1872 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 1872.

Molluscs

Taxon	Novelty	Status	Author(s)	Age	Unit	Location	Notes	Images
Scenella[2]	Gen. et sp. nov.	Valid	Billings	Cambrian	Brigus Formation	Canada ( Newfoundland and Labrador)	The type species is S. reticulata.

Dinosaurs

Taxon	Novelty	Status	Author(s)	Age	Unit	Location	Notes	Images
Agathaumas	Gen. et sp. nov.	Nomen dubium	Cope	Maastrichtian	Lance Formation	Wyoming	Dubious ceratopsid
Colonosaurus	Gen. et sp. nov.	Jr. synonym	Marsh	Santonian	Niobrara Formation	Kansas	Misidentified as a marine reptile, before association with body of Ichthyornis recognized
Eucamerotus	Gen. nov.	Nomen dubium	Hulke	Barremian	Wessex Formation	England	Later given the type species E. foxi
Hadrosaurus agilis[3]	Sp. nov.	Valid	Marsh	Santonian	Niobrara Formation	Kansas	Later given the genus name Claosaurus
Tylosteus	Gen. et sp. nov.	Jr. synonym	Leidy	Maastrichtian	Lance Formation	Montana	Suppressed synonym of Pachycephalosaurus

Other animals

Taxon	Novelty	Status	Author(s)	Age	Unit	Location	Notes	Images
Aspidella[2]	Gen. et sp. nov.	Valid	Billings	Ediacaran		Canada ( Newfoundland and Labrador)	The type species is A. terranovica.