1859 in paleontology

Summary

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 1859.

List of years in paleontology (table)
In science
1856
1857
1858
1859
1860
1861
1862
+...

Dinosaurs edit

Newly named dinosaurs edit

Pterosaurs edit

New taxa edit

Name Age Location Notes Images
Dimorphodon 195 Millions years ago   Mexico  UK  Antarctica A dimorphodontid; new generic name for Pterodactylus macronyx. A shellfish-eating Pterosaur.
 
Dimorphodon

Synapsids edit

Non-mammalian edit

Genus Age Location Notes Images
Galesaurus 252 Millions of years ago   South Africa

References edit

  1. ^ Gini-Newman, Garfield; Graham, Elizabeth (2001). Echoes from the past: world history to the 16th century. Toronto: McGraw-Hill Ryerson Ltd. ISBN 9780070887398. OCLC 46769716.
  2. ^ Johnston, C. 1859. Note on odontography. Amer. J. Dent. Sci. 9: pp. 337-343
  3. ^ Leidy, J. 1859. Extinct vertebrata from the Judith River and Great Lignite Formations of Nebraska. American Philosophical Society Transactions 11:pp. 139-154.
  4. ^ Owen, R. 1859. On the order of fossil and recent reptilia, and their distribution in time. Report of the British Association for the Advancement of Science: pp. 153-166.