paleontology54.095 min read
Ethiopian Fossil Finds Illuminate Human Evolution and Migration
26 days ago•Source: Nature
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35.13 min•2 months ago
New Filter-Feeding Pterosaur Discovered in Santana Group
A new filter-feeding pterosaur species, Bakiribu waridza, has been discovered in the Santana Group of Northeast Brazil, representing the first archaeopterodactyloid from this formation and providing insights into the evolution and paleobiogeography of ctenochasmatids in Gondwana. The specimen, preserved as a regurgitalite, exhibits unique dental features, including dense, elongated, and subquadrangular teeth, and suggests a complex trophic interaction involving likely predation by spinosaurid dinosaurs.
2.02 min•2 months ago
Reevaluation of 'Teenage T. rex' Fossil Reveals a New Dinosaur Species
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Ancient Skye Fossil Blurs Line Between Lizards and Snakes
Nature•3 months ago
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Four-Step Evolutionary Process of Mammalian Jaw Joint Unveiled
Nature•3 months ago
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New Megaraptor Species Discovered in Argentina with Crocodile Remains in Its Mouth
Originally Published 3 months ago — by Nature
A new Maastrichtian megaraptorid dinosaur from Patagonia, Joaquinraptor casali, provides significant insights into megaraptoran morphology, phylogeny, and paleobiology, representing one of the youngest and most complete specimens of its group, and shedding light on their evolutionary relationships and biology.
Ancient Lizard Fossils Reveal Origins and Evolution of Feeding Adaptations
Originally Published 4 months ago — by Nature
The article describes the discovery of Agriodontosaurus helsbypetrae, the oldest known lepidosaur, which provides new insights into the early evolution of lepidosaur feeding adaptations, skull morphology, and the timing of key evolutionary events in the Triassic period, including the origin of Rhynchocephalia and Lepidosauria.
Ethiopian Fossils Uncover New Insights into Human Evolution and Ancient Hominins
Originally Published 5 months ago — by Nature
New hominin fossils from Ledi-Geraru, Ethiopia, dating between 3.0 and 2.5 million years ago, reveal the coexistence of early Homo and Australopithecus, challenging previous notions of hominin evolution and diversity in eastern Africa during this period.
Ancient Tools Reveal Mysterious Human Relatives on Sulawesi
Originally Published 5 months ago — by Nature
The discovery of in situ stone artifacts at Calio in Sulawesi, dated to at least 1.04 million years ago through palaeomagnetic and US-ESR dating, suggests that hominin presence on Sulawesi may have occurred earlier than previously thought, potentially predating the earliest known occupation on Flores and Luzon.
New Head–Trunk Interface Assembly Discovered in Jawless Vertebrate Relatives
Originally Published 5 months ago — by Nature
The article presents a novel non-destructive synchrotron imaging study of the fossil Norselaspis glacialis, revealing new insights into the head-trunk interface and circulatory system of early vertebrates, bridging features between jawless and jawed vertebrates, and challenging previous reconstructions of its anatomy.
Hiker Uncovers Pre-Dinosaur Ecosystem in Italian Alps
Originally Published 1 year ago — by ExplorersWeb
A hiker in the Italian Alps discovered a 280-million-year-old ecosystem, revealing fossilized tracks of prehistoric reptiles, insects, and amphibians from the Permian era. The site, known as "Rock Zero," has provided a wealth of fossils, including plant fragments and raindrop imprints, preserved in fine-grained sediments. This discovery, exposed by melting ice due to rising temperatures, serves as a reminder of the Permian period's rapid global warming and subsequent mass extinction.
"Giga-Goose: Ancient 500-Pound Bird Roamed Australia"
Originally Published 1 year ago — by Gizmodo
Researchers have studied fossils of Genyornis newtoni, a 500-pound Ice Age bird that went extinct around 45,000 years ago. New findings from South Australia's Lake Callabonna reveal that this bird, nicknamed the 'Giga-Goose,' had a goose-like bill and adaptations for foraging in water, suggesting it lived in semi-aquatic environments. The study, published in Historical Biology, provides new insights into the bird's morphology and ecological niche, although the exact cause of its extinction remains uncertain.
"Ancient Florida Fossil Reveals 10-Million-Year-Old Porcupine Mystery"
Originally Published 1 year ago — by Phys.org
A nearly complete porcupine skeleton found in Florida has helped resolve a long-standing debate about the evolutionary history of North American porcupines. The study, published in Current Biology, reveals that these porcupines have a complex ancestry that likely began before the formation of the Isthmus of Panama. The fossil shows traits of both North and South American porcupines, suggesting a more intricate evolutionary path than previously thought.
New Dinosaur Species in Argentina Has Tinier Arms Than T. Rex
Originally Published 1 year ago — by Phys.org
A new species of abelisauroid dinosaur, named Koleken inakayali, has been identified in Argentina by a team of paleontologists. The fossilized remains, dated to approximately 70 million years ago, were found in the La Colonia Formation. This bipedal dinosaur had extremely tiny arms and unique skull traits distinguishing it from other species like Carnotaurus sastrei. The discovery suggests greater diversity among abelisaurids and highlights the importance of continued paleontological research to understand the history of life on Earth.
"Shiva 'The Destroyer': Unearthing an Enormous Dinosaur"
Originally Published 1 year ago — by Livescience.com
A newly discovered 98-foot-long dinosaur named Bustingorrytitan shiva, after the Hindu god Shiva, is one of the largest titanosaurs ever recorded, weighing an estimated 74 tons. The fossils were found in western Argentina, and the discovery suggests the coexistence of different lineages of gigantic titanosaurs in the region during the middle Cretaceous period. The species name "shiva" references the Hindu deity who destroys and transforms the universe, and the findings shed light on a turnover event in the Cretaceous period.