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felix-pym.bsky.social

@felix-pym.bsky.social
87 followers 158 following 70 posts

🔬Palaeoecologist at the University of Exeter | 🌎 NERC GW4+ DTP PhD researcher | Interested in the Pleistocene megafaunal extinctions and rewilding 🦬🌿🍄 linktr.ee/FelixPym

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Reposted by @felix-pym.bsky.social
BirdLife Europe & Central Asia @birdlifeeurope.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
WE WON. Lead in gunshot will finally be banned across the EU! Just now, the European Parliament approved in plenary the Commission's proposal to restrict lead in gunshot. This decision ends years of debate on one of Europe's most persistent forms of lead pollution.
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felix-pym.bsky.social @felix-pym.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
As a PhD researcher investigating how hisyoric large herbivore extinctions can provide baselines for rewilding today, this is an incredibly exciting opportunity to swap my microscopy for contemporary rewilding experience 🔬🌱🐎 #Megafauna #Extinctions #Rewilding
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felix-pym.bsky.social @felix-pym.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
I look forward to working alongside experts in rewilding, developing new skills and perspectives, and contributing to the development of practical knowledge products that could help support thriving, resilient, and biodiverse ecosystems in Europe 🦋🦅🍄
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felix-pym.bsky.social @felix-pym.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
Excited to have officially started an internship with Rewilding Europe and the Upscaling team 🦬🌿🔥 #RewildingEurope #Upscaling
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felix-pym.bsky.social @felix-pym.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
I’d like to express my gratitude to AASP The Palynological Society for supporting my attendance by selecting me to receive an AASP-TPS Student Travel Award 🔬 #AASPTPS #sapptrelew2026 #Fungi #Palaeoecology #Palynology #Megafauna #Extinctions #Argentina
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felix-pym.bsky.social @felix-pym.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Looking forward to meeting colleagues, learning about developments in palynological and palaeobotanical fields, and visiting Patagonia 🐋🦩
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felix-pym.bsky.social @felix-pym.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
As published here: doi.org/10.1016/j.qu... 📖
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felix-pym.bsky.social @felix-pym.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
In my talk, "The timing and ecological consequences of the late Pleistocene megafaunal declines on the Isthmus of Panama: Implications for trophic rewilding", I will review coprophilous fungi spores as an indicator for megafauna and explore how we can learn from extinctions for rewilding today 🍄🦥
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felix-pym.bsky.social @felix-pym.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
📍Session: Fungi and their interactions: A billion-year R-evolution (Hongos y sus interacciones) 🕒 Date and Time: Friday 11 September at 09:20. Trelew Convention Center, Sala B.
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felix-pym.bsky.social @felix-pym.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Excited to be presenting at the joint Palynological Society and Argentine Symposium on Palaeobotany and Palynology (AASP-TPS) in Trelew, Argentina 🇦🇷
The bluesky user stood outside the Egidio Feruglio Paleontological Museum. A Carnotaurs dinosaur model is present in the foreground.
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felix-pym.bsky.social @felix-pym.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
I’d like to express my gratitude to AASP The Palynological Society for supporting my attendance by selecting me to receive an AASP-TPS Student Travel Award 🔬 #AASP-TPS #sapptrelew2026 #Fungi #Palaeoecology #Palynology #Megafauna #Extinctions #Argentina
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felix-pym.bsky.social @felix-pym.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
📍Session: Fungi and their interactions: A billion-year R-evolution (Hongos y sus interacciones) 🕒 Date and Time: Friday 11 September at 09:20. Centro de Convenciones Trelew, Sala B.
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felix-pym.bsky.social @felix-pym.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Published here: doi.org/10.1016/j.qu... 📖
sciencedirect.com
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felix-pym.bsky.social @felix-pym.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
In my talk, "The timing and ecological consequences of the late Pleistocene megafaunal declines on the Isthmus of Panama: Implications for trophic rewilding", I will review coprophilous fungi spores as an indicator for megafauna and explore how we can learn from extinctions for rewilding today 🍄🦥
lnkd.in
LinkedIn
This link will take you to a page that’s not on LinkedIn
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Reposted by @felix-pym.bsky.social
Irene Godoy @irene-godoy.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
@libbychaps.bsky.social representing @crab-exeter.bsky.social and presenting “SOCIAL, BEHAVIOURAL, AND MORPHOLOGICAL ONTOGENY IN WILD EUROPEAN RABBITS” at @isbe2026.bsky.social in Turin.
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felix-pym.bsky.social @felix-pym.bsky.social · 03/07/2026
🧵 (2/2) ... providing further support for multi-genus analyses of coprophilous fungi spores when reconstructing past herbivore presence and the Pleistocene megafaunal extinctions 🔬 doi.org/10.1017/qua.... doi.org/10.1016/j.qu...
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felix-pym.bsky.social @felix-pym.bsky.social · 03/07/2026
🧵 A short thread on Sporormiella (1/2) Sporormiella is widely used as an indicator of large herbivores in palaeoecology 🐂 But this interesting review shows it can also grow on non-dung substrates 🍃 A useful study for palaeoecologists to keep in mind... www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
sciencedirect.com
Beyond the dung heap: the reliability of spores of the ascomycete fungal genus Sporormiella (incl. Preussia) as a proxy indicator of dung and grazing animals
In both palaeo- and neoecological publications, proxy spore evidence suggests a strong relationship between Sporormiella (incl. Preussia) and grazing …
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felix-pym.bsky.social @felix-pym.bsky.social · 03/07/2026
... providing further support for multi-genus analyses of coprophilous fungi spores when reconstructing past herbivore presence and the Pleistocene megafaunal extinctions 🔬 doi.org/10.1017/qua.... doi.org/10.1016/j.qu...
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Reposted by @felix-pym.bsky.social
Rewilding Britain @rewildingbritain.org.uk · 30/06/2026
In need of some positivity? You’re in the right place📍 Welcome to #RewildingWins, our monthly series where we put a spotlight on some of the month’s incredible rewilding achievements. And what a month it’s been… Scroll down to see June's highlights👇 🧵1/8
Photo of a Eurasian wolf against a grassy backdrop. Text on the image reads: June 2026, rewilding wins of the month. Image credit: libre de droit/Getty images/Canva
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Reposted by @felix-pym.bsky.social
RSPB @rspb.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
Imagine travelling thousands of miles just to spend your evenings doing zoomies over the same few houses... It's hard not to be impressed 👇 #SwiftAwarenessWeek
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Reposted by @felix-pym.bsky.social
Lauren Brent @ljnbrent.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
The University of Exeter is not in budget deficit. Yet are proposing to cut 150 academic jobs. This include my job. Please sign and share the petition, write our Vice Chancellor, to your MP, and get the word out about the act of self harm this university is about to commit. c.org/yKcx6Zr29H
c.org
This campaign needs you now
Stop Redundancies at the University of Exeter
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felix-pym.bsky.social @felix-pym.bsky.social · 21/06/2026
Happy summer solstice! ☀️ To celebrate here is a Hedyosmum (Chloranthaceae) pollen grain. This largely arboreal genus often indicates disturbance in montane forests. It also reminds me of the sun! Rotate the photos to see the sun-like surface ornamentation 🔬 This grain is ~ 4500 years old ⌛
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felix-pym.bsky.social @felix-pym.bsky.social · 19/06/2026
Next up in the #WorldCup 2026 football/pollen series ⚽🔬 Here is Iresine, also an Amaranthaceae. This herb is found in open vegetation. I like Iresine, as it reminds me of a retro design (e.g., the 1970 World Cup ball, also held in Mexico). This pollen grain is from Colombia and is ~4500 years old.
Image of a Iresine pollen grain taken whilst viewing under a microscope.
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Reposted by @felix-pym.bsky.social
Pedro Godoy @pedrolgodoy.bsky.social · 17/06/2026
This is the plain language summary of our recent paper: fesummaries.wordpress.com/2026/06/05/w...
fesummaries.wordpress.com
What do fossils teach us about conservation and ecological restoration?
Thayara S. Carrasco, Catalina Pimiento, Tiago B. Quental, Pedro L. Godoy This is a plain language summary of a Functional Ecology research article which can be found here. The fossil record documen…
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Reposted by @felix-pym.bsky.social
Pedro Godoy @pedrolgodoy.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
Our newest paper, led by postdoc Thayara Carrasco & published in @funecology.bsky.social, tracks functional diversity loss of land mammals during the Late Pleistocene extinctions in a grassland ecosystem 🧵 besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.... 🎨: @lacerdajulio.bsky.social
besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com
Long‐term changes in functional diversity and its implications for mammalian conservation and ecological restoration in a grassland ecosystem
Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
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felix-pym.bsky.social @felix-pym.bsky.social · 14/06/2026
Topped off on the way back to Exeter with a spontaneous BBQ at Seaton beach where we were fortuante to be greated by a pod of common dolphins 🔭🐬
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felix-pym.bsky.social @felix-pym.bsky.social · 14/06/2026
First time attending Lyme Regis Fossil Festival yesterday 🐚🦕 I would throughly recommend to anyone with an interest in natural history, palaeontology, fossils... The mix of educational experiences and entertainment was spot on. Fun for all! Even found some Ice Age stalls and memorabilla 🦣🦬
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felix-pym.bsky.social @felix-pym.bsky.social · 13/06/2026
One section of the GCSE is set to focus on habitats and wildlife in the UK. There are many areas that should be covered. Hopefully this includes temperate rainforests, their history, ecological importance and ways to expand and reconnect the fragments 🌿🍄 www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...
theguardian.com
‘Let these amazing forests come back to life’; push to expand England’s rainforest
Campaign comes as Duchy of Cornwall announces plan to expand small pockets of ancient woodland at two sites
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felix-pym.bsky.social @felix-pym.bsky.social · 13/06/2026
For all naturalists out there, the UK department of education are seeking feedback on the proposed subject content for the natural history GCSE. Please consider adding your view so we can try to make sure this important step is done right! 🌿🪸🦇 consult.education.gov.uk/gcse-and-a-l...
consult.education.gov.uk
GCSE natural history proposed subject content - Department for Education - Citizen Space
Find and participate in consultations run by the Department for Education
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felix-pym.bsky.social @felix-pym.bsky.social · 13/06/2026
Great news! Natural history will finally be a GCSE in the UK 🐝🌳🦔 The effects humans have on nature is crucial knowledge to provide the tools to prevent further biodiversity loss. I hope this addition inspires nature advocates for generations to come! ♻️🦫 www.theguardian.com/education/20...
theguardian.com
Natural history GCSE to teach teenagers to plant wildflower-friendly gardens
Long-awaited course to examine human effects on natural world and explore everyday ways to aid biodiversity
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felix-pym.bsky.social @felix-pym.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
The World Cup 2026 has officially kicked off 🏟 To celebrate here is a #pollen grain from the family Amaranthaceae. The family is of my favourites to find, as different species remind me of different sports balls ⚽️ This grain is from Panama and around 16,400 years old 🇵🇦
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Reposted by @felix-pym.bsky.social
Rewilding Britain @rewildingbritain.org.uk · 11/06/2026
Here are three reasons why we should bring the lynx back to Britain 🐾 1. Lynx would thrive in Britain. There is a suitable habitat to bring them back to. Scroll for reasons 2 and 3👇 🧵1/3
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Reposted by @felix-pym.bsky.social
Jacquelyn Gill @jacquelyngill.bsky.social · 08/06/2026
Three weeks left to apply to our postdoc position on alpine plant resilience! Us: Three years of funding, an awesome collaborative team, a gorgeous study system, blueberry pie, unionized postdocs. You: A PhD and experience in ancient DNA, paleoecology, and/or plant genetics and genomics.
fa-ewca-saasfaprod1.fa.ocs.oraclecloud.com
Postdoctoral Research Associate
The University of Maine is a community of more than 11,900 undergraduate and graduate students, and 2,500 employees located on the Orono campus, the regional campus in Machias, and throughout the stat...
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felix-pym.bsky.social @felix-pym.bsky.social · 06/06/2026
A fascinating evolutionary tale 🪹🐣
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felix-pym.bsky.social @felix-pym.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
The research supports a thorough global review showing that the Late Quaternary megafaunal extinctions were biased towards size and that humans played a dominant role in the extinctions: doi.org/10.1017/ext....
doi.org
The late-Quaternary megafauna extinctions: Patterns, causes, ecological consequences and implications for ecosystem management in the Anthropocene | Cambridge Prisms: Extinction | Cambridge Core
The late-Quaternary megafauna extinctions: Patterns, causes, ecological consequences and implications for ecosystem management in the Anthropocene - Volume 2
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felix-pym.bsky.social @felix-pym.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
Interesting read about the Late Quaternary megafaunal extinction in South America! 🌎 Bone records from the Southern Cone show megafauna (mammals > 44 kg) dominated those recovered ~ 12,000 years ago compared to smaller animals, and were the main prey of early human foragers 🍖 shorturl.at/umEOu
shorturl.at
Extinct megafauna dominated human subsistence in southern South America before 11,600 years ago
The high position of megafauna among the hunting prey of humans in South America reinforces their central role in extinctions.
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Libby Chapman @libbychaps.bsky.social · 26/05/2026
Super happy to share some work from my masters project with @cogwild.bsky.social 🪺 Using six years of data from blue tits, we show that wild birds make decisions about their nest design based on their reproductive success in the previous year. 📄 doi.org/10.1093/behe...
Graphic showing the results of the research article in cartoon birds and nest illustrations.
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felix-pym.bsky.social @felix-pym.bsky.social · 26/05/2026
Bird nesting season is in full swing in the UK 🐣🌱☀️ Perfect timing for new research led by @libbychaps.bsky.social showing that wild blue tits use experience from previous breeding seasons to make decisions about how they build nests the next year 🥚👇📘 doi.org/10.1093/behe...
doi.org
The role of personal reproductive experience on nest building in a wild bird
We investigated how the outcome of previous reproductive attempts impacted the materials and structure of nests built by wild blue tits. Nests with more in
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felix-pym.bsky.social @felix-pym.bsky.social · 25/05/2026
Thank you very much!
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felix-pym.bsky.social @felix-pym.bsky.social · 23/05/2026
Hello @toriherridge.bsky.social Please could you add me to your Ice Age starter pack? 🦣🧊 Thank you!
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Guy Shrubsole @guyshrubsole.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
Today sees the launch of a new campaign by Dartmoor Nature Alliance to bring back Dartmoor’s rainforests 🌳🌿 Last night we gathered at Black Tor Copse to call for its restoration - and to double the area of rainforests on Dartmoor’s commons. Get involved: www.dartmoornature.org.uk/rainforests
Photo of Dartmoor Nature Alliance rainforest campaign launch at Black Tor Copse, taken by Fern Leigh Albert
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felix-pym.bsky.social @felix-pym.bsky.social · 18/05/2026
There is lots more cool research about this magnificent animal, including debate over carnivory 🤯 But, Megatherium was likely a gentle giant, as poetically described by the late Andy Currant from the NHM, "Megatherium reminds me of an old man in carpet slippers". A fitting tribute shorturl.at/aelQb
shorturl.at
Giant Ground Sloth - Museum of Life - BBC
Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.
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felix-pym.bsky.social @felix-pym.bsky.social · 18/05/2026
Extinction and humans 🏹🍖 Megatherium bones show evidence of human hunting ~ 12,000 years ago, but they may have survived into the Holocene. Megatherium evolved millions of years ago and came so close to living today, making their extinction all the more heart breaking 💔
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felix-pym.bsky.social @felix-pym.bsky.social · 18/05/2026
Megatherium were widespread 🌎 They roamed widely across South America, especially in the eastern side of the Andes. Bones of Megatherium have been found in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay 🦴
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felix-pym.bsky.social @felix-pym.bsky.social · 18/05/2026
Megatherium were gigantic! Megatherium could stand up to ~3.5 m to browse for vegetation on tall trees 🌴 They weighed up to 4000 kg comparable to the weight of some living elephants 🐘
Side profile photo of the skeleton cast of Megatherium americanum. Photo highlights the sloth standing on its hind legs with its forearms holding on to a tree.
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felix-pym.bsky.social @felix-pym.bsky.social · 18/05/2026
I recently visited a good friend at the Natural History Museum (NHM), Megatherium americanum. A true giant of the Ice Age 🦥 Inspired by our reunion, here are some fun facts about this magnificent animal 📖👇
Photo of a skeleton cast of Megatherium americanum. Photo taken at the Natural History Museum, London.
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felix-pym.bsky.social @felix-pym.bsky.social · 18/05/2026
Until their extinction, straight-tusked elephants once roamed European landscapes 🐘 It will be interesting to see what biodiversity and ecological functions might emerge as formerly captive elephants are given a new home on a degraded Portuguese cattle ranch 🌿🪲🐦 www.theguardian.com/world/2026/m...
theguardian.com
Rewilding giants: captive elephants rehomed in Europe’s first sanctuary
Julie, once a circus elephant, and Kariba, from a Belgian zoo, are to be moved to a former ranch in Portugal
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felix-pym.bsky.social @felix-pym.bsky.social · 14/05/2026
White-tailed eagles in Exmoor!!! 🦅 Exmoor was a big part of my childhood and often draws me back to continue exploring, so seeing a species that was once widespread throughout Britain and Ireland returning to the landscape is thrilling. Great news! www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
White-tailed eagles to be reintroduced in Exmoor despite farmer concerns
Some farmers fear the reintroduction of the UK's biggest bird of prey will threaten their livestock.
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Martin A. Nuñez @martin-nunez.bsky.social · 30/04/2026
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