specimen

Specimen nature

228 image(s) · 18 News

Image gallery

A more complete specimen of Wapuskanectes betsynichollsae. TMP2012.50.1.

(A) Dorsal view of the originally upside down remains recovered from north of the town of Fort McMurray, Alberta. The head and most of the neck were lost when intercepted by a grader during road construction. The right flipper was lost sometime in the Early Cretaceous prior to the final burial of the body. (B) The pelvic and abdominal regions of TMP2012.50.1 showing gastroliths (black arrows) within the body cavity that settled between the ribs of the inverted carcass and hint at a more substantial collection that is hidden inside the body cavity. Scale bars on body regions are 10 cm. Source credit: Sue Sabrowski, Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology.
Taxa Wapuskanectes

A more complete specimen of Wapuskanectes betsynichollsae. TMP2012.50.1. (A) Dorsal view of the originally upside down remains recovered from north of the town of Fort McMurray, Alberta. The head and most of the neck were lost when intercepted by a grader during road construction. The right flipper was lost sometime in the Early Cretaceous prior to the final burial of the body. (B) The pelvic and abdominal regions of TMP2012.50.1 showing gastroliths (black arrows) within the body cavity that settled between the ribs of the inverted carcass and hint at a more substantial collection that is hidden inside the body cavity. Scale bars on body regions are 10 cm. Source credit: Sue Sabrowski, Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology.

scale museum Cretaceous Early Cretaceous +2
Reconstruction of the skull of Lagenanectes richterae in right lateral view. Only the anterior part of the skull and lower jaw is preserved in the type and only known specimen. The posterior parts are reconstructed based on the related genus Libonectes.
Taxa Lagenanectes

Reconstruction of the skull of Lagenanectes richterae in right lateral view. Only the anterior part of the skull and lower jaw is preserved in the type and only known specimen. The posterior parts are reconstructed based on the related genus Libonectes.

specimen Lagenanectes Libonectes skull
MUHNCAL.20173, holotype specimen of Gondwananectes osvaldoi. A, quarry scheme of the recovered blocks (numbered 1–7). Blocks 1–3 preserve contact surfaces and they are arranged consistently. The position of blocks 4–7 is tentative due to the lack of contact surfaces, although it is based on the anatomical elements preserved. B, schematic diagram of the preserved anatomical elements in MUHNCAL.20173. Abbreviations: c1–c10, cervical centra/vertebrae; d1–d3, dorsal centra; d1na–d3na, neural arches of the d1–d3 dorsal centra; il, ilium fragment; in, indeterminate; lco, left coracoid, lcna, last cervical neural arch; lh, left humerus; lsc, left scapula (ventral process); p1–p2, pectoral centra; pd, posterior dorsal centrum; pna, pectoral neural arch; r, ribs; rh, right humerus (distal); rsc, right scapula (dorsal process). Scale bars represent 10 cm.
Taxa Gondwananectes

MUHNCAL.20173, holotype specimen of Gondwananectes osvaldoi. A, quarry scheme of the recovered blocks (numbered 1–7). Blocks 1–3 preserve contact surfaces and they are arranged consistently. The position of blocks 4–7 is tentative due to the lack of contact surfaces, although it is based on the anatomical elements preserved. B, schematic diagram of the preserved anatomical elements in MUHNCAL.20173. Abbreviations: c1–c10, cervical centra/vertebrae; d1–d3, dorsal centra; d1na–d3na, neural arches of the d1–d3 dorsal centra; il, ilium fragment; in, indeterminate; lco, left coracoid, lcna, last cervical neural arch; lh, left humerus; lsc, left scapula (ventral process); p1–p2, pectoral centra; pd, posterior dorsal centrum; pna, pectoral neural arch; r, ribs; rh, right humerus (distal); rsc, right scapula (dorsal process). Scale bars represent 10 cm.

humerus scale holotype specimen +1
Meyerasaurus victor (jr synonym Rhomaleosaurus victor) holotype. Specimen # SMNS 12478, Museum am Löwentor, Stuttgart, Germany
Taxa Meyerasaurus

Meyerasaurus victor (jr synonym Rhomaleosaurus victor) holotype. Specimen # SMNS 12478, Museum am Löwentor, Stuttgart, Germany

museum Germany holotype specimen +2
A color-coded skull diagram of Palatodonta bleekeri, mostly based on a diagram published by Neenan et al. (2013). Some interpretations (such as the presence of a quadratojugal) are based on Maisch (2020). Depicted in left lateral view, mirrored from the original specimen as preserved in right lateral view. Dotted lines indicate missing bone.
Taxa Palatodonta

A color-coded skull diagram of Palatodonta bleekeri, mostly based on a diagram published by Neenan et al. (2013). Some interpretations (such as the presence of a quadratojugal) are based on Maisch (2020). Depicted in left lateral view, mirrored from the original specimen as preserved in right lateral view. Dotted lines indicate missing bone.

bone specimen Palatodonta skull
Holotype specimen of Bellubrunnus BSP XVIII–VFKO–A12.

Scale bare 1 cm.
Taxa Bellubrunnus

Holotype specimen of Bellubrunnus BSP XVIII–VFKO–A12. Scale bare 1 cm.

scale holotype specimen Bellubrunnus
The holotype specimen of the extinct pterosaur Ceoptera, NHMUK PV R 37110
Taxa Ceoptera

The holotype specimen of the extinct pterosaur Ceoptera, NHMUK PV R 37110

museum holotype specimen Ceoptera +1
Holotype specimen of the anurognathid pterosaur Sinomacrops
Taxa Sinomacrops

Holotype specimen of the anurognathid pterosaur Sinomacrops

holotype specimen Anurognathidae Pterosauria +1
Photo of a specimen belonging to the anurognathid pterosaur Anurognathus
Taxa Anurognathus

Photo of a specimen belonging to the anurognathid pterosaur Anurognathus

specimen Anurognathidae Anurognathus Pterosauria
Mimodactylus libanensis gen. et sp. nov. (a) Photo and drawing of the complete specimen. (b) Close up of scapula and coracoid. (c) Detail of the wrist, showing the relation of the pteroid and the carpus. (d) Detail of the humerus. Scale-bars, a: 50 mm; b-d: 10 mm. Abbreviations. car: carpus; cdv: caudal vertebrae; cor: coracoid; cra: cranium; cs: cristospine; cv: cervical vertebrae; d: dentary; dcar: distal carpals; dpc: deltopectoral crest; dri: dorsal ribs; dv: dorsal vertebrae; fe: femur; hu: humerus; man: mandible; mcI-III: first to third metacarpals; mcIV: wing metacarpal; mtar: metatarsals; pcar: proximal carpals; ph1d4: first wing phalanx; ph2d4: second wing phalanx; ph3d4: third wing phalanx; ph4d4: fourth wing phalanx; ppu: prepubis; ptd: pteroid; ra: radius; sca: scapula; sri: sacral ribs; stp: sternal plate; sym: mandibular symphysis; tar: tarsus; te: teeth; ti: tibia; ul: ulna; the abbreviations ‘l’ and ‘r’ represents respectively left and right.
Taxa Mimodactylus

Mimodactylus libanensis gen. et sp. nov. (a) Photo and drawing of the complete specimen. (b) Close up of scapula and coracoid. (c) Detail of the wrist, showing the relation of the pteroid and the carpus. (d) Detail of the humerus. Scale-bars, a: 50 mm; b-d: 10 mm. Abbreviations. car: carpus; cdv: caudal vertebrae; cor: coracoid; cra: cranium; cs: cristospine; cv: cervical vertebrae; d: dentary; dcar: distal carpals; dpc: deltopectoral crest; dri: dorsal ribs; dv: dorsal vertebrae; fe: femur; hu: humerus; man: mandible; mcI-III: first to third metacarpals; mcIV: wing metacarpal; mtar: metatarsals; pcar: proximal carpals; ph1d4: first wing phalanx; ph2d4: second wing phalanx; ph3d4: third wing phalanx; ph4d4: fourth wing phalanx; ppu: prepubis; ptd: pteroid; ra: radius; sca: scapula; sri: sacral ribs; stp: sternal plate; sym: mandibular symphysis; tar: tarsus; te: teeth; ti: tibia; ul: ulna; the abbreviations ‘l’ and ‘r’ represents respectively left and right.

crest humerus scale drawing +3
Ferrodraco lentoni gen. et sp. nov. holotype specimen AODF 876. All preserved elements were photographed and scaled to the same size, then articulated where possible. These were then used as the basis for the scaling of the skeletal reconstruction, the missing parts of which were based on the skeletal reconstruction of Tropeognathus mesembrinus by Mark Witton. Scale bar = 50 mm.
Taxa Ferrodraco

Ferrodraco lentoni gen. et sp. nov. holotype specimen AODF 876. All preserved elements were photographed and scaled to the same size, then articulated where possible. These were then used as the basis for the scaling of the skeletal reconstruction, the missing parts of which were based on the skeletal reconstruction of Tropeognathus mesembrinus by Mark Witton. Scale bar = 50 mm.

scale holotype specimen Ferrodraco +1
Haliskia peterseni gen. et sp. nov., holotype specimen KK F1426. (A) dorsal vertebra, ribs, gastralium, left scapulocoracoid, left and right manual phalanx IV-2, right manual phalanx IV-3, left femur, left tibia, metatarsals and pedal phalanges, (B) mandible, teeth, ceratobranchials, cervical vertebra, rib, gastralium, right syncarpus, right lateral carpal, right pteroid, metacarpals, manual digits, right manual phalanx IV-1, left manual phalanx IV-4, (C) premaxilla with teeth, (D) isolated tooth, (E) isolated tooth, (F) left lateral carpal, (G) left metacarpal IV. Scale bar = 50 mm.
Taxa Haliskia

Haliskia peterseni gen. et sp. nov., holotype specimen KK F1426. (A) dorsal vertebra, ribs, gastralium, left scapulocoracoid, left and right manual phalanx IV-2, right manual phalanx IV-3, left femur, left tibia, metatarsals and pedal phalanges, (B) mandible, teeth, ceratobranchials, cervical vertebra, rib, gastralium, right syncarpus, right lateral carpal, right pteroid, metacarpals, manual digits, right manual phalanx IV-1, left manual phalanx IV-4, (C) premaxilla with teeth, (D) isolated tooth, (E) isolated tooth, (F) left lateral carpal, (G) left metacarpal IV. Scale bar = 50 mm.

scale tooth vertebra holotype +2
Preserved elements of Eurazhdarcho langendorfensis re-assembled as found in partial articulation.

EME VP 312. (a) Slab and counter-slab with cervical vertebrae in dorsal view. (b) Specimen in original position with cervicals in ventral view.
Taxa Eurazhdarcho

Preserved elements of Eurazhdarcho langendorfensis re-assembled as found in partial articulation. EME VP 312. (a) Slab and counter-slab with cervical vertebrae in dorsal view. (b) Specimen in original position with cervicals in ventral view.

specimen Eurazhdarcho partial
Aralazhdarcho bostobensis, ZIN PH 57/43, a proximal fragment of a left humerus in proximal (a), ventral (b), anterior (c), dorsal (d), and posterior (e) views. This specimen is from the Shakh Shakh II locality in the northeasten Aral Sea region of Kazakhstan; Bostobe Formation, Upper Cretaceous (Santonian – lower Campanian). Abbreviations: h, humeral head; pf, pneumatic foramen; uc, ulnar crest. Scale bar is 10 mm.
Taxa Aralazhdarcho

Aralazhdarcho bostobensis, ZIN PH 57/43, a proximal fragment of a left humerus in proximal (a), ventral (b), anterior (c), dorsal (d), and posterior (e) views. This specimen is from the Shakh Shakh II locality in the northeasten Aral Sea region of Kazakhstan; Bostobe Formation, Upper Cretaceous (Santonian – lower Campanian). Abbreviations: h, humeral head; pf, pneumatic foramen; uc, ulnar crest. Scale bar is 10 mm.

crest humerus scale Kazakhstan +7
Mandibular symphyses of Xericeps curvirostris. A–E Holotype FSAC-KK 10700; F–H referred specimen FSAC-KK 5203. A, F In left lateral view; B, G in occlusal view; C, H in ventral view; D, in posterior view and E, in anterior view. Scale bars represent 10 mm. A-C Ammonium chloride coated specimen
Taxa Xericeps

Mandibular symphyses of Xericeps curvirostris. A–E Holotype FSAC-KK 10700; F–H referred specimen FSAC-KK 5203. A, F In left lateral view; B, G in occlusal view; C, H in ventral view; D, in posterior view and E, in anterior view. Scale bars represent 10 mm. A-C Ammonium chloride coated specimen

scale holotype specimen Xericeps
Aurorazhdarcho micronyx (specimen formerly classified as Pterodactylus longirostris) in Exposition temporaire: Perles
Taxa Aurorazhdarcho

Aurorazhdarcho micronyx (specimen formerly classified as Pterodactylus longirostris) in Exposition temporaire: Perles

specimen Aurorazhdarcho Pterodactylus
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

News

244-Million-Year-Old Fossil Preserves Earliest Reptilian Digestive System
244-Million-Year-Old Fossil Preserves Earliest Reptilian Digestive System
China Triassic fossil specimen
An exquisitely preserved specimen of Austronaga minuta, a small, long-necked marine reptile from the Triassic of China, contains a fossilized stomach, liver and intestines, offering paleontologists their oldest detailed glimpse yet of how early reptiles digested food. The post 244-Million-Year-Old Fossil Preserves Earliest Reptilian Digestive System appeared first on Sci.News: Breaking Science News.
04/08/2026 sci-news
New Colonial Collections Research Project Examines Museum Specimens from Togo and Ghana
museum Ghana Togo specimen study
A new colonial collections research project has been launched involving several leading Berlin museums. Researchers will investigate the origins and histories of important natural history and cultural collections gathered during the German colonial period. For the first time, Berlin institutions are working together to study collections linked to the former German colony of Togo. At
04/07/2026 everythingdinosaur
New Species of Ancient Bear-Dog Identified in Spain
New Species of Ancient Bear-Dog Identified in Spain
pelvis Spain fossil specimen mammals new species
Paleontologists have identified a previously unknown species of amphicyonid -- the extinct family of carnivorous mammals popularly known as bear-dogs -- from two specimens unearthed at a rich fossil site in the Vallès-Penedès Basin near Barcelona, Spain. The post New Species of Ancient Bear-Dog Identified in Spain appeared first on Sci.News: Breaking Science News.
11/06/2026 sci-news
New Microraptorine Dinosaur Discovered in China
New Microraptorine Dinosaur Discovered in China
China Cretaceous Early Cretaceous specimen Dinosauria Jian Microraptorinae bird
Jian changmaensis is the first non-avian dinosaur found at a paleontological site that has yielded more than 100 specimens of Early Cretaceous birds. The post New Microraptorine Dinosaur Discovered in China appeared first on Sci.News: Breaking Science News.
04/06/2026 sci-news
New Species of Fossil Axolotl Unearthed in Mexico
New Species of Fossil Axolotl Unearthed in Mexico
Mexico fossil specimen discovery new species
Paleontologists have identified a new species of the axolotl genus Ambystoma from several fossilized specimens found deep in the rocky outcrops of the Mexican state of Hidalgo. The post New Species of Fossil Axolotl Unearthed in Mexico appeared first on Sci.News: Breaking Science News.
02/06/2026 sci-news
1 2 3 4