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 1844.

List of years in paleontology (table)
In science
1841
1842
1843
1844
1845
1846
1847
+...

Archosauromorphs

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Newly named phytosaurs

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Data courtesy of George Olshevsky's dinosaur genera list.[2]

Name Status Authors Notes

Termatosaurus[3]

Nomen dubium

  • von Meyer
  • Plieninger

Actually a dubious genus of crocodile-like phytosaur, similar to the Rutiodon pictured to the right.

 
Rutiodon, a relative of Termatosaurus.

Pterosaurs

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New taxa

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Name Status Authors Age Unit Location Notes

Palaeornis[4]

Preoccupied

Mantell

Early Cretaceous Valanginian)

Grinstead Clay Formation

  United Kingdom

An indeterminate azhdarchoid.

See also

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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. ^ Olshevsky, George. "Dinogeorge's Dinosaur Genera List". Archived from the original on 2011-07-15. Retrieved 2008-08-07.
  3. ^ Meyer, H. von, and T Plieninger. 1844. Beitraege zur Palaeontologie Wurttemberg's enthaltend die fossilen. Stuttgart.
  4. ^ Mantell, G.A. 1844. The Medals of Creation: or first lessons in geology and in the study of organic remains. London Volume 2, pp. 587-876