With my upcoming departure from the University of Michigan, I've found myself deep in the job hunt process. Moving back to Canada from the U.S is certainly something I'm really looking forward too. If any 🇨🇦 labs (especially in Alberta) are searching for a µ-CT expert, please let me know!

New study reveals 2D morphometrics captures major patterns of fish body shape variation but can underestimate subtle 3D features. For broad comparative studies, 2D is often sufficient; for fine-scale morphology, 3D remains essential Torgersen et al anatomypubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...

For #FossilFriday, abundant Eocene (~50 mya) shorebird tracks from the Green River Formation, WY; seen last week in the Tellus Museum of Science, Cartersville GA. 🧪🪨⚒️🐾🐦

Our newest paper on mammalian dental evolution, out today as the cover article in @science.org, lead by @narimanechatar.bsky.social with a team of fantastic early career scientists!!! 🎉🥳 “Performance trade-offs define a fundamental dental dichotomy in mammals” www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...

Somewhere in Oregon during the late Oligocene, a subadult cub Mesocyon coryphaeus intently watches his mother chew on a bone, hoping to snatch it from her at the first opportunity. Inspired by the recently published near-complete skeleton of this early, mustelid-like dog. #paleoart #sciart #mammal

I’m back on the professional job market for the first time in a decade, and while job hunting is as unpleasant as ever, I am very happy to say that the advice I have given students is actually working pretty well for me now that I have to put it to the test.

John D. Orcutt, Kevin C. Talbott, Michael J. Monroe & Nicholas A. Famoso (2026) Updates to the caniform fauna (Carnivora, Caniformia) of the John Day Formation, Oregon, USA Journal of Paleontology (advance online publication) doi: doi.org/10.1017/jpa.... www.cambridge.org/core/journal...

📣 Attention to U.S. Paleontologists! See you email for links to take action. #paleontology #geoscience #paleo

Really enjoyed the Pokémon exhibit at the Field Museum today. The comparisons with the real life inspirations for each fossil Pokémon were well done.

I am recruiting PhD students for my new lab housed in the Sam Noble Museum at University of Oklahoma! If you are interested in fish macroevolution, geometric morphometrics, specimen-based research & phylogenomics please reach out. More info here: fishdiversitylab.weebly.com Please share widely!!!

CT technician position available at the U-M Museum of Zoology/Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology: careers.umich.edu/job_detail/2...

Pérez-Ramos, A., Moulaye, J., Martín-Serra, A. et al. Virtual reconstruction and morphometric analysis of the vertebral column of the stem sirenian Pezosiren portelli (Tethytheria, Pan-Sirenia, Prorastomidae). J. Mamm. Evol. 33, 23 (2026). doi.org/10.1007/s109...

Virtual reconstruction and morphometric analysis of the vertebral column of the stem sirenian Pezosiren portelli (Tethytheria, Pan-Sirenia, Prorastomidae) - Journal of Mammalian Evolution

In this study, we virtually reconstruct the vertebral column of Pezosiren portelli, a four-limbed stem sirenian (Pan-Sirenia, Prorastomidae) from the Eocene of Jamaica. We used three-dimensional models of various vertebrae obtained through surface scanning of fossil remains and we applied several algorithms for virtual repair, including retrodeformation of distorted vertebrae or mirroring missing processes from their bilateral counterparts. To quantify the regional morphology of P. portelli, we digitized a set of homologous landmarks, following a standardized protocol retrieved from previous morphometric studies on the evolution of the mammalian backbone. The results reveal a cervical region with relatively long spinous processes, as well as a thoracic region subdivided into prediaphragmatic and postdiaphragmatic regions with an unspecialised lumbar region. Both aspects reveal anatomical traits typical of terrestrial mammals, suggesting that P. portelli may exhibit a mosaic evolutionary pattern, showing postcranial traits typical of terrestrial taxa but also early aquatic adaptations found in its cranial skeleton. Finally, we briefly discuss the implications of morphometric analyses of the P. portelli vertebral column for understanding the evolution of axial features in other secondarily aquatic tethytherians.

doi.org

Something incredibly important about this paper is the recognition of how a huge swath of dog evolution didn’t involve them moving like the familiar wolves, foxes and pets of today. Think more like weasels or badgers for the smaller ones, while bears for the largest Miocene species.

The first paper of the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument 50th anniversary special issue of the Journal of Paleontology is out online early! @virtpaleo.bsky.social, Jennifer Cavin, and Xiaoming Wang describe a nearly complete skeleton of the dog ancestor Mesocyon coryphaus.

My paper on Mesocyon is finally out! This will be part of a special issue on John Day Fossils Beds National Monument. Art by Kaori Chambers www.cambridge.org/core/journal...

After 7.5 years, I'm leaving my role as the UMMZ µ-CT lab manager at the end of July. This has been the most productive, and fulfilling period in my scientific career so far. I'm proud to say I've trained over 20 students, contributed to several publications, and generated over 12,000 µCT datasets.

🧪🐠 I am hiring a postdoc! Work will be on patterns of biodiversity across phylogenetic scales using teleost fishes as a model. Apply by end of Jan 2026 for full consideration apply.interfolio.com/179070 I encourage folks to reach out with any questions. Please Share!

Congratulations to UMMP Associate Research Scientist Miriam Zelditch on the release of the third edition of the indispensable "Geometric Morphometrics for Biologists" (a.k.a. the green book)! #FossilFriday

I always look for paleo books at used books stores. There’s an awesome one in Ann Arbor (Dawn Trader) that has had some great finds!

Darren Naish@tetzoo.bsky.social · 8mo ago

The Internet is becoming increasingly unreliable. Buy books and read them.

New seasonal paleontology positions available for Dinosaur National Monument, Petrified Forest National Park and Fossil Butte National Monument. Apply soon, they close after they receive a certain number of apps! #NPSpaleo #PaleoJobs www.usajobs.gov/job/850816000 www.usajobs.gov/job/850816700

USAJOBS connects job seekers with federal jobs across the United States and around the world as the official employment site for the federal government

These positions may be filled for a six month seasonal period, but can vary due to weather conditions, project needs, or funding. Anticipated Entry on Duty: <strong>April 2026</strong> <p>For more par...

usajobs.gov

ppgm: an R package for integrating neontological, palaeontological & climate data in a phylogenetic comparative framework onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/... #SVP2025 @alexh-palaeo.bsky.social @datadryad.bsky.social @tamueccb.bsky.social

Hi #2025SVP! I’ll be presenting on the crania of the enigmatic Cretaceous marine turtle from Japan, Mesodermochelys, at B302 in tomorrow’s poster session! Looking forward to seeing you there🐢

Anyone interested in applying for PhDs at #2025SVP, email or find me or @tguillerme.bsky.social for a chat if you’re interested in morphological trait evolution with a conservation theme: 🔗 www.findaphd.com/phds/project...

ACCE+ DLA Programme: Morphological Trait Evolution in Isolated Populations of Large Mammals and its Implications for Rewilding in the UK at University of Liverpool on FindAPhD.com

PhD Project - ACCE+ DLA Programme: Morphological Trait Evolution in Isolated Populations of Large Mammals and its Implications for Rewilding in the UK at University of Liverpool, listed on FindAPhD.co...

findaphd.com

I’d prefer not to be making the final finessing touches to tomorrows talk whilst on the train to Birmingham for #SVP2025, but that is where we are

youtu.be/Q3OePjtZgsI

Quick guide to exploring CT scans on MorphoSource

YouTube video by Gray's Vertebrate Anatomy

youtu.be

Our big squamate origins and early evolution review is now fully published as open access! with @marcanthonytollis.bsky.social and F. Burbrink www.annualreviews.org/content/jour...

Origin and Early Evolution of Squamates and Their Kin: From Fossils to Genomes

Squamates (lizards, including snakes) are the most diverse group of terrestrial vertebrates on Earth today and have an evolutionary history dating back to at least the Middle Triassic (ca. 242 Mya). D...

annualreviews.org

Mammals 🥰 Loved the first two seasons even more excited for this one!

Darren Naish@tetzoo.bsky.social · 9mo ago

Yes, the #PrehistoricPlanetIceAge trailer is out today...

If you haven’t already, go follow @svp_vertpaleo on instagram!

Society of Vertebrate Paleontology@societyofvertpaleo.bsky.social · 9mo ago

Join hosts @geosplore.bsky.social on our Instagram on November 4th at 8pm EST with guest @cjsalcidopaleo.bsky.social!

Interesting paper peerj.com/articles/201...

Nothing better than spooky fish fossils for a Halloween talk! If you're in the Ann Arbor area next week come check out my talk! 🎃👻🦴🐠