Nic Rawlence
@nicrawlencenz.bsky.social
Associate Professor, palaeoecologist, and science communicator @Otago Palaeogenetics Lab using ancient DNA and palaeontology to reconstruct past ecosystems.
Reposted by Nic Rawlence
I’m proud to be part of the newly formed ‘Community of Practice on Collaborating with Indigenous Peoples’ who are running a 3-hour workshop this afternoon, plus a session on Thursday with invited speakers Jade Turner and Jacinta Koolmatrie.
Huge thanks to our sponsor Australasian Palaeontologists.
Huge thanks to our sponsor Australasian Palaeontologists.
November 23, 2025 at 11:29 PM
I’m proud to be part of the newly formed ‘Community of Practice on Collaborating with Indigenous Peoples’ who are running a 3-hour workshop this afternoon, plus a session on Thursday with invited speakers Jade Turner and Jacinta Koolmatrie.
Huge thanks to our sponsor Australasian Palaeontologists.
Huge thanks to our sponsor Australasian Palaeontologists.
39 people, one quarter of the CAVEPS delegates, attended our best practice workshop for collaborating with Indigenous communities. The yarning circle couldn't get any bigger. This gives me hope that the future is looking bright for decolonising vertebrate palaeontology in Australasia.
It’s the first day of the CAVEPS Conference of Australasian Vertebrate Evolution, Palaeontology and Systematics, hosted by Flinders Uni on Kaurna Yerta 🎉
November 25, 2025 at 12:33 PM
39 people, one quarter of the CAVEPS delegates, attended our best practice workshop for collaborating with Indigenous communities. The yarning circle couldn't get any bigger. This gives me hope that the future is looking bright for decolonising vertebrate palaeontology in Australasia.
And we are up to hit piece #5 against critics of Colossal Biosciences and de-extinction, including me. This clearly ghostwritten piece misses the point entirely www.columnist24.com/science/8397...
The Perfectionist Fallacy - Columnist24
A growing strand of scientific purism argues that de-extinction efforts must achieve perfect genetic fidelity before they can be taken seriously.
www.columnist24.com
November 25, 2025 at 12:24 PM
And we are up to hit piece #5 against critics of Colossal Biosciences and de-extinction, including me. This clearly ghostwritten piece misses the point entirely www.columnist24.com/science/8397...
Reposted by Nic Rawlence
🚨 New paper alert 🚨
Our research, published today in Science, reveals remarkable concordance between human and dog genomes through time, highlighting how deeply intertwined our evolutionary histories have been over the past 11,000 years.
🔗 Read the full paper here: www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Our research, published today in Science, reveals remarkable concordance between human and dog genomes through time, highlighting how deeply intertwined our evolutionary histories have been over the past 11,000 years.
🔗 Read the full paper here: www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Genomic evidence for the Holocene codispersal of dogs and humans across Eastern Eurasia
As the first domestic species, dogs likely dispersed with different cultural groups during the Late Pleistocene and Holocene. To test this hypothesis, we analyzed 73 ancient dog genomes, including 17 ...
www.science.org
November 13, 2025 at 10:48 PM
🚨 New paper alert 🚨
Our research, published today in Science, reveals remarkable concordance between human and dog genomes through time, highlighting how deeply intertwined our evolutionary histories have been over the past 11,000 years.
🔗 Read the full paper here: www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Our research, published today in Science, reveals remarkable concordance between human and dog genomes through time, highlighting how deeply intertwined our evolutionary histories have been over the past 11,000 years.
🔗 Read the full paper here: www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Reposted by Nic Rawlence
What an incredible resource for those starting out in ancient DNA! Thanks once again @oskolkov.bsky.social for being our first #AaRCademy speaker
November 18, 2025 at 8:44 AM
What an incredible resource for those starting out in ancient DNA! Thanks once again @oskolkov.bsky.social for being our first #AaRCademy speaker
Reposted by Nic Rawlence
🚨 PNAS Special Feature 🐕
We analysed genomes of historical German Shepherds to reveal how bottlenecks linked to WWII and the use of popular sires led to significant declines in genomic health. We also found an early 20th century wolf-dog hybrid!
🔗 Full paper here: www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
We analysed genomes of historical German Shepherds to reveal how bottlenecks linked to WWII and the use of popular sires led to significant declines in genomic health. We also found an early 20th century wolf-dog hybrid!
🔗 Full paper here: www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
November 24, 2025 at 9:10 PM
🚨 PNAS Special Feature 🐕
We analysed genomes of historical German Shepherds to reveal how bottlenecks linked to WWII and the use of popular sires led to significant declines in genomic health. We also found an early 20th century wolf-dog hybrid!
🔗 Full paper here: www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
We analysed genomes of historical German Shepherds to reveal how bottlenecks linked to WWII and the use of popular sires led to significant declines in genomic health. We also found an early 20th century wolf-dog hybrid!
🔗 Full paper here: www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
Reposted by Nic Rawlence
🚨 PNAS Special Feature 2 🐕
We used ancient DNA and dietary isotopes to show that landscape modification and the introduction of European dogs impacted dingo populations across Australia.
🔗 Full paper here: www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
We used ancient DNA and dietary isotopes to show that landscape modification and the introduction of European dogs impacted dingo populations across Australia.
🔗 Full paper here: www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
November 24, 2025 at 9:22 PM
🚨 PNAS Special Feature 2 🐕
We used ancient DNA and dietary isotopes to show that landscape modification and the introduction of European dogs impacted dingo populations across Australia.
🔗 Full paper here: www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
We used ancient DNA and dietary isotopes to show that landscape modification and the introduction of European dogs impacted dingo populations across Australia.
🔗 Full paper here: www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
Reposted by Nic Rawlence
I have no idea how we are expected to fund our postgraduate student’s studies. To be fair, I’ve been funding mine from my own pocket for years, using money I earned from paid talks & radio/paper columns. But I’m approaching 2026 with no paid columns anymore & no paid talks lined up. It’s a bit scary
This funding environment is brutal. Four grants rejected this month :( The latest a small grant-in-aid from a charity that I’ve not had a no from in the ~15 years I’ve been applying to them. They always try to give a little bit. And this for follow on funding for work published in Nature Comms 😢
November 20, 2025 at 7:22 PM
I have no idea how we are expected to fund our postgraduate student’s studies. To be fair, I’ve been funding mine from my own pocket for years, using money I earned from paid talks & radio/paper columns. But I’m approaching 2026 with no paid columns anymore & no paid talks lined up. It’s a bit scary
Reposted by Nic Rawlence
The Ice Age megafauna has never felt so real: the art and science behind ‘Prehistoric Planet: Ice Age’, a #PrehistoricPlanetIceAge interview with myself and series producer Matthew Thompson... 3dvf.com/en/redaction...
The art and science behind 'Prehistoric Planet: Ice Age'
Explore iconic Ice Age creatures in Prehistoric Planet: Ice Age. Learn how the team brought these creatures back to life in an exclusive interview.
3dvf.com
November 19, 2025 at 10:08 AM
The Ice Age megafauna has never felt so real: the art and science behind ‘Prehistoric Planet: Ice Age’, a #PrehistoricPlanetIceAge interview with myself and series producer Matthew Thompson... 3dvf.com/en/redaction...
Reposted by Nic Rawlence
Is anyone I know going to the Australasian Wildlife Management Society conference in Queenstown in early December awms.org.au/conference/a... 1/3 🧵
AWMS2025 | AUSTRALASIAN WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT SOCIETY
awms.org.au
November 18, 2025 at 10:04 PM
Is anyone I know going to the Australasian Wildlife Management Society conference in Queenstown in early December awms.org.au/conference/a... 1/3 🧵
Reposted by Nic Rawlence
The wonderful people at the NZ Science Learning Hub have turned my talk on MythBusting de-extinction to sort fact from fiction into a freely available educational resource. You can check it out here www.sciencelearn.org.nz/resources/my...
Mythbusting de-extinction to sort fact from fiction
De-extinction hit the headlines recently with the ‘resurrection’ of the dire wolf and the push to bring back the moa. However, can scientists really bring back extinct animals? And more importantly, s...
www.sciencelearn.org.nz
November 18, 2025 at 9:47 PM
The wonderful people at the NZ Science Learning Hub have turned my talk on MythBusting de-extinction to sort fact from fiction into a freely available educational resource. You can check it out here www.sciencelearn.org.nz/resources/my...
Reposted by Nic Rawlence
Fantastic deëxtinction fiction vs #DeExtinction facts 🧪🐺🦤🦣
The wonderful people at the NZ Science Learning Hub have turned my talk on MythBusting de-extinction to sort fact from fiction into a freely available educational resource. You can check it out here www.sciencelearn.org.nz/resources/my...
Mythbusting de-extinction to sort fact from fiction
De-extinction hit the headlines recently with the ‘resurrection’ of the dire wolf and the push to bring back the moa. However, can scientists really bring back extinct animals? And more importantly, s...
www.sciencelearn.org.nz
November 18, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Fantastic deëxtinction fiction vs #DeExtinction facts 🧪🐺🦤🦣
Is anyone I know going to the Australasian Wildlife Management Society conference in Queenstown in early December awms.org.au/conference/a... 1/3 🧵
AWMS2025 | AUSTRALASIAN WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT SOCIETY
awms.org.au
November 18, 2025 at 10:04 PM
Is anyone I know going to the Australasian Wildlife Management Society conference in Queenstown in early December awms.org.au/conference/a... 1/3 🧵
The wonderful people at the NZ Science Learning Hub have turned my talk on MythBusting de-extinction to sort fact from fiction into a freely available educational resource. You can check it out here www.sciencelearn.org.nz/resources/my...
Mythbusting de-extinction to sort fact from fiction
De-extinction hit the headlines recently with the ‘resurrection’ of the dire wolf and the push to bring back the moa. However, can scientists really bring back extinct animals? And more importantly, s...
www.sciencelearn.org.nz
November 18, 2025 at 9:47 PM
The wonderful people at the NZ Science Learning Hub have turned my talk on MythBusting de-extinction to sort fact from fiction into a freely available educational resource. You can check it out here www.sciencelearn.org.nz/resources/my...
Reposted by Nic Rawlence
November 14, 2025 at 4:06 PM
Reposted by Nic Rawlence
Right. Hitler's DNA. Brace yourselves for a deluge of misinformation and bad science.
I'm in Australia, so do get in touch if you want some expert debunking.
I'm in Australia, so do get in touch if you want some expert debunking.
November 13, 2025 at 6:37 AM
Right. Hitler's DNA. Brace yourselves for a deluge of misinformation and bad science.
I'm in Australia, so do get in touch if you want some expert debunking.
I'm in Australia, so do get in touch if you want some expert debunking.
Reposted by Nic Rawlence
Guys! Drop Crocs!! 😱 www.bbc.com/news/article...
Evidence of ancient tree-climbing 'drop crocs' found in Australia
Scientists say the crocodiles hunted like leopards by climbing trees and killing prey below.
www.bbc.com
November 12, 2025 at 8:53 AM
Guys! Drop Crocs!! 😱 www.bbc.com/news/article...
Reposted by Nic Rawlence
Always love being back up in my hometown of Nelson for a few days. This time, it's doing some PD for secondary school science and biology teachers on kiwi and moa evolution, and mythbusting de-extinction. It's great to be working with teachers from my old high school Nayland College.
November 11, 2025 at 3:16 AM
Always love being back up in my hometown of Nelson for a few days. This time, it's doing some PD for secondary school science and biology teachers on kiwi and moa evolution, and mythbusting de-extinction. It's great to be working with teachers from my old high school Nayland College.
Always love being back up in my hometown of Nelson for a few days. This time, it's doing some PD for secondary school science and biology teachers on kiwi and moa evolution, and mythbusting de-extinction. It's great to be working with teachers from my old high school Nayland College.
November 11, 2025 at 3:16 AM
Always love being back up in my hometown of Nelson for a few days. This time, it's doing some PD for secondary school science and biology teachers on kiwi and moa evolution, and mythbusting de-extinction. It's great to be working with teachers from my old high school Nayland College.
Reposted by Nic Rawlence
Membership of GFANZ is open to everyone, which supports the work we do, including facilitating science communication in Aotearoa genomics.nz 2/2
Home - Genomics for Aotearoa New Zealand
Genomics for Aotearoa New Zealand Genomics for Aotearoa New Zealand is an incorporated society and registered charity focused on the benefits of genomics for everyone. We are an inclusive and diverse ...
genomics.nz
November 10, 2025 at 7:40 AM
Membership of GFANZ is open to everyone, which supports the work we do, including facilitating science communication in Aotearoa genomics.nz 2/2
Reposted by Nic Rawlence
Humbled to have been elected a lifetime fellow of Genomics for Aotearoa New Zealand (GFANZ) in recognition of my public education efforts around the facts of so-called de-extinction. Other fellows include the fantastic @siouxsiew.bsky.social genomics.nz/gfanz-fellows/ 1/2
GFANZ Fellows - Genomics for Aotearoa New Zealand
Fellows of GFANZ These are the Genomics for Aotearoa New Zealand Fellows. To be elected to Fellowship of the Society, one has to have made an outstanding contribution to the Society, or to the field o...
genomics.nz
November 10, 2025 at 7:40 AM
Humbled to have been elected a lifetime fellow of Genomics for Aotearoa New Zealand (GFANZ) in recognition of my public education efforts around the facts of so-called de-extinction. Other fellows include the fantastic @siouxsiew.bsky.social genomics.nz/gfanz-fellows/ 1/2
Reposted by Nic Rawlence
It is impossible for deer at any level to maintain and enhance natural biodiversity.
"Herd management plans aimed to keep deer numbers at a level which enhanced the recreational hunting experience while maintaining and improving natural biodiversity and forest health." www.odt.co.nz/southland/ca...
"Herd management plans aimed to keep deer numbers at a level which enhanced the recreational hunting experience while maintaining and improving natural biodiversity and forest health." www.odt.co.nz/southland/ca...
Call for opponents to support wapiti plan
The group which instigated the move to get wapiti in Fiordland classed as a herd of special interest says opponents should get right in behind it...
www.odt.co.nz
November 10, 2025 at 5:55 AM
It is impossible for deer at any level to maintain and enhance natural biodiversity.
"Herd management plans aimed to keep deer numbers at a level which enhanced the recreational hunting experience while maintaining and improving natural biodiversity and forest health." www.odt.co.nz/southland/ca...
"Herd management plans aimed to keep deer numbers at a level which enhanced the recreational hunting experience while maintaining and improving natural biodiversity and forest health." www.odt.co.nz/southland/ca...
Humbled to have been elected a lifetime fellow of Genomics for Aotearoa New Zealand (GFANZ) in recognition of my public education efforts around the facts of so-called de-extinction. Other fellows include the fantastic @siouxsiew.bsky.social genomics.nz/gfanz-fellows/ 1/2
GFANZ Fellows - Genomics for Aotearoa New Zealand
Fellows of GFANZ These are the Genomics for Aotearoa New Zealand Fellows. To be elected to Fellowship of the Society, one has to have made an outstanding contribution to the Society, or to the field o...
genomics.nz
November 10, 2025 at 7:40 AM
Humbled to have been elected a lifetime fellow of Genomics for Aotearoa New Zealand (GFANZ) in recognition of my public education efforts around the facts of so-called de-extinction. Other fellows include the fantastic @siouxsiew.bsky.social genomics.nz/gfanz-fellows/ 1/2
Reposted by Nic Rawlence
On the event of James Watson's death, I highly recommend this 2023 commentary from @matthewcobb.bsky.social and Nathaniel Comfort with crucial new insights into the discovery of the double helix. (And also check out Cobb's brand new biography of Francis Crick) www.nature.com/articles/d41...
What Rosalind Franklin truly contributed to the discovery of DNA’s structure
Franklin was no victim in how the DNA double helix was solved. An overlooked letter and an unpublished news article, both written in 1953, reveal that she was an equal player.
www.nature.com
November 7, 2025 at 9:25 PM
On the event of James Watson's death, I highly recommend this 2023 commentary from @matthewcobb.bsky.social and Nathaniel Comfort with crucial new insights into the discovery of the double helix. (And also check out Cobb's brand new biography of Francis Crick) www.nature.com/articles/d41...