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1841 in paleontology

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List of years in paleontology (table)
In science
1838
1839
1840
1841
1842
1843
1844
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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 1841.

Dinosaurs

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  • On June 30, Sir Richard Owen presents his findings regarding some enormous bones that the Reverend William Buckland had acquired at an earlier date. He names the new genus to which these bones belong "Cetiosaurus." This event marks the first scientific description of a sauropod.[2]
  • Owen presents his treatise on British fossil reptiles to the British Association in August. This treatise marks the creation of a taxon called "Dinosauria."[2]

Newly named dinosaurs

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Name Status Authors Location Notes Images

Cardiodon

Nomen dubium

Sir Richard Owen,

Possible subjective synonym of Cetiosaurus

Cetiosaurus

Valid

Sir Richard Owen,

A European Sauropod
Cetiosaurus.

Cladeiodon

Misidentification

Sir Richard Owen,

Dubious non-dinosaurian archosaur.

Suchosaurus

Nomen dubium

Sir Richard Owen

Possible subjective synonym of Baryonyx.

Plesiosaurs

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New taxa

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Name Status Authors Location Notes Images

Pliosaurus

Valid

Owen

A Giant Pliosaur.
Pliosaurus

Polyptychodon

Valid

Owen

"Thaumatosaurus"

Valid

Meyer

Synapsids

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Non-mammalian

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Name Status Authors Age Location Notes Images

Rhopalodon

Valid

Fischer

References

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  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. ^ a b Farlow, James O.; M. K. Brett-Surmann (1999). The Complete Dinosaur. Bloomington, Indiana: Indiana University Press. p. 9. ISBN 0-253-21313-4.