Paleontology or palaeontology (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 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 2015.


Contents
1 Plants
2 Cnidarians
3 Arthropods
4 Bryozoans
5 Brachiopods
6 Molluscs
7 Echinoderms
8 Conodonts
9 Fishes
10 Amphibians
10.1 Research
10.2 New taxa
10.2.1 Temnospondyls
10.2.2 Lepospondyls
10.2.3 Lissamphibians
10.2.4 Diadectomorphs
11 Ichthyosauromorphs
11.1 Research
11.2 New taxa
12 Sauropterygians
12.1 Research
12.2 New taxa
13 Lepidosaurs
13.1 Research
13.2 New taxa
13.2.1 Rhynchocephalians
13.2.2 Lizards
13.2.3 Snakes
14 Turtles
15 Archosauriformes
15.1 Pseudosuchians
15.1.1 Research
15.1.2 New taxa
15.2 Non-avian dinosaurs
15.2.1 Research
15.2.2 New taxa
15.3 Birds
15.3.1 Research
15.3.2 New taxa
15.4 Pterosaurs
15.4.1 Research
15.4.2 New taxa
15.5 Other
16 Other reptiles
17 Synapsids
17.1 Non-mammalian synapsids
17.1.1 Research
17.1.2 New taxa
17.2 Mammals
17.2.1 Research
17.2.2 New taxa
17.2.2.1 Newly named non-eutherian mammals
17.2.2.1.1 Metatherians
17.2.2.1.2 Others
17.2.2.2 Eutherians
17.2.2.2.1 Xenarthrans
17.2.2.2.2 Afrotherians
17.2.2.2.3 Bats
17.2.2.2.4 Odd-toed ungulates
17.2.2.2.5 Even-toed ungulates
17.2.2.2.6 Cetaceans
17.2.2.2.7 Carnivorans
17.2.2.2.8 Rodents
17.2.2.2.9 Primates
17.2.2.2.10 Other eutherians
18 Other animals
18.1 Research
18.2 New taxa
19 Other organisms
20 See also
21 References
Plants
Main article: 2015 in paleobotany
Cnidarians
Name Novelty Status Authors Age Unit Location Notes Images
Acropora darrellae[2]

Sp. nov

Valid

Santodomingo, Wallace & Johnson

Miocene

Indonesia

A staghorn coral, a species of Acropora.

Acropora elenae[2]

Sp. nov

Valid

Santodomingo, Wallace & Johnson

Miocene

Indonesia

A staghorn coral, a species of Acropora.

Acropora emanuelae[2]

Sp. nov

Valid

Santodomingo, Wallace & Johnson

Miocene

Indonesia

A staghorn coral, a species of Acropora.

Acropora hasibuani[2]

Sp. nov

Valid

Santodomingo, Wallace & Johnson

Miocene

Indonesia

A staghorn coral, a species of Acropora.

Acropora laurae[2]

Sp. nov

Valid

Santodomingo, Wallace & Johnson

Late Oligocene

Malaysia

A staghorn coral, a species of Acropora.

Acropora renemai[2]

Sp. nov

Valid

Santodomingo, Wallace & Johnson

Miocene

Indonesia

A staghorn coral, a species of Acropora.

Actinaraea michoacanensis[3]

Sp. nov

Valid

Filkorn & Pantoja-Alor

Early Cretaceous (early Aptian)

Cumburindio Formation

Mexico

A stony coral belonging to the family Actinacididae, a species of Actinaraea.

Actinastrea chumbitaroensis[3]

Sp. nov

Valid

Filkorn & Pantoja-Alor

Early Cretaceous (late Albian)

Mal Paso Formation

Mexico

A stony coral belonging to the family Actinastraeidae, a species of Actinastrea.

Australastraea[4]

Gen. et comb. et 2 sp. nov

Valid

Denayer & Webb

Carboniferous (Mississippian)

Australia

A rugose coral belonging to the group Stauriida and the family Lithostrotionidae. A new genus for "Lithostrotion" columnare Etheridge (1900); genus also contains "Orionastraea" columellaris Pickett (1966), "Lithostrotion" parvicolumnare Pickett (1966), "Lithostrotion" wilkinsoni Pickett (1966) and "Orionastraea" flemingi Webb (1990), as well as new species Australastraea arcifera and Australastraea carinata.

Axisvacuus tenerus[5]

Sp. nov

Valid

Fedorowski

Carboniferous (early Serpukhovian)

Poland

A rugose coral belonging to the group Stauriida and the family Antiphyllidae, a species of Axisvacuus.

Birkenmajerites[5]

Gen. et sp. nov

Valid

Fedorowski

Carboniferous (early Serpukhovian)

Poland

A rugose coral belonging to the group Stauriida and the family Ostravaiaidae. The type species is Birkenmajerites primus.

Cairnsipsammia[6]

Gen. et sp. nov

Valid

Baron-Szabo

Early Cretaceous (late Barremian–early Aptian)

Schrattenkalk Formation

Austria

A stony coral belonging to the family Dendrophylliidae. The type species is C. merbeleri.

Chekhovichia[7]

Nom. nov

Valid

Doweld

Late Silurian

Kyrgyzstan
Russia
Uzbekistan

An anthozoan belonging to the group Heliolitoidea and the family Innaporidae; a replacement name for Rotalites Leleshus (1970).

Chelmia[5]

Gen. et sp. nov

Valid

Fedorowski

Carboniferous (early Serpukhovian)

Poland

A rugose coral belonging to the group Stauriida. The type species is Chelmia radiata.

Cionodendron smithi[4]

Sp. nov

Valid

Denayer & Webb

Carboniferous (early Viséan)

Australia

A rugose coral belonging to the group Stauriida and the family Lithostrotionidae; a species of Cionodendron.

Craspedophyllia japonica[8]

Sp. nov

Valid

Stanley & Onoue

Late Triassic

Japan

A stony coral belonging to the family Reimaniphylliidae, a species of Craspedophyllia.

Crassialveolites niigataensis[9]

Sp. nov

Valid

Niko, Ibaraki & Tazawa

Devonian

Japan

A tabulate coral belonging to the family Alveolitidae.

Crateroseris stefani[10]

Sp. nov

Valid

Eliášová

Late Jurassic (Tithonian)

Štramberk Limestone

Czech Republic

A stony coral belonging to the family Synastraeidae, a species of Crateroseris.

Cryptosepta[11]

Gen. et sp. nov

Valid

Gretz, Lathuilière & Martini

Early Jurassic (Hettangian)

France

A zardinophyllid coral. The type species is Cryptosepta nuda.

Dendrophyllia okamotoi[12]

Sp. nov

Valid

Niko, Suzuki & Taguchi

Miocene

Katsuta Group

Japan

A species of Dendrophyllia.

Echinophyllia sassellensis[13]

Sp. nov

Valid[14]

Budd & Bosellini

Oligocene

Italy

Eocolumastrea[15]

Gen. et comb. nov

Valid

Löser & Zell

Cretaceous

Romania

A stony coral belonging to the group Faviina and the family Columastraeidae. A new genus for "Columnocoenia" ksiazkiewiczi bucovinensis Morycowa (1971) (raised to the rank of a separate species Eocolumastrea bucovinensis)

Eokoninckocarinia gemmina[16]

Sp. nov

Valid

Denayer

Carboniferous (Mississippian)

Yaricak Formation

Turkey

A rugose coral belonging to the group Stauriida, possibly a member of the family Koninckocariniidae.

Goniophyllum osloense[17]

Sp. nov

Valid

Johannessen in Wright

Silurian (late Telychian)

Vik Formation

Norway

An operculate coral, a species of Goniophyllum.

Guembelastraea kanmerae[8]

Sp. nov

Valid

Stanley & Onoue

Late Triassic

Japan

A stony coral belonging to the family Guembelastraeidae, a species of Guembelastraea.

Halucinophyllia[10]

Gen. et sp. nov

Valid

Eliášová

Late Jurassic (Tithonian)

Štramberk Limestone

Czech Republic

A stony coral belonging to the family Latomeandridae. The type species is Halucinophyllia subridens.

Heteropistophyllum carchensis[18]

Sp. nov

Valid

Löser, Arias & Vilas

Early Cretaceous (Aptian and Albian)

Mexico
Spain

A stony coral belonging to the family Elasmocoeniidae, a species of Heteropistophyllum.

Isopora matahari[2]

Sp. nov

Valid

Santodomingo, Wallace & Johnson

Miocene

Indonesia

A staghorn coral, a species of Isopora.

Latiphyllia mexicana[3]

Sp. nov

Valid

Filkorn & Pantoja-Alor

Early Cretaceous (late Albian)

Mal Paso Formation

Mexico

A stony coral belonging to the family Montlivaltiidae, a species of Latiphyllia.

Leleshusia[19]

Nom. nov

Valid

Doweld

Late Ordovician

China
Kazakhstan
Russia
Tajikistan
Uzbekistan

An anthozoan belonging to the group Heliolitoidea; a replacement name for Granulina Leleshus (1975).

Margarosmilia mizukamia[8]

Sp. nov

Valid

Stanley & Onoue

Late Triassic

Japan

A stony coral belonging to the family Margarophylliidae, a species of Margarosmilia.

Mycetophyllopsis azteca[3]

Sp. nov

Valid

Filkorn & Pantoja-Alor

Early Cretaceous (late Albian)

Mal Paso Formation

Mexico

A stony coral belonging to the family Montlivaltiidae, a species of Mycetophyllopsis.

Munusculum[10]

Gen. et sp. nov

Valid

Eliášová

Late Jurassic (Tithonian)

Štramberk Limestone

Czech Republic

A stony coral belonging to the suborder Microsolenina. The type species is Munusculum martinaseki.

Nervophyllum lukoviensis[5]

Sp. nov

Valid

Fedorowski

Carboniferous (early Serpukhovian)

Poland

A rugose coral belonging to the group Stauriida and the family Aulophyllidae, a species of Nervophyllum.

Nudacolumastrea[15]

Gen. et sp. nov

Valid

Löser & Zell

Cretaceous

Spain

A stony coral belonging to the group Faviina and the family Columastraeidae. The type species is Nudacolumastrea stefani.

Occulogermen[5]

Gen. et sp. nov

Valid

Fedorowski

Carboniferous (early Serpukhovian)

Poland

A rugose coral belonging to the group Stauriida and the family Lithostrotionidae. The type species is Occulogermen luciae.

Orbignygyra? incognita[3]

Sp. nov

Valid

Filkorn & Pantoja-Alor

Early Cretaceous (late Albian)

Mal Paso Formation

Mexico

A stony coral belonging to the family Dendrogyridae, possibly a species of Orbignygyra.

Ovalastrea malpaso[3]

Sp. nov

Valid

Filkorn & Pantoja-Alor

Early Cretaceous (late Albian)

Mal Paso Formation

Mexico

A stony coral belonging to the family Latomeandridae, a species of Ovalastrea.

Paraclausastrea vorarlbergensis[20]

Sp. nov

Valid

Baron-Szabo

Early Cretaceous (late Barremian-early Aptian)

Schrattenkalk Formation

Austria

A montlivaltiid stony coral, a species of Paraclausastrea.

Paracycloseris effrenatus[3]

Sp. nov

Valid

Filkorn & Pantoja-Alor

Early Cretaceous (late Albian)

Mal Paso Formation

Mexico

A stony coral belonging to the family Cunnolitidae, a species of Paracycloseris.

Paraleptoria[13]

Gen. et comb. nov

Valid[14]

Budd & Bosellini

Eocene (Lutetian) to Oligocene (Rupelian)

Italy

A new genus for "Meandrina" polygonalis Catullo (1856); genus also includes "Diploria" flexuosissima d'Achiardi (1868).

Parascolymia bracherti[21]

Sp. nov

Valid

Reuter in Reuter, Wiedl & Piller

Miocene (Langhian‒early Serravallian)

Leitha Limestone

Austria

A stony coral belonging to the family Lobophylliidae, a species of Parascolymia.

Pickettodendron[4]

Gen. et comb. et sp. nov

Valid

Denayer & Webb

Carboniferous (Tournaisian)

Australia

A rugose coral belonging to the group Stauriida and the family Lithostrotionidae. A new genus for "Lithostrotion" williamsi Pickett (1966); genus also contains "Schoenophyllum" dalmaensis Webb (1990), as well as new species Pickettodendron nudum.

Preverastraea coatlicueae[3]

Sp. nov

Valid

Filkorn & Pantoja-Alor

Early Cretaceous (late Albian)

Mal Paso Formation

Mexico

A stony coral belonging to the family Rhipidogyridae, a species of Preverastraea.

Preverastraea tociae[3]

Sp. nov

Valid

Filkorn & Pantoja-Alor

Early Cretaceous (late Albian)

Mal Paso Formation

Mexico

A stony coral belonging to the family Rhipidogyridae, a species of Preverastraea.

Pseudoroemeripora sugimurai[22]

Sp. nov

Valid

Niko, Fujikawa & Haikawa

Permian

Akiyoshi Limestone Group

Japan

A tabulate coral.

Retiophyllia tosaensis[8]

Sp. nov

Valid

Stanley & Onoue

Late Triassic

Japan

A stony coral belonging to the family Reimaniphylliidae, a species of Retiophyllia.

Rotiphyllum plumeum[5]

Sp. nov

Valid

Fedorowski

Carboniferous (early Serpukhovian)

Poland

A rugose coral belonging to the group Stauriida and the family Antiphyllidae, a species of Rotiphyllum.

Sakalavastraea perturbata[23]

Sp. nov

Valid

Lösser & Sklenář

Late Cretaceous (late Cenomanian)

Peruc-Korycany Formation

Czech Republic

A stony coral belonging to the group Faviina.

Saltocyathus cumburindioensis[3]

Sp. nov

Valid

Filkorn & Pantoja-Alor

Early Cretaceous (early Aptian)

Cumburindio Formation

Mexico

A stony coral belonging to the family Rhipidogyridae, a species of Saltocyathus.

Sclerangia[24]

Gen. et sp. nov

Valid

Baron-Szabo & Cairns

Miocene

Chipola Formation

United States

A rhizangiid stony coral. The type species is Sclerangia floridana.

?Sochkineophyllum symmetricum[5]

Sp. nov

Valid

Fedorowski

Carboniferous (early Serpukhovian)

Poland

A rugose coral belonging to the group Stauriida and the family Polycoeliidae, possibly a species of Sochkineophyllum.

Sylviella[10]

Gen. et comb. et 4 sp. nov

Valid

Eliášová

Late Jurassic (Tithonian)

Štramberk Limestone

Czech Republic

A stony coral belonging to the suborder Caryophylliina. The type species is "Haplaraea" columnaris Ogilvie (1897); genus also contains new species Sylviella exquisita, Sylviella multisepta, Sylviella noveni and Sylviella benjamin.

Sylviellopsis[10]

Gen. et sp. nov

Valid

Eliášová

Late Jurassic (Tithonian)

Štramberk Limestone

Czech Republic

A stony coral belonging to the suborder Caryophylliina. The type species is Sylviellopsis erici.

Tegocoenia[10]

Gen. et comb. nov

Valid

Eliášová

Late Jurassic (Tithonian)

Štramberk Limestone

Czech Republic

A stony coral belonging to the family Placophylliidae. The type species is "Diplocoenia" jasenica Frajová (1960).

Thalamocaeniopsis mexicanensis[3]

Sp. nov

Valid

Filkorn & Pantoja-Alor

Early Cretaceous (late Albian)

Mal Paso Formation

Mexico

A stony coral belonging to the family Thamnasteriidae, a species of Thalamocaeniopsis.

Thamnarea hornosensis[3]

Sp. nov

Valid

Filkorn & Pantoja-Alor

Early Cretaceous (early Aptian)

Cumburindio Formation

Mexico

A stony coral belonging to the family Actinacididae, a species of Thamnarea.

Thamnasteria tonantzinae[3]

Sp. nov

Valid

Filkorn & Pantoja-Alor

Early Cretaceous (late Albian)

Mal Paso Formation

Mexico

A stony coral belonging to the family Thamnasteriidae, a species of Thamnasteria.

Thamnasteriamorpha okudai[8]

Sp. nov

Valid

Stanley & Onoue

Late Triassic

Japan

A stony coral belonging to the family Tropiastraeidae, a species of Thamnasteriamorpha.

Thecosmilia guerreroensis[3]

Sp. nov

Valid

Filkorn & Pantoja-Alor

Early Cretaceous (late Albian)

Mal Paso Formation

Mexico

A stony coral belonging to the family Montlivaltiidae, a species of Thecosmilia.

Variabilifavia ausuganensis[13]

Sp. nov

Valid[14]

Budd & Bosellini

Oligocene (late Rupelian–early Chattian)

Italy

Yakunopora mabutii[25]

Sp. nov

Valid

Niko

Permian (Wordian)

Iwaizaki Limestone

Japan

A tabulate coral belonging to the group Favositida and the family Pachyporidae.

Zaphrentites rotiphylloides[5]

Sp. nov

Valid

Fedorowski

Carboniferous (early Serpukhovian)

Poland

A rugose coral belonging to the group Stauriida and the family Stereophrentidae, a species of Zaphrentites.

Zaphriphyllum daleki[26]

Sp. nov

Valid

Denayer

Carboniferous (late Tournaisian)

Yılanlı Formation

Turkey

A rugose coral belonging to the family Ekvasophyllidae, a species of Zaphriphyllum.

Zaphrufimia anceps[5]

Sp. nov

Valid

Fedorowski

Carboniferous (early Serpukhovian)

Poland

A rugose coral belonging to the group Stauriida and the family Stereophrentidae, a species of Zaphrufimia.

Arthropods
Main article: 2015 in arthropod paleontology
Bryozoans
Name Novelty Status Authors Age Unit Location Notes Images
Acantholunaria[27]

Gen. et sp. nov

Valid

Ernst, Munnecke & Oswald

Silurian (early Wenlock)

Sweden

A cystoporate bryozoan. The type species is Acantholunaria expansa.

Adeonellopsis incompta[28]

Sp. nov

Valid[29]

Gordon & Taylor

Early Eocene

Tumaio Limestone

New Zealand

An adeonid cheilostome bryozoan, a species of Adeonellopsis.

Amphiblestrum paleogenicum[28]

Sp. nov

Valid[29]

Gordon & Taylor

Early Eocene

Tumaio Limestone

New Zealand

A calloporid cheilostome bryozoan, a species of Amphiblestrum.

Amplexopora crassiparietum[30]

Sp. nov

Valid

Ernst & Nakrem

Silurian (Wenlock)

Steinsfjorden Formation

Norway

An amplexoporid trepostome bryozoan, a species of Amplexopora.

Amplexopora evae[30]

Sp. nov

Valid

Ernst & Nakrem

Silurian (Wenlock)

Steinsfjorden Formation

Norway

An amplexoporid trepostome bryozoan, a species of Amplexopora.

Andreella dubia[28]

Sp. nov

Valid[29]

Gordon & Taylor

Early Eocene

Tumaio Limestone

New Zealand

A microporid cheilostome bryozoan, a species of Andreella.

Anaphragma undulata[31]

Sp. nov

Valid

Jiménez-Sánchez, Vennin & Villas

Ordovician (late Katian)

Morocco

A trepostomate bryozoan, a species of Anaphragma.

Aostipora elongata[32]

Sp. nov

Valid

Jiménez-Sánchez in Jiménez-Sánchez, Villas & Vennin

Ordovician (late Katian)

Khabt-el-Hajar Formation

Morocco

A trepostomate bryozoan, a species of Aostipora.

Arachnopusia dimorpha[28]

Sp. nov

Valid[29]

Gordon & Taylor

Early Eocene

Tumaio Limestone

New Zealand

An arachnopusiid cheilostome bryozoan, a species of Arachnopusia.

Arthropoma renipora[33]

Sp. nov

Valid

Di Martino & Taylor

Miocene (late Burdigalian)

Indonesia

A lacernid schizoporelloid bryozoan, a species of Arthropoma.

Aspidostoma clava[28]

Sp. nov

Valid[29]

Gordon & Taylor

Early Eocene

Tumaio Limestone

New Zealand

An aspidostomatid cheilostome bryozoan, a species of Aspidostoma.

Aspidostoma gelasinus[28]

Sp. nov

Valid[29]

Gordon & Taylor

Early Eocene

Tumaio Limestone

New Zealand

An aspidostomatid cheilostome bryozoan, a species of Aspidostoma.

Aspidostoma twinn[28]

Sp. nov

Valid[29]

Gordon & Taylor

Early Eocene

Tumaio Limestone

New Zealand

An aspidostomatid cheilostome bryozoan, a species of Aspidostoma.

Atactoporella moroccoensis[31]

Sp. nov

Valid

Jiménez-Sánchez, Vennin & Villas

Ordovician (late Katian)

Morocco

A trepostomate bryozoan, a species of Atactoporella.

Baculopora redondensis[34]

Sp. nov

Valid

Ernst, Wyse Jackson & Aretz

Carboniferous (Viséan)

France

A member of Fenestrata belonging to the family Acanthocladiidae; a species of Baculopora.

Bryopesanser bragai[33]

Sp. nov

Valid

Di Martino & Taylor

Miocene (late Burdigalian to Serravallian)

Indonesia

An escharinid schizoporelloid bryozoan, a species of Bryopesanser.

Bryopesanser sanfilippoae[33]

Sp. nov

Valid

Di Martino & Taylor

Miocene (Burdigalian-Langhian boundary to Serravallian)

Indonesia

An escharinid schizoporelloid bryozoan, a species of Bryopesanser.

Buffonellaria sagittaria[33]

Sp. nov

Valid

Di Martino & Taylor

Miocene (late Burdigalian)

Indonesia

A celleporid celleporoid bryozoan, a species of Buffonellaria.

Caberoides gordoni[33]

Sp. nov

Valid

Di Martino & Taylor

Miocene (late Burdigalian)

Indonesia

A catenicellid bryozoan, a species of Caberoides.

Cavernella asturica[35]

Sp. nov

Valid

Suárez Andrés & Ernst

Devonian

Moniello Formation

Spain

A member of the family Fenestellidae.