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New Troodontid Dinosaur with Thick Skull Discovered in Mexico

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A groundbreaking study by a team of paleontologists from Mexico and the United States has unveiled a new species of bird-like dinosaur, Xenovenator Espinosai, notable for its exceptionally thick, dome-shaped skull. This unique adaptation suggests it may have engaged in headbutting behaviors during conflicts with its peers.

Reconstruction of the life of Xenovenator Espinosai. Image credit: Connor Ashbridge / CC BY 4.0.

This newly identified dinosaur species thrived during the late Cretaceous period, approximately 73 million years ago.

Xenovenator Espinosai is part of the Troodontidae family, which includes agile theropod dinosaurs closely related to modern birds.

The holotype and paratype specimens were uncovered during surface sampling in the Cerro del Pueblo Formation located in Coahuila state, northern Mexico, in the early 2000s.

While Troodontids are recognized for their larger brains and heightened sensory capabilities, this species distinguishes itself through an exceptionally thick skull roof.

The holotype specimen retains nearly the entire brain case, showcasing a strongly dome-shaped structure that reaches thicknesses of up to 1.2 cm.

CT scans reveal that the skull features a dense architecture with closely interlocked sutures and a rugged, textured exterior.

This structural resemblance to the reinforced skulls of dome-headed pachycephalosaurs highlights an evolutionary adaptation for intraspecific combat, particularly head-butting.

While display structures and combat weapons are common among many dinosaur species, detailed adaptations for fighting have yet to be recorded in non-avian maniraptoran theropods.

The paratype specimen of Xenovenator Espinosai shows less pronounced cranial thickening, which may indicate variability due to age or sex, suggesting that the most significant skull enhancements occurred later in development or were selective to one sex.

“The thickened, deformed skull of Xenovenator Espinosai is unparalleled among maniraptorans, with its precise function remaining unclear,” stated lead author Dr. Hector Rivera Silva from Museo del Desierto.

“Several traits that appear to serve no obvious survival advantage, such as cranial horns and crests, may be the result of sexual selection.”

“In contemporary mammals and birds, these attributes can be utilized for display or as weapons during courtship.”

“Considering our findings—skull thickening, cranial doming, and intricate sutures—it is likely that the domed skull of Xenovenator Espinosai was an adaptation for intraspecific combat,” they added.

This discovery marks the first documented case of a parabird exhibiting a specialized skull for combat among its species.

Interestingly, researchers noted that wrinkled frontal bones and similar features in the maxilla and nasal bones of troodontids may suggest widespread intraspecific fighting, with heightened intensity observed in Xenovenator Espinosai.

The phylogenetic analysis indicates that despite being part of a larger North American troodontid lineage, Xenovenator Espinosai’s distinctively thick, domed skull highlights its unique evolutionary niche within the group.

The recurrent evolution of intricate display features and weapons during the Cretaceous hints at the increasing importance of sexual selection in dinosaur evolution.

This finding enriches our understanding of the diversity among troodontid dinosaurs from southern Laramidia, offering rare insights into how even smaller, lighter theropods developed traits specialized for physical confrontation.

Researchers propose that related species like Xenovenator Robustus signify a distinct clade of heavily built troodontids endemic to the Southwest, emphasizing the uniqueness and diversity of southern Laramidian fauna.

“Sexual selection, encompassing adaptations for display and combat, was likely a pervasive phenomenon among dinosaurs during the Late Cretaceous period,” they concluded.

For further details on this discovery, refer to the research paper published in the journal Diversity.

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Hector E. Rivera-Silva et al. 2026. A troodontid theropod with a thick skull that lived in late Cretaceous Mexico. Diversity 18(1):38; doi: 10.3390/d18010038

Source: www.sci.news

The Reconstructed Skull Reveals Fascinating Insights into Our Mysterious Ancestor

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The Yunxian 2 skull, although deformed, has been reconstructed to resemble an early Denisovan.

Gary Todd (CC0)

Our species’ origins may extend further back than previously believed, and the same could hold true for both our extinct Neanderthal and Denisovan relatives. A recent analysis of fossil remains suggests that the common ancestors of these groups emerged over a million years ago.

“If these ancient divergences are accurate, we might be overlooking significant details about the early history of these lineages,” states Chris Stringer from the Natural History Museum in London.

This finding could clarify the search for “ancestor X,” the lineage from which modern humans, Neanderthals, and the population that produced the Denisovans descended. It also may imply that the Denisovans were our closest relatives, potentially even closer than Neanderthals—a point that remains debated.

Stringer and his research team, which includes Xijun Ni from the Institute for Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology in Beijing, revisited the Yunxian fossil collection located in central China.

Two partial skulls were unearthed on a terrace above the Han River in 1989 and 1990; reported in 1992. Both skulls were crushed during their discovery, although the YUNXIAN 2 specimen sustained less damage.

Using advanced techniques, Stringer, Ni, and their colleagues reconstructed the Yunxian 2 skull. These methods include CT scans that digitally separate individual bone fragments from the surrounding sediment. “The skull is elongated and has a prominent brow ridge,” Stringer notes. “Additionally, it features a slight beak-like nose, small third molars, and larger teeth.”

The Yunxian 2 skull dates back between 940,000 and 1.1 million years. Specimens of this age are often classified as Homo erectus, which appeared around 2 million years ago in Africa before dispersing to South Asia and Indonesia approximately 108,000 years ago. However, Stringer asserts that Yunxian 2 doesn’t conform to this profile; many of its features are characteristic of later specimens, including Neanderthals.

To better understand the Yunxian 2, the research team compared it with 56 other fossils of the same group. They constructed a family tree based on the morphology, grouping related fossils together. This analysis revealed three significant lineages, encompassing most fossils from the past million years.

One lineage consists of modern humans (Homo sapiens), another includes Neanderthals (Homo neanderthalensis) who lived in Europe and Asia for several hundred thousand years before disappearing around 40,000 years ago, and the third represents the Denisovans from East Asia.

Denisovans were first identified in 2010 through DNA from a bone fragment, and it took 15 years to connect this lineage with larger fossils. Stringer was involved in interpreting the Harbin skull from China, which was identified as Denisovan in June based on molecular evidence. Yunxian 2 appears to fall into the early Denisovan category, much like several other Asian fossils.

This discovery provides important links among these fossils in the Denisovan lineage, according to geneticist Aylwyn Scally at Cambridge University: “This allows us to form better hypotheses about the Denisovans’ whereabouts, lifestyle, and species characteristics.”

Recognizing that Yunxian 2 is a Denisovan reshapes our recent understanding of human evolution in two significant ways. First, it appears to alter the timeline of the emergence of these three groups. Traditional genetic narratives suggest that the common ancestor, “ancestor X,” diverged into two branches. However, the reconstruction indicates that Neanderthals separated first about 1.38 million years ago, before the divergence of modern humans and Denisovans around 1.32 million years ago.

If validated, this hypothesis posits that Denisovans were indeed more closely related to us than Neanderthals, challenging established genetic theories. Nonetheless, Scally expresses caution, noting the complexities of inter-group histories: “In reality, straightforward phylogenetic trees don’t provide a complete picture.” The research relies more on “entangled networks” than traditional models. Furthermore, Scally suggests that genetics may provide clearer insights into these relationships than morphology, especially with only partial skeletal evidence available.

The second significant change is that all three groups appear to have emerged much earlier than previously thought. Genetic evidence generally indicates that modern humans split from their Neanderthal and Denisovan relatives around 500,000-700,000 years ago. However, Yunxian 2 suggests that the Denisovan lineage was already distinct one million years ago.

Scally adds that there may not be a single definitive date for these splits; instead, they likely occurred over extended periods with intermittent separations and reunions. In this case, Stringer and his colleagues may be correct that divergence began over a million years ago, stretching across hundreds of thousands of years.

This extended timeline raises new questions. The oldest known fossils of modern humans date to around 300,000 years ago. So where are the earlier ancestors from millions of years ago? “We either lack those fossils, or they’re present but unrecognized,” Stringer comments.

We also know little about “ancestor X”—its appearance and habitat remain a mystery. “Ten years ago, I would have stated that the likely origin of most of these groups was Africa,” Stringer reflects. “It now seems plausible that their forebears lived outside Africa, potentially in regions of Western Asia. This suggests that ancient sapiens ancestors likely migrated to Africa, evolving there for a large portion of that million-year timeline.”

Stringer highlights the scarcity of known fossils from Western Asia dating back a million years, noting that even India has limited evidence. Only one human fossil from that period exists. “There are numerous regions where our fossil record is strikingly thin,” he asserts.

A significant source of information is the Yunxian site. In 2022, a third skull was uncovered that seems to be in better condition, although it has yet to be analyzed.

Neanderthals, Ancient Humans, Cave Art: France

Join New Scientist’s Kate Douglas on an enthralling journey through time as she delves into significant Neanderthal and Upper Paleolithic sites across southern France, from Bordeaux to Montpellier.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

This Mysterious Skull Has Baffled Scientists for 60 Years—Until Now

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A peculiar fossil skull discovered in a Greek cave over six decades ago may finally reveal some of its mysteries. Recent analysis indicates that at least 300,000 years ago, the early Homo sapiens coexisted with the first Neanderthals in Africa and Europe.

Unearthed in northern Greece in 1960, the Petrarona skull has long puzzled paleontologists, who are challenged to place it within the human lineage.

The fossil includes traits from Neanderthals and Homo erectus, yet it was found completely isolated, lacking artifacts or animal bones that could provide context for dating.

“The moment I examined and measured it, I realized it wasn’t a Neanderthal or Homo erectus,” stated Professor Chris Stringer, a paleontologist and co-researcher at the Museum of Natural History in London, in an interview with BBC Science Focus. “It was something unique.”

Stringer has long believed that the specimen belonged to our relative, Homo heidelbergensis, a robust human species that existed hundreds of thousands of years ago across Africa, Europe, and possibly Asia.

However, without a reliable date for the skull, understanding its place in the human narrative remained difficult.

A recent study utilized uranium series dating on the fossil’s calcite coating.

Calcite, one of the most common mineral forms of calcium carbonate, forms as water seeps into the pores and cavities, resulting in new mineral structures. This uranium series dating method estimates fossil ages by analyzing the calcite and measuring the decay level of uranium within it.

The findings suggest an age of approximately 286,000 years. Nevertheless, the methodology raises questions about the skull’s actual age.

“If fossil calcite forms swiftly after deposition in the cave, an age of around 288,000 to 290,000 years is plausible for the fossil,” Stringer noted.

“However, if the fossil was in the cave before the calcite developed, that age is a minimum estimate.”

The Petrarona skull, partially coated with calcite, is now estimated to be nearly 300,000 years old – Credit: Chris Stringer

Despite this caution, the timeline for Petrarona now closely aligns with another well-known Homo heidelbergensis skull from Kabwe, Zambia, which dates back about 300,000 years.

“Morphologically, they are similar and seem to be converging in their dating,” Stringer remarked.

This discovery underscores the idea that Homo heidelbergensis had a broad geographic presence and an extensive time span, overlapping rather than directly giving rise to other human species.

In simpler terms, contrary to earlier beliefs, they are not the common ancestors of modern humans and Neanderthals; Homo heidelbergensis was likely our contemporary for at least some time.

Stringer emphasized that this enriches our understanding of human evolution.

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Skull of a Massive Carnivorous Dinosaur Uncovers a “Bone-Crushing” Bite

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Illustration of Tyrannosaurus Rex

Roger Harris/Getty Images/Science Photo Library

When examining the colossal dinosaur skull, it becomes evident that some species prefer to shred their prey, while others deliver bone-crushing attacks.

Andre Lowe and Emily Rayfield from the University of Bristol, UK, studied the skulls of 18 Mesozoic theropod species. This varied group, including T. Rex, Giganotosaurus, and Spinosaurus, walked on two legs and was characterized by large heads and razor-sharp teeth.

Nevertheless, despite their similarities, each dinosaur’s feeding behavior cannot be generalized. Eric Snively from Oklahoma State University notes that Giganotosaurus, with its “thin sawtooth teeth” reminiscent of a cross between a great white shark and a Komodo Dragon, was designed for tearing away large chunks of flesh from its prey. In contrast, the semi-aquatic Spinosaurus had a unique anatomy likened to a heron supported by a dachshund body and equipped with teeth similar to those of crocodiles.

Using a 3D scan of the skull’s surface, the researchers explored the bite mechanics of these dinosaurs by employing a method to model bridge stress. By juxtaposing the skull muscle structures of each dinosaur with those of modern relatives like birds and crocodiles, they learned that Giganotosaurus and Spinosaurus had significantly weaker bites compared to the more recent Tyrannosaurus, which utilized a robust, shorter skull to exert substantial “bone-grabbing” force. “Ultimately, Tyrannosaurus showed more emphasis on the skull than we anticipated, thus indicating harder chewing,” Snively remarked.

“The feeding strategies of these apex predators are more intricate than previously thought,” states Fion Waisum Ma from the Beipiao Palace Museum in China. “T-Rex existed during the late Cretaceous period, a time when competition for hunting was intense,” she adds.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Hybrid Skull May Belong to Child of Neanderthal and Homo sapiens

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Homo sapiens parents” data-credit=”Israel Hershkovitz”/>

A skull of a young girl believed to be a descendant of Neanderthal Homo sapiens parents

Israel Hershkovitz

Skulls uncovered in Israel, dating back 140,000 years, likely belonged to hybrid children of Neanderthals and Homo sapiens. Anthropological analysis indicates that the ancient remains of a 5-year-old girl were found in one of the earliest known cemeteries, reshaping our understanding of organized burial practices and the people who partook in them.

The skull was initially unearthed in 1929 from Skhul Cave on Mount Carmel. This excavation ultimately revealed seven adults and three children, totaling 16 bones attributed to early humans classified as Homo sapiens.

However, the classification of the child’s skull has been disputed for nearly a century. It was originally thought to belong to a migrating lineage known as Paleoanthropus palestinensis, but later studies have suggested it is more likely a Homo sapiens specimen.

Anne Dambricourt Marasse, from the French Institute of Human Paleontology, is undertaking CT scans of the skull to compare it with other known Neanderthal juvenile remains.

“This study likely marks the first scientific assessment of Skhul’s child remains,” mentions John Hawks from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, who was not part of the research. “Previous efforts linked to antiquated reconstructions in plaster failed to comprehend the biology of this child in relation to similar specimens from a broader comparative framework.”

Malasse and her team found that the lower jaw presented notable Neanderthal traits, while the remainder of the skull was structurally aligned with Homo sapiens. They conclude that this blend of features suggests the child was of mixed ancestry.

“For a long time, I’ve questioned the viability of hybridization, suspecting that most cases resulted in miscarriages,” states Malasse. “The skeletal evidence indicates that this little girl, despite her youth at just five years, represents a different story.”

The new findings significantly enhance our understanding of the significant Skhul Child Skull, yet firmly identifying the child as a hybrid without recovering DNA is challenging, a task researchers have yet to achieve. “Human populations demonstrate substantial variability in appearance and physical form without interbreeding with ancient species like Neanderthals,” adds Malasse.

From research into both ancient and modern genomes, we know Homo sapiens and Neanderthals interchanged genes multiple times over the last 200,000 years. In 2018, bone fragments identified as Neanderthal and Denisovan hybrids, another ancient hominin species, were discovered in Russia, utilizing DNA analysis.

The Levant region emerges as a particularly significant area for human species intermingling due to its geographical positioning between Africa, Asia, and Europe. Some have termed it a “central bus stop” for Pleistocene humans, clarifies Dany Coutinho Nogueria at the University of Coimbra, Portugal.

Recent studies compel us to reevaluate our understanding of early burial practices among Homo sapiens, according to Malasse. Such ritualistic behaviors may have originated from Neanderthals, Homo sapiens, or resulted from interactions between the two.

“I cannot ascertain who performed the burial of this child, or whether the chosen burial ground belonged to a single community or one from another lineage that had established connections, shared rituals, and emotions,” reflects Malasse.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Paleontologists Unveil Europe’s Most Complete Stegosaurus Skull

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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

Source: www.sci.news

Australia unearths remarkably intact fossil skull of extinct colossal bird

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Australian paleontologists Genyornis neutoni A species of giant flightless Mihirn that became extinct approximately 45,000 years ago.

This illustration is, Genyornis neutoni Waterside in a wetland or marsh-like environment. The scene itself was inspired by places that exist in southern South Australia today, such as the Coorong and the Narrindjeri region of the Lower Murray River. Genyornis neutoni If this type of environment were widespread across the country, many Genyornis The fossils were found in Lake Carabonna, more than a day’s drive north, which is now a dry salt lake. It was probably much wetter in the past. Image by Jacob C. Blokland.

Genyornis neutoni Belongs to Dromornithidae The Mihirung is a species of flightless bird from Australia that became extinct during the Oligocene and Pleistocene epochs.

Also known as Newton’s Mihirn, this species lived in Australia between 48,000 and 45,000 years ago.

The bird was over two metres tall, weighed 220-240 kilograms, had tiny wings and huge hind legs, and laid a melon-sized egg weighing around 1.5 kilograms.

The only previous known skull of this species was reported in 1913, and it was so badly damaged that very little of the original bone remained, meaning not much could be inferred about the skull.

The well-preserved new specimen was discovered in the dry, salty lake bed of Lake Carabonna, in a remote area of ​​inland South Australia.

As would be expected from such a large bird, its skull was far from ordinary, with an enormous cranium, large upper and lower jaws, and an unusual skull crown.

The upper beak in particular displays a remarkable morphology that distinguishes this bird even from its closest relatives, which are otherwise quite similar.

“Genyornis neutoni “It had a high, mobile upper jaw like a parrot, but was shaped more like a goose, with a wide mouth opening, powerful biting force and the roof of its mouth capable of crushing soft plants and fruit,” says American zoologist Dr Phoebe McInerney. Flinders University.

“Skull features also showed undeniable and complex affinities with early-diverging waterfowl lineages, the South American screamer and, more recently, the Australian magpie goose.”

” Genyornis “The mysteries within this group have been difficult to unravel, but with this new skull we begin to piece together the puzzle that shows this species is a giant goose.”

“we, Genyornis“For the first time we’ve been able to work out the face of this bird – it’s quite different to other birds but does resemble a goose,” said Dr Trevor Worthy, also from Flinders University.

skull Genyornis neutoniImage courtesy of McInerney others., doi: 10.1080/08912963.2024.2308212.

By assessing the morphology of the skull, the researchers were able to evaluate the muscles and movements of each joint, building a detailed picture of how the head functioned.

“Bone shape and bone structure are in part related to the soft tissues that interact with them, such as muscles and ligaments and their attachment sites and pathways,” said Flinders University researcher Jacob Blokland.

“By using modern birds as a comparison, we can put flesh on fossils and bring them back to life.”

Moreover, paleontologists Genyornis neutoni It has several unusual adaptations to adapt to its aquatic habitat, allowing it to protect its ears and throat from the influx of water when its head is submerged underwater.

These adaptations provide further support that the species was nothing more than a giant prehistoric goose, and may be linked to its extinction as the freshwater bodies of northern South Australia are now mainly salt lakes.

“Thanks to this skull, we Genyornis neutoni “We now have a much better understanding of these birds, which once roamed widely across the Australian outback, and the reasons for their eventual extinction,” the researchers concluded.

their paper Published in the journal Historical Biology.

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Phoebe L. McInerney othersMysterious skull shape Genyornis neutoni Stirling & Zeitz, 1896 (Aves, Dromornithidae), with implications for functional morphology, ecology and evolution in the Gallopodidae. Historical BiologyPublished online June 3, 2024; doi: 10.1080/08912963.2024.2308212

Source: www.sci.news

Review: Skull and Bones – A Swashbuckling Adventure on the High Seas

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TWhat's frustrating about this adventurous multiplayer game from Ubisoft? reportedly It was in development hell for about 10 years. largely good.some things about it teeth. It offers interesting customization and even thrills when playing against well-matched opponents, including ship battles that are more flexible than you might expect. And when you're sailing from the coast of Africa to the East Indies, or navigating river channels surrounded on all sides by tropical wilderness, you can't help but admire the beauty of this game. And some things about it could get better. For now the menu is confusing, slow and messy time. A few tweaks could further increase the pace before pirate exploration becomes more exciting. This is a live service game, so there is room for evolution.

But some things about Skull and Bones are never going to be good, at least not without tearing them down and starting over, and after years of costly delays, it seems unlikely that that will ever happen. Seems low. All characters in this game have dead eyes and only their lips move when they speak. The story is so boring that even after spending over 20 hours at sea, I can tell you the relative value of rough stones and where to sell cigarettes for the most money, but I can't remember the names of a single character or faction. not. And when you're on the ground, there's no sword fighting, no treasure hunting, no meaningful exploration. A lot of effort has gone into creating a small oasis of land, but there's nothing there except a few quest-givers and a campfire. He only has two more populous pirate-based settlements on the whole map, and while you can at least find a blacksmith and a tavern, it's hard to find other interesting places to anchor.

This means you will spend 90% of your time sailing as all the action takes place on the waves. And if you're not plundering merchant ships or trying to protect yourself from other pirates, all you need to sail is raising and lowering your sails and occasionally adjusting your trajectory. Although boring, I found it peaceful to actually carry things and enjoy the scenery. The best part of Skull and Bones is the Indian Ocean. Occasionally, I felt a sense of quiet awe, such as when I was maneuvering a narrow cutter down a narrow road, seeing rocks towering from all sides and waterfalls cascading around corners. As the sun set, a soundtrack could be heard coming from the crew's shack. At that moment, like Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed games sometimes do, Skull and Bones felt like a recreation of a lost time, breathing new life into the Golden Age of Piracy.

A few tweaks could really speed up the pace – Skull and Bones. Photo: Ubisoft/Keza McDonald

Unfortunately, Assassin's Creed is the elephant in the room here. Skull and Bones is a super fun pirate-flavored adventure inspired by 2013's Assassin's Creed Black Flag. Felt It's an adventure, with lots of islands to explore, things to discover, and interesting stories to discover along with the thrill of sailing and firing cannonballs at your enemies. 2018's Assassin's Creed Odyssey still features a stunning voyage through the deep blue waters of ancient Greece, but there's so much more to do. Skull and Bones levels up sailing ever so slightly, and ship building is much better – changing ships and weapons makes a big difference in how you play – but it has nothing else to offer. The game has no personality or plot at all. The game that inspired it.

Another game I can't help but mention here is Rare's Sea of ​​Thieves. This is another online pirate action game that launched in 2018 in Barren State, but has since evolved into something fun, chaotic, and unique, and a great time with friends. As you would expect from a pirate game. But Skull and Bones is much more serious, lonely, and a completely different game. It reminded me more of Sid Meier's Pirates than Sea of ​​Thieves in that most of the game involves actually transporting or interfering with cargo. A faction of colonialists. The deeper you go, the more Skull and Bones will be tasked with manufacturing, selling, and transporting goods in hidden markets, or sinking other players to steal their goods. This is more than just a pirate game, it's a trade and naval battle simulator. Although he is not overbearing, he is a good sailor and has a wide selection of three-cornered hats.

If publisher Ubisoft continues to support it, Skull and Bones will appeal to avid players of naval warfare enthusiasts who enjoy tinkering with ship construction, facing off against each other, and teaming up to take on deadly fleets and cargo. It will attract a lot of people. However, if you're looking for a game that feels like a pirate adventure, Black Flag is still a better choice.

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Source: www.theguardian.com

New Discovery: Giant Pliosaur Skull Illuminates Ancient Sea Reptiles

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A giant Jurassic pliosaur skull pulled from a cliff in Dorset, England, is providing scientists with a wealth of new information about these sea reptiles. “This is very likely a new species,” says Judith Sassoon from the University of Bristol, UK.

This fossil is the subject of a new documentary, attenborough and the giant sea monster, which will premiere on BBC One on January 1st and air on PBS in the US in February. The skull is extremely well preserved, and CT scans show that the sensory holes in the nose (pictured above) were connected to blood vessels and nerves, allowing Pliosaurus to sense changes in pressure and move through murky water. It is revealed that it can hunt prey (photo below, CGI image from the documentary).

There is hope that the remaining fossils are still intact on the cliff. “There may be evidence in that skeleton of how it died,” said Steve Etches, who led the team that extracted and prepared the skull. Below, a still from the documentary shows Mr Etches having a nose exam with David Attenborough (left).

Sir David Attenborough and Steve Etches investigate Pliosaurus' fossilized nose

bbc studio

Surface scans of the specimen helped scientists estimate the strength of its bite. Emily Rayfield, a paleontologist at the University of Bristol, suggests that its bite would have been twice as powerful as that of a saltwater crocodile, one of the most powerful bites known. Evidence of trihedral teeth with two sharp cutting edges and striped grooves is shown below.

These grooves are thought to have stopped the vacuum that formed when the teeth plunged into prey, allowing Pliosaurus to bite repeatedly and quickly, further cementing its status as one of the most feared predators of its time. Masu. The skull is on display at the Etches Collection in Dorset, England.

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Source: www.newscientist.com