Paleontology

  1. Earth

    A magnetic field reversal 42,000 years ago may have contributed to mass extinctions

    The weakening of Earth's magnetic field beginning around 42,000 years ago correlates with a cascade of environmental crises, scientists say.

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  2. Genetics

    The oldest animal DNA ever recovered reveals mammoths’ evolution

    Mammoths evolved to handle the cold over hundreds of thousands of years and North America may been home to a hybrid species, a new study finds.

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  3. Earth

    Fossil mimics may be more common in ancient rocks than actual fossils

    Evidence of early life may be harder to preserve than pseudofossils — structures that form abiotically but resemble living remnants.

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  4. Paleontology

    This ancient sea reptile had a slicing bite like no other

    Right up until 66 million years ago, the sea was a teeming evolutionary laboratory with a small, agile, razor-toothed mosasaur patrolling the waters.

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  5. Animals

    50 years ago, scientists made the case for a landlubbing Brontosaurus

    In 1971, a scientist argued for a landbound Brontosaurus instead of a swampy swimmer. Recent evidence comes from studies of its ancient environment.

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  6. Life

    Giant worms may have burrowed into the ancient seafloor to ambush prey

    20-million-year-old tunnels unearthed in Taiwan may have been home to creatures that ambushed prey similar to today’s monstrous bobbit worms.

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  7. Paleontology

    Newborn megalodon sharks were larger than most adult humans

    Preserved pieces of backbone suggest that megalodon sharks were about 2 meters long at birth.

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  8. Paleontology

    How massive long-necked dinosaurs rose to rule the Jurassic herbivores

    New dinosaur fossil dates to same time as a volcanic surge, suggesting ensuing changes in plant life allowed these long-necked giants to emerge.

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  9. Life

    An ancient amphibian is the oldest known animal with a slingshot tongue

    A tiny amphibian that lived 99 million years ago waited for invertebrate prey before snatching them with a swift, shooting tongue.

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  10. Paleontology

    Why South America’s ancient mammals may have lost out to northern counterparts

    When North and South America joined millions of years ago, mammals from the north fared better in the meetup. Extinctions in the south may be why.

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  11. Humans

    The longest trail of fossilized human footprints hints at a risky Ice Age trek

    Researchers have discovered the world's longest trail of fossilized human footprints at White Sands National Park, New Mexico.

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  12. Paleontology

    Bat-winged dinosaurs were clumsy fliers

    The two known species of bat-winged dinosaurs were a dead end when it comes to the evolution of bird flight, a new study finds.

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