"palaeontology" tag
shapeshifting-dinos

The curious case of the shapeshifting dinosaurs

New research reveals that dinosaurs changed shape during their lives. This means that many dinosaurs, which have so far been considered to be different species, were actually just different growth stages of the…

The extinct ichthyosaurus would have evolved to handle deep-sea dives. Image: Photographer: User:Ballista from Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre, Charmouth, England/Wikimedia Commons

Ichthyosaurs suffered from the bends

These ancient reptiles may have injured themselves during long deep-sea dives.

Three examples of human coprolites found at the site. Image: Jim Barlow

Clovis people weren’t alone

Oregon’s Paisley Caves are as old as Clovis sites, but were inhabited by a different group.

The fossil that might solve Afrasia's mystery. Image: Carnegie Museum of Natural History

Out of Asia

A new primate fossil suggests that our distant ancestors evolved in Asia, not Africa.

The first plants would have been similar in structure to liverworts. Image: Shutterstock/Collpicto

Plants and fungi joined forces to colonise the world

Soil-dwelling fungi played a crucial role in plant evolution.

Dr Judyth Sassoon holding part of the snout of the Westbury pliosaur. The holes on the specimen are tooth sockets. Credit: Simon Powell

Ancient reptiles suffered from arthritis

Joint pain may be an age-old affair.

The carnivorous ceratosaurs were one to two metres in height. Image: Brian Choo

Australia’s newest predatory dinosaur

An anklebone fossil has revealed that the ceratosaurs called Australia home.

An artist's rendition of two Diplodocus, one of the species that appeared to have a stable population. Image: Shutterstock

New clues for dinosaur extinction

New research suggests that some dinosaurs may have been slowly declining before they finally disappeared.

An extinct marsupial mega-herbivore, Diprotodon optatum. Drawing by Peter Murray/Image © Science/AAAS

Blame it on the hunters

New state of the debate: Australian megafauna hunted to extinction.

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