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Representative taxa from the Santonian Iharkút fauna from the Csehbánya Formation, Bakony Mountains, western Hungary. A Pannoniasaurus inexpectatus (Squamata, Mosasauroidea), dorsal vertebra (MTM uncatalogued) in dorsal view (photo by Réka Kalmár) B Foxemys trabanti (Pleurodira, Bothremydidae), skull (MTM V 2010.215.1.) in dorsal view (photo by Márton Rabi). C Bicuspidon aff. hatzegiensis (Squamata, Borioteiioidea), left dentary (MTM 2006.112.1.) in medial view (photo by László Makádi) D Basal tetanuran (Theropoda, Tetanurae), tooth (MTM V.01.54) in ?lingual view E Indeterminate abelisaurid (Theropoda, Abelisauridae), pedal ungual phalanx (MTM V 2008.43.1.) in lateral view F Pneumatoraptor fodori (Theropoda, Paraves), left scapulocoracoid (holotype, MTM V 2008.38.1.) in lateral view G Mochlodon vorosi (Ornithopoda, Rhabdodontidae), left dentary (holotype, MTM V 2010.105.1) in lateral view H Bakonydraco galaczi (Pterosauria, Azhdarchidae), mandible (holotype, MTM 2007.110.1) in dorsal view I Iharkutosuchus makadii (Eusuchia, Hylaeochampsidae), skull (holotype, MTM 2006.52.1) in dorsal view J Hungarosaurus tormai (Ankylosauria, Nodosauridae), right dentary (MTM 2007.25.2) in lateral view K Bauxitornis mindszentyae (Aves, Enantiornithes), left tarsometatarsus (holotype, MTM V 2009.38.1) in anterior view L Ajkaceratops kozmai (Ceratopsia), fused rostral and premaxillae (holotype, MTM V 2009.192.1) in lateral view. Scale bars: 2 cm in A, V, G, H, I, J; 1 cm in D, E, F, K, L; 1 mm in C.

Representative taxa from the Santonian Iharkút fauna from the Csehbánya Formation, Bakony Mountains, western Hungary. A Pannoniasaurus inexpectatus (Squamata, Mosasauroidea), dorsal vertebra (MTM uncatalogued) in dorsal view (photo by Réka Kalmár) B Foxemys trabanti (Pleurodira, Bothremydidae), skull (MTM V 2010.215.1.) in dorsal view (photo by Márton Rabi). C Bicuspidon aff. hatzegiensis (Squamata, Borioteiioidea), left dentary (MTM 2006.112.1.) in medial view (photo by László Makádi) D Basal tetanuran (Theropoda, Tetanurae), tooth (MTM V.01.54) in ?lingual view E Indeterminate abelisaurid (Theropoda, Abelisauridae), pedal ungual phalanx (MTM V 2008.43.1.) in lateral view F Pneumatoraptor fodori (Theropoda, Paraves), left scapulocoracoid (holotype, MTM V 2008.38.1.) in lateral view G Mochlodon vorosi (Ornithopoda, Rhabdodontidae), left dentary (holotype, MTM V 2010.105.1) in lateral view H Bakonydraco galaczi (Pterosauria, Azhdarchidae), mandible (holotype, MTM 2007.110.1) in dorsal view I Iharkutosuchus makadii (Eusuchia, Hylaeochampsidae), skull (holotype, MTM 2006.52.1) in dorsal view J Hungarosaurus tormai (Ankylosauria, Nodosauridae), right dentary (MTM 2007.25.2) in lateral view K Bauxitornis mindszentyae (Aves, Enantiornithes), left tarsometatarsus (holotype, MTM V 2009.38.1) in anterior view L Ajkaceratops kozmai (Ceratopsia), fused rostral and premaxillae (holotype, MTM V 2009.192.1) in lateral view. Scale bars: 2 cm in A, V, G, H, I, J; 1 cm in D, E, F, K, L; 1 mm in C.

tooth vertebra Hungary Santonian +14
Representative taxa from the latest Campanian–Maastrichtian faunas from Transylvania, western Romania. A–B Nidophis insularis (Serpentes, Madtsoiidae), articulated vertebrae (LPB (FGGUB) v.547/2) in left lateral (A) and dorsal (B) views (Densuş-Ciula Formation, Tuştea, Haţeg Basin; photo by Ştefan Vasile) C Allodaposuchus precedens (Eusuchia, ?Hylaeochampsidae), skull (PSMUBB V 438) in dorsal view (Sebeş = Şard Formation, Oarda de Jos, southwestern Transylvanian Basin; photo by Vlad Codrea/Massimo Delfino) D Theriosuchus sympiestodon (Mesoeucrocodylia, Atoposauridae), right maxilla (MCDRD 793) in lateral view (Sînpetru Formation, Sînpetru, Haţeg Basin) E–F Indeterminate titanosaur (?Magyarosaurus dacus) (Sauropoda, Titanosauria), isolated osteoderm (LPB (FGGUB) R.1410) in dorsal (E) and lateral (F) views (Sînpetru Formation, Sînpetru, Haţeg Basin) G Indeterminate ornithuran bird (Aves, Ornithurae), incomplete left tibiotarsus (LPB (FGGUB) R.1902) in anterior view (Densuş-Ciula Formation, Vălioara, Haţeg Basin) H Balaur bondoc (Theropoda, Dromaeosauridae), articulated left distal hindlimb (EME PV.313) in lateral view (Sebeş = Şard Formation, Sebeş-Glod, southewestern Transylvanian Basin; photo by Mick Ellison) I Zalmoxes robustus (Ornithopoda, Rhabdodontidae), right dentary (NHMUK R.3407) in medial view (Sînpetru Formation, Sînpetru, Haţeg Basin) J Telmatosaurus transsylvanicus (Hadrosauria), right maxilla (MFGI unnumbered) in lateral view (Sînpetru Formation, Sînpetru, Haţeg Basin) K Indeterminate nodosaurid – Struthiosaurus transylvanicus or new taxon – (Ankylosauria, Nodosauridae), isolated tooth (LPB (FGGUB) R.2182) in medial view (Sînpetru Formation, Sînpetru, Haţeg Basin) L Barbatodon transylvanicus (Multituberculata, Kogaionidae), right maxilla (LPB (FGGUB) M.1635) in medial view (Sînpetru Formation, Pui, Haţeg Basin). Scale bars equal 1 mm in A, B; 5 mm in K; 1 cm in G, L; 2 cm in D; and 5 cm in C, E, F, H, I, J.

Representative taxa from the latest Campanian–Maastrichtian faunas from Transylvania, western Romania. A–B Nidophis insularis (Serpentes, Madtsoiidae), articulated vertebrae (LPB (FGGUB) v.547/2) in left lateral (A) and dorsal (B) views (Densuş-Ciula Formation, Tuştea, Haţeg Basin; photo by Ştefan Vasile) C Allodaposuchus precedens (Eusuchia, ?Hylaeochampsidae), skull (PSMUBB V 438) in dorsal view (Sebeş = Şard Formation, Oarda de Jos, southwestern Transylvanian Basin; photo by Vlad Codrea/Massimo Delfino) D Theriosuchus sympiestodon (Mesoeucrocodylia, Atoposauridae), right maxilla (MCDRD 793) in lateral view (Sînpetru Formation, Sînpetru, Haţeg Basin) E–F Indeterminate titanosaur (?Magyarosaurus dacus) (Sauropoda, Titanosauria), isolated osteoderm (LPB (FGGUB) R.1410) in dorsal (E) and lateral (F) views (Sînpetru Formation, Sînpetru, Haţeg Basin) G Indeterminate ornithuran bird (Aves, Ornithurae), incomplete left tibiotarsus (LPB (FGGUB) R.1902) in anterior view (Densuş-Ciula Formation, Vălioara, Haţeg Basin) H Balaur bondoc (Theropoda, Dromaeosauridae), articulated left distal hindlimb (EME PV.313) in lateral view (Sebeş = Şard Formation, Sebeş-Glod, southewestern Transylvanian Basin; photo by Mick Ellison) I Zalmoxes robustus (Ornithopoda, Rhabdodontidae), right dentary (NHMUK R.3407) in medial view (Sînpetru Formation, Sînpetru, Haţeg Basin) J Telmatosaurus transsylvanicus (Hadrosauria), right maxilla (MFGI unnumbered) in lateral view (Sînpetru Formation, Sînpetru, Haţeg Basin) K Indeterminate nodosaurid – Struthiosaurus transylvanicus or new taxon – (Ankylosauria, Nodosauridae), isolated tooth (LPB (FGGUB) R.2182) in medial view (Sînpetru Formation, Sînpetru, Haţeg Basin) L Barbatodon transylvanicus (Multituberculata, Kogaionidae), right maxilla (LPB (FGGUB) M.1635) in medial view (Sînpetru Formation, Pui, Haţeg Basin). Scale bars equal 1 mm in A, B; 5 mm in K; 1 cm in G, L; 2 cm in D; and 5 cm in C, E, F, H, I, J.

Romania Densuş-Ciula Sebeş Sînpetru +9
Rates of skeletal character evolution in the skull and postcranial skeleton of hadrosauroids. Cladograms illustrate the results from branch likelihood tests for two morphological partitions: skull (cranium and mandible) (A) and postcranial skeleton (B). In both cladograms, results from the branch likelihood tests are summarized on a strict consensus tree derived from four separately analyzed MPTs, each with 100 dating replicates (a total of 400 Hedman-dated phylogenies). Pie charts on branches illustrate the proportion of dating replicates that showed significantly high rates (red), slow rates (blue), or nonsignificant average rates (white). No pie charts are plotted on branches that showed nonsignificant rates in 100% of dating replicates. Branches that showed high rates (red) in more than 50% of dating replicates are doubled in length. See the Supplementary Material for Hedman-based results plotted separately for each MPT (Supplementary Fig. S2) and for results using the MBL dating method (Supplementary Fig. S3). Silhouettes were created by Scott Hartman and were downloaded from http://phylopic.org (Creative Commons license CC BY 3.0).

Rates of skeletal character evolution in the skull and postcranial skeleton of hadrosauroids. Cladograms illustrate the results from branch likelihood tests for two morphological partitions: skull (cranium and mandible) (A) and postcranial skeleton (B). In both cladograms, results from the branch likelihood tests are summarized on a strict consensus tree derived from four separately analyzed MPTs, each with 100 dating replicates (a total of 400 Hedman-dated phylogenies). Pie charts on branches illustrate the proportion of dating replicates that showed significantly high rates (red), slow rates (blue), or nonsignificant average rates (white). No pie charts are plotted on branches that showed nonsignificant rates in 100% of dating replicates. Branches that showed high rates (red) in more than 50% of dating replicates are doubled in length. See the Supplementary Material for Hedman-based results plotted separately for each MPT (Supplementary Fig. S2) and for results using the MBL dating method (Supplementary Fig. S3). Silhouettes were created by Scott Hartman and were downloaded from http://phylopic.org (Creative Commons license CC BY 3.0).

Protohadros dating evolution skeleton +1
Figure 6. Hadrosaurs of North America, exemplied by the selection of skulls of valid nominal genera. The grey shadows on the skulls represent the reconstructed parts. Highlighted names indicate the unique genera for each region

Figure 6. Hadrosaurs of North America, exemplied by the selection of skulls of valid nominal genera. The grey shadows on the skulls represent the reconstructed parts. Highlighted names indicate the unique genera for each region

Hadrosauria Protohadros skull
Brachylophosaurus canadensis skull (original). From the Oldman Formation, Milk River, Alberta. On display at the Royal Tyrrell Museum, Alberta, Canada.

Brachylophosaurus canadensis skull (original). From the Oldman Formation, Milk River, Alberta. On display at the Royal Tyrrell Museum, Alberta, Canada.

museum Canada Milk River Oldman +3
Holotype of Khunnuchelys lophorhothon sp. nov. from Baybishe, northeastern Aral Sea region, Kazakhstan, Bostobe Formation, Santonian–early Campanian, Late Cretaceous, ZIN PH 5/55, a partial skull; in dorsal (A), ventral (B), lateral (C), and anterior (D) views. Photographs (A1–D1), explanatory drawings (A2–D2).
Formations Bostobe

Holotype of Khunnuchelys lophorhothon sp. nov. from Baybishe, northeastern Aral Sea region, Kazakhstan, Bostobe Formation, Santonian–early Campanian, Late Cretaceous, ZIN PH 5/55, a partial skull; in dorsal (A), ventral (B), lateral (C), and anterior (D) views. Photographs (A1–D1), explanatory drawings (A2–D2).

drawing Kazakhstan Bostobe Campanian +8
Restoration of the spinosaurid dinosaur Siamosaurus in the Sao Khua Formation palaeoenvironment, with Sunosuchus in the middle left and a herd of Phuwiangosaurus in the background.
References:
Siamosaurus based on tooth specimens [1] and the neural spine of a possibly referable skeleton[2], with other missing elements filled in with relatives (Suchomimus[3], Baryonyx[4], IchthyovenatorFile:Ichthyovenator_laosensis_skeletal_reconstruction_by_PaleoGeek.png).
Phuwiangosaurus based on skeletal by Suteethorn et al. (2009)[5] and missing elements of skull of EuhelopusFile:Euhelopus.png.

Sunosuchus based on Suteethorn and Ingavat (1983)[6] and missing elements based on Goniopholis[7].

Restoration of the spinosaurid dinosaur Siamosaurus in the Sao Khua Formation palaeoenvironment, with Sunosuchus in the middle left and a herd of Phuwiangosaurus in the background. References: Siamosaurus based on tooth specimens [1] and the neural spine of a possibly referable skeleton[2], with other missing elements filled in with relatives (Suchomimus[3], Baryonyx[4], IchthyovenatorFile:Ichthyovenator_laosensis_skeletal_reconstruction_by_PaleoGeek.png). Phuwiangosaurus based on skeletal by Suteethorn et al. (2009)[5] and missing elements of skull of EuhelopusFile:Euhelopus.png. Sunosuchus based on Suteethorn and Ingavat (1983)[6] and missing elements based on Goniopholis[7].

tooth drawing Sao Khua specimen +11
Juvenile Gorgosaurus TMP 2009.12.14 preserving stomach contents. Photographs of specimen in (A) right lateral view and (B) left anterolateral view. (C) Interpretive illustration of specimen in right lateral view. Skeleton consists of a nearly complete skull, the left side of the body and limbs, and a nearly complete pelvis. Red rectangle delineates location of stomach contents. (D) Histological photomicrograph of tibia showing the presence of five lines of arrested growths and two annuli (marked by asterisks), indicating that the individual was between 5 and 7 years old. Scale bars, 50 cm (A) to (C) and 1 mm (D).

Juvenile Gorgosaurus TMP 2009.12.14 preserving stomach contents. Photographs of specimen in (A) right lateral view and (B) left anterolateral view. (C) Interpretive illustration of specimen in right lateral view. Skeleton consists of a nearly complete skull, the left side of the body and limbs, and a nearly complete pelvis. Red rectangle delineates location of stomach contents. (D) Histological photomicrograph of tibia showing the presence of five lines of arrested growths and two annuli (marked by asterisks), indicating that the individual was between 5 and 7 years old. Scale bars, 50 cm (A) to (C) and 1 mm (D).

limb pelvis scale growth +6
Coelophysidae skull restoration

Coelophysidae skull restoration

Coelophysidae Syntarsus skull
Anhanguera blittersdorfi skull

Anhanguera blittersdorfi skull

Anhanguera skull
Skull of Platecarpus coryphaeus

Skull of Platecarpus coryphaeus

Platecarpus skull
Complete specimen, excellent mineralization. Presented with a base (exceptional, very good condition)).	
Skull length 18,9 inch ( 28,3 inch with vertebras)

Complete specimen, excellent mineralization. Presented with a base (exceptional, very good condition)). Skull length 18,9 inch ( 28,3 inch with vertebras)

vertebra specimen Platecarpus skull
Crâne de mosasaure d'espèce Platecarpus tympaniticus (squamates, mosasaures).
Provenance : Smoky Hill Chalk, Kansas (aux Etats-Unis).
Date : Crétacé supérieur, période du Campanien, 88 millions d'années avant notre ère.
Collections du Muséum national d'histoire naturelle de Paris (France).
Exposé à l'occasion de l'exposition "Un T-Rex à Paris" au Muséum national d'histoire naturelle de Paris (France) du 6 juin au 2 septembre 2018.

Légende du fossile dans cette exposition : "Les mosasaures ne sont pas des dinosaures mais des reptiles marins, très répandus à la fin du Crétacé. Certains genres comme Globidens et Halisaurus sont connus aussi bien aux Etats-Unis qu'au Maroc. Ces animaux étaient d'excellents nageurs, capables de traverser l'Atlantique."

Crâne de mosasaure d'espèce Platecarpus tympaniticus (squamates, mosasaures). Provenance : Smoky Hill Chalk, Kansas (aux Etats-Unis). Date : Crétacé supérieur, période du Campanien, 88 millions d'années avant notre ère. Collections du Muséum national d'histoire naturelle de Paris (France). Exposé à l'occasion de l'exposition "Un T-Rex à Paris" au Muséum national d'histoire naturelle de Paris (France) du 6 juin au 2 septembre 2018. Légende du fossile dans cette exposition : "Les mosasaures ne sont pas des dinosaures mais des reptiles marins, très répandus à la fin du Crétacé. Certains genres comme Globidens et Halisaurus sont connus aussi bien aux Etats-Unis qu'au Maroc. Ces animaux étaient d'excellents nageurs, capables de traverser l'Atlantique."

France Morocco Campanian Cretaceous +8
Drawing of the skull of MCZ 4374, the holotype of Macrosaurus proriger (Tylosaurus proriger) from Cope (1870)

Drawing of the skull of MCZ 4374, the holotype of Macrosaurus proriger (Tylosaurus proriger) from Cope (1870)

drawing holotype Drinker Hainosaurus +3
a Skeletal reconstruction of A. greppini. Elements preserved in the material and therefore providing information for the skeletal reconstruction are marked in blue. Because much information is missing from the incomplete skeletal material, the dorsal vertebrae, the proportions and morphology of the cervical vertebrae and the skull were modified from Camarasaurus. b Scaled silhouette drawings of Cetiosauriscus stewarti (in black) and A. greppini (in grey) demonstrating the significant size difference between the two taxa. Scale bar is 1 m

a Skeletal reconstruction of A. greppini. Elements preserved in the material and therefore providing information for the skeletal reconstruction are marked in blue. Because much information is missing from the incomplete skeletal material, the dorsal vertebrae, the proportions and morphology of the cervical vertebrae and the skull were modified from Camarasaurus. b Scaled silhouette drawings of Cetiosauriscus stewarti (in black) and A. greppini (in grey) demonstrating the significant size difference between the two taxa. Scale bar is 1 m

scale drawing Amanzia Camarasaurus +2
Reconstructed skull of the turiasaurian Mierasaurus, based on the holotype UMNH.VP.26004.

Reconstructed skull of the turiasaurian Mierasaurus, based on the holotype UMNH.VP.26004.

holotype Mierasaurus Turiasauria skull
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News

400 million-year-old fish fossils reveal how life began moving onto land
Australia China fossil formation skull
Scientists have uncovered new clues about some of Earth’s earliest fish, shedding light on the ancient origins of vertebrates that eventually moved onto land. By reanalyzing mysterious fossils from Australia’s famed Gogo Formation and studying a newly reconstructed 410-million-year-old lungfish skull from China, researchers are revealing how these primitive creatures evolved.
12/03/2026 sciencedaily
Triceratops had a giant nose that may have cooled its massive head
fossil Triceratops CT-scan skull
Triceratops’ massive head may have been doing more than just showing off those famous horns. Using CT scans and 3D reconstructions of fossil skulls, researchers uncovered a surprisingly complex nasal system hidden inside its enormous snout. Instead of being just a supersized nose for smelling, it likely housed intricate networks of nerves and blood vessels—and even special structures that helped regulate heat and moisture.
22/02/2026 sciencedaily
This ancient animal was one of the first to eat plants on land
tooth fossil skull
Hundreds of millions of years ago, the first animals to crawl onto land were strict meat-eaters, even as plants had already taken over the landscape. Now scientists have uncovered a 307-million-year-old fossil that rewrites that story: one of the earliest known land vertebrates to start eating plants. The animal, named Tyrannoroter heberti, was a stocky, football-sized creature with a skull packed with specialized teeth designed for crushing and grinding vegetation.
11/02/2026 sciencedaily
This strange little dinosaur is forcing a rethink of evolution
bone tooth metabolism Dinosauria Foskeia anatomy bird evolution mammals study skull
A newly identified tiny dinosaur, Foskeia pelendonum, is shaking up long-held ideas about how plant-eating dinosaurs evolved. Though fully grown adults were remarkably small and lightweight, their anatomy was anything but simple—featuring a bizarre, highly specialized skull and unexpected evolutionary traits. Detailed bone studies show these dinosaurs matured quickly with bird- or mammal-like metabolism, while their teeth and posture hint at fast, agile lives in dense forests.
03/02/2026 sciencedaily
Pachycephalosaurus: Beast of the Week
Pachycephalosaurus: Beast of the Week
limb movie Jurassic Dinosauria Pachycephalosauria skull
This week we shall be checking out a well-known dinosaur with an iconic skull.  This dinosaur is one of my personal all time favorites.  I will never forget seeing it's awesome representation in The Lost World: Jurassic Park in the movie theater when I was only eight years old.  The way it smashed that truck...it changed me.  Say hello to Pachycephalosaurus wyomingensis! Pachycephalosaurus life reconstruction in watercolor by Christopher DiPiazza.Pachycephalosaurus was the largest known member o
25/01/2026 prehistoricbeastoftheweek
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