Paleontology News

Scientists say that long-lasting volcanic eruptions in a large region in Russia known as the Siberian Traps may have caused the end-Permian extinction - the most severe mass extinction in the history of life on our planet. This image shows the lava lake of the Nyiragongo Volcano, the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Image credit: Cai Tjeenk Willink / CC BY-SA 3.0.

End-Permian Mass Extinction Took Only 60,000 Years, Say Researchers

Feb 11, 2014 by News Staff

Paleontologists have determined that the end-Permian extinction – the Earth’s most severe mass extinction that peaked about 252.3 million years...

Dimetrodon. Image credit: Dmitry Bogdanov / CC BY 3.0.

Dimetrodon Had Steak-Knife Teeth, Scientists Say

Feb 10, 2014 by News Staff

An international team of paleontologists suggests dimetrodon – a 4-m-long prehistoric reptile that lived during the early Permian period, between...

This is an artist's impression of a pair of Balaenoptera bertae. Image credit: Robert Boessenecker.

Balaenoptera bertae: New Fossil Whale Species Discovered

Feb 7, 2014 by News Staff

Robert Boessenecker, a PhD student with the University of Otago, has discovered an extinct species of whale that lived during Pliocene, 3.35 – 2.5...

This is an artist's impression of a sucker-footed bat.

Two Fossil Species of Sucker-Footed Bats Discovered in Sahara

Feb 5, 2014 by News Staff

Paleontologists have described a new extinct genus and two fossil species of the bat family Myzopodidae from several fossilized jawbones and teeth discovered...

Reconstruction of Yongjinglong datangi. Scale bar - 60 cm. Image credit: Li L-G et al.

Yongjinglong datangi: New Giant Dinosaur Discovered in China

Jan 31, 2014 by News Staff

Paleontologists from the United States and China have described a new large plant-eating dinosaur that lived in what is now northwestern China during the...

This is an artist's impression of Australornis lovei. Image credit: Derek Onley.

58-Million-Year-Old Flying Seabird Discovered in New Zealand

Jan 27, 2014 by News Staff

An international group of paleontologists reported the discovery of a fossil seabird species that lived in what is modern New Zealand during the early...

This is a 3D reconstruction of Enalikter aphson. Image credit: Derek Siveter.

Enalikter aphson: Bizarre New Fossil Arthropod Species Discovered

Jan 27, 2014 by News Staff

Scientists from the United States and the United Kingdom have described a fossil species of marine arthropod that lived during the Silurian period. This...

Modern big-headed fly shows its round head covered by compound eyes. Image credit: Nikola Rahmé.

Three New Fossil Species of Big-Headed Flies Discovered

Jan 24, 2014 by News Staff

Scientists led by Dr Bruce Archibald of Simon Fraser University have discovered three extinct species of big-headed flies that lived in what is modern...

The Hoatzin, Opisthocomus hoazin, near Lake Sandoval, Peru. Image credit: Kate / CC BY-SA 2.0.

Hoatzin: South American Bird May Have Originated in Europe

Jan 23, 2014 by News Staff

A new species of prehistoric hoatzin from the late Eocene of France is the earliest fossil record of hoatzins and the first one from Europe, according...

This is an artist’s impression of a shallow reef in the latest Middle Triassic of China. The newly discovered Fuyuansaurus acutirostris was similar to another protorosaur, Tanystropheus longobardicus (long-necked reptile in the center). Image credit: © Brian Choo, 2013.

Fuyuansaurus acutirostris: Long-Snouted Protorosaur Discovered in China

Jan 16, 2014 by Sergio Prostak

Paleontologists from the National Museums Scotland, the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago and the Institute of Vertebrate Palaeontology and Palaeoanthropology...

This image shows a reconstruction of Tiktaalik roseae. Image credit: Tyler Keillor / Beth Rooney.

New Fossils of Tiktaalik roseae Amaze Scientists

Jan 14, 2014 by News Staff

Paleontologists led by Prof Neil Shubin from the University of Chicago have discovered unique fossils of Tiktaalik roseae – the most compelling example...

Scientists Discover 310-Million-Years-Old Nursery of Bandringa Sharks

Jan 10, 2014 by News Staff

According to paleontologists from the University of Chicago and the University of Michigan, long-extinct Bandringa sharks migrated downstream from freshwater...

Fossils Reveal True Color of Mosasaurs, Ichthyosaurs, Prehistoric Turtles

Jan 9, 2014 by News Staff

Fossilized skin pigments from an 85 million-year-old mosasaur, a 193 million-year-old ichthyosaur and a 55 million-year-old leatherback turtle have revealed...

Reconstruction of Dormaalcyon latouri. Image credit: Charlène Letenneur, MNHN / Pascale Golinvaux, RBINS.

Dormaalocyon latouri: Prehistoric Mammal Sheds Light on Origins of Carnivoraforms

Jan 9, 2014 by News Staff

A newly discovered genus and species of primitive carnivorous animal that lived in what is now Europe roughly 55 million years ago sheds light on the origins...

The Dusky cockroach (Ectobius lapponicus) is a member of the genus Ectobius. Image credit: Adam Opioła / CC BY-SA 3.0.

Eurasian Ectobius Cockroaches May Have Originated in North America

Jan 8, 2014 by News Staff

An international team of paleontologists has reported the important discovery of a new fossil species in the cockroach genus Ectobius. The Dusky cockroach...

This image shows flowers of Micropetasos burmensis in a 100-million-year-old piece of amber. Image credit: Oregon State University.

Amber Reveals Oldest Evidence of Reproduction in Flowering Plants

Jan 3, 2014 by News Staff

A 100-million-year-old piece of amber from mines in the Hukawng Valley of Myanmar (formerly Burma) has revealed the oldest known evidence of sexual reproduction...

Every year, hundreds of new dinosaurs, prehistoric marine reptiles and fishes are discovered, and among them are always a few really weird or funny species. 2013's list includes a giant hedgehog, the oldest big cat species, a toothed platypus, dinosaurs, prehistoric fishes and birds.

Top 20 Fossil Species Discovered in 2013 – Part 2

Dec 31, 2013 by Natali Anderson

Every year, hundreds of new dinosaurs, prehistoric marine reptiles and fishes are discovered, and among them are always a few really weird or beautiful...

Top 20 Fossil Species Discovered in 2013

Dec 31, 2013 by Sergio Prostak

Every year, hundreds of new dinosaurs, prehistoric marine reptiles and fishes are discovered, and among them are always a few really weird or beautiful...

Life reconstruction of a pair of Chasmaporthetes gangsriensis. Image credit: Julie Selan.

Chasmaporthetes gangsriensis: New Fossil Hyena Found in Tibet

Dec 28, 2013 by Sergio Prostak

Paleontologists have discovered fossils of a previously unknown species of cursorial hyena that lived in what is now Tibetan Plateau during the middle...