tail | Common News Update

Apr302020 by adminNo Comments

World’s longest predatory dinosaur used its tail to swim

Science

April 29 (UPI) -- Paleontologists finally have proof that some dinosaurs were aquatic. Detailed analysis of the only existing Spinosaurus aegyptiacus remains suggests the world's longest predatory dinosaur lived in a large river system and used its tail to swim. The discovery -- published this week in the journal Nature -- marks the first time a tail-propelled swimming locomotion has been reported in a dinosaur. "This discovery really opens our eyes to this whole new world of possibilities for dinosaurs," lead study author Nizar Ibrahim, professor at the University of Detroit Mercy, said in a news release. "It doesn't just add to an existing narrative, it starts a whole new narrative and drastically changes things in terms of what we know dinosaurs could actually do. There's nothing like...

'Amazing Dragon' discovery in China turns the dinosaur world on its tail

Technology

Paleontologists have discovered the fossils of a new species of dinosaur in northwestern China. The discovery of Lingwulong shenqi, shows there was an early member of the well-known group of plant-eating dinosaurs called sauropods -- early meaning 15 million years earlier than any previously-known member of the group. The newly-discovered dinosaur was a neosauropod, a group of long-necked vegetarians that includes brontosaurus and diplodocus. It is estimated to have been between 35 and 57 feet long from head to tail. The discovery was published in the British journal, Nature Communications on Tuesday. Lingwulong shengi translates to "Amazing Dragon from Lingwu". Lingwu, is the region where they were found; long is Mandarin for 'dragon' and shenqi is Mandarin for 'amazing'. Research...

Jurassic fossil tail provides missing link in ancient crocodile family tree

Science

May 11 (UPI) -- Paleontologists have recovered a Jurassic fossil tail they believe is the missing link between two halves of the ancient crocodile family. During the Jurassic period, from roughly 200 to 145 million years ago, ancient crocodiles took two basic forms, each featuring several species. One group featured dino-like armor and had limbs for walking on land. Another had tail fins and flippers, but not armor. One group was croc-like, the other was dolphin-like. Researchers suggest the newly discovered tail belonged to an intermediary species, which boasted armor as well as tail fins. Scientists, who described the fossil in the journal PeerJ, named the new species Magyarosuchus fitosi, a tribute to Attila Fitos, the amateur collector who discovered it. Fitos dug up the tail in the ...