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stereospondyl.bsky.social
Raphael Moreno
@stereospondyl.bsky.social
95 followers 180 following 7 posts
PhD student working on temnospondyl biogeography and ecology @ SMNS https://raphamoreno.github.io/
raphamoreno.github.io
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stephanspiekman.bsky.social
Stephan Spiekman @stephanspiekman.bsky.social · Jul 23
I am proud and grateful to present a dream project today in @nature.com www.nature.com/articles/s41...

Meet #Mirasaura grauvogeli, a #wonderreptilewith skin appendages that rival feathers and hairs, challenging our view of reptile #evolution🪶🦎
Artwork by Gabriel Ugueto
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koskinonodon.bsky.social
Bryan Gee @koskinonodon.bsky.social · Jul 11
New paper out today in @zoojlinnsoc.bsky.social for #FossilFriday AKA here's-Bryan's-one-paleo-paper-this-year-to-remind-people-I-still-do-paleo-sometimes: a revision of the #Permian #dissorophid #temnospondyl Aspidosaurus chiton based on a new specimen: doi.org/10.1093/zool... (1/n)
Photograph and illustration of the skull of the new neotype of Aspidosaurus chiton in dorsal view. The skull is an orange-brown color, longer than wide, and largely undistorted.
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Reposted by Raphael Moreno
smnstuttgart.bsky.social
Naturkundemuseum Stuttgart @smnstuttgart.bsky.social · Jul 11
Paleoartist @joschuaknuppe.bsky.social works live on the illustrations for our upcoming exhibition!
Take a look over his shoulder today (11.07., 11 pm) and Sunday (13.07., 9 pm) on twitch: www.twitch.tv/paleostream
Twitch
Twitch is the world
www.twitch.tv
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Reposted by Raphael Moreno
joschuaknuppe.bsky.social
Joschua Knüppe @joschuaknuppe.bsky.social · Jul 11
On tonight stream we do things a little different...
Starting 1 hour sooner and covering a very particular creature.
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stereospondyl.bsky.social
Raphael Moreno @stereospondyl.bsky.social · Jun 28
On thursday I successfully defended my PhD thesis on the diversity and ecology of Triassic temnospondyls at the @smnstuttgart.bsky.social and @unihohenheim.bsky.social On to more temnospondyl fun coming in the future.
Thanks to everyone who helped make this moment possible :D #temnospondone ✔️
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Reposted by Raphael Moreno
katharinehayhoe.com
Katharine Hayhoe @katharinehayhoe.com · May 1
Scientists who study climate don't automatically attribute all changes to human activity. Rather, we carefully investigate every possible natural factor that could explain the planet's warming.

Could these be the real culprits?

The evidence is in--and the answer is NO.

This thread explains! 🧵
A graphic with an icon of the sun, a wiggly line denoting natural cycles, and a volcano, with a title reading "WHY is climate changing?" created by me. Not fancy, as my graphic design skills lean to function over art!
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Reposted by Raphael Moreno
matthewaaronbrown.bsky.social
Matthew Aaron Brown @matthewaaronbrown.bsky.social · Nov 25
Two years ago I returned the loan of this amazing Vancleavea skull to Ghost Ranch. It had been in Austin for CT scanning, and needed a courier to bring it home.

#paleontology
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stereospondyl.bsky.social
Raphael Moreno @stereospondyl.bsky.social · Apr 7
After 4.5 years of work, I officially submitted my PhD thesis :) 372 pages on the diversity and ecology of Triassic temnospondyls. Stay tuned for more temno fun hopefully soon :D
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Reposted by Raphael Moreno
akufner.bsky.social
Aaron Kufner @akufner.bsky.social · Apr 2
New publication! My first dissertation chapter is now published in @plosone.org with @paleobadger.bsky.social, @calamanderso.bsky.social, Hannah Miller, Max Deckman, and Brandon Price. Any images not credited below are from this paper.

doi.org/10.1371/jour...

@uwmadscience.bsky.social

1/16
doi.org
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smnstuttgart.bsky.social
Naturkundemuseum Stuttgart @smnstuttgart.bsky.social · Apr 2
Our #Triassic #Reaserch Team* published a review of all terrestrial #tetrapod occurrences from the Triassic period in the Central European Basin (nowadays Germany, Austria, Poland, Switzerland, the Netherlands, NE France, SE England).

doi.org/10.1016/j.ea...

(1/3)

#science #forschungsmuseum
Redirecting
doi.org
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smnstuttgart.bsky.social
Naturkundemuseum Stuttgart @smnstuttgart.bsky.social · Mar 11
#Press
Research team @smnstuttgart.bsky.social presents comprehensive study on #Triassic terrestrial tetrapods in the Central European Basin in ‘Earth-Science Reviews’.
www.naturkundemuseum-bw.de/footer-menu/...
#SaveTheDate: Special exhibition ‘Triassic Life’ in Stuttgart from 17 October 2025!
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Reposted by Raphael Moreno
joschuaknuppe.bsky.social
Joschua Knüppe @joschuaknuppe.bsky.social · Mar 3
Poster for an exhibition that will open in April.
Had a lot of fun with this and the exhibition itself will have lots more ;)
#paleoart #sciart
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Reposted by Raphael Moreno
idw-online.de
Informationsdienst Wissenschaft - idw @idw-online.de · Jan 9
#ScienceNews
238 bis 234 Millionen Jahre alte Fossilien liefern neue Erkenntnisse über die Anpassungsfähigkeit und Evolution der Urlurche. Ein Team am @SMNStuttgart fand eine unerwartete Vielfalt von Urlurchen trotz lebensfeindlicher Bedingun...
weiterlesen
Raphael Moreno in der paläontologischen Sammlung des Naturkundemuseums Stuttgart mit dem Unterkieferrest eines Metoposaurus. - Copyright SMNS, L. Reinöhl
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Reposted by Raphael Moreno
pensoft.net
Pensoft @pensoft.net · Feb 4
🎂 Recently, we celebrated the 25th birthday of Fossil Record: one of @mfnberlin.bsky.social's flagship #journals!

On the occasion, Fossil Record published a Special Issue on #vertebrate #evolution & "the conquest of land".

👇 Read more on our blog:

#scholarlypublishing #openaccess
Fossil Record celebrates 25 years with a special issue exploring the vertebrate conquest of land
This collection brings together articles exploring the fish-to-tetrapod transition.
blog.pensoft.net
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Reposted by Raphael Moreno
smnstuttgart.bsky.social
Naturkundemuseum Stuttgart @smnstuttgart.bsky.social · Jan 23
#Job

#PhD position (m/f/d) in vertebrate #Paleontology

E 13 TV-L, 65%, 3 years

in the project “Bone Microanatomy, Ichnology and Paleoenvironment” of Dr Eudald Mujal Grané and @eliamson.bsky.social at State Museum of Natural History Stuttgart

All information: www.naturkundemuseum-bw.de/stellen
Text: "Job #Im
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stereospondyl.bsky.social
Raphael Moreno @stereospondyl.bsky.social · Jan 22
it's my favorite piece in the museum as well :D
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eliamson.bsky.social
Eli Amson @eliamson.bsky.social · Jan 17
PhD position alert: join a diverse team of palaeontologists to study the evolution of temnospondyls! The PhD project @smnstuttgart.bsky.social will focus on bone microanatomy: lots of fun with thin-sections and CT in perspective. Whoever you are: don't hesitate to reach out!
tinyurl.com/msvntnd9
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c0nc0rdance.bsky.social
c0nc0rdance @c0nc0rdance.bsky.social · Jan 10
Baby gar burps!

The alligator gar (Atractosteus spatula) can gulp air into its vascularized swim bladder which functions like a low-efficiency lung. This permits them to thrive in low-oxygen water (hypoxic) that might suffocate other fish.
solomonrdavid.bsky.social
Dr. Solomon David @solomonrdavid.bsky.social · Jan 10
BABY Alligator Gar!

At less than one inch long and two weeks old, these future river monsters already breathe air. Watch as one takes a little gulp (and tiny bubble burp)!

Yes, these are the same fish that can grow over 8 feet long and over 300 pounds!
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Reposted by Raphael Moreno
koskinonodon.bsky.social
Bryan Gee @koskinonodon.bsky.social · Jan 3
Schoch et al. (CC: @stereospondyl.bsky.social) provided a thorough description of ontogeny in the Middle Triassic capitosaur Mastodonsaurus giganteus from Germany, which reveals preferences for certain environments at different life stages based on size-frequency comparisons. doi.org/10.3897/fr.2...
Skull reconstructions of various sizes of the Middle Triassic capitosaur Mastodonsaurus giganteus from Germany, all in dorsal view. A. Restoration of incomplete specimen SMNS 97037 (Vellberg, E6); B. MHI-Ku 1992/31 (Vellberg, E6); C. SMNS 54678 (Kupferzell, K3; original figured in Schoch 1999, pl. 3); D. MHI-Ku 1991/4 (Vellberg, E6); E. MHI-Ku 1992/21 (Vellberg, E6); F. MHI-Ku 1992/42 (Vellberg, E6); G. SMNS 4698 (Gaildorf, G2; original figured in Schoch 1999, pl. 1); H. SMNS 54679 (Gaildorf, G2; original figured in Moser and Schoch 2007, fig. 6c); I. Restoration of largest skull, NHMS-WT3323-3368 (Arnstadt), restored regions in light grey. These comparisons highlight how many of the characteristic features of this taxon are present in the smallest known individuals (e.g., narrow interorbital region). Frequency and size distribution of specimens of the Middle Triassic capitosaur Mastodonsaurus giganteus from six different localities and horizons of the Lower Keuper in northern Baden-Württemberg (Germany). Black squares: skulls or semi-articulated skeletons; Grey squares: single bones. Different distributions are noted between localities/horizons (e.g., Vellberg E6 trends towards more smaller specimens but also preserves some of the largest known individuals, while Gaildorf G1 preserves only a few specimens, but all of them are moderately large to very large).
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Reposted by Raphael Moreno
koskinonodon.bsky.social
Bryan Gee @koskinonodon.bsky.social · Jan 3
@stereospondyl.bsky.social et al. (CC @emmadnn.bsky.social) modeled distribution of European temnos over the Middle-Late Triassic transition, proposing that the Central European Basin was the nexus for diversification/radiation and highlighting different interclade patterns. doi.org/10.1111/pala...
Raincloud plots comparing in the inferred mean annual temperature and mean annual precipitation of regions in which different temnospondyls were known to occur in the Middle-Late Triassic of Germany. In the Middle Triassic, capitosaurs, trematosaurs, and plagiosaurids all occur across a range of temperatures, but trematosaurs trend towards cooler temperatures. The ranges of precipitation are more restricted for trematosaurs and especially for plagiosaurs (skewed towards low precipitation). In the Late Triassic, metoposaurids retain the same range of temperatures and precipitation as trematosaurs from the Middle Triassic, whereas the capitosaurs and plagiosaurids are largely found only in areas of inferred high temperature and very low precipitation. Known and inferred distributions of temnospondyls across Pangea during the Middle-Late Triassic based on the combination of empirical data and this study's modeling. In the Middle Triassic, capitosaurs have the widest range, with trematosaurs being more restricted to central Europe and plagiosaurs to north-central Europe. In the Late Triassic, metoposaurids have the widest range, with capitosaurs and plagiosaurids restricted to central/north-central Europe.
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Reposted by Raphael Moreno
koskinonodon.bsky.social
Bryan Gee @koskinonodon.bsky.social · Jan 3
Schoch & @stereospondyl.bsky.social reviewed the Triassic temnospondyls from Germany, harmonizing diagnoses of the 29 valid species, summarizing stratigraphic ranges, naming a new species of Parotosuchus, and reducing Kupferzellia to a junior synonym of Tatrasuchus. doi.org/10.18476/pal...
Stratigraphic distribution of temnospondyls from the Lower to Middle Triassic of Germany. Most taxa other than the capitosaurs Sclerothorax and Parotosuchus have restricted ranges (some may only occur in one locality or horizon). Almost all of the known taxa are capitosaurs. Stratigraphic distribution of temnospondyls from the Middle to Upper Triassic of Germany. Records from these intervals are more abundant, and there are correspondingly many records across a wide stratigraphic range for taxa such as the capitosaurs Cyclotosaurus, Mastodonsaurus, and Tatrasuchus; the trematosaurs Trematolestes and Metoposaurus; and the plagiosaurids Gerrothorax and Plagiosternum. Gerrothorax in particular has an exceptionally long range of around 35 million years.
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Reposted by Raphael Moreno
koskinonodon.bsky.social
Bryan Gee @koskinonodon.bsky.social · Jan 3
@stereospondyl.bsky.social et al. described fraggy material from the Middle-Late Triassic Grabfeld Fm of Germany, identifying the oldest known #metoposaurid remains, proposing biogeographic scenarios for the clade, & reviving the hypothesis of osmotic tolerance. doi.org/10.3897/fr.2...
Fragmentary temnospondyl specimens collected from the Grabfeld Formation of southern Germany. A. SMNS 97058, a fragmentary angular of Metoposaurus sp. B–C, SMNS 55899, a fragmentary clavicle of Metoposaurus sp.; B. Natural mould; C. Silicone mould; D–G. SMNS 59770, a fragmentary interclavicle of Metoposaurus sp. in D. Ventral; E. Dorsal; F. Lateral view; G. Close-up of vascular foramina; H. SMNS 97109, a fragmentary dermal bone of Gerrothorax sp. I–K, SMNS 59771, a fragmentary interclavicle of Plagiosternum sp. in I. Dorsal; J. Lateral; K. Ventral view. L–N, SMNS 97123, an isolated capitosauroid vertebra in L. Anterior; M. Posterior, N. Lateral view; O. SMNS 97125, an isolated temnospondyl caudal vertebra in ventral view; P. SMNS 97124, an isolated temnospondyl phalange. Scale bars: 20 mm (A–G, L–N, P); 50 mm (O); 10 mm (H, I–K). Stratigraphic correlation of the German Middle and Late Triassic Metoposaurus-bearing formations with other metoposaurid-bearing formations around the world. Correlations are based on (DSK 2005; Szulc et al. 2015; Martz and Parker 2017; Zouheir et al. 2018; Buffa et al. 2019; Datta et al. 2021; Sues et al. 2021; Zeh et al. 2021; Lovelace et al. 2023). Abbrevations: Rhaet. – Rhaetian, Longo. – Longobardian, Cord. – Cordevolian, J – Julian, Tu – Tuvalian, LVF – Land Vertebrate Faunachron, CPE – Carnian Pluvial Event, Madagas. – Madagascar, P.-G. – Pranhita-Godavari, AZ – Arizona, NM – New Mexico, TX – Texas, u.c. – upper carbonate, Shinar. – Shinarump, Mmb. – Member, Tectolit. – Tectolito, T. La. – Tres Lagunas, SS. – Sandstone, B. Ran. – Boren Ranch, Fm. – Formation. The Grabfeld material described in this paper represents the oldest known metoposaurid material (early Carnian) and the only record that pre-dates the Carnian Pluvial Event, after which metoposaurids appear in North America, India, Madagascar, Morocco, and other parts of western Europe. Norian records are restricted to Germany, North America, and questionable reports of uncollected material from Zimbabwe. There is some level of uncertainty in most occurrences since they lack radioisotopic dates of metoposaurid-bearing horizons.
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koskinonodon.bsky.social
Bryan Gee @koskinonodon.bsky.social · Jan 3
For the first #FossilFriday of 2025, here's my annual thread looking back on the #temnospondyl research that came out last year! In general, papers were skewed towards anatomical descriptions of specifically European taxa that were predominantly from Triassic deposits.

🧵👇

(1/30ish)
Artistic reconstruction of Stenokranio by Frederik Spindler. A rather stout temnospondyl is depicted as standing up, facing to the right and with mouth agape in a sort of smile. Its large tongue and many teeth are visible. The torso and limbs are round and cylindrical, with webbed feet. The eyes face upward and to the sides, with faint cranial ridges from the skull visible through the skin. Associated with Werneburg et al. (2024) Known and inferred distributions of temnospondyls across Pangea during the Middle-Late Triassic based on the combination of empirical data and this study's modeling. In the Middle Triassic, capitosaurs have the widest range, with trematosaurs being more restricted to central Europe and plagiosaurs to north-central Europe. In the Late Triassic, metoposaurids have the widest range, with capitosaurs and plagiosaurids restricted to central/north-central Europe. From Moreno et al. (2024) Composite reconstruction of the skull of the Late Triassic stereospondyl Ninumbeehan dookoodukah via CT analyses of multiple skulls. The skull is longer than wide and generally triangular, though with a blunted tip of the snout. In lateral view, it angles upwards posteriorly such that the back of the skull is much taller than the snout. The typical interpterygoid vacuities of temnospondyls occur on the palate. The lower jaw is also reconstructed, featuring the typical suite of elements found in temnospondyls. From So et al. (2024) The holotype skull of the early Permian eryopid Clamorosaurus nocturnus from Russia. The skull is incomplete anteriorly and flattened, with associated postcrania skrewn behind it. Typical eryopid features like a tall suborbital bar and broad posterior skull are discernible. From Werneburg & Witzmann (2024)
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stereospondyl.bsky.social
Raphael Moreno @stereospondyl.bsky.social · Dec 30
While we were at it, we also looked at the life history of Mastodonsaurus highlighting ontogenetic shifts in habitat and diet in another article released today in the same issue.
fr.pensoft.net/article/1253...
Growing giants: ontogeny and life history of the temnospondyl Mastodonsaurus giganteus (Stereospondyli) from the Middle Triassic of Germany
The Middle Triassic capitosaur Mastodonsaurus giganteus was the largest temnospondyl and the dominating aquatic predator in many European freshwater to brackish ecosystems. It is represented by numero...
fr.pensoft.net
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stereospondyl.bsky.social
Raphael Moreno @stereospondyl.bsky.social · Dec 30
Among them we identified the stratigraphically oldest Metoposaurus as well as the youngest occurrence of Plagiosternum. @smnstuttgart.bsky.social
fr.pensoft.net/article/1219...
Unexpected temnospondyl diversity in the early Carnian Grabfeld Formation (Germany) and the palaeogeography of metoposaurids
The Middle–Late Triassic Grabfeld Formation formed in a generally arid, hostile setting with frequent evaporation under alternating sabkha and playa conditions. Here we report evidence of four temnosp...
fr.pensoft.net
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