paleontology

Jun 7, 2023

New Dino, ‘Iani,’ Was Face of a Changing Planet

A newly discovered plant-eating dinosaur may have been a species’ “last gasp.” 

Apr 28, 2023

How Are Dino Tissues Preserved in Deep Time?

Two hypotheses for ancient soft tissue preservation are often one and the same, according to a new study. 

May 12, 2022

What Caused This Megatooth Shark’s Massive Toothache?

Big shark, bad day. A damaged O. megalodon tooth points to an injury received while feeding. 

Apr 25, 2022

Exploring the Origins of Molecular Paleontology

If Jurassic Park fueled your interest in dinosaurs, genetics, and all things ancient, you aren’t alone. There’s an entire field dedicated to looking for ancient DNA – molecular paleontology – that predates Michael Crichton’s take on dino clones. And the people behind that research are just as varied and interesting as any of Crichton’s subjects.… 

Feb 2, 2021

Parasaurolophus Skull Solves Mysteries of Colorful Crest, Family Tree

A well-preserved skull answers questions about the Parasaurolophus family tree. 

Dec 1, 2020

Dueling Dinosaurs: A Q&A With Lindsay Zanno

Lindsay Zanno talks about the Dueling Dinosaurs fossil and what it could reveal. 

Mar 2, 2020

Original Cartilage and Evidence of DNA Preserved in 75 Million-Year-Old Baby Dinosaur

Researchers have found evidence of preserved protein fragments and apparent chromosomes in cartilage from a baby dinosaur. 

Feb 21, 2019

New Species of Tiny Tyrannosaur Foreshadows Rise of T. Rex

A new tiny tyrannosaur nicknamed "harbinger of doom" paved the way for T. rex to rule. 

Dec 5, 2018

Soft Tissue Shows Jurassic Ichthyosaur Was Warm-Blooded, Had Blubber and Camouflage

Soft-tissue analysis of Jurassic ichthyosaur reveals they were most likely warm-blooded, had insulating blubber and camouflage coloration. 

Oct 17, 2017

Keratin, Pigment, Proteins From 54 Million-Year-Old Sea Turtle Show Survival Trait Evolution

Fossil tissues show that a pigment-based survival trait common to modern sea turtles evolved at least 54 million years ago. 

Jan 23, 2017

80-Million-Year-Old Dinosaur Collagen Confirmed

Researchers have isolated additional collagen peptides from an 80-million-year-old Brachylophosaurus. 

Nov 21, 2016

Keratin and Melanosomes Preserved in 130-Million-Year-Old Bird Fossil

Researchers have found evidence of original keratin and melanosome preservation in a 130-million-year-old Eoconfuciusornis specimen. 

Nov 8, 2016

Original Dinosaur Claw Sheath Proteins Preserved for 75 Million Years

Researchers find original proteins in a 75 million-year-old dinosaur's claw sheath. 

Sep 27, 2016

Outrageous Heads Led to Outrageously Large Dinosaurs

Bling and big bods: theropod dinosaurs with bony crests, horns and knobs on their heads got bigger faster than their unornamented brethren. 

Mar 23, 2016

What Do We Really Know About Dino DNA?

Paleontologist Mary Schweitzer explains what we really know about dinosaur DNA.