1873 in paleontology
# 1873 in paleontology

Paleontology or palaeontology is the study of prehistoric life forms on Earth through the examination of plant and animal fossils. 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 1873.

## Arthropods

### Newly named insects

| Name | Novelty | Status | Authors | Age | Unit | Location | Notes | Images |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Bothriomyrmex constricta | Comb nov | Jr synonym | (Mayr) | Lutetian | Baltic amber | Europe | Fossil Dolichoderin ant jr synonym of Anonychomyrma constricta | Anonychomyrma constricta |
| Bothriomyrmex geinitzi | Comb nov | Jr synonym | Mayr | Lutetian | Baltic amber | Europe | Fossil Dolichoderin ant, jr synonym of Anonychomyrma geinitzi | Anonychomyrma geinitzi |

## Sauropterygia

### Newly named plesiosaurs

| Name | Novelty | Status | Authors | Age | Location | Notes | Images |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Liopleurodon | Gen et sp nov | Valid | Sauvage | Callovian | France  Germany  UK | A pliosaurid | |

## Ichthyosaurs

### Newly named ichthyosaurs

| Name | Status | Authors | Age | Unit | Location | Notes | Images |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Cetarthrosaurus | Valid | Seeley | late Albian/early Cenomanian | Cambridge Greensand Formation | United Kingdom | | |

## Other

| Name | Status | Authors | Age | Unit | Location | Notes | Images |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Dawsonia campanulata | Valid | Nicholson | Silurian | Moffat Shales Group | United Kingdom | | |
