1841 in paleontology

Paleontology, palaeontology or palæontology (from Greek: paleo, "ancient"; ontos, "being"; and logos, "knowledge") 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 mankind has 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

• 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

Name Status Authors Notes Cardiodon Nomen dubium Sir Richard Owen, Possible subjective synonym of Cetiosaurus Cetiosaurus Valid Sir Richard Owen, Cladeiodon Misidentification Sir Richard Owen, Dubious non-dinosaurian archosaur. Rhopalodon Misidentification Fischer von Waldheim Misidentified therapsid. Suchosaurus Nomen dubium Sir Richard Owen Possible subjective synonym of Baryonyx.		Cetiosaurus.

Plesiosaurs

New taxa

Synapsids

Non-mammalian

References

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. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Farlow, James O.; M. K. Brett-Surmann (1999). The Complete Dinosaur. Bloomington, Indiana: Indiana University Press. p. 9. ISBN 0-253-21313-4.