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Ichthyosaurus anningae

March 8, 2015, 9:51 pm
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Ichthyosaurus anningae Lomax & Massare, 2015
Ichthyosauromorpha
Ichthyosauria
Neoichthyosauria
Thunnosauria
Ichthyosauridae

Early Jurassic
Charmouth Mudstone Fm (Early Pliensbachian)
England

Length: 1.5 m

Honoring famous fossil discoverer Mary Anning, the fossil of  I. anningae has been "rediscovered" in a Museum collection. Only subtly different from I. communis, to which it was originally and tentatively assigned, it is however 10 millions year younger stratigraphically, making it the last occurring member of the genus Ichthyosaurus. Apart from the incomplete type specimen, two to four other specimens are referred to I. anningae.

March 8, 2015

All images on this site are copyrighted to Nobu Tamura under a Creative Commons 3.0 Unported (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0) license meaning that you are free to use them for non commercial purposes as long as you properly credit the author (© N. Tamura). Questions: contact me at nobu dot tamura at yahoo dot com.
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Loganellia scotica

March 13, 2015, 7:41 pm
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Loganellia scotica (Traquair, 1898)
Agnatha
Thelodonti
Loganiidae

Early Silurian
Lesmahagow inliers
Scotland

Length:15 cm

Formerly described as a species of Thelodus,  Loganiella had a body covered in scales. Its two large pectoral "fins" made it a slightly better swimmer than the anaspids.

March 13, 2015

All images on this site are copyrighted to Nobu Tamura under a Creative Commons 3.0 Unported (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0) license meaning that you are free to use them for non commercial purposes as long as you properly credit the author (© N. Tamura). Questions: contact me at nobu dot tamura at yahoo dot com.
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Ctenaspis dentata

March 14, 2015, 4:21 pm
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Ctenaspis dentata Kiaer, 1930
Agnatha
Pteraspidomorphi
Heterostraci
Cyathaspidiformes
Ctenaspididae

Early Devonian
Red Bay Series, Ben Nevis Fm (Downtonian)
Spitsbergen, Norway

Length:10 cm

The body of Ctenaspis was protected by a short and ornamented dorsal and ventral shields. It was probably a bottom dweller and may have lived partially hidden in the sand.

March 14, 2015

All images on this site are copyrighted to Nobu Tamura under a Creative Commons 3.0 Unported (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0) license meaning that you are free to use them for non commercial purposes as long as you properly credit the author (© N. Tamura). Questions: contact me at nobu dot tamura at yahoo dot com.
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Koshisaurus katsuyama

March 15, 2015, 12:36 pm
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Koshisaurus katsuyama Shibata & Azuma, 2015
Dinosauria
Ornithischia
Ornithopoda
Hadrosauroidea

Early Cretaceous
Kitadani Fm (Barremian-Early Aptian)
Japan

Length: ?

Known from fragmentary remains, including a partial maxilla and teeth, Koshisaurus was contemporary but distinct to another Japanese Iguanodont, Fukuisaurus. A phylogenetical analysis indicates Koshisaurus was the most primitive hadrosauroid known.

March 15, 2015

All images on this site are copyrighted to Nobu Tamura under a Creative Commons 3.0 Unported (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0) license meaning that you are free to use them for non commercial purposes as long as you properly credit the author (© N. Tamura). Questions: contact me at nobu dot tamura at yahoo dot com.
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Aegirocassis benmoulae

March 15, 2015, 8:35 pm
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Aegirocassis benmoulae Van Roy, Daley & Briggs, 2015
Arthropoda
Radiodonta
Hurdiidae

Early Ordovician
Lower Fezouata Fm (latest Tremadocian)
Morocco

Length:2 m

This large primitive arthropod (over 2 m in length) from the Early Ordovician of Morocco was related to Anomalocaris. It was actually a gentle filter feeder and the whale of its time.

March 15, 2015

All images on this site are copyrighted to Nobu Tamura under a Creative Commons 3.0 Unported (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0) license meaning that you are free to use them for non commercial purposes as long as you properly credit the author (© N. Tamura). Questions: contact me at nobu dot tamura at yahoo dot com.
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Psephophorus terrypratchetti

March 17, 2015, 10:22 pm
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Psephophorus terrypratchetti Kohler, 1995
Chelonia
Testudines
Cryptodira
Dermochelyidae

Eocene
Waihao Greensand (Upper Lutetian)
New Zealand

Length:?

Known from fragmentary materials including dermal plates, ribs and vertebrae, this marine turtle was named after famed British novelist Terry Pratchett honoring his fondness for turtles. It was assigned to the genus of fossil leatherback turtle Psephophorus.

March 17, 2015

All images on this site are copyrighted to Nobu Tamura under a Creative Commons 3.0 Unported (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0) license meaning that you are free to use them for non commercial purposes as long as you properly credit the author (© N. Tamura). Questions: contact me at nobu dot tamura at yahoo dot com.
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Sanchaspis megalorostrata

March 18, 2015, 9:59 pm
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Sanchaspis megalorostrata Pan & Wang, 1981
Agnatha
GaleaspidaHuananaspidiformes
Sanchaspididae

Early Devonian
Xujiachong Fm (Pragian)
Yunnan, China

Length: 20-25 cm

The Galeaspids form a peculiar group of jawless fish restricted to the Silurian and Devonian of South East Asia. Sanchaspis from the Yunnan of China ranks among the strangest.

March 18, 2015

All images on this site are copyrighted to Nobu Tamura under a Creative Commons 3.0 Unported (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0) license meaning that you are free to use them for non commercial purposes as long as you properly credit the author (© N. Tamura). Questions: contact me at nobu dot tamura at yahoo dot com.
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Tiktaalik roseae

March 21, 2015, 10:54 pm
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Tiktaalik roseae Daeschler, Shubin & Jenkins, 2006
Sarcopterygii
Elpistostegalia

Late Devonian
Fram Fm (Frasnian)
Nunavut, Canada

Length: 2.75 m

The croc like fish Tiktaalik became an instant celebrity when its discovery was announced. It is indeed the long awaited "missing link" between the sarcopterygian fish and the first amphibians. This aquatic animal was able to temporarily hoist itself on dry land.

March 21, 2015

All images on this site are copyrighted to Nobu Tamura under a Creative Commons 3.0 Unported (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0) license meaning that you are free to use them for non commercial purposes as long as you properly credit the author (© N. Tamura). Questions: contact me at nobu dot tamura at yahoo dot com.
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Cephalaspis lyelli

March 24, 2015, 9:22 pm
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Cephalaspis lyelli Agassiz, 1835
Agnatha
Cephalaspidomorphi
Osteostraci

Early Devonian
Old Red Sandstone Fm
Scotland, UK

Length: 20-30 cm

The most famous representative of a group of jawless fish called Osteostraci, Cephalaspis lyelli which name means "Lyell's head shield" was a heavily armored freshwater fish that lived in the Early Devonian of Scotland. Many species of Cephalaspis have been described around the world but Cephalaspis lyelli is probably the only one that belongs with certainty to the genus.

March 24, 2015

All images on this site are copyrighted to Nobu Tamura under a Creative Commons 3.0 Unported (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0) license meaning that you are free to use them for non commercial purposes as long as you properly credit the author (© N. Tamura). Questions: contact me at nobu dot tamura at yahoo dot com.
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Gemuendina stuerzi

March 28, 2015, 6:45 pm
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Gemuendina stuerzi Traquair, 1903
Agnatha
Placodermi
Rhenanida

Early Devonian
Hunsruck lagerstatte (Emsian)
Germany

Length: 30-100 cm

This unusual placoderm had a flat body and large pectoral fins, giving it a ray-like appearance. Some specimens reached a length of 1 m.

March 28, 2015

All images on this site are copyrighted to Nobu Tamura under a Creative Commons 3.0 Unported (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0) license meaning that you are free to use them for non commercial purposes as long as you properly credit the author (© N. Tamura). Questions: contact me at nobu dot tamura at yahoo dot com.
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Yawunik kootenayi

March 29, 2015, 4:16 pm
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Yawunik kootenayi Van Roy, Daley & Briggs, 2015
Arthropoda
Megacheira
Leanchoiliida
Leanchoiliidae

Middle Cambrian
Stephen Fm (Burgess Shale)
British Columbica, Canada

Length:9.5 cm

This early arthropod from the Burgess Shale, had 2 pairs of eyes, a telson and long and flexible  appendages that were used for grasping preys.

March 29, 2015

All images on this site are copyrighted to Nobu Tamura under a Creative Commons 3.0 Unported (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0) license meaning that you are free to use them for non commercial purposes as long as you properly credit the author (© N. Tamura). Questions: contact me at nobu dot tamura at yahoo dot com.
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Slimonia acuminata

April 4, 2015, 10:20 pm
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Slimonia acuminata (Salter, 1856)
Arthropoda
Merostomata
Eurypterida
Pterygotioidea
Slimoniidae

Upper Silurian
Lesmahagow, Lanarkshire, Scotland, UK

Length:1.5 m

This sea scorpion was related to Pterygotus. It lived in freshwater.

April 4, 2015

All images on this site are copyrighted to Nobu Tamura under a Creative Commons 3.0 Unported (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0) license meaning that you are free to use them for non commercial purposes as long as you properly credit the author (© N. Tamura). Questions: contact me at nobu dot tamura at yahoo dot com.
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Gyracanthus formosus

April 5, 2015, 4:10 pm
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Gyracanthus formosus Agassiz, 1837
Acanthodii
Climatiiformes
Gyracanthidae

Upper Carboniferous
Upper Coal Measures (Westphalian A-D)
England & Scotland, UK

Length: 50 cm

Gyracanthus was a large freshwater "spiny shark" (acanthodian). It is essentially known from the characteristic long and ornamented pectoral fin spines and almost nothing else. Many species of Gyracanthus have been described and G. formosus found throughout Great Britain is the type species.

April 5, 2015

All images on this site are copyrighted to Nobu Tamura under a Creative Commons 3.0 Unported (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0) license meaning that you are free to use them for non commercial purposes as long as you properly credit the author (© N. Tamura). Questions: contact me at nobu dot tamura at yahoo dot com.
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Cyrtoceras sp

April 6, 2015, 10:55 pm
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Cyrtoceras sp Goldfuss, 1832
Mollusca
Cephalopoda
Nautiloidea
Oncocerida

Middle Ordovician-Middle Devonian
Worldwide
Length:

This nautiloid is characterized by a slightly curved conical shell. A multitude of species have been described.

April 6, 2015

All images on this site are copyrighted to Nobu Tamura under a Creative Commons 3.0 Unported (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0) license meaning that you are free to use them for non commercial purposes as long as you properly credit the author (© N. Tamura). Questions: contact me at nobu dot tamura at yahoo dot com.
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Hypselosaurus priscus

April 7, 2015, 10:19 pm
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Hypselosaurus priscus Matheron, 1868
Dinosauria
Sauropodomorpha
Sauropoda
Titanosauria
Titanosauridae

Late Cretaceous
Maastrichtian
France

Length: 8 m

Known from fragmentary remains from the Late Cretaceous of South of France, Hypselosaurus is today considered a nomen dubium (dubious name) because of the lack of diagnostic characteristics in the fossils clearly defining the genus. Hypselosaurus has been associated with numerous fossilized eggs found in nearby localities.

April 7, 2015

All images on this site are copyrighted to Nobu Tamura under a Creative Commons 3.0 Unported (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0) license meaning that you are free to use them for non commercial purposes as long as you properly credit the author (© N. Tamura). Questions: contact me at nobu dot tamura at yahoo dot com.
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Brontosaurus excelsus

April 8, 2015, 5:59 pm
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Brontosaurus excelsus Marsh, 1879
Dinosauria
Sauropodomorpha
Sauropoda
Diplodocidae
Apatosaurinae

Late Jurassic
Morrison Fm (Kimmeridgian)
Wyoming, USA

Length: 22

First described in 1879, Brontosausus was considered a junior synonym of Apatosaurus since 1903 although the name remained popular and never really left the public consciousness. A recent 2015 study resuscitated Brontosaurus scientifically as distinct from Apatosaurus. Three spcies are recognized: B. excelsus, B. parvus (previously Elosaurus) and B. yahnahpin (previously Eobrontosaurus).

April 8, 2015

All images on this site are copyrighted to Nobu Tamura under a Creative Commons 3.0 Unported (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0) license meaning that you are free to use them for non commercial purposes as long as you properly credit the author (© N. Tamura). Questions: contact me at nobu dot tamura at yahoo dot com.
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Erythrosuchus africanus

April 11, 2015, 9:56 pm
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Erythrosuchus africanus Broom, 1905
Reptilia
Archosauromorpha
Archosauriformes
Erythrosuchidae

Middle Triassic
Cynognathus az, beaufourt Gr (Anisian)
South Africa

Length: 5 m

Erythrosuchus ("red crocodile") was the largest land predator during the Middle Triassic period of South Africa. The dicynodont Kannemeyeria was probably its prey.

April 11, 2015

All images on this site are copyrighted to Nobu Tamura under a Creative Commons 3.0 Unported (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0) license meaning that you are free to use them for non commercial purposes as long as you properly credit the author (© N. Tamura). Questions: contact me at nobu dot tamura at yahoo dot com.
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Cynognathus crateronotus

April 12, 2015, 10:44 pm
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Cynognathus crateronotus Seeley, 1895
Synapsida
Therapsida
Cynodontia
Cynognathidae

Middle Triassic
Cynognathus az, beaufourt Gr (Anisian)
South Africa

Length: 1 m

Fossils of this mammalian reptile have been found in South Africa, South America, and Antarctica, confirming that these three continents were connected during the Triassic period.

April 12, 2015

All images on this site are copyrighted to Nobu Tamura under a Creative Commons 3.0 Unported (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0) license meaning that you are free to use them for non commercial purposes as long as you properly credit the author (© N. Tamura). Questions: contact me at nobu dot tamura at yahoo dot com.
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Furcacauda heintzae

April 18, 2015, 9:49 pm
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Furcacauda heintzae (Dineley & Loeffler, 1976)
Agnatha
Thelodonti
Furcacaudiformes
Furcacaudidae

Early Devonian
Delorme Fm (Lochkovian)
Northwestern Territories, Canada

Length: 6 cm

Furcacaudiformes are a peculiar group of small agnathans (jawless fishes) with a large forked tail, a laterally compressed body, large eyes and body covered with small scales. Furcacauda heintzae (originally Sigurdia heintzae) was the first species described from the group.

April 18, 2015

All images on this site are copyrighted to Nobu Tamura under a Creative Commons 3.0 Unported (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0) license meaning that you are free to use them for non commercial purposes as long as you properly credit the author (© N. Tamura). Questions: contact me at nobu dot tamura at yahoo dot com.
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Birkenia elegans

April 19, 2015, 7:13 pm
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Birkenia elegans Traquair, 1899
Agnatha
Anaspida
Birkeniidae

Late Silurian
Lesmahagow (Llandovery)
Scotland, UK

Length: up to 10 cm

This small jawless fish from Scotland was represented upside down in its original description.  It was probably an active swimmer.

April 19, 2015

All images on this site are copyrighted to Nobu Tamura under a Creative Commons 3.0 Unported (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0) license meaning that you are free to use them for non commercial purposes as long as you properly credit the author (© N. Tamura). Questions: contact me at nobu dot tamura at yahoo dot com.
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