Davide Foffa
@davfoff.bsky.social
Palaeobiologists (University of Birmingham, Virginia Tech, National Museums Scotland). Vertebrate Palaeobiologist: Mesozoic reptiles, anatomy, systematics, palaeoecology, macroevolution & assemblages, digital palaeontology
https://davidefoffa.weebly.com
https://davidefoffa.weebly.com
Pinned
Davide Foffa
@davfoff.bsky.social
· Nov 17
#CORDIScovery podcast about my #DAWNDINOS Triassic-Jurassic archosaur locomotor biomechanics project, @davfoff.bsky.social's #ECODIV mass extinction/diversity/ecosystems project, Prof. Sara Varela's #MAPAS climate/biogeography/macroevolution project. Nice synergy! cordis.europa.eu/article/id/4...
When it comes to dinosaurs, was Orwell right?
In his novel Animal Farm, Orwell’s character claims: “Four legs good, two legs bad.” Would the tyrannosaurs agree? Or did...
cordis.europa.eu
Check out this #CORDIScovery podcast on how we study extinct animals, ecosystem and evolution in deep time. I greatly enjoyed learning and discussing our EU funded projects: #ECODIV, #DINODAWN, #MAPAS with @johnrhutchinson.bsky.social and Sara Varela!
Reposted by Davide Foffa
Out in @nature.com today, we shake up the ornithischian family tree. Remember those weird Late Cretaceous iguanodontians, the rhabdodontids? Well they're weird because they aren't iguanodontians. They're ceratopsians. Well, at least some of them are... www.nature.com/articles/s41...
A hidden diversity of ceratopsian dinosaurs in Late Cretaceous Europe - Nature
New results indicate that rhabdodontids and the previously described Ajkaceratops are actually distinctive European ceratopsians, a group better known from Asia and North America.
www.nature.com
January 7, 2026 at 4:57 PM
Out in @nature.com today, we shake up the ornithischian family tree. Remember those weird Late Cretaceous iguanodontians, the rhabdodontids? Well they're weird because they aren't iguanodontians. They're ceratopsians. Well, at least some of them are... www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Davide Foffa
I wrote a piece for @theconversation.com about the top dinosaur discoveries of 2025, featuring Zavacephale, Istiorachis, Spicomellus, Nanotyrannus and Huayracursor. Research from @tweetisaurus.bsky.social @valdosaurus.bsky.social, Lindsay Zanno and more:
theconversation.com/the-best-din...
theconversation.com/the-best-din...
The best dinosaur discoveries of 2025
We’re in a golden era for dinosaur science.
theconversation.com
December 15, 2025 at 5:35 PM
I wrote a piece for @theconversation.com about the top dinosaur discoveries of 2025, featuring Zavacephale, Istiorachis, Spicomellus, Nanotyrannus and Huayracursor. Research from @tweetisaurus.bsky.social @valdosaurus.bsky.social, Lindsay Zanno and more:
theconversation.com/the-best-din...
theconversation.com/the-best-din...
Reposted by Davide Foffa
Our first follow up from the Science paper: New paper on tooth morphology in the Grippia Bonebed - the oldest and most diverse Mesozoic marine tetrapod ecosystem. Paper open access here: njg.geologi.no/publications...
Dental and Dietary Disparity Among Marine Vertebrates from the Early Triassic (Spathian) of Svalbard – Life Bites the Dust, or A New Hope? - Norwegian Journal of Geology
The Early Triassic saw the recovery of ecosystems after the most severe mass extinction event in Earth’s history. However, the ecosystems of the Early Triassic and their patterns of recovery after the Permian-Triassic mass extinction are poorly known due to a scarce fossil record. This study uses dental material to provide information on the taxonomic […]
njg.geologi.no
November 24, 2025 at 4:53 PM
Our first follow up from the Science paper: New paper on tooth morphology in the Grippia Bonebed - the oldest and most diverse Mesozoic marine tetrapod ecosystem. Paper open access here: njg.geologi.no/publications...
Reposted by Davide Foffa
Yes, you CAN go back in time! This StoryMap allows readers to experience several hundred million years of Earth history in just minutes with a scroll-driven animation. Happy GIS Day too!
ow.ly/ZjFV50XsVbc
Want to know how the team did it?
ow.ly/gC3k50XsVQY
⚒️ 🧪 #gischat #geogsky #geogchat 🌎 🌍 🌏
ow.ly/ZjFV50XsVbc
Want to know how the team did it?
ow.ly/gC3k50XsVQY
⚒️ 🧪 #gischat #geogsky #geogchat 🌎 🌍 🌏
November 20, 2025 at 8:24 PM
Yes, you CAN go back in time! This StoryMap allows readers to experience several hundred million years of Earth history in just minutes with a scroll-driven animation. Happy GIS Day too!
ow.ly/ZjFV50XsVbc
Want to know how the team did it?
ow.ly/gC3k50XsVQY
⚒️ 🧪 #gischat #geogsky #geogchat 🌎 🌍 🌏
ow.ly/ZjFV50XsVbc
Want to know how the team did it?
ow.ly/gC3k50XsVQY
⚒️ 🧪 #gischat #geogsky #geogchat 🌎 🌍 🌏
Reposted by Davide Foffa
Then we have the Triassic symposium in the room with the massive screen... @elsa-panciroli.bsky.social, @stephanspiekman.bsky.social, and @davfoff.bsky.social shown here..
November 19, 2025 at 7:17 PM
Then we have the Triassic symposium in the room with the massive screen... @elsa-panciroli.bsky.social, @stephanspiekman.bsky.social, and @davfoff.bsky.social shown here..
Reposted by Davide Foffa
Save Geology at the University of Leicester
Sign the Petition
Save Geology at the University of Leicester
www.change.org
November 19, 2025 at 1:19 PM
Save Geology at the University of Leicester
Reposted by Davide Foffa
I’ve released a tool to sketch and edit phylogenetic trees!
yawak.jp/PhyloWeaver/
Load a Newick file and intuitively add/remove/resize branches.
Useful for quick conceptual trees, extracting subtrees, or turning ideas into Newick.
yawak.jp/PhyloWeaver/
Load a Newick file and intuitively add/remove/resize branches.
Useful for quick conceptual trees, extracting subtrees, or turning ideas into Newick.
PhyloWeaver – Interactive phylogenetic tree editor
Edit and visualize phylogenetic trees directly in your browser. PhyloWeaver lets you interactively rearrange tree topologies and export high-quality figures for publications and presentations.
yawak.jp
November 18, 2025 at 1:59 AM
I’ve released a tool to sketch and edit phylogenetic trees!
yawak.jp/PhyloWeaver/
Load a Newick file and intuitively add/remove/resize branches.
Useful for quick conceptual trees, extracting subtrees, or turning ideas into Newick.
yawak.jp/PhyloWeaver/
Load a Newick file and intuitively add/remove/resize branches.
Useful for quick conceptual trees, extracting subtrees, or turning ideas into Newick.
Reposted by Davide Foffa
An Edinburgh family photo at the @societyofvertpaleo.bsky.social meeting.
Soon after we lost my PhD advisor Mark Norell, it was special to be surrounded by the students and postdocs I’ve supervised!
Soon after we lost my PhD advisor Mark Norell, it was special to be surrounded by the students and postdocs I’ve supervised!
November 16, 2025 at 11:00 AM
An Edinburgh family photo at the @societyofvertpaleo.bsky.social meeting.
Soon after we lost my PhD advisor Mark Norell, it was special to be surrounded by the students and postdocs I’ve supervised!
Soon after we lost my PhD advisor Mark Norell, it was special to be surrounded by the students and postdocs I’ve supervised!
Check out this #CORDIScovery podcast on how we study extinct animals, ecosystem and evolution in deep time. I greatly enjoyed learning and discussing our EU funded projects: #ECODIV, #DINODAWN, #MAPAS with @johnrhutchinson.bsky.social and Sara Varela!
#CORDIScovery podcast about my #DAWNDINOS Triassic-Jurassic archosaur locomotor biomechanics project, @davfoff.bsky.social's #ECODIV mass extinction/diversity/ecosystems project, Prof. Sara Varela's #MAPAS climate/biogeography/macroevolution project. Nice synergy! cordis.europa.eu/article/id/4...
When it comes to dinosaurs, was Orwell right?
In his novel Animal Farm, Orwell’s character claims: “Four legs good, two legs bad.” Would the tyrannosaurs agree? Or did...
cordis.europa.eu
November 17, 2025 at 2:13 PM
Check out this #CORDIScovery podcast on how we study extinct animals, ecosystem and evolution in deep time. I greatly enjoyed learning and discussing our EU funded projects: #ECODIV, #DINODAWN, #MAPAS with @johnrhutchinson.bsky.social and Sara Varela!
Reposted by Davide Foffa
#CORDIScovery podcast about my #DAWNDINOS Triassic-Jurassic archosaur locomotor biomechanics project, @davfoff.bsky.social's #ECODIV mass extinction/diversity/ecosystems project, Prof. Sara Varela's #MAPAS climate/biogeography/macroevolution project. Nice synergy! cordis.europa.eu/article/id/4...
When it comes to dinosaurs, was Orwell right?
In his novel Animal Farm, Orwell’s character claims: “Four legs good, two legs bad.” Would the tyrannosaurs agree? Or did...
cordis.europa.eu
November 17, 2025 at 2:03 PM
#CORDIScovery podcast about my #DAWNDINOS Triassic-Jurassic archosaur locomotor biomechanics project, @davfoff.bsky.social's #ECODIV mass extinction/diversity/ecosystems project, Prof. Sara Varela's #MAPAS climate/biogeography/macroevolution project. Nice synergy! cordis.europa.eu/article/id/4...
Pre-SVP Exploring the Jurassic Coast field trip with amazing group of people led by @kirstymedgar.bsky.social & @davfoff.bsky.social. We explored classic fossil, geological and historical sights, fossil hunting and had a full British culinary and weather experience! #SVP2025 #2025SVP
November 11, 2025 at 4:51 PM
Pre-SVP Exploring the Jurassic Coast field trip with amazing group of people led by @kirstymedgar.bsky.social & @davfoff.bsky.social. We explored classic fossil, geological and historical sights, fossil hunting and had a full British culinary and weather experience! #SVP2025 #2025SVP
Reposted by Davide Foffa
The first #SVP2025 #2025SVP field trip has left, with @kirstymedgar.bsky.social & @davfoff.bsky.social leading a group to the Jurassic Coast of Dorset! I guess it’s too late to have second thoughts about hosting this conference now…
November 9, 2025 at 7:39 AM
The first #SVP2025 #2025SVP field trip has left, with @kirstymedgar.bsky.social & @davfoff.bsky.social leading a group to the Jurassic Coast of Dorset! I guess it’s too late to have second thoughts about hosting this conference now…
Reposted by Davide Foffa
New @nhm-london.bsky.social 5-day course on integrative biodiversity discovery! Learn how to collect specimens, obtain genomic data, and interpret biodiversity using cutting edge phylogenomic analysis. It's free, and aimed at early career researchers: www.nhm.ac.uk/our-science/...
Integrative biodiversity discovery | Natural History Museum
An introduction to field collection, laboratory analysis and phylogenomics.
www.nhm.ac.uk
November 4, 2025 at 3:25 PM
New @nhm-london.bsky.social 5-day course on integrative biodiversity discovery! Learn how to collect specimens, obtain genomic data, and interpret biodiversity using cutting edge phylogenomic analysis. It's free, and aimed at early career researchers: www.nhm.ac.uk/our-science/...
Reposted by Davide Foffa
We've lost Dugie Ross, truly one of the best people I have ever known.
He reported the first Scottish dinosaurs, made the Isle of Skye into Scotland's Dinosaur Island, welcomed so many of us onto his island, into his home and family.
He reported the first Scottish dinosaurs, made the Isle of Skye into Scotland's Dinosaur Island, welcomed so many of us onto his island, into his home and family.
October 29, 2025 at 11:50 AM
We've lost Dugie Ross, truly one of the best people I have ever known.
He reported the first Scottish dinosaurs, made the Isle of Skye into Scotland's Dinosaur Island, welcomed so many of us onto his island, into his home and family.
He reported the first Scottish dinosaurs, made the Isle of Skye into Scotland's Dinosaur Island, welcomed so many of us onto his island, into his home and family.
Reposted by Davide Foffa
We have lost the pillar of Scottish vertebrate palaeontology, Dugie Ross. The man that found & named Dearc. He made the science resonate locally, in his native language, on his native soil, while allowing it to grow globally. He embodied the best of science. Immeasurable loss.
October 29, 2025 at 12:01 PM
We have lost the pillar of Scottish vertebrate palaeontology, Dugie Ross. The man that found & named Dearc. He made the science resonate locally, in his native language, on his native soil, while allowing it to grow globally. He embodied the best of science. Immeasurable loss.
Reposted by Davide Foffa
👇👇👇!!!
After two years of hard work, I’m proud to announce that our new special exhibition @smnstuttgart.bsky.social is now open for the public – Meet Triassic Life: Dawn of the world of reptiles (1/7).
October 18, 2025 at 4:27 PM
👇👇👇!!!
Reposted by Davide Foffa
A fascinating article by BBC News about the Dewars Farm Quarry dinosaur trackway excavation by scientists from across the UK and Oxford University Museum of Natural History, including some fabulous computer generated animation. Great stuff!
www.bbc.co.uk/news/resourc...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/resourc...
In the footsteps of giants - BBC News
One of the longest sets of dinosaur footprints in the world has been discovered in a limestone quary near Bicester, in Oxfordshire, England.
www.bbc.co.uk
October 14, 2025 at 7:45 AM
A fascinating article by BBC News about the Dewars Farm Quarry dinosaur trackway excavation by scientists from across the UK and Oxford University Museum of Natural History, including some fabulous computer generated animation. Great stuff!
www.bbc.co.uk/news/resourc...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/resourc...
Reposted by Davide Foffa
A phenomenal paleontologist and a pleasure to talk to at SVP conferences. Mark will be missed.
Mark Norell obituary: palaeontologist who showed that dinosaurs still walk among us — as birds
Through fieldwork and innovative research, he transformed how scientists and the public perceive the prehistoric world.
www.nature.com
October 9, 2025 at 2:41 PM
A phenomenal paleontologist and a pleasure to talk to at SVP conferences. Mark will be missed.
Reposted by Davide Foffa
#Fossil Files podcast fans!! Today sees the release of Fossil Fails II: The tiny dinosaur with the massive flaw... Get our take on that whole Oculudentavis thing - available now on libsyn and wherever you get your podcasts! @thefossilfiles.bsky.social fossils.libsyn.com/fossil-fails...
The Fossil Files: Fossil Fails: The tiny dino with a massive flaw
Discovery of the smallest ever dinosaur acheived quite a splash when it was publised on the front cover of Nature in 2020. The new critter, Oculodentavis, was the size of a hummingbird and reconstruct...
fossils.libsyn.com
October 7, 2025 at 10:59 AM
#Fossil Files podcast fans!! Today sees the release of Fossil Fails II: The tiny dinosaur with the massive flaw... Get our take on that whole Oculudentavis thing - available now on libsyn and wherever you get your podcasts! @thefossilfiles.bsky.social fossils.libsyn.com/fossil-fails...
Reposted by Davide Foffa
If you attend or work at a university in the UK, chances are you know someone who is on Indefinite Leave to Remain. Please consider what the recent attacks on ILR from both Reform and Labour are doing to those people you probably know.
October 6, 2025 at 10:57 AM
If you attend or work at a university in the UK, chances are you know someone who is on Indefinite Leave to Remain. Please consider what the recent attacks on ILR from both Reform and Labour are doing to those people you probably know.
Reposted by Davide Foffa
If this plan is implemented, it will cripple British universities and health care, and tear apart families.
All 'skilled' immigrants will require £60k salary & cannot use NHS. Permanent residence will be scrapped entirely. Citizenship made insanely hard.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
All 'skilled' immigrants will require £60k salary & cannot use NHS. Permanent residence will be scrapped entirely. Citizenship made insanely hard.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Farage vows to scrap indefinite leave to remain, placing thousands at risk of deportation
Reform UK plans to force non-citizens to apply for visas with high salary thresholds and no access to NHS services
www.theguardian.com
September 22, 2025 at 9:42 AM
If this plan is implemented, it will cripple British universities and health care, and tear apart families.
All 'skilled' immigrants will require £60k salary & cannot use NHS. Permanent residence will be scrapped entirely. Citizenship made insanely hard.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
All 'skilled' immigrants will require £60k salary & cannot use NHS. Permanent residence will be scrapped entirely. Citizenship made insanely hard.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Davide Foffa
Huge thanks to @palaeopercs.bsky.social for inviting and hosting me! If you missed my talk on Tuesday, you can now catch up via their YouTube channel 👇
www.youtube.com/watch?v=x19X...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=x19X...
September 4, 2025 at 8:27 AM
Huge thanks to @palaeopercs.bsky.social for inviting and hosting me! If you missed my talk on Tuesday, you can now catch up via their YouTube channel 👇
www.youtube.com/watch?v=x19X...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=x19X...
Reposted by Davide Foffa
Here is our newest paper just published in Scientific Reports TODAY about the biology of Early Triassic ichthyosaurs from Spitsbergen www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Vertebral microstructure marks the emergence of pelagic ichthyosaurs soon after the End Permian Mass Extinction - Scientific Reports
Scientific Reports - Vertebral microstructure marks the emergence of pelagic ichthyosaurs soon after the End Permian Mass Extinction
www.nature.com
September 5, 2025 at 11:05 AM
Here is our newest paper just published in Scientific Reports TODAY about the biology of Early Triassic ichthyosaurs from Spitsbergen www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Davide Foffa
I absolutely love this story by @jamesashway.bsky.social on he background about how we found Spicomellus
August 29, 2025 at 9:41 PM
I absolutely love this story by @jamesashway.bsky.social on he background about how we found Spicomellus