recursal/Fanatic-Fandom huggingface dataset:
Angaturama

Credit: CisioPurple on DeviantArt.

*Angaturama* is a genus of spinosaurid that lived in Brazil during the Early Cretaceous

## Description

The type specimen was discovered in a limestone nodule, and consisted of the anterior segment of the skull near the holotype of *Irritator*. The genus was published as A. limai in 1996. Later excavations found about 60% of the postcranial skeleton, allowing a rough cast of the rest of the bones to be made and mounted at the Federal University (Rio de Janeiro National Museum).

The genus was differentiated by a strong compression located lateral of the snout, a thin sagittal crest (of unknown shape) on the premaxillae. A pterosaur discovered with strange teeth marks in it's bones that fit the serrations of Angaturama, pointing towards possible generalistic predation.

The remains were published under the reference of "the first remain of a dinosaur skull described from Brazil". When the paper was in the press, fossils bought from illegal dealers, was in the process of description. The fossil was named *Irritator*, and due to similarities, is now thought to have been the same as Angaturama. In this case, the name *Irritator* takes taxonomic priority.

However, a 2021 study finds *A. limai* to be a valid taxon closely related to *Irritator* based on premaxilla shape. However, their decision to resurrect the genus was left unexplained.

## References

* https://oglobo.globo.com/sociedade/ciencia/museu-monta-replica-de-dinossauro-carnivoro-de-6-metros-no-rio-3158823
* https://ufrj.br/detalha\_noticia.php?codnoticia=7486 (discontinued)
* Kellner, A.W.A. & D.A. Campos, 1996. First Early Cretaceous dinosaur from Brazil with comments on Spinosauridae. N. Jb. Geol. Paläont. Abh. 199 (2): 151-166.
* https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/08912963.2021.2000974?journalCode=ghbi20
Axestemys

Credit: Skye McDavid.

*Axestemys* is an extinct genus of softshell turtles that lived in North America and Europe from the Late Cretaceous to the Eocene.

## History

In 1872, Edward Drinker Cope described the genus *Axestus* with the type species *A. byssina* based on fossils from the Eocene of Wyoming. However, this name was preoccupied by a genus of beetles. In 1899, Oliver Perry Hay noticed this and erected the new genus *Axestemys*, adding "emys" (a common suffix for turtles) to the original genus name.

In 2015, Robert DePalma et al described a new dromaeosaurid dinosaur from the Hell Creek Formation of South Dakota, naming it *Dakotaraptor steini.* Included in the holotype was PBMNH.P.10.113.T a bone initially believed to be the furcula (wishbone) of *Dakotaraptor*. NCSM 13170 was also identified as a *Dakotaraptor* furcula.  Later that year, Victoria Arbour et al. determined that these bones were not the furculae of a dinosaur but entoplastra (part of the lower shell) of the turtle *Axestemys*.  They referred these to the species *Axestemys splendida* but they have also been suggested to belong to the species *Axestemys infernalis* described in 2019.

## Species

* *A. byssina*
* *A. cerevisia*
* *A. montinsana*
* *A. quinni*
* *A. vittata*
* *A. infernalis*

## References

1. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Axestemys
2. ↑ https://zenodo.org/record/3371243
3. ↑ https://bioone.org/journals/paleontological-contributions/volume-2015/issue-14/paleo.1808.18764/The-First-Giant-Raptor-Theropoda--Dromaeosauridae-from-the-Hell/10.17161/paleo.1808.18764.full
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 https://peerj.com/articles/1691/
5. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20220210014210/https://twitter.com/LancianIdolatry/status/1445439652358279175
6. ↑ https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/7e12/939784acb6d8b3876e9c575e476c8c680141.pdf
Balistes

This page is about a genus that contains extinct and extant species; species marked with † are extinct.

## Statistics

### Diet

Carnivorous

*Balistes* is a genus of triggerfish that lived in the Miocene, and some are still live today in tropical oceans.

## Description

*Balistes* is known for its bright spotted colours and its territorial nature. *Balistes* have a strong bite and can bite off divers fingers, toes ear lobes and even scalps. *B. vegai* was the largest species of *Balistes* and lived in Cuban oceans in coral reefs in the Miocene. The largest extant triggerfish of today are only half the size of *B. vegai*. *Balistes* is most-often marked with complicated lines and spots, which are coloured brightly and weave in and out of one-another.

## Species

* *B. capriscus* (grey triggerfish)
* *B. polylepis* (finescale triggerfish)
* *B. punctatus* (bluespotted triggerfish)
* *B. vetula* (queen triggerfish)
* *B. ellioti*
* *B. rotundatus*
* *B. willughbeii*
* †*B. vegai*
* †*B. crassidens*
* †*B. dubius*
* †*B. lerichei*
* †*B. procapriscus*
* †*B. lopezi*

### Reassigned Species

* †*B. auctorum*
* †*B. caifassii*
* †*B. muensteri*
* †*B. chrysospilos*
* †*B. forcipatus* (=*B. capriscus*)

## Notable Specimens

* *Balistes* spec. juv.: A specimen described by de Beaufort (1926), stated to be undeserving of a scientific designation or identification in 2004. It is a counterpart with full skeleton 23 centimeters long and too young to identify as a species. The first dorsal (and only) spine is ~¼ the body length and strong teeth are seen in the anterior and upper posterior border. The pterygophores, including the last spine that curves back, are clearly seen. The first dorsal is supported by a structure resembling a keeled boat is clearly seen. 18 (of 25) rays in the second dorsal are preserved. The anal fin is not present, the pectorals are poorly defined and the pelvis is closer to extant species. The ventral spine may be smooth, but it can not be determined for sure because it is partly embedded in stone. No enlarged spines are on the tail.
* *Balistes* sp.: A specimen from the Langhian of Loupian, France described by Cappetta (1969), undeserving of nomenclature.
* *Balistes* sp.: A specimen from the Tortonian of Elche, Spain, undeserving of nomenclature.

## Gallery

B. vetula fossil.†B. crassidens material.†*B. forcipatus* (=*B. caapriscus*).

## References

* https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balistes
* https://paleobiodb.org/classic/basicTaxonInfo?taxon\_no=36285
* https://www.researchgate.net/publication/331354850\_First\_occurrence\_of\_fossil\_Balistes\_Tetradontiformes\_Balistidae\_from\_the\_Miocene\_of\_Cuba\_with\_the\_description\_of\_a\_new\_species\_and\_a\_revision\_of\_fossil\_Balistes
* https://www.fishbase.se/summary/60555
Asteroceras

*Asteroceras* is an extinct genus of ammonites that lived from the Triassic to the Jurassic to the Jurassic worldwide.

## Paleoecology

*Asteroceras* was nektonic, meaning it could swim freely without the push of raging currents. Like many other ammonites, *Asteroceras* was carnivorous. *Asteroceras* is known from Austria, Alberta, British Columbia, Yukon, Chile, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Hungary, Mexico, Morocco, Portugal, Turkey, the United Kingdom and Nevada during the Jurassic and in California during the Triassic.

## Species

* *A. acceleratum*
* A. blakei
* A. confusum
* A. margarita
* A. margaritoides
* A. retusum
* A. reynesi
* A. saltriensi
* A. smithi
* A. stellare
* A. suevicum

## References

* https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asteroceras
* https://paleobiodb.org/classic/basicTaxonInfo?taxon\_no=204846
Bissektipelta

Credit: Andrey Atuchin.

*Bissektipelta* is an extinct genus of ankylosaur that lived in Asia during the Late Cretaceous.

## Description

*Bissektipelta* is known from multiple fragmented skulls, which show how in touch *Bissektipelta* were with their senses. The reconstructions of this animal are very hypothetical, due to the relatively unknown body plans of Bissektipelta.

In 2020, a braincase was uncovered, giving us insights into how *Bissektipelta* sensed the world. The braincase show that *Bissektipelta* had a well developed olfaction, poor hearing and eyesight, good taste sensitivity, and an omnivorous diet which gave the animal the strange ability too filter feed. compared to other ankylosaurs, Bissektipelta's brain stricture is rather primitive. Scientists have been able to recreate what the brain what have looked like in extensive detail. They CT scanned the skull and found olfactory bulbs, small vascular canals, and blood vessels to cool down the animals skull cavities.

The ear ducts were especially elongated, meaning that ankylosaurs were adapted to hear sounds between 100 Hz and 3000 Hz. Bissektipelta, and other ankylosaurs could hear at very low frequencies.

The top of the skull is adorned with Y-shaped grooves, and showed were the osteoderms fitted into the skin during life. *Bissektipelta'*s brain has three exits of the hypoglossal nerve, rather than two. The triple exits was seen as rare wen discovered, but is now considered fairly regular in terms of ankylosaur brains.

## Classification

*Bissektipelta* has claimed a basal spot in advanced ankylosaurinae. *Bissektipelta* was first seen as a basal member of the general ankylosauria in 2002, but has later been reassigned.

## Notable Specimens

* ZIN PH 1/6: The holotype consists of a well-preserved braincase, and the roof of the skull.
* ZIN PH 281/16: A well preserved partial braincase.
* ZIN PH 2329/16: A partial braincase, which has become mixed with the sediment over the years.

## References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bissektipelta
Angloposeidon

By Mark Witton

Angloposeidon is a naked genus of brachiosaurid dinosaur that lived in the United Kingdom during the Early Cretaceous.

## Description

This brachiosaurid is known from the Wessex Formation of the Isle of Wight. The name was recommended unsuitable for formal use by Darren Naish, who published the name in his book Tetrapod Zoology Book One (2010). A single cervical vertebra was uncovered, MIWG.7306, which resulted in initial length calculations of 20+ meters. In 2020, a smaller length of 19.7 metres was extrapolated, based on related taxa.

## References

* https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List\_of\_informally\_named\_dinosaurs
* Larramendi, A; Molina-Pérez, R; 2020 "Encyclopedia of Dinosaurs: The Sauropods." Natural History Museum.
* Naish, D; Martill, DM; Cooper, D; Stevens, KA; 2004 "Europe's largest dinosaur? A giant brachiosaurid cervical vertebra from the Wessex Formation (Early Cretaceous) of southern England." *Cretaceous Research*. **25** (6): 787–795.
Arctodus simus simus

Arctodus Simus Simus, also known as the North American Short-Faced Bear, is an extinct subspecies of Arctodus Simus, which is the largest bear to ever exist. It most likely existed from about 781,000-11,700 BC.

## Statistics

### Location

America, Canada, Mexico (possibly Belize)

## Description

Arctodus Simus Simus was the smaller of the two subspecies of the Giant Short-Faced Bear. It was still a massive bear, most likely weighing 3200 LBS for males and probably only around 1700 LBS for females.

## Range

The North American Short-Faced Bear most likely ranged from California to Maryland and possibly extending as far south as Mexico and Central America. It probably also lived in eastern Canada. It would've come into contact with the Lesser Short-Faced Bear and the Florida Short-Faced Bear.

## Diet

It probably ate any animal it could overpower.
Bothriodon

Ancodon americanus (=B. americanus, = Aepinocodon americanus) mandible at Museum für Naturkunde, Berlin.

## Statistics

### Diet

Herbivorous

*Bothriodon* is an extinct genus of anthracothere artiodactyl that lived in France, North Dakota, Florida, Saskatchewan, Japan and Mongolia from the Late Eocene to the Early Oligocene.

## Species

* *B. advena*
* *B. chowi*
* *B. sandaensis*
* *B. velaunus*

### Reassigned Species

* *"B." americanus*
* *"B." chyelingensis*
* *"B." tientongensis*
* *"B." brachyrhynchus*

## Synonyms

* *Ancodus*
* *Choeropotamus* (*Hyopotamus*)
* *Hyopotamus*

## References

* https://paleobiodb.org/classic/basicTaxonInfo?taxon\_no=42451
* The Beginning of the Age of Mammals by Kenneth D. Rose
* Mammoths, Sabertooths, and Hominids by Jordi Agusti and Mauricio Anton
Bradshaw paintings bat

Credit: Clumsystiggy on DeviantArt.

The Bradshaw paintings bat are an indeterminate genus/species of bat that lived in Australia sometime around 17,500 years ago.

## Description

Many individuals are illustrated hanging upside down on a thin line, presumed to be a cave ceiling. They have large plump bodies and slender heads with two small ears. They have two legs comprised of thin lines and do not portray wings, and are presumably folded to their bodies. Their bodies are not coloured in, possibly showing signs of a dull-coloured stomach. It does not match known bats from the area. This bat either represents an extinct species of *Styloctenium* or a new genus of Pteropodidae. The paintings are from an area known as 'Bradshaw', depicting eight individuals roosting on a vine in a forest lowland habitat.[*citation needed*].

## References

1. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bradshaw\_rock\_paintings
2. ↑ http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7765136.stm
Bissekty Therizinosaurid A

Frontal of CCMGE 462/12457

The Bissekty Therizinosaurid A is an unnamed genus of Therizinosaur from the Late Cretaceous of Uzbekistan.

## Description

There are 295 cataloged specimens of Therizinosaurs from the Bissekty Formation, accounting for fragmentary cranial and postcranial material. There are 2 morphologies of The frontal and humeral morphologies mean at least 2 taxa are present. The Frontals are wider in this taxon (Represented by CCMG 462/12457, ZIN PH 1242/16 ZIN PH 980/16. Sues et. al. did not discuss if the morphotypes could be explained as sexual dimorphism in one taxon.

## References

* https://theropoddatabase.com/Therizinosauroidea.htm#Therizinosauria
* Sues, H.-D., & Averianov, A. (2016). *Therizinosauroidea (Dinosauria: Theropoda) from the Upper Cretaceous of Uzbekistan. Cretaceous Research, 59, 155–178.* doi:10.1016/j.cretres.2015.11.0
Almond Formation Ceratopsian

Credit: Montanoceratops.

The Almond Formation ceratopsian is an unnamed genus of chasmosaur that lived in Wyoming and possibly Alberta during the Late Cretaceous.

## Description

The Almond formation Ceratopsian is a specimen from Sweetwater county in Wyoming. The specimen, FR 3652 is known from a partial skull, ilium, and assorted bone fragments. The Specimen was discovered during the 1937 joint expedition between the American Museum of Natural History and the Sinclair Oil Company. AMNH 3656 may represent a frill fragment from another individual, but since their is no overlapping material it is impossible to tell if it belongs to this genus, or it represents another new animal. Another individual from the Horseshoe Canyon formation of Alberta has also been referred to this species. Without more extensive frill material it is extremely difficult to name a new species from the specimen. All that is currently known taxonomically from the specimen is that it represents a Chasmosaurine Ceratopsian closely related to *Arrhinoceratops* and *Anchiceratops*. An analysis posted in 2021 identified a leaked new taxon, *Bisticeratops*, that represents a sister taxon to the Almond formation Ceratopsian, whether or not it is the same specimen as the Horseshoe Canyon specimen is unknown.

## References

* Farke, Andrew A. “Ceratopsid Dinosaurs from the Upper Cretaceous Almond Formation of Southwestern Wyoming.”
* https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0195667121002822
Aristonectes

Credit: Connor Ashbridge on the Wikimedia Commons.

*Aristonectes* is an extinct genus of plesiosaur that lived in Argentina, Chile and Antarctica during the Late Cretaceous.

## History

*Aristonectes parvidens* was named by Cabrera (1941) from the Maastrichtian of Argentina, with MLP 40-XI-14-6 (a fragmentary skull, axis-atlas, anterior cervicals and 5 anterior caudal centra in what is likely two separate series, 3 posterior caudal centra and an incomplete limb) assigned as the holotype. The holotype of *A. quiriquinensis*, SGO.PV.957 (skull, axis-atlas, 12 anterior cervicals, 23 middle-posterior cervicals, the majority of the trunk, both near-complete forelimbs, the majority of the proximal-portion hindlimb),was discovered on the coast of Cocholgue in central Chile. These sediments date from the Maastrichtian to the Paleogene as part of the Quiriquina Formation.

## Description

*Aristonectes* is known from several skulls, vertebrae and partial limbs. *Aristonectes* had conical teeth, with 1 centimeter crowns like modern filter-feeders. *Aristonectes* may have been a filter-feeder. It may have also had an expandable pouch on its neck, to increase food intake. The genus is characterized by a large and slightly flattened skull, 60-65 small alveoli on the mandible and cervicals with reduced length and an average vertebral length index near 80. Otero et al. (2014) offered an amended diagnosis given the inclusion of their near taxon *A. quiriquinensis*. The holotype of this species is slightly smaller than that of *A. parvidens* and is thus interpreted as an adult, likely elderly, individual. During preparation of the *A. quiriquinensis* holotype, 5 items identified as gastroliths were discovered. One *A. parivdens* from Seymour Island, Antarctica also provided many gastroliths.

## Classification

*Aristonectes* sits in Aristonectinae, a mainly filter-feeding group of plesiosaurs in the larger Elasmosauridae. It was first placed in Cryptoclididae based on having over 5 premaxillary teeth. The genus *Morturneria* may be a junior synonym based on morphological, ontogenetic and phylogenetic analyses. Otero et al. (2014) found similarities with cryptoclidids not to be unfounded, finding remarkable convergence between the groups. They find:

## References

* https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aristonectes
* https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/02724634.2013.780953
Balaur

Credit: Emily Willoughby.

*Balaur* is an extinct genus of dromaeosaurid dinosaur that lived in Romania during the Late Cretaceous.

## Description

*Balaur* is a small dromaeosaurid dinosaur that lived on Hateg Island. This genus shows remarkable adaptations to its island ecosystem. *Balaur* is considerably stockier than other dromaeosaurids, had two sickle claws, and atrophied hands. Studies conducted showed that *Balaur* was a close relative of *Velociraptor*, but split off the family tree before *Deinonychus*. Scientists think that *Balaur* used its sickles as a weapon, being "more of a kickboxer than a sprinter".

## Paleoecology

*Balaur* lived on the island of Hateg during the Late Cretaceous. *Balaur* was likely high on the food chain, only with *Hatzegopteryx* above it. *Balaur* was likely carnivorous, feeding on animals like *Zalmoxes*. Other theories state that *Balaur* was omnivorous, using the sickles to bear weight, having larger intestines to ingest plants, and had reduced claws, though this is unlikely.

## Etymology

The name *Balaur* is a reference of the dragon in Romanian folklore of the same name. The species name, *bondoc*, means stocky in Romanian. The full name means 'stocky dragon'.

## References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balaur\_bondoc

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ha%C8%9Beg\_Island#Paleofauna
Atlantochelys

Credit: Skye McDavid.

*Atlantochelys* is an extinct genus of giant protostegid sea turtles that lived in New Jersey during the Late Cretaceous.

## History

*Atlantochelys* was described by Agassiz in 1849 based on the proximal half of a humerus from the Late Cretaceous of New Jersey. The holotype is ANSP 9234, housed at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

In 2012, the second (distal) half of the bone designated the holotype of *Atlantochelys* was discovered, allowing for a redescription of the genus. The distal half is catalogued NJSM GP 23363 and is on display in the New Jersey State Museum in Trenton, New Jersey along with a cast of ANSP 9234.

## Paleobiology

*Atlantochelys* is a member of the Protostegidae, an extinct family of sea turtles that thrived during the Late Cretaceous. They were carnivores specialized in hard-shelled prey. *Atlantochelys* reached 3 meters in length, making it one of the largest turtles of all time, surpassed only by *Archelon.*

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 https://www.researchgate.net/publication/274467468\_Two\_halves\_make\_a\_Holotype\_two\_hundred\_years\_between\_discoveries
2. ↑ Museum Plaque, New Jersey State Museum (Trenton, NJ)
3. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protostegidae
Allocordyceps

Allocordyceps sprouting from the rectum of a Camponotus.

*Allocordyceps* is an extinct genus of parasitic Clavicipitaceae fungi that lived in Europe during the Eocene.

## Description

*Allocordyceps* is characterized by an orange, stalked and cup-shaped ascoma with a partially-immersed perithecia. The perithecia emerges from the rectum with two stomata with septate mycelium emerging from the neck's base and abdomen. The perithecia is free-standing and putative, adorned with putative asci and multicellular ascospores, who fragment into single-celled partspores. *Allocordyceps* may be a precursor to the extant *Ophiocordyceps*. *Allocordyceps* is the earliest representation of fungal parisitism in ants, and the earliest in the genus *Camponotus*, as well as unique features in hypocreales ~35-55 million years ago.

## References

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1878614621000799?via%3Dihub
African mammoth

## Mammuthus africanavus

Credit: Avancna on DeviantArt.

The African mammoth (*Mammuthus africanavus*) is an extinct species of mammoth that lived in Chad, Libya, Morocco and Tunisia from the Late Pliocene to the Early Pleistocene.

## Description

The African mammoth is often thought to have been the second earliest mammoth species, first appearing 3 million years ago and disappearing 1.65 million years ago. The African mammoth is quite small, seen as a direct ancestor to the southern mammoth. However, since their tusks diverge more wide in the animal's skull makes paleontologists think that the African mammoth was an evolutionary dead-end.

## References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African\_mammoth
AMNH FARB 22965

Credit: James D. Gardner.

AMNH FARB 22965 is an unnamed genus of Batrachosauroidid Salamander that lived in Wyoming during the Late Cretaceous.

## Description

The taxon is known from a partial dentary. The taxon differs significantly in the dental and dentary morphology from all known Batrachosauroidids. The authors of the paper suggest it to be a new genus and species, but do not label the taxon in the paper.

## Paleoenvironment

The Lance formation has 2 more species of Batrachosauroidids, *Opisthotriton* and *Prodesmodon*, these taxa are known from numerous isolated bones throughout the unit, indicating that AMNH FARB 22965 was quite rare in the environment.

## References

* https://www.app.pan.pl/article/item/app009262021.html
Abdallahsaurus

Abdallahsaurus is an abandoned genus of sauropod dinosaur that lived in Tendaguru, Tanzania during the Late Jurassic.

## Description

The name was named by Gerhard Maier in 2003 as an informal field name for specimen Skeleton R. The specimen contains a radial bone, an ulna, a manus, an ischium and probably fibula. The specimen likely represents *Giraffatitan fraasi*.

## References

* https://books.google.ca/books?id=-YKwlwEACAAJ&redir\_esc=y
* https://books.google.ca/books?id=vLWIITj8X-sC&redir\_esc=y
Canadia

*Canadia* is an extinct genus of polychaetan annelids that lived in Canada during the Middle Cambrian.

## History

*Canadia*, named after Canada, is an extinct species of annelid worms. Its fossils were discovered in the famous Phyllopod bed in Canada, and they date back to the Cambrian Explosion.

## Description

Notably, many notosetae along the back are characteristic of polychaetes, which is why some suggest that these traits may have been iridescent due to diffraction gratings on the surface of various fossils. Tentacles attached to the prostomium may have had a sensory function. The gut was straight, being able to extend from the body in the form of a proboscis, suggesting carnivory. Sediments from the gut confirm it being a banthic detritivore. It is thus thought to have hovered over the seabed by beating its many notosetae, with the neuropodia allowing creeping on the floor.

## Classification

It is most often classified as an annelid, though it is unsure how it related to other annelid taxa. Most agree that it is part of Polychaeta due to possession of parapodia. Some suggest placement into Phyllodocida with ''[[Wiwaxia]]''. Both were out within Canadiacea, thought to be closer to each other than to modern annelids. However, the former is now doubted to be an annelid and it is disputed if ''Canadia'' is anything more derived than a polychaete.

## References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadia\_(annelid)
Bembicidiodes

*Bembicidiodes* is an extinct genus of rove beetle that lived in Europe during the Eocene.

## Discovery

*Bembicidiodes* was described around 1988, but later re-classified to *Bembicidiodes* in 2001 by L. H. Herman. *Bembicidiodes* taxon number is 154196.

## Paleoecology

*Bembicidiodes* was 'an epifaunal grazer'.

## References

* http://www.fossilworks.org/cgi-bin/bridge.pl?a=taxonInfo&taxon\_no=259882
* http://www.fossilworks.org/cgi-bin/bridge.pl?a=taxonInfo&taxon\_no=154196
* https://www.zobodat.at/pdf/Berliner-Ent-Zeitschrift\_32\_0266-0270.pdf
Atractosteus

This page is about a genus that contains extinct and extant species; species marked with † are extinct.

## Statistics

### Diet

Carnivorous

*Atractosteus* is a genus of gars that lived in the Americas and Africa (with a possible larger fossil range) since the Cretaceous.

## Classification

*Atractosteus* was originally a subgenus of *Lepisosteus*.

## Species

* *A. spatula* (Alligator gar)
* *A. tristoechus* (Cuban gar)
* *A. tropicus* (tropical gar)
* †*A. cuneatus*
* †*A. emmonsi*
* †*A. falipoui*
* †*A. lapidosus*
* †*A. messelensis*
* †*A. occidentalis*
* †*A. simplex*
* †*A. grandei*

## References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atractosteus
Bravasaurus

Credit: Cisiopurple on DeviantArt.

*Bravasaurus* is an extinct genus of titanosaur that lived in South America during the Late Cretaceous.

## History

*Bravasaurus* comes from the Laguna Brava Provincial Park, and the species name *arrierosorum* to the civilians who crossed the Andes transporting cattle in the 19th century.

## Description

*Bravasaurus* is known from several specimens. One, consisting of the right quadrate and quadratojugal, many vertebrae, haemal arches, a humerus, parts of the feet, left ilium, the right pubis, partial ischium, femur and fibulae. The second consists of a tooth, an ilium, femur, and some ribs. The genus itself is differentiated by countless autapomorphies.

## References

https://www.nature.com/articles/s42003-020-01338-w
Ankylosaurus

Credit: Jacob Baardse.

*Ankylosaurus* is an ankylosaurid dinosaur from the Late Cretaceous North America.

## Description

*Ankylosaurus* was discovered by Barnum Brown in 1906 in Hell Creek, Montana. The creature has large protective plates running down its back fitted with bony osteoderms for protection. If necessary, the *Ankylosaurus* could swing a large mass of bone on its tail (dubbed by many a tail club) that could break a *Tyrannosaurus'* leg. The armor on the *Ankylosaurus*' back was bony and could break a predators teeth if they dared attack the animal.

Because the *Ankylosaurus*' only weakness was its soft underbelly, many predators assumed the *Ankylosaurus* was too much trouble for what it's worth. The blows some Tyrannosaurids endured were in some cases fatal and ended in retreat. Even the Ankylosaurs eyelids were armored. The *Ankylosaurus*' beak was likely used to eat tough plants and chip off pieces of rotting log wood.

## Paleoecology

Ankylosaurus lived in North America, most notably the Hell Creek formation of the Late Cretaceous. Ankylosaurus went extinct with Triceratops, Tyrannosaurus and others during the K-PG mass extinction event.

## Gallery

### Reconstructions

**Credit: Studio252MYA.****Credit: Mario Lanzas.****Credit: Chris Masnaghetti.****Credit: Fred Wierum.****Credit: RandomDinos on DeviantArt.****Credit: FinwalSMD on DeviantArt.**
## References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ankylosaurus
Ailuropoda

Ailuropoda is a genus of panda with one extant species, the Giant Panda.

## Species

* Ailuropoda Baconi (750,000-11,700 BC)
* Ailuropoda Melanoleuca (600,000 BC-present)
* Ailuropoda Microta (3-2 MYA)
* AIluropoda Minor (5.33 MYA-11,700 BC)
* Ailuropoda Wulingshanensis (3.6 MYA-500,000 BC)

## Subspecies

* Ailuropoda Melanoleuca Hastorni (126,000-11,700 BC)
* Ailuropoda Melanoleuca Melanoleuca (500,000 BC-present)
* Ailuropoda Melanoleuca Quinlingensis (300,000 BC-present)
Achillobator

Credit: PaleoNeolitic on the Wikimedia Commons.

*Achillobator* is an extinct genus of large dromaeosaurid dinosaur that live in Mongolia during the Late Cretaceous.

## Description

*Achillobator* was large, heavy bipedal dinosaur with a large sickle claw on each foot. It is one of the largest dromaeosaurs, along with *Utahraptor*, *Dakotaraptor* and *Austroraptor*. The most notable feature of *Achillobator* is its pelvis. In all other know dromaeosaurs, the pubis points backwards, while in contrast the pubis of *Achillobator* points vertically downwards. Overall the animal had a heavy build and would not have been fast moving like other dromaeosaurs.

## Discovery

*Achillobator* remains were discovered in the Bayan Shireh Formation in 1989 in a joint Russian and Mongolian expedition, but it was not named until 1999. A single incomplete skeleton was found, which included a portion of skull, parts of the vertebrae and the well preserved pelvis and legs. The name was inspired by the detailed Achilles tendons on the legs.

## Paleoecology

The Bayan Shireh Formation was a semi arid environment with large bodies of water which supported extensive plant growth. The most common dinosaurs in this formation are therizinosaurids, such as *Segnosaurus* and *Erlikosaurus*. Additionally there were ankylosaurids, sauropods, hadrosaurs and small primitive marginocephalia. *Achillobator* was most likely the apex predator and used its strength to tackle large, slow moving prey.
Balaenoptera bertae

Credit: Robert Boessenecker.

*Balaenoptera bertae* is an extinct species of baleen whale that lived in the San Francisco Bay Area during the Pliocene.

## Description

*Balaenoptera bertae* was named in 2013 by Boessenecker, known from relatively small remains. The species lived during the Pliocene (3.35-2.5 million years ago) in the Purisima Formation alongside many other cetaceans. It is estimated to be 5-6 meters (16-20 feet) long, and is known from a partial skull excluding a maxilla, premaxilla and nasals . Tanaka, Nagasawa and Oba (2022) identified a skull from the Shinazawa Formation as aff. *B. bertae*. This cranium bears large occipital condyles and a postglenoid process that is elongated to the posterior, which are diagnostic of that taxon; as well, four other characters suggest affinities with *B. bertae*. An estimated bizygomatic width and a tympanoperiotic with a slightly more elongate posterior process suggests a slightly older age that the *Balaenoptera bertae* type. The Shinazawa species suggests that it or a related species was found in the North Pacific, which may suggest connections with extant species that live there.

## References

1. ↑ https://paleobiodb.org/classic/basicTaxonInfo?taxon\_no=287250
2. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balaenoptera\_bertae
3. ↑ https://bioone.org/journals/paleontological-research/volume-27/issue-3/PR210038/A-New-Fossil-Rorqual-Aff-Balaenoptera-Bertae-Specimen-from-the/10.2517/PR210038.short
Concavenator

Credit: Scott Reid.

*Concavenator* is an extinct genus of carcharodontosaurid theropod dinosaur that lived in Spain during the Early Cretaceous.

## Description

*Concavenator* was medium-sized (~5.8 meters (19 feet) long), and a primitive carcharodontosaurian. It possessing several unique features, such as a hump on its back and quill knobs.

## References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concavenator
Battus polydamas antiquus

A male. Credit: Dru Drury.

*Battus polydamas antiquus* is a hypothetical extinct subspecies of butterfly that lived in Antigua during the Holocene.

## Description

It is known only from an illustration by Dru Drury (1770), during a time where Drury had imperfect cartographical knowledge and received information from many sources. In Drury's Illustrations of Natural History, modern taxonomists have found and examined many errors that suggest this subspecies did not exist, and may be the only extinct butterfly claimed to exist but having no evidence to support this. His illustration finds a butterfly with black wings , with the upper side patterned with 8 green spots arranged in a row. The upper 4 are small, the 6th is the largest. The spots on the hindwings are narrower.

## References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battus\_polydamas\_antiquus
Archimollusc

The archimollusc, archi-mollusc, the hypothetical generalized mollusc or the hypothetical ancestral mollusc (HAM) is an extremely speculative genus of basal mollusc.

## Description

The archimollusc is usually seen in biology textbooks to often represent mollusc evolution and the most recent common ancestor of mollusca. This figure demonstrates the most common features in the phylum and are usually very similar in form to monoplacophorans. These hypotheticals have bilateral symmetry and limpet-like shells on their tops. The shells are secreted by a mantle on their upper surfaces and their undersides bear a singular muscular foot. The large fleshy mass covering the rest of the body contains organs.

## References

* https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mollusca#Hypothetical\_ancestral\_mollusc
* https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/archimollusc
* https://www.biologydiscussion.com/invertebrate-zoology/phylum-mollusca/top-20-characteristics-of-archimollusc-with-diagram/29236
Branchioplax

B. washingtoniana.

*Branchioplax* is an extinct genus of crab that lived in North America during the Eocene.

## Classification

At least ten species of *Branchioplax* are known, the first being named by Mary Rathbun in 1916.

## Species

* *B. albertii*
* *B. ballingi*
* *B. bidentata*
* *B. carmanahensis*
* *B. concinna*
* *B. parva*
* *B. pentagonalis*
* *B. rossii*
* *B. sulcata*
* *B. washingtoniana*

## References

* https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Branchioplax
* https://www.mindat.org/taxon-4647570.html
Bissekty Therizinosaurid B

Frontal of ZIN PH 18/16

The Bissekty Therizinosaurid B is an unnamed genus of Therizinosaur from the Late Cretaceous of Uzbekistan.

## Description

There are 295 cataloged specimens of Therizinosaurs from the Bissekty Formation, accounting for fragmentary cranial and postcranial material. There are 2 morphologies of The frontal and humeral morphologies mean at least 2 taxa are present. The Frontals are thinner in this taxon (Represented by ZIN PH 16/18, ZIN PH 197/16, and ZIN PH 979/16.) Sues et. al. did not discuss if the morphotypes could be explained as sexual dimorphism in one taxon.

## References

* https://theropoddatabase.com/Therizinosauroidea.htm#Therizinosauria
* Sues, H.-D., & Averianov, A. (2016). *Therizinosauroidea (Dinosauria: Theropoda) from the Upper Cretaceous of Uzbekistan. Cretaceous Research, 59, 155–178.* doi:10.1016/j.cretres.2015.11.0
Balistes dubius

*Balistes dubius* is an extinct species of triggerfish that lived in Italy, Austria, Slovakia and the Czech Rebublic from the Eocene to the Middle Miocene.

## History

It was originally described as a member of *Capitodus* by Münster (1846) from Middle Miocene Slovakian teeth, with Schultz (2004) placing it in Balistidae. Blainville (1818) used the name for MNHN.F.BOL59 from Monte Bolca, which was then split into *Proaracna* in Aracanidae. ICZN Article 23.3.5 and Article 60 were used to create *B. muensteri*, but a 2019 revision cites Article 59.2 and Article 59.4 to suppress the name in favour of *B. dubius*.

## Description

The tallest incisor from Vienna Basin is 28 millimeters tall. The trigger apparatus in modern *Balistes* probably originated from Vienna Basin *B. dubius*.

## Classification

   Specimens outside of Vienna Basin were once attributed to the then dubious *B. dubius*, but a reanalysis in 2020 discovered the species should be made valid, and *B. dubius* was resurrected. Specimens of *Balistes* once attributed to *B. dubius* in the Vienna Basin were given a new name in August 2004: *B. muensteri*: however, a 2019 revision of *Balistes* sees *B. muensteri* as an unnecessary replacement name and recombines it into *B. dubius*, despite the effort to keep it separate due to supposed differences.

## Notable Specimens

* MNHN.F.BOL59: A specimen of triggerfish excavated from Monte Bolca, labelled as catalogue number 10974 in the Gazola collection. It is the holotype.
* NHMWien/GPA 1857/XIX/30/1-3: First incisors of the dentary from Vienna Basin.
* NHMWien/GPA 1857/XIX/30/4-8: The first 4 premaxilla teeth, from Vienna Basin.
* NHMWien/GPA 2002z0187/0001-0008: Left premaxillary teeth from Vienna Basin.
* NHMWien/GPA 2004z0053/0001: The first incisor from the right dentary from the Badenian of Vienna Basin.
* "Kreide"/"Kreide-Steinbruch" quarry teeth: Inner premaxillary teeth from Vienna Basin.
* NHMW/GPA 1994/0218/0001: A fragment of the first spine of the first dorsal fin and parts of the trigger apparatus from Vienna Basin.

## References

* https://paleobiodb.org/classic/basicTaxonInfo?taxon\_no=419432
* https://www.researchgate.net/publication/331354850\_First\_occurrence\_of\_fossil\_Balistes\_Tetradontiformes\_Balistidae\_from\_the\_Miocene\_of\_Cuba\_with\_the\_description\_of\_a\_new\_species\_and\_a\_revision\_of\_fossil\_Balistes
* https://www.jstor.org/stable/41702085?seq=1
* https://science.mnhn.fr/institution/mnhn/collection/f/item/bol59?lang=en\_US
Adeopapposaurus

Credit: Ricardo Martinez.

*Adeopapposaurus* is an extinct genus of basal Sauropodomorph dinosaurs that lived in Argentina during the Early Jurassic.

## History

Four partial skeletons and 2 partial skulls from the Argentinian Cañón del Colorado Formation were discovered and named by Ricardo N. Martínez (2009), with *Adeopapposaurus* meaning "far-eating lizard" and the specific epithet after the Mogna locality of which it was discovered.

## Classification

The refered specimens were first lumped into *Massospondylus*, though this was found to be incorrect. However, *Adeopapposaurus* is still considered a massospondylid. Chapelle et al. (2019) find:

## Description

The type is PVSJ568, being a skull and most of the skeleton that extends just past the pelvis. The morphology of the upper and mandibular jaw surfaces suggests the presence of a keratinous beak.

## References

1. ↑ https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1671/039.029.0102
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adeopapposaurus
3. ↑ https://peerj.com/articles/7240/
Abdarainurus

Credit: Andrey Atuchin.

*Abdarainurus* is an extinct genus of titanosaur that lied in Mongolia during the Late Cretaceous.

## Description

*Abdarainurus* is known from several tail vertebrae and chevrons found in the Gobi Desert of Mongolia. The fossils belong to a Russian group of paleontologists on a fossil-finding trip in Asia. The species name; *barsboldi*, derives from Mongolian paleontologist Rinchen Barsbold.

## Notable Specimens

* PIN 5669/1: The holotype consists of nine tail vertebrae, and associated tail chevrons.

## References

http://www.dinochecker.com/dinosaurs/ABDARAINURUS
Archaeovenator

Credit: Dmitry Bogdanov.

*Archaeovenator* is an extinct genus of varanopid synapsids that lived in Kansas during the Late Carboniferous.

## Description

*A. hamiltonensis* was named by Robert R. Reiszand David W. Dikes (2003) based on KUVP 12483, a 3D near-complete articulated skeleton that includes a skull, limbs and their girdles slightly separated from the other postcrania, collected from Hamilton Quarry (hence the species epithet), Greenwood County, Texas. It dates to the Shawnee Group, Calhouns Shale Formation of the Virgillian (or Late Kasimovian-Early Gzhelian), Late Pennsylvanian ~300 million years ago. *Archaeovenator* is the basalmost varanopid, and all sister taxa are varanopids.

## References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archaeovenator
DUGF/52

Credit: Goswami et al..

DUGF/52 is an unnamed genus of Troodontid that lived in India during the Late Cretaceous.

## Description

The tooth was found between 2007 and 2010 and it is the first record of Troodontidae within all of Gondwana. The tooth is 2.8 mm in fore-aft basal length and 3.5 mm in height. It was found in the Kallamedu Formation.

## References

1. ↑ Goswami, A. *et al*. A troodontid dinosaur from the latest Cretaceous of India. *Nat. Commun.* 4:1703 doi: 10.1038/ncomms2716 (2013).
Anhuilong

Credit: Skye McDavid.

*Anhuilong* is a genus of Mamenchisaurid sauropod that lived in China during the Middle Jurassic

## Description

   *Anhuilong* was discovered in the purple sandstones of the Hongqin Formation, which is located in the Tunxi Basin of Anhui province. The taxon is known from one specimen, AGB 5822, a left humerus, ulna and radius. It can be distinguished from other Mamenchisaurids by a caudolaterally-oriented lateral edge of the deltopectoral crest, a more robust lateral accessory process of the humerus, a humeral-radial length of 0.50 (the lowest in memenchisaurids), an ulnar-humeral ratio of 0.56 (also the lowest in memenchisaurids), the cross-section of the ulnar midshaft is elliptical and the proximal end of the ulna is nearly perpendicular relative to the long axis of the ulnar shaft.

## Phylogeny

This cladogram was recovered by Ren et. al. (2020)

## References

* Xin-Xin Ren, Jian-Dong Huang & Hai-Lu You (2018): The second mamenchisaurid dinosaur from the Middle Jurassic of Eastern China, Historical Biology https://doi.org/10.1080/08912963.2018.1515935
Bayan Shireh velociraptorine

Credit: Apple TV+.

IGM 100/23 and 100/22, the Bayan Shireh velociraptorine (nicknamed "Velociraptor nemegtensis"), is an unnamed genus of velociraptorine theropod dinosaur that lived in Mongolia during the Late Cretaceous.

## History

The genus is known from fragmentary elements dating to the Maastrichtian or what is likely the Nemegt Formation and was brought to media light in the 2022 documentary *Prehistoric Planet*. Series consultant Darren Naish commented on this, stating that it was referred to as *Velociraptor* to connect with the public rather than calling it indeterminate. Thomas R. Holtz Jr. joked that this genus could be called "Velociraptor nemegtensis", but both Holtz Jr. and Naish suggest with great uncertainty that there could be a possibility that these fragments do represent a new species in that genus.

## Description

These set of remains attributed to *Adasaurus*, and were thought to have been from the same locality of the holotype, but may represent a new taxon. However, the remains were actually found in the Mongolian Bayan Shireh Formation, in the Shine Us Khuduk and Tel Ulan Chaltsai localities. It is represented by fragmentary crania and postcrania. Evans et al. (2013) found *Acheroraptor* to be placed in Velociraptorinae, but also found the placement of the Bayan Shireh taxon:

IGM 100/23 has mesial denticles that are close to, or larger than, the distal denticles. The anterior basal width of the denticle is 0.25 millimeters, with a posterior basal width of 0.25-0.33 millimeters. The anterior/posterior measures 0.75–1.00 millimeters. Currie and Evans (2019) place it as a Dromaeosaurine, which is challenged:

## References

1. ↑ https://twitter.com/TetZoo/status/1529803480763875331
2. ↑ https://twitter.com/TetZoo/status/1529803393891549190
3. ↑ https://twitter.com/TomHoltzPaleo/status/1529426030624133120
4. ↑ https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1420-9101.2010.02039.x
5. ↑ https://bioone.org/journals/bulletin-of-the-american-museum-of-natural-history/volume-2012/issue-371/748.1/A-Review-of-Dromaeosaurid-Systematics-and-Paravian-Phylogeny/10.1206/748.1.short
6. ↑ https://tsukuba.repo.nii.ac.jp/?action=pages\_view\_main&active\_action=repository\_view\_main\_item\_detail&item\_id=23034&item\_no=1&page\_id=13&block\_id=83
7. ↑ https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs00114-013-1107-5
8. ↑ https://anatomypubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ar.24241
Confuciusornis

Credit: Emily Willoughby.

*Confuciusornis* is an extinct genus of bird that lived in Early Cretaceous China.

## Description

Males most likely had long tail feathers, probably for display. *Confuciusornis* had sharp, clawed fingers and other traits that are like that of *Archaeopteryx*.

## Paleoecology

*Confuciusornis* perched in trees, was herbivorous, and lived in large colonies.

## Species

* *C. sanctus*
* *C. dui*
* *C. feducciai*
* *C. jianchangensis*
* *C. shifan*

## References

* Dorling Kindersley Encyclopedia of Dinosaurs and Prehistoric Life, p. 142, 143
* https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confuciusornis
* https://www.nature.com/articles/s42003-022-04316-6
Arctodus simus yukonensis

Arctodus Simus Yukonensis, also known as the Northern Short-Faced Bear, the Yukon Short-Faced Bear, or the Northern North American Short-Faced Bear, is the largest subspecies of bear that ever lived.

## Range

Arctodus Simus Yukonensis existed in Alaska and Canada, possibly coexisted with polar bears in some of their range.

## Diet

Arctodus Simus Yukonensis probably hunted animals such as deer, moose, and salmon. It may have also stolen kills from other animals such as wolves, brown bears, and saber-toothed tigers.

## Description

Arctodus Simus Yukonensis was a large bear, probably weighing in at over 4,000 pounds, for large males and only 1500 pounds for females. This species was likely sexually dimorphic, meaning that males were larger than females.
Cheiracanthus

*Cheiracanthus* is an extinct genus of jawless fish that lived worldwide during the Middle Devonian.

## Description

Unlike many other acanthodians, *Cheiracanthus* has one dorsal fin. *Cheiracanthus* has an upturned tail, a blunt head and fins protected by spines. *Cheiracanthus* has very wide jaws. Complete fossils appear in Devonian Scotland, although small ornamented scales appear in worldwide sediments.

## Paleoecology

*Cheiracanthus* swam at a middle depth in lakes and rivers, to which it ate small prey in its wide jaws.

## Reference

* Dorling Kindersley Encyclopedia of Dinosaurs and Prehistoric Life, p. 47
* https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheiracanthus
Barackosaurus

Prince, Apollonia and Twinky.

"Barackosaurus" (also known as "Amphicoelias brontodiplodocus") is a naked genus of sauropod dinosaur that lived in North America during the Late Jurassic.

## Description

—Henry Galiano responding to criticism on the article he authored

The name "Barackosaurus" was first created in 2010 for a Kimmeridgian sauropod from the Dana Quarry, Morrison Formation. That same year, an article was made available, but not formally published. In this article, written by Henry Galiano and Raimund Albersdorfer, they assign all specimens to a new species, "Amphicoelias brontodiplodocus", based on the belief that all Morrison diplodocids are growth stages or variation of *Amphicoelias*. However, this analysis was met with criticism and the lead author disclaimed it.

Three specimens are housed at the Lee Kong Chain Natural History Museum, bearing the names Prince, Apollonia and Twinky. The first two are posed in a "lazy manner", with Twinky reared on its forelimbs. The smallest, Twinky is 12 meters long; Apollonia is 24 meters long; and Prince, the "alpha male", is 27 meters long. These are all at ~80% completion. Dinosauria International discovered the trio between 2007 and 2010 in Ten Sleep, who then encased them in paper towels and a plaster jacket. They were moved to a lab and prepared with an air scribe. It is loosely speculated these three "Barackosaurus" were a family in life.

## References

* https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List\_of\_informally\_named\_dinosaurs
* https://svpow.com/2010/10/07/the-elephant-in-the-living-room-amphicoelias-brontodiplodocus/
* http://www.paleophilatelie.eu/description/stamps/singapore\_2015.html