Dr James Rule
@palaeo-jrule.bsky.social
Evolutionary Biologist/Palaeontologist. Prev. NHM London. Researcher at Monash University. Reseaching auditory evolution in seals! 🦭 (he/him)
Reposted by Dr James Rule
Hey everyone! I’m excited to share that one of my thesis projects was just published in @currentbiology.bsky.social and featured on phys.org! In this paper, we use an old statistical approach developed by the US Navy in WW2 to predict the aquatic habits of various dinosaurs and marine reptiles 🦖🐊
November 20, 2025 at 8:51 PM
Hey everyone! I’m excited to share that one of my thesis projects was just published in @currentbiology.bsky.social and featured on phys.org! In this paper, we use an old statistical approach developed by the US Navy in WW2 to predict the aquatic habits of various dinosaurs and marine reptiles 🦖🐊
Reposted by Dr James Rule
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.
Had an absolutely blast at #SVP2025. It was great to catch up with friends old and new, and see the amazing science on display! Feeling recharged (but also exhausted) and excited about research!
November 16, 2025 at 2:24 PM
Had an absolutely blast at #SVP2025. It was great to catch up with friends old and new, and see the amazing science on display! Feeling recharged (but also exhausted) and excited about research!
Reposted by Dr James Rule
#2025SVP For people who missed my talk: I’m happy to give this or longer versions via zoom/in person for your seminars/colloquiums. Being based at a small museum w/ little daily exchange among peers, it’s a great opportunity for me to stay connected & for you to learn about our shelled overlords.
#2025SVP ! If you want to get an idea of the major steps of 🐢turtle🐢 evolution, come to see my talk on Friday, Nov 14, 8:30 AM, Hall 8. My student Guilherme Hermanson talks just before me (8:15). 4 years of macroevolutionary research on turtles went into our talks, covering many unpublished results.
November 16, 2025 at 9:06 AM
#2025SVP For people who missed my talk: I’m happy to give this or longer versions via zoom/in person for your seminars/colloquiums. Being based at a small museum w/ little daily exchange among peers, it’s a great opportunity for me to stay connected & for you to learn about our shelled overlords.
Reposted by Dr James Rule
@palaeo-jrule.bsky.social bringing Simpsons gifs to his talk on filter feeding in seals. #svp2025
November 12, 2025 at 4:10 PM
@palaeo-jrule.bsky.social bringing Simpsons gifs to his talk on filter feeding in seals. #svp2025
Reposted by Dr James Rule
Are you attending #2025SVP #SVP2025? Come see my talk on Thursday at 2pm in the Synapsida technical session on tail length evolution in across stem mammals, and find out why this long-neglected part of the skeleton has a much more complicated story to tell than we previously thought!
November 11, 2025 at 12:15 PM
Just arrived in Birmingham for #2025SVP! Looking forward to seeing everyone.
Ever wondered about the evolution of filter feeding in Antarctic seals?
If so, come along to my talk on Wednesday at 4pm in Hall 1.
Ever wondered about the evolution of filter feeding in Antarctic seals?
If so, come along to my talk on Wednesday at 4pm in Hall 1.
November 11, 2025 at 12:36 PM
Just arrived in Birmingham for #2025SVP! Looking forward to seeing everyone.
Ever wondered about the evolution of filter feeding in Antarctic seals?
If so, come along to my talk on Wednesday at 4pm in Hall 1.
Ever wondered about the evolution of filter feeding in Antarctic seals?
If so, come along to my talk on Wednesday at 4pm in Hall 1.
Reposted by Dr James Rule
Reposted by Dr James Rule
Yes, the #PrehistoricPlanetIceAge trailer is out today...
Prehistoric Planet: Ice Age — Season 3 Official Trailer | Apple TV
YouTube video by Apple TV
www.youtube.com
November 6, 2025 at 4:36 PM
Yes, the #PrehistoricPlanetIceAge trailer is out today...
Reposted by Dr James Rule
Our controversial paper is finally out in @cp-iscience.bsky.social !
As part of my PhD dissertation at @qubelfastofficial.bsky.social in 2021, the last chapter was dedicated to a specific pathological pattern in hadrosaurid tails!
As part of my PhD dissertation at @qubelfastofficial.bsky.social in 2021, the last chapter was dedicated to a specific pathological pattern in hadrosaurid tails!
November 4, 2025 at 7:21 PM
Our controversial paper is finally out in @cp-iscience.bsky.social !
As part of my PhD dissertation at @qubelfastofficial.bsky.social in 2021, the last chapter was dedicated to a specific pathological pattern in hadrosaurid tails!
As part of my PhD dissertation at @qubelfastofficial.bsky.social in 2021, the last chapter was dedicated to a specific pathological pattern in hadrosaurid tails!
Reposted by Dr James Rule
I picked up my poster for #2025SVP and it looks SO NICE 🥰 I'm very excited! Hope to see you there - my poster session is on the first day (Wednesday) so please stop by, though I know many of us will be distracted by catching up with old friends! 🐬🦖
November 4, 2025 at 6:44 PM
I picked up my poster for #2025SVP and it looks SO NICE 🥰 I'm very excited! Hope to see you there - my poster session is on the first day (Wednesday) so please stop by, though I know many of us will be distracted by catching up with old friends! 🐬🦖
Reposted by Dr James Rule
Nanotyrannus is real.
For years I’ve considered many mid-sized gracile tyrannosaurs to be juvenile T. rex.
But I was wrong. This stunning new skeleton of a mature long-armed small tyrannosaur is clearly a different species.
Isn’t science fun?!
www.theguardian.com/science/2025...
For years I’ve considered many mid-sized gracile tyrannosaurs to be juvenile T. rex.
But I was wrong. This stunning new skeleton of a mature long-armed small tyrannosaur is clearly a different species.
Isn’t science fun?!
www.theguardian.com/science/2025...
Researchers discover new tyrannosaur species in ‘duelling dinosaurs’ fossil
Analysis of Montana fossils shows the battling predator was a fully grown Nanotyrannus, not a young T rex
www.theguardian.com
October 30, 2025 at 4:39 PM
Nanotyrannus is real.
For years I’ve considered many mid-sized gracile tyrannosaurs to be juvenile T. rex.
But I was wrong. This stunning new skeleton of a mature long-armed small tyrannosaur is clearly a different species.
Isn’t science fun?!
www.theguardian.com/science/2025...
For years I’ve considered many mid-sized gracile tyrannosaurs to be juvenile T. rex.
But I was wrong. This stunning new skeleton of a mature long-armed small tyrannosaur is clearly a different species.
Isn’t science fun?!
www.theguardian.com/science/2025...
Reposted by Dr James Rule
In honour of #2025SVP #SVP2025 in the UK, @journalsystpal.bsky.social has a special collection of landmark papers in vertebrate palaeontology. These papers have revolutionised our understanding of the systematics of major vertebrare groups, and are open access for Nov: share.google/1DIgZYMyjXUH...
JSP Landmark Papers in Vertebrate Palaeontology
Explore the article collection: JSP Landmark Papers in Vertebrate Palaeontology. Published in Journal of Systematic Palaeontology.
share.google
October 29, 2025 at 6:14 PM
In honour of #2025SVP #SVP2025 in the UK, @journalsystpal.bsky.social has a special collection of landmark papers in vertebrate palaeontology. These papers have revolutionised our understanding of the systematics of major vertebrare groups, and are open access for Nov: share.google/1DIgZYMyjXUH...
Reposted by Dr James Rule
Fossil fur seal bones with unusual circular punctures - not from sharks, but mammals. Is this a result of predation (or infanticide) by another pinniped? Or predation by a terrestrial carnivore? Read more about the fur seal fossil record here: coastalpaleo.blogspot.com/2025/10/the-...
October 28, 2025 at 5:51 PM
Fossil fur seal bones with unusual circular punctures - not from sharks, but mammals. Is this a result of predation (or infanticide) by another pinniped? Or predation by a terrestrial carnivore? Read more about the fur seal fossil record here: coastalpaleo.blogspot.com/2025/10/the-...
Reposted by Dr James Rule
❓Incidentally, what does a #PolarBear, #platypus and #SeaLion have in common (other than all being excellent animals)?
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🅰️ They are unusual among swimming #mammals as they power their swimming with their front feet. #MammalWatching
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🅰️ They are unusual among swimming #mammals as they power their swimming with their front feet. #MammalWatching
October 26, 2025 at 3:08 PM
❓Incidentally, what does a #PolarBear, #platypus and #SeaLion have in common (other than all being excellent animals)?
...
...
...
🅰️ They are unusual among swimming #mammals as they power their swimming with their front feet. #MammalWatching
...
...
...
🅰️ They are unusual among swimming #mammals as they power their swimming with their front feet. #MammalWatching
Reposted by Dr James Rule
Our #bowerbird study also has important implications for #conservation palaeobiology theconversation.com/a-tiny-fossi... 1/9 🧵 - @lizzysteell.bsky.social @atennyson.bsky.social @plubbe.bsky.social @fieldpalaeo.bsky.social
A tiny fossil suggests bowerbirds once lived in ancient New Zealand – new research
New Zealand’s ancient bowerbird was smaller and more slender than the species living in Australia and New Guinea today.
theconversation.com
October 26, 2025 at 9:56 PM
Our #bowerbird study also has important implications for #conservation palaeobiology theconversation.com/a-tiny-fossi... 1/9 🧵 - @lizzysteell.bsky.social @atennyson.bsky.social @plubbe.bsky.social @fieldpalaeo.bsky.social
Reposted by Dr James Rule
Arctic seals edge closer to extinction as sea ice vanishes
Arctic seals edge closer to extinction as sea ice vanishes
Three Arctic seal species have moved closer to extinction, as rapid sea ice loss continues to erode their breeding and feeding grounds, according to the latest update of the IUCN Red List of…
news.mongabay.com
October 24, 2025 at 7:05 PM
Arctic seals edge closer to extinction as sea ice vanishes
Reposted by Dr James Rule
New paper today in @science.org: we date the Naashoibito Member (New Mexico) to 66.4–66.0 Ma, coeval with the Hell Creek, with important remarks on pre-extinction dinosaur diversity & regionalisation in North America 🦖🦕☄1/
Art: @nataliajagielska.bsky.social
🔗 www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Art: @nataliajagielska.bsky.social
🔗 www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
October 23, 2025 at 6:11 PM
New paper today in @science.org: we date the Naashoibito Member (New Mexico) to 66.4–66.0 Ma, coeval with the Hell Creek, with important remarks on pre-extinction dinosaur diversity & regionalisation in North America 🦖🦕☄1/
Art: @nataliajagielska.bsky.social
🔗 www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Art: @nataliajagielska.bsky.social
🔗 www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Reposted by Dr James Rule
How do we capture fast and furious snake bites? High-speed video with 3D reconstruction, all at 1000 frames per second! @monashbiol.bsky.social @jexpbiol.bsky.social
October 23, 2025 at 10:50 PM
How do we capture fast and furious snake bites? High-speed video with 3D reconstruction, all at 1000 frames per second! @monashbiol.bsky.social @jexpbiol.bsky.social
Reposted by Dr James Rule
Full speed snake strikes - faster than the blink of an eye! From our new paper in @jexpbiol.bsky.social @monashbiol.bsky.social
October 23, 2025 at 10:35 PM
Full speed snake strikes - faster than the blink of an eye! From our new paper in @jexpbiol.bsky.social @monashbiol.bsky.social
Reposted by Dr James Rule
Speedy snakes! Our new study on high-speed kinematics of strikes in venomous snakes url: journals.biologists.com/jeb/article/... @monashbiol.bsky.social
Kinematics of strikes in venomous snakes
Highlighted Article: Comparison of prey strikes of 36 venomous snake species using high-speed 3D kinematical analysis shows vipers are often faster than elapid snakes, with highest strike velocities i...
journals.biologists.com
October 23, 2025 at 10:33 PM
Speedy snakes! Our new study on high-speed kinematics of strikes in venomous snakes url: journals.biologists.com/jeb/article/... @monashbiol.bsky.social
Reposted by Dr James Rule
First post on Bluesky! I'm a biologist and palaeontologist in Melbourne, Australia, working on morphology of mammals and other vertebrates.
October 23, 2025 at 10:18 PM
First post on Bluesky! I'm a biologist and palaeontologist in Melbourne, Australia, working on morphology of mammals and other vertebrates.
Reposted by Dr James Rule
True story, folks. Enjoy reading, but please refrain from posting about content until it is presented!
#SVP2025 #2025SVP
And even then, follow the presenters’ wishes on their slides/posters.
@societyofvertpaleo.bsky.social
#SVP2025 #2025SVP
And even then, follow the presenters’ wishes on their slides/posters.
@societyofvertpaleo.bsky.social
October 23, 2025 at 10:06 PM
True story, folks. Enjoy reading, but please refrain from posting about content until it is presented!
#SVP2025 #2025SVP
And even then, follow the presenters’ wishes on their slides/posters.
@societyofvertpaleo.bsky.social
#SVP2025 #2025SVP
And even then, follow the presenters’ wishes on their slides/posters.
@societyofvertpaleo.bsky.social
Reposted by Dr James Rule
In an international research collaboration, Otago researchers have helped to trace the history of the bowerbird in Aotearoa, enabled by the discovery of a tiny fossilised bone millions of years old 🦜🌳
Read more here ⬇️
Read more here ⬇️
Tiny fossil bone helps unlock history of the bowerbird
The discovery of a tiny foot bone millions of years old reveals Aotearoa New Zealand was once home to a songbird species with potentially unique courtship behaviours, new research shows.
www.otago.ac.nz
October 24, 2025 at 1:27 AM
In an international research collaboration, Otago researchers have helped to trace the history of the bowerbird in Aotearoa, enabled by the discovery of a tiny fossilised bone millions of years old 🦜🌳
Read more here ⬇️
Read more here ⬇️