November

Paleontology

Remember Brontosaurus? When I was a kid, it was all about Brontosaurus, T. Rex, Stegosaurus, and Triceratops. Those were the big players in my childhood fascination with dinosaurs – and they were pretty much it. So imagine my surprise when twenty-five years later, as I delved into dino books with my kids, that not only was big, booming, Brontosaurus gone (though lately returned – more on that later), but there were hundreds of new species. Who was this Sarcosuchus character? You’re telling me paleontologists have now discovered chicken-sized dinos like Compsognathus and Microraptor – and they had feathers? And, no way is Giganotosaurus bigger than the all-mighty T. Rex! I also learned that although I’ve always associated the glory days of dinosaurs with the Jurassic period, in fact more dinosaur species flourished during the Cretaceous – including T. Rex and his colleague, Triceratops. There are now over 700 known dinosaur species and counting – as more discoveries are made each year – including, one announced earlier this year. Spiclypeus, also known as “Judith,” is a new species of spike-sheilded dino that an amatuer fossil-hunter discovered by accident – talk about a childhood dream come true.

Scientists are not only focused on unearthing previously unknown species, but are constantly making new discoveries about the life and habits of dinosaurs. Check out this breaking news about a bit of fossilized dino brain found in the United Kingdom. Scientists studying this artifact believe the outer fossil layer may be protecting some preserved soft tissue – a very rare feat if it is true.

While dinosaurs certainly take the main stage in the field paleontology, there are many other paleontological studies. According to the Paleontological Research Institute (PRI), “paleontology is the study of the history of life on Earth as reflected in the fossil record. Fossils are the remains or traces of organisms (plants, animals, fungi, bacteria and other single-celled living things) that lived in the geological past and are preserved in the crust of the Earth.” They list the following subdivisions within the field:

• vertebrate paleontology (the study of fossils of animals with backbones)
• invertebrate paleontology (the study of fossils of animals without backbones)
• micropaleontology (the study of fossils of single-celled organisms)
• paleobotany (the study of plant fossils)
• taphonomy (the study of how fossils form and are preserved)
• biostratigraphy (the study of the vertical distribution of fossils in rocks)
• paleoecology (the study of ancient ecosystems and how they developed)

The PRI also provides great information for youngsters considering pursuing schooling or a career in paleontology.

Did you know…

Brontosaurus is back – as of 2015! The original controversy actually began during the “Bone Wars” in the late 1800s when Brontosaurus was originally discovered and named. Some say Bronty’s discoverer, Othniel Charles Marsh, merely claimed Brontosaurs as a new species in order to gain prestige, full well knowing that it was just a smaller version of the previously discovered Apatosaurus. And in the 1970s, as paleontologists dug deeper, they found that Marsh had used a skull from another dig to complete the skeleton, further dooming Brontosaurs’ scientific standing. Recent research, however, conducted by Emanuel Tschopp, now reveals through a close, statistical study of the bones of over a dozen long-necked dinos, that Brontosaurus does indeed stand out from other similar species. Not all scientists agree so, whether Brontosaurus is back for good or not, remains to be seen (but I’m rooting for it!). Read more from Popular Mechanics.

Nature Net News Flashback – November 2008:

Instant Outdoor Expert: Fossils in Wisconsin
We’ve always known Wisconsin has a rich history, but not until one investigates on a geologic timescale is Wisconsin’s deep history of life realized. Long before dinosaurs roamed the Earth, other creatures were staking out a life for themselves across the land we now call Wisconsin. During the Ordovician period, beginning 494 million years ago (which, just to give you perspective, is about 285 million years before Jurassic dinos), Wisconsin was situated close to the equator and covered by a shallow tropical sea. Many of the bottom-dwelling, shell-forming creatures who lived here, including brachiopods, bryozoans, corals, clams and crinoids, were captured in time and show up today as fossilized evidence of this period of diverse sea life. When the calcium or mineral calcite in these animals’ shells dissolved, mixed with carbon and oxygen, and settled to the sea floor – if given sufficient time and pressure – limestone was created. And where we’re lucky, the creatures themselves were trapped and fossilized. In fact, the unique layer of sedimentary limestone laid down in the late Ordovician period is the most fossil-rich rock layer in Wisconsin and offers geologists much to study regarding life long ago.

To Do This Month:

Check out the UW Geology’s Museum’s “Museum Storytime” every 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month. Find details on the Nature Net calendar.

UW Geology Museum

November Events

Our Favorite Fossil Books

Salt Dough Fossils

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You can follow up your visit to the UW Geology Museum with suggested paleontology activities from the National Geographic Society

For Families:

Fossil Hunting

Nothing frustrates young fossil hunters (and grown ups) more than a day hunting fossils without a find. Plan for success by ensuring you’re in an area where fossils might be close to the surface, and that you know what to look for.

Where to look: knowing that Wisconsin’s fossil record is trapped mainly in rock laid down during the Ordovician and Cambrian periods, use a geologic map to find where bedrock from that time span exists. In Wisconsin, that’s mostly in the driftless area. Now overlay a road map and look for areas where road creation may have cut into the landscape, exposing the bedrock. Before you head out, you can use Google earth to zoom into designated intersects to see if road cuts exist. Before you go, please make sure you have landowner permission and that you’re prepared with protective footwear, eyewear, and clothing.

Wisconsin State Fossil: Trilobite

What to look for: go over illustrations and samples of what you might find so you have a visual image of what to watch for. Remember that you may find only pieces and parts. Keep an eye out for my personal favorite, and our state fossil, the Trilobite.

You can also take some tips on planning, documenting and sharing your fossil hunts from The Fossil Forum. Good luck!