Fri, 27th January 2023 | 2 pm | Hybrid Event | SMNS Science Colloquium | Stephan Spiekman: New insights into the bizarre long-necked Triassic reptile Tanystropheus [25.01.23]
Location: Stuttgart State Museum of Natural History (Löwentor) & Online (Zoom)
The State Museum of Natural History Stuttgart invites all interested parties to its Science Colloqium.
Stephan Spiekman, Stuttgart State Museum of Natural History, Postdoc resercher in die field of Middle Triassic arboreal reptile fauna will hold the following talk:
New insights into the bizarre long-necked Triassic reptile Tanystropheus
The genus Tanystropheus represents one of the most remarkable reptiles of the Triassic. It had a neck that is approximately three times the length of its torso, whilst only being composed of 13 hyperelongate neck vertebrae. Because of this unique bauplan, the lifestyle of this animal has been controversial for over 150 years. However, recent investigations of historical collections at the University of Zurich have revealed several new insights. Synchrotron scanning of a diagenetically compressed specimen has allowed for a virtually complete 3D reconstruction of the skull, which shows several clear adaptations for aquatic life. It has also revealed the existence of two separate species of Tanystropheus in the same environment, representing a remarkable case of niche partitioning, and showing that this unique neck was more multifunctional than anticipated. Recent discoveries from the Middle Triassic of China have also shown that Tanystropheus might not be as unique as previously considered, with a different, approximately contemporary reptiles such as Dinocephalosaurus showing a similar degree of neck elongation in an aquatic environment. Several new specimens of this animal show clearly a close convergence between the two forms. Although these findings show that an elongate neck was clearly a highly successful evolutionary strategy, it also posed a weakness that was occasionally exploited by predators, as some new investigations into particularly vivid bite traces on the neck of Tanystropheus reveal.
Details about the Colloqium
| Date: | Fri, 27th January 2023, 2 pm |
| Location: | Stuttgart State Museum of Natural History (Löwentor), Vortragssaal Online via Zoom
Meeting-ID: 985 4749 0295
Kenncode: bPY1zd |
| Invitation goes to: | Students, scientists, staff members and all interested people |
| Costs and Registration: | Participation is free of charge.
Registration is not required. |
| Language: | English |
| Organizer: | SMNS |
After the lecture, there will be a get together at Cafe Fossil.
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