1861 in paleontology

Paleontology or palaeontology (from Greek: paleo, "ancient"; ontos, "being"; and logos, "knowledge") 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.

Dinosaurs

Name Status Authors Notes Archaeopteryx Valid von Meyer Early bird. Echinodon Valid Sir Richard Owen Griphosaurus Nomen rejectum Wagner Rejected in favor of Archaeopteryx. Sauraechmodon Nomen nudum Falconer Later named Echinodon. Teratosaurus Misidentification. von Meyer Misidentified teratosaurid archosaur.		Archaeopteryx.

Pterosaurs

New taxa

Name Status Authors Notes Scaphognathus Valid Wagner		Scaphognathus.

References

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.