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Ceratosuchops inferodios and Riparovenator milnerae: Paleontologists Discover Two New Species of Spinosaurid Dinosaurs

Friday, October 1, 2021

Artist’s impressions of Ceratosuchops inferodios (foreground) and Riparovenator milnerae (background). Image credit: Anthony Hutchings.

Two new Early Cretaceous specimens from the Wessex Formation of the Isle of Wight, UK, represent distinct and novel genera and species of spinosaurids: Ceratosuchops inferodios and Riparovenator milnerae, according to a team of paleontologists led by the University of Southampton.

Spinosaurids are members of Spinosauridae, a family of predatory theropod dinosaurs that includes the giant Spinosaurus.

These dinosaurs are known from the Early to Mid Cretaceous of Africa, Europe, South America and Asia.

Spinosaurids are among the most distinctive and yet poorly-known of large-bodied theropod dinosaurs.

They are characterized by an elongate, laterally compressed snout, sub-conical dentition and, in a subset of species, a long neural spine sail.

Their unusual skull morphology is atypical of non-avian theropod dinosaurs, and multiple lines of evidence point to an ability to exploit semi-aquatic niches.

The newly-identified spinosaurids, Ceratosuchops inferodios and Riparovenator milnerae, lived during the Early Cretaceous epoch, some 125 million years ago.

Their fragmentary and incomplete remains were discovered at Chilton Chine on the Isle of Wight’s southwest coast by fossil collectors.

The only spinosaurid skeleton previously unearthed in the UK belonged to Baryonyx, which was initially discovered in 1983.

“We found the skulls of Ceratosuchops inferodios and Riparovenator milnerae to differ not only from Baryonyx, but also one another, suggesting the UK housed a greater diversity of spinosaurids than previously thought,” said Chris Barker, a Ph.D. student at the University of Southampton.

“It might sound odd to have two similar and closely related carnivores in an ecosystem, but this is actually very common for both dinosaurs and numerous living ecosystems,” said Dr. David Hone, a paleontologist at Queen Mary University of London.

Although the skeletons of Ceratosuchops inferodios and Riparovenator milnerae are incomplete, the researchers estimate that both species measured around 9 m (30 feet) in length, snapping up prey with their meter-long skulls.

“With a series of low horns and bumps ornamenting the brow region the name of Ceratosuchops inferodios also refers to the predator’s likely hunting style, which would be similar to that of a heron,” they said.

“Herons famously catch aquatic prey around the margins of waterways but their diet is far more flexible than is generally appreciated, and can include terrestrial prey too.”

According to the study, spinosaurids might have first evolved in Europe, before dispersing into Asia, Africa and South America.

“A palaeogeographic reconstruction suggests a European origin for Spinosauridae, with at least two dispersal events into Africa,” the authors said.

The study was published in the journal Scientific Reports.

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C.T. Barker et al. 2021. New spinosaurids from the Wessex Formation (Early Cretaceous, UK) and the European origins of Spinosauridae. Sci Rep 11, 19340; doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-97870-8

Source: www.sci-news.com/

Triassic Volcanic Eruptions Helped Dinosaurs Take Over Earth

Thursday, September 30, 2021

An illustration depicting the onset of the end-Permian mass extinction. Image credit: Dawid Adam Iurino / PaleoFactory, Sapienza University of Rome / Jurikova et al, doi: 10.1038/s41561-020-00646-4.

The Carnian stage (lasted from 237 to 227 million years ago) of the Triassic period marks one of the most significant intervals of the past 250 million years. Within the space of two million years, the world’s biota underwent major changes with dinosaurs becoming the dominant group on the planet. These events coincide with a remarkable interval of intense rainfall known as the Carnian Pluvial Episode (CPE). New research led by the University of Birmingham shows that CPE can actually be resolved into four distinct events, each one driven by a discrete pulse of intense volcanism associated with enormous releases of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

“The CPE interval (234 to 232 million years ago) saw a dramatic increase in global humidity and temperature that has been linked to the large-scale volcanism of the Wrangellia large igneous province, the remnants of which are preserved in western North America,” said University of Birmingham’s Professor Jason Hilton and colleagues.

“The climatic changes coincide with a major biological turnover on land that included the ascent of the dinosaurs and the origin of modern conifers.”

“However, linking the disparate cause and effects of the CPE has yet to be achieved because of the lack of a detailed terrestrial record of these events.”

In the new research, the scientists analyzed sediment and fossil plant records from a lake in northern China’s Jiyuan Basin, matching pulses of volcanic activity with significant environmental changes, including the CPE’s ‘mega monsoon’ climate.

They used uranium-lead zircon dating, high-resolution chemostratigraphy, palynological and sedimentological data to correlate terrestrial conditions in the region with synchronous large-scale volcanic activity in North America.

Their results reveal four distinct episodes of volcanic activity during this interval, with the most likely source being major volcanic eruptions from the Wrangellia large igneous province.

Each episode coincided with large perturbation of the global carbon cycle, major climatic changes to more humid conditions, as well the lake’s deepening with a corresponding decrease in oxygen and animal life.

Geological events from a similar timeframe in Central Europe, East Greenland, Morocco, North America, and Argentina, among other locations indicate that increased rainfall resulted in widespread expansion of drainage basins converging into lakes or swamps, rather than rivers or oceans.

“Our results show that large volcanic eruptions can occur in multiple, discrete pulses, demonstrating their powerful ability to alter the global carbon cycle, cause climate and hydrological disruption and drive evolutionary processes,” said Dr. Sarah Greene, also from the University of Birmingham.

The findings were published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

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Jing Lu et al. 2021. Volcanically driven lacustrine ecosystem changes during the Carnian Pluvial Episode (Late Triassic). PNAS 118 (40): e2109895118; doi: 10.1073/pnas.2109895118

Source: www.sci-news.com/

Paleontologists Find 25-Million-Year-Old Eagle-Like Bird Fossil in Australia

Wednesday, September 29, 2021

Life reconstruction of Archaehierax sylvestris. Image credit: Jacob Blokland / Taylor & Francis Online.

A new genus and species of extinct predatory bird has been identified from a fossilized partial skeleton unearthed in South Australia.

The newly-identified bird species lived during the Late Oligocene Epoch approximately 25 million years ago.

Dubbed Archaehierax sylvestris, it belongs to the family Accipitridae (eagles, hawks, and Old World vultures).

The ancient bird was larger than the living black-breasted buzzard (Hamirostra melanosternon), but smaller and more gracile than the living wedge-tailed eagle (Aquila audax).

Archaehierax sylvestris was slightly smaller and leaner than the wedge-tailed eagle, but it’s the largest eagle known from this time period in Australia,” said Ellen Mather, a Ph.D. candidate at Flinders University.

“The foot span was nearly 15 cm (6 inches) long, which would have allowed it to grasp large prey.”

“The largest marsupial predators at the time were about the size of a small dog or large cat, so Archaehierax sylvestris was certainly ruling the roost.”

The partial skeleton of Archaehierax sylvestris, which is comprised of 63 bones, was recovered from the Late Oligocene sediments of the Namba Formation at Lake Pinpa in South Australia.

“With eagles at the top of the food chain, they are always few in number — and so are infrequently preserved as fossils,” added Dr. Trevor Worthy, a paleontologist at Flinders University.

“It’s rare to find even one bone from a fossil eagle. To have most of the skeleton is pretty exciting, especially considering how old it is.”

Archaehierax sylvestris had short wings, and was adapted for flight within enclosed forests.

“The fossil bones reveal that the wings of Archaehierax sylvestris were short for its size, much like species of forest-dwelling eagles today,” Mather said.

“Its legs, in contrast, were relatively long and would have given it considerable reach.”

“The combination of these traits suggest Archaehierax sylvestris was an agile but not particularly fast flier and was most likely an ambush hunter.”

“It was one of the top terrestrial predators of the Late Oligocene, swooping upon birds and mammals that lived at the time.”

The discovery of Archaehierax sylvestris is described in a paper in the journal Historical Biology.

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Ellen K. Mather et al. An exceptional partial skeleton of a new basal raptor (Aves: Accipitridae) from the late Oligocene Namba formation, South Australia. Historical Biology, published online September 27, 2021; doi: 10.1080/08912963.2021.1966777

Source: www.sci-news.com/

Paleontologists Find Chromatin Threads in Fossilized Dinosaur Cartilage

Tuesday, September 28, 2021

Photograph and line drawing of the Caudipteryx specimen. Image credit: Zheng et al., doi: 10.1038/s42003-021-02627-8.

Paleontologists have analyzed cartilage material from Caudipteryx, an oviraptorosaurid dinosaur that lived in what in now China some 125 million years ago (Early Cretaceous period) and was part of the famous Jehol Biota.

“Geological data has accumulated over the years and shown that fossil preservation in the Jehol Biota was exceptional due to fine volcanic ashes that entombed the carcasses and preserved them down to the cellular level,” said Dr. Zhiheng Li, a paleontologist at the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

In the study, Dr. Li and colleagues examined a well-preserved, complete specimen of Caudipteryx.

The specimen was collected in the Yixian Formation near Chaoyang City in China’s Liaoning province.

To investigate preservation of chondrocytes — the only cells found in healthy cartilage — in the fossil, the researchers used an array of microscopy methods that complement each other.

“We isolated some cells and stained them with a chemical used in biological laboratories worldwide,” they said.

“This purple chemical, called hematoxylin, is known to bind to the nuclei of cells.”

“After staining the dinosaur material, one dinosaur cell showed a purple nucleus with some darker purple threads.”

Photographs of stained paraffin sections of the cartilage of Caudipteryx (a, c, d, g, h) and that of an extant chicken (b, e, f). Image credit: Zheng et al., doi: 10.1038/s42003-021-02627-8.

“This means the 125-million-year-old dinosaur cell has a nucleus so well-preserved that it retains some original biomolecules and threads of chromatin.”

“Chromatin within the cells of all living organisms on Earth is made of tightly packed DNA molecules.”

“The results thus provide preliminary data suggesting that remnants of original dinosaur DNA may still be preserved.”

This is only the second example of fossilized chromatin threads in a vertebrate material.

“These data show that some of the original nuclear biochemistry is preserved in this dinosaur cartilage material and further support the hypothesis that cartilage is very prone to nuclear fossilization and a perfect candidate to further understand DNA preservation in deep time,” the scientists said.

The findings were published in the journal Communications Biology.

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X. Zheng et al. 2021. Nuclear preservation in the cartilage of the Jehol dinosaur CaudipteryxCommun Biol 4, 1125; doi: 10.1038/s42003-021-02627-8

Source: www.sci-news.com/

Jurassic World: 10 Best Things To Do At The Theme Park

Monday, September 27, 2021

Jurassic World features attractions suitable for all ages, making it the perfect family destination. But what facilities are seen to be favorites?

The Jurassic World theme park found in 2015's Jurassic World may be largely known for its "disastrous occurrences," but it offers plenty of activities for visitors to enjoy. The dinosaur theme venue has brought plenty of joy for tourists and provided them with many treasured memories.

Not only does Jurassic World feature attractions suitable for all ages, making it the perfect family destination, but there are also several events and a wide range of leisure facilities available to explore too. However, if someone was hypothetically planning on going there in the future, what parts would they like to see the most?

10 - The Mosasaurus Feeding Show

A key highlight of the Jurassic World theme park, the Mosasaurus Feeding Show occurs every two hours and gives visitors the chance to experience the dinosaur's eating habits. The show involves the Mosasaurus - one of Jurassic Park's most powerful dinosaurs - leaping from the water to claim its prize (which is a great white shark).

Audiences are advised to wear ponchos as the Mosasaurus's dive back into the water can cause viewers to get splashed. As the dinosaur disappears into its lagoon enclosure, the seats lower into the underwater observatory, where spectators can observe the creature in its natural habitat. It's a grand spectacle for tourists and provides an unmissable piece of entertainment.

9 - The Gyrospheres

One of the most popular attractions at Jurassic World, the Gyrospheres allow the public to experience the dinosaurs close-up. The spherical vehicles can be operated manually by the park visitors, and contain a built-in monitor, which informs its riders about the prehistoric species they may encounter.

Gyrosphere users can encounter over 30 different prehistoric species during their journey, including the Ankylosaurus, Triceratops, and Stegosaurus. The ride vehicles also come equipped with some safety features, such as the ability to roll to a safe distance should the Gyrosphere venture too close to a dinosaur, and protective glass so strong that it can withstand a Dilophosaurus's venomous spit.

8 - Jurassic World Aviary

The prospect of wandering into an enclosure full of winged dinosaurs may seem a scary thought for many individuals, but Jurassic World's aviary finds a way to make it safe. The park's attraction allows visitors to observe the Pterosaur species in a gigantic dome, whilst the creatures fly overhead.

Although the Jurassic Park franchise is completely wrong about this species' ability to pick up humans in the real world, in the Jurassic World universe, these winged beasts pose a major threat for human beings. With this in mind, the aviary invites the visitors to watch the Pterosaurs from the safety of six viewing platforms, where they are unable to reach the tourists below.

7 - Camp Cretaceous

A key demographic of any theme park is children, and Jurassic World is no different. First seen in the Netflix series Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceousthe summer camp offers the entertainment venue's younger audience the chance to learn about the park and its dinosaurs. The camping ground features cabins as the childrens' living quarters, and an elevator carved into a tree trunk.

Campers can engage in a variety of activities, including a zip line and an obstacle course. Camp Cretaceous's kayaks allow children to paddle through an underground cave, where they can encounter a species known as the Parasaurolophus Lux. Rock climbing facilities are also available to guests at the summer camp, where kids can keep themselves entertained for a few hours.

6 - Jurassic Jeeps

Featured in the first Jurassic Park movie, the Jurassic Jeeps are arguably one of the theme park's most iconic attractions. These automated ride vehicles transport visitors on a tour through the entertainment venue, where they can experience the dinosaurs inside of their enclosures from the safety of their vehicle.

The tour begins at the Visitor Center, where guests are taken through the main gate. They then travel through the Dilophosaurus, Triceratops, and Tyrannosaurus Rex paddocks, with night goggles provided for viewing the dinosaurs during evening tours. Each vehicle also comes equipped with a computer system relaying prehistoric facts and a drinking tap, where tourists can refill their water bottles, ensuring that guests' needs are met.

5 - Hammond Creation Lab

It's hard to deny that the genetic creation of Jurassic World's dinosaurs is an impressive feat. Visitors to the theme park are treated to a glimpse of this awe-inspiring scientific achievement at the Hammond Creation Lab. Under the supervision of Doctor Henry Wu, the lab is responsible for the birth of over 200 dinosaurs.

At the Hammond Creation Lab, tourists can watch the scientists extract and piece together the dinosaur DNA. However, the most magical moment is the hatchery, where visitors can witness the dinosaur eggs being hatched in real-time. The birth of a baby velociraptor provides one of Jurassic Park's best scenes, effortlessly capturing the wondrous nature of a dinosaur's birth.

4 - Jurassic World Monorail

Wandering around a theme park can sometimes prove tiring, which is why transportation can be useful. Thankfully, Jurassic World possesses its own form of transport, in its extensive monorail system. The Jurassic World Monorail is comprised of twelve stations dotted throughout the park, with a vehicle available for boarding every twenty minutes.

The monorail brings visitors who have arrived via ferry into the park, where they are transported to Main Street. Guests can also use the transportation system to visit the Aviary, Innovation Center, and Gentle Giants Petting Zoo, providing transport links to some of the theme park's main areas of interest.

3 - The Cretaceous Cruise

For the more adventurous spirit, Jurassic World's Cretaceous Cruise offers a more adrenaline-fueled experience. This attraction allows visitors to kayak down Isla Nublar's river, where they can encounter some of the park's most popular dinosaurs. The river journey gives tourists the opportunity to see over 100 types of prehistoric vegetation, evoking a truly primeval feel.

Dinosaurs that can be glimpsed during this kayak adventure include the Apatosaurus, Baryonyx, and the Suchomimus. Visitors may also encounter the Stegosaurus, which is widely considered to be one of the Jurassic Park franchise's best dinosaurs. This attraction also takes guests through the Jurassic World Aviary, offering them a unique way to experience the park's Pterosaur population.

2 - Samsung Innovation Center

Based on the Visitor Center from the first Jurassic Park movie, the Samsung Innovation Center is situated in Jurassic World's Main Street and boasts over 100 interactive items. Inside this building, guests can visit the diner, engage in some skeleton digging and check out holographic images of various prehistoric species.

However, the main highlight of this attraction is the Mr. DNA Show, which returns from the original park. This short presentation involves the park's mascot explaining how the dinosaur DNA is acquired from amber and spliced with frog DNA to bring the creatures to life. It's an informative piece, which explains the park's genetic modifications clearly and concisely.

1 - Gentle Giants Petting Zoo

Both petting farms and dinosaurs have long been popular with toddlers, so it's no surprise that one of Jurassic World's main attractions combines the two. The Gentle Giant Petting Zoo is situated nearby to the Innovation Center and allows its smaller guests to feed, pet, and even ride some of the park's youngest dinosaurs.

Species featured within this attraction include the Triceratops, Apatosaurus, and Gallimimus, whilst the Stegosaurus and Parasaurolophus have also be known to reside within this area. Should the toddlers wish to ride these creatures, tourists are advised to wear helmets at all times, and visitors to the petting zoo are also instructed not to wear straw hats, as the juvenile dinosaurs will attempt to eat them.

Source: https://screenrant.com/

Dinosaur Skin Is More Diverse Than Previously Thought

Monday, September 27, 2021

Dinosaur bones are the delight of many museum goers, but everyone, from the youngest dino-fan to the most professional paleontologist, has wondered what these prehistoric beasts might have looked like in the flesh. Unfortunately, most fossils preserve the exact opposite – the hard bony skeleton survives the millennia far easier than soft tissue, which decays away. Scant fossils of Triceratops skin and fossil feathers from meat-eating raptors in China have provided scientists with some rare clues. 

In the 1990s, the discovery of a unique theropod, Carnotaurus (or meat-eating bull, so named for the twin horns over it’s eyebrows)caused quite a stir when it’s skeleton bore distinct skin impressions – more than any other single theropod skeleton. 

The pebbly skin was occasionally dotted with larger triangular knobs, giving the animal an armored appearance. Unfortunately, much of the skin was destroyed during the painstaking process of fossil preparation. 

Now, a new study has reexamined the skin that remains, giving dinosaur enthusiasts their clearest glimpse yet of this horned carnivore. 

“By looking at the skin from the shoulders, belly and tail regions, we discovered that the skin of this dinosaur was more diverse than previously thought, consisting of large and randomly distributed conical studs surrounded by a network of small elongated, diamond-shaped or subcircular scales,” explained study co-author Christophe Hendrickx from the Unidad Ejecutora Lillo.

Previous interpretations had suggested the conical scales formed orderly rows along the spine and sides. This new examination illustrates that the feature scales (or “studs”) had a random distribution across the body, growing out of the finer grained and wrinkled basement scales. 

What exactly do these skin patterns mean for the biology of Carnotaurus? The function of the “studs” is unclear. The authors dismiss the notion that they may have aided in defense. They instead speculate that the scales may have served a role in display or coloration, though these ideas are hard to test, given that we can’t directly observe such a behavior. 

The experts propose that the pebbled basement scales were important in thermoregulation – or controlling body temperature. Similarly, elephants have wrinkly and cracked skin, which helps both to retain water and lose heat through evaporative cooling. Carnotaurus could have used a similar strategy. Since big animals typically have trouble with overheating, such an adaptation might have come in handy during the warm Mesozoic era. 

The researchers conclude that future studies should take a more proactive role in describing dinosaur skin, and consider what role this critical organ system might have played in these extinct animals’ lives. Their analysis must be more than skin deep. 

The study is published in the journal Cretaceous Research.

Source: https://www.earth.com/

True Origin of Jurassic Park Revealed in Marvel Comics

Monday, September 27, 2021

The surprising inspiration for Jurassic Park in Marvel's Comic Universe has been revealed in the newest issue of Symbiote Spider-Man: Crossroads.

Warning: contains spoilers for Symbiote Spider-Man: Crossroads #3!

The hit novel Jurassic Park spawned a best-selling franchise, but in the Marvel Universe, it had a surprising origin. In Symbiote Spider-Man: Crossroads #3, Marvel Comics reveals that Michael Crichton, the best-selling novelist, may have known Bruce Banner back in the 1980s. The story about the dangers of technological advancement was inspired by the adventures of the Hulk - at least within Marvel's comic universe.

Jurassic Park, written by Michael Crichton, was released in 1990. The rights to adapt the novel into a film were purchased before it was published, resulting in the classic film of the same name in 1993. Since then Jurassic Park has expanded into novel sequels, multiple film sequels, amusement park rides, video games, and comic books. Now, it seems the novel also exists in Marvel's universe - albeit thanks to an unusual inspiration.

The secret origin of Jurassic Park in Symbiote Spider-Man Crossroads #3 is disclosed by the creative team of Peter David, Jay Leisten, Frank D'Armata, and Joe Sabino. After facing off against Karnilla, Queen of the Norns, Spider-Man and Hulk are shunted outside of reality to the mystical Crossroads. From there, they end up in a prehistoric dimension, caught in a misunderstanding with Moon Boy and Devil Dinosaur. As Guilt Hulk (a lesser-known Bruce Banner transformation created in Peter David's previous run of Incredible Hulk) fights Devil Dinosaur, Hulk says, "Fighting a T-Rex. There's a story in here somewhere. I should give Crichton a call when I get back."

This series takes place in the 1980s, when Spider-Man wore his symbiote suit, placing it at the perfect time for Crichton to be inspired to write his famous novel. The reference to Crichton doesn't imply that the book is already in existence within the universe, so this legitimately seems like it will be the conversation that spurs Jurassic Park's creation. Of course, Jurassic Park doesn't feature gamma mutates fighting against dinosaurs, but Hulk's alter ego Bruce Banner is a scientist. Michael Crichton may not have been a scientist himself, but he was curious about the intersections of science and technology. Many of Crichton's works fall under the heading of science fiction or thrillers with scientific elements, including TimelineNextSphere, and Prey. He was particularly interested in genetics, a topic which was prevalent in Jurassic Park.

Ironically, this adventure also bears some resemblance to elements of the film-adapted novel, Congo, which Michael Crichton also wrote. That novel featured killer gorillas (the Killer Folk are very ape-like) and the search for a lost expedition within the rainforests of the Congo (this is a jungle setting). It also includes diamonds and while the gem empowering Hulk isn't a diamond, it's valuable nonetheless. However, that novel was published in 1980 and would have pre-dated this Hulk adventure within the Marvel Comics' universe, making it more likely that the reference to Crichton is intended as a shout out to an author whose work inspired this story rather than vice versa. In real life, the credit for Jurassic Park goes solely to Michael Crichton, but in Marvel Comics, it turns out he had a little help from the Hulk.

Source: https://screenrant.com/

Spicomellus afer: Fossil of Earliest Known Ankylosaur Unearthed in Morocco

Saturday, September 25, 2021

Life reconstruction of the armored dinosaur Borealopelta markmitchelli, which lived in what is now Alberta, Canada, some 110 million years ago, eating ferns. Image credit: Julius Csotonyi / Royal Tyrrell Museum.

The newly-discovered dinosaur species, Spicomellus afer, is the earliest-known ankylosaur and the first ankylosaur to be named from Africa.

Spicomellus afer lived in what is now Morocco during the Middle Jurassic period, some 168 million years ago.

The new species belongs to Ankylosauria, a diverse group of armored herbivorous dinosaurs.

Ankylosaurs diverged from their sister-taxon, Stegosauria, in the Early or Middle Jurassic, but their fossil record at this time is extremely sparse.

Spicomellus afer is not only the first found in Africa, but also the earliest example of the group ever discovered.

“Ankylosaurs had armored spikes that are usually embedded in their skin and not fused to bone,” said Dr. Susannah Maidment, a researcher in the Department of Earth Sciences at the Natural History Museum and honorary senior lecturer in the School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences at the University of Birmingham.

“In this specimen we see a series of spikes attached to the rib, which must have protruded above the skin covered by a layer of something like keratin.”

“It is completely unprecedented and unlike anything else in the animal kingdom.”

The specimen of Spicomellus afer consists of a rib with spiked dermal armor fused to its dorsal surface. Image credit: Maidment et al., doi: 10.1038/s41559-021-01553-6

The new specimen is a slightly curved dorsal rib fragment with four elongate, conical spines.

It was found at a site in the Middle Atlas Mountains in Morocco — the same site where paleontologists previously discovered Adratiklit boulahfa, the oldest stegosaur ever found.

“Morocco seems to hold some real gems in terms of dinosaur discoveries,” Dr. Maidment said.

“In just this one site we have described both the oldest stegosaur and the oldest ankylosaur ever found.”

The specimen fills a gap in the fossil record of Ankylosauria, suggesting that shortly after their evolution, ankylosaurs had attained a global distribution, and indicates an important but as yet undiscovered armored dinosaur fossil record in the Jurassic of the supercontinent Gondwana.

The discovery also calls into question a previous theory that ankylosaurs outcompeted stegosaurs and led to their extinction.

“Stegosaurs appear to have gone extinct in the Early Cretaceous, at the same time that ankylosaurs increased in diversity, leading to suggestions that ankylosaurs outcompeted stegosaurs,” the paleontologists said.

“However, both clades co-occurred in Jurassic ecosystems. This indicates long-term ecological overlap between stegosaurs and ankylosaurs for over 20 million years, suggesting that the decline of stegosaurs may have been for reasons other than competition with ankylosaurs.”

The study was published in the journal Nature Ecology & Evolution.

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S.C.R. Maidment et al. Bizarre dermal armour suggests the first African ankylosaur. Nat Ecol Evol, published online September 23, 2021; doi: 10.1038/s41559-021-01553-6

Source: www.sci-news.com/

Dinosaurs Are Colossal Beings That Shaped Our Childhood.

Saturday, September 25, 2021

James Kirkland picked up his first dinosaur toy when he was 5 years old in 1959. He remembers it like it was yesterday.

Little did he know then that his love of dinosaurs would lead to a career as a paleontologist. Since the day his father brought home a special gift for him -- a toy dinosaur set -- after a business trip, Kirkland has spent nearly 50 years traveling the world unearthing fossils.

"Every time I find something new, it's just as exciting as the first time," said Kirkland, state paleontologist of Utah with the Utah Geological Survey.

Many children develop a love of dinosaurs at an early age, but most of the time, they don't become world-renowned paleontologists. Instead, it wanes, said Dr. Arthur Lavin, chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics committee on the Psychosocial Aspects of Child and Family Health.

James Kirkland loved dinosaurs from an early age.

Creating the 'self' through dinosaurs

Kids ages 3 to 4 go through a period of hyperfixation, which Lavin called "imagination-based play," where they become deeply interested in subjects like fairies, monsters, or in some cases, dinosaurs.

When babies are born, they aren't aware they exist for the first three months, he said. For the first year, there's no clearly defined sense of "self," Lavin noted.

At around 18 months old to 3 years old, children begin developing their sense of self but are still confused about the world around them, he said.

"It's why we call them the terrible twos because they know things aren't the way they want them, but they're not sure how they want them," or how to get them the way they want, Lavin said.

At age 3, they begin to master this sense that they're in the world, and they want to try out ideas, he said.

Children then embark on this journey of creating this thing called "self," and one of the ways they do that is to make up stuff in the world they've created, Lavin explained.

Dinosaurs fit into an imaginary play

Dinosaurs fit into their make-believe world because there aren't any alive today, so they're sort of like unicorns and fairies, he said.

"If you're going to have a make-believe world, which fits into this very powerful sense of developing a sense of self, dinosaurs really fit the bill," Lavin said.

Some children with a keen interest in the extinct animals can recite complicated dinosaur names and facts from memory, which was a pastime for Kirkland.

BIGGEST DINOSAUR MYTHS AND MYSTERIES

We've found all dinosaur species? Wrong. Scientists have definitively identified around 900 dinosaur species -- although there are plenty more where paleontologists don't quite have enough bones or the fossils aren't preserved enough to truly call them a unique species. Many, many more species existed - one estimate suggests that there were between 50,000 and 500,000, but we might never find their fossil remains. So many species could exist because they were highly specialized, meaning different types of dinosaurs had different sources of food and could live in the same habitats without competing. For example, with unusually large eyes and hair-trigger hearing, Shuuvia deserti, a tiny desert-dwelling dinosaur evolved to hunt at night.

We can tell what sex a dinosaur is? Wrong. On display at the Field Museum in Chicago, SUE the Tyrannosaurus rex is the world's most complete T. rex fossil but we don't know if it's male or female. Despite many earlier claims, including that female T. rexes were bigger than males, such findings are now are thought inconclusive. SUE is named for Sue Hendrickson, who discovered the dinosaur in 1990 during a commercial excavation trip north of Faith, South Dakota.

Dinosaurs were very different than humans? Yes and no. Dinosaurs suffered from some of the same diseases that afflict humans and animals today including cancer, gout and infections. T. rex was the ultimate dinosaur predator, but it fell victim to the tiniest of foes: parasites. The lower jaw of SUE the T. rex was pitted with smooth-edged holes -- a result of a parasitic infection called trichomonosis. It can also effect the lower jaw of modern birds like pigeons, doves and chickens.

Dinosaurs were all huge? Wrong. The first dinosaur discoveries, the earliest more than 150 years ago, focused on the sensational: The big bones and skulls we know from museum atriums. But dinosaurs came in all shapes and sizes. In fact, some of the most exciting finds in recent years have been tiny. In 2016, a tail, belonging to a sparrow-sized creature could have danced in the palm of your hand was found preserved in a chunk of amber.

Dinosaurs were scaly and reptilian? Wrong. New evidence has dramatically shifted the way see and perceive dinosaurs. While some dinosaurs did have reptilian scaly skin, many did not and were a lot more bird-like. Fossils showing primitive feathers were first unearthed in China in the mid-1990s. Now, it's widely accepted that many dinosaurs had fur or feathers. Yutyrannus, pictured in this illustration, is the largest feathered dinosaur discovered to date.

Dinosaurs were all greyish green? Wrong. Fossilized dinosaur feathers can reveal intriguing details about dinosaur coloring -- something once thought impossible. In some fossils, tiny structures called melanosomes that once contained pigment are preserved. By comparing the melanosomes with those of living birds, scientists can tell the possible original colors of the feathers. In the case of Sinosauropteryx, pictured here dark areas of the fossil were a rusty brown or ginger color and the rest were thought to be white.

We've found all dinosaur species? Wrong. Scientists have definitively identified around 900 dinosaur species -- although there are plenty more where paleontologists don't quite have enough bones or the fossils aren't preserved enough to truly call them a unique species. Many, many more species existed - one estimate suggests that there were between 50,000 and 500,000, but we might never find their fossil remains. So many species could exist because they were highly specialized, meaning different types of dinosaurs had different sources of food and could live in the same habitats without competing. For example, with unusually large eyes and hair-trigger hearing, Shuuvia deserti, a tiny desert-dwelling dinosaur evolved to hunt at night.

We can tell what sex a dinosaur is? Wrong. On display at the Field Museum in Chicago, SUE the Tyrannosaurus rex is the world's most complete T. rex fossil but we don't know if it's male or female. Despite many earlier claims, including that female T. rexes were bigger than males, such findings are now are thought inconclusive. SUE is named for Sue Hendrickson, who discovered the dinosaur in 1990 during a commercial excavation trip north of Faith, South Dakota.

Dinosaurs were very different than humans? Yes and no. Dinosaurs suffered from some of the same diseases that afflict humans and animals today including cancer, gout and infections. T. rex was the ultimate dinosaur predator, but it fell victim to the tiniest of foes: parasites. The lower jaw of SUE the T. rex was pitted with smooth-edged holes -- a result of a parasitic infection called trichomonosis. It can also effect the lower jaw of modern birds like pigeons, doves and chickens.

Dinosaurs were all huge? Wrong. The first dinosaur discoveries, the earliest more than 150 years ago, focused on the sensational: The big bones and skulls we know from museum atriums. But dinosaurs came in all shapes and sizes. In fact, some of the most exciting finds in recent years have been tiny. In 2016, a tail, belonging to a sparrow-sized creature could have danced in the palm of your hand was found preserved in a chunk of amber.

Dinosaurs were scaly and reptilian? Wrong. New evidence has dramatically shifted the way see and perceive dinosaurs. While some dinosaurs did have reptilian scaly skin, many did not and were a lot more bird-like. Fossils showing primitive feathers were first unearthed in China in the mid-1990s. Now, it's widely accepted that many dinosaurs had fur or feathers. Yutyrannus, pictured in this illustration, is the largest feathered dinosaur discovered to date.

Dinosaurs were all greyish green? Wrong. Fossilized dinosaur feathers can reveal intriguing details about dinosaur coloring -- something once thought impossible. In some fossils, tiny structures called melanosomes that once contained pigment are preserved. By comparing the melanosomes with those of living birds, scientists can tell the possible original colors of the feathers. In the case of Sinosauropteryx, pictured here dark areas of the fossil were a rusty brown or ginger color and the rest were thought to be white.

"I'd be going down the street, and a neighbor who's having a barbeque would call me over and say, 'You got to ask Jamie about dinosaurs,'" he said.

Learning advanced words at 3 and 4 years old is part of the natural development process, said Eli Lebowitz, associate professor in the Child Study Center at the Yale School of Medicine in New Haven, Connecticut.

While it might be a challenge for adults to remember the names of a dozen different dinosaur species, it's easier for young children because they're developing language skills and learning new words every day, he said.

The power of play

Playing as a young child is also extremely beneficial to a child's development and should be encouraged by adults in their life, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Children who participate in playing see improvements in a variety of areas, including language, social development and early math skills.

Adults also benefit when they play with their child, according to the AAP research.

When adults engage in activities with their children, they can see the world through the eyes of a child and therefore communicate with children more effectively. Parents may also feel less stress from their parent-child relationship, the research found.

If parents have a child who loves dinosaurs, Lebowitz recommended they embrace the interest. Visit a dinosaur museum, read books about dinosaurs or explore a nearby park for fossils.

"Harness the child's interest as a launchpad for a whole lot of different kinds of experiences and learning, even into additional topics," Lebowitz said.

When reality sets in

Most children lose interest in dinosaurs and their make-believe world around ages 5 or 6, Lavin said.

The fantasy attraction of dinosaurs fades away, and children turn their attention to design a reality they want using the skills they learned while creating a make-believe one, he said.

Expanding social circles can also contribute to a decline in interest, Lebowitz said.

At 3 and 4 years old, children care about themselves and their immediate family, but as they grow, they become interested in others and how to get along with them, he said.

"While their parent may be patiently willing to talk about dinosaurs ad nauseum, it's very likely that other people will be less so," Lebowitz said.

The magic of dinosaurs fades for many, but not all, Lavin said.

"Some kids like the taste of that make-believe world of dinosaurs, and they never give it up," he said.

That can lead to research on how dinosaurs get sick (just like us), reproduce (not quite like us) and fly (definitely not like us). As Kirkland became an adult, his love of dinosaurs only grew stronger.

He currently promotes dinosaur tourism in Utah, helps regulate fossil excavations and works with other countries on identifying dinosaur bones.

"Understanding the history of our planet is very worthwhile, but getting kids interested in science is priceless," Kirkland said.

If your children are excited about dinosaurs, here are some resources to support their interest.

Dinosaur resources:

American Museum of Natural History -- Dinosaurs

American Museum of Natural History -- Paleontology for Kids

American Museum of Natural History -- Educational activities

PBS Kids Dinosaur Train

Dinosaur arts and crafts

Natural History Museum -- Dinosaur activities for families

Paleontology Education Resources compiled by Ashley Hall, outreach program manager at Museum of the Rockies in Bozeman, Montana.

Where to see fossils:

Dinosaur Ridge in Colorado

Dinosaur National Monument in Colorado and Utah

Cleveland Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry in Utah

Ashfall Fossil Beds State Historical Park in Nebraska

Calvert Cliffs State Park in Maryland

Siebel Dinosaur Complex in Montana

Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park in Nevada

Ancient Odyssey -- join a paleontology dig at sites around the world

Source: https://edition.cnn.com/

The Best Dinosaur Toy For Toddlers

Tuesday, September 21, 2021

From craft projects to educational dinosaur egg kits, the options are endless when it comes to dinosaur toys for youngsters. (BestReviews)

What toddler doesn’t love pretending to be a dinosaur or hugging a giant plush Tyrannosaurus rex? Dinosaur toys are great immersive fun for toddlers and parents to enjoy together. Dinosaur toys come in a variety of styles, from figurines to robot dinosaurs to educational toys, each one allowing your child’s imagination to run wild.

If you're looking for a toy for a dino-obsessed toddler, the Discovery Kids' Remote Control RC T. Rex Dinosaur with its roaring sounds and mouth that opens and shuts might be ideal for you

What to know before you buy a dinosaur toy for toddlers

Educational vs. fun dinosaur toys

Some dinosaur toys are meant for learning, while others are designed purely for play. If you aren't sure which to go with, try something that is both educational and fun, like a dinosaur book that teaches facts but also plays noises, or a sorting and counting game where they learn basic math skills.

Keep batteries on hand if needed!

Make sure that the gift you choose comes with batteries if necessary, or purchase some on the side to ensure that they can play with the toy immediately. Being prepared with batteries will avoid potential meltdowns.

Dinosaur toy for toddlers features

Robotic dinosaur toys

Robot dinosaurs can move across the floor, roar on command and much more. Generally controlled via a remote or Bluetooth connection, these dinosaurs can be quite realistic, with emotions and color-changing LED eyes. Some can even snore, yawn, stomp around the floor or do full spins.

Stuffed dinosaur toys

Classic stuffed dinosaur plush toys are a great gift idea for toddlers. There are plenty of varied choices like cute cartoon-style dinosaurs all the way to more realistic-looking yet soft and plush dinosaurs. Spark your child's creative streak with a dinosaur plush that they can color and doodle on over and over.

Educational dinosaur toys

There are tons of books about dinosaurs, from stories to guides to interactive books with sound. Consider a coloring book where your child can color the different types of dinosaurs, or a chomping dinosaur that practices colors, foods, shapes and counting. A dinosaur egg kit where your child can excavate the dinosaurs will provide your little archeologist with their first discoveries.

Dinosaur-themed arts and crafts projects

Toddlers love crafts and getting messy, so a dinosaur painting kit with different types of dinosaurs and water-based paint would be a great gift. The water-based paint ensures that it'll wash out so that you and your toddler can paint and repaint the dinosaurs over and over again. Alternatively, try a STEM-focused toy like a take-apart dinosaur set where your child can build and rebuild three types of dinosaurs with a low-speed, battery-operated drill.

Dinosaur nightlights

projection night light that displays vividly-colored dinosaurs against a dark room will excite and amaze toddlers. Not only will it partially illuminate the room so they feel safe, but the gentle movement will lull them to sleep.

Big dinosaur toys

Big toys like a pop-up dinosaur tent will provide hours of fun in and outside the home.  Alternatively, a dinosaur rocking horse is a great toddler toy that will keep them entertained and involved physically. A dinosaur-themed tricycle that emits dinosaur sounds is another fantastic toy that encourages physical activity.

Dinosaur toy for toddlers cost 

You should be able to find a dinosaur toy like a plush toy, a nightlight, puzzle or craft kit for anywhere from $10-$25 dollars. Electronic dinosaurs and learning toys will typically start in the $30 range. The more technologically-advanced or feature-packed the toy is, the higher the price.

Dinosaur toy for toddlers FAQ

How do I explain dinosaurs to my kids?

A. Children are naturally curious, so they will likely be interested in knowing about the different kinds of dinosaurs, where they came from and why they no longer roam the planet. While it's a complex topic, you can give them a thorough overview with an educational book on dinosaurs. Share with them the names of the different species and the interesting differences between them. Roar and pretend to be a T. rex to surprise and delight them. There are plenty of facts that can be broken down into bite-sized, toddler-digestible pieces that you can share with them. You might even learn something new yourself!

Which dinosaur toys are best for the outdoors?

A. The best toys for the outdoors are generally sturdy plastic toys, not plush or fabric toys that could be easily soiled or torn. Generally, battery-operated toys do not mix with water, so you'll need to be sure if you play with the toys outside that you bring them inside before it rains or snows.

Which dinosaur toy for toddlers should I get?

Best of the best dinosaur toy for toddlers 

Discovery Kids Remote Control RC T. Rex Dinosaur: available at Amazon

Our take: The incredibly easy-to-use remote on this dino robot has two simple buttons for walking or roaring.

What we like: Use the remote to hear the T. rex roar or make it chase a hapless victim. Hidden wheels allow the dinosaur to lumber across the floor, creating a very life-like experience.

What we dislike: The tail piece is initially detached, so you have to snap it together before you can use it.

Best bang for your buck dinosaur toy for toddlers 

Melissa & Doug Dinosaurs Chunky Puzzle: available at Kohl's

Our take: A bright wooden puzzle that helps develop hand-eye coordination.

What we like: Measuring 12 inches by 11 inches by 1 inch, this interactive puzzle features wooden construction and vivid colors. Puzzles help foster early brain development, and this budget-friendly version comes with seven dinosaurs to learn and match.

What we dislike: Image is only on one side of the puzzle piece.

Honorable mention dinosaur toy for toddlers 

Prextex Realistic Looking Dinosaur with Interactive Dinosaur Sound Book: available at Amazon

Our take: This interactive book comes complete with a pack of 12 dinosaur figures.

What we like: This interactive and sturdy dinosaur-sound book comes with 12 different sounds that can be played while you learn facts and stories about dinosaurs. Set also includes 12 dinosaur figurines that measure 7 inches from head to tail.

What we dislike: Some reviewers experienced a chemical smell, so you may need to air out the dinosaurs before using.

Source: www.sun-sentinel.com/

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