A fossil once thought to represent an Early Permian reptile with soft tissue preservation has been proven to be a fake. The fossilised remains of a lizard-like reptile named Tridentinosaurus antiquus were found in the 1930s. It was thought to be an extremely rare fossil with carbonised skin impressions surrounding the articulated fossil bones. However, a detailed analysis of the specimen has revealed that these “soft tissues” were painted on.
Tridentinosaurus antiquus fossil specimen (A) showing sampling locations with (B) surface map of the fossil. The specimen photographed under UV light (C). Analysis revealed that the purported fossilised soft tissues of T. antiquus were forged. Picture credit: Rossi et al.
Tridentinosaurus antiquus Specimen is a Forgery
Discovered in the Italian Alps near the “Stramaiolo” (Redebus) locality in the Pinè Valley, the fossil was thought to represent one of the oldest, nearly complete and articulated reptiles known to science. Writing in the journal “Palaeontology”, the research team used a variety of techniques to analyse the surface structure of the twenty-centimetre-long fossil.
The results demonstrated that the purported fossilised soft tissues of Tridentinosaurus antiquus are not original. The fossil is a forgery. The paint applied within the prepared area around the poorly preserved bones and osteoderms, produced the shape of a slender lizard-like animal making the specimen look authentic.
Carbonised plant remains are known from the same locality. The forged body outline and soft tissues misled scientists who thought that the soft tissue had been carbonised just like plant fossils from this region. Under ultraviolet light the plant fossils did not fluoresce, however, the reptile fossil outline became fluorescent. Normally, carbonised fossil material does not fluoresce when exposed to UV light. However, artificial pigments, vanishes and glues are likely to become fluorescent.
The Validity of the Taxon is Doubted
Tridentinosaurus antiquus represents one of the oldest fossil reptiles known to science. The taphonomy and the appearance of this fossil had puzzled palaeontologists for decades. It was thought to represent a primitive diapsid reptile, a basal member of the Archosauromorpha that gave rise to the dinosaurs, crocodiles and birds.
The researchers were able to confirm that many of the features of this specimen had been forged. This discovery raises questions about the validity of this enigmatic taxon.
Despite the manipulation of the specimen, it may still have scientific value. The poorly preserved long bones of the hindlimbs seem to be genuine and resemble the quality of preservation of exposed bones of Late Triassic pterosauromorphs such as Scleromochlus. Perhaps, this fossil is an example of the lineage of basal archosaurs that gave rise to the flying reptiles (Pterosauria).
Close-up view of the shoulder area (D) and an enlargement of the pelvic girdle (E). Although much of the fossil has been altered some bones seem to be genuine and resemble the quality of preservation of exposed bones of Late Triassic pterosauromorphs such as Scleromochlus. Scale bar in (D) equals 5 mm. The scale bar (E) equals 3 mm. Picture credit: Rossi et al.
Why Fake a Fossil?
Fossils are sometimes manipulated to make them more valuable to collectors. If the fossil can be seen to be more complete or rare it can greatly enhance their monetary value.
Everything Dinosaur acknowledges the assistance of a media release from the Museum of Nature South Tyrol (Naturmuseum Südtirol) in the compilation of this article.
The scientific paper: “Forged soft tissues revealed in the oldest fossil reptile from the early Permian of the Alps” by Valentina Rossi, Massimo Bernardi, Mariagabriella Fornasiero, Fabrizio Nestola, Richard Unitt, Stefano Castelli, Evelyn Kustatscher published in Palaeontology.
Visit the Everything Dinosaur website (there are no fakes here): Everything Dinosaur.
Newly published research examining dinosaur locomotion and comparing it with other archosaurs suggests that the way in which dinosaurs moved could have given them a competitive advantage.
The research was undertaken by a team from the University of Bristol. It has been published today in Royal Society Open Science. The team’s findings indicate that the earliest dinosaurs were simply faster and more dynamic than their competitors. Perhaps the greater locomotor plasticity of dinosaurs gave them a distinctive advantage over other terrestrial animals. This may help to explain why the dinosaur/pterosaur/bird branch of the archosaurs, the Avemetatarsalia eventually outcompeted the archosaur crocodilian lineage (Pseudosuchia).
Studying Dinosaur Locomotion
The researchers compared the limb proportions of an extensive range of archosaurs that lived during the Triassic. In total, the limb proportions of 208 taxa were studied. The research team identified which of these tetrapods was quadrupedal (four-footed) or bipedal (two-footed). The cursoriality index of each animal was also examined. The cursoriality index is essentially a measure of running ability.
The results demonstrated that the earliest dinosaurs and their close relatives were bipedal and cursorial – they had limbs adapted for running. These animals, members of the Avemetatarsalia subgroup of the archosaurs had a much wider range of running styles compared to the other archosaur lineage, the Pseudosuchia.
Evolutionary tree showing how dinosaur limb adaptation expanded through the Triassic period until it was greater overall than the spread of locomotion types in their competitors, including pseudosuchians, other avemetatarsalians, and other archosaurs. These changes also included many early dinosaurs with strong adaptations to cursoriality (running). Mass extinctions are marked along the time scale: PTME, Permian-Triassic mass extinction; CPE, Carnian pluvial episode; ETME, end-Triassic mass extinction). Picture credit: Amy Shipley.
A Higher Range of Locomotory Modes by the Avemetatarsalia
The Pseudosuchia include the ancestors of extant crocodilians. Some were small, bipedal insectivores, but most were medium-to-large-sized carnivores and herbivores, and they were very successful throughout the Triassic. The research team calculated that the Dinosauria and other members of the Avemetatarsalia, maintained a higher range of locomotory modes throughout this period.
Lead author of the study Amy Shipley commented:
“When the crunch came, 233 million years ago, dinosaurs won out”.
The MSc Palaeobiology student at the University of Bristol added:
“At that time, climates went from wet to dry, and there was severe pressure for food. Somehow the dinosaurs, which had been around in low numbers already for twenty million years, took off and the pseudosuchians did not. It’s likely the early dinosaurs were good at water conservation, as many modern reptiles and birds are today. But our evidence shows that their greater adaptability in walking and running played a key part.”
Evolution of the thigh bone (femur) through the Triassic, starting with a very limited array of shapes, and ending with a broad array of shapes for the dinosaur femur (high disparity), indicating a wide range of locomotion modes. Picture credit: Amy Shipley.
The End Triassic Mass Extinction Event (ETME)
Co-author of the paper, Professor Mike Benton explained that at the end of the Triassic there was a mass extinction event. Most of the pseudosuchians died out, except for the ancestors of today’s crocodilians. The surviving dinosaurs expanded their range of locomotion again, taking over many of the empty niches in food webs.
Co-author Dr Armin Elsler added:
“When we looked at evolutionary rates, we found that in fact dinosaurs were not evolving particularly fast. This was a surprise because we expected to see fast evolution in avemetatarsalians and slower evolution in pseudosuchians. What this means is that the locomotion style of dinosaurs was advantageous to them, but it was not an engine of intense evolutionary selection. In other words, when crises happened, they were well placed to take advantage of opportunities after the crisis.”
An illustration of the early dinosaur Eoraptor lunensis from the Upper Triassic Ischigualasto Formation of Argentina. Picture credit: Nobu Tamura.
Could Dinosaur Locomotion be Key to Their Evolutionary Success?
Fellow collaborator Dr Tom Stubbs stated that the word “dinosaur” conjures up in the public’s imagination a slow-moving, large and lumbering animal. The first dinosaurs, animals such as Eoraptor lunensis were very different. The first members of the Dinosauria were small and agile.
Dr Stubbs said:
“The first dinosaurs were only a metre long, up high on their legs, and bipedal. Their leg posture meant they could move fast and catch their prey while escaping larger predators.”
Co-author Dr Suresh Singh concluded:
“And of course, their diversity of posture and focus on fast running meant that dinosaurs could diversify when they had the chance. After the end-Triassic mass extinction, we get truly huge dinosaurs, over ten metres long, some with armour, many quadrupedal, but many still bipedal like their ancestors. The diversity of their posture and gait meant they were immensely adaptable, and this ensured strong success on Earth for so long.”
Everything Dinosaur acknowledges the assistance of a media release from Bristol University in the compilation of this article.
The scientific paper: “Locomotion and the early Mesozoic success of Archosauromorpha” by Amy E. Shipley, Armin Elsler, Suresh A. Singh, Thomas L. Stubbs and Michael J. Benton published in Royal Society Open Science.
A new species of Jurassic pterosaur has been described based on fossils found on the Isle of Skye. The new flying reptile has been named Ceoptera evansae (Ki-yo-op-ter-rah evans-say). It lived around 168-166 million years ago (Bathonian faunal stage of the Middle Jurassic). It has been classified as part of the controversial Darwinoptera clade. The discovery of Ceoptera demonstrates that this clade was considerably more diverse than previously thought. The Darwinoptera are now thought to have persisted for more than twenty-five million years and probably had a worldwide distribution.
The Isle of Skye around 168 million years ago. A flock of Ceoptera take to the skies as turtles look on and a group of sauropods wander towards the treeline. A large pterosaur is seen overhead, we suspect that this is a solitary Dearc sgiathanach. Picture credit: NHM and Mark Witton.
The artist has depicted a single, slender-winged pterosaur soaring high above the Ceoptera flock. We suspect that this is a representation of the recently described rhamphorhynchid Dearc sgiathanach.
The fossil remains were found partially exposed on a large boulder situated a few metres from the cliffs on the north side of Glen Scaladal at Cladach a’Ghlinne, a small beach that forms part of the coastline of Loch Scavaig, on the Strathaird Peninsula, Isle of Skye. The fossil bearing rocks are associated with the Kilmaluag Formation. The density and hardness of the matrix, coupled with the fragile nature of the fossil bones made the specimen unsuitable for mechanical preparation.
A complex process of acid bath immersion was undertaken to weaken the matrix and to expose the bones. The acid immersion, stabilising via rinsing and oven drying was repeated twenty-nine times in order to get the bones suitably prepared for analysis and CT scanning.
The fossilised remains of Ceoptera evansae. The slab (top left) contains the shoulder region, parts of the wing and vertebrae. Picture credit: Trustees of the Natural History Museum London.
Ceoptera evansae
The discovery of Ceoptera underpins a new and more complex model for the early evolution of pterosaurs. Flying reptile fossils from the Middle Jurassic are extremely rare. Those that have been found are relatively incomplete and fragmentary. Whilst no cranial material is associated with Ceoptera evansae, this discovery demonstrates that the major Jurassic pterosaur clades were present before the end of the Early Jurassic.
The fossils also provide important new information concerning the geographic and stratigraphic range of the controversial clade Darwinoptera. It had been thought that this species-poor group were largely restricted to the Upper Jurassic of eastern Asia. With the discovery of Ceoptera it suggests that these pterosaurs were both temporally and geographically widespread.
Many of the bones remain completely embedded in rock and can only be studied using CT-scanning. This pterosaur is one of the first flying reptiles to be digitally assessed using scans and computer modelling.
Senior author of the paper, Professor Paul Barrett (London Natural History Museum), stated:
“Ceoptera helps to narrow down the timing of several major events in the evolution of flying reptiles. Its appearance in the Middle Jurassic of the UK was a complete surprise, as most of its close relatives are from China. It shows that the advanced group of flying reptiles to which it belongs appeared earlier than we thought and quickly gained an almost worldwide distribution.”
A three-dimensional model showing the layout and configuration of the fossil material. Picture credit: Liz Martin-Silverstone.
Ceoptera evansae – What’s in a Name?
The generic name is derived from the Scottish Gaelic word cheò or ceò (pronounced ‘ki-yo’), meaning mist. This is a reference to the common Gaelic name for the Isle of Skye Eilean a’ Cheò, or Isle of Mist), and the Latin ptera, meaning wing (feminine).
The species name honours Professor Susan E. Evans. It was Professor Evans who first became aware of the Glen Scaladal site’s potential for vertebrate fossils.
Lead author Dr Liz Martin-Silverstone, a palaeobiologist at the University of Bristol explained:
“The time period that Ceoptera is from is one of the most important periods of pterosaur evolution, and is also one in which we have some of the fewest specimens, indicating its significance. To find that there were more bones embedded within the rock, some of which were integral in identifying what kind of pterosaur Ceoptera is, made this an even better find than initially thought. It brings us one step closer to understanding where and when the more advanced pterosaurs evolved.”
Everything Dinosaur acknowledges the assistance of the press team at the University of Bristol and a media release from the London Natural History Museum in the compilation of this article.
The scientific paper: “A new pterosaur from the Middle Jurassic of Skye, Scotland and the early diversification of flying reptiles” by Elizabeth Martin-Silverstone, David M. Unwin, Andrew R. Cuff, Emily E. Brown, Lu Allington-Jones and Paul M. Barrett published in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology.
To discover a new dinosaur species might mark the high point of a long career in palaeontology for some scientists. However, for one Oklahoma State University (OSU) student they can already put a tick in the “named a new dinosaur box” on their curriculum vitae. Kyle Atkins-Weltman (PhD student in the School of Biomedical Sciences), was studying a selection of foot and leg bone fossils of what was thought to be a juvenile Anzu wyliei. Remarkably, analysis of the fossils indicated that these bones came from a mature animal and as such they represented a new dinosaur species. Based on these findings, Kyle was able to erect a new Hell Creek theropod – Eoneophron infernalis.
Limb bones of the newly described Hell Creek Formation caenagnathid Eoneophron infernalis. Picture credit: Kyle Atkins-Weldman.
The picture (above) shows limb bones from the newly described caenagnathid. Metatarsals (left) with the right tibia (centre) and a femur (right).
Pharaoh’s Dawn Chicken from Hell
Bone histology revealed the fossils to represent a dinosaur at least six years of age when it died. These were not the bones from a juvenile A. wyliei, but from a smaller but closely related theropod species. The student named the new dinosaur Eoneophron infernalis. It translates as “Pharaoh’s dawn chicken from Hell”. Team members at UK-based Everything Dinosaur pronounce this dinosaur as ee-on-oh-fron in-fur-nal-lis.
The name honours the description of the Anzu taxon as well as the student’s late beloved pet, a Nile monitor lizard named Pharaoh.
Oklahoma State University PhD student Kyle Atkins-Weltman. Picture credit: Matt Barnard/OSU Centre for Health Sciences.
Eoneophron infernalis and Implications for Caenagnathid Diversity
Previously, only one caenagnathid (Anzu wyliei) was known from the Hell Creek Formation. It was formally named and described in 2014 (Lamanna et al). Palaeontologists were aware of smaller, fragmentary fossil bones representing caenagnathids from the Hell Creek Formation. It was unclear whether these fossils represented distinct, undescribed taxa or juvenile A. wyliei specimens. Eoneophron infernalis is estimated to have stood around one metre high at the hips and weighed approximately seventy kilograms. In contrast, Anzu wyliei was much larger, with a hip height of about 1.5 metres and weighing three hundred kilograms.
This new taxon is also distinct from other small caenagnathid material previously described from the area. Scientists postulate that there are potentially three distinct caenagnathid genera in the Hell Creek Formation. These results show that caenagnathid diversity in the Hell Creek ecosystem has probably been underestimated.
A life reconstruction of Eoneophron infernalis (left), an as yet, undescribed caenagnathid MOR 752 (bottom), and Anzu wyliei (right). Picture credit: Zubin Erik Dutta.
A Feathered Dinosaur
When asked to describe Eoneophron infernalis, Kyle highlighted how closely related to birds these dinosaurs were. He stated:
“It was a very bird-like dinosaur. It had a toothless beak and a relatively short tail. It’s hard to tell its diet because of the toothless beak. It definitely had feathers. It was covered in feathers and had wings.”
Co-author of the scientific paper and Kyle’s faculty advisor Associate Professor Eric Snively commented:
“Kyle is the first student researcher at OSU-CHS to reveal, describe and name a new dinosaur.”
When it looked like the fossils may not belong to an Anzu, Atkins-Weltman turned to caenagnathid researchers Greg Funston, PhD, a palaeontologist with the Royal Ontario Museum in Ontario, Canada, and palaeontology PhD candidate Jade Simons with the University of Toronto for their assistance.
He was also able to involve Associate Professor of Anatomy Dr Holly Woodward Ballard, an expert in bone histology.
A view of the metatarsal bones of Eoneophron infernalis. Picture credit: Kyle Atkins-Weldman.
A Thrilling Discovery
Kyle Atkins-Weltman explained that his project and published findings would not have been possible without his co-authors and those who assisted him.
He added:
“It was really thrilling. Based on the work and research I do, I never thought I would be someone to discover a new dinosaur species.”
Eoneophron infernalis life reconstruction. Picture credit: Zubin Erik Dutta.
Everything Dinosaur acknowledges the assistance of a media release from Oklahoma State University in the compilation of this article.
The scientific paper: “A new oviraptorosaur (Dinosauria: Theropoda) from the end-Maastrichtian Hell Creek Formation of North America” by Kyle L. Atkins-Weltman, D. Jade Simon, Holly N. Woodward, Gregory F. Funston and Eric Snively published in PLOS One.
Scientists have identified a new species of tyrannosaur from fossils found in western New Mexico. The dinosaur has been named Tyrannosaurus mcraeensis. Although it lived many millions of years before T. rex, it was closely related to it and around the same size.
A life reconstruction of Tyrannosaurus mcraeensis with the contemporaneous chasmosaur Sierraceratops in the background. Picture credit: Sergey Krasovskiy.
Tyrannosaurus mcraeensis
The study, published in “Scientific Reports” postulates that the ancestors of T. rex originated in southern Laramidia. Where and when the tyrannosaur lineage that includes T. rex and its closest relatives evolved remains unclear. It had been thought that these theropods originated in Asia, or perhaps at more northerly latitudes of Laramidia. The identification of fossils representing a giant, 12-metre-plus tyrannosaur suggests that large-bodied, apex predators evolved alongside other exceptionally large dinosaurs at lower latitudes.
The researchers examined a partial skull (NMMNH P-3698), that had been excavated from a location in Sierra County, New Mexico. The fossil material consisted of a right postorbital and squamosal, along with a left palatine, a fragmentary maxilla and elements from the lower jaws including the left dentary. The fossils come from Hall Lake Formation (McRae Group). Uranium to lead (U/Pb) isotope analysis of a layer some thirty metres below the tyrannosaur fossil site is dated to 73.2 mya plus or minus 0.7 million years. This indicates that Tyrannosaurus mcraeensis predates T. rex by approximately 6-7 million years.
Cranial elements of Tyrannosaurus mcraeensis (NMMNH P-3698). Right postorbital in (A), lateral view; (B), medial view; (C), dorsal view. Right squamosal in (D), lateral view; (E), medial view; (F), ventral view. Note scale bars = 10 cm. Picture credit: Dalman et al.
The skull bones, previously assigned to T. rex are currently on display at the New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science (NMMNHS).
The left dentary of Tyrannosaurus mcraeensis (NMMNH P-3698) in media view (A), lateral view (B) and dorsal view (C). The right spenial in medial view (D) and (E) the right angular in medial view. The right prearticular is shown in medial view (F). Note scale bar = 20 cm. Picture credit: Dalman et al.
Older and More Primitive than Tyrannosaurus rex
While the new discovery predates T. rex, the paper notes that subtle differences in the jaw bones make it unlikely that T. mcraeensis was a direct ancestor. However, it is assigned to the Tyrannosaurini tribe, which is defined by the authors as the last common ancestor of the Asian Tarbosaurus bataar and Tyrannosaurus rex and all its descendants.
Contributing authors on the study include researchers from the University of Bath (UK), NMMNHS, University of Utah, The George Washington University, Harrisburg University, Penn State Lehigh Valley, and the University of Alberta.
Ironically, it was the examination of horned dinosaur fossils from the same palaeoenvironment that led to the discovery of a new Tyrannosaurus species. In 2013, then-student Sebastian Dalman began to re-examine ceratopsian fossils, it led to a broader rethink about the dinosaur fauna associated with the McRae Group.
Dalman commented:
“I started working on this project in 2013 with co-author Steve Jasinski and soon we started to suspect we were on to something new.”
Careful Comparison with T. rex Skull Fossils
Analysis of the skull material revealed subtle, but unique traits relating to their morphology and articulation. Careful comparison with T. rex skull fossils led the research team to conclude that these bones did not represent Tyrannosaurus rex. This was something new.
Comparing skull bones of the newly described Tyrannosaurus mcraeensis and Tyrannosaurus rex. Variation in the postorbitals (A–F), dentaries (G–K) and splenials (M–Q) of Tyrannosaurus mcraeensis (A, G, M) and Tyrannosaurus rex (B–F, H–L, N–Q). Scale bars = 10 cm. Picture credit: Dalman et al.
As T. rex is known from multiple individuals, it is possible to show that T. mcraeensis lies outside of the range of individual variation seen in T. rex.
Co-author of the paper, Dr Anthony Fiorillo, Executive Director of NMMNHS explained:
“New Mexicans have always known our state is special, now we know that New Mexico has been a special place for tens of millions of years. This study delivers on the mission of this museum through the science-based investigation of the history of life on our planet.”
Size estimates for Tyrannosaurus mcraeensis put it in the same bracket as the famous and geologically younger T. rex. It is thought to have measured around twelve metres in length.
Fellow author of the paper, Dr Nick Longrich (Milner Centre for Evolution at the University of Bath) added:
“The differences are subtle, but that’s typically the case in closely related species. Evolution slowly causes mutations to build up over millions of years, causing species to look subtly different over time.”
Tyrannosaurus mcraeensis and the Origins of T. rex
The identification of a new Tyrannosaurus from New Mexico raises the intriguing possibility that there are several more new tyrannosaur discoveries yet to be made.
Co-author Dr Spencer Lucas (Palaeontology Curator at the NMMNHS) stated:
“Once again, the extent and scientific importance of New Mexico’s dinosaur fossils becomes clear. Many new dinosaurs remain to be discovered in the state, both in the rocks and in museum drawers!”
Tyrannosaurus mcraeensis expands our understanding of tyrannosaurs in several ways. Firstly, it suggests that the apex predators lived in what is now the southern United States at least 72 million years ago. Secondly, the Tyrannosaurus genus likely originated in southern North America then later expanded into much of the western portion of the continent.
Phylogenetic analysis supports this hypothesis. The analysis places T. mcraeensis as sister taxon to T. rex and suggests the Tyrannosaurini tribe originated in southern Laramidia.
Size, relationships and biogeography of Tyrannosaurus mcraeensis. (A), relative sizes of Tyrannosaurus mcraeensis (NMMNH P-3698) and Tyrannosaurus rex known as “Sue” (FMNH PR 2081) and the type specimen (CM 9380). An evolutionary tree based on Bayesian tip-dated phylogeny and biogeographic analysis. Picture credit: Dalman et al.
Tyrannosaurus mcraeensis Raises More Questions
The skull fossils assigned to T. mcraeensis suggest that larger, more robust and powerful tyrannosaurs evolved in the southern United States compared to the smaller and more primitive tyrannosaurs found further north.
For reasons as yet unknown, dinosaurs may have evolved to larger sizes in lower latitudes in North America. This body condition pattern is not seen in modern mammals. This newly described tyrannosaur was part of an ecosystem dominated by super-sized dinosaurs. For example, the giant chasmosaur Sierraceratops turneri was contemporaneous. In addition, the titanosaur Alamosaurus and an as yet, undescribed giant hadrosaur shared this palaeoenvironment.
Dinosaurs of the Campanian-Maastrichtian Hall Lake Formation. Tyrannosaurus mcraeensis (NMMNH P-3698), the horned dinosaur Sierraceratops turneri, a giant but as yet undescribed hadrosaurid and the titanosaur Alamosaurus. Picture credit: Dalman et al.
Giant tyrannosaurs were able to spread north during the Maastrichtian stage of the Late Cretaceous. The reasons for this migration remain unclear. Perhaps the northward spread of giant herbivores such as Triceratops and Torosaurus created a food source that could be exploited by the very biggest tyrannosaurs.
Everything Dinosaur acknowledges the assistance of a media release from the University of Bath in the compilation of this article.
The scientific paper: “A giant tyrannosaur from the Campanian–Maastrichtian of southern North America and the evolution of tyrannosaurid gigantism” by Sebastian G. Dalman, Mark A. Loewen, R. Alexander Pyron, Steven E. Jasinski, D. Edward Malinzak, Spencer G. Lucas, Anthony R. Fiorillo, Philip J. Currie and Nicholas R. Longrich published in Scientific Reports.
Yesterday, Everything Dinosaur published an article about the newly described Cambrian marine worm Timorebestia (T. koprii).
Thought to be a stem chaetognath (arrow worm), Timorebestia may have been an apex, pelagic (active swimming) marine predator during the Early Cambrian. The authors of the scientific paper proposed that these marine worms may have been top of the food chain for millions of years. The evolution of arthropods, specifically the Radiodonta and predators like Anomalocaris may have led to their decline.
Examination of what was thought to be the gut of one specimen, revealed the remains of an arthropod (Isoxys). Hence, the theory that Timorebestia was an active predator placed high in the marine food web.
Amazing Artwork Depicting a Scene from the Cambrian
As part of the media release, a fantastic and dramatic artwork showing Timorebestia attacking a shoal of Isoxys was included. This illustration was produced by the very talented palaeoartist Bob Nicholls. A variety of taxa were included in the superb painting. These animals are associated with the fossil site, located in Greenland. The location is known as the Sirius Passet Cambrian Lagerstätte.
A reconstruction of the pelagic ecosystem and the organisms fossilised in Sirius Passet, revealing how Timorebestia was one of the largest predators in the water column more than 518 million years ago. Picture credit: Bob Nicholls.
Picture credit: Bob Nicholls
A Key to the Other Marine Fauna in the Timorebestia Artwork
Such is the complexity of the artwork used to highlight a potential hunting strategy of Timorebestia, Everything Dinosaur team members decided to publish a helpful key. Readers and therefore identify the different animals feature in the painting.
The Sirius Passet marine environment. The waters over what was to become Greenland was full of life 518 million years ago. Picture credit: Bob Nicholls.
Identifying the Prehistoric Animals
We have highlighted several of the marine prehistoric animals featured in the Bob Nicholls artwork.
The Key
1 = Timorebestia koprii (a pair of these stem chaetognaths), possibly apex predators in the water column.
2 = Siriocaris a primitive arthropod.
3 = Kiisortoqia a primitive arthropod.
4 = Kerygmachela a gilled lobopodian, probably closely related to the Radiodonta. It was probably a predator, but its mouthparts were very small indicating it probably ate animals much smaller than it.
5 = Kleptothule – an elongated trilobite.
6 = Isoxys – a primitive arthropod with semi-circular, bivalved carapaces. A very common fossil in the Sirius Passet Lagerstätte.
7 = Pauloterminus – an arthropod that resembled a shrimp.
8 = An amplectobeluid – an as yet, undescribed radiodont known from the Sirius Passet Lagerstätte. It was probably a predator and distantly related to Anomalocaris.
9 = Tamisiocaris a large radiodont that was probably a filter feeder.
It has been suggested that the arrow worms such as Timorebestia were gradually replaced as apex predators by the radiodonts such as Anomalocaris. The CollectA Anomalocaris model. A fantastic replica of an early apex predator. The CollectA Anomalocaris (Other Prehistoric Animal Models).
Scientists have named a new, probable apex predator from the Sirius Passet fossil locality in northern Greenland. Measuring in excess of thirty centimetres long, Timorebestia koprii was a giant pelagic predator. These marine worms may be some of the earliest carnivorous animals to have colonised the water column. The fossils are dated to approximately 518 million years ago and reveal a complex, multi-tiered marine ecosystem.
A reconstruction of the pelagic ecosystem and the organisms fossilised in Sirius Passet, revealing how Timorebestia was one of the largest predators in the water column more than 518 million years ago. Picture credit: Bob Nicholls.
Picture credit: Bob Nicholls
The image (above) shows a pair of Timorebestia (T. koprii) attacking a shoal of the Cambrian arthropod Isoxys. Several other pelagic (active swimming) animals are featured in the artwork.
Timorebestia koprii
The genus name Timorebestia means “terror beasts” in Latin. These marine worms were some of the largest swimming animals in the Early Cambrian seas. They had fins down the sides of their body, a distinct head with long antennae and large jaw structures. The species has been erected in honour of the Korea Polar Research Institute (KOPRI). It is an acknowledgement of their support of the field expeditions to northern Greenland.
Senior author of the study published in “Science Advances”, Dr Jakob Vinther explained:
“We have previously known that primitive arthropods were the dominant predators during the Cambrian, such as the bizarre-looking anomalocaridids. However, Timorebestia is a distant, but close, relative of living arrow worms, or chaetognaths. These are much smaller ocean predators today that feed on tiny zooplankton.”
Dr Jakob Vinther at the Sirius Passet locality in 2017 showing the largest specimen of Timorebestia koprii after it was found. Picture credit: Dr Jakob Vinther.
Picture credit: Dr Jakob Vinther
The Fossilised Digestive System of Timorebestia
Inside the fossilised digestive system of Timorebestia, the researchers found remains of a common, swimming arthropod called Isoxys.
Co-author, former PhD student at Bristol University, Morten Lunde Nielsen provided more information about Isoxys:
“We can see these arthropods were a food source for many other animals. They are very common at Sirius Passet and had long protective spines, pointing both forwards and backwards. However, they clearly didn’t completely succeed in avoiding that fate, because Timorebestia munched on them in great quantities.”
Fossil of Timorebestia koprii and an interpretive drawing. The scientists used a technique called an electron microprobe to map the carbon in the fossil out, which reveals anatomical features with immense clarity including its fin rays and muscle systems. Picture credit: Dr Jakob Vinther.
Picture credit: Dr Jakob Vinther
Arrow Worms
Described as a stem chaetognath (arrow worm), Timorebestia represents a significant discovery. Chaetognaths are one of the oldest animal groups known from the Cambrian. For example, arthropods appear in the fossil record as far back as 529 million years ago, but arrow worms can be traced back to at least 538 million years ago.
Dr Vinther has suggested that both arrow worms and the more primitive Timorebestia were swimming predators. It can be surmised that these marine worms were the dominant pelagic predators before the arthropods.
He stated:
“Perhaps they had a dynasty of about 10-15 million years before they got superseded by other, and more successful, groups.”
Luke Parry from Oxford University, who was part of the research team, added:
“Timorebestia is a really significant find for understanding where these jawed predators came from. Today, arrow worms have menacing bristles on the outside of their heads for catching prey, whereas Timorebestia has jaws inside its head. This is what we see in microscopic jaw worms today, organisms that arrow worms shared an ancestor with over half a billion years ago. Timorebestia and other fossils like it provide links between closely related organisms that today look very different.”
Everything Dinosaur acknowledges the assistance of a media release from the University of Bristol in the compilation of this article.
The scientific paper: “A giant stem-group chaetognath” by Tae-Yoon S. Park, Morten Lunde Nielsen, Luke A. Parry, Martin Vinther Sørensen, Mirinae Lee, Ji-Hoon Kihm, Ji-Hoon Kihm, Changkun Park, Giacinto de Vivo, M. Paul Smith, David A. T. Harper, Arne T. Nielsen and Jakob Vinther published in Science Advances.
Newly published research suggests that the Nanotyrannus genus is valid. Writing in the academic journal “Fossil Studies” researchers conclude that Nanotyrannus lancensis is a distinct species and that fossil specimens do not represent juvenile examples of Tyrannosaurus rex.
An adult Nanotyrannus lancensis attacks a juvenile T. rex. Newly published research suggests that N. lancensis is a valid taxon. Picture credit: Raul Martin.
Nanotyrannus lancensis and Tyrannosaurus rex
The scientists, Dr Nick Longrich, from the Milner Centre for Evolution at the University of Bath and Dr Evan Saitta, from the University of Chicago propose that Nanotyrannus was probably not closely related to T. rex. Their research indicates that Nanotyrannus was a smaller, longer-armed tyrannosaur with a narrower snout.
The debate as to the validity of Nanotyrannus as a taxon has persisted for decades. The first skull assigned to Nanotyrannus was found in Montana in 1942. Analysis of a skull bone from a previously unrecognised T. rex fossil coupled with a detailed bone histology demonstrates that specimens of N. lancensis do indeed represent adult animals and not juveniles of another, already described species.
The research led Longrich and co-author Evan Saitta to a previous fossil discovery. The skull bone is a frontal, it was at a museum in San Francisco but had not been studied. The researchers were able to conclude that this frontal came from a juvenile T. rex, an animal that would have had a skull about 45 cm long and a body length of 5 metres.
Frontal skull bone from a young T. rex. Picture credit: Longrich and Saitta/University of Bath.
Dr Longrich explained:
“Yes, it’s just one specimen, and just one bone, but it only takes one. T. rex skull bones are very distinctive, nothing else looks like it. Young T. rex exist, they’re just incredibly rare, like juveniles of most dinosaurs.”
Comparing Growth Rates
Measuring the growth rings in Nanotyrannus bones, the researchers demonstrated that they became more closely packed towards the outside of the bone – its growth was slowing. It suggests these animals were nearly full size, not fast-growing juveniles. Modelling the growth of the fossils showed the animals would have reached a maximum of around 900-1500 kilograms and five metres – about 15 per cent of the size of the giant T. rex, which grew to 8,000 kilograms and twelve metres long or more.
Holotype Nanotyrannus lancensis skull (left) compared to T. rex skull (right). Significant autapomorphies in both cranial and postcranial fossils were documented. Picture credit: Longrich and Saitta/University of Bath.
Dr Longrich commented:
“When I saw these results, I was pretty blown away. I didn’t expect it to be quite so conclusive.”
He added:
“If they were young T. rex they should be growing like crazy, putting on hundreds of kilograms a year, but we’re not seeing that. We tried modelling the data in a lot of different ways and we kept getting low growth rates. This is looking like the end for the hypothesis that these animals are young T. rex.”
Fossil evidence suggests that Nanotyrannus grew slowly compared to the rapid growth of a teenage T. rex. Picture credit: Longrich and Saitta/University of Bath.
No Evidence of Fossils with Combined Traits
In addition, the researchers found no evidence of fossils combining features of both the Nanotyrannus and T. rex, which would exist if the one transitioned into the other. Every fossil they examined could be confidently identified as one species or the other. Neither did the patterns of growth in other tyrannosaurs fit with the hypothesis that Nanotyrannus fossils were juvenile T. rex.
The new for 2021 PNSO Nanotyrannus dinosaur model.
The picture (above) shows a replica of Nanotyrannus lancensis in the PNSO model range.
Nanotyrannus lancensis – Strong Evidence in Support of this Genus
Dr Longrich said:
“If you look at juveniles of other tyrannosaurs, they show many of the distinctive features of the adults. A very young Tarbosaurus – a close relative of T. rex – shows distinctive features of the adults. In the same way that kittens look like cats and puppies look like dogs, the juveniles of different tyrannosaurs are distinctive. Nanotyrannus just doesn’t look anything like a T. rex. It could be growing in a way that’s completely unlike any other tyrannosaur, or any other dinosaur- but it’s more likely it’s just not a T. rex.”
The researchers argue these findings are strong evidence that Nanotyrannus is a separate species, one not closely related to Tyrannosaurus. It was more lightly-built and long-limbed than its thick-set relative. It also had larger arms, unlike the famously short-armed T. rex.
Furthermore, the authors suggest that, given how difficult it is to tell dinosaurs apart based on their often-incomplete skeletons, palaeontologists may be underestimating the diversity of dinosaurs, and other fossil species.
Everything Dinosaur acknowledges the assistance of a media release from the University of Bath in the compilation of this article.
The scientific paper: “Taxonomic Status of Nanotyrannus lancensis (Dinosauria: Tyrannosauroidea) — A Distinct Taxon of Small-Bodied Tyrannosaur” by Nicholas R. Longrich and Evan T. Saitta published in Fossil Studies.
A new television documentary featuring Sir David Attenborough is due to be shown on the BBC tomorrow (New Year’s Day). Entitled “Attenborough and the Giant Sea Monster”, it tells the story of the excavation of a huge pliosaur skull from the Dorset coast.
The life-size replica of the pliosaur (P. carpenteri) suspended from the ceiling at the Bristol Museum and Art Gallery. Pliosaurus carpenteri was formally named and described in 2013 (Benson et al). Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.
Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur
The image (above) shows a replica of a pliosaur on display at the Bristol Museum and Art Gallery. Scientists from Bristol University were involved in the study of this pliosaur skull. The skull likely represents a new genus of pliosaur, and at around ten metres long it was a monster!
The Giant Pliosaur Skull
Such is the preservation of the skull, that although crushed the bones remain in articulation. An accurate three-dimensional image of the fossil could be produced. From these images a three-dimensional model of the skull was made. Professor Emily Rayfield (University of Bristol) and expert in jaw biomechanics was able to use this model to estimate the bite force of this apex predator.
Based on scaling up bite force calculations from Saltwater crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus), a biteforce of around 32,000 newtons was calculated for the pliosaur. Although there is a margin of error to take into account with these calculations, the result represents the highest bite force estimated for a marine animal living or extinct.
The film follows Sir David Attenborough as he investigates the discovery of a lifetime. Sir David joins two of Britain’s most intrepid fossil hunters, Steve Etches and Chris Moore, as they face a race against time to excavate the fossil material from its precarious position halfway up a cliff near Kimmeridge Bay.
“Attenborough and the Giant Sea Monster” is due to be shown on BBC1 at 8pm on January 1st (2024).
The CollectA Deluxe 1:40 scale Pliosaurus model.
The image (above) shows a replica of a Pliosaurus marine reptile. It is similar in appearance to the CGI pliosaur images revealed in the documentary. The figure comes from the CollectA Deluxe range.
A new species of giant titanosaur has been scientifically described. The dinosaur, known from fossils from Neuquén Province, (Argentina) has been named Bustingorrytitan shiva. This dinosaur may have weighed more than sixty-seven tonnes! Although the body mass estimates are prone to error, it is likely that this huge herbivore weighed at least fifty tonnes.
The fossil material was collected from the base of the Huincul Formation and consists of a relatively complete skeleton and the partial remains of three others. The strata have been dated to the upper Cenomanian (95 mya). The fossils were collected from the surroundings of Villa El Chocón. The genus name was erected to honour Manuel Bustingorry, who permitted the excavation work to take place.
The species name is from the Hindu deity Shiva, which transformed the universe. This alludes to the extensive faunal turnover that occurred in the Cretaceous towards the Cenomanian/Turonian boundary.
Forelimb bones of the new, giant titanosaurian sauropod dinosaur Bustingorrytitan shiva. Note largest scale bars equal 2 cm. Picture credit: Simón and Salgado (Acta Palaeontologica Polonica).
Calculating the Weight of a Giant Titanosaur
Both cranial and postcranial material was recovered. The fossil material includes right and left humeri and fragmentary thigh bones (femora). From these bones (humerus and the femur) the minimum circumference of these limb bones can be established. A formula (Campione and Evans, 2012) can then be applied to estimate the body mass of the animal. These calculations suggest that B. shiva was heavier than Dreadnoughtus schrani and perhaps comparable to the original body weight calculated for Patagotitan mayorum.
Pelvic and hindlimb elements ascribed to Bustingorrytitan shiva. Note scale bars equal 20 cm. Picture credit: Simón and Salgado (Acta Palaeontologica Polonica).
Intriguingly, the holotype material from which some of the limb bone measurements originate, suggests that the holotype specimen was not fully grown when it died. Bustingorrytitan shiva, may have been much larger.
The scientific paper: “A new gigantic titanosaurian sauropod from the early Late Cretaceous of Patagonia (Neuquén Province, Argentina)” by María Edith Simón and Leonardo Salgado published in Acta Palaeontologica Polonica.
