2017 in paleontology

Research

 * A specimen of the extant moss species Helicophyllum torquatum is described from the Miocene Dominican amber by Kubilius et al. (2017).
 * A study on the phylogenetic relationships of fossil seed plants based on data recovered from the fossil cuticles is published by Vajda et al. (2017).
 * New fossils of the early seed plant Cosmosperma polyloba, providing new information making it possible to reconstruct the entire plant, are described from the Devonian (Famennian) Wutong Formation (China) by Liu et al. (2017).
 * A study on the diversity of insect herbivory on fossil angiosperm leaves from the Miocene Hindon Maar fossil lagerstätte (Otago, New Zealand) is published by Möller et al. (2017).
 * A leaf fragment of a member of the fern family Lindsaeaceae of uncertain phylogenetic placement is described from the Cretaceous Burmese amber by Regalado et al. (2017).
 * A leafy axis of the conifer Glenrosa carentonensis is described from the Cretaceous amber from France by Moreau et al. (2017).
 * Fossil specimens of the golden larch preserving cuticles are described from the late Miocene Shengxian Formation (China) by Bai & Li (2017).
 * A study on the stem and leaf anatomy of members of the families Cheirolepidiaceae (a member of the genus Pseudofrenelopsis of uncertain specific assignment) and Araucariaceae (Brachyphyllum obesum) known from the Lower Cretaceous (Aptian) Crato Formation (Brazil) is published by Batista et al. (2017).
 * Peris et al. (2017) describe gymnosperm pollen preserved with a specimen of the false blister beetle species Darwinylus marcosi from the Cretaceous amber from Spain, and interpret the finding as indicating that false blister beetles originally were pollinators of gymnosperms (most likely cycads) before transitioning onto angiosperm hosts.
 * Fossil pollen grains of members of the family Loranthaceae, preserving morphological features making it possible to assign the pollen to distinct lineages within the Loranthaceae, are described from the middle Eocene of the United States, Greenland, Central Europe and East Asia, and from the late Oligocene/early Miocene of Germany by Grímsson et al. (2017).
 * Plant remains found in the Late Cretaceous (Maastrichtian) Lameta sediments and associated sauropod coprolites from the Nand-Dongargaon basin (Maharashtra, India) are described by Sonkusare, Samant & Mohabey (2017).
 * Seed of the ginkgoalean Yimaia capituliformis with damage interpreted as likely oviposition lesions inflicted by a kalligrammatid lacewing will be described from the Middle Jurassic Jiulongshan Formation (China) by Meng et al. (2017).

Research

 * Ou et al. (2017) consider early Cambrian species Galeaplumosus abilus and Chengjiangopenna wangii to be junior synonyms of Xianguangia sinica, interpret fossils attributed to members of these species as parts of the same organism and consider X. sinica to be likely stem-cnidarian.
 * Fossilized cnidarian medusae are described from the Cambrian Zabriskie Quartzite (California, United States) by Sappenfield, Tarhan & Droser (2017), representing the oldest macrofossil evidence of cnidarian medusae from the Phanerozoic reported so far.
 * A study on the morphology of the conulariid species Carinachites spinatus based on a new specimen collected from the lower Cambrian Kuanchuanpu Formation (China) is published by Han et al. (2017).
 * A study on the morphology of phosphatic tubes of Sphenothallus from the Early Ordovician Fenxiang Formation (China), as well as the Silurian and Early Devonian of Podolia (Ukraine), and its implications for the evolution of symmetry in the body plan of cnidarians is published by Dzik, Baliński & Sun (2017).
 * A study on the succession of coral assemblages through the Ordovician–Silurian transition in South China is published by Wang et al. (2017).

Research

 * Systematic revision of the North American members of the diploporitan family Holocystitidae is published by Sheffield & Sumrall (2017).
 * Triassic members of the otherwise Paleozoic groups of sea urchins (the family Proterocidaridae), brittle stars (the family Eospondylidae) and starfish are reported by Thuy, Hagdorn & Gale (2017).
 * Phylogenetic analysis and systematic revision of early to middle Paleozoic non-camerate crinoids published by Wright (2017).
 * Systematic revision of Ordovician camerate crinoids published by Cole (2017).
 * Major revision to the classification of fossil and extant Crinoidea by Wright et al. (2017), including the presentation of new phylogeny-based and rank-based classifications.

Research

 * A study on the evolution of eye size in early tetrapods and in fish belonging to the lineage that gave rise to tetrapods, as well as on the impact of the eye size on the eye performance while viewing objects through water and through air is published by MacIver et al. (2017).
 * A study on the influence of habitat traits on the persistence length of living and fossil amphibian species is published by Tietje & Rödel (2017).
 * A study on the development of the vertebral intercentrum and pleurocentrum in fossil amphibians is published by Danto et al. (2017).
 * A study on the probable function of the interpterygoid vacuities (holes in the palate) in temnospondyls as the site of muscle attachment is published by Witzmann & Werneburg (2017).
 * A description of the anatomy of the braincase and middle ear regions of an exceptionally well-preserved skull of Stanocephalosaurus amenasensis from the Triassic of Algeria is published by Arbez, Dahoumane & Steyer (2017).
 * A study on the anatomy of the skulls of metoposaurid species Metoposaurus krasiejowensis and Apachesaurus gregorii, as well as its implications for establishing whether metoposaurids were active or ambush predators is published by Fortuny, Marcé-Nogué & Konietzko-Meier (2017).
 * An analysis of the microanatomy and histology of metoposaurid vertebra from the Petrified Forest National Park is published by Gee, Parker & Marsh (2017), who interpret Apachesaurus gregorii as more likely to be an early ontogenetic stage of a large metoposaurid, such as Koskinonodon perfectus rather than a distinct species.
 * A juvenile specimen of Koskinonodon perfectus will be described from the Norian Petrified Forest Member of the Late Triassic Chinle Formation (Arizona, United States) by Gee & Parker (2017).
 * A study on the physiology (especially metabolic rate, body temperature, breathing, feeding, digestion, osmoregulation and excretion) of Archegosaurus decheni is published by Witzmann & Brainerd (2017).
 * A study on the histology of the dermal skull roof bones in Kokartus honorarius is published by Skutschas & Boitsova (2017).
 * Redescription of Regalerpeton weichangensis based on eight new specimens and a study on the phylogenetic relationships of the species will be published by Rong (2017).
 * A redescription and a study of the phylogenetic relationships of Baurubatrachus pricei is published by Báez & Gómez (2017).
 * Frog fossils, including the first known fossils of shovelnose frogs, will be described from the early Pliocene of Kanapoi (Kenya) by Delfino (2017).
 * Description of the anatomy of the skeleton of the chroniosuchian species Bystrowiella schumanni and a study on the phylogenetic relationships of chroniosuchians will be published by Witzmann & Schoch (2017).
 * A study on the morphology of the skull of Lethiscus stocki and on the phylogenetic relationships of early tetrapods, recovering lepospondyls as a polyphyletic group, is published by Pardo et al. (2017).

Research

 * A study on the morphological diversity and rates of morphological evolution of extinct and extant rhynchocephalians is published by Herrera-Flores, Stubbs & Benton (2017).
 * A study on the bone histology and growth of the Jurassic pleurosaurid Palaeopleurosaurus is published by Klein & Scheyer (2017).
 * Jaws of Clevosaurus brasiliensis affected by osteomyelitis are described from the Late Triassic (Norian) Candelária Sequence of the Santa Maria Supersequence (Brazil) by Romo-de-Vivar-Martínez et al. (2017).

Research

 * An overview of the discoveries of Mesozoic lizards from Brazil is published by Simões et al. (2017).
 * A study on the anatomy and phylogenetic relationships of Eichstaettisaurus schroederi and Ardeosaurus digitatellus is published by Simões et al. (2017).
 * A redescription of the anatomy of the holotype specimen of the teiid species Callopistes bicuspidatus from the late Miocene–early Pliocene of Argentina is published by Brizuela & Albino (2017).
 * A description of the anatomy of the postcranial skeleton of the putative stem-amphisbaenian Slavoia darevskii and a study on its implications for the evolution of the postcranial skeleton of amphisbaenians is published by Tałanda (2017).
 * An autotomized tail of a shinisaurid is described from the Eocene Messel pit (Germany) by Smith (2017).
 * Fossils of a monitor lizard are described from the middle Pleistocene of Greece by Georgalis, Villa & Delfino (2017), representing the most recent known record of the family Varanidae from Europe.
 * A study on the phylogenetic relationships of members of Mosasauroidea is published by Simões et al. (2017).
 * A revision of mosasauroids from the Upper Cretaceous marine sediments associated with Gondwanan landmasses is published by Jiménez-Huidobro, Simões & Caldwell (2017).
 * A redescription of Mosasaurus hoffmannii based on examination of many specimens is published by Street & Caldwell (2017), who also provide emended diagnoses for both the genus Mosasaurus and its type species M. hoffmannii.
 * An overview of the snake fossil record from Brazil is published by Onary, Fachini & Hsiou (2017).

Research

 * A study on the emergence date and changes of the evolutionary rate during the ichthyosauromorph evolution is published by Motani et al. (2017).
 * A reassessment of Ichthyosaurus communis and I. intermedius is published by Massare & Lomax (2017), who consider the latter species to be a junior synonym of the former.

Research

 * A study on the mechanisms generating vertebral counts and their regionalisation during embryo development that were responsible for high plasticity of the body plan of sauropterygians is published by Soul & Benson (2017).
 * A study on the morphology of the occlusal surface of placodont teeth and its implications for the diet of the placodonts is published by Crofts et al. (2017).
 * New specimen of Dianmeisaurus gracilis is described from the Middle Triassic Guanling Formation (China) by Shang, Li & Wu (2017).
 * Fossilized soft tissues preserved with skeletal remains of Middle Triassic nothosaurs from Poland are described by Surmik, Rothschild & Pawlicki (2017).
 * Description of a new specimen of Lariosaurus xingyiensis from the Middle Triassic Falang Formation (China) and a phylogenetic analysis of the family Nothosauridae is published by Lin et al. (2017), who transfer the species "Nothosaurus" juvenilis, "N." youngi and "N." winkelhorsti to the genus Lariosaurus.
 * Evidence of septic necrosis and decompression syndrome-associated avascular necrosis affecting bones of Pistosaurus longaevus is reported by Surmik et al. (2017).
 * A study on the function of the long neck in plesiosaurs as indicated by the anatomy of the neck is published by Noè, Taylor & Gómez-Pérez (2017).
 * A description of a new specimen of Colymbosaurus svalbardensis from the Tithonian–Berriasian Agardhfjellet Formation (Svalbard, Norway), a reevaluation of the diagnostic features of the species and a study on its phylogenetic relationships is published by Roberts et al. (2017).
 * A study on the tooth formation cycle in elasmosaurid plesiosaurs is published by Kear et al. (2017).
 * A redescription of the holotype specimen of Tuarangisaurus keyesi and a study on the phylogenetic relationships of the species is published by O'Gorman et al. (2017).
 * A study on the anatomy of the vertebra of Vegasaurus molyi and its implications for the anatomy of the nervous system of the species is published by O'Gorman & Fernandez (2017).
 * A study on the skeletal morphology and histology of a perinatal aristonectine plesiosaur specimen recovered from the Lopez de Bertodano Formation (Seymour Island, Antarctica) is published by O'Gorman, Talevi & Fernández (2017).
 * A reappraisal and a study on the phylogenetic relationships of Mauisaurus is published by Hiller et al. (2017).
 * Libonectes atlasense is redescribed by Sachs & Kear (2017), who consider this species to be likely synonymous with Libonectes morgani.
 * An elasmosaurid specimen closely related to Vegasaurus molyi, Kawanectes lafquenianum, Morenosaurus stocki and aristonectines is described from the Late Cretaceous (late Maastrichtian) Lopez de Bertodano Formation (Antarctica) by O’Gorman & Coria (2017), who name a new elasmosaurid clade Weddellonectia.

Research

 * A study on the evolution of the turtle vertebral column as indicated by the anatomy of the Late Triassic turtles and a phylogenetic analysis (which also tests the suggested relationship of Eunotosaurus africanus and Pappochelys rosinae to turtles) is published by Szczygielski (2017).
 * A study on the Early and Middle Triassic turtle tracks and their implications for the origin of turtles will be published by Lichtig et al. (2017).
 * A review of the basalmost known members of Testudinata is published by Joyce (2017), who defines new clades Mesochelydia (the clade that arises from the most recent common ancestor of Condorchelys antiqua, Eileanchelys waldmani, Heckerochelys romani and Kayentachelys aprix) and Perichelydia (the clade that arises from the most recent common ancestor of Meiolania platyceps, Helochelydra nopcsai, Sichuanchelys chowi and Testudo graeca).
 * A method of inferring habitats of extinct turtles based on measurements of the shell is proposed by Lichtig & Lucas (2017).
 * Meiolaniid fossils are described from the Eocene Rundle Formation (eastern Queensland, Australia) by Poropat et al. (2017), representing the oldest meiolaniid remains found in Australasia to date.
 * Reconstructions of the morphology of the brain, inner ear and nasal cavities in the meiolaniids Niolamia argentina, Gaffneylania auricularis and Meiolania platyceps are presented by Paulina-Carabajal et al. (2017).
 * New fossil material of Jiangxichelys ganzhouensis is described by Tong et al. (2017), who also transfer the species "Zangerlia" neimongolensis to the genus Jiangxichelys.
 * A juvenile specimen of Manchurochelys manchoukuoensis is described from the Early Cretaceous Yixian Formation (China) by Shao et al. (2017).
 * A redescription of Ctenochelys acris based on several specimens from the Late Cretaceous (early Campanian) Mooreville Chalk of Alabama (United States) is published by Gentry (2017).
 * Description of a new specimen of Camerochelys vilanovai from the Early Cretaceous of Spain and a study on the phylogenetic relationships of the species is published by Pérez-García, Sáez-Benito & Murelaga (2017).
 * Description of new specimens of the baenid species Baena arenosa and Chisternon undatum from the Eocene Uinta Formation (Utah, United States) is published by Smith et al. (2017).
 * A description of the skull morphology of Anosteira maomingensis is published by Danilov et al. (2017).
 * Morphologically and histologically diagnostic trionychid specimens are reported from the Early Cretaceous (Barremian–Aptian) of Japan by Nakajima et al. (2017).
 * A redescription of the holotype specimen of Procyclanorbis sardus (a Miocene trionychid from Sardinia, Italy) is published by Georgalis et al. (2017).
 * Fossilized shell remains of geoemydids, kinosternids and a chelydrid are described from five Pleistocene localities belonging to the Tablazo Formation (Ecuador) by Cadena, Abella & Gregori (2017).
 * Fossils of a member of the tortoise genus Titanochelon are described from the early Pleistocene of Spain by Pérez-García, Vlachos & Arribas (2017), representing the youngest evidence of a large tortoise in continental Europe.
 * A study on the anatomy of the neck vertebrae of the Late Jurassic stem-pleurodire Platychelys oberndorferi and its implications for the mechanism allowing neck and head retraction in this species is published by Anquetin, Tong & Claude (2017).
 * A study on the anatomy of the shell and pelvis of the specimens of Platychelys oberndorferi from Switzerland is published by Sullivan & Joyce (2017).
 * A plate from the Lower Cretaceous (uppermost Hauterivian-basal Barremian) El Castellar Formation (Spain) is interpreted as the oldest known record of the stem-pleurodire family Dortokidae by Pérez-García, Cobos & Royo-Torres (2017).
 * A description of a large shell fragment from the Late Cretaceous Marília Formation (Brazil), interpreted as belonging to the largest podocnemidoid turtle reported from the Bauru Basin so far, is published by Hermanson, Ferreira & Langer (2017).
 * A study on the skulls of the Late Cretaceous stem-podocnemidid Bauruemys elegans from the Presidente Prudente Formation (Brazil) is published by Mariani & Romano (2017), who interpret all specimens as belonging to the same species and likely to the same population, assess the ontogenetic changes in the skull of B. elegans and tentatively assess the changes of eating preference habits over ontogeny in the species.
 * A restudy of the type material of the Late Cretaceous pan-chelid Linderochelys rinconensis and a description of new fossils of the species is published by Jannello et al. (2017).
 * Two incomplete hatchling specimens of members of the genus Araripemys will be described from the Lower Cretaceous Crato Formation (Brazil) by Oliveira & Kellner (2017).

Research

 * A study on the evolutionary history and ecological correlates of bone ornamentation in extant and extinct pseudosuchians is published by Clarac et al. (2017).
 * A redescription of the anatomy of the postcranial skeleton of Gracilisuchus stipanicicorum and a study on the phylogenetic relationships of the species will be published by Lecuona, Desojo & Pol (2017).
 * Description of partial ribs from the Late Triassic Vinita Formation (formerly Turkey Branch Formation; Virginia, United States), referred to Euscolosuchus olseni, is published by Scheyer & Sues (2017).
 * A study on the phylogenetic relationships of Luperosuchus fractus is published by Nesbitt & Desojo (2017).
 * A study on the bone histology and growth of Batrachotomus kupferzellensis is published by Klein, Foth & Schoch (2017).
 * Crocodylomorph eggs and eggshells are described from the Late Jurassic Lourinhã Formation (Portugal) by Russo et al. (2017), who name new ootaxa Suchoolithus portucalensis and Krokolithes dinophilus.
 * Tracks of a crocodyliform representing the ichnofamily Batrachopodidae are described from the Early Cretaceous (late Aptian) Calonda Formation (Angola) by Mateus et al. (2017), who name a new ichnotaxon Angolaichnus adamanticus.
 * A description of a braincase assigned to Macelognathus vagans recovered from the Fruita Paleontological Area (Colorado, United States) and a study on the phylogenetic relationships of the species is published by Leardi, Pol & Clark (2017).
 * A study on the changes in morphological diversity of the skulls of extinct and extant crocodyliforms through time is published by Wilberg (2017).
 * Razanandrongobe sakalavae from the Middle Jurassic of Madagascar is interpreted as a member of Notosuchia by Dal Sasso et al. (2017).
 * A description of the anatomy of the postcranial skeleton of Campinasuchus dinizi based on five specimens is published by Cotts et al. (2017).
 * A study on the anatomy of the pectoral girdle and forelimb bones of Montealtosuchus arrudacamposi, as well as its implications for the locomotion habits of the animal, is published by Tavares et al. (2017).
 * Postcranial remains of a goniopholidid, interpreted as remains of the second fossil specimen referable to Dakotasuchus kingi, are described from the Late Cretaceous (Cenomanian) Cedar Mountain Formation (Utah, United States) by Frederickson et al. (2017).
 * Virtual cranial endocast of Pelagosaurus typus is reconstructed by Pierce, Williams & Benson (2017).
 * A study on the mode of reproduction of metriorhynchids is published by Herrera et al. (2017).
 * A study on the bone histology in the femora of two specimens attributed to Iberosuchus macrodon and its implications for the growth rate and resting metabolic rate in the species is published by Cubo, Köhler & de Buffrenil (2017).
 * A specimen of a neosuchian crocodylomorph (probably a member of the genus Susisuchus) with extensively preserved epidermis and limb musculature is described from the Lower Cretaceous (Aptian) Crato Formation (Brazil) by Field & Martill (2017).
 * An isolated mandible of a neosuchian possibly belonging or related to the family Hylaeochampsidae is described from the Middle Jurassic (Bathonian) Duntulm Formation (Isle of Skye, Scotland, United Kingdom) by Yi et al. (2017).
 * Revision of the fragmentary eusuchian fossils from the Late Cretaceous of Western Europe, previously attributed to members of the species Allodaposuchus precedens, will be published by Narváez et al. (2017).
 * A study of the bone histology of a humerus of an eusuchian crocodyliform (possibly a member of the genus Acynodon) from the Late Cretaceous (Campanian) Laño quarry (northern Spain) and its implications for the skeletal growth pattern of the animal is published by Company & Pereda-Suberbiola (2017).
 * A reassessment of the anatomy and phylogenetic relationships of Asiatosuchus nanlingensis and Eoalligator chunyii will be published by Wu, Li & Wang (2017), who reinstate the latter taxon as a species distinct from the former one.
 * A study comparing skull shape and inferring dietary preferences of crocodylians known from the Eocene Geiseltal-Fossillagerstätte (Germany), representing genera Diplocynodon, Asiatosuchus, Boverisuchus and Allognathosuchus, is published by Hastings & Hellmund (2017).
 * A study on the anatomy of the braincase of Gryposuchus neogaeus is published by Bona, Carabajal & Gasparini (2017).
 * New fossils of Baru wickeni and Baru darrowi are described from the Oligocene and Miocene of Australia by Yates (2017).
 * A study on the evolution of locomotion of mekosuchines based on pectoral and pelvic girdles of mekosuchines recovered from the Eocene to Miocene sites in Australia is published by Stein et al. (2017).

Research

 * A study on the phylogenetic relationships of the dinosaurs is published by Baron, Norman & Barrett (2017), recovering sister-group relationship between Ornithischia and Theropoda.
 * An investigation into common approaches used to identify sexual dimorphism in the fossil record is published by Mallon (2017), who argues that the available evidence precludes the detection of sexual dimorphism in non-avian dinosaurs.
 * A study on the possible reasons why sexual dimorphism is rarely detected in non-avian dinosaurs, indicated by body-size data from the American alligator and the greater rhea, is published by Hone & Mallon (2017).
 * A study on changes in morphological and biomechanical diversity of the mandibles of herbivorous dinosaurs through time, as well as its implications for the relationship between jaw shape, function, and ecological evolutionary drivers in the evolution of herbivorous dinosaurs, is published by MacLaren et al. (2017).
 * A study on the anatomical diversity of the jugal bone in dinosaurs and its evolution is published by Sullivan & Xu (2017).
 * A study on a diverse dinosaur ichnofauna from the Lower Cretaceous Broome Sandstone (Australia), including descriptions of six new ichnospecies, is published by Salisbury et al. (2017).
 * Theropod tracks and potential heterodontosaurid tracks are described from the Lower Jurassic Elliot Formation (Lesotho) by Abrahams et al. (2017).
 * Dinosaur footprints are reported from the Cretaceous Stanley Pool Formation (Gabon) by M’Voubou, Moussavou & Ligna (2017).
 * Dinosaur trackways are reported from the Cretaceous (probably Cenomanian-Turonian) Mamfe Basin (Cameroon) by Martin et al. (2017).
 * A re-evaluation of the purported Triassic dinosaur fossils from Poland discovered prior to the description of Silesaurus opolensis is published by Skawiński et al. (2017), who interpret Velocipes guerichi as a theropod dinosaur.
 * A study evaluating whether reported set of unique collagen peptides of Tyrannosaurus rex and Brachylophosaurus canadensis could reflect cross-sample contamination from the modern reference material used is published by Buckley et al. (2017).
 * A study on the relationship between step width and speed (stride length) in Late Triassic theropod trackways, its implications for non-avian theropod locomotion and for how it compared to bird and human locomotion is published by Bishop et al. (2017).
 * A description and a study on the phylogenetic affinities of the theropod fossils recovered from the Early Cretaceous (Berriasian–Valanginian) Bajada Colorada Formation (Argentina) is published by Canale et al. (2017).
 * Tracks of a giant theropod dinosaur are described from the Late Jurassic (Kimmeridgian) Reuchenette Formation (Switzerland) by Marty et al. (2017), who name a new ichnotaxon Jurabrontes curtedulensis.
 * Tracks of a large theropod dinosaur are described from the Late Jurassic (Kimmeridgian) Reuchenette Formation (Switzerland) by Razzolini et al. (2017), who name a new ichnotaxon Megalosauripus transjuranicus.
 * Didactyl theropod tracks with similarities to footprints attributed to small deinonychosaurian theropods will be described from the Middle Jurassic (Aalenian-Bajocian) Dansirit Formation (Iran) by Xing, Abbassi & Lockley (2017).
 * A study on the diversity and phylogenetic relationships of the Late Jurassic theropod dinosaurs known from the isolated teeth recovered from the Lusitanian Basin (Portugal) will be published by Malafaia et al. (2017).
 * A study on the ontogenetic changes in the skeleton of Limusaurus inextricabilis as indicated by the anatomy of the skeletons of 19 specimens representing six ontogenetic stages is published by Wang et al. (2017).
 * Paulina-Carabajal & Filippi (2017) reconstruct the endocranial cavity enclosing the brain, cranial nerves, blood vessels and the labyrinth of the inner ear of the holotype specimen of Viavenator exxoni.
 * Description of the osteology of Viavenator exxoni will be published by Filippi et al. (2017).
 * New description of the morphology of Pycnonemosaurus nevesi and a study of the phylogenetic relationships of the species is published by Delcourt (2017).
 * Detailed maps of the musculature of the forelimbs of Majungasaurus crenatissimus are created by Burch (2017).
 * A study on the forelimb posture of four articulated specimens of Chilesaurus diegosuarezi from the Late Jurassic Toqui Formation (Chile) is published by Chimento et al. (2017).
 * A review of taxonomy and revised definitions of members of the family Spinosauridae, as well as a study on their ecology and behaviour is published by Hone & Holtz (2017).
 * A partial spinosaurid tooth is described from the Early Cretaceous (Berriasian–Valanginian) Feliz Deserto Formation (Brazil) by Sales et al. (2017), representing the oldest known occurrence of a spinosaurid from South America so far.
 * Description of a series of tail vertebrae of Allosaurus fragilis, preserving sulci interpreted as origin attachment sites of the caudofemoralis longus muscle, is published by Cau & Serventi (2017).
 * A study on the skull morphology of Neovenator salerii, indicating presence of a complex network of large, anastomosing canals in the premaxilla and maxilla (interpreted as part of the neurovascular system), is published by Barker et al. (2017).
 * A description of the braincase anatomy of Murusraptor barrosaensis is published by Paulina-Carabajal & Currie (2017).
 * A study on the integumentary structures of Sinosauropteryx, rejecting their interpretation as degraded collagen fibres, is published by Smithwick et al. (2017).
 * A description of the preserved fossil integument of tyrannosaurid theropods, confirming presence of scaly skin, is published by Bell et al. (2017).
 * A study on the feeding behaviour of Tyrannosaurus rex and the factors that enabled members of this species to pulverize bones before eating them is published by Gignac & Erickson (2017).
 * A study on the running abilities of Tyrannosaurus rex is published by Sellers et al. (2017).
 * A description of Early Cretaceous ornithomimosaur fossils recovered from the Arundel Clay (Maryland, United States) is published by Brownstein (2017), who also reinterprets Nedcolbertia justinhofmanni as a basal member of Ornithomimosauria.
 * Fossils of an ornithomimosaur considered to be a member of the genus Qiupalong of uncertain specific assignment are described from the Late Cretaceous (Campanian) Belly River Group strata in Dinosaur Provincial Park (Alberta, Canada) by McFeeters et al. (2017), representing the first North American occurrence of a member of this genus.
 * A study on the feeding behavior and niche differentiation in therizinosaurs as indicated by the morphology of their mandibles is published by Lautenschlager (2017).
 * Putative therizinosaur tracks are described from the Late Cretaceous of Morocco by Masrour, Lkebir & Pérez-Lorente (2017).
 * A study on the incubation temperature of oviraptorosaur eggs recovered from the Upper Cretaceous Nanxiong Formation (China) is published by Amiot et al. (2017).
 * An osteological description of the skull of the holotype specimen of Buitreraptor gonzalezorum is published by Gianechini, Makovicky & Apesteguía (2017).
 * Description of the anatomy of the postcranial skeleton of a newly discovered specimen of Buitreraptor gonzalezorum will be published by Novas et al. (2017).
 * Description of the anatomy of the skeleton of Neuquenraptor argentinus is published by Brissón Egli et al. (2017).
 * Wang et al. (2017) reconstruct the body outline of Anchiornis huxleyi based on the data on soft tissues revealed by laser-stimulated fluorescence imaging.
 * Description of four new specimens of Anchiornis huxleyi and a study on the phylogenetic relationships of the species is published by Pei et al. (2017).
 * A study on the evolution of the sauropodomorph feeding apparatus is published by Button, Barrett & Rayfield (2017).
 * A study on the bone microstructure of sauropodomorph dinosaurs and on its implications for the growth patterns of basal sauropodomorphs is published by Cerda et al. (2017).
 * A study on the shape differences among sauropodomorph humeri and femora and their implications for the posture and limb mobility of titanosauriform sauropods is published by Ullmann, Bonnan & Lacovara (2017).
 * Protein remains preserved in skeletal elements of an Early Jurassic sauropodomorph dinosaur Lufengosaurus are described by Lee et al. (2017).
 * A sauropod tooth is described from the Santonian Csehbánya Formation (Hungary) by Ősi, Csiki-Sava & Prondvai (2017), representing the first known sauropod body fossil from the Santonian of Europe.
 * Plant remains found in the Late Cretaceous (Maastrichtian) Lameta sediments and associated sauropod coprolites from the Nand-Dongargaon basin (Maharashtra, India) are described by Sonkusare, Samant & Mohabey (2017), providing information on the diet of sauropod dinosaurs.
 * A study on the maximum vertical reach of sauropod necks will be published by Paul (2017).
 * A study on the condyle convexity and range of motion of the joints situated between the vertebrae of the sauropod dinosaurs as indicated by comparison with extant alligators is published by Fronimos & Wilson (2017).
 * A study on the complexity pattern of the neurocentral sutures in the vertebrae of Spinophorosaurus nigerensis and its implications for the stress distribution in the vertebrae of this sauropod is published by Fronimos & Wilson (2017).
 * A study on the bifurcated spines in the neck vertebrae of diplodocid sauropods, their implications for the reconstruction of soft tissues associated with bifurcated spines and on the neck posture of diplodocid sauropods, is published by Woodruff (2017).
 * Five partial vertebrae of a subadult specimen of Barosaurus are described from the Late Jurassic (Kimmeridgian) Morrison Formation (the Carnegie Quarry of Dinosaur National Monument; Utah, United States) by Hanik, Lamanna & Whitlock (2017).
 * A study on the postcranial skeletal pneumaticity in rebbachisaurid sauropods, based primarily on the vertebrae of Katepensaurus goicoecheai, is published by Ibiricu et al. (2017), who report a form of pneumacity that has not previously been observed in sauropods.
 * A revision of the sauropod fossil material from the Lower Cretaceous (Barremian) Arcillas de Morella Formation (Spain), indicating presence of at least three sauropod taxa, will be published by Mocho et al. (2017).
 * A study on the anatomy of the teeth of a specimen of Camarasaurus recovered from the Howe-Stephens Quarry (Bighorn Basin, Wyoming, United States) is published by Wiersma & Sander (2017).
 * Partial skeleton of Camarasaurus is described from the Little Snowy Mountains (Montana, United States) by Woodruff & Foster (2017), representing the northernmost occurrence of a sauropod in the Morrison Formation reported so far.
 * New information on the anatomy of the lectotype specimen of Lusotitan atalaiensis and a study on the phylogenetic relationships of the species is published by Mocho, Royo-Torres & Ortega (2017).
 * Description of new fossils referrable to the type individual of Austrosaurus mckillopi and reassessment of the fossil material attributed to members of this species will be published by Poropat et al. (2017).
 * A study on the histology of the bony structures found with the holotype specimen of Agustinia ligabuei is published by Bellardini & Cerda (2017), who argue that these structures are not osteoderms and that there is no evidence of the presence of dermal armor in Agustinia.
 * Tail vertebrae of a titanosaur sauropod affected by osteomyelitis is described from the Late Cretaceous (Campanian) Anacleto Formation (Argentina) by de García et al. (2017).
 * A study on the internal anatomy of the titanosaur osteoderms recovered from the Late Cretaceous site of Lo Hueco (Spain) and the function of titanosaur dermal armor is published by Vidal et al. (2017).
 * A description of new fossil material of Alamosaurus sanjuanensis (an articulated series of cervical vertebrae from Big Bend National Park, Texas) and a study of phylogenetic relationships of this species is published by Tykoski & Fiorillo (2017).
 * A redescription of the postcranial material of Lesothosaurus diagnosticus is published by Baron, Norman & Barrett (2017), who argue that Stormbergia dangershoeki is most likely a junior synonym of L. diagnosticus.
 * A mandible recovered from the Lower Jurassic upper Elliot Formation (South Africa), assigned to Lesothosaurus diagnosticus, is digitally reconstructed in 3D by Sciscio et al. (2017).
 * A study on the phylogenetic relationships of the stegosaurians is published by Raven & Maidment (2017).
 * A study on the purported stegosaur fossils from the Middle Jurassic (Aalenian-Bajocian) Inferior Oolite Group (United Kingdom) is published by Galton (2017).
 * A study on the purported stegosaurian dermal plate from the Upper Cretaceous (Maastrichtian) Kallamedu Formation (India) is published by Galton & Ayyasami (2017).
 * A well-preserved stegosaurian sacrum with paired ilia, referred to the species Wuerhosaurus ordosensis and providing new information on the anatomy of the pelvic girdle of the taxon, is described from the Lower Cretaceous Luohandong Formation (China), is described by Hou & Ji (2017), who interpret the finding as confirming that Wuerhosaurus ordosensis and Wuerhosaurus homheni are different species.
 * A study on the anatomical features related to feeding and the mechanisms of food processing in ankylosaurian dinosaurs is published by Ősi et al. (2017).
 * Probable ankylosaurian footprints will be described from the Upper Jurassic Guará Formation (Brazil) by Francischini et al. (2017).
 * Description of a new specimen of Crichtonpelta benxiensis (nearly completely preserved skull) from the Cretaceous (late Albian–Turonian) Sunjiawan Formation (China) and a study on the phylogenetic relationships of the species is published by Yang et al. (2017).
 * A study on the length of the incubation period in Hypacrosaurus stebingeri and Protoceratops andrewsi is published by Erickson et al. (2017).
 * A study on the ornithischian teeth known from the Upper Cretaceous Csehbánya Formation (Hungary) is published by Virág & Ősi (2017), attributing some of the teeth to the genus Mochlodon and some to the genus Ajkaceratops (the first teeth that can provisionally be referred to the latter genus).
 * A naturally occurring brain endocast of an iguanodontian ornithopod (possibly Barilium or Hypselospinus), preserving mineralized brain soft tissues, is described from the Early Cretaceous (Valanginian) Tunbridge Wells Sand Formation (United Kingdom) by Brasier et al. (2017).
 * A study on the individual variation in the morphology of the postcranial skeleton of Iguanodon bernissartensis is published by Verdú et al. (2017), who consider Delapparentia turolensis to be impossible to distinguish from Iguanodon species based on the available material.
 * Description of the osteology of the skeleton of a specimen of Ouranosaurus nigeriensis exhibited at the Natural History Museum of Venice is published by Bertozzo, Dalla Vecchia & Fabbri (2017).
 * A description of a new specimen of Eolambia caroljonesa and a study on the phylogenetic relationships of the species is published by McDonald et al. (2017).
 * A redescription of the skull anatomy of Edmontosaurus regalis and a study on the phylogenetic relationships of hadrosaurids is published by Xing, Mallon & Currie (2017).
 * Schroeter et al. (2017) reevaluate collagen I peptides recovered from a specimen of Brachylophosaurus canadensis in 2009 and recover additional eight peptide sequences of collagen I from the same specimen.
 * A study on the phylogenetic relationships of Nipponosaurus sachalinensis will be published by Takasaki et al. (2017).
 * An isolated dentary and postcranial skeleton from Dinosaur Provincial Park (Alberta, Canada) is interpreted as likely representing the same skeleton as the holotype skull of Corythosaurus excavatus by Bramble et al. (2017).
 * A study on the morphological diversity of the snouts and frills of the ceratopsians, as well as on the skull and jaw shape changes in the evolution of the group is published by Maiorino et al. (2017).
 * An isolated ceratopsid tooth is described from the Late Cretaceous (late Maastrichtian) Owl Creek Formation (Mississippi, United States) by Farke & Phillips (2017), representing the first reported occurrence of a ceratopsid from eastern North America.
 * A study on correlating the microstructure and nanostructure from femoral bones of Koreanosaurus through electron microscopy is published by Kim et al. (2017).
 * A study on Dinosaur Park troodonts concludes that Troodon is a nomen dubium, revives Stenonychosaurus and names a new genus, Latenivenatrix.

Research

 * A study on the method allowing estimation of wing loading and aspect ratio in Mesozoic birds and on flight modes that were possible for Mesozoic birds is published by Serrano et al. (2017).
 * A study on whether sternal keel length and ilium length were correlated in bird evolution, based on data from extant birds and Mesozoic birds, is published by Zhao, Liu and Li (2017).
 * A study on the pectoral girdle morphology of Mesozoic birds and its implications for the evolution of the avian flight musculature (specifically the supracoracoideus muscle) is published by Mayr (2017).
 * A study on the morphological characteristics and evolution of the pygostyle and tail feathers in Early Cretaceous birds and closely related non-avian theropods is published by Wang & O'Connor (2017).
 * A study estimating values of body weight, wing span and wing area of the trackmakers of the Cretaceous ichnotaxa Archaeornithipus meijidei, Hwangsanipes choughi and Yacoraitichnus avis is published by Tanaka (2017).
 * The presence of the atlas rib in Archaeopteryx is reported for the first time by Tsuihiji (2017).
 * A tooth attributed to an archaeopterygid bird is described from the Early Cretaceous of France by Louchart & Pouech (2017).
 * A well-preserved skull of a juvenile specimen of Sapeornis chaoyangensis is described by Wang et al. (2017), preserving what the authors consider to be the complete dentition.
 * A study on the flight capabilities of Sapeornis chaoyangensis is published by Serrano & Chiappe (2017).
 * A study on the relationship between the oxygen isotope composition of bird bone phosphate and that of the drinking water of birds, as well as on implications of applying the discovered equation to Confuciusornis and to the Miocene and Pliocene penguins from Peru, is published by Amiot et al. (2017).
 * A specimen of Confuciusornis sanctus with tendon- and cartilage-like tissues preserved around its ankle joint (with microstructure evident at the cellular level) is described by Jiang et al. (2017).
 * A specimen of Eoconfuciusornis preserving soft-tissue traces of the ovary and wing is described by Zheng et al. (2017).
 * A complete description of the skeletal anatomy of the holotype of Chiappeavis magnapremaxillo, the first enantiornithine to preserve a rectricial fan, suggesting that possibly rectricial bulbs were present in basal members of this clade, is published by O'Connor et al. (2017).
 * A bohaiornithid enantiornithine specimen with exceptionally preserved feathers, providing information on the colouration of the bird, is described from the Early Cretaceous Jiufotang Formation (China) by Peteya et al. (2017).
 * Nearly half of a hatchling of an enantiornithine with preserved soft tissue is described from the Cretaceous Burmese amber by Xing et al. (2017).
 * A new specimen of the Early Cretaceous species Archaeorhynchus spathula is described by Wang and Zhou (2017).
 * An isolated tibiotarsus of a bird morphologically similar to Ichthyornis is described from the Late Cretaceous (Cenomanian) of Russia by Zelenkov, Averianov & Popov (2017).
 * Delphine Angst et al. find Gargantuavis philoinos in Spain, in Laño.
 * A study on the species richness, taxonomic diversity and presumed ecological characteristics of the Eocene avifauna of the Messel fossil site is published by Mayr (2017).
 * Worthy et al. (2017) provide an overview of the recent advances in avian palaeobiology in New Zealand.
 * A review of the Neogene birds of continental Asia is provided by Zelenkov (2017).
 * A study on the isolated contour feather from the Eocene Fur Formation (Denmark), indicating presence of melanosomes similar in size and morphology to those of extant parrots, is published by Gren et al. (2017).
 * A study on the nuclear genome fragments recovered from extinct elephant birds and a reconstruction of the phylogenomic timetree for the group Palaeognathae is published by Yonezawa et al. (2017).
 * Ancient DNA, including mitochondrial DNA and nuclear DNA, is recovered from elephant bird eggshell by Grealy et al. (2017).
 * A revision of ratite museum fossil specimens from Argentina, indicating presence of non-rheid ratites in South America during Paleogene and Miocene, is published by Agnolin (2017).
 * A study on ancient DNA recovered from late Pleistocene ratite eggshell samples from India is published by Jain et al. (2017), providing the first molecular evidence for the presence of ostriches in India.
 * A study on the microstructure of the bones of Vegavis iaai will be published by Garcia Marsà, Agnolín & Novas (2017).
 * New skeletal elements (limb bones) of Garganornis ballmanni are described from the Miocene of Italy by Pavia et al. (2017).
 * A study establishing criteria for assessing presence or absence of flight ability in fossil anatids, as well as assessing flight abilities of fossil anatids based on the constructed rules, is published by Watanabe (2017).
 * Rawlence et al. (2017) interpret extinct New Zealand swan as a member of a distinct swan lineage divergent from modern black swan, based on ancient DNA and osteological data.
 * The first Cenozoic avian body fossil from the Korean Peninsula (partial tibiotarsus of a member of the clade Galloanserae more closely related to galliforms than to anseriforms) is described from the Miocene Bukpyeong Formation (South Korea) by Park & Park (2017).
 * A revision of non-passeriform birds belonging to the group Neoaves known from the Miocene locality of Polgárdi (Hungary) is published by Zelenkov (2017).
 * A study on the diet and trophic position of the South Island adzebill (Aptornis defossor) as indicated by bone stable isotope data is published by Wood et al. (2017).
 * Partial tibiotarsus of a member of Cariamae belonging or related to the family Ameghinornithidae is described from the Eocene strata in Inner Mongolia (China) correlative to the Irdin Manha Formation by Stidham & Wang (2017).
 * A study on the morphological adaptations linked to substrate preference and locomotory mode in the hindlimbs of phorusrhacids is published by Degrange (2017).
 * Petralca austriaca, originally thought to be an auk, is reinterpreted as a member of Gaviiformes by Göhlich & Mayr (2017).
 * Darter fossils are described from the late Pliocene Tatrot Formation (India) by Stidham et al. (2017).
 * Incomplete skull of a bald ibis related to the southern bald ibis is described from the Bolt’s Farm Cave System (Cradle of Humankind, Pliocene of South Africa) by Pavia et al. (2017).
 * Leg bones of a penguin comparable in size to Anthropornis nordenskjoeldi are described from the mid-Paleocene Waipara Greensand (New Zealand) by Mayr, De Pietri & Scofield (2017).
 * An incomplete left tarsometatarsus of a penguin from the Late Eocene La Meseta Formation of Seymour Island, Antarctica is described by Jadwiszczak & Mörs, (2017). they report on a recently collected large-sized tarsometatarsus from this formation that represents a new morphotype. They are convinced that the morphotype corresponds to a new species, but the material is too scarce for a taxonomic act.
 * Pedal phalanx of a penguin affected by osteomyelitis will be described from the Eocene of West Antarctica by Jadwiszczak & Rothschild (2017).

Research

 * A study on the body size evolution in pterosaurs, especially on whether Bergmann's rule can be shown to apply to pterosaurs, is published by Villalobos et al. (2017).
 * A study on the differences between soft-tissue structure and attachments articulating skeletal joints of Rhamphorhynchus and Pterodactylus as indicated by known skeletons of members of both taxa is published by Beardmore, Lawlor & Hone (2017).
 * Pterosaur manus tracks are described from the Late Cretaceous of Morocco by Masrour et al. (2017).
 * A study on the systematic relationships of Parapsicephalus purdoni is published by O'Sullivan & Martill (2017).
 * A study on the differences in the anatomy of the skull crests in wukongopterid pterosaur specimens and its implications for the function of these crests is published by Cheng et al. (2017).
 * Isolated teeth belonging to indeterminate members of the clade Anhangueria are described from the Early Cretaceous (Albian) Griman Creek Formation (Australia) by Brougham, Smith & Bell (2017).
 * A study on the morphological diversity of the skulls of anhanguerids from the Lower Cretaceous Romualdo Formation (Brazil) and its implications for the taxonomy of members of the genus Anhanguera is published by Pinheiro & Rodrigues (2017).
 * A redescription of the holotype specimen of Dawndraco kanzai is published by Martin-Silverstone et al. (2017), who consider this species to be a junior synonym of Pteranodon sternbergi.
 * Partial pterosaur pelvis (tentatively referred to Azhdarchidae) is described from the Upper Cretaceous (Campanian) Dinosaur Park Formation (Canada) by Funston, Martin-Silverstone & Currie (2017), representing the first described pelvic material from a North American azhdarchid.
 * A description of a neck vertebra of a probable member of the genus Hatzegopteryx recovered from the Late Cretaceous (Maastrichtian) Sebeş Formation (Romania) and a study on the implications of the vertebra's anatomy for the neck length and ecology of Hatzegopteryx is published by Naish & Witton (2017).

Research

 * Diandongosuchus fuyuanensis, originally thought to be a member of Poposauroidea, is reinterpreted as a basal phytosaur by Stocker et al. (2017).
 * A study on the morphology of the braincase of the phytosaur Wannia scurriensis will be published by Lessner & Stocker (2017).
 * A study on the microstructure of the long bones (femur and tibiae) of Lewisuchus admixtus will be published by Garcia Marsà, Agnolín & Novas (2017).
 * A study on the morphological differences between the femora of Dromomeron romeri and Tawa hallae is published by Müller (2017), who rejects the hypothesis that the two species are synonymous.
 * A study on the phylogenetic relationships of Pisanosaurus mertii will be published by Agnolín & Rozadilla (2017), who interpret the taxon as a likely silesaurid.

Research

 * A study on the red blood cell size in fossil tetrapods, especially archosauromorph reptiles and synapsids, as indicated by bone microstructure, is published by Huttenlocker & Farmer (2017).
 * A study on the diet of the mesosaurs from the Early Permian Irati Formation (Brazil) and Mangrullo Formation (Uruguay) is published by Da Silva et al. (2017).
 * New cranial material of Colobomycter pholeter, revealing previously unknown aspects of the anatomy of the skull, is described by Macdougall et al. (2017).
 * A study on the bone histology of Permian pareiasaurs from South Africa and its implications for the lifestyle and growth patterns of pareiasaurs is published by Canoville & Chinsamy (2017).
 * A study on rates of morphological evolution in members of the family Captorhinidae and on whether changes of evolutionary rates coincided with shifts in diet is published by Brocklehurst (2017).
 * Partial maxillary toothplate of an early reptile, probably a juvenile specimen of Labidosaurikos meachami, is described from the Lower Permian Arroyo Formation (Texas, United States) by Jung & Sumida (2017).
 * Description of a juvenile specimen Eusaurosphargis dalsassoi from the Middle Triassic (Ladinian) Upper Prosanto Formation (Switzerland), interpreted as most likely to be a terrestrial animal, and a study on the phylogenetic relationships of the species is published by Scheyer et al. (2017).
 * A restudy of Arctosaurus osborni is published by Sues (2017), who considers this species to be an archosauromorph reptile, possibly an allokotosaurian.
 * A specimen of Dinocephalosaurus containing an embryo, providing evidence of live birth in this taxon, is described from the Middle Triassic of China by Liu et al. (2017).
 * A well-preserved, curled-up skeleton of an embryo of a marine protorosaur related to Dinocephalosaurus is described from the Middle Triassic Guanling Formation (China) by Li, Rieppel & Fraser (2017).
 * A study on the histology of the postcranial bones of Tanystropheus and Macrocnemus, and its implications for the ecology and mode of growth in these taxa, is published by Jaquier & Scheyer (2017).
 * Diverse archosauromorph tracks are described from the Early Triassic (Olenekian) of the Catalan Pyrenees by Mujal et al. (2017), who name a new ichnotaxon Prorotodactylus mesaxonichnus described on the basis of footprints which might have been left by an euparkeriid or a similar basal archosauriform.

Research

 * Phreatophasma aenigmaticum is argued to be a member of Caseidae by Brocklehurst & Fröbisch (2017).
 * New fossil material of the caseid Alierasaurus ronchii is described from the Permian deposits of Cala del Vino Formation (Sardinia, Italy) by Romano et al. (2017).
 * A study on the histology of the humeri of Ophiacodon, revealing the existence of fibrolamellar bone in the postcranial bones of this taxon, is published by Shelton & Sander (2017).
 * A study on the body size evolution of edaphosaurids and sphenacodontids is published by Brocklehurst & Brink (2017).
 * A study on the evolution of the endothermy in non-mammalian therapsids as indicated by oxygen isotope composition of bone and tooth phosphate in Permian and Triassic therapsids is published by Rey et al. (2017).
 * A study on the morphology of the bony labyrinth of five biarmosuchian specimens is published by Benoit et al. (2017).
 * A skull of a juvenile specimen of Anteosaurus magnificus is described from the Permian Abrahamskraal Formation (South Africa) by Kruger, Rubidge & Abdala (2017).
 * A study on the resting metabolic rate in Moghreberia nmachouensis is published by Olivier et al. (2017).
 * A study on the contents of the depression known as the “unossified zone” in the brain cavity of Diictodon feliceps is published by Laaß, Schillinger & Kaestner (2017).
 * A structure analogous to the mammalian neocortex is reported in Kawingasaurus fossilis by Laaß & Kaestner (2017).
 * A detailed description of the braincase of two gorgonopsian specimens (a probable specimen of Aelurosaurus wilmanae from South Africa and a possible specimen of Arctognathus? nasuta from Tanzania) is published by Araújo et al. (2017).
 * A study on the anatomy of the teeth and maxilla of Euchambersia mirabilis and its implications for the hypothesis that venom gland were present in this species is published by Benoit et al. (2017).
 * A redescription and a study on the phylogenetic relationships of Silphoictidoides ruhuhuensis is published by Maisch (2017), who considers the species to be a basal member of Baurioidea.
 * A study on the internal morphology of the interorbital region of the skull of basal cynodonts, including rarely fossilized orbitosphenoid elements, is published by Benoit et al. (2017).
 * A study on the anatomy of the nasal regions of the non-mammalian cynodonts Massetognathus, Probainognathus and Elliotherium, comparing it to the nasal regions of fossil mammaliaforms and extant mammals, is published by Crompton et al. (2017).
 * A survey of the aggregations of the specimens of Galesaurus planiceps and Thrinaxodon liorhinus, with emphasis on whether the aggregations consist of individuals of similar age or representing a mixture of different age classes, is published by Jasinoski & Abdala (2017).
 * A study on the ontogenetic changes in the skull and mandible of Galesaurus planiceps is published by Jasinoski & Abdala (2017).
 * A description of the anatomy of the postcranial skeleton of Tritylodon longaevus is published by Gaetano, Abdala & Govender (2017).
 * Cast of a burrow which was probably made by a tritheledontid cynodont is described from the Early Jurassic upper Elliot Formation (South Africa) by Bordy et al. (2017).

Research

 * New information on the skull anatomy of Peratherium cuvieri is published by Selva & Ladevèze (2017).
 * Zeusdelphys complicatus from the Eocene of Brazil is interpreted as a member of Hatcheriformes by Carneiro & Oliveira (2017).
 * A study on the causes of decline and extinction of sparassodonts is published by López-Aguirre et al. (2017).
 * A study on the age of a specimen of Zygomaturus trilobus recovered from the Willandra Lakes locality (Australia), indicating that this species persisted for a considerable time after the first arrival of Indigenous Australians, is published by Westaway, Olley & Grün (2017).
 * A study on the Oligo-Miocene local faunas from the Riversleigh World Heritage Area (Australia), aiming to identify potential mammalian palaeocommunities and palaeocommunity types, is published by Myers et al. (2017).

Research

 * A study of the phylogenetic relationships of the Paleocene placental mammals is published by Halliday, Upchurch and Goswami (2017).
 * A study on the impact of the Eocene Thermal Maximum 2 on the evolution of the body size in four placental lineages, especially in the early equid lineage Arenahippus pernix, is published by D'Ambrosia et al. (2017).
 * Napoli et al. (2017) digitally visualize and describe the endocast of a taeniodont Onychodectes tisonensis.
 * Carnivore marks are identified on mammal bones from the Pleistocene of Argentina, including three ground sloth bones and one toxodontid bone, by Chichkoyan et al. (2017).
 * A study on the diet of Pleistocene glyptodonts and ground sloths from the Pleistocene of Argentina as indicated by δ13C values in bone collagen and carbonate is published by Bocherens et al. (2017).
 * A study on the phylogenetic placement of members of the genus Thalassocnus within Megatheria is published by Amson, de Muizon & Gaudin (2017).
 * A study on a specimen of Stegomastodon platensis (or Notiomastodon platensis) recovered from Pleistocene fluvial sediments in the Santiago Basin (Chile), recovering life history information relating to the final four years of life and the season of death, is published by El Adli et al. (2017).
 * Mothé, Ferretti & Avilla (2017) support the validity of Notiomastodon as a genus separate from Stegomastodon, arguing that members of the genus Stegomastodon were absent from South America.
 * An incomplete juvenile skull of Gomphotherium wimani from the Miocene Hujialiang Formation and cheek teeth of a member of the same species from the Miocene Dongxiang Formation (China) are described by Yang, Li & Wang (2017).
 * A study on the dietary differences between members of the genera Sinomastodon, Stegodon and Elephas from the Pleistocene of South China will be published by Zhang et al. (2017).
 * Meyer et al. (2017) report the recovery of full mitochondrial genomes from four and partial nuclear genomes from two fossils of the straight-tusked elephant (Palaeoloxodon antiquus), the analysis of which indicated that the straight-tusked elephant was a close relative of the African forest elephant.
 * A study on the detrimental mutations in members of the relict, Holocene population of the woolly mammoth from the Wrangel Island prior to the extinction of the population is published by Rogers & Slatkin (2017).
 * A study on the phylogenetic relationships of the late Pleistocene woolly mammoth populations based on the data set of 143 mammoth mitochondrial genomes is published by Chang et al. (2017).
 * A study on the habitat preferences of the desmostylians Desmostylus and Paleoparadoxia as indicated by their fossil occurrences is published by Matsui et al. (2017).
 * Description of cranial and postcranial remains of Pyrotherium from the Oligocene locality of Quebrada Fiera (Mendoza Province, Argentina) is published by Cerdeño & Vera (2017).
 * A study on the diversity of bats of Haiti through time based on fossil evidence is published by Soto-Centeno, Simmons & Steadman (2017).
 * A study on the body size variation in Neogene odd-toed ungulates and even-toed ungulates from Europe and North America and on whether it is correlated with origination and/or extinction rates across clades and regions is published by Huang et al. (2017).
 * A redescription of the skull anatomy of the holotype specimen of Eoastrapostylops riolorense, with an emphasis on the auditory region, is published by Kramarz, Bond & Rougier (2017), who interpret this species as a member of a basal meridiungulate lineage that diverged before the differentiation among astrapotheres, pyrotheres and notoungulates.
 * A description of the microstructure of the tooth enamel of Carodnia vieirai is published by Bergqvist & von Koenigswald (2017).
 * A fossil of the litoptern species Neolicaphrium recens is described from the Pleistocene deposits of the Río Dulce (Santiago del Estero Province, Argentina) by Gaudioso  et al. (2017), representing the northernmost and westernmost record of the species.
 * A nearly complete mitochondrial genome of the litoptern Macrauchenia patachonica is recovered by Westbury et al. (2017).
 * A study on variation in teeth growth and eruption in notoungulates in the context of geological, climatic and environmental changes taking place in South America from the late Paleocene onwards is published by Gomes Rodrigues, Herrel & Billet (2017).
 * A study on the phylogenetic relationships of hegetotheriid notoungulates, as well as their possible ancestral area and vicariance, dispersal and extinction events, is published by Seoane, Roig Juñent & Cerdeño (2017).
 * Revision of the content of the hegetotheriid species Prohegetotherium sculptum based on a reexamination of the type specimens and a study on the phylogenetic relationships of hegetotheriids is published by Kramarz & Bond (2017).
 * Description of a skeleton of Thomashuxleya externa with a well-preserved skull and jaws associated with postcrania, recovered from the Eocene of Cañadón Vaca (Argentina), and a study on the phylogenetic relationships of the species is published by Carrillo & Asher (2017).
 * A study comparing tooth morphology and development in mesotheriid notoungulates and extant gundis is published by Gomes Rodrigues et al. (2017).
 * Description of the morphology of the skeleton of Hyrachyus modestus is published by Bai et al. (2017).
 * A description of new fossil material of the helaletid tapiroids Paracolodon fissus and Desmatotherium mongoliense from the Eocene Irdin Manha Formation (Inner Mongolia, China) and a study on the phylogenetic relationships of these species is published by Bai et al. (2017).
 * A study on the phylogenetic relationships of the rhinoceros genus Stephanorhinus based on ancient protein sequences is published by Welker et al. (2017).
 * Skeleton of a pregnant mare of Eurohippus messelensis with preserved soft tissues is described from the Eocene Messel pit (Germany) by Franzen & Habersetzer (2017).
 * A study on the speciation rates and the evolution of body size and tooth morphology in Neogene and Quaternary radiation of horses is published by Cantalapiedra et al. (2017).
 * A study on the ontogenetic changes in the teeth of the late Miocene hipparionines based on fossils from Fugu (Shaanxi, China) is published by Li et al. (2017).
 * A study on the diet and habitat of specimens of Dinohippus mexicanus and Neohipparion eurystyle known from the late Hemphillian localities in central Mexico as indicated by stable carbon and oxygen isotopes determined in molar enamel is published by Pérez-Crespo et al. (2017).
 * A study on the morphology of the middle ear and bony labyrinth of the anoplotheriid even-toed ungulate Diplobune minor and their implications for the locomotion of members of this species is published by Orliac, Araújo & Lihoreau (2017).
 * Fossils of a member of the camelid genus Hemiauchenia are described from the late Pliocene of Argentina by Gasparini et al. (2017), representing the oldest record of the tribe Lamini in South America reported so far.
 * A study on the diet of the Miocene bovid Hezhengia bohlini as indicated by enamel microwear is published by Semprebon, Solounias & Tao (2017).
 * A study on the timing of bison arrival in North America as indicated by mitochondrial genomes extracted from fossil specimens is published by Froese et al. (2017).
 * A study on the phylogenetic relationships of the Pleistocene species Bison schoetensacki as indicated by recovered ancient DNA is published by Palacio et al. (2017).
 * Partial skeleton of a bison related to the steppe bison will be described from the middle Holocene (~ 5,400 years ago) of Yukon (Canada) by Zazula et al. (2017), confirming local survival of northern steppe bison populations into the Holocene.
 * Description of new dental remains of the anthracothere Hemimeryx blanfordi from Late Oligocene deposits of the Bugti Hills (Chitarwata Formation, Pakistan), representing the first undisputed Oligocene occurrence of the species, and a study on the molar enamel microstructure and the phylogenetic relationships of the species is published by Lihoreau et al. (2017).
 * Description of the bony labyrinth of two Eocene (Lutetian) protocetid specimens from Kpogamé (Togo) and a study on the implications of the anatomy of the specimens for the hearing abilities of early whales is published by Mourlam & Orliac (2017).
 * A detailed description of the holotype specimen of Cynthiacetus peruvianus and a study on the phylogenetic relationships of archaeocetes (especially basilosaurids) is published by Martínez-Cáceres, Lambert & de Muizon (2017).
 * A study on the anatomy of the inner ear of Oligocene mammalodontid and aetiocetid cetaceans and their ability to detect low frequencies is published by Park et al. (2017).
 * New Oligo-Miocene eomysticetid specimens are described from New Zealand by Boessenecker & Fordyce (2017), including a member of the genus Waharoa from the earliest Miocene (the most recent eomysticetid specimen reported so far).
 * A study on the phylogenetic relationships of Araeodelphis natator (Miocene relative of the South Asian river dolphin) is published by Godfrey, Barnes & Lambert (2017).
 * A study of the fossil record of the mysticetes, testing when and how gigantism evolved in mysticetes, is published by Slater, Goldbogen & Pyenson (2017).
 * Exceptionally preserved baleen apparatus of Piscobalaena nana from the Miocene Pisco Formation (Peru) is described by Marx et al. (2017).
 * A partial skull of a right whale (a member or a relative of the genus Eubalaena) is described from the Pliocene Tjörnes Formation (Iceland) by Field et al. (2017).
 * The oldest known fossil of a fin whale (a tympanic bulla) is described from the Early Pleistocene of Northern California by Tsai & Boessenecker (2017).
 * A study on the correlates between the morphology of the calcaneum and the locomotor mode in extant carnivorans, and their implications for determining the locomotor mode in extinct carnivorans and creodonts, will be published by Panciroli et al. (2017).
 * A study on the anatomy of the bony labyrinth of Hyaenodon exiguus and its implications for the paleobiology of the species is published by Pfaff et al. (2017).
 * An incus of Hyaenodon (the first known auditory ossicle of this genus and of any hyaenodont mammal so far) is described and compared to a large set of incudes of extant carnivorans by Bastl, Nagel & Solé (2017).
 * A study on the frequency of traumatic injuries across skeletal elements in the saber-toothed cat Smilodon fatalis and the dire wolf (Canis dirus) from La Brea Tar Pits is published by Brown et al. (2017).
 * A study on the morphological adaptations linked to grasping and digging ability, substrate preference and locomotory mode in the forelimb of Cyonasua is published by Tarquini et al. (2017).
 * A reevaluation of the Miocene mustelid Hadrictis fricki is published by Valenciano et al. (2017), who consider Hadrictis to be a junior synonym of the genus Eomellivora and transfer H. fricki to the genus Eomellivora.
 * An upper carnassial of the tayra (Eira barbara) is described from the Late Pleistocene of Entre Ríos (Argentina) by Schiaffini et al. (2017).
 * Fossil otter Enhydritherium terraenovae is reported from the late Miocene deposits of Juchipila Basin (Mexico) by Tseng et al. (2017).
 * A description of the skull and neck morphology and a study on the feeding behaviour of the bear dog Magericyon anceps is published by Siliceo et al. (2017).
 * A study on the absolute and relative brain size of the cave bear (Ursus spelaeus), comparing it with brain size of extant bear species, an on potential variables affecting their brain size evolution is published by Veitschegger (2017).
 * A revision and a study on the phylogenetic relationships of the Miocene earless seals assigned to the genera Prophoca and Leptophoca is published by Dewaele, Lambert & Louwye (2017).
 * A study evaluating the ability of the extinct giant fossa to hunt large lemurs will be published by Meador et al. (2017).
 * A skull of Hyaenictis aff. almerai, representing the most complete European specimen of the genus, is described from the Miocene of Spain by Vinuesa et al. (2017).
 * A study on the evolution of the fore- and hindlimbs of sabretooth carnivorans will be published by Martín-Serra, Figueirido & Palmqvist (2017).
 * A study on the phylogenetic relationships of "Felis" pamiri Ozansoy (1959) from the late Miocene of Turkey will be published by Geraads & Peigné (2017).
 * A study on the braincase anatomy of the American lion (Panthera atrox) is published by Cuff, Stockey & Goswami (2017).
 * Cuff, Goswami & Hutchinson (2017) estimate the size of the musculature of the limbs and vertebral column of the American lion.
 * Description of new specimens of the castorid rodent Propalaeocastor irtyshensis from the Oligocene Irtysh River Formation (China and a study on the phylogenetic relationships among early castorids is published by Li et al. (2017).
 * Virtual cranial endocast of the Oligocene sciurid Cedromus wilsoni is reconstructed by Bertrand, Amador-Mughal & Silcox (2017).
 * New adult and juvenile specimens of the dinomyid rodent Isostylomys laurillardi are described from the Miocene Camacho Formation (Uruguay) by Rinderknecht, Bostelmann & Ubilla (2017).
 * The oldest known plesiadapiform skeleton (partial skeleton of Torrejonia wilsoni) is described from the early Paleocene Nacimiento Formation (New Mexico, United States) by Chester et al. (2017).
 * A study on the locomotion and lifestyle of Adapis parisiensis as indicated by inner ear morphology is published by Bernardi & Couette (2017).
 * The first known nearly complete female skull of the gelada subspecies Theropithecus oswaldi leakeyi is described from the Pleistocene site of Makuyuni (Tanzania) by Frost et al. (2017).
 * New fossil material of Krishnapithecus krishnaii is described from the late Miocene of Himachal Pradesh (India) by Sankhyan, Kelley & Harrison (2017), who confirm the pliopithecoid affinities of the species.
 * A study on the phylogenetic relationships of Graecopithecus, indicating its possible affinity with hominins (humans and their non-ape ancestors), is published by Fuss et al. (2017).
 * Partial skeleton of Australopithecus afarensis, preserving all seven neck vertebrae and 12 rib-bearing vertebrae (like humans, rather than 13 like African apes) is described from Dikika (Ethiopia) by Ward et al. (2017).
 * A study on the skeletal maturation of Australopithecus sediba is published by Cameron et al. (2017).
 * A study on the morphology of the holotype skull of Australopithecus sediba and its implications for the phylogenetic relationships of the species is published by Kimbel & Rak (2017).
 * A study on the phylogenetic relationships of Homo floresiensis is published by Argue et al. (2017).
 * A study on the age of the fossils of Homo naledi is published by Dirks et al. (2017).
 * New fossils of Homo naledi are described from the Lesedi Chamber of the Rising Star Cave system by Hawks et al. (2017).
 * A study on the phylogenetic relationships of Homo naledi as indicated by skull morphology is published by Schroeder et al. (2017).
 * Studies on the anatomy of the skeleton of Homo naledi are published by Laird et al. (2017), Williams et al. (2017), Feuerriegel et al. (2017) and Marchi et al. (2017).
 * A study on the location, number, and severity of fractures in the teeth of Homo naledi and their implications for the diet of the taxon will be published by Towle, Irish & De Groote (2017).
 * Two skulls of archaic members of the genus Homo of uncertain phylogenetic placement are described from the Pleistocene of China by Li et al. (2017).
 * A description of a hominin skull recovered from the Aroeira cave in Portugal, dated as approximately 400,000 years old, and a study on its implications for the diversity of the Middle Pleistocene European hominins is published by Daura et al. (2017).
 * A 130,000-year-old rocks interpreted as hammerstones and stone anvils, associated with remains of a mastodon (Mammut americanum) showing signs of breakage, are described from the Cerutti Mastodon site in California by Holen et al. (2017), who interpret the finding as indicating that an unidentified species of Homo reached North America during the early late Pleistocene.
 * Traces of ancient mammalian DNA, including Neanderthal and Denisovan DNA, are identified in Pleistocene cave sediments, including those lacking skeletal remains, by Slon et al. (2017).
 * A study on the evolutionary history of Neanderthals and Denisovans based on genetic data is published by Rogers, Bohlender & Huff (2017).
 * Fossils of early humans (Homo sapiens) are described from the Middle Stone Age site of Jebel Irhoud (Morocco) by Hublin et al. (2017) and their age is estimated by Richter et al. (2017).
 * Artefacts recovered at Madjedbebe, a rock shelter in northern Australia, indicating that humans colonized Australia at least 65,000 years ago, are reported by Clarkson et al. (2017).
 * A study on the diet of the oldest anatomically modern humans from southeast Europe, based on isotopic data from human bones from the Pleistocene of Crimea, is published by Drucker et al. (2017).

Research

 * A study on the morphological changes to the jaw processes in the evolution of Mesozoic mammals (especially early cladotherians) and their implications for changes to the jaw muscle vectors and jaw rotation is published by Grossnickle (2017).
 * Tracks of a small hopping mammal trackmaker are described from the Early Cretaceous Jinju Formation (South Korea) by Kim et al. (2017), who name a new ichnotaxon Koreasaltipes jinjuensis belonging to the morphofamily Ameghinichnidae.
 * Tracks of a raccoon-sized mammaliaform representing the morphofamily Ameghinichnidae are described from the Early Cretaceous (late Aptian) Calonda Formation (Angola) by Mateus et al. (2017), who name a new ichnotaxon Catocapes angolanus.
 * New specimen of the morganucodontan species Wareolestes rex (partial dentary) is described from the Middle Jurassic Kilmaluag Formation (Scotland) by Panciroli, Benson & Walsh (2017).
 * A description of the middle ear ossicles of Arboroharamiya is published by Meng et al. (2017).
 * A description of the morphology of the postcranial skeleton of Yanoconodon allini and a study on its implications for the posture and locomotion of members of this species is published by Chen, Luo & Wilson (2017).
 * A study on the anatomy of the skull of Necrolestes patagonensis, with emphasis on its adaptations to a fossorial lifestyle, is published by Wible & Rougier (2017).

Research

 * A study on a succession of Ediacaran to Cambrian fossil assemblages from the eastern Siberian Platform (Russia) is published by Zhu et al. (2017), who argue that so-called Ediacaran and earliest Cambrian skeletal biotas overlap without notable biotic turnover.
 * A study on the Ediacaran taxon Parvancorina minchami, indicating that this animal was capable of performing rheotaxis, is published by Paterson et al. (2017).
 * A study on the water flow around the body of the Ediacaran taxon Parvancorina and its implications for the feeding mode and mobility of this animal is published by Darroch et al. (2017).
 * A study on the morphology, growth and development of Dickinsonia costata is published by Evans, Droser & Gehling (2017).
 * Description of newly discovered disc-shaped, soft-bodied fossils from the early Cambrian Carrara Formation (California, United States), tentatively assigned to the genus Discophyllum (an animal of uncertain phylogenetic placement, might be a chondrophore or an eldoniid) is published by Lieberman et al. (2017).
 * Specimens of Cloudina associated with microbial mat textures are reported from the Ediacaran Tamengo Formation (Brazil) by Becker-Kerber et al. (2017).
 * A diverse fauna dominated by sponges living immediately after the Hirnantian extinction is described from China by Botting et al. (2017).
 * A diverse Early Triassic (Olenekian) marine fauna, including leptomitid protomonaxonid sponges (a group otherwise known only from Cambrian and Ordovician), new forms of the crinoid order Holocrinida displaying advanced characters, a probable basal ophiodermatid and gladius-bearing coleoids (previously unknown in Early Triassic strata) is reported from Paris (Idaho, United States) by Brayard et al. (2017).
 * A study on the muscle anatomy of Pambdelurion whittingtoni is published by Young & Vinther (2017).
 * Cambrian species Zhenghecaris shankouensis, originally classified as a bivalved arthropod, is reinterpreted as a member of Radiodonta by Zeng et al. (2017).
 * A study on the anatomy of the Cambrian hyolith Haplophrentis, as well as on the phylogenetic relationships of the hyoliths, is published by Moysiuk, Smith & Caron (2017).
 * A study on the phylogenetic relationships of Tullimonstrum gregarium, challenging its interpretation as a vertebrate, is published by Sallan et al. (2017).
 * A study on the slab with a dense aggregation of members of the species Banffia constricta recovered from the Cambrian Burgess Shale (Canada) and its implications for life habits of the animal will be published by Chambers & Brandt (2017).

Research

 * Eoarchean (over 3,700 million years old) organic residues are reported from Isua, West Greenland by Hassenkam et al. (2017).
 * Putative fossilized microorganisms that are at least 3,770 million and possibly 4,280 million years old are described from the Nuvvuagittuq belt (Quebec, Canada) by Dodd et al. (2017).
 * Potential biosignatures, including stromatolites, are reported from the newly discovered rocks recovered from ca. 3.48 billion years old Dresser Formation (Pilbara Craton, Australia) by Djokic et al. (2017).
 * Lenticular structures known from the ∼3.4 Ga Kromberg Formation (Kaapvaal Craton, South Africa) are interpreted as organic Archean microfossils by Oehler et al. (2017).
 * Fossils of early eukaryotes Tappania plana, Dictyosphaera macroreticulata and Valeria lophostriata are described from the early Mesoproterozoic Greyson Formation (Belt Supergroup, Montana, United States) by Adam et al. (2017).
 * 2.4-billion-year-old filamentous fossils forming mycelium-like structures, considered to be either the oldest known fungi or members of an unknown branch of fungus-like mycelial organisms, are described from the Ongeluk Formation (South Africa) by Bengtson et al. (2017).
 * A study testing the suggested link between the appearance of large body size in rangeomorphs (organisms of uncertain phylogenetic placement, likely animals) in the Ediacaran and postulated regional increases in environmental nutrient levels is published by Hoyal Cuthill & Conway Morris (2017).
 * A study on the internal morphology of Rangea from the Nama Group (Namibia), based on data obtained using X-ray micro-computed tomography, will be published by Sharp et al. (2017).
 * Four forms of modern-looking gilled mushrooms, including two taxa belonging to the family Marasmiaceae, are described from the Cretaceous Burmese amber by Cai et al. (2017).

General paleontology
Research related to paleontology that either does not concern any of the groups of the organisms listed above, or concerns multiple groups.


 * A study evaluating whether mass extinction events over the last 500 million year were caused by astronomical phenomena is published by Erlykin et al. (2017).
 * A study on the causal connection between the Siberian Traps large igneous province magmatism and Permian–Triassic extinction event, indentifying the initial emplacement pulse as likely to have triggered mass extinction, is published by Burgess, Muirhead & Bowring (2017).
 * A study on the impact of the magmatic activity associated with the Central Atlantic magmatic province on the Triassic–Jurassic extinction event is published by Davies et al. (2017).
 * A study on the volcanic activity at the end of the Triassic as indicated by mercury concentrations in sediments from around the world is published by Percival et al. (2017).
 * A study on the behavioral and ecological diversification of animals that colonized land as indicated by trace fossils is published by Minter et al. (2017).
 * A study on the age of the Cowie Harbour Fish Bed (Scotland, United Kingdom), containing fish and arthropod fossils (including the millipede Pneumodesmus newmani), is published by Suarez et al. (2017).
 * A study on the differences between the tetrapod faunas at different latitudes during the early and middle Permian, as well as their implications for establishing whether the Olson's Extinction was a genuine event, is published by Brocklehurst et al. (2017).
 * A study on the non-flying terrestrial tetrapod species richness through the Mesozoic and early Palaeogene is published by Close et al. (2017).
 * A study on the structure and vulnerability of the food web in marine vertebrate assemblages prior to the Cretaceous–Paleogene extinction event as indicated by calcium isotope data from plesiosaurs and mosasaurs is published by Martin et al. (2017).
 * Qvarnström et al. (2017) reconstruct fossil inclusions in two coprolites (produced by an insectivorous animal and a large aquatic predator) from the Late Triassic locality of Krasiejów (Poland) using propagation phase-contrast synchrotron microtomography.
 * A study on the fossil inclusions in coprolite fragments (produced by medium to large-sized carnivores, possibly therocephalian therapsids or early archosauriforms) recovered from the Late Permian locality of Vyazniki (Russia) is published by Bajdek et al. (2017).
 * Frese et al. (2017) determine the mineral and elemental composition of a range of fossils from the Talbragar fossil site (Australia) and their rock matrices using ultraviolet light-induced fluorescence/photoluminescence, X-ray fluorescence and X-ray diffractometry, and use those techniques to reveal anatomical details of animals and plants fossils that weren't discernible otherwise.
 * A study on changes of the size of fossil marine shells and predatory drill holes in those shells during the Phanerozoic, as well as their implications for changes of predator-prey size ratio throughout the Phanerozoic, is published by Klompmaker et al. (2017).
 * Pimiento et al. (2017) identify a previously unrecognized extinction event among marine megafauna at the end of the Pliocene.