Welcome Homer!

Homer, a sub-adult Triceratops, was revealed at the 10th annual PaleoFest at the Burpee Museum this last weekend. "This year’s big draw was Homer, the juvenile triceratops that Burpee volunteers found in Hell Creek, Mont. — the same place where they unearthed Jane, the juvenile tyrannosaurus rex that has become the museum’s crown jewel, in 2001. Last year, only Homer’s frill and horns were on display during PaleoFest. This year, visitors were able to view his fully reconstructed skull in one of the museum’s labs." [link]

There were many good talks by Phil Currie, Matt Bonnan, Eva Koppelhus, John Foster, Peter Makovicky, Robert Reisz, Jack Horner, Josh Matthews, Scott Williams and Jim Kirkland....(there are many more).

Other News story links:

'Little museum that could' looks to replicate Dino Jane success

New Dinosaur Skull Unveiled at Burpee Museum

A Surprise

Wow. I sure did get a surprise this week. I have inherited Mr. Dick Peirce's copy of "The Ceratopsia,"a book that I have wanted for quite some time. It was a big surprise, and a truly appreciated gift. John and I had gone to see Dick just two weeks before his death, and I truly thought he would pull through after having seen him. I was in total shock when John called me and told me the news. Dick was a fun guy, a paleo paparazzi of sorts at the SVP meetings, always wearing his signature beret. I had the chance to get to know Dick a little better last summer while working in Fruita and he was always very willing to bring visitors out to the quarry or give them tours through the museum. I know he is missed by many. Everytime I open the book it will remind me of him Thanks for the gift Dick!

Tule Springs Ice Age Park Development

From Rob Gay via the Dinosaur Mailing List and the VertPaleo list:
Nationally-based Las Vegas builders are aching to get their hands (and bulldozers) on this land, even though there is still enough usable land nearby, and are petitioning the BLM to set aside this land for development (sign petition here). Unless a large number of people petition for the preservation of this area soon, it will be covered by houses in no time flat. (I can see it now--"Gee, look at this neat mammoth I found when we dug our pool?")

The following information sheet should give you plenty of reasons to go on the web to http://www.tulespringslv.com. The web site is well done and it is very simple to sign the petition. And, since this is concerns federal lands, it makes no difference where you live. I would even hope you would send a request to all your friends to sign the petition, too. I hate to think how many houses could be built on top of all these important fossil remains by the greedy builders in Las Vegas if something isn't done to save them.

Here's the information sheet:
Significance of Fossils from the Las Vegas Formation
By Eric Scott, San Bernardino County Museum as presented to Senator Reid

The fossils from the Las Vegas Formation in the Upper Las Vegas Wash comprise the single largest open-site assemblage of animals from the end of the Pleistocene Epoch - the "Ice Ages" - anywhere in the Mojave Desert and the southern Great Basin.

The fossils from the Las Vegas Formation also comprise one of the largest and most significant late Pleistocene paleontological sites anywhere in the American southwest.

The fossil assemblage from the Las Vegas Formation includes relatively complete remains of extinct animals such as mammoths, ground sloths (2 species), camels, horses (3 species), bison, and giant North American lion. These rare fossils are not preserved in this abundance or diversity from any other fossil sites in the Mojave Desert or the southern Great Basin.

The fossils assemblage from the Las Vegas Formation also includes remains of small animals including rabbits, rodents, birds, reptiles, and amphibians. The potential provided by these microfossils - the ability to focus on paleoenvironments in extremely focused regions through tightly-defined periods of geologic time - remains largely untapped, because prior to the San Bernardino County Museum's concentration on these fossils in the 1990s, their extent and potential significance was largely unrecognized.

Although fossils from the Las Vegas Formation are abundant, paleontologic studies of this amazing assemblage are still in the early stages. Previous work has focused primarily on the potential archaeological (= human) component of the region, and the significance of the fossils in their own right has not been fully assessed.

The preservation of the fossils is frequently excellent, enabling precise identifications and the advancement of studies regarding how these ancient animals looked, acted, and interacted.

The excellent preservation of many fossils from the Las Vegas Formation also permits many cutting-edge scientific analytical techniques to be used on the fossils. These techniques potentially include (but are not limited to) radiometric dating, DNA analysis, and isotope studies.

The widespread exposures of the Las Vegas Formation in the Upper Las Vegas Wash span a critical period of geologic history - from nearly two hundred thousand years ago until approximately seven thousand years ago. No other abundantly fossiliferous late Ice Age formation encompasses such an impressive and important span of geologic time.

However, this important timespan is not preserved in any one locale. Rather, it is spread out throughout the entirety of the Upper Las Vegas Wash, which dictates that the entire wash needs to be conserved so that the full potential of the resources and their significance can be retained.

The time period covered by the Las Vegas Formation is critical because it tracks multiple global and regional cooling and warming periods at the end of the Pleistocene Epoch. Included in this time span is the terminal Ice Age warming event, during which most of the large Ice Age mammals - mammoths, ground sloths, camels, horses, bison, and their contemporaries - went extinct. No other fossil-bearing site in the American southwest tracks this critical time period.

The fossil-bearing outcrops in the Upper Las Vegas Wash represent the very last opportunity to study these amazing fossils, their ancient environments, and their prehistory. The entire Las Vegas Valley was once a vast exposure of the Las Vegas Formation, replete with fossils - but the growth of the City of Las Vegas and its environs has effectively buried these fossils in perpetuity.
Only in the Upper Las Vegas Wash are the fossils and their context still preserved for study.

Although studies of the Las Vegas Formation have established that humans and extinct Ice Age animals did not coexist in this region at the end of the Ice Ages, there is nevertheless a strong archaeological component in the youngest sediments of this formation. In fact, the separate relationship of the fossils and the human-made artifacts is important to preserve for future students of prehistory, as this "close but not touching" relationship is not preserved at other sites in the American southwest.

In summary, the Las Vegas Formation in the Upper Las Vegas Wash offers an absolutely unique confluence of geologic forces enabling an unprecedented and unparalleled opportunity for study of prehistory.

Don't forget to tune in tonight!!

I just wanted to remind everyone that John's new radio show "Switching Gears w/ Junior" is on again tonight (Wednesday night, March 5) at 9-12pm Mountain time. Since I am in town I get to go along and be his guest host. No telling what we might play so be sure to tune in! You can check it out (streaming) on their website at http://kafmradio.org/

Hypocrites

The decision on Aetogate has been handed down from the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science. I am sure you probably could have guessed this, but the review panel has exonerated Lucas et al. I still think this review was severely marred by the fact that their two outside reviewers of the case are not impartial, and claim adamantly that they are huge supporters and buddies of Lucas. Norman Silberling has already voiced his opinion on this case, three days before he was to serve on the review panel. The letter he wrote was adopted into the review panels record even. (I still am requesting an apology for his nasty words directed at younger scientist). Orin Anderson, the other reviewer, is on record stating that he "was proud to be associated with Spencer Lucas. He noted that he has published several articles with Lucas related to stratigraphy and biostratigraphy. Anderson's stated opinion was that Lucas is honest, enthusiastic, thorough; a scientist with a degree of assertiveness which may rankle some scientists."

From today's Albuquerque Journal (you may have to watch a short video for free access): "Doug Svetnica, spokesman for the state Department of Cultural Affairs, which runs the museum, defended the choice of scientists, who were selected "because of their academic and publishing backgrounds."
"Any prior professional experience with Dr. Lucas was irrelevant," Svetnica said Tuesday. "As professionals, we expected and we feel that we received impartial reviews and conclusions."

I totally disagree with Mr. Svetnica.

"In addition, according to Lucas, Parker should have asked for permission before publishing a paper on the museum's fossils. "We never thought he would publish ... without first contacting us," Lucas said." [link]

Now, this particular Lucas statement I find very curious "....this is material we were studying and we did not think anybody else wold publish it without first asking us, as is customary. Of course, we allowed him and others to freely study our specimens and did not make it clear that we did not want them to publish on the Snyder Quarry aetosaurs. Again, that was out mistake." [link, page 12]
How is this any different that what he did to the Polish scientists when he visited their collections and subsequently published on specimens they collected without telling them? Isn't that awfully hypocritical?

[Link]"Last year, Lucas published a research paper describing fossils he had been allowed to study during a visit to the Institute of Paleobiology of the Polish Academy of Science.
The paper came as a surprise to Jerzy Dzik, a paleontologist at the institute overseeing the work of a group of young scientists who had been studying the fossils, from a site called Krasiejow in southern Poland. Lucas never asked permission to write about them, Dzik said in an e-mail complaining to Lucas.
"Your action was thus harmful to many young researchers who had invested a lot of time and energy to excavate at Krasiejow, prepare fossils, identify them taxonomically, and interpret their anatomy and evolution," Dzik wrote in his July 9, 2007, e-mail to Lucas.
Lucas, in an e-mailed response, called the affair a "misunderstanding," and blamed the Polish scientists for not telling him he could not publish papers about their fossils.
"Nobody at your Institute told me I could not publish on the specimens I studied," Lucas wrote.
Dzik wrote that the Polish Institute has had an open access policy toward its fossil collection for 50 years. "We have never had such an experience before," he wrote.
The Dzik case was first publicly reported last month in the British science magazine Nature. No formal complaint has been filed with the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs, so the case is not part of its ethics investigation, according to department spokesman Doug Svetnica."

How is this not the same thing he is blaming Parker for doing? Is the message he is sending is that it is ok for him to do this but not ok for anyone else??? Sorry, I do not understand his reasoning. (you can read more about Parker's case here)

Interestingly, the review panel found that only an innocent mistake was made in Jeff Martz's case on plagiarisms and that it was not intentional. "...Spielmann et al. neglected to cite Martz's thesis on page 584 with regard to the conclusion that the type armor plate was from the right side of the body, not the left side. It was an oversight on our part...Unquestionably, it was not our intent to plagiarize or take undue credit for any part of Martz's (2002) thesis." Read about Martz's case here.

Other blogs/sites of interest:

The Reptipage: Aetogate: DCA results. The response
Lounge of the Lab Lemming: Pick your preferred paleontologist
Mike Taylor: What Professional Paleontologist are Saying
Julia Anderson: Whitewash

Off to Colorado

Sorry for the lack of post. I am off to Colorado for a week. I will try to post an update on Aetogate, a new story on the DINO front, a overview of this past weekends PaleoFest, and address the issue of research availability on fossils that are found on federal lands. Hope to get to these soon. Happy March everyone!

Diceratops becomes Diceratus

In the newest issue of the Journal of Paleontology* Octavio Mateus clears up the preoccupation of the ceratopsians names Diceratops (Lull, 1905; right) and Microceratops (Bohlin, 1953).

Diceratops the ceratopsian (Lull, 1905) is preoccupied by the Hymenoptera insects (one of the larger orders of insects, comprising the sawflies, wasp, bees and ants; Foerster, 1868). He changes the genus of the ceratopsian Diceratops to Diceratus (Greek di  ‘‘two,’’ Greek ceratos ‘‘horned’’).

Microceratops the ceratopsian (Bohlin, 1953) is the junior homonym of the ichneumon wasp from Madagascar (Seyrig, 1952). This genus has been renamed Microceratus (Greek micro  ‘‘small,’’ Greek ceratos ‘‘horned’’).

Be sure to check out Octavio's entire paper!

* Mateus, Octavio. 2008. Two ornithischian dinosaurs renamed: Microceratops Bohlin 1953 and Diceratops Lull 1905. Journal of Paleontology 82(2): 423.

Ref.s

Bohlin, B. 1953. Fossil reptiles from Mongolia and Kansu. In Sino-Swedish Expedition Publications, 37:1–113.

Foerster, A. 1868. Synopsis der Familien und Gattungen der Ichneumonen. Verhandlungen des Naturhistorischen Vereins der Preussischen Rheinlande und Westfalens, 25:135–221.

Lull, R. 1905. Restoration of the horned dinosaur Diceratops. American Journal of Science, 20:420–422.

Seyrig, A. 1952. Les Ichneumonides de Madagascar. IV Ichneumonidae Cryptinae. Me´moires de l’Acade´mie Malgache, 19:1–213.

Shame on you Mr. Silberling, shame on you!

The other day I wrote that I probably did not need to comment on Norman Silberling's letter. I was wrong. His words are poison, derogatory to younger scientist, and entirely uncalled for. So, Mr. Silberling, in response to your words:

You, Mr. Silberling, have done more to hurt the process of getting down to the bottom of what has really happened than you have helped. You should be ashamed of yourself for degrading younger members of our profession because they may not yet be as gainfully employed as you are! I am offended by your remarks and I think you own a public apology to all the young professionals in both geology and paleontology for your cruel words! I am sure you probably think I am just another young "doe" with a grudge against Dr. Lucas and company. You would be wrong and quick to notice that I have no personal interest invested in this case, Dr. Lucas, his associates on the New Mexico side, or Mr. Martz, Mr. Parker, or their associates. I am just another young paleontologist who is quickly becoming jaded from attitudes like yours towards the younger crowd.

I only want what is right. To quote Dr. Jason Anderson, who has said it best, I want "an open, transparent, and impartial process to review the allegations." I have never pointed the finger in either direction and declared anyone's innocence or guilt. I just want to see the truth come out and to make sure that this sort of issue would 1) never be an issue again and 2) that a young professional would never have to watch their back in fear of retaliation for speaking up or for fear of loosing their research! I do not believe that is too much to ask.

If there is not another review done that is impartial, I for one an not going to be surprised when, come March 3, we find out that the review panel has exonerated Dr. Lucas of all wrong doing. Whether it is true or not. Mr. Silberling already exonerated him in his letter. It would not be a huge surprise when this is the official result.

If you like the shirts, you can find them here. All shirts are sold at cost, and I am not making a single dime off of them. Only trying to make a point.

_____________________________________________________
Don't forget to watch "The Four-Winged Dinosaur" tonight on NOVA and Bucky Gates on the O'Reilly Factor tonight at 6pm on Fox News (Did dinosaurs die because of Global Warming?)

The Four-Winged Dinosaur

Tomorrow evening (at least here, check your local listings), NOVA debuts a new show all about Microraptor and its ability to use its wings. I am looking forward to this show! Last week they had a great episode about Ape communication (Ape Genius) that just blew me away. If you get a chance, be sure to check out that episode as well.

From the NOVA press release:
"In 2002, the discovery of a beautiful and bizarre fossil astonished scientists and reignited the debate over the origin of flight. With four wings and superbly preserved feathers, the creature was like nothing paleontologists had ever seen before. Now, NOVA travels to the Chinese stone quarry where the fossil was discovered—a famed dinosaur treasure-trove—and teams up with the world’s leading figures in paleontology, biomechanics, aerodynamics, animation, and scientific reconstruction to perform an unorthodox experiment: a wind tunnel flight test of a scientific replica of the ancient oddity. Find out whether this 130 million-year-old relic takes flight on The Four-Winged Dinosaur, premiering Tuesday, February 26 (tomorrow) at 8pm ET/PT on PBS (check local listings)."

Here is a short clip you can watch for a "Behind the Scenes" glimpse. Looks like they made some pretty cool puppets!


"How many scientists does it take to make a flying dinosaur? Go behind the scenes of NOVA's "The Four-Winged Dinosaur" and see how scientific reconstructors created a model Microraptor--an exotic feathered dinosaur."

Also keep an eye out for "Bone Diggers" on Tuesday, March 25 (8pm). I have not yet seen this episode, but it appears that it is all about Australian cave paleontology! "NOVA takes viewers to the stark Australian outback in search of the elusive bones of one of the world's most bizarre prehistoric creatures—a giant predatory marsupial called Thylacoleo. Australia's leading paleontologists endure extreme weather, treacherous drops into a deep cavern, and the threat of fossil poachers as they launch a daring expedition to find the rare megabeast." Giant predatory marsupials! Count me in!

Burpee Museum's 10th annual PaleoFest

And now for some happy, more light hearted news:

If you are not planning to already, and you are in the area, you should come to the 10th annual PaleoFest at the Burpee Museum of Natural History this coming weekend (March 1st and 2nd) in Rockford, Illinois!

The exciting talks include this cute guy above, Homer, from the first ever described Triceratops bonebed (far more interesting and cuter than the museums other attraction, Jane)! Found in 2005, Homer and two others are preserved at this site and are proving to be an interesting taphonomic puzzle. This is the subject of Josh Matthews masters thesis and he will be discussing it on Sunday at 5:30. Homers skull will be revealed to the world Saturday night (6-8 pm) at the CSI Dinner and Lecture by Dr. Jim Kirkland.


Another interesting talk will be given by this cute guy to your right (the far right, not the one in green, the one in the black vest). Thats right, none other than my wonderful fiancé, Dr. John Foster, will be speaking on the Mygatt-Moore Bonebed Sunday at 11:30 am. Mygatt-Moore is the Morrison Formation (Jurassic aged) quarry I spent all summer working this past summer in Rabbit Valley of western Colorado. This site was discovered in 1981 and has been worked every summer since 1984. It has yielded the first Jurassic ankylosaurian dinosaur found in North America, Mymoorapelta. Other dinosaurs known from the site include Allosaurus, Camarasaurus, Apatosaurus, and Diplodocus. John will be talking about the taphonomy of the site, a project we started working on this past summer and preliminarily reported on at GSA this past year. I will leave the details to John, so I hope you can come and hear his talk (be sure to find me and say hello also!)!

Other talks include:

Saturday, 10:00 am • Theropods from Southern China
Phillip Currie PhD., University of Alberta

Saturday, 11:30 am • Fossil Plants and Spores of the Dinosaur Park Formation
Eva Koppelhus, PhD., University of Alberta

Saturday, 1:00 pm • Building a BIGGER Bronto
Matthew Bonnan, PhD., Western Illinios University

Saturday, 2:30 pm • Raptors: Fangs, Feathers and Footprints
Peter Makovicky, PhD., Field Museum - Chicago

Saturday, 4:00 pm • The Burgess Shale Revisited
Jean-Bernard Caron, PhD., Royal Ontario Museum

Sunday, 10:00 am • Assessing Dinosaur Diversity
John "Jack" Horner. PhD., Museum of the Rockies

Sunday, 11:30 am • The Mygatt-Moore Quarry, a bonebed from western Colorado
John Foster, PhD., Museum of Western Colorado

Sunday, 1:00 pm • Reptiles and Amphibians from a unique early Permian site
Robert Reisz, Ph.D. University of Toronto

Sunday, 2:30 pm • Giant Carchaodontosaurids of Argentina
Phillip Currie, PhD., University of Alberta

Sunday, 4:00 pm • Dragons of the Air
Chris Bennett, PhD., Fort Hayes State University

Sunday, 5:30 pm • Homer and the Gang
Josh Matthews, Northern Illinois University
PLUS
Sunday, 5:30 pm • Burpee's Summer Vacation
Scott Williams , Burpee Museum Collections/Exhibits Manager

Please visit the PaleoFest website for all of the details! Hope to see you there!