Did An Extraterrestrial Impact Hasten the End-Triassic Extinction On Land?

This is a interesting news article in Nature examining work by Drs. Paul Olsen and Dennis Kent on the possibility that the Rochechouart impact in France may have had an adverse effect on global terrestrial populations around 200 million years ago. The article also includes an excellent new Triassic scene by Victor O. Leshyk, which features Redondavenator and Redondasaurus from the Upper Triassic Redonda Formation of New Mexico. There is also a Typothorax-like aetosaur in the background for armodillodile fans.

Smilosuchus in Color

What makes Jeff Martz's Smilisuchus (Phytosauridae) reconstruction even better?  A bit of color.

Time Now for a Pseudosuchian - Desmatosuchus spurensis by Jeff Martz

Based on the traffic I've been getting everyone has really been enjoying the critter reconstructions by Jeff Martz. The past few days have focused on the ornithidirans but I think it is time to journey over to the other archosaurian branch.  Here is the aetosaur Desmatosuchus spurensis from the Late Triassic of the American southwest. If you really enjoy Jeff's work, please let him hear it.

Plateosaurus engelhardti Reconstruction by Jeffrey Martz

This is the last sample in Jeff Martz's dinosauromorph series and by far one of the most striking reconstructions, especially the coloration. This is the sauropodomorph Plateosaurus from the Upper Triassic of Germany.

Lesothosaurus diagnosticus Reconstruction by Jeff Martz

Here is a colorful, feathered, and very mean version of the Jurassic basal ornithischian Lesothosaurus from South Africa.  I think that this would make a great mascot for some college sports team.

Silesaurus opolensis Reconstruction by Jeff Martz

This is my favorite in Jeff's dinosauromorph series. The silesaurid dinosauriform Silesaurus from the Upper Triassic of Poland.

Marasuchus lilloensis Reconstruction by Jeffrey Martz

Continuing along on the new dinosauromorph series by Jeff Martz, here is a bluish version of the dinosauromorph Marasuchus from the Middle Triassic of Argentina.

Coelophysis bauri Reconstruction by Jeff Martz

A very colorful and fuzzy Coelophysis. Part of the new dinosauromorph series by Jeff Martz.

The neotheropod Coelophysis bauri from the Upper Triassic of New Mexico.

Herrerasaurus ischigualastensis Reconstruction by Jeff Martz

The herrerasaurid Herrerasaurus ischigualastensis from the Upper Triassic of Argentina

Tawa hallae Reconstruction by Jeff Martz

It has been awhile since I have featured some of Jeff Martz's Triassic critter artwork on this site.  Since that time his work has gained much more recognition, including some kudos from his mom!  He has posted some his more recent dinosauromorph material on his own site, but just in case you missed it I'll be reposting some of it here over the next few days.



The basal theropod Tawa hallae from the Upper Triassic Petrified Forest Member of the Chinle Formation in the Chama Basin of north-central New Mexico.