Fossils

Researchers from Australia and New Zealand have discovered fossils from 16 species, including a new ancestor of the kākāpō parrot, in a cave near Waitomo on the North Island. The remains, dating back about one million years, reveal waves of extinction driven by volcanic eruptions and climate shifts long before human arrival. The find fills a major gap in the country's fossil record.

March 21, 2026 Reported by AI

Scientists have identified a new species of land-dwelling crocodylomorph from 215 million years ago in Gloucester, UK. Named Galahadosuchus jonesi, the reptile had a slender, greyhound-like build for fast movement on land. The discovery honors a schoolteacher who inspired the lead researcher.

Researchers in China have discovered the fossilized remains of a juvenile iguanodontian dinosaur from 125 million years ago, featuring exceptionally preserved skin and unique hollow spikes. This new species, named Haolong dongi, represents the first documented case of such structures in dinosaurs. The find challenges previous understandings of dinosaur anatomy.

February 15, 2026 Reported by AI

The municipality of Villavieja and the Desierto de La Tatacoa in Huila become key locations for the documentary Amazon Extremes, a production for PBS's NOVA series exploring the Amazon's history across Peru, Brazil, and Colombia.