush-like’ formations in the spines, were actually preserved artifacts.

The distortion and compression from fossilization made simple cylindrical animals appear more anatomically complex than they were.

This reinterpretation is crucial not only for understanding primeval organisms but also for clarifying other ambiguous Cambrian fossils.

We are revisiting questions about early mollusk evolution, being cautious of overinterpretation regarding ambiguous fossil characteristics.

“Simultaneously, it contributes to solidifying our understanding of chancelloriid origins and offers fresh insights into the emergence of evolutionary novelty,” the researchers concluded.

Their study was published today in the journal Science.

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Ziyan et al. 2025. Shishania is not a Cambrian mollusk; it is a prime minister. Science 388 (6747): 662-664; doi: 10.1126/science.adv463

Source: www.sci.news

90-Million-Year-Old Mammal Fossils Discovered in the Gobi Desert

Posted on May 7, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Scientists have discovered a new genus and species of ZheLestid mammals from fossil sites in the Bien Series Formation located in the Gobi Desert, Mongolia.

Reconstruction of ravjaa ishiii (foreground) depicted near a hadrosaurus dinosaur Gobihadro. Image credit: kohei futaka.

This new species, named ravjaa ishiii, existed during the Cretaceous period approximately 90 million years ago.

The ancient mammals are mouse-sized; the ZheLestidae family of Eutherian mammals was widely found across Eurasia and North America in the late Cretaceous period.

“The remarkably preserved mammal fossils found in late Cretaceous deposits of the Gobi Desert have been crucial for understanding the evolution of Mesozoic mammals,” stated Tsukasa Okosi, a PhD candidate in Science at Okayama University, and a collaborator on the research.

“These extraordinary mammal fossils were primarily excavated from the Balungoyacht and Djadokhta formations, with only two fragmentary fossils obtained from the underlying Baianshiree formation.”

The new Zhelestid fossil was uncovered in 2019 in the Bayan Shiree area within the Bayanshiree Formation.

This specimen consists of the distal section of a premolar and part of a mandible, measuring 1 cm from the first to third molar.

“Discovering such a tiny fossil in the vastness of the Gobi Desert feels like a gift from nature. It’s truly miraculous,” remarked a professor from Okayama University of Science.

“Their exceptionally tall molars and unique jaw structures set them apart from known relatives, prompting us to establish a new genus and species,” explained the paleontologist.

“The robust nature of their molars is reminiscent of seed and fruit-eating mammals, which provides fascinating insights into how early mammalian species may have exploited plant resources.”

The research team asserts that ravjaa ishiii is the first Zhelestid identified from the Bien Series formation, indeed marking the first discovery of its kind in Mongolia.

“ravjaa ishiii may represent the oldest member of the Zhelestids, as the currently oldest known Zhelestids were found in Uzbekistan, indicating that this group’s emergence dates back to the early/late Cretaceous boundary,” the researchers noted.

Their study is published online in the journal Acta Palaeontologica Polonica.

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Tsukasa Okoshi et al. 2025. A new Late Cretaceous Zhelestid mammal from the Mongolian Baiansilli formation. Acta Palaeontologica Polonica 70(1): 193-203; doi: 10.4202/app.01213.2024

Source: www.sci.news

Fossils of Central Jurassic Serapodan Dinosaurs Discovered in Morocco

Posted on May 6, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

A research team from Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdela University, the University of Birmingham, and the Museum of Natural History in London has identified a new specimen as the oldest known Serapodan Ornithischian dinosaur.

Proximal femurs of the Serapodan dinosaur from the Elmers III Formation in the Central Atlas Mountains of Morocco. Image credit: Maid et al., doi: 10.1098/rsos.241624.

“Serapod has received significant attention lately,” said Dr. Susanna Maid, a paleontologist at the Museum of Natural History, University of Birmingham.

The early Serapodan, a key player in the Cretaceous terrestrial ecosystem, was bipedal and featured hadrosaur-like skeletal structures. In contrast, late Cretaceous forms, including hadrosaurs and ceratopsids, evolved more specialized adaptations.

“Serapodans can be divided into two major clades: Ornithopoda, which encompasses non-hadrosaur Iguanodons and duck-billed Hadrosaurs, and Margin Osephalia, which includes horned and dome-headed species like Pachycephalosaurs.”

“While Serapodans are well-documented from the Cretaceous, their presence in the Jurassic is less established,” the researchers noted.

“Various Jurassic tracksites indicate that sizable ornithopods (likely related to Iguanodon) had emerged by this time, yet body fossils remain scarce.”

“There’s a pressing need for additional specimens from historically underrepresented regions to help clarify the early evolution of Serapodans and resolve ongoing phylogenetic discrepancies.”

A new specimen, representing part of a left femur, was collected from the Elmers III Formation in Boulafa, near Bruman in Morocco’s Middle Atlas Mountains in 2020.

These fossils date to the Basonian stage (Central Jurassic), approximately 165 to 160 million years ago.

The diverse green and red mudstones of this formation have yielded significant fossils, including Africa’s oldest known antirosaurus, Spicomellus afer, and one of the oldest Stegosaurus species, Adratiklit boulahfa.

The newly identified specimen is now recognized as the oldest Serapodan, adding valuable data to our understanding of Central Jurassic taxa.

“Despite its fragmentary nature, the specimen exhibits key features, including a distinct neck of the femoral head and a noticeable relationship between the head and the greater trochanter.”

“Further exploration and sampling of Elmers III Formation in Morocco are crucial for deepening our understanding of Oritesian dinosaur evolution during the Central Jurassic.”

The research team’s study was published in the journal Royal Society Open Science on March 12, 2025.

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Susanna Maid et al. 2025. The world’s oldest Serapodan Ornithischian dinosaur from the Jurassic of central Morocco. R. Soc. Open Sci 12(3): 241624; doi: 10.1098/rsos.241624

Source: www.sci.news

Fossils of Terrestrial Apex Predators Dating Back Six Million Years Unearthed in the Dominican Republic

Posted on May 1, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

A recent study conducted by the Florida Museum of Natural History reveals that this apex predator is a type of Cebucid crocodile with origins in South America.

The Cebushid crocodile ruled the South American landscape after the dinosaurs vanished, remaining dominant until roughly 11 million years ago. Image credit: Jorge Mackey.

The sebecids were the last survivors of notosuchia, a large and varied group of extinct crocodiles with fossil records that trace back to the era of dinosaurs.

Notosuchians exhibited a wide range of sizes, diets, and habitats, distinguishing themselves from their alligator relatives, as most inhabited terrestrial environments.

The Sevecid behaved like a carnivorous dinosaur, sprinting with four long, agile limbs and tearing flesh with its notorious teeth.

Some species were equipped with protective armor made of bone plates embedded in the skin, reaching lengths of up to 6 m (20 feet).

The catastrophic mass extinction at the end of the Cretaceous period, which eradicated non-avian dinosaurs, also nearly led to the extinction of the notosuchians.

In South America, only the Sevecids survived post-dinosaurs, quickly ascending to the role of apex predators.

The open waters separating the Caribbean islands from the South American mainland posed significant challenges for the Sevensids when it came to swimming.

In a new research effort, paleontologist Jonathan Bloch and his colleagues from the Florida Museum of Natural History analyzed vertebrae from fossilized teeth and spinal vertebrae dating back six million years, collected from the Paleopoultry 1 site in Savanna Grande de Boya, Dominican Republic.

“Our first question upon discovering these teeth in the Dominican Republic and other Caribbean islands was: what could they be?” Dr. Bloch mentioned.

The team also examined 18 million-year-old teeth found in Cuba and 29 million-year-old specimens from Puerto Rico.

“The fossils suggested evidence supporting the Girllandia hypothesis,” they noted.

This theory posits that a temporary land bridge or chain of islands enabled the migration from South America to the Caribbean.

“If the serrated teeth found in other Caribbean islands also belong to the Sevecid, the history of these giant reptiles stretches beyond just the Dominican Republic.”

“They would have played a significant role in shaping the ecosystems of this region for millions of years. However, today, evidence of large terrestrial predators is scarce.”

“In their absence, smaller endemic predators like birds, snakes, and crocodiles have evolved to fill gaps in the food chain,” he added.

“We could not have predicted this just by studying modern ecosystems,” Dr. Bloch remarked.

“The presence of large predators greatly differs from our previous assumptions, and it’s thrilling to explore what further discoveries might await in the Caribbean fossil record.”

The team’s paper was published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B.

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Lázaro W. Viñola López et al. 2025. The South American Sevecid from the Miocene of Hispaniola documents the presence of apex predators in the ecosystems of the Early West Indies. Proc. R. Soc. B 292 (2045): 20242891; doi: 10.1098/rspb.2024.2891

Source: www.sci.news

Crafting Fashion Accessories Inspired by Real T. Rex Fossils

Posted on April 30, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Eighty million years ago, the formidable 40-foot-long Tyrannosaurus Rex ruled the earth. Now, it may soon inspire a new kind of wallet.

A team of British researchers and bioengineers is working on high-end clutches and totes made from T. rex skin, cultivated from the fossilized remains of ancient carnivorous creatures.

Their goal is to create sustainable leather by extracting collagen from this colossal dinosaur, known to have roamed North America and Asia about 68 million years ago. If they succeed, it would mark the first instance of leather derived from an extinct species.

The project’s developers assert that their lab-grown materials will be entirely biodegradable and structurally identical to conventional leather. Choi Conon, a professor of tissue engineering at Newcastle University, commented on the initiative.

Conon is also associated with a Biotechnology Company. Lab-grown leather is in collaboration with the Dutch creative agency VML and the genomic engineering firm The Organoid Company.

“This opens the door to designing leather from prehistoric origins,” stated Connon, a key leader in the project.

While Connon and his team are targeting the fashion sector, market data providers Fortune Business Insights predicts that the global leather goods market, valued at $500 billion, could reach $85.5 billion by 2032.

However, experts caution that immediate results may not be forthcoming. The commercialization of lab-grown T. rex leather could be financially prohibitive.

According to Tom Ellis, a professor of synthetic genomic engineering at Imperial College in London, the “gimmick” is still “very early.” He noted, “Our understanding of dinosaur evolution may not be sufficient to design collagen genes specifically from T. rex.”

Ellis emphasized that producing authentic T. rex leather is still a long way off, suggesting that any collagen derived from the project would likely resemble that of cows and chickens.

This means the end product may resemble other alternative leathers. “We’ll offer something unique enough to justify a significantly higher price,” he added.

In theory, scientists can extract collagen gene sequences from various animals, as collagen is the most abundant protein in mammals. Companies like Gelter and modern pastures are already crafting leather-like materials from genetically engineered collagen, producing small batches of premium products.

If achieved, sustainably crafted animal leather could have notable environmental advantages. Currently, most leather is a byproduct of the cattle industry, contributing to deforestation in regions like the Amazon. Additionally, many synthetic and vegan leathers are made from fossil-fuel-derived plastics that are not biologically sustainable. According to the World Wide Fund.

As scientists ponder the potential for dinosaur wallets, fashion enthusiasts should take a moment to consider whether they should indulge in such products.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Discovery of fossils of 113 million fiery ants in Brazil

Posted on April 25, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

Paleontologists describe the oldest known members of Haidomyrmecinae – An extinct subfamily of ants that were only during the Cretaceous period – preserved as an impression of limestone rocks in the Krato Formation in northeastern Brazil.

Vulcanidris cratensisholotype. Scale bar – 2 mm. Image credit: Lepeco et al. , doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2025.03.023.

It has been named Vulcanidris cratensisthe new ant species lived 113 million years ago (early Cretaceous period).

This species represents the oldest and most definitive ant known in science, and is also the most complete evidence of the early evolution of ants in the fossil record.

“Vulcanidris cratensis The author, Dr. Anson Lepeco, a paleontologist at Dr. Zloria da Universad de Sao Paulo, stated:

“What makes this discovery particularly interesting is its belong to an extinct “hell ant”, known for its strange predatory adaptation. ”

“Even though it is part of an ancient lineage, the species already exhibits highly specialized anatomical features, suggesting unique hunting behaviors.”

The oldest previous ants were found in France and Myanmar and were preserved in amber instead of limestone.

The presence of hell ants in Brazil indicates that ants are already widely distributed and diversified early in their evolution.

“There was an hell ants explained by Amber, and this was the first time I could visualize them in a rock fossil,” Dr. Lepeco said.

Dr. Lepeco and his colleagues discovered a very well-preserved Ant specimen and systematically examined one of the world’s largest collections of fossil insects from. Krato Layera deposit known for its exceptional fossil preservation.

“When we encountered this extraordinary specimen, we quickly recognized its importance not only as a new species, but also as a potentially conclusive evidence of ants in the Krato Formation,” Dr. Lepeco said.

“The finding highlights the importance of a thorough investigation of existing collections either privately or in museums, and highlights the fauna of Brazilian paleontology and the country’s unexposed fossil insects.”

Using microcomputed tomography imaging, paleontologists discovered it Vulcanidris cratensis It was previously closely related to hell ants, known only from specimens preserved in Burma mber, Myanmar.

This finding shows that ants must have been widely distributed worldwide and repeatedly crossed Cretaceous lands.

But what surprised them most was the professional traits of Hell’s Ants.

“We were hoping to find the features of the hellish ant, but we were shocked by the features of the feeding device,” Dr. Lepeco said.

“Unlike modern ants with laterally moving mandibles, this species had a mandible with face and face projections running forward in front of their head and eyes.”

“Finding such anatomically specialized ants for 113 million years ago challenges our assumptions about how quickly and complex adaptations these insects have developed.”

“The complex forms suggest that even these early ants had evolved sophisticated plundering strategies that were already very different from their modern counterparts.”

“The discovery of this new ant specimen raises broader questions about the evolutionary pressures that have led to the unique adaptation of hell’s ants.”

“Advanced imaging tools allow us to explore these fossil specimens in greater detail than ever before.”

Discovery of Vulcanidris cratensis Reported in a paper It’s published in the journal today Current Biology.

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Anderson Repeco et al. Ants from Hell from the Lower Cretaceous period in Brazil. Current BiologyPublished online on April 24, 2025. doi:10.1016/j.cub.2025.03.023

Source: www.sci.news

Exploring the Origins of Underground Freshwater Vesicles Through 125-Million-Year-Old Fossils

Posted on April 22, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

New genus and species of the Simotoidan isopod, which lived in the early Cretaceous period, have been identified from two well-conserved specimens found in Lebanon. Originating from the environment of freshwater lakes, this isopod provides an unconventional perspective on the evolutionary origins of Simotoids inhabiting living caves and groundwater.

Reconstruction of paleoenvironmental habitats Dysopodus gezei (Foreground): Valemian freshwater lake in the current Bkassine region of Lebanon. Image credit: Aldrich Hezekiah.

Dysopodus gezei He lived in a shallow freshwater lake in Lebanon (Epoch of the early Cretaceous period) about 125 million years ago.

This creature had an elongated body and was more than twice its width (total length 1.8-2.5 cm).

That was a type Isopodorder of crustaceans, including both aquatic and locally populated species.

“Isopoda is a diverse group of Malacostracan crustaceans, including more than 10,000 described organisms,” said Dr. Mario Södel, a paleontologist at the Senkenberg Centre at the University of Tenbingen, and his colleagues.

“Most living species lie in a variety of marine environments ranging from deep waters to sandy beaches and rocky coasts.”

“Isopoda can be considered primarily as a marine group, and it is most likely that the latest ancestor of all isopods is ocean.”

“But there are also many isopods that live outside the marine realm.”

“The species-rich group of isopodas – oniscidea – houses over 3,800 species, most of which live in a variety of fully terrestrial habitats.”

“Apart from the marine and terrestrial environments, isopods also live in brackish and freshwater environments, with about 1,000 described species living in freshwater.”

“Isopods have freshwater habitats colonized in multiple independent habitats, with a wide variety of different species in freshwater habitats, ranging from old to in some cases highly species-rich groups to single phylogenetically isolated species.”

Dysopodus gezei There were strong similarities to the living non-parasitic strains of Cirolanidaea group of isopods within subordered Shimotoida.

“The Shimotoida is a group of isopods that contain scavengers, predators, microrelets and parasites,” the paleontologist said.

“In this, finely repaired and parasitic species can form natural groups.”

“With Timotoida, many freshwater species are parasites that are likely to enter freshwater habitat along with hosts, either fish or crustaceans.”

“There are many representatives of Shimotoida (Shimotoida people – not confused with Shimotoids) throughout their lifetimes that are neither micropredata nor parasites.”

“These are often referred to as Cirolanidae, a group of morphologically distinct isopods.”

Dysopodus gezeiholotype. Image credits: Shadell et al. , doi: 10.1098/rsos.241512.

Two specimens of Dysopodus gezei It was excavated in Lebanon in 2003 and 2023.

“The specimen was found at the Lebanese Disol in Jdeidet Bkassine,” the researchers said.

“These layers correspond to finely stacked, organically rich deposits harvested in five mining areas within the Grace Duriban Alloformation, one in the north of Lebanon, one in the center, and three regions in southern Lebanon.

“All evidence shows a series of small shallow lakes and marsh areas near the volcanic buildings.”

The rarity of living freshwater silolanide species emphasizes the importance of discovery Dysopodus gezei As an extinct species that supports true freshwater archaeological fabrics, it not only has its history of evolution on earth, but also of the evolution of underground freshwater species.

“The discovery of new fossils represents the rare discovery of fossil isopods from freshwater habitats,” the scientist said.

“This places a new perspective on the origins of the existing non-parasitic freshwater simotoid people.”

“This finding does not disprove the colonization of cave and groundwater habitats through the cutting of underground species by regressing coastlines, but the presence of freshwater Simotoids in the eastern Tethian region during the early Cretaceous period gives a different light to the origins of living freshwater animals.”

“Additional specimens of this species may provide more morphological details, as they may maintain fine morphological details, and can then be used to draw more accurate conclusions between Cretaceous freshwater species and existing cave and groundwater fauna.”

Survey results Published in the April 2025 issue of the journal Royal Society Open Science.

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Mario Shadell et al. 2025. Freshwater isopods from 125 million years ago shed new light on the origins of underground freshwater species. R. Soc. Open SCI 12(4): 241512; doi: 10.1098/rsos.241512

Source: www.sci.news

Fossils of Pleistocene-age Denisova Homo Species Discovered in Taiwan

Posted on April 11, 2025 by Igor Mitreski

According to an analysis of ancient proteins, the 190,000-10,000 fossil mandibles found in the Taiwanese Pengu Channel in the 2000s belonged to male Denisovan. The findings provide direct evidence that Denisovan occupied a diverse climate, from the cold Siberian mountains to the warm, humid subtropical latitudes of Taiwan.

The concept of artist Peng Denisovan walking under the bright sun during the Pleistocene of Taiwan. Image credit: Cheng-Han Sun.

“Recent discoveries and reanalysis of fossil specimens, along with the application of molecular technology and new dating methods, revealed unexpected diversity among the archaic Hymonin of mid- to late Pleistocene East Asia before the arrival of modern humans.”

“Identifying Denisovan is an important example of such advances.”

“Denisovan was recognized as a group of humankinds that differ from Neanderthals and modern humans by analyzing fragmentary bone and teeth DNA excavated from Denisova Caves in the Altai Mountains of Siberia.”

“Their nuclear genome shows that Denisovan formed its own clade as a sister group of Neanderthals, forming a calculated genome difference between the two clades that occurred more than 400,000 years ago.”

“Genetic evidence also shows the flow of genes between Denisovans, modern people, and Neanderthals.”

“Studies of incorporated denisova DNA in modern human populations suggest the existence of multiple genomically distinct denisova populations, once distributed across Asia in the eastern part of the continent and perhaps part of the islands Southeast Asia.”

“However, outside the Denisova caves, direct molecular evidence of Denisovan has been found only from a single site on the Tibetan Plateau.”

“In Baishiya Karst Cave in Xiahe, the mandible and rib bone are identified as denisovan based on protein sequence.”

With label Penguo 1New Denisovan fossils were collected in the 2000s through drage activities related to commercial fishing from the seabed (60-120 m) about 25 km from Taiwan’s west coast.

The area is located 4,000 km southeast of Denisova’s Caves and 2,000 km southeast of Baishayakarst Caves.

It was part of the Asian mainland during the low sea level episodes of Pleistocene.

“Penghu 1 is under 450,000 years old, with the most likely age range from 10,000 to 70,000 or 130,000 to 190,000 years old, depending on the content of trace elements, biostratigraphic evidence, and past changes in sea level,” the researchers said.

“Direct uranium dating of Penghu 1 failed due to the effects of uranium from seawater.”

Using ancient proteomic analysis, Dr. Tsutaya and his colleagues extracted proteins from bone and dental enamel from the fossils, recovering 4,241 amino acid residues.

These variants are rare in modern human populations, but are more common in areas associated with the genetic temptation of Denisovan.

Furthermore, morphological analysis of Penghu 1 reveals a robust jaw structure with large molars and distinctive root structures. This is a feature consistent with the properties found in Tibetan Denisovan specimens, suggesting that these properties are lineage and possibly gender characteristics.

“It is clear that two contrasting groups of Hymonin – the small-tooth Neanderthal with tall but flexible mandibles and the low but robust mandible (as a population or as a male character) coexist during the late mid- and early Pleistocene Eurasia,” the scientists said.

“The latter form is rare or absent in neonatal fossils from Africa and Eurasia, and is therefore not a primitive retention that is likely developed or enhanced, as it was probably developed or enhanced in Deniso Banklade, after genetic separation from Neanderthals more than 400,000 years ago.”

“Recent discoveries of the island from Southeast Asia (Homo Flores Ensis and Homo Lusonensis) and South AfricaHomona Lady) highlights the diverse evolution of the genus Homoin contrast to the strain Homo sapiens. ”

“The Dentgrat morphology of Dennisovan can be interpreted as another such distinct evolution that took place in our genus.”

result It was published in the journal today Science.

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Takumi Tsutaya et al. 2025. Mandible Denisovan from Pleistocene Taiwan. Science 388 (6743): 176-180; doi: 10.1126/science.ads3888

Source: www.sci.news