A newly identified genus and species of titanosaurus, a colossal sauropod dinosaur from the Cretaceous period, has been uncovered from fossils in northern Patagonia, Argentina.
Reconstructing the life of Yenen Hassai. Image credit: Gabriel Rio.
Named Yenen Hassai, this new species roamed Earth approximately 83 million years ago during the Late Cretaceous period.
This ancient creature belongs to the Titanosauridae, a fascinating group of large, long-necked herbivorous dinosaurs that thrived on the Gondwana supercontinent.
“The head of Yenen Hassai was proportionately smaller compared to its massive body,” explained Dr. Leonardo Filippi, a paleontologist from CONICET and the Urquiza Municipal Museum in Argentina.
“This titanosaur measured between 10 to 12 meters (33 to 39 feet) in length and weighed approximately 8 to 10 tons.”
The fossil remains of Yenen Hassai were excavated from the Bajo de la Carpa Formation at a site known as Cerro Obero la Invernada in Neuquén, Patagonia, Argentina.
This material showcases one of the most complete titanosaur skeletons found in the region, preserving six cervical vertebrae, ten dorsal vertebrae with associated ribs, the sacrum, and the first caudal vertebra.
Alongside the holotype, researchers identified remains of at least two additional sauropods at the site, including a juvenile specimen and another adult titanosaur, which may belong to an unclassified species.
“Through phylogenetic analysis, Yenen Hassai is found to be closely related to Nalambuenatitan and Overosaurus, as a basal member of an unnamed clade of derived non-lithostrotians saltasaurids,” they noted.
“Evidence from the titanosaur fauna at Cerro Obero la Invernada indicates that species diversity was relatively high during the Santonian period, suggesting that at least two lineages, colossosaurs and saltasauroids, coexisted.”
“This discovery positions the Cerro Obero-La Invernada region as the area with the highest diversity of titanosaurs during the Santonian of the Neuquén Basin, offering crucial insights into the evolution of dinosaur fauna in this era.”
This significant finding is detailed in a recent article: research paper published in the Journal of Historical Biology on January 12, 2026.
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LS Filippi et al.Yenen Hassai: An Overview of Sauropod Titanosaurs Diversity from the Cerro Overo-La Invernada Region (Bajo de la Carpa Formation of the Santonian), Northern Patagonia, Argentina. Historical Biology published online January 12, 2026. doi: 10.1080/08912963.2025.2584707
Bees exhibit an extraordinary range of species and behavior, from solitary types that nest in burrows to social variants that construct intricate nests. This nesting diversity is partially captured in the fossil record, with trace fossils dating from the Cretaceous to the Holocene. In a recent study, Field Museum paleontologist Lázaro Vignola López and his colleagues unveil novel nesting behaviors based on trace fossils unearthed from Late Quaternary cave deposits on the Caribbean island of Hispaniola. Osnidam Almontei was discovered within the cavity of a vertebrate corpse.
A reenactment of the life of bees with evidence of them building their nests in caves and using the bone cavities as housing chambers for several egg-laying cells. Image credit: Jorge Mario Macho.
“The initial descent into the cave isn’t very deep. You secure a rope to the side and rappel down,” Dr. Vignola López explained.
“Entering at night, you can spot the eyes of tarantulas residing there. As you navigate through the 10-meter-long underground tunnel, fossils start to emerge.”
Fossil layers were separated by carbonate deposits formed during rainy periods in antiquity.
Although rodents made up most of the fossils, remains of sloths, birds, and reptiles—over 50 species in total—were also found. Together, these fossils narrate a compelling story.
“We hypothesize this cave served as a home for owls over generations, potentially for hundreds or even thousands of years,” Dr. Vignola López remarked.
“The owl would venture out to hunt and return to the cave to regurgitate pellets.”
“We’ve collected fossils of the prey the owl consumed, its own remains, and even bones of turtles and crocodiles that may have inadvertently fallen into the cave.”
Dr. Vignola López and his colleagues observed that the sediments in empty tooth sockets of mammalian jaws didn’t accumulate randomly.
“The surface was notably smooth and slightly concave, which is unusual for sediment burial. I noticed this pattern across multiple specimens and thought to myself, ‘There’s something peculiar here.’ It reminded me of a hornet’s nest,” he noted.
Many well-known nests constructed by bees and wasps belong to social species that coexist in large colonies, raising their young together—like the bees in honeycombs or paper wasp nests.
“However, the majority of bee species are solitary. They deposit eggs in small cavities and leave pollen for their larvae’s nourishment,” Dr. Vignola López continued.
“Some bee species create nests in tree hollows, in the ground, or utilize vacant spaces. Certain species in Europe and Africa even nest within discarded snail shells.”
To investigate the possible insect nests within the cave fossils, the researchers conducted CT scans and X-rays of the bones, capturing 3D images of the compacted soil in the tooth sockets without damaging the fossils.
The shape and composition of the deposits bore similarities to mud nests created by some contemporary bee species. Some of these nests contained ancient pollen grains that mother bees had sealed for their larvae.
The researchers propose that bees combined saliva and soil to construct small nests for their eggs, smaller than the eraser on a pencil.
Nesting within larger animal bones provided protection for bee eggs from potential predators such as wasps.
While the bees themselves were not preserved, the unique characteristics of the nests allowed for a taxonomic classification.
They named the nests Osnidam Almontei, in honor of the scientist Juan Almonte Milan, who first discovered this cave.
“Since no bee remains were found, they may have belonged to a currently existing species. Our knowledge on the ecology of various bee species in these islands is limited,” Dr. Vignola López stated.
Scientists speculate that this behavior arises from a combination of factors. With little soil covering the limestone terrain in this region, bees may have opted for caves as their nesting sites, rather than digging into the ground like many other species.
Additionally, this cave had been home to generations of owls, with numerous owl pellets accumulating over the years, providing the bees with ample use of the bones the owls left behind.
“This finding illustrates the peculiarities of bees. They can be surprising, and it emphasizes the importance of meticulous examination when studying fossils,” Dr. Vignola López remarked.
of paper published today in Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences.
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Lazaro W. Vignola-Lopez and others. 2025. Fossil traces in mammal remains reveal a new nesting behavior for bees. R Soc Open Science 12(12):251748; doi: 10.1098/rsos.251748
A novel genus and species of mid-Oligocene nimuravid has been identified from fossil remains unearthed in northern China. This finding enhances our understanding of Nimurabiidae in eastern Eurasia.
Reimagining the life of Taotienimravus songi in a Chinese painting style. Image credit: Yuefeng Song.
Taotienimravus songi inhabited what is now China during the mid-Oligocene period, around 28 million years ago.
This ancient species is part of the Nimuravidae family, an extinct group of saber-toothed hypercarnivores, often referred to as pseudosaber-toothed cats.
“Carnivora demonstrates the broadest range in body sizes among mammals, with the smallest weasel weighing roughly 50 g. Pinnipeds average over 3 tons,” stated Dr. Qigao Jiangzuo of the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Chinese Academy of Sciences.
“With few exceptions, such as the bear family, large terrestrial carnivores, particularly those exceeding 20 kg, generally maintain a macrocarnivorous diet, targeting large prey of similar size or larger.”
“Often called pseudosabertooths, the Nimurabiidae represents one of the earliest diverging lineages within the Carnivora order, noted for their large size, hypercarnivorous craniodental features, and potentially macrocarnivorous behaviors,” the researchers added.
“The earliest fossils from this family, dating back to the mid-Eocene, belonged to highly specialized species exhibiting cat-like craniodental characteristics.”
“Nimuravidae underwent radiation during the Eocene to Oligocene, with the best-preserved specimens found primarily in North America, where numerous skulls and complete skeletons have been discovered.”
“Eurasia also contains numerous fossil remains, though they tend to be poorly preserved.”
“As the first lineage within Carnivora to develop large body sizes, this family is an excellent model for studying the evolution of early large carnivorous niches in an environmental context vastly different from that of today.”
The skeletal remains of Taotienimravus songi were discovered in the Qingshuiying Formation in northern China.
Specimen analysis indicates that this new species uniquely displays non-saber-toothed morphology with bone-cracking adaptations within the Nimuravidae family.
This animal likely engaged in a killing behavior distinct from other feline carnivores, possibly employing a tearing bite akin to that of hyenas.
“The defining characteristics of the new Nimuravid include exceptionally short and robust upper canine teeth along with a notably wide palatal area,” the paleontologists noted.
“The rostrum is exceedingly wide, probably the widest of any known Nimravid.”
“In contrast to many feline carnivores, the premolars do not diminish in size; rather, they increase, eliminating the gap between the canines and cheek teeth.”
“This contrasts with most feline carnivores, which almost invariably exhibit diastema.”
“We interpret this absence of a gap as an indicator of a strong canine bite, allowing for deep penetration into prey.”
Phylogenetic analysis positions Taotienimravus songi within the Nimravinae, creating a sister lineage to those in Europe and North America, such as Nimravus and Dinahelurus.
This clade shares a close relation to the European lineage encompassing Iofelis, Denailictis, and Quercyllus.
“The increase in size within Nimuravidae seems to align with the extinction of another carnivorous group, Oxyaenidae, during the Paleogene,” the researchers stated.
“The initial emergence of large carnivorous traits within the Carnivora order likely reflects competitive interactions driven by ecomorphic dynamics.”
“Nimuravidae effectively occupied ecological niches unavailable to Felidae, probably due to the lack of competition within Carnivora for much of their evolutionary history.”
“This study emphasizes the impact of both abiotic and biotic factors in shaping niche availability for these animals and underscores the need to discuss niche evolution and change within this framework.”
A study detailing this discovery was published on November 26, 2025, in Proceedings of the Royal Society B.
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Qigao Jiangzuo et al. 2025. A new ecomorph of the Nimravidae and the exploration of early large carnivores within the order Carnivora. Proc Biol Sci 292 (2059): 20251686; doi: 10.1098/rspb.2025.1686
A recently identified sauropod dinosaur, Mamenchisaurus, was discovered in China, originating from the late Jurassic period.
Reconstruction of the life of Mamenchisaurus species, Mamenchisaurus sinocanadorum. Image credit: Júlia d’Oliveira.
Mamenchisaurus sanggensis existed during the early Oxfordian stage of the Jurassic period, approximately 160 million years ago.
This dinosaur belonged to the divergent Mamenchisauridae family, sharing a close relationship with other Mamenchisaurus species.
“The diversity of sauropod dinosaurs peaked in the Late Jurassic, encompassing numerous geographically widespread non-neosauropod eusauropod lineages (like Mamenchisaurs and turiasaurs) alongside a broad array of globally distributed neosauropod members (Diplodocoidea and Macronaria),” stated Dr. Hui Dai, a paleontologist at the Chongqing Institute of Paleontology.
“Late Jurassic sedimentary formations in China preserve a rich sauropod fossil record, predominantly featuring mamenchisaurids, although precise neosauropod remains are largely recognized from the Middle Early Jurassic period.”
“The dominance of sauropod faunas in Asia contrasts sharply with that of contemporary European and North and South American strata.”
“Additionally, most of the late Jurassic Asian sauropod diversity is traced back to deposits from the lower section, particularly around the transition from the Middle to Late Jurassic.”
A partial skeleton of Mamenchisaurus sanggensis was uncovered at a fossil site in Chongqing, located in southwest China.
“The remains were found in reddish-purple silty mudstone near the upper layer of the Shaximyo formation,” paleontologists noted.
“While a general Callovian-Oxford age for this formation has traditionally been assumed, the exact age remains a subject of debate.”
The discovery of Mamenchisaurus sanggensis adds to the diversity of early-branching sauropod dinosaurs and offers further insights into the evolutionary history of sauropods in northwestern China.
“A deeper understanding of the evolutionary relationships among mid to late Jurassic Chinese eusauropods may have implications for testing theories regarding the isolation of East Asia from western Laurasia and Gondwana during this era and for the paleobiogeographic history of early diverging sauropods and more broadly, eusauropods,” the researchers remarked.
“Nonetheless, our knowledge of this evolutionary transition is incomplete, and a reexamination of specimens is essential to bridge the existing ‘gap’ in East Asian lineages.”
The study was published in the Journal on November 25, 2025 in Scientific Reports.
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H. Dai et al. A new mamenchisaurid sauropod dinosaur from the Late Jurassic of southwestern China reveals fresh insights into the evolution of East Asian eusauropods. Scientific Reports, published online on November 25, 2025. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-29995-z
Researchers from Stellenbosch University and other institutions utilized advanced uranium-lead (U-Pb) dating along with elemental mapping to analyze traces of uranium and lead in the calcite of fossilized dinosaur eggshells discovered in the United States and Mongolia.
An artist’s reconstruction of a troodontid dinosaur that had just hatched from a fragment of an egg shell. Image credit: Eva Utsukiyouhei.
The ages of numerous fossil remains globally remain uncertain.
Without precise geological age data for fossils, paleontologists face challenges in comprehending the relationships among different species and ecosystems over time and across regions.
Traditionally, they depend on dating minerals like zircon and apatite found alongside fossils, but these minerals are not always available.
Efforts to date fossils such as bones and teeth often lead to ambiguous results.
Dr. Ryan Tucker and his team at Stellenbosch University adopted a novel strategy. They applied advanced U-Pb dating and elemental mapping to identify trace quantities of uranium and lead in the calcite of fossilized dinosaur eggshells.
These isotopes function as a natural clock, enabling scientists to ascertain when an egg was buried.
Studies of dinosaur eggs sourced from Utah in the United States and Mongolia’s Gobi Desert have indicated that the eggshells can accurately reflect their ages to about 5% in comparison to the true ages of volcanic ash.
In Mongolia, researchers have for the first time directly dated a significant area where dinosaur eggs and nests have been preserved, tracing back to approximately 75 million years ago.
“Eggshell calcite is remarkably adaptable,” states Dr. Tucker.
“This introduces a fresh method for dating fossil sites lacking volcanic layers, which has posed a challenge for paleontology for many years.”
By demonstrating that dinosaur eggshells can reliably record geological time, this research bridges biology and earth sciences, providing scientists with a powerful tool for dating fossil remains worldwide.
“Directly dating fossils is a dream for paleontologists,” remarked Dr. Lindsay Zanno, a paleontologist at North Carolina State University and the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences.
“With this innovative technology, we can tackle previously insurmountable riddles of dinosaur evolution.”
The team’s study was published in the journal Communication Earth and Environment.
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RT Tucker et al. 2025. U-Pb calcite dating of fossil eggshells as an accurate deep-earth chronometer. Communication Earth and Environment 6,872; doi: 10.1038/s43247-025-02895-w
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
Chinese paleontologists have identified a new species of Coelacanth, Whiteia anniae, based on two fossil specimens. This breakthrough expands the geographic presence of the genus Whiteia, marking the oldest record of this genus in Asia, which predates the earliest known pyloid coelacanth in this continent by 9 million years.
Whiteia anniae Right side view, holotype. Image credit: Dai et al., doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-20229-w.
“Coelacanths are a fascinating group of sarcopterygian fishes, with two extant marine species from the genus Latimeria,” stated lead author Dr. Guan Hui Shu, a paleontologist at the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and colleagues.
“This group first appeared in the Early Devonian, peaked in taxonomic diversity during the Early Triassic, but saw a decline starting in the Middle Cretaceous.”
“Coelacanths play a crucial role in evolutionary biology due to their distinctive physiological and anatomical characteristics, as well as their resilience through four major extinction events over hundreds of millions of years.”
The discovery of Latimeria previously ignited discussions on how this unusual lobe-finned fish relates to the evolution of terrestrial animals.
“Given their evolutionary stability, coelacanths have long been viewed as one of the most morphologically conservative vertebrate groups.”
“However, some research, particularly those focusing on Triassic fossils, indicate that coelacanth body shapes exhibit greater diversity than previously recognized.”
“Recent discoveries of new species around the globe continue to yield significant insights into the evolution of coelacanths.”
The newly identified species, Whiteia anniae, lived during the Smithian stage of the Early Triassic, approximately 249 million years ago.
This fish belongs to the genus Whiteia, an extinct group of coelacanths that were previously known from Madagascar, South Africa, Canada, and Greenland, but not from Asia.
“As the first record in Asia, this new finding from the Early Triassic dramatically broadens the geographic distribution of the genus Whiteia and is a significant addition to our understanding of the evolution of this major Triassic coelacanth lineage,” stated the paleontologists.
Two specimens of Whiteia anniae were discovered in Late Triassic marine deposits at Maoshankou in Anhui Province, China.
Fossil evidence suggests that this coelacanth measured between 41 and 46 centimeters in length, making it notably larger than other named species within its genus.
“Previously reported Whiteia species from the Early Triassic were typically small, ranging from 11.5 to 27 cm in length, and a slender body shape was once believed to be a defining characteristic of the genus,” the researchers explained.
“While there has been a recent trend of recovery, the Whiteia giganteus (estimated to exceed 100 cm in length) from Texas illustrates a period in which the genus achieved larger body sizes during the Late Triassic in North America.”
“The recovery of Whiteia anniae provides an intriguing example of a smaller species, in contrast to larger relatives in Europe, Africa, and North America.”
The team’s study was published on October 17th in the journal Scientific Reports.
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QH.Large et al. 2025. A new species of coelacanth (Actinistia, Sarcopterygii) from the Early Triassic period of Anhui Province, China. Scientific Reports 15, 36320; doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-20229-w
Paleontologists have discovered a new collection of Triassic fossils at the Quebrada Santo Domingo site in the northern Pre-Cordillera Basin of northwestern Argentina. Among their findings are nearly complete skeletons of a previously unknown sauropod dinosaur species, along with several cynodonts, rhinocosaurs, and aetosaurs.
The newly identified species existed in what is now Argentina during the Carnian period of the late Triassic, approximately 230 million years ago.
Known as Huayracursor jaguensis, this dinosaur was an early and primitive member of the clade sauropodomorpha.
The ancient creature featured a relatively long neck and was larger than many of its contemporaries.
“The Carnian period (237 to 227 million years ago) is significant in the evolution of tetrapods, holding the earliest records of several major clades, including dinosaurs,” stated paleontologist Dr. Martin Hechenleitner of the La Rioja Regional Research Center and CONICET, along with colleagues.
“Following the Carnian pluvial period, dinosaurs faced unprecedented radiation levels and quickly established dominance for the remainder of the Mesozoic era.”
“Most of the earliest records originate from a few well-researched regions in South America, specifically the Izquiguarasto-Villa Union Basin in western Argentina and the Paraná Basin in southern Brazil.”
“These locales have produced a variety of early dinosaurs, encompassing ornithischians, herrerasaurs, theropods, and sauropods.”
“While sauropods are the most taxonomically diverse, the majority (with a few fragmentary exceptions) were small, bipedal, and short-necked.”
“Despite the advances in our understanding of the quadrupedal fauna from the Carnian, no dinosaur-containing groups have arisen outside of traditional classifications.”
Selected bone of the Huayracursor jaguensis holotype. Image credit: Hechenleitner et al., doi: 10.1038/s41586-025-09634-3.
Dr. Hechenleitner and his co-authors uncovered fossilized remains of Huayracursor jaguensis and other Triassic animals in the Santo Domingo formation at Quebrada Santo Domingo, a remote region of the Andes Mountains in La Rioja, northwestern Argentina.
“This newly discovered fauna is the first from the newly characterized northern Pre-Cordillera Basin,” the paleontologists remarked.
“Current findings encompass ceratopsians of the hyperodapedontid family, cynodonts from the traversodontid and probynognathic families, a eurysaurian, and at least two sauropod dinosaurs, indicating a Carnian age.”
“Among the sauropods, Huayracursor jaguensis provides the earliest evidence of concurrent weight gain and neck elongation in sauropods, suggesting that these crucial traits emerged at the dawn of dinosaurs.”
“This discovery enhances our understanding of the diversity and geographic distribution of early dinosaur faunas and illuminates the evolution of sauropods during the Carnian period.”
The findings regarding Huayracursor jaguensis are detailed in a paper published in the journal Nature.
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EM Hechenleitner et al. A newly discovered long-necked early dinosaur from the Upper Triassic basin of the Andes. Nature, published online October 15, 2025. doi: 10.1038/s41586-025-09634-3
The fish supergroup earball, recognized for its superior hearing abilities, includes two-thirds of freshwater fish species. They were previously believed to have originated in freshwater prior to the breakup of the supercontinent Pangaea. This suggests an almost 80 million-year span from their inception to the earliest known fossils. However, the discovery of Acronichthys MacCognoi—a newly identified freshwater ear fish species from the late Cretaceous period—challenges this assumption.
Reconstruction of the Weberian apparatus in Acronichthys MacCognoi. The central golden bone arises from the rib bones (indicated in grey) that connect the fish’s air bladder (left) to the inner ear (right). Image credit: University of California, Berkeley Ken Chronicle.
Underwater ears require a distinct anatomy compared to those that sense airborne sounds.
Many terrestrial vertebrates have evolved eardrum-like structures that vibrate in response to sound waves.
These eardrums amplify sounds, moving bone arrays, similar to the malleus, incus, and stapes found in human middle ears, which then stimulate the fluid-filled inner ear.
In contrast, sound waves travel through fish, which have a density similar to that of the surrounding water.
Consequently, fish have developed an air-filled bladder that vibrates in response to sound passing through it.
These vibrations are then transferred to the fish’s inner ear in a basic manner in most saltwater species.
However, specialized fish have developed bony structures known as “bones” between the air bladder and inner ear (a system called Weberian apparatus), enhancing the amplification and range of frequencies detectable by their ears. For instance, zebrafish can detect frequencies of up to 15,000 Hz, nearing the human limit of 20,000 Hz.
The reason for these fish’s need to hear high frequencies remains unclear, though it may relate to their existence in varied and complex environments, from swift currents to still lakes.
“reason Acronichthys Maccagnoi Professor Neil Banerjee, a researcher at Western University, noted:
“This represents the oldest known North American member of the group and offers invaluable data for documenting the origins and early evolution of numerous freshwater fish species existing today.”
Acronichthys Maccagnoi thrived in the late Cretaceous period roughly 67 million years ago.
The authors utilized microCT scans of 4 cm long fossils to investigate their Weber structure.
They also studied the genomes and morphology of contemporary fish to refine the evolutionary lineage of freshwater species and simulate frequency responses of the middle ear structures of fossil fish.
Their model indicates that even 67 million years ago, Otophysan fish may have possessed hearing sensitivity on par with today’s zebrafish.
“We were uncertain if this constituted a fully functional Weberian device, but the simulation proved effective,” stated Dr. Juan Liu, a paleontologist at the University of California, Berkeley.
“The Weberian apparatus suggests it’s less sensitive than that of zebrafish.”
“However, the peak sensitivity frequency is not as low as that of zebrafish (500-1,000 Hz). This is not an insignificant finding, and it’s conceivable that this ancient Otophysan fish achieved a higher hearing frequency.”
This discovery indicates that at least two transitions from marine to freshwater species occurred during the evolution of otolaryngology.
Researchers estimate the divergence times for ear plants migrating from ocean to freshwater habitats occurred around 154 million years ago (late Jurassic period), following the fragmentation of Pangaea around 200 million years ago.
“Dinosaurs are fascinating, attracting significant attention, which means we know a lot about them. However, there’s still much to uncover regarding the diversity of prehistoric freshwater fish.”
“Many keys to understanding the origins of the groups that currently dominate rivers and lakes worldwide can be found in Canadian fossil sites.”
A paper detailing these findings was published in the journal Science on October 2nd.
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Juan Liu et al. 2025. Marine origin and freshwater radiation of ENT. Science 390 (6768): 65-69; doi: 10.1126/science.adr4494
Paleontologists from the United States and the Slovak Republic have identified and named a new genus and species of hadrosaur dinosaur that roamed what is now New Mexico during the Cretaceous period.
Reconstructing the life of Acisresaurus wimani based on the holotype and related species. Image credit: Sergey Krasovskiy.
“Hadrosauridae“, a family of large herbivorous dinosaurs, were once among the most prevalent dinosaurs in the Late Cretaceous terrestrial ecosystems of the Western Interior Basin of North America for nearly 20 million years,” stated paleontologist Sebastian Dalman from Montana State University, along with colleagues from Harrisburg University, Pennsylvania State University, New Mexico Museum of Natural History, and Pavol Josef Shafarik University.
“Known commonly as ‘duck-billed’ dinosaurs, this group displayed remarkable taxonomic diversity and success during the Cretaceous period.”
“In the final 20 million years of the Cretaceous, hadrosaurids spread across the globe, appearing in Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Europe, and the Americas.”
The newly identified species, Acisresaurus wimani, lived during the late Cretaceous period, roughly 75 million years ago.
Fossilized dinosaur bones were uncovered in the geological formations of the Kirtland Formation, located in the A Si Sle Pa Wilderness, situated between Chaco Canyon and the De Na Gin Wilderness in San Juan County, New Mexico.
“The holotype specimen includes a diagnostically incomplete skull, several isolated cranial elements such as the right zygoma, quadrate, and dentary, along with a series of articulated cervical vertebrae,” the researchers noted.
“Besides the holotype, additional specimens from the same layer could also belong to this newly described species, including a well-preserved left dentary, a partial skeleton, and two humeri—one from a large adult and the other from a juvenile.”
In prior research, Acisresaurus wimani was linked to Kritosaurus, an early genus of saurolophine hadrosaurids found in the Kirtland Formation.
Both species share a close relationship within the subfamily Hadrosaurinae, specifically the Saurolophinae.
However, phylogenetic analyses indicate that they are distinct groups existing during the Campanian period of the Cretaceous in southern Laramidia.
“The younger species, Kritosaurus, belongs to the Critosaurini clade, comprising various species from northern Laramidia,” the scientists explained.
“Furthermore, phylogenetic results indicate the existence of a clade that includes Acisresaurus and Naashoibitosaurus, having diverged from Critosaurini in the late Campanian (75 million years ago), alongside two unnamed species in southern Laramidia.”
According to the research team, Naashoibitosaurus and Acisresaurus represent flat-headed saurolophines that could form a new category of hadrosaurids.
“This clade points to the considerable taxonomic diversity of saurolophines, which were prominent herbivorous dinosaurs in southern Laramidia during the final 20 million years of the Cretaceous,” the authors remarked.
“The discovery of a new hadrosaur species in New Mexico reinforces the evidence of latitudinal variation in hadrosaur faunas across Laramidia during the Late Cretaceous.”
Sebastian Dalman et al. 2025. A new saurolophine hadrosaurid (Ornithischian: Hadrosauridae) discovered in the Late Cretaceous (Campanian) Hunter Wash Member, Kirtland Formation, San Juan Basin, New Mexico. Bulletin of the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science 101
The newly identified species, scientifically named Garga Draco Zephilius, marks a significant similarity between species from the Hayeg Basin in Romania and the well-known Brazilian Azdaltid pterosaur.
Reconstruction of the life of Garga Draco Zephilius in the late Maastrichtian environment, highlighting the nostalgia of the Serada Gargaziosite. Image credit: Matheus Gadelha.
Garga Draco Zephilius thrived in what is now Brazil approximately 70-67 million years ago, during the late Cretaceous period.
These flying reptiles belong to the Azdaltid family, renowned for hosting some of the largest flying creatures known to date.
“The Azdalcidae family represents the most diverse and widespread clade of pterosaurs during the Turonian Maastrichtian interval (94-67 million years ago),” they noted.
“This context underscores the anticipation surrounding the discovery of Azdaltid in the fossil-rich Baul group of Brazil.”
“Prior to our research, it was widely believed that no pterosaurs existed within the Baul group, despite its extensive tetrapod fauna richness and diversity.”
“Moreover, the discovery of Garga Draco Zephilius bridges a significant temporal gap in the regional pterosaur records, tracing its lineage back to the Lower Cretaceous Kaia group.”
Paleontologists found fragmentary jaws of Garga Draco Zephilius within the Serada Garga layer.
“The specimen originated from the Serada Gargaziosite in Serada Garga (Garga Hill), located 25 km north of Uberaba County,” they reported.
“This site is home to regions typical of the sauropod Titanosaur uberabatitan ribeiroi and is also recognized as the BR-050 site.”
Garga Draco Zephilius was a medium to large pterosaur with a wingspan ranging from 4-5 m (13-16 feet).
This species signifies the first Brazilian azdaltide and shows notable similarities to Albadraco Tharmisensis from Romania.
“Despite being fragmentary, the specimen exhibits distinct morphological characteristics that set it apart from other azdaltids,” the researchers concluded.
“It showcases a unique set of traits that allow it to be categorized as a relative of the European azhdarchids, particularly Albadraco Tharmisensis, which include features like the V-shaped cross-section, low/rounded tomial edges, symmetrically paired rows of occlusal holes, and a high-hole index.”
“The phylogenetic analysis provides support for the relationship between this new form and its sister taxon, Albadraco Tharmisensis.
“Ultimately, the discovery of these rare small specimens with potential hatching remains holds significant importance.”
The findings are detailed in a study published this month in Paleontology Papers.
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Ariovaldo A. Giaretta et al. 2025. The first pterosaur from the Baul group: Azdalcid from the upper Cretaceous period of Brazil. Paleontology Papers 11(5): E70039; doi: 10.1002/spp2.70039
A collaborative team of paleontologists from Portugal, Italy, the United States, and Belgium has enriched their paleontological records with the identification of a new herbivorous dinosaur species: Cariocecus bocagei.
Cariocecus bocagei. Image credit: Victor Feijó de Carvalho.
Cariocecus bocagei inhabited what is now known as Portugal during the Valemia period of the Cretaceous, approximately 125 million years ago.
This newly identified species belonged to the medium-sized Iguanodon group, which includes robust herbivorous dinosaurs with intricate teeth structures.
“The Iguanodon faction plays a significant role in the herbivorous dinosaur fauna across various ecosystems of the Cretaceous period,” stated Dr. Filippo Bertozzo, a paleontologist at the Royal Institute of Natural Sciences and ci2paleo (Centro de Perebierosia de Nature Ecology, Paleontology of Rehabilitation Therapy).
“At the conclusion of the Jurassic, the Iguanodon factions exhibited limited diversity and body size, with the largest being Camptosaurus.
“These dinosaurs were primarily restricted to the central part of the northern landmass of the Jurassic, which now includes modern-day Wyoming, Tanzania, and Portugal.”
“By the mid-Cretaceous, these clades had achieved a worldwide distribution,” they further commented.
“The selective pressures and environmental factors that drove this diversification during the Jurassic to Cretaceous transition remain poorly understood, largely due to the scarcity of iguanodontian fossils in various regions, such as South Africa.
“The Iguanodon faction was among the first dinosaurs to be discovered and researched, with ongoing studies aimed at exploring the anatomical features and their functions,” they remarked.
“Nonetheless, various aspects of the skull, from the function of the supraorbital bone to paleoneurology and sensory systems, continue to be elusive.”
Digital reconstruction of the skull of Cariocecus bocagei. Image credit: Bertozzo et al., doi: 10.1080/14772019.2025.2536347.
The partial skull of Cariocecus bocagei was uncovered in 2016 along the cliffs of West Portugal from the Paposeco Formation.
This specimen, measuring approximately 37 cm long, is the first Iguanodontian skull recorded in the country.
“The specimen was excavated from the Seco Formation of Papo along the southern coast of the Setubal Peninsula, roughly 200 meters north of Praia de Areia do Mastro,” noted the paleontologist.
“A comprehensive sequence analysis indicates that the early Cretaceous layers found along this coastline were deposited during the fourth and final uplift episodes related to the formation of the Lusitania Basin.”
Upon examining the fossils, researchers identified anatomical characteristics not observed in other Iguanodon species.
“The upper jaw and Jugal bones are flawlessly fused. I have never encountered this in any other iguanodon,” Dr. Bertozzo expressed.
“This isn’t a random anomaly; it’s a genuinely unique feature, confirming it as a new species.”
MicroCT scans enabled scientists to explore the cranial nerves and inner ear with remarkable detail.
“A skull discovery is always significant. It reveals much more than isolated bones,” Dr. Bertozzo commented.
“In this instance, you can observe the impressions of the brain and nerves and even reconstruct parts of the inner ear.”
“The structure of the balance organs and auditory nerves offers insights into how this animal lived and oriented itself.”
“Another notable feature is the unusually low ‘brow’ bones, lower than those of other known Iguanodon factions.”
“This likely supported a heavy brow ridge akin to that of modern eagles.”
“Such structures may have implications for functionality or visibility.”
“The teeth of Cariocecus bocagei also provided remarkable insights,” he added.
“MicroCT scans uncovered not only visible teeth but also replacement teeth embedded within the jaw, designed to replace those that have worn down.”
“This tooth replacement mechanism is characteristic of iguanodons but is rarely observed in earlier species.”
The research team speculates that Cariocecus bocagei may have possessed a stronger bite relative to its kin.
“The discovery of Cariocecus bocagei enhances our understanding of the ecological dynamics within the Lusitania Basin’s early Cretaceous environment, indicating the presence of multiple Iguanodon species, reflecting trends seen in other symbiotic habitats in the UK, Belgium, Spain, and Central Africa,” the authors stated.
“The Valemian diversity in Iguanodon taxa resulted from island endemic events that emerged following the dispersal of dry morphs in North America during the Late Jurassic and Late Cretaceous periods.”
“In conclusion, the discovery of Cariocecus bocagei emphasizes the significance of the Balemian Psien of Hauteribia in the diversification and speciation of Iguanodonians, ultimately leading to the evolution of the more advanced Hadrosaurus in the Turonian period.”
Survey results were published in the Journal of Systematic Palaeontology.
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Filippo Bertozzo et al. 2025. Cariocecus bocagei, a new basal hadrosauroid from the Lower Cretaceous period of Portugal. Journal of Systematic Palaeontology 23(1); doi:10.1080/14772019.2025.2536347
The sizable jaws of the predatory alxaurus species from the latest Triassic period in South Wales, Zanclodon cambrensis, have long captivated researchers. Could it be the oldest large theropod dinosaur? In a recent study, paleontologists from the University of Bristol and Cardiff’s National Museum examined the specimens using advanced 3D digital reconstruction techniques. They first confirmed that the specimens dated to the late Triassic period, likely sourced from the sandstones of the Kotam members of the Lilstock Formation. Anatomically, these specimens exhibit characteristics typical of theropod dinosaurs, potentially representing early, novel therapy-footed species such as Newtonsaurus cambrensis.
Two separate blocks containing the impression of the jaw Newtonsaurus cambrensis. Image credit: Evans et al., doi: 10.1016/j.pgeola.2025.101142.
“This specimen has been mentioned in various scientific papers, yet its identity remains elusive. We were uncertain if it was even a dinosaur,” states Dr. Owain Evans, a paleontologist at the University of Bristol.
“Originally named Zanclodon cambrensis by Edwin Tully Newton in 1899, we learned that the name Zanclodon had been abandoned as it referred to a broad range of early reptiles.”
“Therefore, we honor Newton by naming it Newtonsaurus. It stands apart from all other dinosaurs of that time and warrants a unique designation.”
Newtonsaurus cambrensis roamed the Earth approximately 202 million years ago during the late Triassic.
The fossil was uncovered in a tempestuous area near Bridgend, Wales, UK.
The specimen represents the natural form of the left jaw, revealing both its interior (housed at the National Museum of Wales) and the outer surface (held at the British Geological Survey).
“The natural form of the inner and outer jawbone displays astonishing serrated details along the grooves, ridges, teeth, and even the edges of the teeth,” commented Professor Michael Benton from the University of Bristol.
“We opted to create a 3D model utilizing digital photography.”
“Our process began with surface scans of the fossils through photogrammetry.”
“Once I obtained a digital scan, I reversed it which provided a digital negativity.”
“It was simply a matter of merging both sides and analyzing the anatomy from there.”
“Digital reconstructions derived from specimens give us a considerably clearer understanding of the original structure of the bone.”
Now that the fossils have been examined, the team could utilize their anatomy to ascertain their positions in the reptile family tree, determining importantly whether they are dinosaurs.
“We can assert that this specimen is highly likely a member of the large predatory theropod dinosaurs that inhabited the South Wales coast during the late Triassic,” Dr. Evans remarked.
“The arrangement of the teeth exhibits a distinct, extraordinary dinosaur feature, identifying it as a carnivorous predator.”
“If it’s not a true dinosaur, it closely ties to the origins of the two major divisions of Coelophysis, namely Coelophysodia and Averostra.”
“The most surprising aspect is the size of the creature. The preserved jawbone measures 28 cm in length and constitutes just the front half; originally, it likely corresponded to dinosaurs measuring 60 cm in length, with a total body length of 5-7 m.”
“This size is exceptionally large for Triassic theropods, which predominantly were under half that size.”
“Such historical specimens are invaluable in paleontology, frequently yielding new and enlightening insights, even after years of dormancy in collections,” stated Dr. Cindy Howells, a paleontologist at the National Museum in Cardiff.
“Wales holds a treasure trove of fossil records, with a dense concentration of fossils across the UK.”
“Furthermore, Newtonsaurus cambrensis reiterates the significance of Wales in paleontological exploration.”
“These Triassic strata are scarce worldwide, but several can be found in Wales.”
“It’s quite plausible that another dinosaur may be discovered here.”
Survey results were published online today in Proceedings of the Geologists Association.
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Owain Evans et al. A reevaluation of a large orxaurial dentistry from the Late Triassic in South Wales, England. Proceedings of the Geologists Association published online on September 11th, 2025. doi: 10.1016/j.pgeola.2025.101142
Recently discovered species of coelacanth, which thrived at the end of the Triassic period around 200 million years ago, have been identified from museum specimens excavated in the UK over a century and a half ago.
Reconstruction of the large Mausonian Coelacanth artist from the Lezians of England. Image credit: Daniel Phillips.
Coelacanths are unique fish that first appeared in the early Devonian epoch fossil record approximately 419 million years ago.
Since the Paleozoic and Mesozoic periods, over 175 fossil coelacanth species have been identified.
During the Mesozoic Era, these fish exhibited significant diversification, with some species developing unusual body shapes.
However, at the close of the Cretaceous period, around 66 million years ago, they inexplicably vanished from the fossil record.
It is believed that coelacanths went extinct due to a mass extinction event during the Cretaceous period. Nonetheless, in 1938, the first specimen of the living species Latimeria chalumnae was fortuitously captured in South Africa.
“Our team has encountered numerous fossils that were initially classified as small marine reptiles. Pachistrophius,” said Professor Mike Benton of the University of Bristol, who is a senior author of the study.
“Many Pachistrophius share peculiar similarities with coelacanth fossils, but we’ve traveled to collections nationwide and discovered that this misidentification has occurred repeatedly.”
“Notably, several of these specimens have been stored in museum facilities, including public collections, since the 1800s,” stated Jacob Quinn, a paleontologist at the University of Bristol.
“From four previous reports of coelacanths from the Triassic era in the UK, we identified more than 50 individuals.”
Paleontologists conducted X-ray scans of numerous specimens to verify their identification.
The specimens mainly belong to the extinct group Mawsoniidae of the coelacanth, while also being closely related to living fish.
“The materials we identified are isolated specimens, but we can see they originate from individuals of various ages, sizes, and species.”
Dr. David Whiteside, a paleontologist at the University of Bristol, remarked:
“Like modern coelacanths, these large fish are opportunistic predators, lurking along the seabed and likely preying on whatever they encountered, including small Pachistrophius marine reptiles, which have been misidentified as coelacanth fossils for decades.”
The study is set to be published in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology.
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Jacob Quinn et al. 2025. British Triassic coelacanth fish. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 45: E2520921; doi: 10.1080/02724634.2025.2520921
Horseshoe-shaped crabs are ancient creatures with an evolutionary history that stretches back 450 million years (during the Ordovician period) and are often regarded as “living fossils.” Paleontologists from West Virginia University have identified a new genus and species of true horseshoe-shaped crabs from Silurian specimens found in Indiana, USA. This species fills an 80 million-year gap in the fossil record of horseshoe-shaped crabs and exhibits a morphology reminiscent of those from the Ordovician period.
Ciurcalimulus discobolus holotype. Scale bar – 5 mm. Image credit: James C. Lamsdell, doi: 10.1098/rspb.2025.0874.
“Horseshoe-shaped crabs (order Xiphosura) are aquatic arthropods characterized by the fusion of their body segments in the thoracic area,” stated Dr. James Ramsdell from West Virginia University in his recent publication.
“Currently, there are four known living species, each exhibiting isolated geographical distributions: one inhabiting the Western Atlantic (from the East Coast of Canada to the Gulf of Mexico) and three found in the Western Pacific and Northeast Indian Oceans (from southern Japan to the East Coast of India).”
“This group is widely recognized as a classic example of an evolutionarily conservative lineage, often referred to as ‘living fossils.’ However, recent studies indicate that they undergo ecological transitions tied to significant morphological changes within the group.”
“The evolutionary history of horseshoe-shaped crabs dates back to two species from North America (450 million years ago) and one slightly older species (early Ordovician, 480 million years ago) from Morocco, which is pending formal description.”
“The origins and early evolution of horseshoe-shaped crabs remain largely unknown, with an 80 million-year gap between these Ordovician species and the first record of Xiphosurida (horseshoe-shaped crabs with a reduced retroabdomen, dating back 370 million years).”
“The absence of Silurian horseshoe-shaped crab fossils occurs during a period of rapid diversification of other aquatic groups, complicating efforts to pinpoint the timing of the origins of Xiphosurids.”
The new species of horseshoe-shaped crab thrived during the Silurian period, approximately 424 million years ago.
It has been designated as Ciurcalimulus discobolus, known from a single specimen discovered in 1975 by JR Samuel J. Sieuca, found in the Kokomo member of the Wabash Formation in Indiana.
“Kokomo members consist of finely stacked dark drostons reaching up to 30 meters, and their age is considered Silurian based on Conodont data,” the paleontologist noted.
“The Kokomo region is primarily recognized for its endemic Euripterid fauna, which exists on a single horizon and is linked to significant extinction events. In this area, various algae of Euripterid and Brachiopod coexist, sometimes alongside corals, above the corals at the upper levels of the sub-arm phyla.”
“Ciurcalimulus discobolus is derived from Euripterid-rich horizons and is preserved similarly to Euripterids, featuring a compressed fossil with well-defined cuticles.”
Ciurcalimulus discobolus differentiates itself from other early horseshoe-shaped crabs by a distinctive combination of traits that are not found in other species.
“Ciurcalimulus bears resemblance to the Ordovician Lunataspis, characterized by a distinctly rounded prosomal shell and a semicircular thorax that lacks lateral segment boundaries or prominent projections, along with a multisphere retroabdominal region,” the researchers explained.
“Nonetheless, the new genus Ciurcalimulus is set apart from Lunataspis due to the absence of axial nodes on the chest and the marginal edge of the thorax being defined dorsally by fur.”
“The Silurian era Ciurcalimulus maintains the common morphology observed in Ordovician species, suggesting its survival beyond the Ordovician mass extinction had a limited impact on the evolution of horseshoe-shaped crabs.”
“Throughout their evolutionary journey, horseshoe-shaped crabs have achieved a global distribution,” he continued.
“However, the first known horseshoe-shaped crabs hail from ancient Roursia and Siberia while the oldest can be traced back to Laurentia.”
“The discovery of Ciurcalimulus in Laurentia indicates it may be a crucial area for the evolution of early horseshoe crabs, but it is essential to acknowledge the strong historical bias in paleontological studies focused on European and former colonial regions.”
“This suggests that Laurentia may have been sampled more intensively than other ancient continents, such as Gondwana. This is a vital consideration given that the oldest horseshoe-shaped crabs currently identified are undescribed species from Morocco.”
The paper was published on June 18 in Proceedings of the Royal Society B.
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James C. Ramsdell. 2025. The first Silurian horseshoe-shaped crab reveals insights into the ground plans of Xiphosurans. Proc. R. Soc. B 292 (2049): 20250874; doi: 10.1098/rspb.2025.0874
Paleontologists at the National Museum d’Historel in Tel Aviv University and Delige University, France, have reported a fascinating discovery involving a combination of Neanderthal and Homo sapiens skeletal features in a 5-year-old child found in 1931 at Skhūl Cave, located on Mount Carmel, Israel.
A group of Neanderthals in a cave. Image credit: Tyler B. Tretsven.
Mugarat Es Skhūl (Skhūl Cave) was uncovered in 1928 by Theodore McConne and Dorothy Garrod on Mount Carmel, Israel.
The excavation revealed skeletal remains of seven adults and three children, alongside isolated bones linked to 16 additional individuals associated with the Fauna and Musteria tool industry.
The fossils belong to Homo sapiens, or “anatomically modern humans,” dating back approximately 140,000 years to the end of the Mid Pleistocene.
The initial discoveries in the cave were of children aged three to five years.
A recent study led by Professor Israel Hirschkowitz of Tel Aviv University indicates that the child’s skull resembles the overall shape of Homo sapiens, particularly in the skull vault, with inner ear structures characteristic of the intracranial blood supply system and features of the mandible akin to Neanderthals.
“This finding highlights the earliest known human fossils exhibiting morphological traits from both of these groups,” he stated.
“This study indicates that the skeleton of the five-year-old child is a result of ongoing genetic intermingling with the local Neanderthal and Homo sapiens populations,” he added.
“Genetic research over the last decade has demonstrated that these two groups exchanged genes,” remarked Professor Hirschkowitz.
“Even today, 40,000 years after the last Neanderthals vanished, 2-6% of our genomes can be traced back to Neanderthals,” he continued.
“However, these gene exchanges occurred much later, between 60,000-40,000 years ago. In this case, we are addressing human fossils from 140,000 years ago.”
Traditionally, Neanderthals were thought to have evolved in Europe and migrated to Israeli territories approximately 70,000 years ago due to advancing glaciers.
A 2021 study revealed that early Neanderthals inhabited Israeli lands around 400,000 years ago.
This type of human is referred to as “Nescher Ramra.” Homo might have interbred with Homo sapiens, a group that began migrating out of Africa around 200,000 years ago – and according to findings from the current study, they did breed.
The children from Skhūl Cave represent the earliest fossil evidence of the social and biological bonds formed between these two groups over thousands of years.
Ultimately, local Neanderthals dwindled as they were absorbed into the Homo sapiens population, similar to Neanderthals in later Europe.
“The fossils we researched are the earliest known tangible proof of mating between Neanderthals and Homo sapiens,” Professor Hirschkowitz commented.
“In 1998, child skeletons were unearthed in Portugal, displaying features from both human groups.”
“However, that skeleton, known as the ‘Lapedo Valley Child,’ dates back just 28,000 years.”
Historically, anthropologists have attributed the fossils found in Skhūl Cave, alongside those from the Caffze cave near Nazareth, to early groups of Homo sapiens.
“Current research reveals that some fossils from the Skhūl cave are indeed the product of continuous genetic intermingling with local and ancient Neanderthal populations of Homo sapiens,” he concluded.
Survey results were published in the journal on June 14th, l’anthropologie.
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Bastien Bouvier et al. 2025. New analysis of Skhūl child’s neurological and mandible: taxonomic conclusions and cultural implications. l’anthropologie 129(3): 103385; doi: 10.1016/j.anthro.2025.103385
However, this group has a fragmented fossil record that starts in the Australian mainland during the late Miocene epoch.
To date, two additional species of fossil forest wallabies have been described: Dorcopsoides buloloensis from the early Pliocene in southeastern Australia and Docopseudofossil from the late Miocene Alcuta Formation on the continent.
The new species, Dorcopsoides cowpatensis, is smaller than its relatives and exhibits varying combinations of dental characteristics and skeletal conditions.
“New Guinea forest wallabies are not well-known scientifically, and there is limited fundamental information regarding their diet and habitat,” noted Professor Gavin Prideaux of Flinders University.
“The existing forest wallabies are adorable and unique, featuring a slightly melancholic, whippet-like visage.”
“Their robust, curved tails function similarly to those of grey kangaroos, aiding in slow movements, almost acting as a fifth limb.”
The fossil of Dorcopsoides cowpatensis was unearthed at Kaupat Hill in the Alkuta Station of the Northern Territory.
“Forest wallabies likely migrated from Australia to New Guinea around 12 million years ago, disappearing from Australia for reasons still unclear over the past five million years,” remarked Dr. Isaac Kerr of Flinders University.
“During this time, low sea levels regularly connected the islands of New Guinea and mainland Australia, rather than being separated by the currently flooded Torres Straits.”
“Thus, early Australian mammals ventured into New Guinea’s rainforests.”
“However, once the Torres Strait was submerged again, these animal populations became isolated from their Australian counterparts, which did not endure the severe aridity characteristic of most of Australia.”
“Although Dorcopsoides cowpatensis shares many traits with contemporary forest wallabies, it inhabited remarkably different ecosystems.”
“Its environment comprised dry, scrubby bushes surrounded by thick forests, extensive marshes, and ephemeral streams and lakes.”
“These species are believed to have made quick, albeit brief, transitions from dense foliage to more open regions, foraging on leaves, fruits, and fungi.”
Research results were published in Alcheringa, the Australian Journal of Palaeontology.
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Isaac Kerr & Gavin J. Prideaux. New fossil kangaroo species of the genus Docopseud (Macropodina, Macropodinae) from the Onyeba Regional Fauna in the Late Miocene, Central Australia. Alcheringa published online on July 30th, 2025. doi:10.1080/03115518.2025.2521772
Paleontologists have uncovered a remarkable new genus and species of early extinct plesioaurooid plesiosaurs from a nearly complete skeleton discovered in the Jurassic Posidonian shale of Holzmaden, Germany.
Reconstruction of Plesionectes longicollum‘s life. Image credit: Peter Nicolaus.
The newly identified species, Plesionectes longicollum, thrived in the early Jurassic seas approximately 183 million years ago.
This marine reptile reached lengths of about 3.2 m, with a body length of 1.25 m and a tail measuring 81 cm.
The skeleton, complete with fossilized soft tissue remnants, was excavated in 1978 from a Posidonia Shale quarry in Holzmaden, Germany, and its distinct anatomical features are now fully recognized through thorough scientific examination.
“The specimen has been part of our collection for decades, yet prior studies never fully explored its unique anatomy,” remarked Dr. Sven Sachs, paleontologist at Naturkunde-Museum Bielefeld.
“Our in-depth analysis uncovered a rare combination of skeletal traits that distinctly separate them from all previously recognized plesiosaurs.”
Skeleton of Plesionectes longicollum. Scale bar – 30 cm. Image credit: S. Sachs & D. Madzia, doi: 10.7717/Peerj.19665.
Plesionectes longicollum is particularly significant as it represents the oldest known plesiosaur from the Holzmadden area.
“This discovery contributes another piece to the evolutionary puzzle of marine ecosystems during a pivotal period in Earth’s history,” stated Dr. Daniel Magia, a paleontologist at the Polish Academy of Sciences.
“The early Toarcian epoch, when this creature existed, was marked by substantial environmental changes, including major marine anoxic events that impacted life in oceans globally.”
This finding illustrates that the Posidonian shales, well-known for their remarkably preserved fossils, harbor an even greater diversity of marine reptiles than previously acknowledged.
“The Posidonian Shale of Holzmaden has already yielded five other plesiosaur species, encompassing representatives from three major plesiosaur lineages,” the authors noted.
“This new addition provides one of the most vital insights into Jurassic marine life, enhancing our understanding of this era.”
Survey results will be available online in the journal Peerj.
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S. Sachs & D. Madzia. 2025. An unusual early fledgling plesiosauroid from the Lower Jurassic Posidonian Shale in Holzmaden, Germany. Peerj 13:E19665; doi:10.7717/peerj.19665
Two extinct hominins, Australopithecus afarensis and Australopithecus africanus, exhibited much greater sexual dimorphism than chimpanzees and modern humans. According to Dr. Adam Gordon, a paleontologist at the University of Albany and Durham, Australopithecus afarensis displayed even higher levels of dimorphism.
Reconstructing the face of Australopithecus afarensis. Image credit: Cicero Moraes/CC by-sa 3.0.
The sexual size dimorphism is not just a mere physical trait; it indicates deeper behavioral and evolutionary strategies.
In line with sexual selection theory, the sexual size dimorphism seen in modern primates typically correlates with intense male-male competition and social structures, fostering a one-sided mating system where one or more large males dominate access to multiple females.
Conversely, low sexual dimorphism is characteristic of species that exhibit paired social structures with lower competition for mating opportunities.
Contemporary human populations show low to moderate sexual size dimorphism, with males generally being slightly larger than females on average, although there is considerable overlap between the sexes.
Fossil data is often incomplete, making it exceedingly difficult to ascertain the gender of ancient individuals.
To overcome this issue, Dr. Gordon utilized a geometric averaging method for estimating size from multiple skeletal elements, including the upper arm, femur, and tibia.
Resampling techniques were then employed to simulate thousands of comparisons between fossil hominins and living primates, ensuring that the statistical model accounted for the incomplete and varied nature of fossil samples.
A comparative framework was developed using data from contemporary gorillas, chimpanzees, and humans with known genders and complete skeletons.
Unlike earlier studies where ambiguous or inconclusive statistical results were interpreted as signs of similarity, Dr. Gordon’s approach unveiled clear and significant differences, even with relatively small fossil samples.
To eliminate the potential of body size changes in Australopithecus afarensis reflecting broader evolutionary trends rather than gender distinctions, Dr. Gordon also analyzed time series trends over a 300,000-year span from the Khadar Formation in Ethiopia.
His analysis indicated no significant size increase or decrease over time, suggesting that the observed variations were more likely due to differences between males and females.
“These were not minor differences,” Dr. Gordon stated.
“In the case of Australopithecus afarensis, males were significantly larger than females—possibly more so than the great living apes.”
“Both of these extinct hominin species displayed gender-specific size distinctions from modern humans, yet differed from extant ape species in this regard.”
Australopithecus africanus. Image credit: JM salas/cc by-sa 3.0.
Dr. Gordon’s previous research indicates that the elevated sexual size dimorphism seen in living primates may correlate with considerable resource stress. In situations where food is scarce, smaller, healthier females can better meet their metabolic needs and reproduce quicker than larger females, leading to offspring with smaller mothers and greater size disparities between males and females.
The pronounced sexual size dimorphism observed in both Australopithecus afarensis and Australopithecus africanus suggests a high level of male competition, akin to differences noted in chimpanzees and gorillas. However, the distinctions between the two fossil species could reflect varying intensities of sexual selection or resource stress in their environments (e.g., differences in the length of dry seasons that could affect female body size).
In any event, the high sexual size dimorphism of these fossil hominins starkly contrasts with the more balanced sizes seen in modern humans, offering insights into different models of early human existence.
The implications of these findings are significant. Australopithecus afarensis, which inhabited the Earth between 3.9 and 2.9 million years ago, is often viewed as very closely related to the direct ancestors of modern humans.
However, its pronounced sexual dimorphism suggests that early human social systems may have been much more hierarchical and competitive than previously believed.
On the contrary, Australopithecus africanus—which appears slightly later in the fossil record—exhibits less dimorphism compared to Australopithecus afarensis. This could represent different evolutionary branches within the human lineage or perhaps reflect various social behavioral stages in the development of hominins.
“We often categorize these early hominins together as a single group called Gracile Australopithecines, believed to have interacted with their physical and social environments in similar ways,” Dr. Gordon explained.
“While there is some truth to this, the significant differences in dimorphism between the two species indicate that these closely related hominins were under distinct selection pressures, unlike those affecting modern human pair bonds.”
The survey findings will be published in the American Journal of Biological Anthropology.
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Adam D. Gordon. 2025. Dimorphism of sexual size in Australopithecus africanus and A. afarensis in contrast to modern humans despite low power resampling analysis. American Journal of Biological Anthropology 187(3): E70093; doi: 10.1002/ajpa.70093
Paleontologists have uncovered footprints that are 76 million years old, belonging to a dominant group of Ceratopsian dinosaurs, in Dinosaur Provincial Park, Alberta, Canada. This remarkable finding is the first indication of herd behavior among mixed dinosaur species, reminiscent of how modern wildebeests and zebras flock together on the African savannas.
Salatopsian herd (Styracosaurus albertensis) accompanied by ankylosaurus (Euplocephalus tutus) walking through old river channels under the watchful eyes of two Tyrannosaurus (Golgosaurus libratus). Image credit: Julius Csotonyi.
Dinosaur Provincial Park, located in southern Alberta, Canada, is one of the premier regions in the world for studying late Cretaceous terrestrial ecosystems.
The park yields hundreds of dinosaur skeletal remains and a vast array of bones and teeth, making it a prime location for exploring dinosaur evolution, behavior, biological introduction, and paleoecology.
Despite the wealth of skeletal remains, dinosaur footprints and trackways are surprisingly uncommon.
“In 2024, we discovered a new track site, a skyline track site containing ‘typical’ natural mold tracks that had not been identified in the park before,” stated Dr. Phil Bell and his colleagues at the University of New England.
At this site, paleontologists uncovered 13 Seratopsia (horned dinosaurs) tracks, showing at least five animals walking side by side, along with an ankylosaurus (armored dinosaur) that might have been walking among them.
They were also intrigued to find two large Tyrannosaurus tracks alongside the group. Additionally, a footprint from a smaller meat-eating dinosaur was also discovered.
View of the Skyline Track Site immediately after its discovery (a) and during excavation (b). Image credits: Bell et al., doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0324913.
“I have been collecting dinosaur bones in Dinosaur Provincial Park for nearly two decades, but I had never given much thought to footprints,” remarked Dr. Bell.
“The edge of this rock had a mud-like appearance that caught between my toes, which immediately intrigued me.”
“The Tyrannosaurus tracks give the impression that they are truly observing the herd.”
“It was thrilling to see them walking in the footprints of dinosaurs 76 million years after they went extinct,” said Dr. Brian Pickles from Reading College.
“Using innovative search techniques, we were able to locate several additional track sites throughout the park’s diverse terrain. We will provide further details on how these captivating creatures interacted and behaved in their ecosystems.”
“This discovery highlights the vast amount left to uncover in dinosaur paleontology,” noted Dr. Caleb Brown, PhD, from the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Paleontology.
“Dinosaur Park boasts one of the world’s most comprehensive dinosaur collections and studies, with over a century of dedicated research. Only now are we beginning to fully explore the potential of dinosaur trackways.”
The findings are published in a paper in the journal PLOS 1.
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PR Bell et al. 2025. A track site controlled by Ceratopsids from the Campanian in Dinosaur Provincial Park, Alberta, Canada. PLOS 1 20(7): E0324913; doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0324913
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 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
Researchers have identified protein sequences within the dense enamel tissues of ancient nasal cavities and materials collected from the Burg and Lopelot sites in the Turkana Basin, Kenya.
The Turkana Basin within the East African lift system preserves fossil communities dating back more than 66 million years. Green et al. Powder samples were collected for paleontological skin analysis from the early Pleistocene back to the Oligocene (29 million years ago) from large herbivores. Image credit: Green et al., doi: 10.1038/s41586-025-09040-9.
“Teeth are the rocks in our mouths,” stated Dr. Daniel Green, a researcher at Harvard and Columbia University.
“They represent the most complex structures created by animals; hence, it’s possible to find teeth that are 100 million years old, offering geochemical records of animal life.”
“This includes insights into their diets, hydration, and habitats.”
“Previously, we believed that mature enamel, being the hardest part of teeth, should contain very little protein.”
Yet, by employing a novel proteomic technique known as liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), the researchers uncovered remarkable protein diversity in various biological tissues.
“The method comprises multiple stages where peptides are sorted according to size or chemistry, enabling detailed sequential analysis at unprecedented resolution,” explains Dr. Kevin Uno from Harvard and Columbia University.
“Recent findings indicate that there are dozens, potentially hundreds, of different proteins present in tooth enamel,” remarked Dr. Green.
Recognizing that many proteins exist in modern teeth, researchers pivoted towards studying fossils of nasal mesentery and related materials.
As herbivores, these creatures exhibited large teeth to crush their plant-based diets.
“These mammals could have enamels measuring 2-3 millimeters in thickness, providing ample material for investigation,” Dr. Green noted.
“Our discovery — peptide fragments and amino acid chains representing proteins spanning around 18 million years — stands to transform the field.”
“No one has previously identified peptide fragments of such antiquity.”
The oldest published findings to date date back around 3.5 million years.
“The newly identified peptides encompass a diverse array of proteins, representing what is known as the proteome,” Dr. Green remarked.
“One reason we are thrilled about these ancient teeth is that we lack a complete proteome for all proteins that could potentially be extracted from the bodies of these extinct elephants and rhinos, yet we can identify distinct groups.”
“Such collections could yield more information from these groups than from a single protein alone.”
“This research opens a new chapter for paleontology, enabling scientists to reconstruct the molecular and physiological traits of extinct species, moving beyond just bones and morphology,” stated Dr. Emmanuel Nudiemma, a researcher at the National Museum of Kenya.
“These peptide fragments can be utilized to delve into the relationships among ancient animals, much like contemporary methods that map human DNA relations.”
“Though a few animals analyzed in studies are completely extinct without living descendants, in theory, proteins could be extracted from their teeth and added to a phylogenetic tree,” Dr. Green elaborated.
“This information may clarify long-standing debates among paleontologists concerning the relationships among various mammalian lineages, utilizing molecular evidence.”
Survey results Today, I will be featured in the journal Nature.
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Dr. Green et al. Diverse enamel proteomes from rifts of East Africa over 108 million years. Nature Published online on July 9, 2025. doi:10.1038/s41586-025-09040-9
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.
Diamantinasaurus Mathilde, which existed approximately 94 million years ago during the mid-Cretaceous period, primarily consumed conifers, ferns, flowering plants, and utilized intestinal microorganisms for digestion almost entirely. You can learn more about it at the Winton Formation in Queensland, Australia.
Artist’s impression of Diamantinasaurus Mathilde (Judy). Image credit: Travis Tischler.
Understanding dinosaur diets is essential for grasping their paleontology and their roles in Mesozoic ecosystems.
Nevertheless, while many non-avian dinosaurs are interpreted as herbivores based on their anatomy, only a few fossils provide tangible evidence in the form of coprolites (fossilized intestinal contents).
Out of the thousands of herbivorous non-avian dinosaur specimens identified globally, only three have shown likely or atypical gut contents, all of which belong to armored theropod dinosaurs preserved in marine layers.
Other herbivorous non-avian dinosaur specimens with fossilized gut contents include hadrosaurid ornithopods found in river environments.
Thus, the intestinal contents of sauropod dinosaurs—arguably the most ecologically significant large terrestrial herbivores during the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods—remain largely unexplored due to their immense size.
“Since the 19th century, paleontologists have universally classified sauropods as herbivores,” stated Dr. Stephen Polopat, deputy director of the Western Australian Centre for Organic and Isotope Geochemistry at Curtin University.
“However, the specific plants they consumed and the heights from which they fed remained largely unknown until now.”
Dr. Polopat and his team examined the fossilized intestines of a specimen of Diamantinasaurus Mathilde informally referred to as Judy.
This fossil was discovered at a site near Winton and excavated in 2017 by museum staff and citizen scientists at the Australian Dinosaurs’ Museum of Natural History.
Among Judy’s stomach contents, paleontologists identified pinus and bracts from tall coniferous trees, as well as leaves and fruits originating from small seeds and flowering plants.
Diamantinasaurus Mathilde skeleton with intestinal contents. Image credits: Polopat et al., doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2025.04.053.
“The findings indicated that sauropods consumed a variety of plants from different levels above the ground, contributing to their long-term survival and adaptability,” Dr. Polopat remarked.
“The stomach contents we analyzed belonged to a 12-meter-long sub-adult sauropod.”
“Our research shows that several types of sub-adult sauropods could feed at varying heights and adapt to diverse climatic, environmental, and vegetation changes during the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods.”
“We also verified that sauropods exhibited bulk-feeding, similar to methods utilized by herbivorous reptiles and birds today.”
“This implies they did not chew their food but swallowed it whole, allowing their digestive systems to process it completely.”
“Any meal would have lingered in their gastrointestinal tracts for as long as two weeks before being excreted.”
“Finally, the ability to observe sauropod stomach contents for the first time corroborated prior hypotheses regarding their dietary behavior.”
“Sauropods were remarkable creatures that roamed the planet for over 130 million years. Understanding their dietary patterns is crucial for comprehending their impact on the Earth’s ecosystem, particularly concerning plants and other herbivorous species.”
“Further research is necessary, and ideally, we aim to discover additional sauropod fossils containing stomach contents to ascertain whether their feeding habits evolved as they matured, especially regarding their consumption of growing plants.”
Professor Kliti Grice, founder of Curtin University’s Western Australian Centre for Organic and Isotope Geochemistry, expressed:
“Utilizing advanced organic geochemical methods, we confirmed the existence of both angiosperms and growth structures within the diet of this sauropod.”
The team’s research paper is published in the journal Current Biology.
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Stephen F. Polopat et al. 2025. The contents of the fossilized intestine reveal the feeding habits of sauropod dinosaurs. Current Biology 35 (11): 2597-2613; doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2025.04.053
Paleontologists discovered dinosaur skull fragments within the Upper Jurassic Villard Alzobispo layer in Teruel, Spain, and confidently identified them as belonging to the species Centegosaurus dacentrurus armatus.
Skull of dacentrurus armatus from the Villard Alzobispo Formation in Teruel, Spain. Image credit: S. Sánchez-Fenollosa & A. Cobos, doi: 10.3897/vz.75.e146618.
The name Stegosauria was first introduced in 1877, with the initial reference to dacentrurus armatus occurring two years later.
Stegosauria constitutes a small clade of theropod dinosaurs, featuring iconic and recognizable representatives such as the genus Stegosaurus.
These dinosaurs were characterized by two rows of bony skin (plates and spines), extending principally from the neck to the tail’s edge.
Stegosaur fossils date from the Middle Jurassic through the Late Cretaceous, and they are generally represented by a limited number of partial skeletons worldwide.
Skull remains of stegosaurs are often fragmentary and infrequently found in the fossil record.
Nearly half of today’s scientifically recognized stegosaur species lack preserved skull material.
A recent study by Fundación Dinópolis paleontologists Sergio Sánchez Fenollosa and Alberto Cobos focused on the skull of dacentrurus armatus, a type of stegosaurus that roamed Europe approximately 150 million years ago.
Life reconstruction of dacentrurus armatus. Image credit: Sci.News.
“A comprehensive study of this extraordinary fossil has revealed anatomical features previously unknown in dacentrurus armatus, a typical European stegosaurus,” noted Dr. Sanchez Fenollosa.
“Dinosaur skulls are seldom preserved due to their extreme fragility.”
“This discovery is crucial for understanding the evolution of stegosaur skulls.”
Additionally, alongside detailed anatomical studies, we proposed a new hypothesis that redefines evolutionary relationships among stegosaurs worldwide.”
“This research has established a new grouping termed Neostegosauria.”
According to the team, Neostegosauria includes moderate to large stegosaur species that existed in Africa and Europe during the Middle to Late Jurassic, as well as Late Jurassic and Late Cretaceous Asia.
“This dual outcome represents both a remarkable fossil study and the proposal of new evolutionary theories, positioning our work as a key reference in stegosaur research,” remarked Dr. Cobos.
“The fossil site at Riodeva remains a subject of ongoing research and holds many related fossils, including additional postcranial elements from the same adult specimen, particularly rare combinations of this dinosaur type.”
“These findings are significantly enhancing the paleontological heritage of Teruel, making it a central region for understanding life’s evolution on Earth.”
The team’s research paper was published in the journal Vertebrate Zoology on May 26, 2025.
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S. Sánchez-Fenollosa & A. Cobos. 2025. New insights into the phylogeny and skull evolution of the stegosaur dinosaur: an extraordinary skull from the late Jurassic (Dinosaur: Stegosauria) in Europe. Vertebrate Zoology 75:165-189; doi:10.3897/vz.75.e146618
Paleontologists have discovered peptide markers for three extinct Australian megafauna. This breakthrough facilitates research on creatures such as hippo-sized wombats, colossal kangaroos, and marsupials with enormous claws, aiding our understanding of the series of enigmatic extinctions that took place 50,000 years ago and the potential role of humans in these events.
“The geographical distribution and extinction timeline of Australia’s megafauna, along with their interaction with early modern humans, are subjects of intense debate,” commented Professor Katerina Dorca from the University of Vienna.
“The limited fossil finds at various paleontological sites across Australia complicate the testing of hypotheses regarding the extinction of these animals,” added Dr. Kali Peters, Ph.D., of the University of Algarbe.
“Using ZooMS (Zoo departments by mass spectrometry) can aid in increasing the number of identified megafauna fossils, provided that collagen peptide markers for these species are accessible.”
Through the analysis of peptides in collagen samples, researchers can differentiate between various animal species, occasionally even distinguishing among different variants.
Collagen proves to be more resilient than DNA, making this method effective in tropical conditions where DNA may not endure.
However, most reference markers originate from Eurasian species that are not found elsewhere.
This study aims to develop new reference markers tailored for Australian contexts, enhancing the understanding gleaned from the fragmented fossil records of Australia.
“Proteins tend to endure better over extensive time periods and in harsh environments compared to DNA,” noted Dr. Peters.
“Thus, in studying megafauna extinction, proteins might still be preserved even in the absence of DNA.”
The research focused on three species crucial for comprehending megafauna extinction: Zygomaturus trilobus, Palorchestes Azael, and Protemnodon Mamkurra.
Zygomaturus trilobus and Palorchestes Azael belong to a lineage of animals that vanished entirely during the late Quaternary period, while Protemnodon Mamkurra survived long enough to likely coexist with humans arriving in Tasmania.
Scientists previously dated fossilized bones from one species back over 43,000 years.
“Zygomaturus trilobus was among the largest marsupials that ever lived, appearing much like a hippo-sized wombat,” said Professor Douka.
“Protemnodon Mamkurra was a massive, sluggish kangaroo that might have occasionally walked on all fours.”
“Palorchestes Azael was a uniquely shaped marsupial with a distinctive nose and long tongue, powerful forelimbs, and a skull equipped with large claws.”
“If ancient continents connected early modern humans to what we now know as Australia, New Guinea, and Tasmania 55,000 years ago, they would have encountered astonishing creatures.”
The researchers eliminated contaminants and compared peptide markers using reference markers.
The collagen in all three samples was well-preserved, enabling the identification of appropriate peptide markers for each species.
With these markers, paleontologists successfully differentiated Protemnodon from five living genera and one extinct genus of kangaroo.
They could also differentiate Zygomaturus and Palorchestes as these two species couldn’t be distinguished from other large extinct marsupials.
This is common in ZooMS, given that collagen changes accumulate slowly over millions of years of evolution.
Unless further studies enhance specificity, these markers are most effective at identifying bones at the genus level rather than the species level.
Nevertheless, Zoom’s ability to distinguish genera from temperate regions presents opportunities to try and identify bones from tropical regions, where closely related species may feature similar or identical peptide markers, since DNA preservation is rare in these environments.
“The introduction of newly developed collagen peptide markers allows us to identify a multitude of megafauna remains in Australia’s paleontological collections,” stated Dr. Peters.
“Yet, many more species still require characterization through collagen peptide markers.”
“For instance, Diprotodon, the largest marsupial genus ever known, and Thylacoleo, the largest marsupial predator.”
The team’s findings will be published in the journal Frontiers in Mammal Science.
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Kari Peters et al. 2025. Collagen peptide markers from three Australian megafauna species. Front. Mammal. Sci. 4; doi:10.3389/fmamm.2025.1564287
Paleontologists have uncovered evidence of previously unrecognized soft tissue structures in the cheek areas of various dinosaur species. This discovery deepens our understanding of dinosaur anatomy and underscores the limitations of current methods for reconstructing anatomical features that are not well preserved.
Soft tissue visualization of Edmontosaurus created through photography, 3D modeling, digital painting, and histology of bones in the Alberta Dinosaur Park, Canada. Image credit: Henry Sharp.
“Such examples of soft anatomy in dinosaurs are rare due to the degradation of muscles and tissue over time,” remarked Henry Sharp, a paleontologist from the University of Alberta.
“While bones can be excavated and assembled into semi-complete skeletons, for a long time, there was no effective way to discern the muscles and tissues present in dinosaurs.”
“In the 1990s, existing systematic brackets utilized the closest living relatives of dinosaurs—alligators and birds—to gain insight into their ’tissues and muscles.’
“However, this approach has its shortcomings: the muscles reconstructed in dinosaurs are those found in alligators and birds.”
“What if dinosaurs possessed their own unique muscles that aren’t present in their modern relatives, or if birds have lost or adapted their original musculature?”
“While examining a skull of Edmontosaurus, affectionately named Gary, I noticed a distinctive flange structure atop the bone near its prominent cheek.”
“As I delved deeper, I struggled to find answers.”
“There were large, corrugated sections of the skull. In a mammalian skull, I would interpret that as cheek muscle attachment. Yet, reptiles are not supposed to exhibit such muscle structures.”
“This sparked intrigue. What if this finding contradicted existing models of dinosaur musculature?”
To gain a clearer understanding of this aspect of dinosaur anatomy, Sharp and his colleagues from the University of Alberta, the University of Toronto, the Royal Museum of Ontario, and the University of New England began investigating similar regions in the skulls of other dinosaur species, uncovering evidence of analogous structures.
“The findings were consistently located in the same area. This strongly suggests that it represents a muscle or ligament,” Sharp explained.
To validate their hypothesis regarding this bone area being a site for some type of soft tissue structure, researchers meticulously cut thin sections of dinosaur bone.
“Soft tissues, such as muscles and ligaments, are anchored to the bone via collagen fibers,” Sharp stated.
“These fibers help secure the muscle or ligament, preventing detachment and potential injury to the animal.”
Once the soft tissue deteriorates, what remains are the collagen fibers, which can be examined through thin slices of bone under polarized light.
“It appears as if someone has fractured a bone at the surface and then scraped it with an X-acto knife,” Sharp noted.
The researchers employed a technique called sleepy to analyze various angles of the zygomatic and mandibular bone slices, enabling them to investigate the 3D orientation of the collagen fibers.
“These collagen fibers don’t insert haphazardly; they align with the angles where muscles attach,” Sharp added.
In all examined dinosaur species, collagen fibers manifested connections between the cheek and lower jaw, reinforcing the idea that the soft tissue structure resembles cheek muscles and ligaments.
Variation in the size and attachment angles across different dinosaur species suggests that this newly identified soft tissue played specialized roles, such as stabilizing the jaw and influencing feeding behavior.
“While we don’t fully understand its precise functions, it is evident that these soft tissues significantly impacted how these dinosaurs chewed.”
“This discovery underscores the importance of comparing dinosaur fossils with those of modern relatives for a more nuanced and accurate comprehension of extinct anatomy.”
“Dinosaurs exhibit considerable diversity, yet we often overlook significant aspects by attempting to interpret the past solely through the lens of contemporary conditions.”
Henry S. Sharp et al. Skull morphology and histology reveal previously unexpected cheek soft tissue structures in dinosaurs. Journal of Anatomy, published on March 21, 2025. doi:10.1111/joa.14242
This article is a rendition of a press release provided by the University of Alberta.
Traskasaura Sandrae, a 12 m long Erasmosaurus (a type of plesiosaurus) that inhabited the Cretaceous Sea 85 million years ago, showcases an unusual combination of primitive and advanced traits, setting it apart from other Erasmosaurus. This distinctive set of adaptations enabled the marine reptile to hunt its prey from above.
Traskasaura Sandrae. Image credit: O’Keefe et al., doi: 10.1080/14772019.2025.2489938.
The first Traskasaura fossil was unearthed in 1988 within late Cretaceous strata in the Haslam Formation on Vancouver Island, Canada.
Since then, additional fossils have been excavated from the same layers, including isolated right humeri, as well as components of the chest, guard bones, limbs, and a preserved juvenile skeleton.
Initially described in 2002, the fossil gained recent prominence when it was adopted as the official crest fossil of British Columbia.
“Fossils of Prisiosaurus have been recognized in British Columbia for decades,” states Professor F. Robin O’Keefe from Marshall University.
“Nevertheless, despite its designation as a fossil in 2023, the identity of the organisms that produced it has remained enigmatic.”
“Our recent research published today will finally clarify this enigma.”
“I comprehend the scientific uncertainty surrounding this taxa.”
“It exhibits an odd mix of primitive and advanced features. Notably, the shoulders are unlike any other plesiosaur I’ve encountered, and I’ve seen quite a few.”
With the naming of Traskasaura Sandrae, the Pacific Northwest can finally claim a distinct Mesozoic reptile.”
“Thus, this area, known for its rich contemporary marine biodiversity, was once home to a variety of extraordinary marine reptiles from the dinosaur age.”
In the original description of the fossil in 2002, experts were hesitant to classify a new genus based solely on the discovered adult Erasmosaurus skeleton.
The skeletal remains presented a relatively limited number of discernible traits.
However, the newly discovered, well-preserved partial skeleton allowed the research team to illuminate much about the Erasmosaurus morphology found in the Pantledge River, ultimately categorizing it as a new genus and species.
Traskasaura Sandrae possessed a notably lengthy neck, with at least 36 well-preserved cervical vertebrae, comprising at least 50 bones in total.
“And there is no significant knowledge yet; Traskasaura Sandrae boasts an impressive array of autodynamic bones that exhibit its strong ability to swim downward,” remarked Professor O’Keefe.
“This peculiar blend of features is linked to its hunting techniques. It utilizes this capability for descending swimming to ambush its prey from above.”
“The prey included abundant ammonites known from the region.”
Survey results will be published in Journal of Systematic Palaeontology.
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F. Robin O’Keefe et al. 2025. Taxonomy of a remarkable new Erasmosaurus from the Santonian of Vancouver Island: British Columbia’s official province fossil name. Journal of Systematic Palaeontology 23 (1); doi:10.1080/14772019.2025.2489938
The extensive dinosaur trackways offer crucial insights into the behaviors of their creators, yet researchers frequently encounter logistical hurdles in documentation and analysis. In a recent study, paleontologists from the University of Queensland and the University of Earth Sciences in China tackled these issues by employing digital methods to reexamine China’s 70-meter long dinosaur trackway.
The 120-million-year-old trackway examined by the team is situated southwest of Hanukushi village in Sichuan Province, China.
Affectionately referred to as the “Siphenwo” or “Stone Phoenix Nest”, the trackway holds significant cultural importance. It was once believed by locals to have been created by the mythical Phoenix, as described in poetry from the late Qing Dynasty (1840-1911 CE).
This trackway, which represents the longest theropod trackway in East Asia, consists of 81 consecutive footprints, stretching over approximately 70 meters.
“The dinosaur’s movements were reconstructed in stages, revealing its walking patterns, pace changes, and responses to the environment,” stated Anthony Romilio, a paleontologist at the University of Queensland.
“The sequence of 80 consecutive footprints extends over 70 meters in Sichuan, China, capturing a fleeting moment in stone.”
“Through digital animation, we can observe these moments as they unfold, offering unparalleled insights into animal behavior and biomechanics.”
Reconstructing the life of a dinosaur based on Yutyrannus, scaled against a 175 cm human model. Image credit: Anthony Romilio & Lida Xing, doi: 10.3390/geosciences15050165.
Using measurements from the trackway, Dr. Romilio and colleague Dr. Lida Singh determined that the dinosaur was bipedal, standing approximately 1.13 meters tall at the waist and weighing up to 292 kg.
“The footprint indicates that the dinosaur moved at a steady 5.3 km/h, similar to a brisk human walk, occasionally accelerating to a light trot before resuming its normal pace,” Dr. Romilio explained.
“This was not merely a dinosaur meandering aimlessly; it was moving in a largely linear fashion with clear intent.”
The team concluded that the dinosaur’s size closely resembles that of the feathered dinosaur Yutyrannus, which lived in northeastern China during the early Cretaceous period.
“Trackways can reveal behavioral details and narratives that fossilized bones alone cannot,” remarked Dr. Romilio.
“However, the study of such extensive tracks has historically been challenging due to the complexities of on-site measurements.”
“Our entirely digital approach enables us to capture, interpret, and archive all measurements and calculations from fossil track sites on computers, providing insight into the dynamic lives of these ancient beings.”
The team’s findings will be published in the journal Earth Science.
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Anthony Romilio & Lida Xing. 2025. Digital analysis of the “Phoenix Trackway” at a Chinese Cretaceous dinosaur track site. Earth Science 15(5):165; doi:10.3390/geosciences15050165
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
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
The species has been named obelignathus septimanicus. This new addition lived in the European archipelago around 72 million years ago during the Cretaceous period and is classified within the Ornitopod dinosaur family of Iguanodon Island, specifically in the Rabdodidae family.
Reconstructing obelignathus septimanicus in its Late Cretaceous environment, as depicted in the “Grès à Reptiles” layer, with a Dromaeosaurus in the background. Image credit: Edyta Felcyn-Kowalska.
The Rhabdodontids were medium-sized dinosaurs, potentially bipedal herbivores measuring between 2 and 6 meters (6.6 to 20 feet).
These dinosaurs exhibited stocky builds, characterized by thick limbs, short bodies, long tails, and relatively large triangular skulls.
They thrived in the late Cretaceous European archipelago, a vast collection of small islands located in shallow tropical waters.
This family currently comprises fewer than 10 species, distributed across southern France, northern Spain, eastern Austria, western Hungary, and western Romania.
“Rhabdodontids are typically recognized as endemic groups of leaf-eating dinosaurs from the late Cretaceous European archipelago,” stated Ukaszepians and Dr. Daniel Magia from the Institute of Paleontology at the Polish Academy of Sciences.
“At present, eight to nine different species have been identified based on specimens unearthed from eastern Austria, southern France, western Hungary, western Romania, and northern Spain.”
“However, our understanding of the diversity within Rhabdodontidae and their evolutionary relationships remains incomplete.”
Fossils of obelignathus septimanicus were discovered, with a notable tooth located in the Gresèrepilles layer in southern France.
This specimen has been associated with a previously identified species, “Rhabdodon septimanicus”.
“Rhabdodon septimanicus is recognized as a basal species from the lower part of the Maastrichtian in southern France during the Campanian period,” remarked the paleontologist.
“It was classified based on particularly robust dental remains, which have drawn varying taxonomic interpretations.”
“Our analyses, which include multivariate and phylogenetic evaluations, indicate that this species represents a distinct morphological anomaly among European Rhabdodontomorphs, justifying its categorization into a new genus, obelignathus.”
“While further extensive research, especially in-depth osteological studies, is essential to clarify the taxonomic significance of specific European Rhabdomorphs, our findings suggest that several co-existing sympatric species, particularly in southern France and possibly Romania, display greater diversity than is currently acknowledged,” he added.
The team’s research paper was published in the journal Scientific Reports this week.
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Czepiński & D. Madzia. 2025. A study of the diversity and disparity of Rhabdodontid ornithopods from Late Cretaceous European archipelagos. Sci Rep 15, 15209; doi:10.1038/s41598-025-98083-z
The prevailing belief regarding these egg sales has been that both species descend from land-dwelling ancestors. While the ancestors of the platymonds became semi-aquatic, Echidna remained terrestrial. However, a detailed examination of a humerus bone from Kryoryctes cadburyi, a prehistoric monotreme that lived in Victoria, Australia, during the early Cretaceous period, indicates that Echidna evolved from semi-aquatic ancestors, suggesting that the lifestyle of modern paddy field amphibians originated over 100 million years ago.
Artist’s impressions of Kryoryctes cadburyi. Image credit: Peter Schouten.
“Approximately 30 examples of mammals have evolved to live entirely or partially in water, such as whales, dolphins, dugongs, seals, otters, and beavers,” says Professor Suzanne Hand, a paleontologist from the University of New South Wales.
“However, it is exceedingly rare to observe mammals evolving in the opposite direction.”
“We are discussing semi-aquatic mammals that transitioned to a land-based existence. Such an event would be quite unusual, but I believe that’s what occurred with echidnas.”
In their recent study, Professor Hand and her team analyzed a single humerus bone of an ancient monotreme, Kryoryctes Cadbury.
Using CT scans and other techniques, they investigated the internal microstructure of the specimen.
“The external structure of bones allows for direct comparisons with similar animals to clarify relationships, while the internal structure offers insights into the beast’s lifestyle and ecology,” Professor Hand explained.
“Thus, while the internal structure might not reveal the animal’s identity, it can inform us about its environment and living conditions.”
Living in southern Victoria about 108 million years ago, Kryoryctes cadburyi and its relatives dominated the Australian mammalian fauna.
“Mesozoic mammals from Australia are uncommon and primarily known through their teeth and jaws,” states Professor Michael Archer from the University of New South Wales.
“Currently, Kryoryctes cadburyi is known solely from limb bones.”
“This humerus presents an extraordinary chance to gain insight into the lifestyles of Australian mammals, revealing a considerable story, perhaps one we weren’t initially anticipating.”
Researchers were taken aback when they discovered that the internal structure of the ancient humerus differed from that of modern Echidna bones.
“The internal structure shows that the bone wall of platymonds is quite thick with a narrow bone marrow cavity, while Echidna has a much thinner bone wall,” they noted.
“The fine structure of the Kryoryctes cadburyi humerus resembles that found in lizards, with its dense bone serving as ballast, aiding its ability to dive for food, a trait noticed in other semi-aquatic mammals.”
There are also peculiar traits in modern Echidna that might hint at an ancient semi-aquatic ancestry.
“It’s well established that the platypus bill contains numerous highly sensitive receptors that detect slight currents created by prey,” Professor Hand remarked.
“Although Echidna’s snouts have fewer receptors, it’s thought these might be remnants of their aquatic manipulative capabilities, along with traces of platypus-like features found in the embryos of echidnas.”
“Another characteristic inherited from their aquatic ancestors is the backward orientation of Echidna’s hind legs, similar to the rounded feet of the platypus when swimming.”
“In Echidnas, however, this trait is utilized for digging.”
“Our research has shown that echidnas exhibit diving reflexes when submerged in water, which assist in conserving oxygen and prolonging breath-holding capabilities. Studies on a respiratory protein called mammalian myoglobin further suggest echidna’s semi-aquatic ancestry.”
“The positive charge on myoglobin’s surface correlates with enhanced muscle capacity to retain oxygen, thereby extending the duration mammals can dive.”
“This is more prominent in platypuses, but even among burrowing mammals, echidnas show a higher than expected capacity.”
Survey results were published this week in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
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Suzanne J. Hand et al. 2025. Bone microstructure supports the Mesozoic origin of monotremes’ semi-aquatic lifestyle. PNAS 122 (19): E2413569122; doi: 10.1073/pnas.2413569122
Paleontologists looked at the teeth Teleoce’s major – Found in an extinct species of nasal bacteria that lived in North America from 17.5 million to 5 million years ago. Ash falling fossil bed Nebraska, USA. Here, over 100 Teleoce’s major The individual in a single hole died and was buried in ashes from the eruption of Yellowstone’s superintendent.
The flock of Teleotheras Sister. Image credit: Jay Matternes/Smithsonian Museum.
Since discovering the rhinoceros at Nebraska’s Ashwood Fossil Bed State Park in 1971, researchers have wondered what attracted so many animals in the same location.
Did they converge from afar? Perhaps they sought shelter from natural disasters that unfolded volcanic eruptions with those asphyxiation ash?
“We found out they weren’t moving much,” said Clark Ward, a researcher at the University of Minnesota.
“We found no evidence of seasonal migration or disaster response.”
Ward and colleagues looked at the ratio of strontium, oxygen and carbon isotopes Teleoce’s major Teeth tracking long, operating animal movements across the landscape.
“By studying the carbon of animals, we can reconstruct the carbon of our environment and understand what kind of vegetation lived there,” Ward said.
“You can use it to reconstruct how wet and dry the environment is.”
“And strontium tells us where the animals are forged because isotopic ratios are associated with soil and supporting bedrock.”
Teleoce’s major It was a one-horned rhino with a barrel-shaped body and sturdy hippo-like legs. Like hippos, they ate grass.
And, like hippos, researchers believe that these rhinoceros have spent a lot of time in and around the water.
Due to their vast size, they had few predators during the Miocene era.
However, their calves would have been vulnerable to predators like hyenas, known as bone-breaking dogs.
In fact, some of the specimens found on the Nebraska site have evidence that the scavenger removed some of the bodies after its death. And ancient trucks from a 45 kg (100 pound) dog are found there.
The giant Yellowstone volcano has erupted many times over the past 12 million years.
“The ashes from the eruption traveled 1,127 km (700 miles) in what is now Nebraska, where they piled up in snow, like snow,” Ward said.
“But the ashes that were blown by the wind continued to fall into Nebraska, long after the first eruption.”
“The ashes would have covered everything: grass, leaves, water.”
“Reconstructing how we equip the ancient landscapes that have disappeared provides an important context for understanding their paleoecology and sociality, and the environment in which they lived,” the scientists concluded.
Their paper Published in the journal Scientific Report.
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CT Word et al. 2025. Enamel carbon, oxygen and strontium isotopes reveal limited mobility in extinct rhinoceros in Ashford Fossil Bed, Nebraska, USA. Sci Rep 15, 11651; doi:10.1038/s41598-025-94263-z
Amazing new genera and species of Gnathosaurine Pterosaur Garudapterus buffetauti It has been identified from the upper jaw of fossils found in eastern Thailand.
“Pterosaulia is the order of extinct flying reptiles that once lived among dinosaurs during the Mesozoic era, with fossil records from the late Triassic to the end of the Cretaceous period.”
“Traditionally, Pterosaurs had two major groups.”
“The first branches generally have a long tail and a long fifth toe (traditionally known as the vacuum subsystem Rhamphorhynchoidea, now abolished).”
“The second one is Pterodactyloidea a large group with a high tail shrinking, relatively long metacarpal, short or non-existent fifth toe. ”
Garudapterus buffetauti It belongs to Gnathosaurinae a subfamily of pterodas within the Pterodactyloidea group.
The new species lived in what is now Thailand 130 million years ago, 130 million years ago, during the early Cretaceous period.
Fossilized sites of flying reptiles were found in the Pra Prong area in the southern region of the Phanom Dong Lac Mountains in Sa Keo province, Thailand.
Holotype of Garudapterus buffetauti – The first pterocortic skull material in Thailand – consists of a partial stud and five incomplete teeth from one individual.
“The anterior of the platoon is flattened dorsoventral and laterally expanded (spoon-shaped) shows an affinity for Gunasosaurnae,” the paleontologist said.
“The alveolar boundaries are severely scalloped and are like a collar, and the surface of the palate shows a pair of sine wave grooves.”
“These features have strong similarities to Gunasosaurin from the late Jurassic period. Gnathosaurus suburatus, Tacuadactylus luciae and Lucegnatos Almadrava. ”
Team phylogenetic analysis shows this Garudapterus buffetauti It is closely related to these Gnathosaurines.
“Even so, Thai gunasosaurin is unique and recognized as a new species for displaying the kite-shaped podium expansion,” the researchers said.
“This new specimen provides important information about Pterosaurs, including updated data to help us better understand diversity and distribution across Southeast Asia.”
Team’s paper It was published in the journal this month Cretaceous Research.
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Shitamanitokoon et al. The first ganaurin (Pterosauria, Pterodactyloidea) in the early Cretaceous period in eastern Thailand. Cretaceous Research Published online on March 28th, 2025. doi:10.1016/j.cretres.2025.106135
Paleontologists at the University of Leicester use fossilized specimens discovered in South Africa 20 years ago to describe new genus and mysterious multi-class arthropod species.
keurbos susanae. Image credit: Saragabot/University of Leicester.
It was named scientifically keurbos susanae And after the discoverer’s mother, the ancient arthropods lived during the Ordovician about 444 million years ago.
“Su is a flipped, legsless, headless wonder,” said Professor Sarah Gabott, a research author at the University of Leicester.
“Amazingly, her inner side is a mineralized time capsule. Muscles, muscles, tendons, and even courage are all preserved in unimaginable details.”
“Even so, her durable shell, legs and head are missing. She’s lost to collapse over 440 million years ago.”
“We are now convinced that she is a primitive marine arthropod, but her exact evolutionary relationship remains frustrating and elusive.”
“Today, about 85% of the animals on Earth are arthropods, including shrimp, lobsters, spiders, mites, mites, worms and centipedes.”
“They have excellent fossil records dating back to half a billion years, but while fossil remains are usually external features, “Su” is totally against it, as it is her inside, which is fossilized. ”
Fossil specimen of keurbos susanae Found in SOOM shale in South Africa.
“These layers lay on the seabed more than 440 million years ago when catastrophic glaciers wiped out about 85% of Earth’s species.
“The ocean basin, where ‘Su’ swimming was somehow protected from the worst frozen state and attractive animal communities, including ‘Su’, appears to have been evacuated there. ”
“The conditions of the sediment that “Su” came to rest were extremely toxic. ”
“There was no oxygen, but worse hydrogen sulfide was dissolved in the water.”
Researchers suspect that strange chemical alchemy was working to create fossils and their unusual inner preservation.
“However, the unique preservation of ‘Su’ makes it difficult to compare her to other fossils of the era, and how she fits into the evolutionary tree of life remains a mystery,” Professor Gabott pointed out.
“The small roadside quarry where I found fossils 25 years ago at the start of my academic career, almost disappeared, so it’s unlikely that we’ll find any other specimens.”
“The fossils are very difficult to interpret and they wanted to find another specimen with their heads and feet intact.”
study It will be published in the journal Paleontology.
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Sarah Gabott. 2025. A new euarthropope from Soom Shale (Ordovician) Konservat-Lagerstätte in South Africa. Paleontologyin printing; doi: 10.1002/spp2.70004
University of Leicester paleontologists Sarah Gabot and Jan Zarashivich have published a new book on how different types of so-called technolosils collapse in the past, including plastic bottles, patios, cell phones, old socks, spherical pens and many other hosts.
Wind turbine blades made from recycled materials may be one of the most surprising fossils discovered by future paleontologists. Image credit: Gemini AI.
But one technical oil that may really turn your head among paleontologists in distant environments in exploring the extraordinary layers of human epoch is the relic of wind turbines.
“The fossils are not from row towers. They are made of metal and made of recycled metal,” Professor Zalasiewicz said.
“But the giant wind turbine blades are made from materials such as fiberglass, epoxy resin, and carbon fiber. These are extremely difficult to recycle, but they make fossils easier.”
“As wind turbines reach their end of life and are removed, huge 50m-long bladed landfills are growing, sliced into truck-length segments and appearing to be neatly stacked together.”
“Some of them have been buried for millions of years, and if you ultimately stumble upon an inquisitive, distant paleontologist, a massive, hollow, sawbone cemetery,” he said.
“Some are crushed and dulled by the movement of the earth, while others are full of mineral growth, but their impressive shape and enormous size shine through the layers.”
“For our distant explorers, they become a huge puzzle. Can they tell us that they were built to grab the wind, providing clean, renewable energy?”
“Perhaps if they can connect them together — just like we're reconstructing the skeletons of today's giant dinosaurs — we can see their aerodynamic shapes.”
“They become one puzzle among the millions we leave behind in our daily lives (and I think they'll also find more ominous fossils left behind by fossil fuel burning).
“There was nothing like this new fossil cornea in the 400 million years of history on Earth.”
“And now we should begin to understand this amazing, surprising, often toxic, what we leave on the planet.”
“To know how our countless discarded objects become fossilized in the distant future will help us deal with the growing mountains that we live in today.”
The author also explains the types of science that appear to show the footprints of distant humans on Earth for the average reader.
It offers a different perspective on fossils and fossils. It expands the ideas of what people think of as fossils and what they can convey to us.
“It was a real adventure to use an understanding of how fossils are formed in the past and apply it to the very new world of what we now call Technofossils,” Professor Gabbott said.
“But then, we were asked a really tough question. Will the most amazing technolosil we're leaving behind will be millions (or billions) now?”
“There are so many candidates comparable to wind turbines because of the 'the strangest human fossil of all time.' ”
“For example, there are countless different shapes that a pair of Y fronts can take when pressed within a layer (and explores a very specific question in the book).”
“There are some very distinctive, and very hard fossil smoke particles that come out of our power plants.”
“There are strange stories of tea bags, chicken feathers, non-stick frying pans, instantaneous patterns of silicon chips, copper wire that wraps around the world.”
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Sarah Gabot and Jan Zarashivich. 2025. How Technorosil becomes our ultimate legacy. OUP Oxford
Paleontologists have identified a new genus and species of obruchevodid petalodont (petal teeth) sharks from multiple teeth excavated in Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky, USA.
Provisional reconstruction of Clavusodens McGinnisi (Modified later) netsepoye) Farming leaf-like crustaceans on the seabed of a crinoid forest from a Joppa member of STE. Genevieve layer with ctenacanth Glikmanius Careforum Overhead swimming. Image credit: Benji Paysnoe/NPS illustration.
The newly identified shark species is believed to have swum in the Carboniferous oceans 340 million years ago.
It belongs to the family obruchevodidae, in the order of extinct cartilage fish called petalodontiformes.
Scientifically named Clavusodens McGinnisi, the shark measured only 8-10 cm (3-4 inches) in length.
“Clavusodens McGinnisi,” said Dr. John Paul Hodnett and his fellow Ph.D., “was named the ‘chipmunk shark’ due to its small size and flea-like front teeth, with crushing teeth on its back. Members of the Obruchevodidae were 8-10 cm long.”
“Their small size allowed them to avoid larger predators as they foraged crustaceans, insects, and small brachiopods found along the seabed.”
Small teeth of Clavusodens McGinnisi were found throughout the STE. Genevieve Formation Rock Formation in Mammoth Cave National Park.
The rocks are made up of limestone and shale, forming at the bottom of a warm sea reef.
The majority of fossilized sharks can be found in rock formations made from invertebrate hash beds, skeletal blasts, corals, gastropods, and brachiopod shells.
No shark fossils were known from STE prior to discoveries made in the Mammoth Cave over the past few years.
To date, more than 70 species of sharks and other fish have been identified from this geological formation, including four new species.
“The discovery of the Mammoth Caves continues to reveal a wealth of new information about ancient shark species,” added Principal Berkle Limble, Mammoth Caves National Park.
“Researchers and volunteers have collected samples from major mammoth cave systems and small isolated caves throughout the park, providing new data on previously known ancient sharks, revealing some species that are perfect for science.”
Discovery of Clavusodens McGinnisi was reported in a paper in Journal of Paleontology.
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John Paul M. Hodnett et al. Petalodons (Condrissy, Petalodontifolioum, obruchevodidae) from Joppa members in central Mississippi (Vissian). Genevieve Formation in Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky, USA Journal of PaleontologyPublished online on February 24th, 2025. doi: 10.1017/jpa.2024.40
Paleontologists in Uruguay have discovered a large, poorly preserved and incomplete skull of an ancient aquatic reptile called a mesosaurus, along with some accompanying bones. These new specimens suggest gigantism exists in mature mesosaurs that reach more than twice the size of previously reported adult and typical specimens.
Mesosaurs are small to medium-sized aquatic or semi-aquatic amniotes that lived in Gondwana during the Early Permian Period. Image credit: Roman Yevseyev / Graciela Piñeiro.
mesosaurus A group of small aquatic reptiles that lived in South Africa and South America during the Permian Period, approximately 299 to 270 million years ago.
These creatures were the first known aquatic reptiles to return to aquatic life from apparently terrestrial ancestors.
“Mesosaurs are often described as small to medium-sized aquatic amniotes due to their elongated bodies and long tails that exceed the length of the rest of their bodies,” Graciela Pinheiro of the University of the Republic and colleagues. said.
“Additionally, their long-nosed skulls consist of very thin skulls with numerous needle-like marginal teeth.”
“Despite the fragility of some parts of the skull, mesosaur fossils are abundant in the Percarboniferous shales and silt deposits of Gondwana, including preserved bones with articulated skulls. This includes nearly complete skeletons in good condition, as well as partially preserved specimens that still have recognizable soft tissue.
“This exceptional preservation has led to the designation of the Mangrullo Formation in Uruguay and the Illati Formation in Brazil as part of the Conservat Lagerstätten of Gondwana,” they added.
“Furthermore, mesosaur fossils collected from these units include a variety of ontogenetic stages, from fetuses to juveniles to adults.”
“Thus, the ontogeny of mesoosaurs is well documented, with body length ranging from 10 to 12 centimeters (3.9 to 4.7 inches) in hatchlings to 80 to 90 centimeters (2.6 to 3 feet) in young adults. ”
“The average body length of the middle dragon is about 70 cm (2.3 feet),” the researchers said.
“Previous research suggested that mesosaurs were semi-aquatic amniotes, rather than fully aquatic amniotes.”
Mesosaurus ontogenetic cranial series documented from specimens discovered in the Conservato Lagerstätte, Mangrullo Formation, Uruguay. Scale bar – 1 cm. Image credit: Pinheiro others., doi: 10.3390/fossils3010001.
Dr. Pinheiro and his co-authors discovered and studied the largest known mesosaur fossil ever recorded.
The specimen includes two fragmentary skulls, a dorsal vertebrae, a tail fragment, an isolated rib, and several other bones.
They come from the regions of Picada de Cuero and El Baron. Mangrullo formation Located in northern Uruguay.
Paleontologists compared the new fossil to a larger sample of the same bone. Mesosaurus tenuidens.
Their analysis revealed that the size of mesosaurs in the Mangrullo Formation exceeded the typical size distribution previously recorded. Mesosaurus tenuidens.
These individuals were four to five standard deviations larger than average, with skull lengths of 15 to 20 cm (5.9 to 7.9 inches) and total body sizes of 1.5 to 2.5 m (4.9 to 8.2 ft).
“To explore the importance of such large mesoosaurs in the Mangrullo Formation population, we considered the potential effects of Bergmann dominance,” the researchers said.
“This is a study of isolated populations of the same species or different taxa whose body size may have been affected by changes in temperature or food availability, such as competition for nutrients. Although this is an important paleogeographical principle, it does not explain the presence of such large creatures.'' Mesosaurian specimens from the Mangurlo Formation. ”
“We therefore conclude that the large body size variations observed in mesosaurs correspond to their ontogenetic stages and growth patterns,” the researchers said.
“The smaller body size previously recognized may represent a population dominated by early juveniles, subadults, and young adults, and may be due to normal carcass wasting of animals that died from a variety of causes. It may reflect a catastrophic mass mortality event that impedes the increase.”
“The bentonite layers and gypsum crystals found in the Mangrullo Formation are the result of occasional inflows of ash fall onto the lagoon resulting from increased tectonic activity associated with the Pangea Formation.”
“These volcanic events, combined with the gradual drought and associated desertification observed in the Irati-Whitehill Sea, are the main triggers that may explain the extinction of mesosaurs, at least in the Uruguayan region of the Paraná Basin. It is suggested that
of findings Published in a magazine fossil research.
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Graciela Pinheiro others. 2025. Largest Mesosaurus Ever Known: Evidence from the Scanti Record. Phos. stud 3(1):1;doi: 10.3390/fossils3010001
newly discovered dinosaur species, Richeron WangiIt is central to the transition from early sauropods to sauropods. paper Published in a magazine Peer J.
Photograph of the skull (A) and interpretive line drawing (B) Richeron Wangi In right side view. Image credit: Wei Gao.
Richeron Wangi They roamed the Laurasian supercontinent during the early Jurassic period, about 193 million years ago.
This new species was a non-sauropod dinosaur in the clade. Masopoda.
“Non-sauropod sauropods were the dominant sauropods from the Norian period (227 to 208 million years ago) to the end of the Early Jurassic period (175 million years ago). “They were the main group of herbivores until they were replaced,” Dr. Qian said. Nan Zhang is a paleontologist at the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology and the Nanjing Institute of Science. Department of Geology and Paleontology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and colleagues.
“Since Thecodontosaurus Since it was first established, more than 40 valid nonsauropod sauropods have been reported worldwide. ”
“Most of these genera were identified from Gondwana and recovered primarily from South America and southern Africa.”
“The Early Jurassic was a critical period for tracing the early radiation and diversification of sauropod dinosaurs,” the researchers added.
“Nearly all of the non-sauropods currently recovered in China have been reported from Yunnan Province, and the Early Jurassic Lufeng Formation is the most fossil-rich Mesozoic unit in the province.”
“Despite the well-preserved and abundant nature of these Lufeng materials, comparative studies and cladistic analyzes have underestimated the number of rare skulls in particular.”
Richeron WangiA partial skeleton of was recovered from the middle-upper part of the Shawan Formation of the Lufeng Formation near Jiutou Village, Yunnan Province, China.
The specimen includes a skull and mandible, as well as a nine-articulated cervical vertebrae.
“This new species differs from other terrestrial species in both cranial and cervical features,” the paleontologists said.
“It has some automorphisms of the nasal process, maxillary neurovascular foramen, and cervical neurovertebral column.”
The research team's phylogenetic analysis revealed the following: Richeron Wangi It is a sister species of Yunnanosaurus.
“Richeron Wangi “It has the largest skull among the abundant sauropod members of the Lufeng Formation,” the researchers said.
“Therefore, a reconsideration of phylogenetic analyzes using individual specimens of ascertainable ontogenetic stages as operational taxonomic units is undertaken to obtain generally better resolution.”
“Our study provides new insights to previous authors who addressed the anatomy of Lufeng species and represents a first step toward a reassessment of this famous dinosaur fauna.”
“Furthermore, Gondwanan early sauropod paleontological diversity appears to have decreased slightly across the Triassic-Jurassic boundary.”
“We therefore hypothesize that a non-sauropod genus of sauropods survived and rapidly radiated from Laurasia, particularly China.”
“Furthermore, the reconstruction of the ancestral region of Lufeng sauropods is temporally ambiguous.”
“However, the consequences of multiple rounds of dispersal and exchange may explain the continued diversification advantage of non-sauropods in the Lufeng Formation.”
“The limited paleobiogeographic information available from Richeron Wangi “This provides evidence that at least sauropods, or an early sauropod lineage closely related to sauropods, were present in southwestern China during the Early Jurassic.”
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Q. Chan others. 2024. The largest sauropod skull excavated from the Lufeng Formation of the Lower Jurassic period in China. Peer J 12: e18629;doi: 10.7717/peerj.18629
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