James Ronan Dinosaurs, Education, Fossil Discoveries, Geology, Lingwulong shenqi, Paleontology, Pangaea, Sauropod

New Chinese Sauropod Lingwulong shenqi shocks Palaeontologists

On the 24th of July 2018 new research was published by palaeontologists in the Journal of Nature Communications about the amazing discovery of a new sauropod from China a Diplodocoid called Lingwulong shenqi its name meaning “amazing dragon of Lingwu.”

This article will examine this fossil discovery, the research that has taken place and what it means for palaeontological understanding of the evolution of sauropods.

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James Ronan Dinosaur Locomotion, Dinosaurs, Fossil Discoveries, Geology, Isle of Skye, Learning, Paleontology, Sauropod, Theropod, Tyrannosaurus Rex

Rare Middle Jurassic Dinosaur Footprints Discovered at Brothers’ Point, Isle of Skye

On the 2nd of April 2018 research was published by Palaeontologists from the University of Edinburgh, Staffin Museum and the Chinese Academy of Sciences in the Scottish Journal of Geology.

This research focused on the discovery and analysis of sauropod and theropod Dinosaur fossil footprints from the Mid Jurassic found in the Lealt Shale Formation at Rubha nam Brathairean (Brothers’ Point) on the Isle of Skye. This article will examine this discovery, the research that took place and what was found.

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James Ronan Bristol Museum, Fossil Discoveries, Geology, Paleontology, Pliosaurus carpenteri, Pliosaurus westburyensis

Pliosaurus! Exhibition: Unraveling the Fossil and Volunteering Experience

On the 9th December 2017 I started volunteering at Bristol Museum and Art Gallery for their Pliosaurus! Exhibition which ran from June 2017 until the 18th of February 2018. This interactive museum exhibition focused on the 8 metre long fossil of the marine reptile Pliosaurus carpenteri, the only known specimen of its species and a rare example of a relatively complete Pliosaur. In this article I explain more about the fossil, my volunteer role, what I enjoyed about the exhibition and what I think the impact of it has been.

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James Ronan Birds, Dinosaur Locomotion, Dinosaurs, Learning, Paleontology, Tyrannosaurus Rex

Dinosaur Locomotion: Insights From Ground Dwelling Birds

On the 21st of February research was published in the Journal of PLOS One about a new study on the influence of ground dwelling Birds speed and size on locomotion (walking & running) to help gain an understanding as to how Theropod Dinosaurs might have moved. 12 species of bird were recorded on specially built running tracks by researchers in Australia with computer models extrapolating the data. This article will examine this research and what it could mean for the future of palaeontology.

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James Ronan Chicxulub, Geology, Learning, Paleontology, Volcanoes

Chicxulub Impact: Linking Meteorite to Global Volcanism

On the 8th of February research was published in the Journal of Science Advances about the K-T event (Cretaceous–Tertiary extinction event which killed the dinosaurs). The research presented evidence for the global magmatism (activation of Magma around the world) as a result of the Chicxulub Meteorite impact. This article will examine this study and what it means for paleontology.

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James Ronan Dinosaurs, Fossil Discoveries, Geology, Learning, Mansourasaurus shahinae, Paleontology, Sauropod

Mansourasaurus Shahinae: A New Titanosaur Discovery in Egyptian Sahara

On the 29th of January a new species of sauropod Mansourasaurus shahinae was announced to have been discovered by palaeontologists in the Egyptian Desert. A surprising fossil find as North Africa is not well known for major dinosaur discoveries, this article will examine this fascinating dinosaur discovery and what the implications of this fossil find are for palaeontologists in the North of Africa.

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James Ronan Caihong juji, Diluvicursor Pickeringi, Dinosaurs, Fossil Discoveries, Geology, Learning, Paleontology

Caihong Juji: Unraveling the Jurassic Dinosaur with Iridescent Feathers

On the 15th of January Palaeontologists in China published an article in the Journal of Nature Communications about the discovery of a new Jurassic dinosaur called Caihong juji. This new 161 million year old theropod was covered in iridescent feathers and plumage on its head, wings and tail similar to that of today’s hummingbirds. This article will look at this new fossil discovery, examining why its feathers are special and why Caihong is such an unusual dinosaur.

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James Ronan Diluvicursor Pickeringi, Dinosaurs, Fossil Discoveries, Geology, Leaellynasaura, Learning, Paleontology

The Exciting Identification of Diluvicursor pickeringi in Australia

Scientists in Victoria, Australia have identified a new ornithischian (bird-hipped) dinosaur called Diluvicursor pickeringi. First discovered in 2005 and from the Early Cretaceous it has recently been identified as a new dinosaur. This article will explore more about this new find and what could be expected of future discoveries in the region.

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James Ronan Fossil Discoveries, Geology, Hampiterus tianshanensis, Learning, Paleontology, Pterosaurs

Pterosaur Fossil Find: Ground-breaking Insights into Hamipterus Tianshanensis

In November 2017 palaeontologists in north-western China unveiled a remarkable pterosaur discovery of hundreds of perfectly preserved eggs from the early Cretaceous. This article will look at this fossil find and explore three reasons why it should be considered one of the most important prehistoric discoveries of recent times.

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