recursal/Fanatic-Fandom huggingface dataset:
OMNH 25400

OMNH 25400 is an unnamed genus of amphibian That lived in Utah during the Late Cretaceous

## Description

The taxon, known from a right premaxilla was found in the Smoky Hollow Member of the Straight Cliffs Formation. It was described by Gardner (1999) as a species of *Albanerpeton, A. cifellii.* Daza et. al. (2020), however, found the genus *Albanerpeton* to be paraphyletic, and suggested all Mesozoic taxa should be moved to their own genera.

## Classification

This cladogram was recovered by Daza et. al. (2020):

## References

* http://www.fossilworks.org/cgi-bin/bridge.pl?a=taxonInfo&taxon\_no=156365

* https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albanerpeton

* https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Straight\_Cliffs\_Formation
Phui Noi Metriacanthosaurid

The Phui Noi Metriacanthosaurid is an unnamed genus of Metriacanthosaurid Theropod that lived in Thailand from the Late Jurassic to the Early Cretaceous.

## Description

The material recovered from the site includes at least two individuals, accounting for 3 maxillae and 3 premaxillae, as well as a metatarsal II, 2 metatarsal III, an ulna, pedal phalanges, and teeth.

## Phylogyny

Samathi et al. (2016a & b), states that the Phui Noi specimens are within the clade Metriacanthosauridae, being closer to *Sinraptor* than *Yangchuanosaurus*, meaning they belong to the subfamily Metriacanthosaurinae. It is a safe assumption that the Phui Noi Specimens are closely related to the other Metriacanthosaurid from Thailand, *Siamotyrannus*, as recovered here (modified from Carrano et. al (2012)).

## References

* https://theropoddatabase.com/Carnosauria.htm#Carcharodontosauridae
Nihohae

Image Credits: Ttrorroo

Nihohae is a species and genus of Extinct dolphin; that belonged to the waipatiids. It lived during the Late Oligocene era; throughout the New Zealand waters.

## Description

It has a long snout with even longer teeth. Nihohae matakoi was a species and genus of highly unique looking dolphins that presumed lived in the more coastal water areas. This species of extinct dolphins are noted for its highly differentiated and elongated; tusk-like teeth.

Its teeth presumably used for disemboweling, tearing and shattering its prey to pieces; that are more easier to consume for the animal. Its unclear that it was a more solitary animal or it was a highly developed and social animal very similar to modern dolphin and cetacean species. It was a relatively smaller dolphin species.

## Sources

* https://www.sci.news/paleontology/nihohae-matakoi-12017.html
* https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/13/science/dolphin-tusks-fossil.html
* https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/campus/bitten-25-million-year-old-dolphin%E2%80%99s-toothy-arsenal
* https://nixillustration.com/science-illustration/2023/nihohae/
* https://arkeofili.com/muzede-25-milyon-yillik-tuhaf-disli-katil-yunus-kesfedildi/
* http://novataxa.blogspot.com/2023/06/nihohae.html
Monosmilus

Monosmilus gets snatched by a whale, Dalanistes. Credit: Joschua Knüppe.

*Monosmilus* is an extinct genus of anchovy that lived during the Early to Middle Eocene in Belgium.

## Description

*Monosmilus* is known from a 30 centimeter stone slate that dates from 41-54 million years ago, and was found near Belgium. *Monosmilus* is different from another extinct anchovy, *Clupeopsis* by the single saber on its top jaw, and other skeletal features like:

* Bulbous lateral ethmoid.
* Larger dentition.
* The postorbital region of the neurocranium is longer.
* The orbitosphenoid and parasphenoid are touching.
* Larger, lateral horizontal lamina.
* Longer/broader endopterygoid.
* Third basibranchial is the longest element of the basibranchial series.

All of these features distinguish *Monosmilus* apart from *Clupeopsis*. *Monosmilus* had a slender body, like that of the late *Xiphactinus* and similar ichthyodectid fish, with six streamlined fins and gaping jaws.

## History

*Monosmilus* is derived from Latin 'mónos', meaning single, and 'smil'e', meaning knife. Single knife is a reference to the singular tooth on *Monosmilus*' upper jaw. The species name '*chureloides*', refers to the Churel: a legend in Urdu about a shapeshifting vampire-like demon that bears large tusks. The suffix, 'oides', about the similarity with Chupeopsis. It was named in 2020.

## Paleobiology

—Alessio Capobianco, researcher
*Monosmilus* swam oceans and snagged small anchovies with its fangs. Monosmilus swam into large shoals of fish and grabbed its smaller, yet less adapted, cousins. Like modern anchovy, Monosmilus may have been planktivorous.

## Notable Specimens

* GSP-UM 37: The holotype of *Monosmilus*, represented by a slate of rock 30 centimeters long discovered in Belgium.

## Paleoecology

*Monosmilus* lived in shallow, coastal environments, likely swimming in small shoals attempting to snatch smaller fish. The remingtonocetid whale, *Dalanistes* was likely a predator of *Monosmilus*. *Monosmilus* chased small shoals of anchovy, and may have been semi-planktivorous like modern anchovy.

## References

* https://www.newscientist.com/article/2243174-ancient-anchovies-were-huge-and-used-sabre-teeth-to-eat-other-fish/?utm\_term=Autofeed&utm\_campaign=echobox&utm\_medium=social&utm\_source=Twitter#Echobox=1589331784

* https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2020/05/saber-toothed-anchovies-roamed-oceans-45-million-years-ago

* http://novataxa.blogspot.com/2020/05/monosmilus.html
Passer predomesticus

*Passer predomesticus* is an extinct species of Old World Sparrows that lived in Israel during the Pleistocene.

## Description

*Passer predomesticus* is known from two premaxillae which closely resemble those of modern House Sparrows (*Passer domesticus*). These are known from Oumm-Qatafa Cave, a Middle Pleistocene site in the Judean Desert that has also yielded hominin remains (which are described as "Late Acheulean", making them likely to be *Homo erectus*, early *Homo neanderthalensis*, Herto or *Homo rhodesiensis*). The fact that is was found in association with hominins suggests a possible commensal relationship similar to that of modern humans and house sparrows.

## References

1. ↑ https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00306525.1964.9639423
2. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acheulean
3. ↑ https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12520-011-0056-1
4. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passer\_predomesticus
Paraceratherium

Credit: Mark Witton.

*Paraceratherium* is an extinct genus of massive hornless rhinoceros that lived in Europe and Asia during the Early to Late Oligocene.

## Description

*Paraceratherium* had long, stilt-like legs and large lips. Many fossils assigned a different genus, were later reclassified as *Paraceratherium* specimens.

 File:Paraceratherium linxiaense.png
In the Late Eocene-Oligocene badlands, *P. bugtiense* is known from the Bugti Hills of Pakistan, while *P. transouralicum*, the largest species, is known Mongolia, Europe (Mainly Iberia and Romania), and China. The species was named in 2021 where it was found to be highly derived species of *Paraceratherium* based on morphology and phylogeny.

## Paleobiology

*Paraceratherium* ate high to medium level plants. *Paraceratherium* lived in and around Europe and Asia in plains biome. It, P. bugtiense and *Dzungariotherium* form a tight clade. *P. bugtiense* range expansions may have lead to P. linxiaense and *Dzungariotherium* dispersing along the east coast by the Tethys, possibly via lowlands.

## Synonyms

### Genus Synonymy

* *Baluchitherium*
* *Indricotherium*
* *Pristinotherium*
* *Benaratherium*?
* *Aceratherium bugtiense* (=*P. bugtiense*)
* *Thaumastotherium osborni* (=*P. bugtiense*)
* *Metamynodon bugtiensis* (=*P. bugtiense*)
* *P. zhajremensis* (=*P. bugtiense*)
* *P. transouralicum* (=P. asiaticus)

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 https://www.nature.com/articles/s42003-021-02170-6
2. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paraceratherium
3. ↑ https://www.nbcnews.com/science/science-news/new-fossils-giant-rhinos-largest-land-mammals-ever-are-found-china-rcna1213
4. ↑ http://www.sci-news.com/paleontology/paraceratherium-linxiaense-09776.html
Phacops

Phacops using the Rorschach pattern to camouflage.Credit: Wikipedia.

*Phacops* is an extinct genus of trilobite that lived from the Late Ordovician to the Late Devonian in Europe, Africa, North/South America and China.

## Description

*Phacops* had very large eyes that had many lenses. Theories on *Phacops*' true colour-scheme vary, however, it is thought that the 'Rorschach' camouflage because of black spots preserved in fossil specimens. Most fossils of *Phacops* are curled in a ball, a defense mechanism to protect themselves and ward off predators. *Phacops* likely ate detritus.

## Species

* *P. accipitrinus*
* *P. algericus*
* *P. breviceps*
* *P. chlupaci*
* *P. circumspectans*
* *P. degener*
* *P. fecundus*
* *P. fragosus*
* *P. granulatus*
* *P. hoseri*
* *P. iowensis*
* *P. imitator*
* *P. kockeli*
* *P. latifrons*
* *P. maurulus*
* *P. modestus*
* *P. ouarouroutensis*
* *P. platilegnotor*
* *P. salteri*
* *P. sartenaeri*
* *P. sobolevi*
* *P. sternbergi*
* *P. turco*
* *P. wedekindi*
* *P. zinkeni*
Ngandong tiger

Credit: Jagroar on DeviantArt.

The Ngandong tiger (*Panthera tigris soloensis*) is an extinct subspecies of tiger that lived lived in Indonesia during the Pleistocene.

## Description

The Ngandong tiger has been discovered bear the village of Ngandong (hence the given common name). Nearly 20 fossils attributed to the subspecies have been found, which makes study of the Ngandong tiger difficult. Heltler and Volmer estimated in 2007 that a male could have weighed up to 550 kilograms, with the lowest being around 400 kilograms. This new weight makes the Ngandong tiger size larger to *Smilodon* and the American lion. The Ngandong tiger was amongst the largest felids to have ever existed.

## Paleoecology

The Ngandong tiger lived alongside *Stegodon*, *Elephas*, *Bubalus*, *Bos*, *Tapirus*, *Rhinoceros* and *Homo soloensis*. The Ngandong tiger lived in the Sundaland region of Indonesia. The area was rich in cervines.

## References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panthera\_tigris\_soloensis
Myliobatis striatus

*Myliobatis striatus* is an extinct species of ray that lived in North America, Europe and Africa during the Paleogene.

## Distribution

*M. striatus* is known from the Oligocene of Germany; the Eocene of Nigeria, the United Kingdom, New Jersey and Virginia; the Paleocene of Togo; the Tertiary of the United States; and the Cretaceous-Paleogene of New Jersey.

## Synonyms

* *Myliobates serratus*
* *Myliobates transversalis*
* *Myliobates striatus*
* *M. transversalis*
* *M. leidyi*
* *M. serratus* (replaced name)

## References

https://paleobiodb.org/classic/basicTaxonInfo?taxon\_no=132635
Paraenhydrocyon

*Paraenhydrocyon* is an extinct genus of canid that lived during the Early Mocene in North America.

## Description

*Paraenhydrocyon* was either omnivorous, hypercarnivorous or mesocarnivorous baed off of the dentition. The thin premolars of *Paraenhydrocyon* specimens contrast the strong premolars of *Mesocyon* and *Enhydrocyon*, of which it is related, and named after. *Paraenhydrocyon* has reduced teeth cusps, however, paralleling the group it descends.

## References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paraenhydrocyon
Nicksaurus

"Nicksaurus" is a naked genus of titanosaurian sauropod dinosaur that lived in Pakistan during the Late Cretaceous.

## Paleoecology

"Nicksaurus" shared a habitat with Khetranisaurus, Sulaimanisaurus, Pakisaurus, Gspsaurus, Saraikimasoom and Maojandino.

## References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List\_of\_informally\_named\_dinosaurs
Palaeoctopus

Credit: Franz Anthony.

*Palaeoctopus* is an extinct genus of cephalopod that lived in Chine during the Late Cretaceous.

## Description

The holotype specimen was found on Mount Hajoula in the Lebanon region of China. Several specimens where uncovered and misidentified. One of which, *P. pelagicus*, was reidentified to be part of a coelacanth fossil. *Palaeoctopus* represents the basal side of the octopoda family tree. In the past, the type species was classified under the species epithet "*libanotica*" under *Beloteuthis* and *Parateudopsis*.

## References

* https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palaeoctopus
* https://paleobiodb.org/classic/basicTaxonInfo?taxon\_no=15915
Nemegt Therizinosaur

The Nemegt Therizinosaur is an unnamed genus of Therizinosauroid from Mongolia.

## Description

During the Korea-Mongolia International Dinosaur Project the team prospected the Ulan Khushu, Altan Uul, Bugin Tsav, and Guriliin Tsav localities and uncovered several partially complete skeletons.

## References

* https://theropoddatabase.com/Therizinosauroidea.htm#Therizinosauria
* https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nemegt\_Formation#Therizinosaurs
Oolithes

*Oolithes*, referred to as *Oölithes* in older publications, is an extinct oogenus of unknown affinities that lived in China during the Late Cretaceous.

## Description

*Oolithes* was one of the earliest ootaxa to be named, by James Buckman in 1859. It is unknown what laid the eggs, but is theorized to have been layed by a teleosaurid reptile.

## References

* https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oolithes
* https://paleoglot.org/files/Dong\_79.pdf
Orcomimus

Orcomimus is a naked genus of ornithomimid that lived in North America during the Late Cretaceous.

## Description

Orcomimus is known from relatively few specimens, and was relatively advanced for an ornithomimosaur. Orcomimus is only known from caudal vertebrae, a pelvis and a hindlimb.

## Notable Specimens

* LACM 47520: The intended holotype of "Orcomimus". Consists of the proximal caudal vertebrae, a pelvis, and two hindlimbs.

## References

1. ↑ https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-022-04446-1
2. ↑ https://phys.org/news/2022-02-dinosaurs.html
3. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List\_of\_informally\_named\_dinosaurs#Orcomimus
4. ↑ https://www.theropoddatabase.com/Ornithomimosauria.htm#Orcomimus
NMMNH P-33906

From left to right: Utahceratops, Pentaceratops, NMMNH P-33906, Navajoceratops, Terminocavus and Anchiceratops. Credit: Ville Sinkkonen and Denver Fowler.

## Statistics

### Diet

Herbivorous

NMMNH P-33906, practically nicknamed "Taxon C", is an unnamed genus of transitional chasmosaurian dinosaur that lived in New Mexico during the Late Cretaceous.

## Description

NMMNH P-33906, a parietal median bar, is 31 centimeters long, It was recovered from the De-na-zin Member. It is thinly layered in a pale concretion and many patches of adhering hematite. Though most characteristics can be seen, some are obscured. However, no obvious surface features adorning the dorsal side, where the ventral side has a raised central bar and lateral flanges that laterally extend over the fenestrae. Such flanges are much more developed in this taxon than *Pentaceratops*, *Navajoceratops* and *Terminocavus*, but is less broad than *Anchiceratops* (possibly excluding CMN 8535).At both ends of the median bar, the cross section differs. It is concave-convex at the anterior end and shallowly concave at the ventral. At the posterior end, it is biconvex and lenticular (both sides are inferred). The ventrally concave end is anterior based on other chasmosaurs. The bar laterally expands at each end, but is more notable in the posterior, though the anterior end is less complete. The median bar is 9 centimeters wide at the narrowest point. The epijugal fuses to the jugal and likely the quadratojugal, but the jugal and quadratojugal are not present in the fossil, with small debris remaining fused to the epijugal. The epijugal is ~10 centimeters long and moderately points. The median bar is also broader than *Pentaceratops*, *Navajoceratops* and *Utahceratops*. The epijugal is similar in size to UMNH VP-12198. Frill texture in NMMNH P-33906 is not discernable. NMMNH P-33906 provides morphology intermediate of the stratigraphy proceeding *Terminocavus* and succeeding *Anchiceratops*. NMMNH P-33906 , along with NMMNH P-27488 and NMMNH P-37880, are in storage at the federal repository of the New Mexico Museum of Natural History.
Paranguilla

*Paranguilla* is an extinct genus of eels that lived in Italy during the Middle Eocene.

## Description

*Paranguilla* had an elongated body and is very well represented in fossil material. Fossils are found primarily in Europe, specifically in remote regions of Italy. *Paranguilla* likely had many small spots covering their bodies.

## Classification

*Paranguilla* and *Dalpiazella* form Paranguillidae.

## References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paranguilla
Ozarkodina

*Ozarkodina* is an extinct genus of conodont that lived in China during the Silurian.

## Stratigraphy

*Ozarkodina* is used as a division in many rock formations its fossils occur. The genus went extinct in the Early Devonian.

## Species

* *O. anika*
* *O. confluens*
* *O. derenjalensis*
* *O. eberleini*
* *O. hassi*
* *O. maroccanica*
* *O. snajdri*
* *O. soegina*
* *O. typica*
Panoplosaurus

Credit: Mark Witton.

*Panoplosaurus* is an extinct genus of nodosaurid dinosaur that lived in Alberta during the Late Cretaceous.

## Description

*Panoplosaurus* is characterized most by its unique armor. *Panoplosaurus* had oval-shaped osteoderms on its skin, which were keeled, presenting a prominent ridge on their peaks. *Panoplosaurus* lacks the large shoulder spikes other nodosaurs adorn, however is covered in rows of studded osteoderms, like all nodosaurs. The bony plates on *Panoplosaurus*' heads were fused, like a helmet, which was rough to the touch. *Panoplosaurus* has defined cheek scutes.

The skull of *Panoplosaurus* is short, but wide at the rear, the holotype, is particularly rounded. Compared to others, *Panoplosaurus*' snout is narrow, possibly to help in uprooting of low-growing highly nutritious plants. Other skulls are longer and flatter, perhaps representing age and sexual dimorphism. The coracoid is slender, however not fused to the scapula. *Panoplosaurus*' forelegs were heavy, showing attachment points to big muscles. Such an advancement suggests that *Panoplosaurus* was very maneuverable in life; maybe being able to ram into predators like rhinoceros'. The front paw had only three fingers, and the pelvis was attached to the sacral vertebrae, having reduced sacral ribs.

## Classification

In 1971, Walter Coombs suggested that *Edmontonia* was a subgenus of *Panoplosaurus*. This theory created *Panoplosaurus (Edmontonia) longiceps* and *Panoplosaurus (Edmontonia) rugosidens*. This theory has now been discredited, due to little evidence.

## Paleoecology

*Panoplosaurus* lived in the Dinosaur Park Formation during the Late Cretaceous in Alberta. *Panoplosaurus* lived with its cousin, *Edmontonia*. *Panoplosaurus* plucked tough plants from the undergrowth, and was one of the few megafauna in its ecosystem.

## References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panoplosaurus
Ojoceratops

Credit: Jose Carlos Cortes.

*Ojoceratops* is an extinct, doubted genus of ceratopsian that lived in North America during the Late Cretaceous.

## Description

*Ojoceratops* has a squared-off frill and has curled horns. *Ojoceratops* is very similar to *Triceratops*.

## Disputed Validity

In 2011, Jack Horner cut open the skulls of *Ojoceratops* (and other ceratopsians), which showed that *Ojoceratops* was a growth stage of *Triceratops*. The current theory is that *Triceratops*' horns curled down with age.

## References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ojoceratops
NMC 8547

NMC 8547 is an unnamed and possibly distinct genus of chasmosaurine ceratopsid that lived in Alberta during the Late Cretaceous.

## Description

NMC 8547 is housed in the Canadian Museum of Nature, Ottawa, Ontario, labelled as *Anchiceratops ornatus*. The skull is a cast transferred from NMC 8535. The postcranials may represent a new genus.

## References

* https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anchiceratops#/media/File:Anchiceratops\_ornatus\_skeleton.jpg
* https://archive.org/details/g.s.paul2016theprincetonfieldguidetodinosaurs/page/n258/mode/1up
Phuwiangvenator

Phuwiangvenator (top) and Vayuraptor (bottom).

*Phuwiangvenator* is an extinct genus of megaraptoran dinosaur that lived in Thailand during the Early Cretaceous.

## Description

*Phuwiangvenator* is the most basal megaraptorid dinosaur known. Though discovered in 1993, it was described in 2019. i is known from ten partial skeletons, with preserved wrist bones, dorsal and sacral vertebrae, and metatarsals present. Two specimens, one of which does not have (or was not given) a specimen ID, are also noted. Another specimen, stated to be the same individual as the holotype (based on size, shape and phylogenetics), was recovered from the same locality and was described in 2021. It is an incomplete fibula and left and right metatarsals. A long, deep fossa between the lateral and medial distal condyles of the metatarsal II is a new autapomorphy seen here. Metatarsal III is short and more similar to *Concavenator*, being more gracile than basal allosauroids. The hindlimb is proportioned similar to *Neovenator*. They find *Phuwiangvenator* has a morphology shared with allosauroids, basal coelurosaurs and may be intermediate of non-megaraptorids and megaraptorids.

## Classification

*Phuwiangvenator*, along with Vayuraptor, is one of the basalmost megaraptorans known. *Phuwiangvenator* is recovered as the sister taxon to *Aoniraptor*, Megaraptoridae, *Siats* and*Vayuraptor*.

## Paleobiology

### Paleopathology

Samathi et al. (2023) describe a traumatic greenstick fracture on a metatarsal assigned to this taxon, being the first paleopathological element assignable to Megaraptora to be fully described in detail. It was determined to be of the greenstick variety based on how the bone did not fully break, with the fracture being only on one side and twisting in the opposite direction as the external force that caused the injury; likely being caused by accidentally hitting/kicking a hard material, fighting or falling over. The individual, an adolescent, would have survived. At the time of description, the only other theropod to bear this injury is *Akansaurus*.

## Notable Specimens

* SM-PW9B: The holotype of *Phuwiangvenator*, consisting of vertebrae, foot bones, parts of the pelvis, and parts of the wrist. An incomplete fibula and left and right metatarsals were noted to be from this individual in 2021.

## Paleoecology

The animal lived with *Vayuraptor*, a closely related predator in the Sao Khua Formation of Thailand.

## References

* https://paleobiodb.org/classic/basicTaxonInfo?taxon\_no=387579
* https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phuwiangvenator
* http://app.pan.pl/SOM/app64-Samathi\_etal\_SOM.pdf
* https://paleobiodb.org/classic/basicTaxonInfo?taxon\_no=387580
* https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0195667121003414
* https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/08912963.2023.2166833?journalCode=ghbi20#.Y8GZFmZTm20.twitter
Palaeoscincus

Credit: Jack Wood.

*Palaeoscincus* is a dubious genus of ankylosaurid dinosaur that lived in North America during the Late Cretaceous.

## Description

*Palaeoscincus* is known from teeth and partial bones, many of which have been reassigned to different genera and species. *Palaeoscincus* once consisted of six species and one naked species name, but now only consists of the type species; *P. costatus*. Research on *Palaeoscincus* shows that the teeth of *P. costatus* represent an indeterminate ankylosaur, which may be undiscovered.

## Species

### Reassigned Species

* *P. africanus*
* *P. asper*
* *P. costatus*
* *P. latus*
* "P. magoder"
* *P. rugosidens* (=*Chassternbergia*, =*Edmontonia rugosidens*)
* *P. tutus*

## References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palaeoscincus
Monster of Aramberri

Credit: @fishboy86164577 on Twitter.

The monster of Aramberri is a yet to be described genus of pliosaur that lived in Mexico during the Middle/Late Jurassic.

## Description

The monster of Aramberri was thought to be a *Liopleurodon ferox*, but was considered synonymous. Further research claims that the Aramberri pliosaur was a new genus of pliosaur and most likely an ancestor related to the Late Cretaceous *Kronosaurus*; and perhaps the largest known. Scientists estimate it was 11.7-14 meters long, and weighed about 15 metric tonnes. The original describers thought that the monster of Aramberri was a juvenile *L. ferox*, but the idea that it was a juvenile, and a *Liopleurodon*, has since became outdated by new studies. Proper size estimates vary, and some are much smaller than others. The Aramberri pliosaur is thought to have lived in shallow, waters, and has yet to have been properly named or identified, if already known.

## References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monster\_of\_Aramberri
Myliobatis arcuatus

*Myliobatis arcuatus* is an extinct species of ray that lived in New Zealand during the Miocene.

## Description

*M. arcuatus* is known only from Castle Hill Station and collected from the Oamaru Formation. Davis (1888) cites their depositing into the Cambridge Museum.

## Description

Together with *Myliobatis plicatilis*, it is another species from the Oamaru Formation known from a large sample of teeth. It is smaller than the former species. Crown shortness compared to the breadth as well as a more erect/thicker dividing ridge between the root and crown are some of the main distinguishing traits. Both species are distinguished from a third contemporary, *Myliobatis altus*, through being smaller and having thinner and concave median teeth.

## References

* https://paleobiodb.org/classic/basicTaxonInfo?taxon\_no=389660
* https://archive.org/details/scientifictransa4188roya/page/40
Mush Mouth

Mush Mouth is an unnamed genus of holocephalian fish that lived in Montana during the Early Carboniferous.

## Description

"Mush Mouth" was a nickname given to a fish mentioned once in a 2014 paper reviewing fish fauna and their ecomorphotypes from the Bear Gulch Limestone. However, it was only mentioned in that paper, which did not list any other identifying nicknames, so no trace of this taxon can be found as of yet. Regardless, the authors placed it in a clade with another unnamed fish, El Weirdo, in the E1 ecomorphotype (trawling filter-feeders with anterior visceral and toothless jaws alongside a lack of squamation).

## References

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/264549588\_Ecomorphology\_of\_the\_Mississippian\_fishes\_of\_the\_Bear\_Gulch\_Limestone\_Heath\_formation\_Montana\_USA
Ophiderpeton

*Ophiderpeton* is a genus of amphibians from the Early Carboniferous.

## Description

*Ophiderpeton* bares a striking resemblance to snakes though it is unrelated to snakes. The eyes faced forward, which may be an adaptation for a predatory lifestyle. *Ophiderpeton* has 230 vertebrae and no limbs.

## Species

* *O. granulosum*
* *O. amphiuminum*
* *O. nanum*
* *O. vicinum*
* *O. pectinatum*
* *O. zieglerianum*

## Paleoecology

*Ophiderpeton* probably lived in burrows, snatching snails, amphibians, millipedes, worms and insects. *Ophiderpeton* was mostly aquatic.

## References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ophiderpeton
Notoscyphus balticus

*Notoscyphus balticus* is an extinct species of liverwort that lived in Europe during the Middle Eocene.

## History

*N. balticus* is known from one gametophyte shoot in transparent Baltic amber, included alongside some Fagaceae hairs and partial decomposed wood fragments. It was described as part of the Geological-Paleontological Institute and Museum Hamburg amber collection. It is ~37-48 million years old of the Lutetian-Early Pribonian. Jochen Heinrichs et al. (2015) described it in Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology, with the specific epithet coined in reference to the Baltic region.

## Description

It is known from a gametophyte shoot from the apex to the rhizoids, being 3.2 millimeters (0.13 inches) long and 1.45 millimeters (0.057 inches) at it's widest. Three rhizoid bunches sit at the bottom of the shoot, reaching 3 millimeters (0.12 inches) long, unbranching and have a thin coat of fungal hyphae that may penetrate into them. The leaves attach to the stem in a succubous manner, with the base of each leaf overlapping the leaf below it. They are round in outline, becoming elliptic in outline as they increase in size. The leaves are freely-spread from the stem with some being upwards-curving. The underleaves are small to inconspicuous, having an ovate to triangular shape.

## References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Notoscyphus\_balticus
Mycocephale

Sculpture made for the documentary Bizarre Dinosaurs

Mycocephale, the "North American dwarf species" or Microcephale, is an undescribed genus of small Pachycephalosaur that lived in Canada during Late Cretaceous.

## Description

This genus is known from several skullcaps that show a mesa-like dome shape from the Dinosaur Park Formation. The first mention of these caps was by their discoverer, Paul Sereno in 1997 in a list of Pachycephalosaurs. Each skullcap measures around 5 centimeters (2 inches across). In 2008 the Documentary "Bizarre Dinosaurs"*,* on National Geographic, showed the taxon with the name Mycocephale. Sereno has not said anything about why he switched the name from Microcephale (meaning "small head") to Mycocephale.

Mycocephale is around the size of a house cat. The dome is completely solid, and the top is smooth. When CT scanned, the sutures at the top of the skull were fused, meaning the animal was fully grown at death. Sereno believes Mycocephale is likely one of the smallest pachycephalosaurs.

## Gallery

**Credit: @DinosaurDungeon on Twitter.****Credit: @DinosaurDungeon on Twitter.****Credit: @DinosaurDungeon on Twitter.****Credit: @DinosaurDungeon on Twitter.**
## References

* Sereno's 1997 faunal list
* https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x5bedqb
Mill Canyon bird

The Mill Canyon bird is an unidentified genus of bird that lived in Utah during the Early Cretaceous.

## Description

Tracks at Mill Canyon bear 4.5 centimeter-long-and-wide footprints probably belonging to a bird. This size is typical for Cretaceous bird trackways. Though they are not very well preserved, they are somewhat deep. The best preserved track shows a pronounced posterior configuration to a hypex likely between digits II and III. The other hypex is more anteriorly configured, which was likely between digits III and IV. This makes them typically avian. In 2022, 20-30% of the Mill Canyon trackways were completely destroyed by unknowing contractors sent by Utah's Bureau of Land Management driving a backhoe over the fossil area. They were sent to repair a loosely damaged boardwalk (which was built so that visitors could safely observe the site), piling the structure on more trackways. The damaged material was completely crushed under the weight of the equipment, making them worthless for study. The Bureau has decided to continue work at the site.

## References

1. ↑ https://www.researchgate.net/publication/358137342\_NEW\_EXCAVATIONS\_AT\_THE\_MILL\_CANYON\_DINOSAUR\_TRACK\_SITE\_CEDAR\_MOUNTAIN\_FORMATION\_LOWER\_CRETACEOUS\_OF\_EASTERN\_UTAH
2. ↑ https://twitter.com/BrianEngh\_Art/status/1487940206976249856
3. ↑ https://twitter.com/JeremyBRoberts/status/1488339469216333824
4. ↑ https://twitter.com/JeremyBRoberts/status/1489642735447384065
Paradoryphoribius

*Paradoryphoribius* is an extinct genus of tardigrade that lived in the Dominican Republic during the Miocene.

## Description

*Paradoryphoribius* is the third tardigrade known from amber and the first from the Cenozoic. It was suggested tardigrades may be so rare because they have went undetected in amber inclusions and are known from scarce sites before the Cretaceous. This genus has *Isohypsibius*-grade claws with claw pairs of slightly different morphology and size, accessory points are not clearly visible, a cuticular bar between the claws on the 4th pair of legs, pseudolunules are absent, the bucco-pharyngeal apparatus has a rigid buccal tibe and ventral lamina for the apophyses stylet muscle to insert, no dorsal is observed of the latter, the pharyngeal apophyses has 1 thin macroplacoid present, microplacoids appear to be absent, the cuticles are smooth and cuticular gibbosities may be present. The specific epithet references time, since it was the latest occurrence (as of 2021), and the Caribbean. The type specimen is AMNH DR-NJIT002, a complete, intact individual clearly seen from the lateral and oblique.

## References

https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rspb.2021.1760
Mussentuchit Hypsilophodontid

The Mussentuchit Hypsilophodontid is an unnamed genus of Ornithopod dinosaur that lived in Utah during the Early Cretaceous.

## Taxonomy

Hypsilophodontidae has been long considered to be an invalid grouping, consisting of morphologically similar, but distantly related ornithopods. It is probable that this taxon doesn't represent a true Hypsilophodontid (i.e. the sister to *Hypsilophodon*), but rather a taxon in Ornithopoda that bearing a superficial resemblance to *Hypsilophodon*.
Minotaurasaurus

Credit: Jose Carlos Cortes.

*Minotaurasaurus* is an extinct genus of ankylosaur that may have lived in the Gobi desert, during the Late Cretaceous.

## History

*Minotaurasaurus* was illegally discovered, it what is thought to have been the Gobi desert. The skull (a full cranium, mandible and predentary), INBR21004, was bought by Vilayanur S. Ramachandran from fossil trader Hollis Butts for $10,000. However, Ramachandran had a change of heart and eventually donated the skull to a local museum and was studied. The study of this specimen was controversial, since it had been stolen. Ramachandran stated he would repatriate the specimen if evidence arose that INBR21004 was exported without permit. However, the specimen is still held at the Victor Valley Museum of California. MAE 98 179 was found, a second specimen consisting of a skull, axis and the first half cervical ring.

## Description

The holotype is 30 centimeters long and is from an animal 4.2 meters long, but is likely immature based on unfused cranial osteoderms. The only postcrania is a cervical half-ring that was part of the clubbed tail. It's body was probably much like it's relatives; barrel-shaped with short, thick limbs and osteoderms running across the body. The skull bears triangular osteoderms that are somewhat bi-symmetrically arranged. The squamosal horns are more gracile and taper more than any ankylosaurid. A quadratojugal horn is found, having a blend of ankylosaurid characters. The braincase is more primitive than Gobi Desert ankylosaurids. The jugal horns have bilateral symmetry and little deformation on both, thrusting more laterally. This is seen in others, such as *Tarchia* and *Saichania*. *Minotaurasaurus* bears leaf-shaped teeth with vertical striations that divide the crown's surface into 8 cusps. Some teeth have apical wear, which is unusual for ankylosaurids. Most have ear on the crown's face.

## Classification

Victoria Arbour, Philip Currie and Demchig Badamgarav (2014) conclude *Minotaurasaurus* is likely a junior synonym of *Tarchia* and recover the holotype as from the Barun Goyot Formation. However, Paul Penkalski and Tatiana Tumanova (2016) compare the crania of *Tarchia* and *Minotaurasaurus*; they recover both as distinct. They find:

## Paleoecology

*Minotaurasaurus* is likely from the Campanian-aged Djadochta Formation. If so, it lived with tortoises, crocodilians, lizards, mammals, alvarezsaurids, ceratopsians, dromaeosaurids and halszkaraptorines, oviraptorosaurs and even other ankylosaurids. It was a warm, semiarid environment, based on strata, rock facies and coeval vunits, with sand dunes and temporary bodies of water.

## References

* https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minotaurasaurus
* https://a-dinosaur-a-day.com/search/minotaurasaurus
Norisdelphis

Credit: Tatsuya Shinmura.

*Norisdelphis* is an extinct genus of dolphin that lived in Japan during the Late Miocene.

## Description

*Norisdelphis* is differentiated by an exceptionally transversely narrow and anteroposteriorly extended bony nares, and a wider proximal extremity on the left side of the premaxilla.

## Classification

Phylogenetic analysis says that *Norisdelphis* is the basalmost member of Delphinidae. The previously oldest dolphin, *Eodelphinus kabatensis*, has now been replaced by *Norisdelphis*.

## References

http://novataxa.blogspot.com/2020/07/norisdelphis.html
Oryctorhynchus

*Oryctorhynchus* is a genus of rhynchosaur that lived in North America during the Late Triassic.

## Classification

The species full name is *Oryctorhynchus bairdi*, which is the sister species to an unnamed hyperodapedontine taxon from Wyoming. The clade *Oryctorhynchus* belongs to was recovered as the sister taxon to *Hyperodapedon*spp. in the phylogenetic analysis.

## Description

The Late Carnian or Earliest Norian tetrapod assemblage from the Evangeline Member represents a mixture of faunal elements from a wide paleolatitudinal range, suggesting a more cosmopolitan distribution for continental tetrapods during the early Late Triassic than previously assumed.

## Reference

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oryctorhynchus
2. ↑ https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/02724634.2020.1771568?journalCode=ujvp20
Microceratus

Credit: José Carlos Cortés.

*Microceratus* is an extinct genus of ceratopsian that lived in Asia during the Late Cretaceous.

## Description

*Microceratus* was bipedal, with small forearms, a short frill and a large beak. Along with *Psittacosaurus*, *Microceratus* was one of the first ceratopsians. First described by Brohlin in 1953, however, the name *Microceratops* was preoccupied by an extant wasp. In 2008, Mateus created the *Microceratus* as a new name. Most material assigned to this genus has since been reassigned *Graciliceratops*. *Microceratus* ate conifers, ferns and cycads with it's serrated beak, since flowering plants were geographically limited.

## References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microceratus
Parioscorpio

*Parioscorpio* is an extinct genus of arthropod that lived in North America during the Early Silurian.

## Description

*Parioscorpio* may be the most basalmost scorpion known, being only several million years younger than the previous record-holder; *Dolichophonus*. The fossils were discovered in 1985, but were neglected for several decades. *Parioscorpio* is known from two specimens, preserving the cardiovascular, pulmonary and digestive systems. *Parioscorpio* is characterized by a triangular-shaped prosoma, with bulbous eyes sitting antero-laterally and large pedipalps. *Parioscorpio*'s mesosoma is longer than its metasoma, and shows a record of 7 stergites and 7 tergites. This number of tergites is known to have reduced in later forms. A 2021 reidentified *Parioscorpio* as a cheloniellid-like arthropod. Other studies claim it is a euarthropod.

## Paleobiology

It is unknown if *Parioscorpio* was terrestrial, as some specimens have been found in aquatic strata. It may have been aquatic, or relocated to water by another source.

## References

* https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parioscorpio
* https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/let.12457
Nemicolopterus

Credit: Chris Masnaghetti.

*Nemicolopterus* is a dubious genus of tapejarid pterosaur that lived in China during the Early Cretaceous.

## Description

The holotype is IVPP V-14377, now housed at the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology. It was collected from the Jiufotang Formation, of the Aptian-aged Luzhhouou locality, Yaolugou Town, Jianchang County, Huludao City, western Liaoning Province, northeastern China. It was smaller than most pterosaur flaplings. Wang et al. (2008) described the specimen, concluding it was immature, citing the bone fusion and ossification in the toes, gastralia and sternum, indicating it was a subadult. However, Darren Naish, in his popular blog Tetrapod Zoology (TetZoo), argued pterosaur flaplings were very precocial, and that fusion and ossification occurred very early, and that it may be a *Sinopterus* flapling. This was found in a 2021 paper, that it fit into known growth series. Andres et al. (2014) found it may be sister to a group containing *"Sinopterus" gui*.

## References

* https://www.pnas.org/content/105/6/1983
* https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-021-92499-z
* https://www.cell.com/current-biology/fulltext/S0960-9822(14)00322-4?\_returnURL=https%3A%2F%2Flinkinghub.elsevier.com%2Fretrieve%2Fpii%2FS0960982214003224%3Fshowall%3Dtrue
* Darren Naish, Tiny pterosaurs and pac-man frogs from hell, March 19, 2008
* https://www.pteros.com/pterosaurs/nemicolopterus.html
Nagini

Joermungandr (bottom) and Nagini (top). Credit: Hank Sharpe.

*Nagini* is an extinct genus of molgophid lysorophian that lived in Illinois during the Carboniferous.

## History

The genus was first showcased at PaleoFest in 2022 in a slideshow presentation. A slide containing the new genus and species name was posted online by Robert Boessenecker and Todd Johnson before formal description. It is slated to be named by Arjan Mann, Jason Pardo and Hillary Maddin, and was thought to have been named after the snake woman from the Harry Potter series based on comments made by Boessenecker. However, the publication later that year would confirm that the name is not affiliated with Harry Potter, as would the authors, who reassure that the Sanskrit name was important to Mann and that they wanted to stick to the tradition of demonic names for leptospondyls. An abstract for this paper was published in the 2020 Canadian Society of Vertebrae Paleontology annual meeting. It was discovered in the Francis Creek Shale and formally named in March 2022.

## Description

*Nagini* is known from a full specimen on a part and counterpart. It is a typical lysorophian, fully lacking the anterior and pectoral apparatus. The skull is typical, without a postfrontal, unlike *Infernovenator*, which it is presumably related to. The skull is short and rounded and the presacral count is higher than *Infernovenator*, at 82-85. This genus may be the first example of amniote-like organisms losing limbs. Two specimens are known; one is missing the tail and another is highly decayed and curved rather than straight. The front limb and pectoral girdle are missing, but the back legs and pelvis are seen. This is similar to snake evolution, and may indicate this mechanism is broader in amniotes that previously assumed. The specimens preserve soft tissue impressions.

## References

* https://twitter.com/CoastalPaleo/status/1500508607745560576/photo/1
* https://twitter.com/ToddRockford/status/1500508515328266250/photo/1
* https://www.researchgate.net/publication/341195956\_CSVP\_Abstracts\_2020\_8th\_annual\_meeting\_-\_fossilized
* https://www.nature.com/articles/s41559-022-01698-y
* https://twitter.com/incisorial/status/1508824137233571849
* https://twitter.com/MannArjan/status/1508541145353273344
Nanchao embryos

Specimen CAGS-01-IG-1

The Nanchao Embryos is an unnamed genus of Therizinosaurid belonging to the oofamily Dendroolithidae from the Santonian-Campanian of China.

## Description

The specimens (CAGS-01-IG-1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 11, 12, 13 and RAP 596D, 696D, 796D, 1196D, 195D, 896D, 1094D, 1096D, 2395D, and 10494D) Include dozens of eggs, some containing embryos of various preseervation, accounting for both cranial and postcranial material of the taxon.

## Phylogyny

This phylogyny was recovered by Hartman et. al. (2019)

## References

* https://theropoddatabase.com/Therizinosauroidea.htm#Therizinosauria
* Martin Kundrát; Arthur R. I. Cruickshank; Terry W. Manning; John Nudds (2008). *Embryos of therizinosauroid theropods from the Upper Cretaceous of China: diagnosis and analysis of ossification patterns. , 89(3), 231–251.* doi:10.1111/j.1463-6395.2007.00311.x
Obamadon

*Obamadon* is an extinct genus of lizard that lived during the Late Cretaceous.

## Naming

*Obamadon* was named after the 44th president of the United States of America, Barack Obama, with the suffix "don", meaning 'tooth', in reference to the president's smile.

## Description

The animal is proposed to be an insectivore that lived in Wyoming and Montana. The fossils were assigned to the genus *Leptochamops* but after study were distinguished and named. Obamadon's teeth were similar to other lizards that eat insects, so *Obamadon* is presumed to be an insectivore.
Miragaia

Credit: Jose Carlos Cortes.

*Miragaia* is an extinct genus of long necked stegosaur that lived during the Late Jurassic in Portugal.

## Description

*Miragaia* has one of the lengthiest necks of a Stegosaur, consisting of at least 17 spine columns. Miragaia was discovered at a church of the same name, which its name derives. *Miragaia*, described from 5.5-6.5 meters was at least 21 years old. In 2019, *Alcovasaurus longicollum* was assigned to the genus *Miragaia*.

Tyler Greenfield proposes *"Stegosaurus" sulcatus* is a dacentrurine due to similar dermal spines. Thus, the species *"sulcatus"* would make the Morrison dacentrurine *Alcovasaurus*/*Miragaia sulcatus*.

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 https://twitter.com/TylerGreenfieId/status/1427333182966226944
2. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miragaia\_longicollum
Ouranosaurus

Credit: Julius Csotonyi.

*Ouranosaurus* is a medium sized ornithopod which lived during the Early Cretaceous period in Niger, Western Africa.

## Description

*Ouranosaurus* is an early hadrosaur dinosaur and displayed many common traits, such as a wide mouth, toothless beak and batteries of molars at the back of its jaws. The most noticeable feature of *Ouranosaurus* is its raised neural spines, creating a ridge down its back. Originally this was thought to form a colourful sail like that seen in *Dimetrodon*. However later studies point to it sporting a fatty hump, similar to a modern camel. *Ouranosaurus* is currently known from two almost complete skeletons.

## Paleoecology

The Elrhaz Formation is situated in the Sahara Desert, however in the Cretaceous it featured wide rivers and lush tropical foliage. Other herbivorous dinosaurs found in this formation include the small and agile *Elrhazosaurus* and the large water dwelling *Lurdusaurus*. These dinosaurs would have been prey for the large carnivorous *Eocarcharia* and the abelisaurid *Kryptops*. The largest carnivorous dinosaur in this formation was *Suchomimus*, however it was primarily a fish eater. The most dangerous animal by far though was the huge crocodilian *Sarcosuchus*.

## Discovery and naming

The first *Ouranosaurus* skeleton was unearthed in 1967 by a French palaeontological expedition. It was transferred to the Natural History Museum of Venice for further study. In 1972 it was named *Ouranosaurus* after the Arabic word for Courage. Initially it was believed to have been a close relative to *Iguanodon*, however later studies showed it was a primitive hadrosaur.

## References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ouranosaurus
New Mexico sunflower

## Helianthus praetermissus

Credit: Richard Spellenberg

The New Mexico sunflower or lost sunflower (*Helianthus praetermissus*) is an extinct species of sunflower that lived in New Mexico. Not seen since 1851.

## Description

The New Mexico sunflower has a long slender stem that does not branch outwards. This stem is layered in thick coarse strigose, with leaves that alternate above the linear-lanceolate, which is about 6 centimeters long and 6 millimeters wide. The sessile base is narrowly attenuate. The hispid is appressed thinly, and the head is about 1 centimeter across. The disk flowers have red-brown lobes. The plant flowers in September, and possibly grows from wet ground, based from the type locality.

## References

* https://nmrareplants.unm.edu/node/96
* https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helianthus\_praetermissus