L1 Flashcards
(22 cards)
The 5 steps to the palaeontological process?
- Collect fossil in the field
- Prepare fossil in the lab
- Examine fossil and describe in monograph
- Analyse fossil
- Interpret fossil
Collect fossil in the field
- New field sites are always appearing
- Whole new regions become open to study
Prepare fossil in the lab
- New techniques arising eg acid etching etc
Examine fossil and describe in monograph
- Photograph
Analyse fossil
- Microscopy developments, synchrotron and CT scanning, new analytical tools eg finite strain anlaysis
Interpret fossil
- Most important process
- Ever moving on field
Most important part of the palaeontological process?
Interpreting the fossil
Palaeontology was pivotal to the development of…?
Evolutionary theory
Recent paradigm shifts
- Palaeontology was important in understanding plate tectonics
- Punctuated equilibrium model
- Cladistics revolution
- Reality of mass extinctions
- The reality of past, present and future natural global change (evolution took place in a changing environment)
- Molecular biology, Evo-devo and the pattern of life
What are fossils and how do they form?
The remains of any once living organism
Parts or whole organism
Tracks and trails of organisms also appear
Fossils are geochemical signals
The fossil record of dinosaurs is dominated by…?
Disarticulated, solitary, dispersed bones and teeth
Soft tissue is not present on land
Where are we most likely to find partial or completely articulated skeletons?
When it is buried or in water
How can skeletons be reconstructed?
Using evidence from articulated skeletons and our anatomical knowledge
Fleshing up models of animals based on anatomical knowledge relies upon:
- Currently software based
- Relies upon nearest living relative approach
Trace fossils include?
Footprints
Trace fossils (ichnology) can calculate…?
- Can calculate size, speed etc
- Behavioural aspects eg herds
Soft tissue preservation
Eg skin
When bacteria is taken away
Is rare
Stomach contents
- Entire gut is preserved
- This provides more information than fossils eg diet
- Very rare
Gastroliths
- Stomach stone
- Gap in stomach
- Many dinosaurs ate these to promote digestion
Coprolites
- Dung
- Complex identification
- Footprints can be easier
Eggs
- Whole nest systems preserved
- Flash floods etc
- Tough shell
- In some cases fossilised embryos are preserved
Technology now allows us to scan without breaking eggs open
- We can then detect behavioural aspects
Feathers (not for flight but heat regulation in most dinosaurs etc)
- Imprint of feather
- Can work out colours of feathers etc
