1940 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.

This article records significant discoveries and events related to paleontology that occurred or were published in the year 1940.

Eucommia eocenica[2] Sp nov valid (Berry) Brown Middle Eocene Claiborne Formation USA Tennessee new generic placement of Simaroubites eocenica Eucommia montana[2] Sp nov valid Brown Middle Eocene Renova Formation USA Montana Eucommia species, found across Western North America Pseudolarix americana[3] Sp nov. nomen nudum Brown Ypresian Klondike Mountain Formation USA Washington A golden larch species, split into Pseudolarix arnoldii and Pseudolarix wehrii in 1992 Tetrapteris simsoni[4][5] Sp nov jr synonym Brown Middle Eocene Clarno Formation USA Oregon A walnut relative.

Moved to Cruciptera simsonii in 1991 Centrinus longipes[6] Sp nov valid Piton Thanetian Menat Formation France A weevil Lixus ligniticus[6] Sp nov valid Piton Thanetian Menat Formation France A weevil Doryderes laticollis[6] Sp nov valid Piton Thanetian Menat Formation France A pentatomid stinkbug Phaenolobus arvernus[6] Sp nov valid Piton Thanetian Menat Formation France An ichneumonid wasp Asiatosuchus grangeri[7] Gen. et.