Fossil Discoveries of 2023

The video reviews notable fossil discoveries from 2023, including a pterosaur with unique teeth, a mosasaur with screwdriver-shaped teeth, and golden fossils in Germany. It also covers a large predator found in Brazil, the first fossilized dinosaur larynx, and a dramatic battle between a mammal and dinosaur in China. The video concludes with appreciation for viewers and patrons.

What unique feature did the newly discovered pterosaur possess?

• A long tail for balance

• Wings with feather-like structures

• A jaw with interlocking teeth for filter feeding

• A crest on its head for display

What is notable about the mosasaur teeth discovered in 2023?

• They were used for crushing shells

• They resemble phillips-head screwdrivers

• They were used for assembling furniture

• They were found in large quantities

What was the surprising finding about the gold color in Posidonia shale fossils?

• It was due to high levels of pyrite

• It was caused by phosphate minerals

• It indicated a lack of oxygen

• It was a result of fossilized gold

What does the presence of phosphate minerals in fossils suggest about their formation?

• They formed in anoxic conditions

• They formed in high-pressure environments

• They formed in oxygen-rich conditions

• They formed in acidic conditions

What does the discovery of a dinosaur larynx suggest about ankylosaurs?

• They had a simple vocal system

• They were completely silent

• They communicated through body language

• They could produce complex vocal sounds

What role did the large Permian predator likely play in its ecosystem?

• A scavenger

• A herbivore

• A top predator

• A small prey animal

What was the fate of the two Tanystropheus specimens?

• They were decapitated by predators

• They were preserved whole

• They were fossilized in amber

• They were found in a volcanic ash layer

What was the size comparison between the mammal and the dinosaur it attacked?

• The mammal was three times larger

• The mammal was the same size

• The mammal was larger

• The mammal was smaller

What event preserved the fossil of the mammal and dinosaur locked in combat?

• A meteor impact

• A flood

• A volcanic eruption

• A landslide

What evolutionary advantage might a long neck provide despite its risks?

• Enhanced feeding reach

• Improved swimming speed

• Stronger defense mechanisms

• Better camouflage