1872 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 1872.
Plants
Gnetophytes
| Name | Novelty | Status | Authors | Age | Unit | Location | Synonymized taxa | Notes | Images |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Patzea gentoides[2] |
Gen et sp nov |
jr synonym |
Europe |
Identified as an Ephedra relative. |
 | ||||
Molluscs
| Taxon | Novelty | Status | Author(s) | Age | Unit | Location | Notes | Images |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scenella[5] | Gen. et sp. nov. | Valid | Billings | Cambrian | Brigus Formation |  Canada(  Newfoundland and Labrador) |
The type species is S. reticulata. |
Dinosaurs
| Taxon | Novelty | Status | Author(s) | Age | Unit | Location | Notes | Images |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agathaumas | Gen. et sp. nov. | Nomen dubium | Cope | Maastrichtian | Lance Formation |  Wyoming |
Dubious ceratopsid | |
| Colonosaurus | Gen. et sp. nov. | Jr. synonym | Marsh | Santonian | Niobrara Formation |  Kansas |
Misidentified as a marine reptile, before association with body of Ichthyornis recognized | |
| Eucamerotus | Gen. nov. | Nomen dubium | Hulke | Barremian | Wessex Formation |  England |
Later given the type species E. foxi | |
| Hadrosaurus agilis[6] | Sp. nov. | Valid | Marsh | Santonian | Niobrara Formation | Kansas |
Later given the genus name Claosaurus | |
| Tylosteus | Gen. et sp. nov. | Jr. synonym | Leidy | Maastrichtian | Lance Formation |  Montana |
Suppressed synonym of Pachycephalosaurus | |
