1841 in paleontology

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 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 Location Notes Images Cardiodon Nomen dubium Sir Richard Owen, UK Possible subjective synonym of Cetiosaurus Cetiosaurus Valid Sir Richard Owen, France  Switzerland Morocco UK A European Sauropod Cetiosaurus. Cladeiodon Misidentification Sir Richard Owen, Germany Dubious non-dinosaurian archosaur. Suchosaurus Nomen dubium Sir Richard Owen England Portugal Possible subjective synonym of Baryonyx.

Plesiosaurs

New taxa

Name Status Authors Location Notes Images Pliosaurus Valid Owen Argentina Chile France Norway Poland Russia Tunisia UK A Giant Pliosaur. Pliosaurus Polyptychodon Valid Owen Czech Republic France Germany Japan Russia  Switzerland UK "Thaumatosaurus" Valid Meyer

Synapsids

Non-mammalian

Name	Status	Authors	Age	Location	Notes	Images
Rhopalodon	Valid	Fischer