Australian fossil marine reptiles: a research and regional museum program. Australian Mesozoic marine reptile fossils are common but poorly studied. Two of the most productive localities - Richmond QLD, Coober Pedy SA - are internationally important, spanning a poorly known stratigraphic interval of marine reptile evolution and representing a high-latitude geographic region subject to near freezing conditions. Such preservation occurs nowhere else and provides a unique opportunity for anatomical ....Australian fossil marine reptiles: a research and regional museum program. Australian Mesozoic marine reptile fossils are common but poorly studied. Two of the most productive localities - Richmond QLD, Coober Pedy SA - are internationally important, spanning a poorly known stratigraphic interval of marine reptile evolution and representing a high-latitude geographic region subject to near freezing conditions. Such preservation occurs nowhere else and provides a unique opportunity for anatomical, systematic and palaeobiological investigations. Such research benefits local communities because it forms the basis for regional museum displays, generates long-term tourism revenue, and encourages geological resources to be viewed as valuable natural assets to be responsibly managed for the future.Read moreRead less
The Devonian Gogo Fauna: Diversity, Palaeoecology and Global Significance. The late Devonian Gogo Formation (380 million years old) is undoubtedly one of the richest and best-preserved assemblages of fossil fishes and invertebrates from this age anywhere on Earth. This project will use CT scanning for stomach contents, plus use biomechanical and morphometric analyses to reconstruct tropic relationships of reef-dwelling organisms and test the resilience of the reef ecosystem. Several new species .... The Devonian Gogo Fauna: Diversity, Palaeoecology and Global Significance. The late Devonian Gogo Formation (380 million years old) is undoubtedly one of the richest and best-preserved assemblages of fossil fishes and invertebrates from this age anywhere on Earth. This project will use CT scanning for stomach contents, plus use biomechanical and morphometric analyses to reconstruct tropic relationships of reef-dwelling organisms and test the resilience of the reef ecosystem. Several new species will be published and the heritage significance of the site will be assessed. Working with local indigenous stakeholders, the scientific findings will feed into developing a long-term management plan to protect and conserve the site for future research work and to grow tourism in the region.Read moreRead less