Lauren Wilson
@lnwilson.bsky.social
PhD student @griffinlabpaleo.bsky.social/@princeton.edu | studying bird evolution and development 🐣 | MS from @uafairbanks.bsky.social | she/her
Banner art: Gabriel Ugueto
https://lw0428.wixsite.com/lauren-wilson
Banner art: Gabriel Ugueto
https://lw0428.wixsite.com/lauren-wilson
Despite many cool ammonites, my favorite fossil find has to be this teeny tiny gastropod!
(I feel like he probably had a great personality)
(I feel like he probably had a great personality)
November 17, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Despite many cool ammonites, my favorite fossil find has to be this teeny tiny gastropod!
(I feel like he probably had a great personality)
(I feel like he probably had a great personality)
After a fun SVP, I’m thankful to have some extra time in the UK to explore! Had a wonderful day walking the Jurassic Coast in Kimmeridge and Lulworth Cove
Off to Lyme Regis tomorrow for more adventures!
Off to Lyme Regis tomorrow for more adventures!
November 17, 2025 at 5:05 PM
After a fun SVP, I’m thankful to have some extra time in the UK to explore! Had a wonderful day walking the Jurassic Coast in Kimmeridge and Lulworth Cove
Off to Lyme Regis tomorrow for more adventures!
Off to Lyme Regis tomorrow for more adventures!
Made another new friend today 🔍
July 5, 2025 at 10:21 PM
Made another new friend today 🔍
Back in Montana working in the Fort Union Formation for the next couple weeks! It’s my first time leading my own fieldwork and we’re already off to a great start!
#FossilFriday
#FossilFriday
July 5, 2025 at 3:51 AM
Back in Montana working in the Fort Union Formation for the next couple weeks! It’s my first time leading my own fieldwork and we’re already off to a great start!
#FossilFriday
#FossilFriday
They show how to mitigate challenges (uncertain phylogenetic relationships, branch lengths, model choice) through real case studies – from predicting bush-cricket calling frequencies to the neuron density of T. rex brains. They also offer a guide and resources for making phylogenetic predictions.
July 4, 2025 at 9:14 PM
They show how to mitigate challenges (uncertain phylogenetic relationships, branch lengths, model choice) through real case studies – from predicting bush-cricket calling frequencies to the neuron density of T. rex brains. They also offer a guide and resources for making phylogenetic predictions.
Phylogenetic predictions are also less precise for species on longer branches. The more time a species has had to evolve from a common ancestor, the more uncertain we are about its unknown traits. Phylogenetically informed predictions are, therefore, more honest reflections of uncertainty.
July 4, 2025 at 9:14 PM
Phylogenetic predictions are also less precise for species on longer branches. The more time a species has had to evolve from a common ancestor, the more uncertain we are about its unknown traits. Phylogenetically informed predictions are, therefore, more honest reflections of uncertainty.
Through simulations on multiple tree types and sizes, they show that phylogenetically informed predictions are more accurate than calculations from OLS and PGLS regression formulae. In the figure, you can see that the range in error (actual - predicted) is narrower for phylogenetic predictions.
July 4, 2025 at 9:14 PM
Through simulations on multiple tree types and sizes, they show that phylogenetically informed predictions are more accurate than calculations from OLS and PGLS regression formulae. In the figure, you can see that the range in error (actual - predicted) is narrower for phylogenetic predictions.
Predicting traits like body size is often done by calculating them from regression formulae, based on some proxy. However, this fails to account for shared ancestry among species. Both ordinary (OLS) and phylogenetic (PGLS) regression formulae ignore relatedness during the prediction process.
July 4, 2025 at 9:14 PM
Predicting traits like body size is often done by calculating them from regression formulae, based on some proxy. However, this fails to account for shared ancestry among species. Both ordinary (OLS) and phylogenetic (PGLS) regression formulae ignore relatedness during the prediction process.
I also cannot thank Gabriel Ugueto enough for his stunning reconstruction of the Prince Creek Formation in the height of the spring breeding season. He really brought the ecosystem to life! (Especially this little man!)
May 29, 2025 at 6:19 PM
I also cannot thank Gabriel Ugueto enough for his stunning reconstruction of the Prince Creek Formation in the height of the spring breeding season. He really brought the ecosystem to life! (Especially this little man!)
This project was part of my Master’s at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. I am immensely grateful to my advisor, Dr. Patrick Druckenmiller, for entrusting me with such an amazing project and inviting me to do some of the coolest and craziest fieldwork on the planet!
May 29, 2025 at 6:19 PM
This project was part of my Master’s at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. I am immensely grateful to my advisor, Dr. Patrick Druckenmiller, for entrusting me with such an amazing project and inviting me to do some of the coolest and craziest fieldwork on the planet!
These fossils show us that birds were nesting alongside non-avian dinosaurs in the Cretaceous Arctic of Alaska. They would’ve benefitted from a high-latitude summer light regime, which likely came with many of the added benefits that still draw birds to Arctic ecosystems 73 million years later.
May 29, 2025 at 6:19 PM
These fossils show us that birds were nesting alongside non-avian dinosaurs in the Cretaceous Arctic of Alaska. They would’ve benefitted from a high-latitude summer light regime, which likely came with many of the added benefits that still draw birds to Arctic ecosystems 73 million years later.
While fossils of baby enantiornithines, a group of abundant and diverse early-branching birds, are already well-known, our Alaskan fossils are the first Mesozoic remains of baby euornithines, the clade that includes modern birds and their closest Cretaceous relatives!
May 29, 2025 at 6:19 PM
While fossils of baby enantiornithines, a group of abundant and diverse early-branching birds, are already well-known, our Alaskan fossils are the first Mesozoic remains of baby euornithines, the clade that includes modern birds and their closest Cretaceous relatives!
But that’s not all! The PCF also preserves an incredible collection of baby bird material. The spongy bone texture tells us these birds were still very young and growing rapidly. In fact, the smallest of the PCF babies is only about the size of a one-week-old duckling!
May 29, 2025 at 6:19 PM
But that’s not all! The PCF also preserves an incredible collection of baby bird material. The spongy bone texture tells us these birds were still very young and growing rapidly. In fact, the smallest of the PCF babies is only about the size of a one-week-old duckling!
Since the bones are isolated, we can’t say for sure how many bird species were present in the PCF. We are confident there were at least 3, but it may have been up to 6! This makes the PCF one of the best collections of Late Cretaceous terrestrial bird fossils in North America (and the world!)
May 29, 2025 at 6:19 PM
Since the bones are isolated, we can’t say for sure how many bird species were present in the PCF. We are confident there were at least 3, but it may have been up to 6! This makes the PCF one of the best collections of Late Cretaceous terrestrial bird fossils in North America (and the world!)
Our new study brings the birds into the picture. Over 50 three-dimensionally preserved adult bird fossils demonstrate that a rich assemblage of birds were living in the Cretaceous Arctic of Alaska. Adult bones share affinites with three clades: Ichthyornithes, Hesperornithes, and Neornithes.
May 29, 2025 at 6:19 PM
Our new study brings the birds into the picture. Over 50 three-dimensionally preserved adult bird fossils demonstrate that a rich assemblage of birds were living in the Cretaceous Arctic of Alaska. Adult bones share affinites with three clades: Ichthyornithes, Hesperornithes, and Neornithes.
An incredible collection of baby dinosaur material established the PCF as a globally significant unit for the investigation of dinosaur reproduction and demonstrated that the baby dinosaurs would’ve been too young to migrate south before the onset of winter, meaning they were year-round residents!
May 29, 2025 at 6:19 PM
An incredible collection of baby dinosaur material established the PCF as a globally significant unit for the investigation of dinosaur reproduction and demonstrated that the baby dinosaurs would’ve been too young to migrate south before the onset of winter, meaning they were year-round residents!
The PCF ecosystem was the northernmost known terrestrial ecosystem of the Late Cretaceous, and year-round inhabitants would have to endure adverse winter conditions, including occasional freezing conditions and snowfall, as well as four months of continuous winter darkness. Art: James Havens
May 29, 2025 at 6:19 PM
The PCF ecosystem was the northernmost known terrestrial ecosystem of the Late Cretaceous, and year-round inhabitants would have to endure adverse winter conditions, including occasional freezing conditions and snowfall, as well as four months of continuous winter darkness. Art: James Havens
Enter the Prince Creek Formation (PCF) of northern Alaska, which was deposited at a staggering paleolatitude of 80–85°N 73 million years ago. It’s home to a rich fauna of dinosaurs, mammals, and fishes that have taught us an immense amount about the extremes Cretaceous animals were able to endure.
May 29, 2025 at 6:19 PM
Enter the Prince Creek Formation (PCF) of northern Alaska, which was deposited at a staggering paleolatitude of 80–85°N 73 million years ago. It’s home to a rich fauna of dinosaurs, mammals, and fishes that have taught us an immense amount about the extremes Cretaceous animals were able to endure.
Polar nesting birds are crucial members of their ecosystems, aiding in essential tasks like pollination and seed dispersal. Despite this, the origin of polar bird nesting is not well constrained, and the previous oldest evidence is a penguin colony from the Eocene (~46.5 Ma) of Antarctica.
May 29, 2025 at 6:19 PM
Polar nesting birds are crucial members of their ecosystems, aiding in essential tasks like pollination and seed dispersal. Despite this, the origin of polar bird nesting is not well constrained, and the previous oldest evidence is a penguin colony from the Eocene (~46.5 Ma) of Antarctica.
These birds utilize such challenging strategies to take advantage of abundant summer food resources including growing plants and lots and lots of bugs! This is all thanks to the high-latitude summer light regime, with up to 6 months of continuous daylight! Photo: Claire Kines
May 29, 2025 at 6:19 PM
These birds utilize such challenging strategies to take advantage of abundant summer food resources including growing plants and lots and lots of bugs! This is all thanks to the high-latitude summer light regime, with up to 6 months of continuous daylight! Photo: Claire Kines
Today, over 200 species of birds nest in the Arctic. Some, like the Svalbard rock ptarmigan (left), overwinter and are adapted for extreme conditions. Most Arctic birds, including the Arctic tern (right), undertake an annual migratory journey of ~70,000 km! Images: Nicolas Lecomte; Alix d'Entremont
May 29, 2025 at 6:19 PM
Today, over 200 species of birds nest in the Arctic. Some, like the Svalbard rock ptarmigan (left), overwinter and are adapted for extreme conditions. Most Arctic birds, including the Arctic tern (right), undertake an annual migratory journey of ~70,000 km! Images: Nicolas Lecomte; Alix d'Entremont
Millions of birds nest in the Arctic each year. But did you know they’ve been doing this since the Cretaceous? Can’t believe I finally get to share that our paper on the birds of the Prince Creek Formation is out in @science.org (and on the cover)! 🧵
Art: Gabriel Ugueto @serpenillus.bsky.social
Art: Gabriel Ugueto @serpenillus.bsky.social
May 29, 2025 at 6:19 PM
Millions of birds nest in the Arctic each year. But did you know they’ve been doing this since the Cretaceous? Can’t believe I finally get to share that our paper on the birds of the Prince Creek Formation is out in @science.org (and on the cover)! 🧵
Art: Gabriel Ugueto @serpenillus.bsky.social
Art: Gabriel Ugueto @serpenillus.bsky.social
Happy 5th birthday to Stellasaurus! My super cool husband named Stellasaurus ancellae for longtime Museum of the Rockies field paleontologist and fossil preparator Carrie Ancell, who found and prepped the holotype skull. Simply put, Carrie is one of the best fossil preparators ever!
April 29, 2025 at 9:14 PM
Happy 5th birthday to Stellasaurus! My super cool husband named Stellasaurus ancellae for longtime Museum of the Rockies field paleontologist and fossil preparator Carrie Ancell, who found and prepped the holotype skull. Simply put, Carrie is one of the best fossil preparators ever!