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 1880.

List of years in paleontology (table)
In science
1877
1878
1879
1880
1881
1882
1883
...

Ichthyosaurs

edit
Name Novelty Status Authors Age Type locality Location Notes Images

Baptanodon[2]

Gen et comb nov

valid

Marsh

Late Jurassic (Oxfordian)

Sundance Formation

  United States
  Wyoming

Moved from "Sauranodon" natans Marsh, 1879.[3]

 
Baptanodon natans

Pterosaurs

edit
Name Status Authors Age Unit Location Notes

Cretornis

Valid

Fritsch

middle Cretaceous (early Turonian)

Jizera Formation

  Czech Republic

A member of Azhdarchoidea.

Rhamphocephalus

Valid

Seeley

Middle Jurassic (Bathonian)

Taynton Limestone Formation

  England

A rhamphorhynchoid.

Synapsids

edit

Non-mammalian

edit
Name Status Authors Age Unit Location Notes Images

Stereorhachis

Nomen dubium

Gaudry

Late Carboniferous

Coal deposits

  France

A member of Eothyrididae.

References

edit
  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. ^ Marsh, O. C., 1880, Note on Sauranodon: American Journal of Science, 3rd series, v. 19, n. 4, p. 491.
  3. ^ O. C. Marsh. 1879. A new order of extinct reptiles (Sauranodonta), from the Jurassic Formation of the Rocky Mountains. The American Journal of Science and Arts, series 3