Mario Coiro
@lepidodendron.bsky.social
(Palaeo)Botanist at Senckenberg Museum Frankfurt. #Cycads, early #Angiosperms, all sorts of #Leaves. Patron of #plantpaleoart. Ronin. Also food, beer, music, boardgames. He/Him. Opinions are my own.
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Mario Coiro
@lepidodendron.bsky.social
· Mar 22
Disparity of cycad leaves dispels the living fossil metaphor - Communications Biology
An analysis of leaf disparity through time in cycads shows that this group has a dynamic and expanding morphological diversity until the present, and thus does not fit the ‘living fossil’ hypothesis o...
www.nature.com
last week my latest paper on #cycads came out.
The article deals with the idea of cycads as "living #fossils", but what does this mean exactly, and what did we actually test? A thread for #FossilFriday!
www.nature.com/articles/s42...
The article deals with the idea of cycads as "living #fossils", but what does this mean exactly, and what did we actually test? A thread for #FossilFriday!
www.nature.com/articles/s42...
Reposted by Mario Coiro
So, an unexpected development, but I'm gonna be giving a talk tomorrow at SVP in Birmingham!!!!! I'll be speaking about palaeobotany in palaeoart, so hopefully it goes well despite being slightly rushed😅.
Anyway, if you're gonna be around for #SVP tomorrow, come say Hi!!! #paleoart #palaeobotany
Anyway, if you're gonna be around for #SVP tomorrow, come say Hi!!! #paleoart #palaeobotany
November 10, 2025 at 9:34 PM
So, an unexpected development, but I'm gonna be giving a talk tomorrow at SVP in Birmingham!!!!! I'll be speaking about palaeobotany in palaeoart, so hopefully it goes well despite being slightly rushed😅.
Anyway, if you're gonna be around for #SVP tomorrow, come say Hi!!! #paleoart #palaeobotany
Anyway, if you're gonna be around for #SVP tomorrow, come say Hi!!! #paleoart #palaeobotany
Reposted by Mario Coiro
I haven't posted much in a while because, probably unsurprisingly, my PhD has kept me busy! But I was just using this drawing of Wielandiella angustifolia from last year, and I realised that I've never shared a close-up showing all the details of the leaves! So anyway, enjoy! #paleobotany #paleoart
November 10, 2025 at 3:44 PM
I haven't posted much in a while because, probably unsurprisingly, my PhD has kept me busy! But I was just using this drawing of Wielandiella angustifolia from last year, and I realised that I've never shared a close-up showing all the details of the leaves! So anyway, enjoy! #paleobotany #paleoart
Reposted by Mario Coiro
Phyllanthus has what is called “phyllanthoid branching”: Orthotropic (erect) shoots with spirally arranged leaves & plagiotropic (horizontal) branches with distichous leaves. Guam’s P. saffordii shows the dimorphism. 📷: Lauren Gutierrez CCBYND2. #Phyllanthaceae #TropicalBotany #Botany 🌾🧪🌱
November 11, 2025 at 12:30 PM
Phyllanthus has what is called “phyllanthoid branching”: Orthotropic (erect) shoots with spirally arranged leaves & plagiotropic (horizontal) branches with distichous leaves. Guam’s P. saffordii shows the dimorphism. 📷: Lauren Gutierrez CCBYND2. #Phyllanthaceae #TropicalBotany #Botany 🌾🧪🌱
Reposted by Mario Coiro
Phylogenomics and Evolutionary Genomics Workshop in Czechia - 5 days until registration closes!
evomics.org/apply-worksh...
evomics.org/apply-worksh...
November 10, 2025 at 8:10 PM
Phylogenomics and Evolutionary Genomics Workshop in Czechia - 5 days until registration closes!
evomics.org/apply-worksh...
evomics.org/apply-worksh...
Reposted by Mario Coiro
Colours AND smells 🙃🌳💩
November 9, 2025 at 9:59 AM
Colours AND smells 🙃🌳💩
Reposted by Mario Coiro
We are hiring!! #job Interested in #Ageing #Evolution #Ants #Single-cell 🐜🧬 Check our call, we offer a PhD position at the Johannes Gutenberg University in Mainz! check the link
www.blogs.uni-mainz.de/fb10-evoluti...
www.blogs.uni-mainz.de/fb10-evoluti...
Behavioural Ecology and Social Evolution
www.blogs.uni-mainz.de
October 27, 2025 at 4:03 PM
We are hiring!! #job Interested in #Ageing #Evolution #Ants #Single-cell 🐜🧬 Check our call, we offer a PhD position at the Johannes Gutenberg University in Mainz! check the link
www.blogs.uni-mainz.de/fb10-evoluti...
www.blogs.uni-mainz.de/fb10-evoluti...
Reposted by Mario Coiro
#PhD opportunity with amazing supervisors at @westsyduhie.bsky.social and the Botanic Gardens Sydney, focusing on restoration success, genomic diversity and macroecology. Please share widely 🌿
October 20, 2025 at 2:20 AM
#PhD opportunity with amazing supervisors at @westsyduhie.bsky.social and the Botanic Gardens Sydney, focusing on restoration success, genomic diversity and macroecology. Please share widely 🌿
Reposted by Mario Coiro
Scientists just found several fossil bumblebees covered in pollen that directly matches fossil flowers nearby.
The 24-million-year-old discovery reveals the oldest known evidence connecting pollinators to the pollinated.
#Paleontology #NationalFossilDay
🧪🏺
New at @sciencenews.bsky.social
The 24-million-year-old discovery reveals the oldest known evidence connecting pollinators to the pollinated.
#Paleontology #NationalFossilDay
🧪🏺
New at @sciencenews.bsky.social
These ancient bumblebees were found with their pollen source
Insects have long pollinated plants, but evidence of ancient pairing is rare. Fossils now show bees and linden trees goes back 24 million years.
www.sciencenews.org
October 15, 2025 at 6:22 PM
Scientists just found several fossil bumblebees covered in pollen that directly matches fossil flowers nearby.
The 24-million-year-old discovery reveals the oldest known evidence connecting pollinators to the pollinated.
#Paleontology #NationalFossilDay
🧪🏺
New at @sciencenews.bsky.social
The 24-million-year-old discovery reveals the oldest known evidence connecting pollinators to the pollinated.
#Paleontology #NationalFossilDay
🧪🏺
New at @sciencenews.bsky.social
Reposted by Mario Coiro
Reposted by Mario Coiro
so both the stories labelling the Sumud flotilla as "Hamas" have been removed from the topic now (as far as I can see)
That still leaves some serious questions about how and why these stories were tagged - what's the process here, and more importantly *why* has it tagged these specific stories?
That still leaves some serious questions about how and why these stories were tagged - what's the process here, and more importantly *why* has it tagged these specific stories?
oh yeah, great I wondered if any of the heroes from NZ would also get tagged this way
October 2, 2025 at 5:13 AM
so both the stories labelling the Sumud flotilla as "Hamas" have been removed from the topic now (as far as I can see)
That still leaves some serious questions about how and why these stories were tagged - what's the process here, and more importantly *why* has it tagged these specific stories?
That still leaves some serious questions about how and why these stories were tagged - what's the process here, and more importantly *why* has it tagged these specific stories?
Reposted by Mario Coiro
Press release for our recent article on the Big Questions in palaeontology (and link to the original study published in #Paleobiology)
Palaeonology: A small subject has big questions
The involvement of around 200 researchers from over 30 different countries and more than five years’ work have resulted in 89 “Big Questions” – the most important research questions in paleontology…
www.fau.eu
October 2, 2025 at 5:16 AM
Press release for our recent article on the Big Questions in palaeontology (and link to the original study published in #Paleobiology)
Reposted by Mario Coiro
RIP #JaneGoodall - one of the modern pioneers of profound interconnections between people, animals and ecosystems. Her life was lived through science, compassion and tireless advocacy for the multiple values of nature - leaving a legacy that will endure for people and planet.
BREAKING: Jane Goodall, the conservationist renowned for chimpanzee research and environmental advocacy, has died.
Jane Goodall, conservationist renowned for chimpanzee research and environmental advocacy, has died
Jane Goodall, the conservationist renowned for her groundbreaking chimpanzee field research and globe-spanning environmental advocacy, has died. She was 91.
bit.ly
October 1, 2025 at 7:18 PM
RIP #JaneGoodall - one of the modern pioneers of profound interconnections between people, animals and ecosystems. Her life was lived through science, compassion and tireless advocacy for the multiple values of nature - leaving a legacy that will endure for people and planet.
Reposted by Mario Coiro
Another years-long project I was a working group co-leader was published today as well!
Me, @lepidodendron.bsky.social and @rachelwarnock.bsky.social co-led the phylogenetics group and I had such a formative experience! ⚒️
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
Me, @lepidodendron.bsky.social and @rachelwarnock.bsky.social co-led the phylogenetics group and I had such a formative experience! ⚒️
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
Identifying the Big Questions in paleontology: a community-driven project | Paleobiology | Cambridge Core
Identifying the Big Questions in paleontology: a community-driven project
www.cambridge.org
September 26, 2025 at 9:55 PM
Another years-long project I was a working group co-leader was published today as well!
Me, @lepidodendron.bsky.social and @rachelwarnock.bsky.social co-led the phylogenetics group and I had such a formative experience! ⚒️
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
Me, @lepidodendron.bsky.social and @rachelwarnock.bsky.social co-led the phylogenetics group and I had such a formative experience! ⚒️
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
Reposted by Mario Coiro
I’m excited to see how the field grows from here, and how others will build on this work.
📄 The paper was just published #OpenAccess in Paleobiology: dx.doi.org/10.1017/pab.2025.10042
📄 The paper was just published #OpenAccess in Paleobiology: dx.doi.org/10.1017/pab.2025.10042
Identifying the Big Questions in paleontology: a community-driven project | Paleobiology | Cambridge Core
Identifying the Big Questions in paleontology: a community-driven project
dx.doi.org
September 26, 2025 at 1:59 PM
I’m excited to see how the field grows from here, and how others will build on this work.
📄 The paper was just published #OpenAccess in Paleobiology: dx.doi.org/10.1017/pab.2025.10042
📄 The paper was just published #OpenAccess in Paleobiology: dx.doi.org/10.1017/pab.2025.10042
Reposted by Mario Coiro
This isn’t a definitive list — it’s a starting point.
A #shared foundation we hope will guide collaborations, #funding, and advocacy, while sparking new #directions for paleontological #research.
dx.doi.org/10.1017/pab.2025.10042
A #shared foundation we hope will guide collaborations, #funding, and advocacy, while sparking new #directions for paleontological #research.
dx.doi.org/10.1017/pab.2025.10042
Identifying the Big Questions in paleontology: a community-driven project | Paleobiology | Cambridge Core
Identifying the Big Questions in paleontology: a community-driven project
dx.doi.org
September 26, 2025 at 1:59 PM
This isn’t a definitive list — it’s a starting point.
A #shared foundation we hope will guide collaborations, #funding, and advocacy, while sparking new #directions for paleontological #research.
dx.doi.org/10.1017/pab.2025.10042
A #shared foundation we hope will guide collaborations, #funding, and advocacy, while sparking new #directions for paleontological #research.
dx.doi.org/10.1017/pab.2025.10042
Reposted by Mario Coiro
But equally important are the broader needs we highlight:
#Valuing specimen-based research
#Protecting fossil sites & collections
#Strengthening museum infrastructure
#Building a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive community
dx.doi.org/10.1017/pab.2025.10042
#Valuing specimen-based research
#Protecting fossil sites & collections
#Strengthening museum infrastructure
#Building a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive community
dx.doi.org/10.1017/pab.2025.10042
Identifying the Big Questions in paleontology: a community-driven project | Paleobiology | Cambridge Core
Identifying the Big Questions in paleontology: a community-driven project
dx.doi.org
September 26, 2025 at 1:59 PM
But equally important are the broader needs we highlight:
#Valuing specimen-based research
#Protecting fossil sites & collections
#Strengthening museum infrastructure
#Building a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive community
dx.doi.org/10.1017/pab.2025.10042
#Valuing specimen-based research
#Protecting fossil sites & collections
#Strengthening museum infrastructure
#Building a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive community
dx.doi.org/10.1017/pab.2025.10042
Reposted by Mario Coiro
On the #science side, we dug into:
Drivers of #biodiversity across deep time
Integrating data across #space + time
Using #fossils to inform today’s climate and conservation debates
Harnessing new tools + #technologies
dx.doi.org/10.1017/pab.2025.10042
Drivers of #biodiversity across deep time
Integrating data across #space + time
Using #fossils to inform today’s climate and conservation debates
Harnessing new tools + #technologies
dx.doi.org/10.1017/pab.2025.10042
Identifying the Big Questions in paleontology: a community-driven project | Paleobiology | Cambridge Core
Identifying the Big Questions in paleontology: a community-driven project
dx.doi.org
September 26, 2025 at 1:59 PM
On the #science side, we dug into:
Drivers of #biodiversity across deep time
Integrating data across #space + time
Using #fossils to inform today’s climate and conservation debates
Harnessing new tools + #technologies
dx.doi.org/10.1017/pab.2025.10042
Drivers of #biodiversity across deep time
Integrating data across #space + time
Using #fossils to inform today’s climate and conservation debates
Harnessing new tools + #technologies
dx.doi.org/10.1017/pab.2025.10042
Reposted by Mario Coiro
Together, we built a list of 89 #priority #questions, organized into 11 themes.
They highlight both #Scientific #Challenges and the #Structural #Issues shaping the future of paleontology.
dx.doi.org/10.1017/pab.2025.10042
They highlight both #Scientific #Challenges and the #Structural #Issues shaping the future of paleontology.
dx.doi.org/10.1017/pab.2025.10042
Identifying the Big Questions in paleontology: a community-driven project | Paleobiology | Cambridge Core
Identifying the Big Questions in paleontology: a community-driven project
dx.doi.org
September 26, 2025 at 1:59 PM
Together, we built a list of 89 #priority #questions, organized into 11 themes.
They highlight both #Scientific #Challenges and the #Structural #Issues shaping the future of paleontology.
dx.doi.org/10.1017/pab.2025.10042
They highlight both #Scientific #Challenges and the #Structural #Issues shaping the future of paleontology.
dx.doi.org/10.1017/pab.2025.10042
Reposted by Mario Coiro
Paleontology spans everything from the origins of life billions of years ago to today’s biodiversity crises. The scope is massive, and always evolving.
dx.doi.org/10.1017/pab.2025.10042
So we asked: what should we, as a community, be focusing on next?
dx.doi.org/10.1017/pab.2025.10042
So we asked: what should we, as a community, be focusing on next?
Identifying the Big Questions in paleontology: a community-driven project | Paleobiology | Cambridge Core
Identifying the Big Questions in paleontology: a community-driven project
dx.doi.org
September 26, 2025 at 1:59 PM
Paleontology spans everything from the origins of life billions of years ago to today’s biodiversity crises. The scope is massive, and always evolving.
dx.doi.org/10.1017/pab.2025.10042
So we asked: what should we, as a community, be focusing on next?
dx.doi.org/10.1017/pab.2025.10042
So we asked: what should we, as a community, be focusing on next?
Reposted by Mario Coiro
Just in time for #FossilFriday 🦖 What are the big questions in #paleontology today?
dx.doi.org/10.1017/pab.2025.10042
Nearly 200 scientists worldwide came together to map where our field is headed. Here’s the story 👇
dx.doi.org/10.1017/pab.2025.10042
Nearly 200 scientists worldwide came together to map where our field is headed. Here’s the story 👇
Identifying the Big Questions in paleontology: a community-driven project | Paleobiology | Cambridge Core
Identifying the Big Questions in paleontology: a community-driven project
dx.doi.org
September 26, 2025 at 1:59 PM
Just in time for #FossilFriday 🦖 What are the big questions in #paleontology today?
dx.doi.org/10.1017/pab.2025.10042
Nearly 200 scientists worldwide came together to map where our field is headed. Here’s the story 👇
dx.doi.org/10.1017/pab.2025.10042
Nearly 200 scientists worldwide came together to map where our field is headed. Here’s the story 👇
Reposted by Mario Coiro
🚨 1 Week Left to Apply! 🚨
The Krieg Lab is hiring a Research Professional in Plant Ecophysiology & Evolution.
📅 Deadline: October 1, 2025
📧 Sending materials (Cover Letter, CV, References) to: kriegc[at]wfu.edu
The Krieg Lab is hiring a Research Professional in Plant Ecophysiology & Evolution.
📅 Deadline: October 1, 2025
📧 Sending materials (Cover Letter, CV, References) to: kriegc[at]wfu.edu
September 22, 2025 at 12:40 PM
🚨 1 Week Left to Apply! 🚨
The Krieg Lab is hiring a Research Professional in Plant Ecophysiology & Evolution.
📅 Deadline: October 1, 2025
📧 Sending materials (Cover Letter, CV, References) to: kriegc[at]wfu.edu
The Krieg Lab is hiring a Research Professional in Plant Ecophysiology & Evolution.
📅 Deadline: October 1, 2025
📧 Sending materials (Cover Letter, CV, References) to: kriegc[at]wfu.edu
Reposted by Mario Coiro
“Rich Grenyer, a biologist at the University of Oxford, said de-extinction is a “dangerous” distraction and that gene-edited animals are “at best a sort of simulation, rather like those unnerving animated AI portraits of dead relatives some… people create”.”
www.theguardian.com/science/2025...
www.theguardian.com/science/2025...
Scientists claim they’ve made ‘pivotal step’ in bringing back the dodo for first time in 300 years
Thousands of dodos could return within a decade according to Colossal Biosciences, a ‘de-extinction’ company – but experts warn of ‘moral hazard’
www.theguardian.com
September 18, 2025 at 1:29 PM
“Rich Grenyer, a biologist at the University of Oxford, said de-extinction is a “dangerous” distraction and that gene-edited animals are “at best a sort of simulation, rather like those unnerving animated AI portraits of dead relatives some… people create”.”
www.theguardian.com/science/2025...
www.theguardian.com/science/2025...
Reposted by Mario Coiro
Scientists organize the history of the Earth based on the experiences of animals. But what if the Geologic Time Scale was plant-centric? This episode, Aly presents Nora with her take on a time scale based on the evolution and extinction of plants through time.
Image by Lucy Wayland
Image by Lucy Wayland
September 18, 2025 at 6:31 PM
Scientists organize the history of the Earth based on the experiences of animals. But what if the Geologic Time Scale was plant-centric? This episode, Aly presents Nora with her take on a time scale based on the evolution and extinction of plants through time.
Image by Lucy Wayland
Image by Lucy Wayland