1857 in paleontology
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Paleontology or palaeontology is the study of prehistoric life forms on Earth through the examination of plant and animal fossils.[1] This includes the study of body fossils, tracks (ichnites), burrows, cast-off parts, fossilised feces (coprolites), palynomorphs and chemical residues. Because humans have encountered fossils for millennia, paleontology has a long history both before and after becoming formalized as a science. This article records significant discoveries and events related to paleontology that occurred or were published in the year 1857.
Dinosaurs
New taxa
| Taxon | Novelty | Status | Author(s) | Age | Unit | Location | Notes | Images |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gresslyosaurus ingens[2] | Gen et sp. nov. | Disputed | Rütimeyer | Rhaetian | Knollenmergel |  Switzerland |
Possible subjective synonym of Plateosaurus | |
| Stenopelix valdensis[3] | Gen. et sp. nov. | Valid | von Meyer | Berriasian | Obernkirchen Sandstein Formation |  Germany |
A Marginocephalian. |  |
Pterosaurs
- Hermann von Meyer names the species Pterodactylus crassipes, and also provides the alternative classification of the taxon as Rhamphorhynchus crassipes.[3]
New taxa
| Taxon | Novelty | Status | Author(s) | Age | Unit | Location | Notes | Images |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pterodactylus crassipes[3] | Sp. nov. | Valid | von Meyer | Kimmeridgian | Solnhofen limestone | Germany |
Later identified as a theropod related to Archaeopteryx and named Ostromia crassipes. |  |
Ichthyosaurs
- Holotype specimen of Temnodontosaurus crassimanus (Ichthyosauria) from the Early Jurassic at Kettleness, Yorkshire, England.[4]
Paleontologists
- Birth of William Diller Matthew.[5]