I wanted to do a few portraits of women in paleontology so here’s Mary Anning and Professor Anusuya Chinsamy-Turan.
Mary Anning discovered the first plesiosaur skeleton and one of the first ictheosaurs and also played a key role in the discovery of coprolites (dino poo).
Anusuya Chinsamy-Turan is a South African vertebrate paleontologist known for her expertise in the study of the microstructure of fossil teeth and bones. She’s currently the head of the department of biological sciences at the University of Cape Town.
Long time no post! Because the first Paleozoic Pals kickstarter was so popular with our followers and the Paleontological Research Institution in Ithaca, NY is so near and dear to our hearts, we just wanted to let you know they’ve started another kickstarter for this little cutie you see above. And it’s only $16!!!!
There are tons of awesome add-ons such as coasters and digital wallpapers, but ALSO there’s this super adorable stretch goal: the Dunkleosteus.
“When you donate towards production of our Paleozoic Pals, you’re not simply buying a plushie. You’re supporting an organization with a long, rich history and outstanding capabilities in Earth science and environmental research. PRI makes a difference in the lives of hundreds of people across the country and the world, from students in central New York and teachers in California, to educational reformers in Washington DC and scientists in France. Our educational programs aim to increase science literacy at all levels of society, from early to adult learners. We are national leaders in providing innovative ideas and materials for Earth systems science education, including oceans, atmospheres, rocks, glaciers, and life itself.”
Long time no post! Because the first Paleozoic Pals kickstarter was so popular with our followers and the Paleontological Research Institution in Ithaca, NY is so near and dear to our hearts, we just wanted to let you know they’ve started another kickstarter for this little cutie you see above. And it’s only $16!!!!
There are tons of awesome add-ons such as coasters and digital wallpapers, but ALSO there’s this super adorable stretch goal: the Dunkleosteus.
“When you donate towards production of our Paleozoic Pals, you’re not simply buying a plushie. You’re supporting an organization with a long, rich history and outstanding capabilities in Earth science and environmental research. PRI makes a difference in the lives of hundreds of people across the country and the world, from students in central New York and teachers in California, to educational reformers in Washington DC and scientists in France. Our educational programs aim to increase science literacy at all levels of society, from early to adult learners. We are national leaders in providing innovative ideas and materials for Earth systems science education, including oceans, atmospheres, rocks, glaciers, and life itself.”
Time has been precious so I’ve not had a ton to contribute to #drawdinovember. I knocked this “tiny” out in a minute or so today, so maybe I’ll do more of these.
Ludodactylussibbicki was discovered in 2003 within Brazil’s Crato formation, dating to the early Cretaceous. It is known from a single nearly complete skull with an embedded yucca leaf. It was likely piscavoruous, however the leaf had become lodged in the animal’s gular pouch causing it to eventually starve - this is a phenomenon that still occurs today among pelicans and other seabirds.
Meet Dakotaraptor, the first “giant” dromaeosaur from the Hell Creek formation.
I’ve been sitting on these illustrations for months and can’t think of the last time I’ve been so excited to illustrate a new taxon. At 5.5 meters in length and with magnificently robust ulnar quill knobs, this is not only the first “giant” dromaeosaur from Hell Creek, but it is also the first dromaeosaur in this size range with indisputable evidence of feathers. And not just shaggy and sparse “protofeathers” as many skeptics purport in defense of the “half-arse” integument pattern.
No, Dakotaraptor had massive ulnar quill knobs, which meant that its arms likely supported thick, heavy feathers with a stiff central rachis. This confirms, once and for all, that feathers stage 3 and beyond existed on dromaeosaurs larger than Velociraptor and Zhenyuanlong. What was such a large dromaeosaur doing with feathers like this? There are several options which are not mutually exclusive: brooding eggs, aggressive mating and territorial displays, shielding young… but many of you will recall my particular fondness for Denver Fowler’s 2011 paper on “raptor prey restraint”, which posited a unique predatory role for robust wings on non-volant dromaeosaurs. These wings would have acted as stabilizers and balancers for a large animal as it struggled atop still-living prey, much as modern birds of prey do. Modern hawks and eagles have evolved particularly stout and powerful ankles for this purpose, which allow greater torque for the inner claw on each foot to dig into unruly prey. This inner claw is, certainly by no coincidence, by far the largest on most birds of prey.
The use of RPR by Dakotaraptor means it would have been especially appropriate when grappling similarly-sized prey, and Hell Creek has given us the perfect also-feathered match: Ornithomimus, a new feathered specimen of which has been described just days before.
There is much to be said on Dakotaraptor, from its possible synonymity with Acheroraptor to its ecological relationships with other Hell Creek carnivores, but it should come as no surprise that the role of feathers in its predatory ecology is what interests me most! I look forward to seeing what future analyses and potentially more material will bring.
