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 1871.

List of years in paleontology (table)
In science
1868
1869
1870
1871
1872
1873
1874
+...

"Fish"

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Name Novelty Status Authors Age Unit Location Notes Images

Erismatopterus'[2]

Gen et Sp et comb nov

valid

Cope

Eocene
Ypresian

Green River Formation

  US
  Wyoming

A percopsid fish.
The type species is E. rickseckeri
Also includes Cyprinodon levatus (1870)
E. rickseckeri synonymized into E. levatus (1969)

 
Erismatopterus levatus

Archosauromorphs

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Newly named pseudosuchians

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Name Status Authors Notes

Zatomus

Nomen dubium

Edward Drinker Cope

Dubious genus of non-dinosaurian archosaur.

Newly named dinosaurs

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Name Status Authors Notes

Danubiosaurus

Nomen dubium

Bunzel

Possible subjective synonym of Struthiosaurus.

Pterosaurs

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New taxa

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Anhanguera
Name Status Authors Notes

Diopecephalus

Jr. synonym.

Seeley

Jr. synonym of Pterodactylus.

Ornithostoma

Valid

Seeley

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. ^ Grande, L. (1984). "Paleontology of the Green River Formation, with a review of the fish fauna". Bulletin of the Wyoming State Geological Survey. 63 2nd ed. Laramie, Wyoming.