Richard Dearden
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euphanerops.bsky.social
Richard Dearden
@euphanerops.bsky.social
380 followers 870 following 37 posts
Fan of fossil fishes. Postdoc at University of Birmingham. Especially interested in using fossil and living taxa to understand the evolution of sharks, rays, and chimaeras. Also paint miniatures very slowly.
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euphanerops.bsky.social
Richard Dearden @euphanerops.bsky.social · Apr 30
New #OA paper in @royalsocietypublishing.org #RSOS: we use CT to describe a 3D shark from the Cretaceous Chalk, giving a rare skeletal perspective on shark evolution.

A bit of the backstory in 🧵below featuring
🦴 MYSTERY FOSSILS
🦈 CUTE SHARKS
🦷 CHALK DENTISTRY

doi.org/10.1098/rsos...

(1/13)
A reconstruction of a Cretaceous collared carpet shark menacing a crab in a shallow sea, crinoids, ammonites, and belemnites in background. Credit: Julio Lacerda A fossilised shark head in chalk limestone, and CT data showing the 3D skull preserved inside
Reposted by Richard Dearden
jkriwet.bsky.social
The Evolutionary Morphology Research Group (EvoMoRG: www.evomorg.org) at the Department of Palaeontology of the University of Vienna seeks a motivated PhD student (University Praedoc Assistant) as soon as possible.

For more information visit: jobs.univie.ac.at/job/Universi...
Evolutionary Morphology Research Group – The Kriwet Lab Web Site on Phylogenetics and Evolution of Vertebrates
www.evomorg.org
February 19, 2026 at 11:18 AM
Reposted by Richard Dearden
evopalaeo.bsky.social
Respiratory structures in cornute stylophorans (Echinodermata)
doi.org/10.26034/la....

As always, published free (no page fees or OA costs) and free to read courtesy of @openpalaeo.bsky.social
#DiamondOA
February 17, 2026 at 8:38 PM
euphanerops.bsky.social
Check out our new #OpenAccess paper in @commsbio.nature.com redescribing bewhiskered Jurassic shark Bavariscyllium, led by Sebastian Stumpf. Although relationships hard to pin down, its catshark-esque form shows sharks explored varied body shapes from the start. 🦈〰️

www.nature.com/articles/s42...
Flattened fossils in a pale sandstone showing a long, catshark-shaped shark from the Jurassic. Below are grey silhouettes of these body shapes and a palaeoart reconstruction of the shark in life
February 17, 2026 at 7:48 PM
Reposted by Richard Dearden
dragonsofwales.bsky.social
If you thought your family was weird, wait until you see these guys! Meet your relatives at @lapworthmuseum.bsky.social ‘s family event tomorrow, February 18th.

Such a privilege to have been able to provide the illustrations for this exhibition.
An illustration of a Rhinopteraspis - an ancient jawless fish, being used to promote Lapworth Museum’s family event on February 18th 2026.
February 17, 2026 at 2:42 PM
Reposted by Richard Dearden
merlegreif.bsky.social
Our work on the histology and mineralization patterns of 3 Devonian chondrichthyan taxa from Morocco is finally out now! I am very happy to share this work and hope there will be more to come about early shark tooth histology!
Thanks to all my co-authors, especially Hector Botella!
rdcu.be/e34zE
Diversity of tooth mineralisation patterns at the base of crown chondrichthyans
Communications Biology - The study of three in situ preserved chondrichthyan tooth files reveals histological and developmental disparity at the stem of crown chondrichthyans and provides insights...
rdcu.be
February 15, 2026 at 9:37 AM
Reposted by Richard Dearden
palaeosingh.bsky.social
🚨 UK Student Palaeo Research Opportunity 🚨

Brymbo Fossil Forest are offering students the chance to get involved in active palaeontology research & excavations ⚒️ at a unique #Carboniferous fossil site in Wales 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 - See below for more details ⬇️

#Paleontology #Geology #Fieldwork #FossilFriday #ECR
The Brymbo Fossil Forest is offering students the chance to get involved in palaeontological excavations of a Carboniferous fossil forest in North Wales. QR code on image directs to further details.
February 13, 2026 at 4:42 PM
Reposted by Richard Dearden
tweetisaurus.bsky.social
I'm really thrilled to see the "Cromhall Croc" finally getting the attention it deserves! Please welcome Galahadosuchus jonesi, named after Ewan's school science teacher, who inspired his love of the natural world ♥️
anatomypubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10....
A second species of non‐crocodyliform crocodylomorph from the Late Triassic fissure deposits of southwestern UK: Implications for locomotory ecological diversity in Saltoposuchidae
anatomypubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com
February 13, 2026 at 12:27 PM
Reposted by Richard Dearden
bristolbiosci.bsky.social
JOB ALERT!

We are excited to announce that we are recruiting three new academics at lecturer level!

Click the link below for more info on how to apply, and don’t forget to explore our research themes too!

We look forward to receiving your applications!

www.bristol.ac.uk/jobs/find/de...
JOB ALERT! Lecturer in Biological Sciences Come and join us in the world class Life Sciences Building at the University of Bristol! Closing date: Sunday 8 March JOB ALERT! Lecturer in Biological Sciences Interested in our research areas? Click the link in our bio to discover more! Closing date: Sunday 8 March
February 12, 2026 at 9:14 AM
Reposted by Richard Dearden
palaeontosoc.bsky.social
We're seeking new Council members!

We’re seeking nominations for:
• Vice-President
• Treasurer
• Editor
• Ordinary Member

Help us to shape the future of palaeontological research and publishing. Interested? Get in touch to learn more or nominate a candidate.

#Palaeontology #AcademicService
The Palaeontographical Society are seeking new council members for 2026. We are seeking nominations for: Vice-president, Editor, Treasurer and Ordinary Member. Nominations should include a paragraph outlining why you are interested in the role. Further details can be found here: https://www.palaeosoc.org/latest-news/seeking-treasurer-and-members-of-council/ or by contacting secretary@palaesoc.org / existing council members.
February 11, 2026 at 9:44 AM
Reposted by Richard Dearden
johnrhutchinson.bsky.social
2 RVC faculty jobs are advertised now!
Lecturer / Senior Lecturer in Biomedical Sciences
Comparative Biomedical Sciences Department
Location: Camden (King's Cross, London)
Very broad search in the CBS department's remit
jobs.rvc.ac.uk/Vacancy.aspx...
EDI-friendly
Job Opportunity at the RVC: Lecturer / Senior Lecturer in Biomedical Sciences
We have an exciting opening for up to two academics at Lecturer or Senior Lecturer level to join the Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences at our Camden campus.  The posts are suitable for res...
jobs.rvc.ac.uk
February 10, 2026 at 11:36 AM
Reposted by Richard Dearden
thepalass.bsky.social
✨ Calling all PalAss members & future members! ✨

👉 Explore all opportunities here: palass.org/awards-grant...

Not a PalAss member yet? You’re very welcome to join us!
🔗 palass.org/membership

Please share with colleagues and students who might benefit 💬✨

#PalAss #grant #palaeontology #join
February 4, 2026 at 2:43 PM
Reposted by Richard Dearden
thepalass.bsky.social
Unusual biota and palynofacies of a Lower Devonian intermontane basin saline lake–playa mudflat ecosystem onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/... #PapersinPalaeontology
Photographs of palynomorphs and other fossil fragments extracted from sediments of the Lower Devonian Strathpeffer-Struie sequence from the Northern Highlands of Scotland. Clockwise from top: Emphanisporites foveolatus and an un-named sphaeromorph from the Moy Formation (scale bar 20 microns); Cymbosporites, Latosporites (in the centre of the image) and Diboliporites eifeliensis from the Moy Formation (scale bar 20 microns); a scorpion pectinal tooth (larger image at bottom right; scale bar 150 microns); Prototaxites sp and an un-named banded tube (scale bar 120 microns); and a bundle of filaments (scale bar 60 microns). The red rectangle in the upper right corner is a cover image for the journal Papers in Palaeontology.
January 28, 2026 at 11:32 AM
Reposted by Richard Dearden
fossilyarns.bsky.social
If you want to the nice TLDR of our new paper check out Rob’s great thread on it!
fossilrob.bsky.social Robert Sansom @fossilrob.bsky.social · 22d
New paper story time. 👁️🐟🦴🩻
Here is your gormless jawless relative Jamoytius:
[1/8]
by Nobu Tamura
January 28, 2026 at 10:39 AM
Reposted by Richard Dearden
fossilrob.bsky.social
New paper story time. 👁️🐟🦴🩻
Here is your gormless jawless relative Jamoytius:
[1/8]
by Nobu Tamura
January 28, 2026 at 10:31 AM
Reposted by Richard Dearden
fossilyarns.bsky.social
My new paper is out today!
With @fossilrob.bsky.social looking at Silurian jawless fish (obvs)

With the SLAC synchrotron we find evidence for true bone in these squishy fish AND camera eyes - a nice kismet moment with that great recent Nature paper

Early vertebrate eyes are SO HOT right now!
January 28, 2026 at 9:37 AM
Reposted by Richard Dearden
thepalass.bsky.social
⚠️After a fantastic 69th PalAss meeting in Portsmouth, we’re thrilled to announce what’s next! 🎉✨

📅 The 70th Annual Meeting
📍 Oxford 🏛️
🗓 8–11 December 2026 

📌 Mark your calendars, spread the word, and keep an eye out 👀 — more details coming soon! 🚀

#PalAss26 #oxford #conference
January 26, 2026 at 8:17 PM
Reposted by Richard Dearden
evopalaeo.bsky.social
Early sponges lacked [mineralised] skeletons.
New paper led by M. Eleonora Rossi. Great to have contributed alongside colleagues from @bristolpalaeo.bsky.social , @nhm-london.bsky.social and @mncn-csic.bsky.social.
Read it here: www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
January 7, 2026 at 10:38 PM
Reposted by Richard Dearden
patrickjansen.bsky.social
Are you a PhD-level #wildlife ecologist committed to research and education for #biodiversity and nature restoration?
Our group at @utrechtuniversity.bsky.social has a #vacancy for an assistant professor!
Deadline for applications is February 19.
Please spread the word.
www.uu.nl/en/organisat...
Restoring nature and reversing biodiversity loss are urgent societal challenges. Utrecht University invites applications for an Assistant Professor in Wildlife Ecology and Nature Restoration. In this role, you contribute to help solve these challenges through research and education by linking fundamental wildlife ecology to biodiversity recovery and nature restoration. As an Assistant Professor, you will join a young, enthusiastic team that is eager to make an impact. You will help strengthen the team’s mission to connect fundamental wildlife ecology with the challenges of nature restoration in human-dominated multifunctional forest landscapes, especially in north-western Europe. Your research will focus on restoration-relevant themes, such as wildlife responses to anthropogenic change, the effectiveness of conservation interventions, and the contribution of wildlife to biodiversity recovery and nature restoration. Close collaboration with colleagues within and beyond Utrecht University is an important part of this role, as well as building sustainable partnerships with conservation practitioners and policymakers. You will combine fieldwork, experiments and biomonitoring (e.g. using sensor technologies) with laboratory, statistical and theoretical approaches. There is ample opportunity to initiate research projects and to acquire funding. In education, you will teach in the Biology programs, develop and coordinate a new course, and supervise research projects of BSc, MSc and PhD students.
January 7, 2026 at 6:54 AM
Reposted by Richard Dearden
tweetisaurus.bsky.social
JOB KLAXON! The @nhm-london.bsky.social is recruiting a micro-CT specialist! jobs.nhm.ac.uk/Job/JobDetai...
CT Data and Micro CT Specialist :South Kensington
jobs.nhm.ac.uk
December 23, 2025 at 6:39 AM
Reposted by Richard Dearden
jfcudennec.bsky.social
1/ Last week I attended to a conference entilted "Interactions between human societies and marine invertebrates" (I love how niche and obscure these meetings are), and I learned about the Neolithic desert kites, these huge traps in Middle East.

The link with marine inverts ? A quick thread ! 🦑🏺
Aerial view of the Jibal al‑Khashabiyeh desert kite : a system of stone walls constituting an anclosure were wild animals were trapped
December 9, 2025 at 11:46 AM
Reposted by Richard Dearden
friedmanlab.bsky.social
Out now: latest addition to the Grande volume! Guang-Hui Xu reevaluates Guizhoubrachysomus from the Middle Triassic of southern China. Interpreted as a "luganoiid" in the past, this work argues Guizhoubrachysomus is instead an early dapediid, a group most famous from Jurassic deposits of Europe.
Three-panel figure of a deep-bodied fossil fish. Upper panel shows complete specimen of articulated fish. Bottom left panel shows a close-up photo of skull. Lower right panel shows interpretive drawing of the skull with labeled bones. Large phylogenetic diagram of actinopterygian fishes, emphasizing neopterygians. Each terminal is associated with a small line drawing depicting the taxon.
December 20, 2025 at 3:07 PM
Reposted by Richard Dearden
phil-donoghue.bsky.social
As we head into the festive period, don't forget to apply for my awesome project (including much cleverer co-supervisors) on flowering plant (genome) evolution by January 8. You know you'll regret it if you don't! 🎄🧑‍🎄🔔🎁☃️❄️
phil-donoghue.bsky.social Philip Donoghue @phil-donoghue.bsky.social · Nov 20
Come and do a PhD on 'Genome duplication, extinction and diversification in the evolution of flowering plants' with myself @jameswclark.bsky.social and Ilia Leitch @bristolpalaeo.bsky.social and join the @wgdip.bsky.social studying rediploidisation. Apply: tinyurl.com/26pmfvvc by Jan 8
December 19, 2025 at 3:23 PM
Reposted by Richard Dearden
phil-donoghue.bsky.social
Festive update on chondrichthyan jaw evolution: Evolution of chondrichthyan jaw morphology, from ecological generalists to specialists, led by Ben Griffin, with help from @evopalaeo.bsky.social @euphanerops.bsky.social @emilyrayfield.bsky.social Pablo Milla Carmona and Zerina Johanson
Evolution of chondrichthyan jaw morphology, from ecological generalists to specialists | Paleobiology | Cambridge Core
Evolution of chondrichthyan jaw morphology, from ecological generalists to specialists
www.cambridge.org
December 19, 2025 at 9:45 AM
Reposted by Richard Dearden
philvixseboxse.bsky.social
Absolutely delighted to be a recipient of the @thepalass.bsky.social Annual Meeting Poster Prize at #Palass25! It was a pleasure to discuss our new taphonomic approaches with so many of you all.
Two time series of decay, showing the decomposition of a sea anemone (top) and shrimp (bottom) over 72 and 144 hours respectively.
December 15, 2025 at 12:33 PM
Reposted by Richard Dearden
knapprew.bsky.social
New paper! Here we look at shape evolution of the mandible in Pelagiaria, a group of open-ocean fishes that includes tuna and mackerel. We find that shape disparity accumulated rapidly at the origin of the clade at around the K/Pg boundary... academic.oup.com/evlett/advan...
Adaptive radiation of pelagiarian fishes at the K/Pg boundary led to rapid diversification of mandible morphology
Abstract. Mandibles represent a key evolutionary innovation that has enabled jawed vertebrates to adapt and diversify in response to a range of food source
academic.oup.com
December 9, 2025 at 10:28 AM