A genetic study shows that tarantulas originated in the Americas about 120 million years ago…
Browsing: Paleontology
Paleontology is the scientific study of life in Earth’s past, primarily through the analysis of fossils—remains, traces, or impressions of ancient organisms preserved in rock. By uncovering and interpreting these remnants, paleontologists reconstruct evolutionary histories, ecosystems, and environmental changes that have occurred over millions of years. This field bridges geology and biology, shedding light on everything from the age of dinosaurs to the earliest microbial life. Explore this page for the latest fossil discoveries, analytical techniques, and insights into how ancient life helps us understand both the past and the future of our planet.
A 21-million-year fossil study suggests conservation should prioritize ecosystem functions, which endure environmental change better…
A tiny stegosaur footprint found in China suggests young dinosaurs walked on their toes, unlike…
Graduate Center, CUNY researchers uncover evidence suggesting that volcanic carbon emissions were not a major…
Analysis of what’s known about the dinosaur leads to conclusion there were 2.5 billion over…
Using simulation models, researchers found that the biological traits of extinct Australian megafauna don’t clearly…
Pterosaurs’ massive, flight-capable necks were supported by a unique spiral bone structure unseen in any…
A newly discovered pterosaur with a true opposed thumb provides the earliest evidence of arboreal…
Researchers use 3-D-printed models to explore fractal-like interior shell patterns. Ammonoids, ancestors of today’s octopus,…
Gray wolves adapted from hunting horses in the Ice Age to preying on caribou today,…
Ancient Amber Fossil Reveals Early Beetle Pollinator An amber fossil of a Cretaceous beetle has…
120-Million-Year-Old Animals Evolved “Scratch-Digging” Traits Independently Paleontologists have discovered two new species of mammal-like, burrowing…
The human brain as we know it today is relatively young. It evolved about 1.7…
Ancient asteroid impact dramatically reshaped tropical forests, setting the stage for today’s biodiversity-rich rainforests. In…
Trilobites Had a Leg Up on Breathing A new study has found the first evidence…
Ancient Predatory Insects Discovered in Region Once Thought Uninhabitable Fossil discoveries often help answer long-standing…
Aquilolamna milarcae, a newly discovered Late Cretaceous species dubbed the “winged shark,” has captivated paleontologists…
By characterizing how ancient life responded to environmental stressors, researchers gain insights into how modern…