Photos of caudodorsal part of the skull of Yunganglong datongensis (SXMG V 00001).
(A)-Right lateral view. (B)-Dorsal view. (C)-Caudal view.
Scale bar = 10 cm.
Holotype skull and mandible of the anhanguerid Ferrodraco (A), holotype skull and mandible of the anhanguerid Mythunga (B), and holotype mandible of the targaryendraconian Aussiedraco (C).
Skull diagram showing the known material of Aardonyx. Based on photographs and measurements in original description and supplementary material. Scale bar = 10 cm
Cuspicephalus scarfi MJMG K1918. A, Original skull on slab of mudstone, Lacking the mandible and dentition; B, outline diagram of preserved bone. Light grey is bone, dark grey is fibrous bone of sagittal crest, black is dental alveoli where unambiguous; C restoration of skull outline, with hypothetical lower jaw. Scale bar = 50 mm. Abbreviation: j, jugal; naof, nasoantorbital fenestra; m, maxilla; o, orbit; pm, premaxilla; q, quadrate; sc,
sagittal crest; sq, squamosal; tr np, trace of nasal process.
Holotype of Transylvanosaurus platycephalus, LPB (FGGUB) R.2070, a partial skull comprising the articulated basicranium and both frontals. Scale bar: 1 cm.
Holotype of the polycotylid[1] plesiosaur Edgarosaurus muddi DRUCKENMILLER, 2002, (MOR 751) comprising the skull, the neck, and the left front flipper, on display in the Museum of the Rockies in Bozeman, Montana. The specimen was collected in Edgar, Carbon County, Montana, from the Shell Creek member of the Thermopolis Shale Formation, Upper Albian, uppermost Lower Cretaceous.[2]
Reconstructed skull of the dromaeosaurid Adasaurus mongoliensis. The holotype IGM 100/20 preserves a partial right side of the skull and other postcrania including the hindlimbs, it has an estimated length of 2 m (6.6 ft) with a weight of 15 kg (33 lb).[1] Skull mainly based on Turner et al. 2012 and Mickey Mortimer.[2][3]
Color Key
Known
Unknown
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.
Sensitive hearing may have evolved in mammal ancestors far earlier than scientists once believed. By modeling how sound moved through the skull of Thrinaxodon, a 250-million-year-old mammal predecessor, researchers found it likely used an early eardrum to hear airborne sounds. This challenges the long-held idea that these animals mainly “listened” through their jaws or bones. The results reveal that a key feature of modern mammal hearing was already taking shape deep in prehistory.
This week we will be checking out a unique little pterosaur, Anurognathus ammoni! Anurognathus lived in what is now Germany during the late Jurassic period, about 150 million years ago. It was tiny, sporting a 14 inch (35.5 cm) wingspan, and would have likely eaten insects. It's genus name translates to "Frog Jaw" since its skull was similar looking to a frog's, being extremely blunt with a wide mouth. Watercolor reconstruction of Anurognathus ammoni by Christopher DiPiazza.Anurognathus' sku
14/12/2025
prehistoricbeastoftheweek
242-million-year-old mini predator changes lizard evolution
A tiny 242-million-year-old fossil from Devon is shaking up scientists’ assumptions about the earliest members of the lizard lineage. Instead of the expected skull hinges and palate teeth typical of modern lizards and snakes, this ancient creature shows a surprising mix of primitive and unusual traits—along with strikingly large, blade-like teeth. High-resolution synchrotron scans revealed details invisible to the naked eye, helping researchers name the new species Agriodontosaurus helsbypetrae
UCL scientists found that human skulls evolved much faster than those of other apes, reflecting the powerful forces driving our brain growth and facial flattening. By comparing 3D models of ape skulls, they showed that humans changed about twice as much as expected. The findings suggest that both cognitive and social factors, not just intelligence, influenced our evolutionary path.
![Holotype of the polycotylid[1] plesiosaur Edgarosaurus muddi DRUCKENMILLER, 2002, (MOR 751) comprising the skull, the neck, and the left front flipper, on display in the Museum of the Rockies in Bozeman, Montana. The specimen was collected in Edgar, Carbon County, Montana, from the Shell Creek member of the Thermopolis Shale Formation, Upper Albian, uppermost Lower Cretaceous.[2]](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/ff/Edgarosaurus_%281%29.jpg/330px-Edgarosaurus_%281%29.jpg?utm_source=en.wikipedia.org&utm_campaign=api&utm_content=thumbnail)
![Reconstructed skull of the dromaeosaurid Adasaurus mongoliensis. The holotype IGM 100/20 preserves a partial right side of the skull and other postcrania including the hindlimbs, it has an estimated length of 2 m (6.6 ft) with a weight of 15 kg (33 lb).[1] Skull mainly based on Turner et al. 2012 and Mickey Mortimer.[2][3]
Color Key
Known
Unknown](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/78/Adasaurus_Skull.png/330px-Adasaurus_Skull.png?utm_source=en.wikipedia.org&utm_campaign=api&utm_content=thumbnail)
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