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Paleontology & Fossils

Paleontology & Fossils

The oldest sea reptile from the Age of Dinosaurs has been discovered on an Arctic island.

Paleontology & Fossils Article
For almost 190 years, researchers have looked for the starting points of antiquated maritime reptiles from the Time of the Dinosaurs. Presently, a group of Swedish and Norwegian scientists has found the remains of the earliest known ichthyosaur ("fish-reptile") on the distant icy island of Spitsbergen. A paper depicting the group's discoveries is distributed in Current Science. Ichthyosaurs are a wiped-out gathering of marine reptiles whose fossils have been recovered around the world. They were among the main land-living creatures to adjust to life in the vast ocean and developed a fish-like body shape like present-day whales. Ichthyosaurs were at
Paleontology & Fossils

Cleveland’s prehistoric sea monster may have been taller and stronger than previously thought.

Paleontology & Fossils Article
Around quite a while back, in the shallow subtropical waters above what is presently the city of Cleveland, a defensively layer-plated fish that many accepted to really depend on 30 feet in length governed the oceans. The species Dunkleosteus terrelli was Earth's most memorable vertebrate "superpredator" and lived during the Time of the Fishes (Devonian Period)—when North America was close to the scope of what is currently Rio de Janeiro. In any case, in almost 150 years of exploration since fossilized remains of the ancient hotshot were found on the shores of Lake Erie in 1867, researchers might have made
Paleontology & Fossils

A fossilized larynx reveals that dinosaurs may have been able to make bird-like cries.

Paleontology & Fossils Article
Scientists with the Hokkaido College Historical Center, working with a partner from the American Exhibition Hall of Regular History, have found proof that suggests one kind of dinosaur might have had the option to settle on bird-like decisions. In their paper distributed in the diary Correspondences Science, Junki Yoshida, Yoshitsugu Kobayashi, and Check Norell depict their investigation of a larynx fossil from a Pinacosaurus grangeri dinosaur and highlight that it might have permitted the old animal to make bird-like sounds. Earlier exploration has offered little proof of what dinosaurs might have seemed like while endeavoring to make cries with throat-based
Paleontology & Fossils

Inner Mongolia has the oldest fossil record of larval neuropterans.

Paleontology & Fossils Article
A group of scientists from Sun Yat-sen College's Shenzhen Grounds, in collaboration with a partner from the State Key Research Facility of Cell Stress Science, both in China, have discovered the most seasoned known fossil record of larval neuropterans. The group describes the fossil as a monster winged serpent lacewing hatchling discovered at the dig site Daohugou Beds in Inner Mongolia, China, in their paper published in the journal Procedures of the Regal Society B. Lacewings are a type of bug with large, clear wings that can span up to 65 mm. They live, for the most part, in North
Paleontology & Fossils

A skull and partial skeleton discovered in Morocco aids in the identification of ancient whale species.

Paleontology & Fossils Article
Three scientists, one with the College of Michigan and the other two with the College of Casablanca, have found a skull and a half-skeleton in Morocco that they recommend connecting with a few types of old whales. In their paper, distributed in the open access journal PLOS ONE, Philip Gingerich, Ayoub Amane, and Samir Zouhri depict the fossils and how they integrate the development of land-based animals that advanced into present-day whales. The fossils found by the scientists were dated to roughly quite a while back (during the Eocene) and recognized as an individual from the Basilosaurid, a group of
Paleontology & Fossils

When Warm-bloodedness Evolved is revealed by the Size of Mammal Ancestors’ Ear Canals

Paleontology & Fossils News
Warm-blooded animals are those that can keep their body temperature higher than the temperature of their surroundings. Homeothermic species, in particular, regulate metabolic processes to maintain a stable body temperature. The only known living homeotherms are birds and mammals, with the Argentine black and white tegu being the only living homeothermic lizard. Homeotherms include extinct reptiles such as ichthyosaurs, pterosaurs, plesiosaurs, as well as some non-avian dinosaurs. Other species vary in their degree of thermoregulation. Warm-bloodedness is an important mammal trait, but it's unclear when our ancestors developed it. A new study published in Nature suggests that the size of
Paleontology & Fossils

The Strangeness of our Vertebrate Ancestors is Highlighted by Ancient Fish Fossils

Paleontology & Fossils News
The ancestor of all vertebrates, including fish, reptiles, and humans, had a big mouth but no anus. Saccorhytus, named after the sack-like features created by its elliptical body and large mouth, existed 540 million years ago. It was identified using microfossils discovered in China. It was about a millimetre in size, lived between grains of sand on the sea floor, and had a large mouth in comparison to the rest of its body, according to researchers. They also believe the creature had a thin, relatively flexible skin, a muscle system capable of contractile movements, and the ability to move by
Paleontology & Fossils

What reptile bones can reveal us about Earth’s hazardous past

Paleontology & Fossils Article
As indicated by another review, a wiped-out reptile's strangely formed chompers, fingers, and ear bones might tell us a lot about the versatility of life on the planet. Truth be told, scientists at Yale, Sam Houston State College, and the College of the Witwatersrand say the 250-million-year-old reptile, known as Palacrodon, fills in a significant hole in how we might interpret reptile development. It's likewise a sign that reptiles, plants, and environments might have fared better or recuperated all the more rapidly than recently thought after a mass termination occasion cleared out the greater part of the plant and creature
Paleontology & Fossils

Prehistoric Podiatry – How Dinosaurs carried their Massive Weight

Paleontology & Fossils News
Dinosaurs existed in the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous periods. The climate was much warmer during these periods, with CO2 levels more than four times higher than today. This resulted in an abundance of plant life, and herbivorous dinosaurs may have evolved large bodies as a result of the abundance of food. However, being large helps to protect against predators. Scientists have solved a long-standing mystery by determining how sauropod dinosaurs like Brontosaurus and Diplodocus supported their massive bodies on land. A team led by the University of Queensland and Monash University used 3D modeling and engineering methods to digitally reconstruct
Paleontology & Fossils

The first land animals had fewer skull bones than fish, which limited their evolution.

Paleontology & Fossils Article
The skulls of tetrapods had less bones than wiped out and living fish, restricting their development for a long period of time, as per a most recent review. By examining fossil skulls of creatures across the change from an oceanic to earthly climate, scientists from the College of Bristol, Barcelona's Universitat Pompeu Fabra and College School London found that tetrapods had more intricate associations between their skull bones than fish. Also, instead of advancing the expansion of life ashore, these progressions to skull life systems really limited the advancement of tetrapod skulls. Tetrapods advanced from fish and were the earliest
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