Alyssa F.
@slyssabits.bsky.social
Slyss (she/they) . Cambrian arthropod and weird marine invert enthusiast. Monash/UNE Paleo PhD candidate. Sci comm, SFF, cats. PFP by Karen (@liveinjusttoday on X). 🖖🌈🦐❤️🖤💜
Bonus content: this didn’t make it into the presentation, but it is pretty indicative of the content the audience got.
May 22, 2025 at 12:33 AM
Bonus content: this didn’t make it into the presentation, but it is pretty indicative of the content the audience got.
Had so much fun presenting at #PintofScience2025 last night with @palaeo-jrule.bsky.social and @sharkslikejazz.bsky.social ! Thank you both for so many awesome secret sea-crit facts, and thanks to the organizers at Pint of Science Australia!
May 22, 2025 at 12:31 AM
Had so much fun presenting at #PintofScience2025 last night with @palaeo-jrule.bsky.social and @sharkslikejazz.bsky.social ! Thank you both for so many awesome secret sea-crit facts, and thanks to the organizers at Pint of Science Australia!
THE BUG IS LOOSE 🦐!
2020-2021, a team of Cambrian workers completed a massive transect (the BUG) through the Flinders Ranges looking at a highly complete series of early Cambrian stratigraphic units.
Today, the story of BUG begins, with Steph Richter-Stretton’s new paper: tinyurl.com/33b6a8ke
2020-2021, a team of Cambrian workers completed a massive transect (the BUG) through the Flinders Ranges looking at a highly complete series of early Cambrian stratigraphic units.
Today, the story of BUG begins, with Steph Richter-Stretton’s new paper: tinyurl.com/33b6a8ke
March 14, 2025 at 3:14 AM
THE BUG IS LOOSE 🦐!
2020-2021, a team of Cambrian workers completed a massive transect (the BUG) through the Flinders Ranges looking at a highly complete series of early Cambrian stratigraphic units.
Today, the story of BUG begins, with Steph Richter-Stretton’s new paper: tinyurl.com/33b6a8ke
2020-2021, a team of Cambrian workers completed a massive transect (the BUG) through the Flinders Ranges looking at a highly complete series of early Cambrian stratigraphic units.
Today, the story of BUG begins, with Steph Richter-Stretton’s new paper: tinyurl.com/33b6a8ke
What a blast, being on the inaugural Women in Palaeontology panel in Inverloch this past week! Thank you again to Sally Hurst for leading the panel. And thank you to co-panelists Adele Pentland, Pat Vickers-Rich, and Doris Seegets-Villiers for being kickass #womeninSTEM 🌟
📸: R. Duncan, A. Pentland
📸: R. Duncan, A. Pentland
February 15, 2025 at 8:53 AM
What a blast, being on the inaugural Women in Palaeontology panel in Inverloch this past week! Thank you again to Sally Hurst for leading the panel. And thank you to co-panelists Adele Pentland, Pat Vickers-Rich, and Doris Seegets-Villiers for being kickass #womeninSTEM 🌟
📸: R. Duncan, A. Pentland
📸: R. Duncan, A. Pentland
Happy #internationaldayofwomenandgirlsinSTEM (what a mouthful)! Greetings from beautiful Inverloch VIC, where the Cretaceous bone animal hunt continues. Love Dino Dreaming!
February 11, 2025 at 9:40 PM
Happy #internationaldayofwomenandgirlsinSTEM (what a mouthful)! Greetings from beautiful Inverloch VIC, where the Cretaceous bone animal hunt continues. Love Dino Dreaming!
Hey! Fossil nerds in Victoria- the annual #DinosaurDreaming Dig in Inverloch is next month. Lots of great events- learn what we do, come out to site, see how you can help!
I want to highlight the Women in Palaeo panel on Feb 11- panelists incl. Pat Vickers-Rich, Adele Pentland (and me 😨)!
I want to highlight the Women in Palaeo panel on Feb 11- panelists incl. Pat Vickers-Rich, Adele Pentland (and me 😨)!
January 28, 2025 at 7:45 AM
Hey! Fossil nerds in Victoria- the annual #DinosaurDreaming Dig in Inverloch is next month. Lots of great events- learn what we do, come out to site, see how you can help!
I want to highlight the Women in Palaeo panel on Feb 11- panelists incl. Pat Vickers-Rich, Adele Pentland (and me 😨)!
I want to highlight the Women in Palaeo panel on Feb 11- panelists incl. Pat Vickers-Rich, Adele Pentland (and me 😨)!
I’ve been a fan of @foldablehuman.bsky.social documentaries for many years now. His latest work, ‘Mantracks’, delves into the history of a fossil track site in Texas, anti-science rhetoric, and the way communities connect to their natural heritage. Let’s talk about it!
Vid: tinyurl.com/ybjw7mxz
Vid: tinyurl.com/ybjw7mxz
January 15, 2025 at 4:01 AM
I’ve been a fan of @foldablehuman.bsky.social documentaries for many years now. His latest work, ‘Mantracks’, delves into the history of a fossil track site in Texas, anti-science rhetoric, and the way communities connect to their natural heritage. Let’s talk about it!
Vid: tinyurl.com/ybjw7mxz
Vid: tinyurl.com/ybjw7mxz
Merry Christmas from the Evans Evomorphology lab!
🎄 🦀🦖🐍🐋🦭🦷🦍 🎅
Featuring an absolutely INSANE poster of our lab made entirely in powerpoint, by the super talented Astrid O’Connor!
She’s not on this platform, but highly recommend giving her a follow on Insta (@palaeoastrid).
#auspalaeo #evomorph
🎄 🦀🦖🐍🐋🦭🦷🦍 🎅
Featuring an absolutely INSANE poster of our lab made entirely in powerpoint, by the super talented Astrid O’Connor!
She’s not on this platform, but highly recommend giving her a follow on Insta (@palaeoastrid).
#auspalaeo #evomorph
December 11, 2024 at 10:44 AM
Merry Christmas from the Evans Evomorphology lab!
🎄 🦀🦖🐍🐋🦭🦷🦍 🎅
Featuring an absolutely INSANE poster of our lab made entirely in powerpoint, by the super talented Astrid O’Connor!
She’s not on this platform, but highly recommend giving her a follow on Insta (@palaeoastrid).
#auspalaeo #evomorph
🎄 🦀🦖🐍🐋🦭🦷🦍 🎅
Featuring an absolutely INSANE poster of our lab made entirely in powerpoint, by the super talented Astrid O’Connor!
She’s not on this platform, but highly recommend giving her a follow on Insta (@palaeoastrid).
#auspalaeo #evomorph
Big disclaimer that I don’t study this group in any detail (I’m just a big nerd for Clarence). While I have tried to source these statements from peer reviewed work, let me know if something’s not quite right!
And thanks for joining us on this very silly journey! 🌊🦂 (10/10)
#scicomm #palaeo
And thanks for joining us on this very silly journey! 🌊🦂 (10/10)
#scicomm #palaeo
December 3, 2024 at 6:48 AM
Finally, miscellaneous 🌊🦂 fun facts:
- These guys were marine AND freshwater (and some speculate they could briefly handle being on land).
- The big lads were freshwater 😨
- We do find them in Aus, but not lots!
- We know way more about their genitals than their digestion (9/?)
#Auspalaeo
- These guys were marine AND freshwater (and some speculate they could briefly handle being on land).
- The big lads were freshwater 😨
- We do find them in Aus, but not lots!
- We know way more about their genitals than their digestion (9/?)
#Auspalaeo
December 3, 2024 at 6:46 AM
Finally, miscellaneous 🌊🦂 fun facts:
- These guys were marine AND freshwater (and some speculate they could briefly handle being on land).
- The big lads were freshwater 😨
- We do find them in Aus, but not lots!
- We know way more about their genitals than their digestion (9/?)
#Auspalaeo
- These guys were marine AND freshwater (and some speculate they could briefly handle being on land).
- The big lads were freshwater 😨
- We do find them in Aus, but not lots!
- We know way more about their genitals than their digestion (9/?)
#Auspalaeo
Despite the name (and pointy butts), eurypterids aren’t scorpions. This thing isn’t actually a stinger- it’s called a telson! We see them in modern chelicerates like the horseshoe crab.
These final segments help arthropods swim, hunt, and defend themselves, but they probably weren’t venomous (8/?)
These final segments help arthropods swim, hunt, and defend themselves, but they probably weren’t venomous (8/?)
December 3, 2024 at 6:31 AM
Despite the name (and pointy butts), eurypterids aren’t scorpions. This thing isn’t actually a stinger- it’s called a telson! We see them in modern chelicerates like the horseshoe crab.
These final segments help arthropods swim, hunt, and defend themselves, but they probably weren’t venomous (8/?)
These final segments help arthropods swim, hunt, and defend themselves, but they probably weren’t venomous (8/?)
Eurypterid, roughly, means “broad wings”, and refers to these limbs here- the swimming paddles (aww)! Combined with their surprisingly light weight and streamlined bodies, these paddles could propel these predators through the water.
Next, let’s look at the “stinger”! (7/?)
Next, let’s look at the “stinger”! (7/?)
December 3, 2024 at 6:25 AM
Eurypterid, roughly, means “broad wings”, and refers to these limbs here- the swimming paddles (aww)! Combined with their surprisingly light weight and streamlined bodies, these paddles could propel these predators through the water.
Next, let’s look at the “stinger”! (7/?)
Next, let’s look at the “stinger”! (7/?)
So, Clarence. A cuddly version of what may be to some a frighteningly large crab. A great way of explaining ocean gigantism in bugs, although he really ought to be a different species.
What else can he teach us?
Let’s take a closer look at his paddles and tail! (6/?)
What else can he teach us?
Let’s take a closer look at his paddles and tail! (6/?)
December 3, 2024 at 6:20 AM
So, Clarence. A cuddly version of what may be to some a frighteningly large crab. A great way of explaining ocean gigantism in bugs, although he really ought to be a different species.
What else can he teach us?
Let’s take a closer look at his paddles and tail! (6/?)
What else can he teach us?
Let’s take a closer look at his paddles and tail! (6/?)
Jaekelopterus rhenaniae. This eurypterid is the record holder for largest arthropod to ever exist. These absolute units were apex predators, with powerful pincers and great vision.
Minimum size? 5’9”.* And they weren’t the only giants.
*many believe they were even larger- 8 ft or 2.5 meters. (5/?)
Minimum size? 5’9”.* And they weren’t the only giants.
*many believe they were even larger- 8 ft or 2.5 meters. (5/?)
December 3, 2024 at 6:18 AM
Jaekelopterus rhenaniae. This eurypterid is the record holder for largest arthropod to ever exist. These absolute units were apex predators, with powerful pincers and great vision.
Minimum size? 5’9”.* And they weren’t the only giants.
*many believe they were even larger- 8 ft or 2.5 meters. (5/?)
Minimum size? 5’9”.* And they weren’t the only giants.
*many believe they were even larger- 8 ft or 2.5 meters. (5/?)
The answer? Yes! Horrifyingly, some pinchy bois would have exceeded 5 feet in length.
Alas, here I must point out that Clarence is meant to be a Eurypterus remipes. This species from the Silurian is New York’s state fossil, but… this is as big as it could get. HOWEVER… (4?/)
Alas, here I must point out that Clarence is meant to be a Eurypterus remipes. This species from the Silurian is New York’s state fossil, but… this is as big as it could get. HOWEVER… (4?/)
December 3, 2024 at 6:14 AM
The answer? Yes! Horrifyingly, some pinchy bois would have exceeded 5 feet in length.
Alas, here I must point out that Clarence is meant to be a Eurypterus remipes. This species from the Silurian is New York’s state fossil, but… this is as big as it could get. HOWEVER… (4?/)
Alas, here I must point out that Clarence is meant to be a Eurypterus remipes. This species from the Silurian is New York’s state fossil, but… this is as big as it could get. HOWEVER… (4?/)
Eurypterids could be BIG. Clarence arrived in my life by surprise one Australian summer. I was not prepared for how big he actually is. He’s the size of my couch, and hard to fit in frame all at once!
Everyone’s first question is: did eurypterids really get that big? (3/?)
Everyone’s first question is: did eurypterids really get that big? (3/?)
December 3, 2024 at 6:02 AM
Eurypterids could be BIG. Clarence arrived in my life by surprise one Australian summer. I was not prepared for how big he actually is. He’s the size of my couch, and hard to fit in frame all at once!
Everyone’s first question is: did eurypterids really get that big? (3/?)
Everyone’s first question is: did eurypterids really get that big? (3/?)
Eurypterids are a group of animals that are sometimes called “sea scorpions”. They were chelicerates, like scorpions and spiders, but they were aquatic.
They were predators, and lasted from at least the mid-Ordovician to the end Permian (~ 460–250). (2/?)
#paleontology #invertebrates #chelicerates
They were predators, and lasted from at least the mid-Ordovician to the end Permian (~ 460–250). (2/?)
#paleontology #invertebrates #chelicerates
December 3, 2024 at 6:00 AM
Eurypterids are a group of animals that are sometimes called “sea scorpions”. They were chelicerates, like scorpions and spiders, but they were aquatic.
They were predators, and lasted from at least the mid-Ordovician to the end Permian (~ 460–250). (2/?)
#paleontology #invertebrates #chelicerates
They were predators, and lasted from at least the mid-Ordovician to the end Permian (~ 460–250). (2/?)
#paleontology #invertebrates #chelicerates
So, a year and a half ago, I was gifted a 5 ft long eurypterid body pillow. We call him… Clarence.
Clarence has been such a part of my PhD journey. Come, see his shenanigans around Melbourne, whilst also learning fun facts about the ‘sea scorpions’ of the distant past (1/?)
Clarence has been such a part of my PhD journey. Come, see his shenanigans around Melbourne, whilst also learning fun facts about the ‘sea scorpions’ of the distant past (1/?)
December 3, 2024 at 5:52 AM
So, a year and a half ago, I was gifted a 5 ft long eurypterid body pillow. We call him… Clarence.
Clarence has been such a part of my PhD journey. Come, see his shenanigans around Melbourne, whilst also learning fun facts about the ‘sea scorpions’ of the distant past (1/?)
Clarence has been such a part of my PhD journey. Come, see his shenanigans around Melbourne, whilst also learning fun facts about the ‘sea scorpions’ of the distant past (1/?)
Show me your pet and what they were named after
November 23, 2024 at 5:21 AM
Show me your pet and what they were named after
Had a lovely time at this year's Monash #3MT Finale! We talked all things bugs and segments. Looking forward to a few more #scicomm opportunities coming in October. Thank you to all who made this presentation great!
#palaeontology #geologyrocks #womeninstem #fossils
#palaeontology #geologyrocks #womeninstem #fossils
September 22, 2024 at 7:45 AM
Had a lovely time at this year's Monash #3MT Finale! We talked all things bugs and segments. Looking forward to a few more #scicomm opportunities coming in October. Thank you to all who made this presentation great!
#palaeontology #geologyrocks #womeninstem #fossils
#palaeontology #geologyrocks #womeninstem #fossils
Had a wonderful time talking all things trilobite with Adele on her podcast, Pals in Palaeo! Have a listen if you'd like to here us chat about the miscellanea of fossil bugs:
linktr.ee/palsinpalaeo
#paleontology #palsinpalaeo #fossils #podcast #trilobites #arthropods #cambrian
linktr.ee/palsinpalaeo
#paleontology #palsinpalaeo #fossils #podcast #trilobites #arthropods #cambrian
March 13, 2024 at 10:55 AM
Had a wonderful time talking all things trilobite with Adele on her podcast, Pals in Palaeo! Have a listen if you'd like to here us chat about the miscellanea of fossil bugs:
linktr.ee/palsinpalaeo
#paleontology #palsinpalaeo #fossils #podcast #trilobites #arthropods #cambrian
linktr.ee/palsinpalaeo
#paleontology #palsinpalaeo #fossils #podcast #trilobites #arthropods #cambrian
Not sure why no one's made this into a meme template yet, but I did. #paleontology #trilobites #weirdbugs #invertgang
January 26, 2024 at 5:21 AM
Not sure why no one's made this into a meme template yet, but I did. #paleontology #trilobites #weirdbugs #invertgang
That's a wrap on palaeo presentations! At GEMMZ and CAVEPS I met some truly incredible researchers with fascinating projects. Thank you to the conference organizers and the folks who listened to me prattle about my trilobite research for a little while. I hope you liked my bugs!
December 4, 2023 at 12:41 PM
That's a wrap on palaeo presentations! At GEMMZ and CAVEPS I met some truly incredible researchers with fascinating projects. Thank you to the conference organizers and the folks who listened to me prattle about my trilobite research for a little while. I hope you liked my bugs!
It took a while to make it to the ceremony, but I finally walked for my Masters of Research in palaeobiology! Thanks to everyone who supported me through this endeavor <3
October 14, 2023 at 10:03 AM
It took a while to make it to the ceremony, but I finally walked for my Masters of Research in palaeobiology! Thanks to everyone who supported me through this endeavor <3