Werkgroep Fossielen regio Wageningen

The ammonites became extinct during the mass extinction 65 million years ago, following the asteroid impact. The nautilus, however, did not. An attempt has been made to explain this by referring to the size of the eggs they laid, but this hypothesis has been shown to be incorrect. The reason for their extinction therefore remains unknown for the time being.

A fossil from South Africa belonging to the dicynodont genus Lystrosaurus, dating from the Early Triassic, has been examined using high-resolution CT scans and synchrotron radiation. Crucially, the symphysis of the lower jaw is not fused, a developmental feature found only in the embryos of modern birds and turtles prior to hatching. The full article can be read on the Plos website. Beautiful illustrations and photos!

A Spinosaurus (Spinosaurus mirabilis) has been discovered in Niger. None had been found for a century; the first was described in 1915. This species has a horn on its head. Based on this discovery, it is believed that the Spinosaurus hunted fish in a manner similar to a heron.

The giant snail from the Champagne region, near Damery, has been studied by KU Leuven. The calcium in the shell has been examined because it grows so quickly and can therefore provide information about climate change during the snail's lifetime. The full Nature article can be found here.