A recently published scientific paper has revealed the discovery of a new Chinese sauropodomorph. The new species, Xiangyunloong fengming, helps fill an important gap in our understanding of early sauropodomorph diversity. The fossils of Xiangyunloong fengming were discovered in the Lower Jurassic Fengjiahe Formation. This site is located in Luming Town, Xiangyun County, Yunnan Province.

Importantly, this locality lies around 125 miles (200 kilometres) west of the famous Lufeng fossil beds. Although the Lufeng Formation has produced abundant fossils, including sauropodomorphs such as Lufengosaurus, Jingshanosaurus, and Yunnanosaurus, other Lower Jurassic deposits of the same geological age remain comparatively underexplored.

Xiangyunloong fengming

This dinosaur is described from a partial skeleton that includes cervical, dorsal and caudal vertebrae, fragments of dorsal ribs, chevrons, part of the left ilium and a right ischium. Although incomplete, the remains preserve enough detail to identify a new dinosaur taxon. Several unique autapomorphies were identified.  For example, the neck vertebrae show unusual lateral expansions.  In addition, the ilium displays a distinctive flared crest. This suggests differences in muscle attachment and locomotion.

The robust nature of the hip bones suggests that Xiangyunloong fengming was a relatively large animal, likely comparable in size to some of the bigger Early Jurassic sauropodomorphs. It has been speculated that this dinosaur could have been around 9-10 metres long.

At around 9-10 metres in length Xiangyunloong is much larger than the coeval Lufengosaurus. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Phylogenetic analysis indicates that Xiangyunloong may represent a transitional form between the Massospondylidae and more derived sauropodiform dinosaurs.

Expanding Early Jurassic Dinosaur Diversity

This discovery highlights the diversity of early sauropodomorphs in China. Previously, most fossils came from a limited number of locations. Now, Xiangyunloong fengming demonstrates that these dinosaurs were more widespread than previously thought. Consequently, this find improves our understanding of their distribution.

Moreover, it suggests that regional ecosystems may have supported a wider variety of species. This has important implications for Early Jurassic palaeoecology.

The name Xiangyunloong translates to “auspicious cloud dragon”. It references the name of the county where the fossils were found.  In addition, it incorporates the traditional term for dragon.  The species name honours Lin Fengmian, the artistic master and founding president of the China Academy of Art, whose staff participated in the excavation and preparation of the fossil material.  Furthermore, the species name translates as “phoenix calling”.  It is a reference to Luming (deer calling), a town close to the fossil quarry.  The species name reminds us that birds are living dinosaurs. Hence the dinosaur’s name symbolises both the locality and the evolutionary link between dinosaurs and birds.

The Significance of Xiangyunloong fengming

In summary, Xiangyunloong fengming provides new insight into early dinosaur evolution. It fills a geographic gap and adds to the growing diversity of known sauropodomorphs.

Furthermore, its mix of primitive and derived features makes it especially important. It helps bridge the gap between early forms and later giants. The large body size, proportionally short cervical vertebrae and the robust hip bones indicate an initial stage of gigantism and a potential bipedal locomotion. This may represent an alternative evolutionary pathway to the neck elongation seen in other early-diverging sauropodomorphs.

As a result, this discovery represents another step forward in understanding how some of the largest animals to ever walk the Earth evolved.

The scientific paper “A new sauropodomorph dinosaur from the Lower Jurassic Fengjiahe Formation of Dali of Yunnan Province, China” by Shao-Bin Hu, Yan-Chao Wang, Xiong Mo, Xiao-Qin Zhang, Wen-Tao Zeng, Tao Wang, Zai-Bo Sun, Qi-Xing Dong, Qi Guan, Yi-Hong Liu, Yu-Shen Zhang, Yin Bing, Ya-Ming Wang and Hai-Lu You published by The Royal Society Open Science.

The award-winning Everything Dinosaur website: Models of Prehistoric Animals.

Phytosaurs might look like modern crocodiles, but they are different.  They fill the same ecological niches in ecosystems, however, the extinct phytosaurs only resemble modern crocodilians superficially.  The nostril position for example. In phytosaurs, due to the extended premaxillae the nostrils are located much closer to the eyes.  In addition, the layout of the manus and pedes is different.

The Phytosaur Pes

In phytosaurs, the fourth digit of the foot (IV) tends to be the largest. In contrast, digit V (the fifth digit) is much reduced, although it still possessed a claw. From what we can see, the new CollectA Colossosuchus phytosaur model has anatomically accurate hind feet. Overall, it seems quite an accurate representation of a mystriosuchine phytosaur,

The phytosaur pedes – a helpful guide. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

To view the range of CollectA figures in stock at Everything Dinosaur: CollectA Prehistoric Life Figures.

Remember, the singular is pes, when discussing both hind feet the plural is used – pedes.

The Phytosaur Manus

To the best of our knowledge the manus (hand) of phytosaurs has the following digit formula (right manus).

In a right manus (forelimb/hand) of a typical phytosaur:

• Digit I (pollex) is located on the medial side, nearest to the body’s midline.
• Digit V is the lateral-most digit, located farthest from the midline.

The implications for phytosaur models are significant. When reconstructing a right manus, if viewed from the dorsal (top) side, the correct digit arrangement (from medial to lateral) is:

I → II → III → IV → V

This means:

Digit I is the “thumb” side.

Digit V is the “little finger” side.

If the manus is oriented palm-down (pronated), the pollex (digit I) points toward the midline of the animal.  The CollectA Colossosuchus manus has five digits.  They all seem in proportion, although I am not sure whether the outermost digit (V) had a claw.  In the CollectA phytosaur model, digit V is much reduced, and it has a tiny claw.

Mike from Everything Dinosaur commented:

“Although bones from the pedes and manus are known in the Phytosauria fossil record, they are rare.  However, palaeontologists have been able to use trackways assigned to phytosaurs to work out the anatomy.”

The Everything Dinosaur website: Prehistoric Animal Models.

A remarkable new dinosaur discovery from South Korea has captured both scientific and public attention. Researchers have named a newly identified species Doolysaurus huhmini, inspired by a famous cartoon character loved across generations.

A Dinosaur Inspired by a Cultural Icon

The name Doolysaurus honours “Dooly”, a mischievous green cartoon dinosaur well known in South Korea. As a result, the name creates a meaningful link between science and popular culture. Lead researcher Jongyun Jung explained that the connection felt natural. The fossil represents a young individual, and the cartoon character is also depicted as a baby dinosaur. Therefore, the name is both scientifically appropriate and culturally significant.

A life reconstruction of a juvenile Doolysaurus huhmini. It is depicted alongside birds and other dinosaurs that lived during the Cretaceous in what is now South Korea. Picture credit: Jun Seong Yi.

Picture credit: Jun Seong Yi

Hidden Doolysaurus huhmini Fossil Revealed by Advanced Scanning

The fossil was discovered on Aphae Island and initially appeared quite limited. Only a few leg bones and vertebrae were visible. However, everything changed once researchers used advanced micro-CT scanning technology. This technique, developed at University of Texas High-Resolution X-ray Computed Tomography Facility, allowed scientists to look inside the rock without damaging it. As a result, previously hidden skull bones and additional skeletal elements were revealed.

Importantly, this marks the first dinosaur fossil from Korea to preserve parts of the skull. Moreover, it is the first dinosaur species based on skeletal remains described from South Korea since Koreanosaurus boseongensis was named and described in 2011.

A Young Dinosaur About the Size of a Turkey

The specimen represents a juvenile dinosaur, estimated to be around two years old when it died. It measured roughly the size of a turkey. However, adults may have grown to twice that size.

Scientists identified growth markers in the femur, which confirmed its young age. In addition, the anatomy suggests that this dinosaur belonged to a group called thescelosaurids. These were small, bipedal herbivorous or omnivorous dinosaurs. Interestingly, researchers think Doolysaurus may have had a coat of fuzzy filaments. Consequently, it might have looked quite different from traditional scaly dinosaur depictions.

Study co-authors Minguk Kim (left) and Hyemin Jo during the initial discovery and excavation of Doolysaurus. Picture credit: Jongyun Jung, The University of Texas at Austin.

Picture credit: Jongyun Jung, The University of Texas at Austin

Evidence of Diet Preserved in the Fossil

The fossil also contained numerous gastroliths. These are small stones swallowed by animals to aid digestion. Their presence provides important clues to the animal’s diet. It suggests that Doolysaurus was likely an omnivore. In other words, it probably ate plants, small animals, and invertebrates. Furthermore, the gastroliths helped researchers realise that more of the skeleton might be preserved inside the rock. This insight ultimately led to the decision to scan the specimen.

The research, published in the journal Fossil Record, highlights the growing importance of CT scanning in palaeontology. This method is especially useful for small and delicate fossils. South Korea is already famous for dinosaur footprints, nests, and eggs. However, body fossils are comparatively rare. Therefore, this discovery is particularly significant.

To read Everything Dinosaur’s blog post about the discovery of fossils of an early ceratopsid dinosaur in South Korea: Koreaceratops – A Ceratopsian with a Broad Tail.

The researchers are optimistic. They believe that more hidden fossils may be waiting to be revealed using similar techniques.

The skeletal anatomy of a juvenile Doolysaurus huhmini. The graphic highlights the fossil bones that were found with the dinosaur. Known fossil bones shown in white in the skeletal drawing. Artwork: Janet Cañamar, adapted from Jung et al 2026.

Artwork: Janet Cañamar, adapted from Jung et al 2026

Looking Ahead to Future Discoveries

The team plans further fieldwork on Aphae Island and nearby locations. They hope to uncover additional specimens and expand our understanding of Korea’s prehistoric ecosystems.

As a result, Doolysaurus may be just the beginning. With continued exploration and new technology, many more discoveries could follow.

The newly discovered dinosaur species is named after the popular South Korean cartoon Dooly the Little Dinosaur. The titular Dooly is on the left. Picture credit: ⓒDoolynara.

Picture credit: ⓒDoolynara

Mike from Everything Dinosaur commented:

“This charmingly named dinosaur combines cutting-edge science with cultural storytelling. It also demonstrates how modern technology is transforming palaeontology. Most importantly, it reminds us that even well-studied regions can still yield exciting new dinosaur discoveries.”

Everything Dinosaur acknowledges the assistance of a media release from the University of Texas at Austin in the compilation of this article.

The scientific paper: “A new dinosaur species from Korea and its implications for early-diverging neornithischian diversity” by Jongyun Jung, Minguk Kim, Hyemin Jo and Julia A. Clarke published in the Fossil Record.

The award-winning Everything Dinosaur website: Dinosaur and Prehistoric Animal Models.

Oviraptorosaurs were not just unusual theropod dinosaurs. They were also closely related to true birds, sharing a common evolutionary heritage within the Maniraptora clade. As a result, many of their behaviours provide important clues about how modern avian reproduction evolved. A fascinating new study on oviraptorosaurian incubation has been published in the journal “Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution”.  The research outlines how these extremely bird-like theropods brooded their eggs. Moreover, it challenges long-held assumptions about how efficiently they incubated their clutches.

An Oviraptor and its nest.  Palaeontologists study oviraptorosaurian dinosaurs to better understand the evolutionary roots of bird-specific reproductive characteristics. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Previous studies have highlighted this close avian relationship. In particular, palaeontologists have noted that some bird-specific reproductive traits may have deeper evolutionary roots. One such trait is thermoregulatory contact incubation (TCI). This behaviour, seen in modern birds, involves direct body contact between the adult and the eggs to regulate temperature.

The study focused on the Chinese oviraptorosaurian Heyuannia huangi.

To read an earlier study that examined the colouration of oviraptorosaurian eggs: Dinosaurs May Have Laid Coloured Eggs.

Thermoregulatory Contact Incubation (TCI)

Fossil evidence strongly supports this connection. Several oviraptorid specimens have been discovered preserved on top of their nests. Strikingly, these individuals adopt postures that closely resemble avian brooding behaviour. Their forelimbs are spread over the clutch, much like a bird sheltering its eggs.  Therefore, it has been proposed that oviraptorosaurs may have undertaken a form of contact incubation similar to that of modern birds. However, as this new study demonstrates, the reality was likely more complex.

Scale drawing of the oviraptorosaurian Oviraptor philoceratops. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Specifically, the study explores how nest structure, egg arrangement, and body contact influenced embryo development. As a result, it paints a more complex picture of dinosaur reproduction than previously thought. For example, this new research reveals an important limitation. The scientists found that adult oviraptorosaurs likely could not directly warm all their eggs. Their nests typically consisted of multiple concentric rings of eggs. While the adult could cover the outer ring, the inner eggs remained partially insulated from body heat. Consequently, incubation efficiency was estimated at only around 65%, significantly lower than that seen in most modern birds.

Because of this limitation, the researchers propose a hybrid incubation strategy. In other words, oviraptorosaurs likely relied on both body heat and environmental warmth.

For example, sunlight may have warmed exposed portions of the nest. At the same time, partially buried eggs could retain heat from the surrounding sediment. Therefore, incubation was not solely dependent on the parent’s body temperature.

A Transitional Evolutionary Strategy

This mixed approach resembles strategies seen in some modern reptiles and ground-nesting birds. However, it also suggests a unique evolutionary stage between reptilian and fully avian reproduction. One key implication of this nesting strategy involves temperature variation within the clutch. Because inner and outer eggs received different amounts of heat, they likely developed at different rates. As a result, asynchronous hatching may have occurred. This means some chicks hatched earlier than others within the same nest.

In modern ecosystems, asynchronous hatching can influence survival. For instance, earlier hatchlings may gain a size advantage. However, in oviraptorosaurs, the exact biological impact remains uncertain.

Nevertheless, this study highlights how even subtle differences in nest structure could shape reproductive success.

Oviraptorosaurian Incubation and the Implications for Sex Determination

An especially intriguing section of the paper (4.3.5) examines the oviraptorid sex determination system. In modern birds, sex is determined genetically using Z and W chromosomes. Temperature does not influence whether an embryo becomes male or female. By contrast, many reptiles exhibit temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD), where incubation temperature plays a crucial role.

So, how does oviraptorosaurian incubation influence sex? The research team discusses the possibility that oviraptorids retained a genetic sex determination system, similar to birds. However, the authors also consider whether temperature variation within nests could still have influenced development in subtle ways. Importantly, there is no direct evidence that oviraptorosaurs used TSD like crocodilians or turtles. That said, the uneven incubation conditions identified in this study raise interesting questions.

For example, if temperature gradients existed across the nest, could they have affected growth rates, hatch timing, or even sex ratios? At present, this remains speculative.

Therefore, the safest conclusion is that oviraptorosaurs were likely genetically sex-determined, but their complex nesting environments may still have had biological consequences.

Combining Avian and Reptilian Traits When it Comes to Oviraptorosaurian Incubation

The researchers postulate that oviraptorosaurians occupied an evolutionary middle ground. They displayed clear bird-like behaviours, such as brooding posture and nest care. Yet, their incubation system was not as efficient as that of modern birds.

Instead, they appear to have combined avian and reptilian traits. On the one hand, they guarded and brooded their nests. On the other, they relied partly on environmental heat. Consequently, oviraptorosaurs provide a valuable window into the evolution of reproductive strategies among theropod dinosaurs.

Conclusions

This new study adds an important layer of detail to our understanding of dinosaur reproduction. It shows that brooding behaviour alone does not guarantee efficient incubation. More importantly, it highlights how nest design, temperature variation, and developmental biology all interact. Together, these factors shaped the survival of the next generation.

As more research emerges, we can expect even deeper insights into how these remarkable dinosaurs lived and reproduced.

The scientific paper: “Heat transfer in a realistic clutch reveals a lower efficiency in incubation of oviraptorid dinosaurs than of modern birds” by Chun-Yu Su, Jun-Yang Liao, Hsiao-Jou Wu, Kuan-Yu Chou, Ching Chen, Ming-Tsang Lee and Tzu-Ruei Yang published in Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution.

The multi-award-winning Everything Dinosaur website: Oviraptorosaurian and Other Dinosaur Models.

A single fossilised bone can change everything. In this case, it might reshape the story of the most famous dinosaur of all time — Tyrannosaurus rex. A new study published in the journal “Scientific Reports” describes a massive tyrannosaur leg bone discovered in New Mexico. At first glance, it looks like just another theropod fossil. However, the implications run much deeper. Researchers report the discovery of a giant fossil tyrannosaur tibia.

The Hunter Wash tyrannosaurid left tibia (NMMNH P-25085) in A, anterior, B, posterior, C, lateral, and D, medial views. Abbreviations: as, astragalus; cc, cnemial crest; fc, fibular crest; fi, fibular facet; lc, lateral condyle; mc, medial condyle. Picture credit: Nicholas R. Longrich et al.

Picture credit: Nicholas R. Longrich et al (Scientific Reports) – Open Access Paper – Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License

A Giant Fossil Tyrannosaur Tibia from 74 Million Years Ago

The fossil comes from the Kirtland Formation in New Mexico. It dates to around seventy-four million years ago, (Campanian faunal stage of the Late Cretaceous).  The paper’s authors are from the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science (Albuquerque), Montana State University and the University of Bath. They identified a tibia (lower leg bone), it measures nearly a metre in length (96 cm long and 12.8 cm in diameter).  It is a massive tibia, 84% and 78% the dimensions of the largest known Tyrannosaurus tibia. The scientists propose the existence of a five-tonne predator, an animal that would have been far larger than contemporary tyrannosaurs.  This suggests that giant tyrannosaurs evolved earlier than previously thought.

Which Taxon?

The research team compared the fossil leg bone to a large dataset of tyrannosaur anatomy. They analysed over five hundred traits to determine its evolutionary position. Their conclusion is striking. This animal likely belongs to the tribe Tyrannosaurini — the lineage that includes the famous Tyrannosaurus rex.

The fossil from the Hunter Wash Member of the Kirtland Formation (New Mexico) could represent:

• A giant specimen of the tyrannosaur Bistahieversor sealeyi.
• A previously unknown lineage of giant tyrannosaur.
• Or an early representative of the Tyrannosaurini.

Introduced in 2014, a model of the tyrannosaur from southern Laramidia (New Mexico) – Bistahieversor sealeyi.

The image (above) shows a model of the tyrannosaur Bistahieversor (B. sealeyi) from CollectA.

To view the range of not-to-scale CollectA figures in stock: CollectA Prehistoric Life Figures.

The Geographic Origins of Tyrannosaurus

The appearance of a large, derived tyrannosaurine in the late Campanian of the American Southwest also has implications for the geographic origin of Tyrannosaurus. Palaeontologists have debated where the lineage that led to T. rex evolved. Some argued for an Asian origin. Others pointed to North America. However, any theory proposed now needs to consider the presence of large tyrannosaurs in southern Laramidia.

The massive tyrannosaur tibia highlights the differences between the faunas of northern and southern Laramidia.  For example, in those geological formations representing northern Laramidia, slightly smaller tyrannosaurs are found – Gorgosaurus, Daspletosaurus and Teratophoneus. Meanwhile, larger tyrannosaurs may have been present in the southern part of this landmass.

Intriguingly, the Hunter Wash Member hints at previously unrecognized diversity among southern tyrannosaurs, with Bistahieversor coexisting with a larger and more robust tyrannosaur species represented by this fossil tibia. A small tyrannosaur, (specimen number NMMNH P-27469), has previously been identified as a juvenile of Bistahieversor. However, it shows features seen in Nanotyrannus. Therefore, a much smaller, gracile form of tyrannosaur similar to Nanotyrannus could have been coeval with Bistahieversor and a much larger tyrannosaur.

To read Everything Dinosaur’s blog post about confirmation of the Nanotyrannus taxon: Nanotyrannus – A New Chapter in Tyrannosaur Evolution.

The scientific paper: “A large tyrannosaurid from the Late Cretaceous (Campanian) of North America” by Nicholas R. Longrich, Sebastian Dalman, Spencer G. Lucas and Anthony R. Fiorillo published in Scientific Reports.

The award-winning Everything Dinosaur website: Prehistoric Animal Toys and Models.

Recently published research reveals Triceratops possessed a surprisingly complex nose.  Famed for its huge size and impressive horns, “three horned face” had specialised structures that helped regulate heat and conserve moisture.  The Triceratops nasal cavity study has been published in the journal “The Anatomical Record.” Triceratops is one of the most recognisable dinosaurs ever discovered. It lived during the Late Cretaceous in North America, and two species have been named.  This ceratopsian regularly tops our dinosaur popularity polls.  Fossils of Triceratops are on display in museums all over the world.  However, this new research demonstrates that there is still much to learn about this dinosaur.

A Triceratops dinosaur poster. This Late Cretaceous dinosaur is one of the most easily recognisable of all the dinosaurs. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Investigating the Triceratops Nasal Cavity

The new study suggests the Triceratops nasal cavity was far more complex than previously thought. Scientists now think its enormous snout housed specialised tissues linked to breathing, moisture regulation and temperature control. Researchers examined several fossil skulls of Triceratops and other horned dinosaurs. First, they used CT scans to look inside the bones. Next, they created sophisticated 3D computer models of the nasal region. The team then compared these fossils with the noses of extant reptiles, birds and crocodilians. Extant phylogenetic bracketing was employed to model the probable soft tissues associated with the nasal region.

As a result, the researchers produced the first comprehensive hypothesis for the soft tissues inside the ceratopsid snout.

A cast of a Triceratops skeleton on display at the Naturmuseum Senckenberg (Natural History Museum – Frankfurt). On the left a wall mounted example of a Plateosaurus can be seen. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Nerves, Blood Vessels and Nasal Glands

The results suggest the Triceratops nasal cavity contained an intricate network of nerves and blood vessels. In addition, the scientists identified pathways for neurovascular structures within the narial region. They also inferred the locations of a nasal gland and a nasolacrimal duct. Interestingly, the pattern of nerve supply in ceratopsids appears unique among reptiles. Researchers suggest this unusual arrangement evolved as the nostril openings became larger during ceratopsian evolution. Therefore, the enlarged snout of Triceratops likely supported more than just breathing.

Acquisition of such a structure might have mitigated a thermal problem associated with the large size of the ceratopsid head. After all ceratopsians such as Pentaceratops, Torosaurus and Triceratops are famed for their super-sized skulls.

Two spectacular Haolonggood horned dinosaur models. The two Triceratops figures (Qin Ming and Hu Yan Zhuo). Triceratops is represented by dozens of dinosaur models. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

The picture (above) shows two recent Triceratops figures produced by Haolonggood.  Collectors and dinosaur fans have dozens of Triceratops figures to choose from; this horned dinosaur is extremely popular.

To view the Haolonggood range of prehistoric animal figures: Haolonggood Dinosaur Models.

Evidence for Respiratory Turbinates

The study also suggests the presence of respiratory turbinates in ceratopsid dinosaurs. Respiratory turbinates are delicate, curled structures found inside the noses of birds and mammals today. They help warm and moisten incoming air. In addition, they reduce water loss when animals breathe out. The researchers identified an osteological correlate that suggests these structures may have existed in ceratopsids. If correct, this would represent the first evidence for respiratory turbinates in these dinosaurs.

Cooling a Horned Giant

Respiratory turbinates may have played another important role. In living animals, these structures can help regulate body temperature. This function may have been especially useful for Triceratops. The dinosaur possessed a very large skull, which could potentially trap heat in warm environments. Blood vessels within the nasal tissues may have helped cool the head as air passed through the nose. Consequently, the nasal cavity may have helped prevent overheating in such a large animal.

The magnificent Triceratops skull on display in the “Dinosaurs! Age of the Giant Lizards” gallery at the Berlin Naturkundemuseum. Picture credit: Lukasz Papierak.

Picture credit: Lukasz Papierak

The horns and frill of Triceratops often attract the most attention. Yet this new research highlights another remarkable feature. The Triceratops nasal cavity appears to have been a complex biological system. It likely supported breathing, moisture balance and temperature control. As a result, this famous dinosaur’s impressive snout was not just for show. Instead, it helped the animal maintain stable internal conditions in the Late Cretaceous world.

The scientific paper: “Nasal soft-tissue anatomy of Triceratops and other horned dinosaurs” by Seishiro Tada, Takanobu Tsuihiji, Hiroki Ishikawa, Noriyuki Wakimizu, Soichiro Kawabe and Kodai Sakane published in The Anatomical Record.

The award-winning Everything Dinosaur website: Triceratops Models.

Sophisticated dating of zircon crystals found in volcanic ash has demonstrated that the famous Bromacker fossil site is four million years older than previously thought. The Bromacker fossil site is located in the Thuringian Forest near the village of Tambach-Dietharz (Germany).  The study, published in the journal “Gondwana Research” indicates that the fossil-bearing rocks are 294 million years old.  These rocks record a terrestrial ecosystem from the Early Permian (Asselian faunal stage).

The volcanic ash tuff layer which contained the zircon crystals is only a few millimetres thick.  It was discovered during field work in 2024.

One of the co-authors of the paper, Sophie König (Friedenstein Foundation) commented:

“When we uncovered the dark, reddish-purple ash layer, the difference to the surrounding rock was immediately apparent, and we were very hopeful that we had finally found material that could be dated. The fact that the rock sample actually contained usable zircons still came as a surprise to me. We are delighted to have added an important scientific building block to the highly successful Bromacker project.”

A photograph of zircon crystals. Picture credit: Jakob Stubenrauch.

Picture credit: Jakob Stubenrauch

Dating the Bromacker Fossil Site

Zircon crystals are durable and inert. They naturally trap radioactive uranium in their crystal lattice but exclude lead. As uranium naturally decays into lead at a known constant rate, measuring the ratio of uranium to lead found in a crystal is an accurate method of calculating the absolute age of the crystal. This permits volcanic deposits that contain zircon crystals to be accurately dated. In turn, this provides geologists with a benchmark against which associated sediments can be dated.  The ratio of U to Pb acts as an internal clock.

In order to date the age of the ash layer zircon crystals were extracted from rock samples and analysed radiometrically at the TU Bergakademie Freiberg.  The scientists could then determine the age of the famous Bromacker fossil site with a high degree of precision.

The results of the dating study have significant implications for research. They will help to date ecosystems and fossils from other fossil deposits of similar age that, like Bromacker, formed on the supercontinent Pangaea. The age of these fossils can now be better determined thanks to the correlation with the precisely dated Bromacker fossils.

Providing Information About Permian Ecosystems

Lead author of the research, Dr Lorenzo Marchetti (Museum für Naturkunde Berlin) explained:

“This extraordinary fossil deposit, which provides so much information about Permian ecosystems, needed precise dating in order to become a global reference for biostratigraphic, palaeoclimatic and evolutionary biology studies. Careful exploration of the Bromacker site led to this unexpected but urgently needed discovery of a layer of ash containing well-preserved zircon crystals.”

The new age of 294 mya has implications for the scientific understanding of early ecosystems and terrestrial vertebrates.  For example, the food pyramid as we know it today developed earlier than previously thought. The time span between the first appearance of herbivores and the development of modern food webs was shorter, proving that the evolution of Bromacker organisms proceeded more rapidly than previously thought. Thanks to the new age dating, it is now clear that all these evolutionary innovations and the transition to a more seasonal climate occurred much earlier than the scientific community had previously assumed.

Remarkable fossil discoveries at the famous Bromacker fossil site: Spectacular Fossil Finds for the Bromacker Project Team.

Everything Dinosaur acknowledges the assistance of a media release from the Museum für Naturkunde Berlin in the compilation of this article.

The scientific paper: “First high-precision radioisotopic age from the Permian Bromacker lagerstätte (Tambach Formation, Germany) and implications for biochronology and biota evolution” by Lorenzo Marchetti, Jakob Stubenrauch, Alexandra Käßner, Marion Tichomirowa, Sophie König, Anna Pint and Thomas Voigt published in Gondwana Research.

The award-winning Everything Dinosaur website: Models of Prehistoric Animals.

An international team of palaeontologists has described a new species of early land vertebrate from Brazil. The species is named Tanyka amnicola. Researchers identified this unusual animal from fossils discovered in north-eastern Brazil. Their findings appear as an open access paper in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B. Importantly, the fossils reveal an amphibian with a very unusual jaw. The unique jaw morphology suggests adaptations to either specialised processing of small invertebrates or consumption of plants. This demonstrates that some stem tetrapods were exploring niches in ecosystems in the Southern Hemisphere during the Permian.

Fossils from the Pedra de Fogo Formation

The fossils come from the Pedra de Fogo Formation. This formation lies within the Parnaíba Basin of Brazil. Scientists recovered nine isolated lower jaws, each about fifteen centimetres long. Although researchers have not yet found other bones, these jaws reveal important clues. Professor Jörg Fröbisch from the Museum für Naturkunde Berlin played a key role in this study.

Professor Fröbisch commented that the discovery followed many years of work in the region. In fact, the first jaw was discovered during one of the earliest expeditions. For more than fifteen years, researchers have studied the fossils of the Parnaíba Basin. The project involves scientists from Brazil, Argentina, South Africa, the USA, the UK (London Natural History Museum) and Germany.

Life reconstruction of Tanyka amnicola grazing on some plants. Picture credit: Vitor Silva.

Picture credit: Vitor Silva

Tanyka amnicola An Ancient “Living Fossil”

Interestingly, Tanyka amnicola belonged to a very old lineage. As a result, the animal could already be considered a “living fossil” in its own time.

Professor Fröbisch explained:

“What is particularly exciting is that even during its lifetime around 275 million years ago, it could have been described as a living fossil, as it belongs to an archaic group that actually lived 30-50 million years earlier.”

During this period in Earth’s history Brazil was part of a supercontinent called Gondwana. This enormous landmass included South America, Africa, Antarctica and Australia.

A Remarkably Twisted Jaw

The lower jaw of Tanyka amnicola shows a very unusual structure. Lead author Jason Pardo explained that the twisted jaw initially puzzled the researchers. However, every fossil jaw shows the same shape. Therefore, the feature represents normal anatomy rather than damage or taphonomy.

The teeth point sideways rather than straight upwards. Meanwhile, the inner surface of the jaw tilts towards the palate. Furthermore, the jaw surface carries many small teeth. These teeth may have formed a rough grinding surface. When the mouth closed, the teeth probably rubbed against each other. Consequently, the animal could crush or shred food. Hence, the theory that this tetrapod may have been herbivorous, or at least plants made up a proportion of its diet.

Professor Juan Cisneros from the Federal University of Piauí, a co-author of the study believes the animal ate plants at least part of the time.

He stated:

“Based on the structure of its teeth, we assume that Tanyka ate plants at least some of the time. This is surprising, as most of its relatives were carnivores.”

Therefore, Tanyka amnicola may represent an early experiment in herbivory among early tetrapods.

A Window into Early Permian Ecosystems

Fossils from the early Permian are relatively rare. Consequently, every discovery provides valuable information. The Pedra de Fogo Formation offers one of the few windows into Gondwana’s ecosystems at that time.

Co-author Dr Kenneth Angielczyk commented:

“The Pedra de Fogo Formation offers one of the few windows into the animal world of Gondwana during the early Permian period. Tanyka shows us which animals lived there and what ecological roles they played.”

Fossils from this Formation also help scientists understand how early tetrapods interacted.

Tanyka amnicola probably lived close to rivers and lakes. The species name reflects its habitat, the word “amnicola” translates as “river dweller”.  The genus name is derived from the local Guaraní language, it translates as “jaw”.

Researchers estimate that Tanyka amnicola may have reached around one metre in length.

More Discoveries May Follow

At present, scientists only know the animal from jawbones. However, future discoveries could change that. For example, researchers hope to find skulls or articulated skeletons. Such fossils would help reconstruct the entire animal.

Nevertheless, even these isolated jaws provide remarkable insight.

For now, Tanyka amnicola offers a fascinating glimpse into early tetrapod evolution. Moreover, it highlights the importance of the Pedra de Fogo Formation in revealing an ancient ecosystem from Gondwana.

Everything Dinosaur acknowledges the assistance of the Museum für Naturkunde Berlin in the compilation of this article.

The scientific paper: “An aberrant stem tetrapod from the early Permian of Brazil” by Jason D. Pardo, Claudia A. Marsicano, Roger Smith, Juan Carlos Cisneros, Kenneth D. Angielczyk, Jörg Fröbisch, Christian F. Kammerer and Martha Richter published in the Royal Society Proceedings B.

The award-winning Everything Dinosaur website: Prehistoric Animal Figures.

A groundbreaking scientific paper published in January (2026), has confirmed the presence of ceratopsian dinosaurs in Late Cretaceous Europe. The research focuses on the Hungarian dinosaur Ajkaceratops kozmai. The findings challenge long-standing ideas about Europe’s prehistoric ecosystems.

For decades, palaeontologists believed that horned dinosaurs were missing from Europe. Ceratopsians were widespread across Asia and North America during the Late Cretaceous. Famous species include Triceratops and Pachyrhinosaurus. Yet convincing fossils confirming their presence in Europe remained elusive.

The new research suggests these dinosaurs were hiding in plain sight.

The Enigmatic and Highly Significant Ajkaceratops kozmai

Ajkaceratops was first described from fragmentary fossils discovered in Hungary. These remains came from the Csehbánya Formation, rocks dating to approximately eighty-four million years ago (Santonian faunal stage of the Late Cretaceous). The fossils hinted at a small horned dinosaur, about the size of a labrador dog.

However, some researchers questioned this interpretation. The fossils were incomplete and difficult to interpret.

The new study, with corresponding author Professor Susannah Maidment (London Natural History Museum), provides crucial evidence. The research team described a new specimen, catalogue number MTM 2025.1.1. This fossil includes a much more complete skull. Detailed analysis of this fossil confirms that Ajkaceratops kozmai is indeed a true ceratopsian dinosaur.

Professor Maidment explained in a media release that the study indicates that far from being absent from Europe, ceratopsians may have been relatively common.

A scale drawing of the Late Cretaceous European ceratopsian Ajkaceratops (A. kozmai). Picture credit: Generated using AI/Canva with additional annotation by Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Generated using AI/Canva with additional annotation by Everything Dinosaur

Uncovering Another Surprising Discovery About Rhabdodontids

The research uncovered an even more surprising discovery. Several dinosaurs previously classified as rhabdodontids may actually be ceratopsians. Rhabdodontids were thought to be iguanodontians. In addition, these herbivorous dinosaurs were regarded as unique to Europe. However, the new analysis suggests that some fossils attributed to rhabdodontids belong to horned dinosaurs instead. For example, a dinosaur named as Mochlodon vorosi is now considered a junior synonym of Ajkaceratops.

Another dramatic revision involves the Romanian dinosaur Zalmoxes shqiperorum. This species has now been reassigned to a new ceratopsian genus named Ferenceratops (Maidment et al, 2026). The genus honours the pioneering Austro-Hungarian palaeontologist and polymath Baron Franz Nopcsa.

A Hidden Diversity of European Ceratopsians

These revisions suggest that horned dinosaurs may have been far more common in Europe than previously believed. Many fossils may have been misidentified because of incomplete material. The confusion stems partly from evolutionary history. Ceratopsians and iguanodontians share a common ancestor. They are both classified as ornithischian dinosaurs.  These two groups later evolved similar features. For instance, both developed complex chewing mechanisms and large body sizes. Some species also adopted quadrupedal locomotion. These similarities make fragmentary fossils difficult to identify.

An example of a typical rhabdodontid dinosaur. Life restoration of newly described rhabdodontid dinosaur Obelignathus septimanicus in the Late Cretaceous environment recorded in the ‘Grès à Reptiles’ Formation in southern France. A pair of dromaeosaurid dinosaurs can be seen lurking in the background. Picture credit: Edyta Felcyn-Kowalska.

Picture credit: Edyta Felcyn-Kowalska

Reassessing the Biota of Late Cretaceous Europe

During the Late Cretaceous, Europe formed a chain of islands scattered across the Tethys Sea. Scientists believed this isolation produced unique dinosaur faunas. Such as the fauna associated with the Hateg Basin. However, the presence of ceratopsians suggests European ecosystems may have been more similar to the fauna found elsewhere in the Northern Hemisphere.

The discovery also fills an important gap in ceratopsian evolution. Early horned dinosaurs originated in Asia and later spread to North America. Europe may have served as an important stepping stone during these dispersals. Furthermore, the study highlights the importance of museum collections. Fossils stored for decades can reveal new secrets when re-examined with modern techniques.

As more discoveries emerge, palaeontologists may uncover an unexpected diversity of European horned dinosaurs. It seems that Europe’s “missing” ceratopsians were there all along hiding in plain sight.

The scientific paper: “A hidden diversity of ceratopsian dinosaurs in Late Cretaceous Europe” by Susannah C. R. Maidment, Richard J. Butler, Stephen L. Brusatte, Luke E. Meade, Felix J. Augustin, Zoltán Csiki-Sava and Attila Ősi published in Nature.

For ceratopsian figures and other dinosaur models: Dinosaur Figures.

Following our post last month featuring news about the scimitar-crested spinosaurid Spinosaurus mirabilis, today, we publish some more images of this remarkable African theropod.  Our thanks to vertebrate palaeontologist and co-author of the study Daniel Vidal (University of Chicago) for helping team members to access these incredible illustrations.  In addition, we thank the media department at the University for providing these official images and the press release.

The beautiful artwork was created by talented palaeoartist Dani Navarro.

A life reconstruction of the recently named new Spinosaurus species Spinosaurus mirabilis. Picture credit: D. Navarro.

Picture credit: D. Navarro

To read Everything Dinosaur’s blog post about the discovery of S. mirabilis: A New Spinosaurid Species is Described.

Dani Navarro’s artwork has featured numerous times on this blog.  For example, Dani has provided several illustrations including front cover art for the prestigious magazine “Prehistoric Times”. In addition, he works closely with the Paul Sereno Fossil Lab and the University of Chicago.

An Award-winning Artist Illustrates Spinosaurus mirabilis

This award-winning artist has worked on the study of the Concavenator’s hump and the complete reconstruction of Edmontosaurus from fossil mummies. Furthermore, he has provided stunning artwork reconstructions of Spinosaurus aegyptiacus. Therefore, it is not surprising to find him producing illustrations of the recently described Spinosaurus mirabilis.

A close-up view of the head and neck of the recently described Spinosaurus (S. mirabilis). Picture credit: D. Navarro.

Picture credit: D. Navarro

Mike from Everything Dinosaur states:

“The work of scientific illustrators cannot be underestimated.  They skilfully reconstruct an animal from the fossil evidence.  Their artwork vividly brings to life a long extinct animal and helps to inform and inspire.”

Everything Dinosaur acknowledges the assistance of a media release from the University of Chicago in the compilation of this article.

The scientific paper: “Scimitar-crested Spinosaurus species from the Sahara caps stepwise spinosaurid radiation” by Paul C. Sereno, Daniel Vidal, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Evan Johnson-Ransom, María Ciudad Real, Stephanie L. Baumgart, Noelia Sánchez Fontela, Todd L. Green, Evan T. Saitta, Boubé Adamou, Lauren L. Bop, Tyler M. Keillor, Erin C. Fitzgerald, Didier B. Dutheil, Robert A. S. Laroche, Alexandre V. Demers-Potvin, Álvaro Simarro, Francesc Gascó-Lluna, Ana Lázaro, Arturo Gamonal, Charles V. Beightol, Vincent Reneleau, Rachel Vautrin, Filippo Bertozzo, Alejandro Granados, Grace Kinney-Broderick, Jordan C. Mallon, Rafael M. Lindoso and Jahandar Ramezani. Paper published in the journal Science.

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