Search the Community

The unnamed giant Tylosaur of the Moroccan Phosphates is revealed at last. The great and mighty Hainosaurus is a previously unrecognized macropredator present in the latest Cretaceous (Maastrichtian) of Morocco. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/365437927_First_Record_of_a_Tylosaurine_Mosasaur_from_the_Latest_Cretaceous_Phosphates_of_Morocco Authors: @Praefectus @BrennanThePaleoDude @pachy-pleuro-whatnot-odon Abstract: The latest Cretaceous Phosphates of Morocco preserve the highest biodiversity of mosasaurid squamates anywhere in the world. Intensive sampling over the past century has uncovered at least ten genera and thirteen species from the mosasaur subgroups Halisauromorpha, Plioplatecarpinae, and Mosasaurinae. Notably missing from the assemblage are members of the macropredatory Tylosaurinae. The Tylosaurinae were globally rare in the Maastrichtian and their apparent absence has been previously explained by either collecting bias, ecological preference for deeper waters, or habitat restriction to higher paleolatitudes. Here, we describe a new tylosaurine mosasaurid, Hainosaurus boubker sp. nov., based on several partial skulls and isolated teeth originating from the Couche III layer of the Sidi Chennane Phosphate quarry near Oued Zem, Morocco. It is unique amongst tylosaurine mosasaurids in possessing blade-like teeth that are laterally compressed, encircled by enamel facets, and differentiated along the dental margin. The discovery of this new taxon in the Maastrichtian of Morocco is remarkable as it represents both the youngest species of Tylosaurinae and the first occurrence in North Africa. It has been a pleasure to work on this project and I am so happy to finally see it come to a conclusion. Tremendous thank you to Boubker Chaibi (Instagram @foussilouedzem) for discovering and donating the type material. Additionally, thanks to Carlos Espinosa (Instagram @carlost_sapiens) for bringing Hainosaurus to life. Funding for this project was provided by the Association of Applied Paleontological Sciences’ Charles H. Sternberg Scholarship for vertebrate fossil research. Thank you very much the members of the AAPS. Map and Stratigraphic column of the Moroccan Phosphates Premaxilla of Hainosaurus boubker Premaxilla of Hainosaurus boubker Maxillae of Hainosaurus boubker Dentaries of Hainosaurus boubker Hainosaurus boubker right maxilla and premaxilla Anterior teeth Hainosaurus boubker Mid-marginal and posterior teeth H. boubker Discoverer and namesake of H. boubker, Boubker Chaibi (Instagram @foussilouedzem) Hainosaurus boubker by Carlos Espinosa (Instagram @carlost_sapiens) Reconstructed skull of H. boubker at the Sternberg Museum as part of the Sahara Sea Monster's traveling exhibit. By @jnoun11. Hainosaurus boubker skull sketch by Instagram @yoshisrgr8 “The Warden of the Cretaceous Seas” by Instagram @primal_art_saurus Hainosaurus vs. Thalassotitan 2 versions. No ammonites, ammonites. Memento mori by Twitter @ttorroo Hainosaurus vs. Thalassotitan Hainosaurus boubker by Instagram @icthyovenator by Instagram @primal_art_saurus Thanks for reading.

Hello to anyone reading this. I want to know if anyone has been involved with AAPS and if anyone has purchased anything from their members. If a fossil dealer is a member of AAPS can I have confidence that they're selling genuine fossils? I would like opinions from anyone who knows more about this. Thank you.

This was posted on FB by AAPS. It was written by the paleontologist Tom Carr who is an extremist on these matters and as expected its receiving quite a negative reaction on social media. George Winters indicated he is preparing an article to address an opposing view I don't have the paper for now just screen shots so if anyone can add anything please do.

I'd like to get some opinions about the benefits of joining any of the paleo societies or groups that are around. More specifically, is there a benefit for a lay-person in joining? I understand that these offer networking opportunities for the professional, but would there be a benefit for ME as an enthusiast?

Don't Fed On Me: What the AAPS Keeps Getting Wrong ... and Why the Conversation about Fossil Commerce Needs to Start over from Scratch Fossil News, The Journal of Avocational Paleontology, Online Content Yours, Paul H.

George F. Winters of the Association of Applied Paleontological Sciences (AAPS) just posted this on Facebook. The guide has been very useful to those attending the show. Tucson has yet to put any restrictions on the different fossil venues other than cancelling the Convention Center Gem and Mineral show . If I hear anything will post it. Travel restrictions may be the biggest impediment for dealers to participate and visitors to attend.

Here is The Association of Applied Paleontological Sciences online guide for fossil dealers and other paleo related info for the 2019 Tucson (Arizona) fossil, gem and mineral shows. The guide lists dealers by speciality and venue. The guide has some blank pages (advertisements missing?). https://aaps.net/pdf/2019-AAPS-Guide-final-lo-res.pdf

Current View, dealer listings will continue to change and be updated Arizona Mineral and Fossil Show (Jan 25-Feb 7) https://www.mzexpos.com/tucson Three Venues: Hotel Tucson City Center 475 N. Granada, Tucson, AZ 330 Dealers, IMO best locality for Minerals and General Fossils. See dealer listing Missing from Dealers list : Paleosearch (Kansas Cret Fossils) from ballroom. Indicated last year he would be retiring from shows, might be the case In the Beginning Fossils (Dinosaur Fossils) appears to have not kept his room at this show, still at 22nd Street Show Ramada Ltd. - Downtown 665 N. Freeway, Tucson, AZ About 70 dealers mostly Fossils Apparent Changes: Appears that George Heslep ( Dinosaur Fossils) moved to this venue from 22nd Street Show. Mineral & Fossil Marketplace 1330 N. Oracle, Tucson, AZ Small but a must see with good dealers and excellent displays Tucson 22nd Street Fossil & Mineral Show (Jan 25- Feb 11) http://www.22ndstreetshow.com/ Excellent show with key dealers just have to deal with tons of trinket and junk sellers Apparent Changes: George Heslep moved to Ramada, Indiana9Fossils who had the largest display of Dinosaur material decided not to set up at shows any longer, focus online and a nice store in Indiana. Kino Gem & Mineral Show (Jan 27-Feb 12) Kino Sports Complex, 2500 E. Ajo Way Public. Great venue for odds and ends, gems but includes tons of Moroccan Dealers Lots of gem shows around http://www.tucsongemshows.net/coming.html AAPS, Association of Applied Paleontological Sciences The 2018 annual meeting of the AAPS will be held at the Student Union Building, South Ballroom 3rd Floor, University of Arizona, on Saturday February 3rd, 7:00 p.m. Shuttles, Courtesy of Marty Zinn, will run from the Hotel Tucson City Center and the Ramada. Speakers in the past have included paleontologist Phil Currie so it's a pretty interesting event. "AAPS Guide to Fossil Dealers and Events" will be posted when available