Jurassic 'Sword Dragon' prehistoric reptile discovered in the UK
A near-complete skeleton collected from the UK’s Jurassic Coast has been identified as a new species of ichthyosaur, a type of prehistoric marine reptile that ruled the ancient oceans.
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New dinosaur from Wales identified in museum drawer
Paleontologists at the University of Bristol have officially identified a new species of dinosaur from Triassic fossil beds in South Wales, near Penarth – more than 125 years after the specimen was initially reported.
Digging into the origin of lizards
A new fossil from Devon reveals what the oldest members of the lizard group looked like, and there are some surprises, according to a research team from the University of Bristol. The study is published today [10 September] in Nature.
Multiple new species of “living fossil” fish found hiding in plain sight after more than 150 years
The modern coelacanth is a famous ‘living fossil’, long thought to have died out, but first fished out of deep waters in the Indian Ocean in 1938. Since then, dozens of examples have been found, but their fossil history is patchy. In a new study, Jacob Quinn and colleagues from the University of Bristol and University of Uruguay in Montevideo have identified coelacanths in museum collections that had been missed for 150 years.
Gigantic, meat-eating dinosaurs didn’t all have strong bites
New research analysing the bite strength of 18 species of carnivorous dinosaurs has shown that predatory dinosaurs followed different evolutionary paths.
New research reveals ancient alliance between woody plants and microbes has potential to protect precious peatlands
As the climate warms and regional drying becomes more frequent, peatlands – some of the planet’s most important carbon sinks – are increasingly under threat. But a study, led by an international team including scientists from the University of Bristol, has shown peatland ecosystems may have a natural defence through the combined forces of plant changes and microbes.
Ancient giant marine reptile relied on stealth while hunting in darkness
A new study has uncovered evidence that a giant marine reptile from the Early Jurassic period used stealth to hunt its prey in deep or dark waters – much like owls on land today.
Moon’s mysterious wobbling atmosphere like gyroscope, new research suggests
The puzzling behaviour of Titan’s atmosphere has been revealed by researchers at the University of Bristol for the first time.
Pioneering research reveals Arctic matter pathways poised for major shifts amidst climate change
A new study has shed unprecedented light on the highly variable and climate-sensitive routes that substances from Siberian rivers use to travel across the Arctic Ocean. The findings raise fresh concerns about the increasing spread of pollutants and the potential consequences for fragile polar ecosystems as climate change accelerates.
Island life 200 million years ago
Two Palaeontology and Evolution students from the University of Bristol have undertaken the first ever study which describes the incredible range of fossils which were sucked into a Neptunian dyke, a deep, fissure like cave on the ancient coastline.
Mammals were adapting from life in the trees to living on the ground before dinosaur-killing asteroid
More mammals were living on the ground several million years before the mass extinction event that wiped out the dinosaurs, new research led by the University of Bristol has revealed.
Amphibians bounce-back from Earth’s greatest mass extinction
Ancient frog relatives survived the aftermath of the largest mass extinction of species by feeding on freshwater prey that evaded terrestrial predators, University of Bristol academics have found.
The extreme teeth of sabre-toothed predators were ‘optimal’ for puncturing prey, new study reveals
Sabre-toothed predators – best know from the infamous Smilodon – evolved multiple times across different mammal groups. A new study, published today in Current Biology reveals why: these teeth were ‘functionally optimal’ and highly effective at biting into prey.
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“Brilliant” University professors scoop major palaeontology prizes
Two University of Bristol professors have been presented awards by the Palaeontological Association for their contributions to academia, outreach and human knowledge.
New research unlocks jaw-dropping evolution of lizards and snakes
A ground-breaking University of Bristol study has shed light on how lizards and snakes -the most diverse group of land vertebrates with nearly 12,000 species - have evolved remarkably varied jaw shapes, driving their extraordinary ecological success.
World’s oldest lizard wins fossil fight
A storeroom specimen that changed the origins of modern lizards by millions of years has had its identity confirmed.
Pioneering research shows sea life will struggle to survive future global warming
A new study highlights how some marine life could face extinction over the next century, if human-induced global warming worsens.
Scientist on personal mission to improve global water safety makes groundbreaking discovery
Research led by the University of Bristol shedding new light on how arsenic can be made less dangerous to humans has the potential to dramatically improve water and food safety, especially in the Global South.
New UKRI national facility for heritage science and conservation at the University of Bristol
The University of Bristol has received a £1million grant from the UKRI Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) to establish a new Centre for Chemical Characterisation in Heritage Sciences – an initiative that will span Arts, Chemistry and Earth Sciences.
Brazilian fossils reveal jaw-dropping discovery in mammal evolution
The discovery of new cynodont fossils from southern Brazil by a team of palaeontologists from the University of Bristol, alongside colleagues from Argentina and Brazil, has led to a significant breakthrough in understanding the evolution of mammals.