Intro to Palaeobiology

Question 1

How do new fossil collection sites appear?

Answer 1

By coastal erosion, exposing new rock.

Question 2

What are some methods of analysing fossils?

Answer 2

Synchrotron and CT scanning
New analytical tools, such as finite strain analysis, new geochemical analysis

Question 3

What is a paradigm shift?

Answer 3

A fundamental change in approach or underlying assumptions.

Question 4

What is the historical development of palaeobiology?

Answer 4

Pre 1750s: Fossils believed to be remains of organisms, didn’t really know what they were.
1859: Darwin/Wallace proposed evolution theory (speciation).
1900s: Mendelian genetics
1930s: Neo-Darwin evolution (integrates Darwin’s theory of evolution with Mendelian genetics)

Question 5

What is the punctuated equilibrium model?

Answer 5

Evolution occurs in spurts and is not slow and linear.

Question 6

What are some recent paradigm shifts?

Answer 6

1960s: Tectonic plates, realised continental drift.
1972: Punctuated equilibrium model.
1970-80s: Cladistics revolution, evolution system out of favour
1980s: Reality of mass extinctions, radioactive rock (meteor)
1990s+: Past, present global change
2000s: Molecular biology, evo-devo.

Question 7

What is cladistics?

Answer 7

Hypothesising relationships among organisms.

Question 8

What is the dinosaur fossil record dominated by?

Answer 8

Dominated by disarticulated solitary dispersed bones and teeth.

Question 9

How can an animal be ‘fleshed up’?

Answer 9

Based on anatomical knowledge:
- nearest living relative
- trace fossils (footprints)
- soft tissue (skin/stomach contents)
- gastroliths (rocks held in gastrointestinal tract)
- coprolites (fossilised faeces)
- eggs (fossilised embryos)
- feathers
- DNA and proteins