iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

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Xavier A. Jenkins @semifossorial.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Out today: We show that Westlothiana lizziae or "Lizzie," described 35 years ago as the world's oldest reptile - is not a stem amniote at all, but a stem tetrapod. www.nature.com/articles/s41...

The part and counterpart of the holotype specimen of Westlothiana.

Paleoartistic reconstruct of Westlothiana by Jacob Schick based on our new data

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Aaron Kufner @akufner.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

This one has been a long time coming! I'm happy to share that another chapter of my PhD has been published! In this one, I'm shaking up the taxonomy of North American metoposaurids. This work was largely done in museum collections, and more on that below. peerj.com/articles/217...

A figure with maps showing the distribution of metoposaurid occurrences in Upper Triassic outcrops of western and eastern North America (centered on the USA). The approximate chronostratigraphic ranges of the now five recognized species are plotted, and line drawings of all of the potentially or definitively diagnostic holotypes of North American metoposaurids are included.

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Raphael Moreno @stereospondyl.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Our special exhibition Triassic Life has come to an end in July, but it's now available as a virtual tour! Didn't get a chance to see it in person in @smnstuttgart.bsky.social or maybe you're already missing Temmi? Here's your chance to revisit🐸 🇩🇪+🇬🇧 virtualtour.naturkundemuseum-bw.de/triassiclife/

virtualtour.naturkundemuseum-bw.de

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Raphael Moreno @stereospondyl.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Just out in Journal of Anatomy. I'm glad to be part of this amazing new research on Mastodonsaurus. 🐸🙌 How can you not love this beast 🤩

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Dr Stephan Lautenschlager @palaeostephan.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

New paper out today! Led by Daniel Schwarz, we retrodeformed the skull and reconstructed the cranio-mandibular musculature of the giant stem-amphibian Mastodonsaurus giganteus. Our results show that Mastodonsaurus had a powerful bite and a crocodile- like bite-and-hold feeding style.

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Prof Susie Maidment @tweetisaurus.bsky.social · 28/01/2026

Hello from Stuttgart! Never been to the SMNS before but it's a lovely museum with amazing collections. Right now they have a temporary exhibit on Triassic life, featuring Mirasaura. @stephanspiekman.bsky.social showed me round.. Amazing fossils!

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Ole Zant @thebiobob.bsky.social · 31/10/2025

Also I did prepare the only Metoposaurus skull with teeth. Which is from the same site.

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Bryan Gee @koskinonodon.bsky.social · 02/01/2026

The yearly round-up of #temnospondyl research from the past year for the first #FossilFriday post of the year: once again, a lot of stuff on European taxa but also a great mix of researchers involved in all sorts of interesting work! 🧵👇 (1/25ish?) #temnospondyls #fossils #histology #anatomy

Photographs and interpretive line drawings of various skulls of Plagiosternum granulosum from the Late Triassic of Germany. The skull is much wider than long, as is typical for plagiosaurids, and broadly parabolic. The orbits are greatly enlarged, taking up more than half the length of the skull, with a very narrow interorbital region; similarly large interpterygoid vacuities occur on the palate. Figure from Schoch et al. (2025).

Photograph and illustration of a specimen of the stereospondylomorph Glanochthon lellbachae from the early Permian of Germany. The skeleton is nearly complete and articulated, though it is flattened dorsoventrally such that elements normally found ventral to others like the jaws and pectoral girdle are splayed to the side. The impression of the tail is fully preserved, giving a clear indication of the full length of the tail relative to the torso. Figure from Werneburg (2025)

Photograph and illustration of the skull of the new neotype of the early Permian dissorophid Aspidosaurus chiton, from Texas, in dorsal view. The skull is an orange-brown color, longer than wide, and largely undistorted. Figure from Gee et al. (2025).

Comparison of the four predominant tissue types found in the pectoral girdle samples of the Late Triassic metoposaurid Metoposaurus krasiejowensis from Poland, imaged under circular cross-polarized light: (a) interwoven structural fibered matrix; (b) coarse PFB; (c) fine PFB; (d) LB fibered matrix. Figure from Kalita et al. (2025).

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Bryan Gee @koskinonodon.bsky.social · 02/01/2026

Schoch et al. (CC: @stereospondyl.bsky.social) revised the Late Tr plagiosaurid Plagiosternum from Germany, the collection of which has been much expanded recently. They also provide an overview of plagiosaurid ecology, noting Plagiosternum only occurs in brackish settings: doi.org/10.1007/s125...

Schematic diagram showing the different types of paleoenvironments in the Late Triassic of Germany (e.g., small shallow lakes, large deep lakes, rivers, brackish lagoons/lakes). Plagiosaurids are largely separated between these habitats, with Plagiosternum only found in brackish settings for example, whereas Gerrothorax is only found in freshwater lakes, and Megalophthalma is only known from streams.

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Bryan Gee @koskinonodon.bsky.social · 02/01/2026

Schoch et al. (CC: @stereospondyl.bsky.social) revised the Late Tr capitosaur Cyclotosaurus from Germany, with updated osteologies and diagnoses for several species, some phylo analysis, and discussion of its ecology (likely an apex predator in freshwater streams): doi.org/10.1007/s125...

Chronostratigraphic diagram showing the distribution of Cyclotosaurus throughout Germany, with C. robustus and C. buechneri occurring in the Carnian of the Stuttgart Formation, followed by C. ebrachensis in the Weser Formation, and then C. posthumus and C. hemprichi in the Norian Arnstadt Formation (but at different levels).

Comparative line drawings of skulls of different Cyclotosaurus species in dorsal view, with differences in the proportions and orientations of the nares and the proportions and size of the parietals highlighted as differential features.

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nogain98 @rlatkdwls.bsky.social · 14/12/2025

Placodontiformes – Placodonts

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Colin Carlson @colincarlson.bsky.social · 23/11/2025

“I asked ChatGPT” “I asked Claude” I asked this horseshoe crab and he said your ass wouldn’t have lasted two seconds in the Triassic

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Raphael Moreno @stereospondyl.bsky.social · 17/10/2025

After two years of hard work, I’m proud to announce that our new special exhibition @smnstuttgart.bsky.social is now open for the public – Meet Triassic Life: Dawn of the world of reptiles (1/7).

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Stephan Spiekman @stephanspiekman.bsky.social · 18/10/2025

‼️‼️Triassic Life just opened @smnstuttgart.bsky.social‼️‼️ For all #Triassic fans, lovers of strange reptiles and the Dawn of the Modern World, this is an absolute MUST! It also couldn't be more timely with our recent publication @nature.com of the wonder reptile #Mirasaura, which is now on display!

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Naturkundemuseum Stuttgart @smnstuttgart.bsky.social · 17/10/2025

Yesterday we opened “Triassic Life — Dawn of the age of reptiles” at Museum am Löwentor, Stuttgart. The show tracks life’s rebound after the end Permian mass extinction ~252 million years ago. 📷: Maximilian Schwarz

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Raphael Moreno @stereospondyl.bsky.social · 17/10/2025

After two years of hard work, I’m proud to announce that our new special exhibition @smnstuttgart.bsky.social is now open for the public – Meet Triassic Life: Dawn of the world of reptiles (1/7).

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Stephan Spiekman @stephanspiekman.bsky.social · 23/07/2025

I am proud and grateful to present a dream project today in @nature.com www.nature.com/articles/s41... Meet #Mirasaura grauvogeli, a #wonderreptilewith skin appendages that rival feathers and hairs, challenging our view of reptile #evolution🪶🦎

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Bryan Gee @koskinonodon.bsky.social · 11/07/2025

New paper out today in @zoojlinnsoc.bsky.social for #FossilFriday AKA here's-Bryan's-one-paleo-paper-this-year-to-remind-people-I-still-do-paleo-sometimes: a revision of the #Permian #dissorophid #temnospondyl Aspidosaurus chiton based on a new specimen: doi.org/10.1093/zool... (1/n)

Photograph and illustration of the skull of the new neotype of Aspidosaurus chiton in dorsal view. The skull is an orange-brown color, longer than wide, and largely undistorted.

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Naturkundemuseum Stuttgart @smnstuttgart.bsky.social · 11/07/2025

Paleoartist @joschuaknuppe.bsky.social works live on the illustrations for our upcoming exhibition! Take a look over his shoulder today (11.07., 11 pm) and Sunday (13.07., 9 pm) on twitch: www.twitch.tv/paleostream

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Joschua Knüppe @joschuaknuppe.bsky.social · 11/07/2025

On tonight stream we do things a little different... Starting 1 hour sooner and covering a very particular creature.

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Raphael Moreno @stereospondyl.bsky.social · 28/06/2025

On thursday I successfully defended my PhD thesis on the diversity and ecology of Triassic temnospondyls at the @smnstuttgart.bsky.social and @unihohenheim.bsky.social On to more temnospondyl fun coming in the future. Thanks to everyone who helped make this moment possible :D #temnospondone ✔️

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Katharine Hayhoe @katharinehayhoe.com · 01/05/2025

Scientists who study climate don't automatically attribute all changes to human activity. Rather, we carefully investigate every possible natural factor that could explain the planet's warming. Could these be the real culprits? The evidence is in--and the answer is NO. This thread explains! 🧵

A graphic with an icon of the sun, a wiggly line denoting natural cycles, and a volcano, with a title reading "WHY is climate changing?" created by me. Not fancy, as my graphic design skills lean to function over art!

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Matthew Aaron Brown @matthewaaronbrown.bsky.social · 25/11/2024

Two years ago I returned the loan of this amazing Vancleavea skull to Ghost Ranch. It had been in Austin for CT scanning, and needed a courier to bring it home. #paleontology

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Raphael Moreno @stereospondyl.bsky.social · 07/04/2025

After 4.5 years of work, I officially submitted my PhD thesis :) 372 pages on the diversity and ecology of Triassic temnospondyls. Stay tuned for more temno fun hopefully soon :D

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Aaron Kufner @akufner.bsky.social · 02/04/2025

New publication! My first dissertation chapter is now published in @plosone.org with @paleobadger.bsky.social, @calamanderso.bsky.social, Hannah Miller, Max Deckman, and Brandon Price. Any images not credited below are from this paper. doi.org/10.1371/jour... @uwmadscience.bsky.social 1/16

doi.org

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Naturkundemuseum Stuttgart @smnstuttgart.bsky.social · 02/04/2025

Our #Triassic #Reaserch Team* published a review of all terrestrial #tetrapod occurrences from the Triassic period in the Central European Basin (nowadays Germany, Austria, Poland, Switzerland, the Netherlands, NE France, SE England). doi.org/10.1016/j.ea... (1/3) #science #forschungsmuseum

doi.org

Redirecting

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Naturkundemuseum Stuttgart @smnstuttgart.bsky.social · 11/03/2025

#Press Research team @smnstuttgart.bsky.social presents comprehensive study on #Triassic terrestrial tetrapods in the Central European Basin in ‘Earth-Science Reviews’. www.naturkundemuseum-bw.de/footer-menu/... #SaveTheDate: Special exhibition ‘Triassic Life’ in Stuttgart from 17 October 2025!

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Joschua Knüppe @joschuaknuppe.bsky.social · 03/03/2025

Poster for an exhibition that will open in April. Had a lot of fun with this and the exhibition itself will have lots more ;) #paleoart #sciart

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Informationsdienst Wissenschaft - idw @idw-online.de · 09/01/2025

#ScienceNews 238 bis 234 Millionen Jahre alte Fossilien liefern neue Erkenntnisse über die Anpassungsfähigkeit und Evolution der Urlurche. Ein Team am @SMNStuttgart fand eine unerwartete Vielfalt von Urlurchen trotz lebensfeindlicher Bedingun... weiterlesen

Raphael Moreno in der paläontologischen Sammlung des Naturkundemuseums Stuttgart mit dem Unterkieferrest eines Metoposaurus. - Copyright SMNS, L. Reinöhl

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Pensoft @pensoft.net · 04/02/2025

🎂 Recently, we celebrated the 25th birthday of Fossil Record: one of @mfnberlin.bsky.social's flagship #journals! On the occasion, Fossil Record published a Special Issue on #vertebrate #evolution & "the conquest of land". 👇 Read more on our blog: #scholarlypublishing #openaccess

blog.pensoft.net

Fossil Record celebrates 25 years with a special issue exploring the vertebrate conquest of land

This collection brings together articles exploring the fish-to-tetrapod transition.

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Naturkundemuseum Stuttgart @smnstuttgart.bsky.social · 23/01/2025

#Job #PhD position (m/f/d) in vertebrate #Paleontology E 13 TV-L, 65%, 3 years in the project “Bone Microanatomy, Ichnology and Paleoenvironment” of Dr Eudald Mujal Grané and @eliamson.bsky.social at State Museum of Natural History Stuttgart All information: www.naturkundemuseum-bw.de/stellen

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Eli Amson @eliamson.bsky.social · 17/01/2025

PhD position alert: join a diverse team of palaeontologists to study the evolution of temnospondyls! The PhD project @smnstuttgart.bsky.social will focus on bone microanatomy: lots of fun with thin-sections and CT in perspective. Whoever you are: don't hesitate to reach out! tinyurl.com/msvntnd9

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c0nc0rdance @c0nc0rdance.bsky.social · 10/01/2025

Baby gar burps! The alligator gar (Atractosteus spatula) can gulp air into its vascularized swim bladder which functions like a low-efficiency lung. This permits them to thrive in low-oxygen water (hypoxic) that might suffocate other fish.

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Bryan Gee @koskinonodon.bsky.social · 03/01/2025

Schoch et al. (CC: @stereospondyl.bsky.social) provided a thorough description of ontogeny in the Middle Triassic capitosaur Mastodonsaurus giganteus from Germany, which reveals preferences for certain environments at different life stages based on size-frequency comparisons. doi.org/10.3897/fr.2...

Skull reconstructions of various sizes of the Middle Triassic capitosaur Mastodonsaurus giganteus from Germany, all in dorsal view. A. Restoration of incomplete specimen SMNS 97037 (Vellberg, E6); B. MHI-Ku 1992/31 (Vellberg, E6); C. SMNS 54678 (Kupferzell, K3; original figured in Schoch 1999, pl. 3); D. MHI-Ku 1991/4 (Vellberg, E6); E. MHI-Ku 1992/21 (Vellberg, E6); F. MHI-Ku 1992/42 (Vellberg, E6); G. SMNS 4698 (Gaildorf, G2; original figured in Schoch 1999, pl. 1); H. SMNS 54679 (Gaildorf, G2; original figured in Moser and Schoch 2007, fig. 6c); I. Restoration of largest skull, NHMS-WT3323-3368 (Arnstadt), restored regions in light grey. These comparisons highlight how many of the characteristic features of this taxon are present in the smallest known individuals (e.g., narrow interorbital region).

Frequency and size distribution of specimens of the Middle Triassic capitosaur Mastodonsaurus giganteus from six different localities and horizons of the Lower Keuper in northern Baden-Württemberg (Germany). Black squares: skulls or semi-articulated skeletons; Grey squares: single bones. Different distributions are noted between localities/horizons (e.g., Vellberg E6 trends towards more smaller specimens but also preserves some of the largest known individuals, while Gaildorf G1 preserves only a few specimens, but all of them are moderately large to very large).

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Bryan Gee @koskinonodon.bsky.social · 03/01/2025

@stereospondyl.bsky.social et al. (CC @emmadnn.bsky.social) modeled distribution of European temnos over the Middle-Late Triassic transition, proposing that the Central European Basin was the nexus for diversification/radiation and highlighting different interclade patterns. doi.org/10.1111/pala...

Raincloud plots comparing in the inferred mean annual temperature and mean annual precipitation of regions in which different temnospondyls were known to occur in the Middle-Late Triassic of Germany. In the Middle Triassic, capitosaurs, trematosaurs, and plagiosaurids all occur across a range of temperatures, but trematosaurs trend towards cooler temperatures. The ranges of precipitation are more restricted for trematosaurs and especially for plagiosaurs (skewed towards low precipitation). In the Late Triassic, metoposaurids retain the same range of temperatures and precipitation as trematosaurs from the Middle Triassic, whereas the capitosaurs and plagiosaurids are largely found only in areas of inferred high temperature and very low precipitation.

Known and inferred distributions of temnospondyls across Pangea during the Middle-Late Triassic based on the combination of empirical data and this study's modeling. In the Middle Triassic, capitosaurs have the widest range, with trematosaurs being more restricted to central Europe and plagiosaurs to north-central Europe. In the Late Triassic, metoposaurids have the widest range, with capitosaurs and plagiosaurids restricted to central/north-central Europe.

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Bryan Gee @koskinonodon.bsky.social · 03/01/2025

Schoch & @stereospondyl.bsky.social reviewed the Triassic temnospondyls from Germany, harmonizing diagnoses of the 29 valid species, summarizing stratigraphic ranges, naming a new species of Parotosuchus, and reducing Kupferzellia to a junior synonym of Tatrasuchus. doi.org/10.18476/pal...

Stratigraphic distribution of temnospondyls from the Lower to Middle Triassic of Germany. Most taxa other than the capitosaurs Sclerothorax and Parotosuchus have restricted ranges (some may only occur in one locality or horizon). Almost all of the known taxa are capitosaurs.

Stratigraphic distribution of temnospondyls from the Middle to Upper Triassic of Germany. Records from these intervals are more abundant, and there are correspondingly many records across a wide stratigraphic range for taxa such as the capitosaurs Cyclotosaurus, Mastodonsaurus, and Tatrasuchus; the trematosaurs Trematolestes and Metoposaurus; and the plagiosaurids Gerrothorax and Plagiosternum. Gerrothorax in particular has an exceptionally long range of around 35 million years.

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Bryan Gee @koskinonodon.bsky.social · 03/01/2025

@stereospondyl.bsky.social et al. described fraggy material from the Middle-Late Triassic Grabfeld Fm of Germany, identifying the oldest known #metoposaurid remains, proposing biogeographic scenarios for the clade, & reviving the hypothesis of osmotic tolerance. doi.org/10.3897/fr.2...

Fragmentary temnospondyl specimens collected from the Grabfeld Formation of southern Germany. A. SMNS 97058, a fragmentary angular of Metoposaurus sp. B–C, SMNS 55899, a fragmentary clavicle of Metoposaurus sp.; B. Natural mould; C. Silicone mould; D–G. SMNS 59770, a fragmentary interclavicle of Metoposaurus sp. in D. Ventral; E. Dorsal; F. Lateral view; G. Close-up of vascular foramina; H. SMNS 97109, a fragmentary dermal bone of Gerrothorax sp. I–K, SMNS 59771, a fragmentary interclavicle of Plagiosternum sp. in I. Dorsal; J. Lateral; K. Ventral view. L–N, SMNS 97123, an isolated capitosauroid vertebra in L. Anterior; M. Posterior, N. Lateral view; O. SMNS 97125, an isolated temnospondyl caudal vertebra in ventral view; P. SMNS 97124, an isolated temnospondyl phalange. Scale bars: 20 mm (A–G, L–N, P); 50 mm (O); 10 mm (H, I–K).

Stratigraphic correlation of the German Middle and Late Triassic Metoposaurus-bearing formations with other metoposaurid-bearing formations around the world. Correlations are based on (DSK 2005; Szulc et al. 2015; Martz and Parker 2017; Zouheir et al. 2018; Buffa et al. 2019; Datta et al. 2021; Sues et al. 2021; Zeh et al. 2021; Lovelace et al. 2023). Abbrevations: Rhaet. – Rhaetian, Longo. – Longobardian, Cord. – Cordevolian, J – Julian, Tu – Tuvalian, LVF – Land Vertebrate Faunachron, CPE – Carnian Pluvial Event, Madagas. – Madagascar, P.-G. – Pranhita-Godavari, AZ – Arizona, NM – New Mexico, TX – Texas, u.c. – upper carbonate, Shinar. – Shinarump, Mmb. – Member, Tectolit. – Tectolito, T. La. – Tres Lagunas, SS. – Sandstone, B. Ran. – Boren Ranch, Fm. – Formation. The Grabfeld material described in this paper represents the oldest known metoposaurid material (early Carnian) and the only record that pre-dates the Carnian Pluvial Event, after which metoposaurids appear in North America, India, Madagascar, Morocco, and other parts of western Europe. Norian records are restricted to Germany, North America, and questionable reports of uncollected material from Zimbabwe. There is some level of uncertainty in most occurrences since they lack radioisotopic dates of metoposaurid-bearing horizons.

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Bryan Gee @koskinonodon.bsky.social · 03/01/2025

For the first #FossilFriday of 2025, here's my annual thread looking back on the #temnospondyl research that came out last year! In general, papers were skewed towards anatomical descriptions of specifically European taxa that were predominantly from Triassic deposits. 🧵👇 (1/30ish)

Artistic reconstruction of Stenokranio by Frederik Spindler. A rather stout temnospondyl is depicted as standing up, facing to the right and with mouth agape in a sort of smile. Its large tongue and many teeth are visible. The torso and limbs are round and cylindrical, with webbed feet. The eyes face upward and to the sides, with faint cranial ridges from the skull visible through the skin. Associated with Werneburg et al. (2024)

Composite reconstruction of the skull of the Late Triassic stereospondyl Ninumbeehan dookoodukah via CT analyses of multiple skulls. The skull is longer than wide and generally triangular, though with a blunted tip of the snout. In lateral view, it angles upwards posteriorly such that the back of the skull is much taller than the snout. The typical interpterygoid vacuities of temnospondyls occur on the palate. The lower jaw is also reconstructed, featuring the typical suite of elements found in temnospondyls. From So et al. (2024)

The holotype skull of the early Permian eryopid Clamorosaurus nocturnus from Russia. The skull is incomplete anteriorly and flattened, with associated postcrania skrewn behind it. Typical eryopid features like a tall suborbital bar and broad posterior skull are discernible. From Werneburg & Witzmann (2024)

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Raphael Moreno @stereospondyl.bsky.social · 30/12/2024

What better way to end the year on the last #metopomonday then with the next chapter of my PhD being out today in the new Fossil Record special issue. Here we reveal an unexpected diversity of temnospondyls in the hostile arid and brackisch environment of the early Carnian Grabfeld Fm of Germany.

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Bryan Gee @koskinonodon.bsky.social · 13/12/2024

A nice figure of another junior synonym of Anaschisma browni, "Koskinonodon princeps" from the Popo Agie Fm of Wyoming for #FossilFriday. For some reason, a chunk that could be reattached on the margin of the left orbit was left out and substituted with some filler @akufner.bsky.social & Gee, 2021

Photographs and interpretive drawings of the holotype of the Late Triassic metoposaurid "Koskinonodon princeps" from Wyoming. The skull is largely complete but heavily reconstructed in the back right region. A small chunk next to the left orbit is detached and instead filled in with filler. A mounting bracket is evident on the underside of the skull.

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Raphael Moreno @stereospondyl.bsky.social · 06/12/2024

For the first chapter of my PhD thesis I applied species distribution modelling to explore the ecological resilience of Triassic temnospondyls through changing climate conditions. onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/... #paleontology #temnospondyl

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Kelsey Jenkins, PhD @reptiliferous.bsky.social · 06/12/2024

Vancleavea campi, a Late Triassic archosauriform preserved with some of the most incredible osteoderms I’ve ever seen. Cast on display at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. #FossilFriday

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Mark Witton @markwitton.bsky.social · 04/12/2024

From 2021, #paleoart of the giant temnospondyl Mastodonsaurus preying on the wee archosauriform Jaxtasuchus. Mastodonsaurus were huge - 5-6 m long - making them some of the largest amphibians of all time, and presumably lived crocodile-like lifestyles. #sciart #fossils #paleontology

A murky underwater scene of a large predator, Mastodonsaurus, rising to grab the shadowy, lizard-like body of Jaxtasuchus. The Mastodonsaurus is well-camouflaged, bearing the same mottled greens, browns and yellows as the vegetation-filled swamp water around it. It has small, pudgy limbs and a long arcing tail.

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