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Fig 3. Skeletal map of Keilhauia nui (PMO 222.655) viewed from the side stratigraphically down, i.e. the prepared side.
Vertebrae numbers (“x#”) indicate position relative to the anterior end of the preserved skeleton and do not correspond to their actual position in the column. Dashed lines show three faults. Scale bar equals 50 cm. Modified from Delsett et al. 2016.

Fig 3. Skeletal map of Keilhauia nui (PMO 222.655) viewed from the side stratigraphically down, i.e. the prepared side. Vertebrae numbers (“x#”) indicate position relative to the anterior end of the preserved skeleton and do not correspond to their actual position in the column. Dashed lines show three faults. Scale bar equals 50 cm. Modified from Delsett et al. 2016.

scale Keilhauia skeleton
Skeleton of Thililua longicollis. Exhibit in the National Museum of Nature and Science, Tokyo, Japan.

Skeleton of Thililua longicollis. Exhibit in the National Museum of Nature and Science, Tokyo, Japan.

museum Japan Thililua skeleton
Bone mapping of the skeleton of Plesiopharos moelensis gen. et sp. nov. (ML2302) from the Sinemurian (Lower Jurassic) of São Pedro de Moel (Leiria, Portugal). A. Bones distribution map of the three original extracted blocks (1, 2 and 3) containing ML2302. Arrows with question marks represent that the joining relationship between the blocks is unknown. B. Photographs of the five sub-blocks (1A, 1B, 2C, 2D, and 3E) after preparation works.

Bone mapping of the skeleton of Plesiopharos moelensis gen. et sp. nov. (ML2302) from the Sinemurian (Lower Jurassic) of São Pedro de Moel (Leiria, Portugal). A. Bones distribution map of the three original extracted blocks (1, 2 and 3) containing ML2302. Arrows with question marks represent that the joining relationship between the blocks is unknown. B. Photographs of the five sub-blocks (1A, 1B, 2C, 2D, and 3E) after preparation works.

bone Portugal Jurassic Sinemurian +2
Diagnostic skeletal elements of the type specimen of Franconiasaurus brevispinus gen. et sp. nov. (BT 011224.00). (A) main slab showing partly articulated skeleton in dorsal view. Posterior part of right mandibular ramus in (B) lateral and (C) dorsal aspect; anterior cervical vertebra (D) in articular and (E) lateral view; (F) posterior cervical vertebra in lateral view; (G) cervical rib in dorsolateral view; (H) dorsal vertebra in posterior view; (I) left scapula in medial view; (J) right coracoid in supposed dorsal view; (K) left humerus in dorsal view; (L) left femur with adjacent epipodials in dorsal view; and (M) left ilium in lateral view.

Diagnostic skeletal elements of the type specimen of Franconiasaurus brevispinus gen. et sp. nov. (BT 011224.00). (A) main slab showing partly articulated skeleton in dorsal view. Posterior part of right mandibular ramus in (B) lateral and (C) dorsal aspect; anterior cervical vertebra (D) in articular and (E) lateral view; (F) posterior cervical vertebra in lateral view; (G) cervical rib in dorsolateral view; (H) dorsal vertebra in posterior view; (I) left scapula in medial view; (J) right coracoid in supposed dorsal view; (K) left humerus in dorsal view; (L) left femur with adjacent epipodials in dorsal view; and (M) left ilium in lateral view.

humerus vertebra specimen Franconiasaurus +1
A–B, skull in dorsal view; C–E, postcranial skeleton; in left dorsolateral (C) and left lateral (D–E) views. In line drawings (B, E) dark grey tone indicates damage and light grey tone indicates the palate. Abbreviations: ca, caudal vertebra [number following indicates order in preserved series]; ce, cervical vertebra; d, dorsal vertebra; depr, depression; ecto, ectopterygoid; epip, epipterygoid; exp, expanded neural spine apex; fr, frontal; jug, jugal; l., left [followed by name of element]; mx, maxilla; p, ‘pectoral’ vertebra; par, parietal; pmx, premaxilla; po, postorbital; pofr, postfrontal; prfr, prefrontal; qua, quadrate; r., right [followed by name of element]; s, sacral vertebra; sq, squamosal; unexp, unexpanded neural spine apex. Scale bars equal 50 mm (A–B), 20 mm (C), and 200 mm (D–E).

A–B, skull in dorsal view; C–E, postcranial skeleton; in left dorsolateral (C) and left lateral (D–E) views. In line drawings (B, E) dark grey tone indicates damage and light grey tone indicates the palate. Abbreviations: ca, caudal vertebra [number following indicates order in preserved series]; ce, cervical vertebra; d, dorsal vertebra; depr, depression; ecto, ectopterygoid; epip, epipterygoid; exp, expanded neural spine apex; fr, frontal; jug, jugal; l., left [followed by name of element]; mx, maxilla; p, ‘pectoral’ vertebra; par, parietal; pmx, premaxilla; po, postorbital; pofr, postfrontal; prfr, prefrontal; qua, quadrate; r., right [followed by name of element]; s, sacral vertebra; sq, squamosal; unexp, unexpanded neural spine apex. Scale bars equal 50 mm (A–B), 20 mm (C), and 200 mm (D–E).

scale vertebra drawing Avalonnectes +2
Skeleton of Henodus at the American Museum of Natural History

Skeleton of Henodus at the American Museum of Natural History

museum Henodus skeleton
Skeleton mount of Dallasaurus turneri at the Perot Museum

Skeleton mount of Dallasaurus turneri at the Perot Museum

museum Dallasaurus skeleton
Reconstructed skeleton of Pterorhynchus wellnhoferi

Reconstructed skeleton of Pterorhynchus wellnhoferi

Pterorhynchus skeleton
Holotype skeleton of Wukongopterus lii on display at the Paleozoological Museum of China.

Holotype skeleton of Wukongopterus lii on display at the Paleozoological Museum of China.

museum China holotype Wukongopterus +1
New wing skeleton of Forfexopterus (SDUST-V1003) from Jiufotang Formation of Early Cretaceous Jehol Biota in Jianchang, western Liaoning, northeastern China. Abbreviations: ca, carpus; co, coracoid portion; hu, humerus; mc, metacarpals I–IV; mdI–III, manual digits I–III; pt, pteroid; ra, radius; sc, scapular portion; ul, ulna; wp1–4, wing phalanges 1–4.

New wing skeleton of Forfexopterus (SDUST-V1003) from Jiufotang Formation of Early Cretaceous Jehol Biota in Jianchang, western Liaoning, northeastern China. Abbreviations: ca, carpus; co, coracoid portion; hu, humerus; mc, metacarpals I–IV; mdI–III, manual digits I–III; pt, pteroid; ra, radius; sc, scapular portion; ul, ulna; wp1–4, wing phalanges 1–4.

humerus China Jiufotang Cretaceous +4
FSAC-OB 232, holotype skeleton of Barbaridactylus grandis.
(A) Left humerus in anterior view, (B) right femur in anterior view, (C) right radius and ulna in posterior view, (D) cervical vertebra in ventral view, (E) left scapulocoracoid in medial view, and (F) posterior ramus of the right mandible in medial view.

Abbreviations: co, coracoid; cot, cotyle of mandible; cvr, cervical ribs; dm, dorsal margin of mandible; dpc, deltopectoral crest; gl, glenoid; fh, femoral head; gt, greater trochanter; hh, humeral head; hyp, hypapophysis; olp, olecranon process; pex, postexapophysis; pn, pneumatopore; rad, radius; sca, scapula; scp, supracondylar process of the ectepicondyle; uc, ulnar crest; uln, ulna; vm, ventral margin of mandible.

FSAC-OB 232, holotype skeleton of Barbaridactylus grandis. (A) Left humerus in anterior view, (B) right femur in anterior view, (C) right radius and ulna in posterior view, (D) cervical vertebra in ventral view, (E) left scapulocoracoid in medial view, and (F) posterior ramus of the right mandible in medial view. Abbreviations: co, coracoid; cot, cotyle of mandible; cvr, cervical ribs; dm, dorsal margin of mandible; dpc, deltopectoral crest; gl, glenoid; fh, femoral head; gt, greater trochanter; hh, humeral head; hyp, hypapophysis; olp, olecranon process; pex, postexapophysis; pn, pneumatopore; rad, radius; sca, scapula; scp, supracondylar process of the ectepicondyle; uc, ulnar crest; uln, ulna; vm, ventral margin of mandible.

crest humerus vertebra holotype +2
Entire skeleton of Jidapterus edentus (RCPS-030366CY) preserved in a slab mostly in right lateral view.

Abbreviations: aa, the atlas-axis complex; bo, basioccipital; br, braincase; cve, cervical vertebrae; cv3, the third cervical vertebra; cv8, the eighth cervical vertebra; ds, dentaries; dv, dorsal vertebra; dve, dorsal vertebrae; ep, epiphysis; j, jugal; lc, left carpus; lf, left femur; li, left ilium; lis, left ischium; lm, left manual digits; lp, left pubis; lpe, left pes; lpt, left pteroid; lr, left radius; lsc, left scapula-coracoid; lt, left tibia; lta, left tarsus; lu, left ulna; lwmc, left wing metacarpal; lwp1–4; left wing phalanges 1–4; p, pterygoid; pp, postacetabular process of the right ilium; q, quadrate; rc, right carpus; rh, right humerus; rf, right femur; rfi, right fibula; ribs, ribs; ris, right ischium; rm, right manual digits; rmcI, right metacarpal I; rp, right pubis; rpe, right pes; rpt, right pteroid; rr, right radius; rsc, right scapula-coracoid; rt, right tibia; ru, right ulna; rwmc, right wing metacarpal; rwp1–4, right wing phalanges 1–4; rostrum, rostrum; st, sternum; sv, sacral vertebra; sve, sacral vertebrae. Gray shaded areas bound by solid lines indicate preserved bones, dashed lines indicate bones with margins discerned by impression, and lack of lines indicate missing bone or displacement along cracks in the slab.
Taxa Chaoyangopterinae

Entire skeleton of Jidapterus edentus (RCPS-030366CY) preserved in a slab mostly in right lateral view. Abbreviations: aa, the atlas-axis complex; bo, basioccipital; br, braincase; cve, cervical vertebrae; cv3, the third cervical vertebra; cv8, the eighth cervical vertebra; ds, dentaries; dv, dorsal vertebra; dve, dorsal vertebrae; ep, epiphysis; j, jugal; lc, left carpus; lf, left femur; li, left ilium; lis, left ischium; lm, left manual digits; lp, left pubis; lpe, left pes; lpt, left pteroid; lr, left radius; lsc, left scapula-coracoid; lt, left tibia; lta, left tarsus; lu, left ulna; lwmc, left wing metacarpal; lwp1–4; left wing phalanges 1–4; p, pterygoid; pp, postacetabular process of the right ilium; q, quadrate; rc, right carpus; rh, right humerus; rf, right femur; rfi, right fibula; ribs, ribs; ris, right ischium; rm, right manual digits; rmcI, right metacarpal I; rp, right pubis; rpe, right pes; rpt, right pteroid; rr, right radius; rsc, right scapula-coracoid; rt, right tibia; ru, right ulna; rwmc, right wing metacarpal; rwp1–4, right wing phalanges 1–4; rostrum, rostrum; st, sternum; sv, sacral vertebra; sve, sacral vertebrae. Gray shaded areas bound by solid lines indicate preserved bones, dashed lines indicate bones with margins discerned by impression, and lack of lines indicate missing bone or displacement along cracks in the slab.

humerus vertebra Chaoyangopteridae Chaoyangopterinae +2
Reconstructed Thalassodromeus sethi skeleton (the postcranium is hypothetical) with Anhanguera behind, National Museum of Nature and Science, Tokyo.

Reconstructed Thalassodromeus sethi skeleton (the postcranium is hypothetical) with Anhanguera behind, National Museum of Nature and Science, Tokyo.

museum Anhanguera Thalassodromeus skeleton
Nemicolopterus crypticus holotype (IVPP V-14377).

(A) Skeleton overview, and (B) schematic drawing. (C) Skull (right lateral view), and (D) schematic drawing. Abbreviations: cdv, caudal vertebrae; co, coracoid; cv, cervical vertebra; d1–d4, digits 1–4; f, frontal; fe, femur; h, humerus; hy, hyoid; il, illium; is, ischium; j, jugal; l, left; la, lacrimal; mand, mandible; mc, metacarpal; mt, metatarsal; naof, nasoantorbital fenestra; or, orbit; pa, parietal; pm, premaxilla; ph, phalanx; ti, tibia; r, right; sca, scapula. Scale bars: A–B, 100 mm; C–D, 5 mm.

Nemicolopterus crypticus holotype (IVPP V-14377). (A) Skeleton overview, and (B) schematic drawing. (C) Skull (right lateral view), and (D) schematic drawing. Abbreviations: cdv, caudal vertebrae; co, coracoid; cv, cervical vertebra; d1–d4, digits 1–4; f, frontal; fe, femur; h, humerus; hy, hyoid; il, illium; is, ischium; j, jugal; l, left; la, lacrimal; mand, mandible; mc, metacarpal; mt, metatarsal; naof, nasoantorbital fenestra; or, orbit; pa, parietal; pm, premaxilla; ph, phalanx; ti, tibia; r, right; sca, scapula. Scale bars: A–B, 100 mm; C–D, 5 mm.

humerus scale vertebra drawing +4
Selected elements used in the diagnosis of Saltriovenator zanellai n. gen. n. sp.

Right humerus in medial (A), frontal (B) and distal (C) views; (D) left scapula, medial view; (E) right scapular glenoid and coracoid, lateral view; (F) furcula, ventral view; tooth, labial (G) and apical (H) views; (I) left humerus, medial view; right second metacarpal in dorsal (J), lateral (L) and distal (N) views; first phalanx of the right second digit in dorsal (K), lateral (M) and proximal (O) views; (P–T) right third digit in proximal, dorsal and lateral views; (U) right distal tarsal IV, proximal view; third right metatarsal in proximal (V) and frontal (X) views; second right metatarsal, proximal (W) and frontal (Y) views; (Z) reconstructed skeleton showing identified elements (red). Abbreviations as in text, asterisks mark autapomorphic traits. Scale bars: 10 cm in (A)–(E), (I), and (U)–(Y); two cm in (F), and (J)–(T); one cm in (G).

Selected elements used in the diagnosis of Saltriovenator zanellai n. gen. n. sp. Right humerus in medial (A), frontal (B) and distal (C) views; (D) left scapula, medial view; (E) right scapular glenoid and coracoid, lateral view; (F) furcula, ventral view; tooth, labial (G) and apical (H) views; (I) left humerus, medial view; right second metacarpal in dorsal (J), lateral (L) and distal (N) views; first phalanx of the right second digit in dorsal (K), lateral (M) and proximal (O) views; (P–T) right third digit in proximal, dorsal and lateral views; (U) right distal tarsal IV, proximal view; third right metatarsal in proximal (V) and frontal (X) views; second right metatarsal, proximal (W) and frontal (Y) views; (Z) reconstructed skeleton showing identified elements (red). Abbreviations as in text, asterisks mark autapomorphic traits. Scale bars: 10 cm in (A)–(E), (I), and (U)–(Y); two cm in (F), and (J)–(T); one cm in (G).

humerus scale tooth drawing +2
Eustreptospondylus skeleton

Eustreptospondylus skeleton

Eustreptospondylus skeleton
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News

This 31-foot “terror croc” ate dinosaurs. Now it’s back
predator museum United States Dinosauria skeleton
A massive, bus-sized “terror croc” that once preyed on dinosaurs has been brought back to life in stunning detail with the first scientifically accurate full skeleton of Deinosuchus schwimmeri. Stretching over 30 feet long, this ancient apex predator ruled the southeastern U.S. more than 75 million years ago—and now visitors can see it up close at the Tellus Science Museum, the only place in the world with this replica.
15/04/2026 sciencedaily
This 2-pound dinosaur is rewriting what scientists know about evolution
fossil Alnashetri Alvarezsauria Dinosauria bird evolution skeleton
A nearly complete dinosaur skeleton discovered in Patagonia is helping scientists crack the mystery of alvarezsaurs, a bizarre group of bird-like dinosaurs. The fossil of Alnashetri cerropoliciensis reveals that these animals became tiny before developing their later specialized features, such as stubby arms and ant-eating adaptations. Weighing under two pounds, the dinosaur is one of the smallest known from South America.
10/03/2026 sciencedaily
190-million-year-old “Sword Dragon” fossil rewrites ichthyosaur history
United Kingdom Jurassic fossil Ichthyosauria evolution skeleton
A newly identified ichthyosaur from the UK’s Jurassic Coast is rewriting part of the prehistoric playbook. Nicknamed the “Sword Dragon of Dorset,” the three-meter-long marine reptile lived during a poorly understood window of evolution when major ichthyosaur groups were disappearing and new ones emerging. Its beautifully preserved skeleton — complete with a blade-like snout and possible last meal — helps pinpoint when this dramatic transition occurred.
24/02/2026 sciencedaily
Hesperosuchus: Beast of the Week
Hesperosuchus: Beast of the Week
Mexico United States Late Triassic Triassic fossil skeleton
This week we will be checking out a relative of modern crocodilians that has tricked scientists multiple times!  Enter Hesperosuchus agilis!Hesperosuchus was a pseudosuchian (related to crocodilians) that lived in what is now Arizona and New Mexico, USA, during the late Triassic period, about 210 million years ago.  It would have been a meat-eater and from snout to tail the most complete skeleton measures about four feet (1.2m) but other fossils suggest it could have grown larger, up to about si
01/02/2026 prehistoricbeastoftheweek
A lost disease emerges from 5,500-year-old human remains
Colombia evolution skeleton
A 5,500-year-old skeleton from Colombia has revealed the oldest known genome of the bacterium linked to syphilis and related diseases. The ancient strain doesn’t fit neatly into modern categories, hinting at a forgotten form that split off early in the pathogen’s evolution. This pushes the history of treponemal diseases in the Americas back by millennia and shows they were already diversifying long before written records.
26/01/2026 sciencedaily-human-evo
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