Stella Angelika Ludwig
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stellaludwig.bsky.social
Stella Angelika Ludwig
@stellaludwig.bsky.social
350 followers 560 following 95 posts
PhD student interested in the functional morphology and biomechanics of extinct tetrapods.

Vertebrate palaeontologist 🦴| Researching Spinosaurus locomotion 🌊| Team T. rex studying Trinity 🦖| Part-time pterosaurologist 🪽| Mente et malleo ⚒
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stellaludwig.bsky.social
SVP abstract accepted! 🎉

I’m looking forward to seeing many of you in Birmingham. 🇬🇧

If you’re curious about what pterosaur claws can tell us about their palaeoecology, be sure to stop by our poster!

#science #paleontology #fossils #pterosaurs #claws #paleoecology #conference #svp #svp2025
Image showing the SVP2025 banner above an email excerpt confirming the acceptance of an abstract for a poster presentation. Below is a stylised drawing of pterosaur claws and the silhouette of a flying pterosaur.
August 19, 2025 at 2:02 PM
stellaludwig.bsky.social
Many people are also unaware that the extended data includes comparisons to Stromer’s material, an excavation map of the site, and detailed photographic documentation showing that fragments recovered in different excavations fit together perfectly.

#science 🧪 #paleontology #dinosaurs #spinosaurus
Figure from Ibrahim et al. 2020. Extended Data Fig. 5: Elements of FSAC-KK 11888 from 2008 (first excavation) and 2019 (most recent excavation), matched. a–t, Evidence of the perfect match between elements collected by the local discoverer of the site in 2007–2008 (a, e, f, i, k, m, n, p, q, s) and elements excavated in situ or recovered from the site debris during the 2015–2019 excavations (b–d, g, h, j, l, o, r, t). a, b, Right and left metatarsal II. c, Left penultimate phalanx of the fourth pedal digit (IV-4) that came to light within the typical matrix in which bones of the FSAC-KK 11888 were embedded. d, e, Two possible splenial fragments reconnected. f–i, Phalanx IV-4 prepared and compared to the contralateral element of the right pes in dorsal view, and rearticulated with its ungual. j–m, Two complementary (broken) halves of the left squamosal and of a dorsal rib. n–p, s, t, Two key fragments from the debris, reconnecting the base and the shaft of a neural spine (possibly the 7th). q, r, The right astragalus (excavated in situ in July 2019) rearticulated to its tibia (from 2008). Arrows point to recomposed fractures.
June 22, 2025 at 11:04 AM
stellaludwig.bsky.social
What better way to spend a sunny weekend with friends than the #LymeRegis #FossilFestival.

Thanks to everyone who stopped by to chat about our research at the University of Portsmouth stand and the #Spinosaurus talk.

I had a wonderful time, hope to see many of you again next year!
Some of the wonderful people at the 2025 Lyme Regis Fossil Festival, Josephine Warner-Pallister, Nizar Ibrahim, and Steve Brusatte. Many thanks to Steve for sharing the photo! Photo of the sunny beach at Lyme Regis during the 2025 Fossil Festival.
June 17, 2025 at 7:59 PM
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At the Spinosaurus dig site in Morocco earlier this year. Can’t wait for the next expedition.

In the meantime, work on the fossils continues! ⚒️🦴

#science #paleontology #fieldwork #spinosaurus #exploration #landscapes #sahara #kemkem #morocco
Landscape photograph of the Sahara Desert at sunrise in southern Morocco. Photo from the April 2025 Kem Kem expedition at the Spinosaurus neotype dig site.
June 16, 2025 at 4:24 PM
stellaludwig.bsky.social
Imagine you could travel back in time...

Walking With Dinosaurs has returned, and it's as spectacular as ever. Witness six incredible stories of survival and learn about the #science that allowed us to let them walk again.

#paleontology #fossils #dinosaurs #spinosaurus #allosaurus #wwd #wwd2025
Radio Times August 2000 edition featuring the Allosaurus animatronic head from the Ballad of Big Al Walking With Dinosaurs special. Radio Times May 2025 edition featuring the Spinosaurus from the new Walking With Dinosaurs series. Screenshot of a scene from the Ballad of Big Al, showing an Allosaurus mother watching over her young. Image: BBC. Screenshot from Walking with Dinosaurs (2025) showing a Spinosaurus father looking after his young. Image: BBC/PBS/ZDF/France Télévisions.
May 28, 2025 at 9:04 PM
stellaludwig.bsky.social
Afternoon in the Kem Kem.

#paleontology #fieldwork #spinosaurus #exploration #landscapes #sahara #kemkem #morocco
Landscape photograph of the rocky Sahara Desert in southern Morocco.
May 26, 2025 at 7:35 PM
stellaludwig.bsky.social
Each episode tells the story of a real individual—a life lived millions of years ago that, against all the odds, left a trace for us to find.

You’ll see how palaeontologists around the world have uncovered the clues to piece together their stories...and the perilous world they called home.
Image of Sobek the Spinosaurus from Walking With Dinosaurs (2025) episode two: The River Dragon. Image: BBC/PBS/ZDF/France Télévisions.
May 24, 2025 at 11:55 PM
stellaludwig.bsky.social
Walking With Dinosaurs returns tomorrow on BBC One and iPlayer!

The series will take you on a journey back in time to meet the most spectacular animals that have ever walked the Earth. 🦖🧪

www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...

#science #paleontology #dinosaurs #fossils #walkingwithdinosaurs #wwd2025
Promotional image for the upcoming BBC nature documentary series "Walking With Dinosaurs", showing a compilation of portraits of the protagonists from the six episodes. Image: BBC/PBS/ZDF/France Télévisions.
May 24, 2025 at 11:55 PM
stellaludwig.bsky.social
Life reconstruction based on the mounted skeleton (IGPB R 324) on display at the Goldfuß-Museum in Bonn. ⚒️

#science #paleontology #fossils #jurassic #plesiosaur #marinereptile #cryptoclidus #walkingwithdinosaurs #wwd #museum #exhibit #tübingen #germany
Life reconstruction of two Cryptoclidus eurymerus hunting a school of fish in the ocean.
May 23, 2025 at 10:09 PM
stellaludwig.bsky.social
Happy #fossilfriday!

This is a cast of Cryptoclidus at the palaeontological collection of the University of Tübingen.

These Jurassic marine reptiles were perfectly adapted to their environment, possessing four hydrofoil-like flippers that allowed them to efficiently ‘fly’ through the water. 🧪
Cast of Cryptoclidus eurymerus mounted in a suspended swimming position at the palaeontological collection of the University of Tübingen.
May 23, 2025 at 10:09 PM
stellaludwig.bsky.social
T. rex "Trinity" has arrived in Denmark at the extraordinary Museum of Evolution.

We've been continuing our research while it took its new place next to the resident Allosaurus.

Pay them a visit for a unique opportunity to see these two iconic theropods side by side! 🦖🧪

#dinosaurs #paleontology
Photo of myself holding a dorsal rib of "Trinity" (TRX-293) at the Museum of Evolution at the Knuthenborg Safari Park. In the background is the display area where it will be mounted and the resident Allosaurus "Big Joe".
May 22, 2025 at 4:50 PM
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The documentary brings its six protagonists to life using the latest finds and ongoing cutting-edge research. These models represent our most up-to-date understanding of their anatomy, and were created in close collaboration with leading experts in the field.
Up-to-date life reconstruction of Spinosaurus aegyptiacus featuring in the series. Image: BBC/PBS/ZDF/France Télévisions.
May 21, 2025 at 12:18 PM
stellaludwig.bsky.social
Which dinosaur are you most excited to see in Walking with Dinosaurs this weekend?
Promotional image for the upcoming BBC documentary series "Walking With Dinosaurs" featuring some of the protagonist species. Image: BBC/PBS/ZDF/France Télévisions.
May 21, 2025 at 12:18 PM
stellaludwig.bsky.social
Curious little wall lizards in the Spanish Pyrenees. 🦎

#science #fieldwork #mapping #animals #animalphotography #lizard #walllizard #lacertid #podarcis #pyrenees #spain
Photograph of a wall lizard with striking red coloration hidden behind some foliage. Photograph of a grey wall lizard boldly facing the camera. Photograph of a wall lizard hidden in a rock crevice, cautiously eying the camera. Photograph of a wall lizard from behind as it is climbing between some limestone rocks.
May 7, 2025 at 10:05 PM
stellaludwig.bsky.social
Happy #fossilfriday! 🦕

This is Patagotitan mayorum, one of the largest animals to ever walk the Earth, towering over a crowd of visitors at London’s Natural History Museum. This 2.76 tonne cast of the fossils discovered in Argentina was part of a 2023 special exhibition.

#paleontology #dinosaurs
Cast of Patagotitan mayorum at the Natural History Museum of London in the 2023 special exhibition titled Titanosaur: Life as the Biggest Dinosaur. The skeleton takes up most of the space in the large exhibition hall and towers over a crowd of visitors. Detail of the head and neck of Patagotitan mayorum at the Natural History Museum of London in the 2023 special exhibition titled Titanosaur: Life as the Biggest Dinosaur. Cast of Patagotitan mayorum at the Natural History Museum of London in the 2023 special exhibition titled Titanosaur: Life as the Biggest Dinosaur. The skeleton takes up most of the space in the large exhibition hall and towers over a crowd of visitors. Detail of the ribcage of Patagotitan mayorum at the Natural History Museum of London in the 2023 special exhibition titled Titanosaur: Life as the Biggest Dinosaur.
May 2, 2025 at 10:30 PM
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Now, nearly a century later, this new reconstruction of Spinosaurus is based on recent scientific finds in Morocco that give us an even greater understanding of its unique appearance and lifestyle.

Artwork by the incredible Davide Bonadonna.
Reconstructed skeleton of the theropod dinosaur Spinosaurus aegyptiacus at a fossil exhibition in Munich, Germany. The skeleton is suspended high above the ground mounted in a swimming position. Life reconstruction of the theropod dinosaur Spinosaurus aegyptiacus hunting the sawskate Onchopristis in the cretaceous Kem Kem river system. Artwork by Davide Bonadonna.
April 28, 2025 at 4:19 PM
stellaludwig.bsky.social
Spinosaurus at the Munich Show 2024.

This special exhibition marked the first time that a skeleton of this enigmatic dinosaur went on display in Munich after the original specimens from the Bahariya Oasis of Egypt were destroyed during World War II.
Reconstructed skeleton of the theropod dinosaur Spinosaurus aegyptiacus at a fossil exhibition in Munich, Germany. The skeleton is suspended high above the ground mounted in a swimming position. Original fossils (cervical vertebrae) of Spinosaurus aegyptiacus from Morocco housed at the Bayerische Staatssammlung für Paläontologie und Geologie on display at the Munich Show.
April 28, 2025 at 4:19 PM
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That's true! Ironically, we’ve had a lot of rain to contend with during this trip. It does feel like a window into the distant past when you’re faced with flooded roads, toads scurrying around the sand dunes, and a lake full of flamingos.
Photo of a lake with a flock of feeding flamingos near Merzouga, Morocco. The dunes of Erg Chebbi are visible in the background. Photo of an African green toad (Bufotes boulengeri) out and about in the Sahara Desert of southern Morocco.
April 24, 2025 at 1:50 AM
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Without a doubt one of the most magical places on Earth: the Sahara Desert.

#science #paleontology #fieldwork #expedition #exploration #dinosaurs #spinosaurus #sahara #saharadesert #landscapephotography #kemkem #morocco
Landscape photograph of the rocky Sahara Desert in southern Morocco. There are three people standing in the foreground looking out over a dry valley. Landscape photograph of the rocky Sahara Desert in southern Morocco.
April 24, 2025 at 12:25 AM
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Visiting the breathtaking city of Ronda during a sedimentological research trip in 2022.

The Puente Nuevo bridge spans the 120-metre-deep El Tajo gorge carved by the Guadalevín River that runs through the city.

Many thanks to Heike Koch for taking the pictures!
#geoscience #fieldwork #ronda #spain
Photo of myself in front of the Puente Nuevo bridge that spans the 120-metre-deep chasm that carries the Guadalevín River and divides the city of Ronda. Photo of the Puente Nuevo bridge that spans the 120-metre-deep chasm that carries the Guadalevín River and divides the city of Ronda.
April 22, 2025 at 4:16 PM
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Successful April 2025 expedition in the eastern Sahara Desert of Morocco. I couldn't ask for a better team of friends and colleagues!

#science #paleontology #dinosaurs #spinosaurus #fieldwork #expedition #exploration #sahara #kemkem #morocco
Group photo of the April 2025 Kem Kem expedition team. From left to right: Nanni Fontana, Lara Matt, Stella Ludwig, Samir Zouhri, Nizar Ibrahim, Jessy & Stephan (@dino.cosmos on Instagram), Jennifer Völker, Nick-Lennart Völker, Phoebe Griffith, Katrin Nickel.
April 21, 2025 at 6:14 PM
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Spinosaurus ☔
Photo of myself standing underneath a life reconstruction model of the dinosaur Spinosaurus aegyptiacus in the dark. It's raining, and a streetlight is illuminating the scene from behind, making the rain and teeth of the model glow. Taken at the Sauriermuseum Aathal in Switzerland during a research visit.
April 21, 2025 at 1:22 AM
stellaludwig.bsky.social
You’re also likely to encounter a whole range of different animals. The Barbary macaques native to the cedar forests of the Middle Atlas mountains are especially stunning! 🌲

#Morocco #wildlife #paleontology #fieldwork #KemKem
Portrait photo of a wild Barbary macaque in the Middle Atlas Mountains sitting on the forest floor with cedar trees in the background.
April 20, 2025 at 10:40 AM
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It's a long drive from Casablanca to the Sahara of southern Morocco, but it’s well worth it for the incredible views along the way 🏔️

The landscape changes dramatically as you cross over the snow-covered Middle and High Atlas mountain ranges into the scorched plateaus of the Anti-Atlas.
Photo of flowering grassy fields near Rabat, Morocco. Photo of a dry grassy landscape with the Middle Atlas mountain range in the background. Photo of a dry badlands landscape with the contrasting snow-covered Atlas Mountains in the background. Photo of the barren rocky hills and plateaus of the easternmost Anti-Atlas in the Moroccan Sahara.
April 20, 2025 at 10:40 AM
stellaludwig.bsky.social
T. rex for #FossilFriday!

I'll miss this display of Trinity at the Sauriermuseum Aathal 🥲

#dinosaurs #fossils #paleontology
Photo of myself with the Tyrannosaurus rex specimen "Trinity" at the now closed temporary exhibit in the Sauriermuseum Aathal, Switzerland.
April 18, 2025 at 9:06 PM