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Specimen nature

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Norellraptor is a microraptorian dinosaur known from a specimen with exceptionally well-preserved feathers. Its discovery supports evidence that gliding and flight-related traits evolved independently in multiple dinosaur groups. Norellraptor had long feathers on its arms and legs, typical of microraptorians, resulting in a four-winged body plan.
Taxa Norellraptor

Norellraptor is a microraptorian dinosaur known from a specimen with exceptionally well-preserved feathers. Its discovery supports evidence that gliding and flight-related traits evolved independently in multiple dinosaur groups. Norellraptor had long feathers on its arms and legs, typical of microraptorians, resulting in a four-winged body plan.

feather flight specimen Dinosauria +2
Specimens of Galleonosaurus dorisae n. gen. n. sp. from the Flat Rocks Sandstone in the upper Barremian, Wonthaggi Formation, Gippsland Basin, southeastern Australia: (1–2) holotype (NMV P229196), left maxilla in lateral (1) and medial (2) views; (3) NMV P208178, left maxilla in lateral view; (4) NMV P212845, left maxilla in lateral view; (5) NMV P209977, left maxilla in lateral view; (6) NMV P186440, left maxilla in lateral view; (7) NMV 208113, right maxillary tooth in labial view. Scale bars = 10 mm (1–6); 1 mm (7).
Taxa Galleonosaurus

Specimens of Galleonosaurus dorisae n. gen. n. sp. from the Flat Rocks Sandstone in the upper Barremian, Wonthaggi Formation, Gippsland Basin, southeastern Australia: (1–2) holotype (NMV P229196), left maxilla in lateral (1) and medial (2) views; (3) NMV P208178, left maxilla in lateral view; (4) NMV P212845, left maxilla in lateral view; (5) NMV P209977, left maxilla in lateral view; (6) NMV P186440, left maxilla in lateral view; (7) NMV 208113, right maxillary tooth in labial view. Scale bars = 10 mm (1–6); 1 mm (7).

scale tooth Australia Barremian +4
Mounted specimen of Archaeornithomimus asiaticus on display at the Paleozoological Museum of China.
Taxa Archaeornithomimus

Mounted specimen of Archaeornithomimus asiaticus on display at the Paleozoological Museum of China.

museum China specimen Archaeornithomimus
Figure 4: Savannasaurus elliottorum gen. et sp. nov., holotype specimen AODF 660. (a–e) Dorsal vertebrae (left lateral view). (f) Sacrum (ventral view). (g,h) Caudal vertebrae (left lateral view). (i) Left coracoid (lateral view). (j) Right sternal plate (ventral view). (k) Left radius (posterior view). (l) Right metacarpal III (anterior view). (m) Left astragalus (anterior view). (n) Coossified right and left pubes (anterior view). A number of ribs were preserved but have been omitted for clarity. Scale bar = 500 mm. [N.b.: the right sternal plate is misidentified [1] and is actually a left sternal plate.]
Taxa Savannasaurus

Figure 4: Savannasaurus elliottorum gen. et sp. nov., holotype specimen AODF 660. (a–e) Dorsal vertebrae (left lateral view). (f) Sacrum (ventral view). (g,h) Caudal vertebrae (left lateral view). (i) Left coracoid (lateral view). (j) Right sternal plate (ventral view). (k) Left radius (posterior view). (l) Right metacarpal III (anterior view). (m) Left astragalus (anterior view). (n) Coossified right and left pubes (anterior view). A number of ribs were preserved but have been omitted for clarity. Scale bar = 500 mm. [N.b.: the right sternal plate is misidentified [1] and is actually a left sternal plate.]

scale holotype specimen Savannasaurus
Azhdarcho sp., ZIN PH 56/43, distal fragment of a right ulna in proximal (a), ventral (b), posterior (c), dorsal (d), anterior (e), and distal (f, stereopair) views. This specimen is from the Tyulkili locality in the northeastern Aral Sea region of Kazakhstan; Zhirkindek Formation, Upper Cretaceous (upper Turonian – Coniacian). Abbreviations: das, dorsal articulation surface; ft, groove for flexor tendon; tub, tuberculum; vf, ventral fovea. Scale bar is 10 mm.
Taxa Azhdarcho

Azhdarcho sp., ZIN PH 56/43, distal fragment of a right ulna in proximal (a), ventral (b), posterior (c), dorsal (d), anterior (e), and distal (f, stereopair) views. This specimen is from the Tyulkili locality in the northeastern Aral Sea region of Kazakhstan; Zhirkindek Formation, Upper Cretaceous (upper Turonian – Coniacian). Abbreviations: das, dorsal articulation surface; ft, groove for flexor tendon; tub, tuberculum; vf, ventral fovea. Scale bar is 10 mm.

scale Kazakhstan Coniacian Cretaceous +4
Various fossils pertaining to the holotype of the Triassic ichthyosaur Toretocnemus californicus. This image is derived from plate 24 in Merriam (1903), done by an uncredited artist. The arrangement of the individual figures has been modified from the original.
Original description:
Toretocnemus californicus n. gen. and sp.
Figures reproduced natural size from the type specimen.

Fig. 1. — Inferior side of right posterior limb. t, tibia.
Fig. 2. — Right anterior limb. r, radius.
Fig. 3.— Pelvic arch.
Fig. 4. — Middle dorsal vertebrae and a rib from the same region.
Taxa Toretocnemus

Various fossils pertaining to the holotype of the Triassic ichthyosaur Toretocnemus californicus. This image is derived from plate 24 in Merriam (1903), done by an uncredited artist. The arrangement of the individual figures has been modified from the original. Original description: Toretocnemus californicus n. gen. and sp. Figures reproduced natural size from the type specimen. Fig. 1. — Inferior side of right posterior limb. t, tibia. Fig. 2. — Right anterior limb. r, radius. Fig. 3.— Pelvic arch. Fig. 4. — Middle dorsal vertebrae and a rib from the same region.

limb description Triassic fossil +6
Fossil specimen RTMP 82.19.23 - A lacrimal, postorbitals, squamosals, frontals, parietals, and braincase referred to Latenivenatrix mcmasterae, but formerly assigned to Stenonychosaurus inequalis (=Troodon inequalis). Described by 

Currie, 1985. "Cranial anatomy of Stenonychosaurus inequalis (Saurischia, Theropoda) and its bearing on the origin of birds." Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, 22(1), 643-658.
5d-dinosaur-camp-day2-20120802-15.jpg
Taxa Latenivenatrix

Fossil specimen RTMP 82.19.23 - A lacrimal, postorbitals, squamosals, frontals, parietals, and braincase referred to Latenivenatrix mcmasterae, but formerly assigned to Stenonychosaurus inequalis (=Troodon inequalis). Described by Currie, 1985. "Cranial anatomy of Stenonychosaurus inequalis (Saurischia, Theropoda) and its bearing on the origin of birds." Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, 22(1), 643-658. 5d-dinosaur-camp-day2-20120802-15.jpg

Canada fossil specimen Dinosauria +7
"Eric", a near-complete opalized specimen of the plesiosaur Umoonasaurus at the Australian Museum
Taxa Umoonasaurus

"Eric", a near-complete opalized specimen of the plesiosaur Umoonasaurus at the Australian Museum

museum specimen Plesiosauria Umoonasaurus
Rhomboid distal nasal process of the crest of Tsintaosaurus spinorhinus.

A. Partial distal nasal process of IVPP V725 in right lateral view. B. Lateral view of composite skull (reversed). C. partial premaxillonasal complex of IVPP V829 in right lateral view. D. Line drawing of (C) showing nasal-premaxilla articulation, and the displacement (arrow) experienced by the distal nasal process relative to its articular position. E. Mounted holotype skull (IVPP V725) of T. spinorhinus in left lateral view (reversed). F. Partial right distal nasal process (although catalogued as IVPP V725, this element corresponds to a different specimen than the type; reversed).
Taxa Tsintaosaurus

Rhomboid distal nasal process of the crest of Tsintaosaurus spinorhinus. A. Partial distal nasal process of IVPP V725 in right lateral view. B. Lateral view of composite skull (reversed). C. partial premaxillonasal complex of IVPP V829 in right lateral view. D. Line drawing of (C) showing nasal-premaxilla articulation, and the displacement (arrow) experienced by the distal nasal process relative to its articular position. E. Mounted holotype skull (IVPP V725) of T. spinorhinus in left lateral view (reversed). F. Partial right distal nasal process (although catalogued as IVPP V725, this element corresponds to a different specimen than the type; reversed).

crest drawing holotype specimen +3
Germanodactylus cristatus specimen SMNK PAL 6592. Germanodactylidae; Upper Jurassic, Eichstätt, Germany; Staatliches Museum für Naturkunde Karlsruhe, Germany.
Taxa Germanodactylus

Germanodactylus cristatus specimen SMNK PAL 6592. Germanodactylidae; Upper Jurassic, Eichstätt, Germany; Staatliches Museum für Naturkunde Karlsruhe, Germany.

museum Germany Jurassic specimen +2
Foraminacephale brevis (formerly Stegoceras and Prenocephale) type specimen CMN 1423.
Taxa Foraminacephale

Foraminacephale brevis (formerly Stegoceras and Prenocephale) type specimen CMN 1423.

specimen Foraminacephale Othnielia Prenocephale +1
Holotype specimen (NHMUK PV R1822) of the coloborhynchine anhanguerid Coloborhynchus.
Taxa Coloborhynchus

Holotype specimen (NHMUK PV R1822) of the coloborhynchine anhanguerid Coloborhynchus.

holotype specimen Anhangueridae Coloborhynchus
Figure 24: Reconstruction of Kwanasaurus williamparkeri.
(A) Skeletal reconstruction with elements based on individuals of varied sizes, all scaled under the assumption that Kwanasaurus is proportioned similarly to Silesaurus. (B) Life reconstruction. Scale bars = 10 cm, given for probable largest specimen (DMNH EPV.34579) and one of the smallest specimens (DMNH EPV.63139).
Taxa Kwanasaurus

Figure 24: Reconstruction of Kwanasaurus williamparkeri. (A) Skeletal reconstruction with elements based on individuals of varied sizes, all scaled under the assumption that Kwanasaurus is proportioned similarly to Silesaurus. (B) Life reconstruction. Scale bars = 10 cm, given for probable largest specimen (DMNH EPV.34579) and one of the smallest specimens (DMNH EPV.63139).

scale specimen Kwanasaurus Silesaurus
Fossil specimen BSP 1935.I.24 (Ctenochasma elegans), an extinct pterosaur
Taxa Ctenochasma

Fossil specimen BSP 1935.I.24 (Ctenochasma elegans), an extinct pterosaur

fossil specimen Ctenochasma Pterodactylus +1
Skull cast of Anchiceratops ornatus (original specimen: TMP 1983.001.0001) on display at the University of Michigan Museum of Natural History.
Taxa Anchiceratops

Skull cast of Anchiceratops ornatus (original specimen: TMP 1983.001.0001) on display at the University of Michigan Museum of Natural History.

museum cast specimen Anchiceratops +1
Tooth of cf. Zapsalis, with close up of denticles. Specimen UALVP 49582 from the Milk River Formation.
Taxa Zapsalis

Tooth of cf. Zapsalis, with close up of denticles. Specimen UALVP 49582 from the Milk River Formation.

tooth Milk River specimen Zapsalis +1
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News

Ancient long snouted croc from Egypt rewrites evolution
hunting predator Egypt fossil specimen discovery evolution
A newly identified crocodile relative from Egypt pushes back the origins of the marine-hunting dyrosaurids by millions of years. The fossil, Wadisuchus kassabi, shows a mix of primitive and advanced traits that mark a key evolutionary transition. Rare specimens of different ages reveal how these ancient predators developed. The find reinforces Africa as the center of early dyrosaurid evolution.
01/12/2025 sciencedaily
Zavacephale: Beast of the Week
Zavacephale: Beast of the Week
Mongolia Cretaceous Early Cretaceous specimen Dinosauria Pachycephalosauria Zavacephale
 This week we'll be looking at a newly described little dinosaur that greatly expands our knowledge on one of the most unusual kinds of dinosaurs, the pachycephalosaurs.  Welcome Zavacephale rinpoche!Zavacephale lived in what is now Mongolia during the early Cretaceous period, between 119 and 110 million years ago.  From snout to tail the specimen found would have only been about three feet (1 meter) in length, but it likely would have been able to grow larger.  The genus name, Zavacephale, tran
21/09/2025 prehistoricbeastoftheweek
New fossils reveal a hidden branch in human evolution
tooth Ethiopia fossil specimen discovery evolution
Fossils unearthed in Ethiopia are reshaping our view of human evolution. Instead of a straight march from ape-like ancestors to modern humans, researchers now see a tangled, branching tree with multiple species coexisting. Newly discovered teeth reveal a previously unknown species of Australopithecus that lived alongside some of the earliest Homo specimens nearly 2.8 million years ago. This suggests that nature tested multiple versions of “being human” before our lineage endured.
28/08/2025 sciencedaily-human-evo
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