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The skull of a dinosaur uncovered in northwest Queensland has been dubbed as the closest thing to a "real-life dragon" by scientists a decade after it was discovered.

Australia's largest flying reptile was found near Richmond, in north Queensland, and is a pterosaur that used to prey on fish known to inhabit the no-longer-existent Eromanga Sea 100 million years ago.

Named 'Thapunngaka shawi', this species of pterosaurs were known as successful and diverse reptiles and were the first back-boned animals to take a stab at powered flight, researchers say.

Tim Richards, from the Dinosaur Lab at the University of Queensland's school of biological sciences, led a research team that analysed a fossil of the creature's jaw, which contained around 40 teeth.

Mr Richards says the the skull alone would have been just over one metre long and the dinosaur had a wingspan of around seven metres.

"It's the closest thing we have to a real-life dragon," he said.

"It was essentially just a skull with a long neck, bolted on a pair of long wings.

"This thing would have been quite savage. It would have cast a great shadow over some quivering little dinosaurs who wouldn't have heard them coming until it was too late." 

The new species belonged to a group of pterosaurs known as anhanguerians, which inhabited every continent during the latter part of the Age of Dinosaurs.

It is only the third species of anhanguerian pterosaur known from Australia, with all three species hailing from western Queensland.

Dr Steve Salisbury, co-author on the paper and Mr Richard's PhD supervisor, said what was particularly striking about this new species was the massive size of the bony crest on its lower jaw, which it presumably had on the upper jaw as well.

"These crests probably played a role in the flight dynamics of these creatures, and hopefully future research will deliver more definitive answers," Dr Salisbury said.

The fossil was found in a quarry just northwest of Richmond in June 2011 by local fossicker Len Shaw.

The name of the new species honours the First Nations peoples of the Richmond area where the fossil was found, incorporating words from the now-extinct language of the Wanamara Nation.

© AAP 2021

Image Credit: AAP Image/Supplied by University of Queensland

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Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, has revealed she is brushing up on her flying skills in preparation for a television show to be filmed in Australia.

Sarah said she will be piloting a helicopter in the program that will feature her talking to residents about the country's culture and natural world.

Interviewed in the latest edition of Saga magazine published this week, the duchess said: "I'm working on a screen venture that is a bit like Challenge Anneka, if you remember that 1990s BBC reality program. Mine will be called Duchess Down Under.

"Instead of being in the helicopter, as Anneka was, I'll be flying it - I'm retaking my helicopter test and renewing my licence. I'll be talking to people in Australia about the culture, the flora and fauna of their nation."

The duchess has published her debut Mills & Boon novel and hopes it will be adapted into a TV drama because "everything that's written she can already see," her co-author has said.

The Duke of York's ex-wife described the book - Her Heart For A Compass - as a "sweeping, fabulous, historical novel" set in the 1870s and said her heroine Lady Margaret is "a very rebellious lady". 

The book, which draws on Sarah's own life journey and incorporates research into her ancestry, is a fictional account of the life of the duchess's great-great-aunt Lady Margaret Montagu Douglas-Scott.

Sarah co-wrote the book with Marguerite Kaye, who has written more than 50 novels for Mills & Boon set in a variety of historical eras.

During an appearance on ITV's Loose Women, Sarah described how she and Diana, Princess of Wales would discuss the impact of being in the public eye.

She told the presenters: "I do address the eating disorder issue with Lady Margaret in the book. Diana and I used to talk about it a lot, what it is to be on the front pages and people judging about the size you are.

"I speak openly that it's okay, just be who you are, keep fighting on and don't give up. I'm still a work in progress, too."

Talking about who would play her novel's lead male, Sarah said: "I think Colin Firth is just phenomenal as Darcy... coming out of the lake. I love James Norton but Aidan Turner takes the top spot for me. I thought he was brilliant as Leonardo and Poldark."

© PAA 2021

Image Credit: Laura Cavanaugh/Sipa USA

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Business woman working on laptop in her office

August 10 is census day, so who needs to be involved and what happens if you don't fill it out?

More than 2.4 million people have already filled out their census details, which should help ease the squeeze on the official date, August 10.

If you're like us though, there's a chance you haven't checked your mail recently and completely forgot about having to fill out that pesky online form. Here's everything you need to know to get it done.

 

Who needs to participate?

Firstly, participating in Census 2021 is compulsory, and everyone who is staying in your household on Census night (Aug 10) must be included. This includes visitors and babies. If you're still unsure, get more of who needs to be included on your form here.

 

Why do we need a Census?

The Australian Bureau of Statistics says the Census information creates a snapshot of who we are as a nation, and tells a story of how we are changing.

"Census data is used to inform important decisions about transport, schools, health care, infrastructure and business. It also helps plan local services for individuals, families and communities."

 

How do I participate?

The best thing about this census is the added level of flexibility. You can fill out your details on paper, online or with some extra help from the ABS peeps.

There's also window of time to get it done, as opposed to everyone logging in on the same night - though we'll probably all end up doing it last minute anyway, right?

 

What if I don't want to be involved?

Like we said, the Census is compulsory and there's some hefty fines for failing to complete it.

Under the Census and Statistics Act 1905, you can be fined up to $222 a day until you lodge your census details. That's $1,554 if you're a week late to the party.

You also stray away from providing false or misleading information. Lying in your answers will see you slapped with a fine of $2,200. No thanks.

 

For more information about Census 2021, click here.

Image Credit: perzon seo / Flickr

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sheepshead fish with teeth

An image of a fish with rows of human-like teeth is making headlines and bemusing the internet with its odd appearance.

The original photo was shared online by Jennette's Pier, a 'grand pier house and public bathhouse’ located in North Carolina, USA.

Their post captioned "#bigteethbigtimes” has gained the attention of the internet because of its bizarre appearance and many took to the comments section with cheeky jokes like, "Needs to floss”, and "I know some good orthodontists!”

Some questioned the authenticity of the image with one person on Facebook saying, "Some of the worst photoshop I've seen!” Another one argued, "A child could Photoshop better look at the gaps between the top teeth."

It turns out the fish is actually real and is known as a Sheepshead Fish. It’s also known as a convict fish because of the black and white stripes on its body. 

They use their human-like teeth to eat their prey and grind the shells of crustaceans, shellfish, and barnacles.

Image Credit: (jennettespierobx / Facebook)