The ancient landscapes of Alberta’s Dinosaur Provincial Park have long been a treasure trove for paleontologists seeking to unravel the mysteries of the past. However, a new study from McGill University is about to change the game when it comes to dating dinosaur fossils in this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

For decades, scientists have relied on a key geological marker – the contact between the Oldman and Dinosaur Park Formations – as a reference point to estimate the ages of fossil quarries. This method involves comparing how high or low a fossil site is relative to that boundary. But, according to researchers Alexandre Demers-Potvin and Professor Hans Larsson, this approach has significant limitations.

Their study, published in Palaeontologia Electronica, reveals that the Oldman-Dinosaur Park Formation boundary fluctuates in elevation by as much as 12 meters over short distances. This means that estimates of individual fossil ages could be off by a considerable margin – potentially altering our understanding of when different species lived.

To address these uncertainties, Demers-Potvin and Larsson employed advanced drone-assisted 3D mapping techniques to capture high-resolution images of a key fossil site in the park. By processing these images through structure-from-motion photogrammetry, the team created a precise 3D model of the terrain which is geolocated with GPS coordinates measured in the field.

The results are promising: this new dating method might be more dependable than relying on elevation measurements, and could lead to more accurate reconstructions of ancient ecosystems. By mapping sedimentary layers over a broader area, researchers may develop a much clearer picture of biodiversity shifts in an ancient terrestrial ecosystem.

“We’ve essentially shown that the dating method used for decades in Dinosaur Provincial Park may not be as reliable as previously thought,” said Demers-Potvin. “This opens the door to a more refined approach for understanding how different dinosaur species succeeded one another over time.”

The implications of this study are far-reaching, and could have significant impacts on our understanding of Earth’s history and past biodiversity changes. By refining our methods for dating dinosaur fossils, we can gain a deeper appreciation for the complex ecosystems that existed in the ancient world – and may even inform present and future life on our planet.

The discovery of ancient flying reptiles, known as pterosaurs, has long fascinated scientists and the general public alike. However, recent research at the University of Leicester has shed new light on these awe-inspiring creatures by linking fossilized footprints to specific types of pterosaurs.

Using advanced 3D modeling, detailed analysis, and comparisons with pterosaur skeletons, a team of researchers led by Robert Smyth successfully identified three distinct types of tracks that matched up with different groups of flying reptiles. These findings provide a unique opportunity to study how these creatures lived, moved, and evolved in their natural environment.

One group of pterosaurs, the neoazhdarchians (including Quetzalcoatlus), was found to be frequent ground dwellers, inhabiting coastal and inland areas around the world. Their footprints were discovered in rock layers that date back 160 million years ago, during the middle part of the Age of Dinosaurs. These long-legged creatures dominated both the skies and the ground, with some tracks present right up until the asteroid impact event that led to their extinction.

Another group, the ctenochasmatoids, left behind tracks most commonly found in coastal deposits. These animals likely waded along muddy shores or in shallow lagoons, using their specialized feeding strategies to catch small fish or floating prey. The abundance of these tracks suggests that these coastal pterosaurs were far more common in these environments than their rare bodily remains indicate.

The third type of footprint was discovered in rock layers that also preserve the fossilized skeletons of the same pterosaurs, known as dsungaripterids. These pterosaurs had powerful limbs and jaws, with toothless, curved beak tips designed for prising out prey, while large, rounded teeth at the back of their jaws were perfect for crushing shellfish and other tough food items.

Smyth explains that tracks are often overlooked when studying pterosaurs, but they provide a wealth of information about how these creatures moved, behaved, and interacted with their environments. By closely examining footprints, scientists can now discover things about the biology and ecology of pterosaurs that would be impossible to learn anywhere else.

The discovery of these ground-breaking habits in ancient flying reptiles not only expands our understanding of these fascinating creatures but also highlights the importance of interdisciplinary research in uncovering hidden secrets from the past.

Super-Herds of Prehistoric Rhinos Revealed

A groundbreaking study by researchers at the University of Cincinnati has shed new light on the social structure of a prehistoric species of rhino that roamed North America 12 million years ago. The research, published in the journal Scientific Reports, reveals that these ancient creatures lived in vast herds, often numbering over 100 individuals, and exhibited surprising stability in their habitats.

The study’s lead author, Clark Ward, used isotopic analysis to track the movements of Miocene rhinos across landscapes. By examining ratios of strontium, oxygen, and carbon in fossil teeth, researchers were able to reconstruct the animals’ feeding habits, climate, and habitat preferences with remarkable precision.

“We found that they didn’t move very much,” Ward said. “We didn’t find evidence for seasonal migration or any response to the disaster of the volcanic eruption.”

The research focused on Teleoceras major, a one-horned rhino with a barrel-shaped body and stubby legs similar to hippos. Like hippos, these ancient rhinos fed on grass and spent much time in and around water. Their calves would have been vulnerable to predators like bone-crushing dogs, which had left their tracks at the Nebraska site where many specimens were found.

The researchers also found that ash from Yellowstone’s supervolcano eruption would have covered everything, including grass, leaves, and water, causing the rhinos to starve to death over a prolonged period. This finding contradicts previous assumptions that the animals might have converged on the same area seeking shelter from the disaster.

“This is an important contribution to our understanding of the social structure of ancient species,” said John Payne, an expert on endangered Sumatran rhinos in Malaysia. “I’m not surprised that these analyses suggest that Teleoceras major lived in herds, given their resemblance to modern hippos.”

The study’s lead author, Clark Ward, has a personal connection to the site where many of the fossils were found. As an intern at Ashfall Fossil Beds State Historical Park, he had participated in fossil excavations and preparation, answering visitors’ questions about the fossils. He expressed his honor and privilege in having his name attached to the site, which held special significance for him as a childhood favorite.

The discovery of these ancient super-herds has significant implications for our understanding of prehistoric species and their social structures. It highlights the importance of continued research into the lives of ancient creatures and their habitats, providing valuable insights into the natural world and our place within it.