1861 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 1861.
Crustaceans
New taxa
| Taxon | Novelty | Status | Author(s) | Age | Unit | Location | Notes | Images |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Etallonia[2] |
Gen. et. comb. nov. |
Valid |
Oppel |
An axiid, type species is E. longimana, initially described as Magila longimana in 1839. |
||||
|
Gen. et. comb. nov. |
Valid |
Oppel |
A stenochirid, type species is P. pustulosus, initially described as Bolina pustulosa in 1839. |
|
Dinosaurs
New taxa
| Taxon | Novelty | Status | Author(s) | Age | Unit | Location | Notes | Images |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Archaeopteryx lithographica[3] | Gen. et sp. nov. | Valid | Meyer | Kimmeridgian | Solnhofen Limestone |  Germany |
Early bird, only known from a single flight feather.[3] |  |
| Echinodon becklesii[4] | Gen. et sp. nov. | Valid | Owen | Berriasian | Purbeck Beds |  UK |
Known from multiple jaw and tooth fossils, originally interpreted as a lacertilian.[4][5] | |
| Teratosaurus suevicus | Gen. et sp. nov. | Valid | von Meyer | Norian | Löwenstein Formation | Germany |
Originally interpreted as an early dinosaur, now an early pseudosuchian. | |
Pterosaurs
New taxa
| Taxon | Novelty | Status | Author(s) | Age | Unit | Location | Notes | Images |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scaphognathus[6] | Gen. nov. | Valid | Wagner | Kimmeridgian | Solnhofen limestone | Germany |
A new genus for Pterodactylus crassirostris Goldfuss, 1831 |  |