1824 in paleontology
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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 1824.
Dinosaurs[edit]
- William Buckland realizes that fossils he previously believed to be of cetacean origin were actually Iguanodon fossils. This mistake cost him the chance to describe the genus himself.[2]
Newly named dinosaurs[edit]
| Taxon | Novelty | Status | Author(s) | Age | Unit | Location | Notes | Images |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| "Iguanosaurus" | Gen. nov. | Nomen nudum | Anonymous[3] | Barremian, 126-125 mya[4] | Unknown |  UK,  Belgium
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"Iguanosaurus" was first mentioned in a magazine article by an anonymous author (possibly Mantell) in 1824. The author suggested that Mantell was originally going to name the teeth "Iguanosaurus", but William Daniel Conybeare suggested that it be instead named Iguanodon.[3] | |
| Megalosaurus[5] | Gen. nov. | Valid | William Buckland | Bathonian, 166 mya[6] | Taynton Limestone Formation[6] | UK
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The Reverend William Buckland gives a presentation to the Geological Society describing the first scientifically named dinosaur, Megalosaurus on February 20. Later that year its formal scientific description is published in writing.[2] | 
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Plesiosaurs[edit]
New taxa[edit]
| Taxon | Novelty | Status | Author(s) | Age | Unit | Location | Notes | Images |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Sp. nov. |
Valid |
Sinemurian, 199 mya[7] |
Cornybeare named the genus in 1821, following up with the type species P. dolichodeirus in 1824. The species was named on the basis of a complete skeleton discovered by Mary Anning.[7] |
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References[edit]
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b Farlow, J.O.; Brett-Surmann, M.K. (1999). The Complete Dinosaur. Indiana University Press. pp. 8–9. ISBN 0-253-21313-4.
- ^ a b Delair, J.B.; Sarjeant, W.A.S. (1975). "Earliest Discoveries of the Dinosaurs". Isis. 66 (1): 4–25. doi:10.1086/351373. JSTOR 229523.
- ^ Carpenter, K.; Ishida, Y. (2010). "Early and "Middle" Cretaceous Iguanodonts in Time and Space". Journal of Iberian Geology. 36 (2): 145–164. doi:10.5209/rev_JIGE.2010.v36.n2.3.
- ^ Buckland, W. (1824). "Notice on the Megalosaurus, or great fossil lizard of Stonesfield". Transactions of the Geological Society of London. 2 (1): 390–396. doi:10.1144/transgslb.1.2.390.
- ^ a b Benson, R.B.J. (2009). "An assessment of variability in theropod dinosaur remains from the Bathonian (Middle Jurassic) of Stonesfield and New Park Quarry, UK and taxonomic implications for Megalosaurus bucklandii and Iliosuchus incognitus". Palaeontology. 52 (4): 857–877. doi:10.1111/j.1475-4983.2009.00884.x.
- ^ a b c d e Storrs, G.W. (1997). "Morphological and taxonomic clarification of the genus Plesiosaurus". In Callaway, J.M; Nicholls, E.L. (eds.). Ancient Marine Reptiles. Academic press. pp. 145–190.