The Archosaur
Texas Paleontological Society
Art by Clinton Crowley
Volume 1 No. 2 , Feb 2011
“Come all ye loyal Texans, let us get our history and geography right.”
~ R. T. Hill; father of Texas Geology
Texas Paleontological Society Meeting: TPS meeting will be on Wed. Feb 2nd at UTA. Our guest
speaker will be Art Busbey from TCU, he will present on the geology and paleontology of Big Bend, TX.
TPS Presidents Message:
The TPS is off to an amazing start!~ Thank you all for making this possible. The
possibilities of volunteer based groups are truly limitless. Organizations such as the TPS, the
DPS and the Arlington Archosaur Site would not happen if interested individuals such as you did
not take interest. Salute!~
This month there is much in store for the TPS. The 1st opening dig at the AAS is set for
Feb 4th & 5th (weather allowing). The dig is timed with the Super Bowl, UTA media are going to
do a press release and try to get the AAS some national news coverage. That stunt aside, the 1st
AAS Family Day will be on Sat Feb 19th. The site will be open for tours to visitors. On Sat Feb
26th, the TPS will have its 1st field trip. Kevin Anderson has offered to take a small group out to
explore the Woodbine Formation exposures of Denton & Sherman Counties. We will meet at the
AAS, then head north to Lake Texoma. This is not a fossil collecting trip, but literally a day of
exploration. We are looking for new fossil producing sites in the Woodbine. Who knows, maybe
one of you will find the next AAS…
Last but not least, Feb 12th is the Darwin Day Celebration. Don’t forget to celebrate the
birthday of the “Father of Evolution.” For more info on Chuck’s b-day see my article on pg 14.
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Feb TPS Meeting: Dr. Art Busbey
The TPS speaker for Feb 2011 will be Dr. Art Busbey from the Geosciences Dept at TCU. Dr.
Busbey holds a B.Sc. Degree and an M.A. Degree in Geology from the University of Texas at
Austin. While at UT-Austin, he worked as a research assistant to Dr. Ernest Lundelius in the
Vertebrate Paleontology labs and conducted field work in the Cretaceous of Big Bend National
Park. He later went on to complete a Ph.D. in the Dept of Anatomy at the University of Chicago.
Currently, Dr. Busbey is an Associate professor of Geology at TCU where he teaches courses on
Historical Geology, Dinosaurs, Invertebrate Paleontology, Stratigraphy, Regional Tectonics and
Principles of Paleoecology among many others. Dr. Busbey’s publications are numerous. Among
the highlights of his work that will interest TPS members are his papers on Cretaceous dinosaurs,
paleoecology and many papers on the evolution and functional anatomy of crocodiles.
Late Cretaceous Paleontology in Big Bend National Park and Work on the
Rosillos Mountain Ranch, Brewster Co., Texas
By: Dr. Arthur B. Busbey
Geology Program Coordinator
School of Geology, Energy, and the Environment - TCU
The late Cretaceous and early Tertiary vertebrates of Big Bend National Park provide us
with an interesting snapshot of life around the K/T boundary that is far south of the 'classic'
localities in Canada and the United States and north of localities in South America.
Unfortunately vertebrate fossils are few and far between, making this sizable area one of the least
productive vertebrate collecting areas in North America. Since Barnum Brown began collecting
in the 1930's an interesting picture of life at this time has emerged, especially thanks to focused
research mainly carried out by Vertebrate Paleontologists at the University of Texas at Austin,
LSU and Texas Tech. In this talk I will summarize some of the work, while also including stories
I have 'collected' about Vertebrate Paleontology in the region. I will also talk about work done by
myslef and colleagues at TCU. I will stick largely to 'lower vertebrates' since mammals are of
marginal interest to me.
Left, the Window in the
Chisos Mts. Big Bend
National Park.
Right, Busbey in a traditional Kilt.
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TPS Jan 2011 Meeting:
This January the TPS met for the 1st time at the University
of Texas at Arlington. Members voted on the 1st TPS officers to
hold positions for the Society, then enjoyed a program from 3 AAS
researchers; Derek Main, Chris Noto and Eric Allen. Derek gave the
TPS an update on the evidence of prehistoric wildfires in the
Woodbine Formation. Chris discussed taphonomic evidence of
crocodile feeding behavior on bitten and scratched fossil turtle shell
and Eric discussed an exciting new genus of Woodbine crocodile.
After the program, TPS members had an opportunity to visit while looking
over the AAS fossil crocodile collection.
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TPS Woodbine Microfossil Workshop
On Sat Jan 15th the TPS held its 1st Workshop. Kevin Anderson taught TPS members how to
screen and sort bulk samples of Woodbine sediment for microfossils (see pics). Thx Kevin!~
TPS members sifting
Woodbine sediment
samples looking for
microfossils. Above,
Jurassic Ronnie!
Interested in sifting
Woodbine sediment for
microfossils? The SMP
lab at UTA is open MonThur. There will also be
another Woodbine
Micro-workshop this
spring. Until then
contact Derek Main to
schedule a time:
[email protected]
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FACTS AND FICTION OF AN ASSEMBLY LINE FOR PICKING
MICROFOSSILS
By: Leeni Vilpas
The Geological Survey of Finland created an assembly line in 1994 to make
kimberlitic indicator mineral picking more efficient. There are many similarities in
processing till samples for kimberlitic indicator mineral picking compared to the
processing for microfossil samples of The Arlington Archosaur Site. In this article I present
the design of an assembly line for mineral picking, and discuss the advantages for us to use
the same kind of assembly belt with Woodbine microfossil picking.
SAMPLE PREPARATION FOR KIMBERLITIC INDICATOR MINERAL PICKING
The size of glacier soil samples collected for exploration in the field are 20-30 kg.
However, after the laboratory processing, each sample will end to be only 30-200g. Recovery of
a few sand-sized indicator grains from tens of kilograms samples requires a methodology, which
is presented schematically in Figure 1. (Courtesy of Vaaldiam Resources Ltd.)
The sample processing started already at field. Using naked eye the sample was screened,
and the large minerals or mineral clusters were picked out from the glacial till sample. After
sieving the sample was preconcentrated with tabling in the laboratory using for Knelson
concentrator screen. This is a common method used in gold mining and mineral processing
industry. The method could simply be described as a motorized gold panning. Using water and
specific gravity the equipment is able to engage the desired minerals into little slots from where
they can be easily collected after the processing is finished.
Tabling was followed by heavy liquid separation with methylene iodide (d>3.2). In this
process the minerals in the sample were separated based on their specific gravity. This process
separated possible diamonds and diamond indicator minerals (garnets, chromediopsides,
ilmenites, and chromites) into the bottom of concentrate, because these minerals have the density
over 3.2. After second screening and magnetic screening there was left a non-magnetic sample
with three different grain sizes (0.25-0.5 mm, 0.5-1.0 mm and 1.0-2.0 mm). This was the sample
to be picked on an assembly line. During picking all the found indicator mineral grains were
recorded. Their identity, size, color, and surface structures were studied. Some of them were also
sent for electron microprobe analysis to provide major and minor element compositions.
THE ASSEMBLY LINE FOR KIMBERLITIC INDICATOR MINERAL PICKING
The first assembly line for mineral picking was basically built out of scrap. The materials
used were inner-tube from bicycle, some hand carved plastic wheels, and plastic mounting. For
the shaking metal sample feeder we needed an electric motor with a starting switch, and some
tubing for the vacuum pipe and glass bottle (Fig 2). Before the assembly line was built, the first
step to speed the sample picking was to use a vacuum pipe to pick the desired minerals into a
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glass bottle (Fig 3). After finishing each sample the picked minerals were poured into a Petri
dish for closer identification. Some of them were sent to electron microprobe analyses, or they
were recorded, labeled, and stored in small vials.
The assembly line was operated manually by turning the plastic wheel on the left side of
the assembly line. It could be stopped, when needed, as well as the pace of the line to move
could be set up by the user. In the end of the line there was a dish in where all the unwanted
material ended. In our first prototype the dish was too shallow, and some of the minerals were
spreading on the table. It was important that the work area was covered with white papers. Every
mineral grain was important, and if some grain fell down, it was easy to spot on a white surface
(Fig 4). The shaking sample feeder was on the right size of the assembly line. The electric motor
stirring the shaker was operated with a foot pedal by the user. There was also an adjustable
switch to control the power of the shaking (Fig 5).
CONCLUSION
Before the indicator mineral picking was done by hand using a binocular microscope,
Petri dish, and pair of tweezers. At this point the picking was slow with the steady speed. The
number of the samples was growing daily, and the picking could not keep up with the sampling
speed. The assembly line solved this problem. Also, imagine the effect for the research or
exploration, when you can find the missing pieces right when you desperately need the
information.
Figure 1. Indicator Mineral Extraction Flow Sheet
Vaaldiam Resources Ltd. Candle Lake Technical Report 100
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Fig. 2. The first assembly line for mineral picking. Fig 3. The glass bottle with a vacuum pipe on the left.
Fig 4. The assembly line was operated manually by turning the plastic wheel. The brushes were used to
clean the line between samples. Fig 5. The sample was delivered on the line by a shaking metal feeder.
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Paper of the Month:
Dinosaur Coprolites and the Early Evolution of Grasses and Grazers reset the clock on the
evolution of grasses (family Poaceae1). November, 2005 by Vandana Prasad, Caroline A. E.
Strömberg, Habib Alimohammadian, Ashok Sahni.
Review by Philip Scoggins
Monoporites is pollen attributed to being a type of grass existed in the Americas and India from
the Maastrichtian to the Paleocene, 70 - 60 Ma. Estimates based on molecular clock data indicate
Poaceae’s origin ~83 Ma. Until the 2005 paper, the crown-group of grasses appeared in the Late
Paleocene, ~55 Ma. Poaceae diversified into subclades, in North America, in the Late Eocene ~35 Ma.
The paper reports on opal phytoliths (cell structures replaced by silica 2) of grasses found in coprolites.
The coprolites are assumed to have been produced by Titanosaurs based on their association with
sauropods skeletons. Titanosaurs were Cretaceous herbivores who ate cycads, conifers, cycads,
dicotyledons and angiosperms which now include grasses.
The fossils described in the paper appear to be closer to modern taxa than the basal taxa
Anomochloa, Streptochaeta, and Pharus. The fossils have similarities to five extant subclades of Poaceae.
These include: 1) one is a derived Ehrhartoid, 2) is a possible Bambusoideae + Ehrhartoideae, 3) is a
Bambusoideae + Ehrhartoideae or possible Puelioideae (BEP), and 4) some type of pooid or PACCAD.
Grasses were thought scarce in the Cretaceous and have not been considered as food source. Dinosaurs
were not considered to have included grasses because they lacked of molars and premolars (cheek teeth3)
for grinding. Teeth suited for grinding are high-crowned or hypsodont and wear down though life.4,5.
Grass abundance in the coprolites is minor. A Late Cretaceous gondwanatherian, mammal, was found in
India but at a different location. There is no direct evidence of mammals eating grass but the presence of
hypsodont teeth in gondwanatherians suggests they were adapted to eating the silica-rich abrasive grasses.
Mammals with hypsodont teeth associated with grazing developed in the Oligocene and Miocene.
The authors conclude that the high silica content of the Late Cretaceous grasses is nearly
equivalent to modern grasses. This discounts the theory that abundant phytolith generation was a response
to consumption by herbivores in the Cenozoic. Additionally, the abundance of phytoliths in grasses is a
product of coevolved with gondwanatherians or possibly insect or possibly for some other unknown
reason.
Footnotes:
1. Poaceae. Wikipedia.com. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grasses (accessed: 1-21, 2011).
2. Hirst, K. K., Opal Phytoliths. http://archaeology.about.com/od/oterms/g/opalphytolith.htm
(accessed: 1-21, 2011).
3. Cheek. http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/cheek+teeth, (accessed: 1-21, 2011).
4. Eschberger, Beverly, “Teeth II: Herbivores”
http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/paleontology/42588 (accessed: 1-21, 2011).
5. hypsodont. Dictionary.com. Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary. Merriam-Webster, Inc.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/hypsodont (accessed: 1-21, 2011).
References:
Prasad, V.; Stroemberg, C.A.E.; Alimohammadian, H.; Sahni, A. (2005). "Dinosaur Coprolites and the
Early Evolution of Grasses and Grazers". Science(Washington) 310 (5751): 1177–1180
http://bill.srnr.arizona.edu/classes/182h/vertebrate%20evolution/dinosategrass.pdf
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The Teacher’s Desk
By Ronnie Colvin
Welcome to the Teacher’s Desk. This is a TPS column for
educators written by educators with a passion for all
things paleo! Found a great activity for your students? Share it here! Need inspiration for a topic?
Ask fellow teachers to share what works well for them. Heard of a wonderful opportunity for
students? Get the word out right here! Please send in items for this column by the 20th of each
month. “The whole purpose of education is to turn mirrors into windows.”-Sydney J. Harris
Free Geologic Time Scale from Geological Society of America
Need a colorful and complete chart to teach geologic time with? Here is a great time scale in
PDF form or you can order a poster http://www.geosociety.org/science/timescale/
This month’s question…”How can I teach Geologic Time?”
The Earth is over 4 billion years old, this is a known fact but how do you teach it? Many teachers
have used a piece of yarn with students’ measurement skills to mark intervals and then tie a knot
in the yarn to represent the periods of time. Some include all the Precambrian and some start
with the end of the Precambrian after a discussion of the actual length of time. Another activity
uses adding machine tape, again measuring and marking off time periods, but this activity allows
students to illustrate the major characteristics of each period, for example, the Age of Dinosaurs,
evolution of Angiosperms (flowers), the Ice Age or Humans, and can include major events such
as mass extinctions. Please share any other A+ activities that have worked well for you!
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The Strat Column:
Index Fossils and You
A Primer on how to utilize fossils to assist in relative age dating strata.
By Nathan Van Vranken
Introduction
Envision yourself out in the wilds of fossil country USA, a dry desolate environment.
You have collected quite a few samples that day mostly shells and various other marine creatures
that were yielded from the sediments from long dead times. After finding a place to take a break
you wonder what age the local rocks are in relation to you, so you fish out your trusty geologic
map of the local area. However due to some unforeseen circumstance you forgot to pack it into a
field bag. So instead of turning around and heading back, there are some simple techniques that
you can do to identify which stage in the geologic time scale the area you are in. Both amateur
fossil hobbyists and professional Paleontologists use these techniques to assist them in their field
studies.
What is an index fossil?
An index fossil is a tool to identify which geologic age a rock formation is. This is one of
the most important tools the toolbox that we, as scholars of the geologic arts can employ to assist
us in identifying the geologic age with correlation of the rock record. Many of the best samples
of the various indexes or guides can be from just about any phylum or class they have to meet
certain pre-requisite criteria to meet these factors. These key fossils can determine an areas age
range from a few million years to whole eras.
The first major objective to determining what is an index fossil is to have a sample.
Fossils are remains of life forms from the earth’s past that have undergone replacement and
become rock (Bromley, 188). The next requirement to having an index fossil is to allow the
sample to have a wide horizontal growth. What this means is that the fossil you are indexing with
MUST be able to be located in a wide area, either throughout the formation or even better the
ability to see it across the globe the ability to swim or be mobile helps in this distribution. The
larger the distance shows if this fossil was once one of the abundant creatures to roam. The next
item that is important for indexing can be if the animal or plants have a limited vertical
distribution. Species come and go thought time, however the species MUST have a short lifespan
in comparison with to the fossil record. In regards to the data acquired in the literature it can be
established that these classes are recommended and not recommended for use in age dating
(North American Index Fossils: Invertebrates, 2).
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GOOD INDEX FOSSILS
Trilobites (Cambrian) = Trilobites are a very good index fossil because of their rapid
divergent evolutionary traits. It can be also noted that many of the members of this phyla passed
the vertical distribution check because of the ability to evolve into new forms very rapidly or die
off at the same rate. Trilobites also can be found all over the planet in the fossil record. Good
Trilobites to use are Ononella sp and Elrathia sp and Paradoxidies sp (Trilobites, 2).
Spirifers (Spiriferida) = these brachiopods are index fossils because much like the
trilobites specialized in many forms to keep from losing the Paleozoic arms race, eventually their
reign came at the end of the Jurassic after starting in Devonian. Good spirifers are Mucrospirifer
sp, and Neospirifer sp.
Inocermids (Cretaceous) = The Bivalves of this group pick up right after the
brachiopods. These monsters of the Cretaceous oceans were quite prolific. Even creating whole
bedding planes in areas like the NSR (North Sulpher River) of Texas and can be as found as far
north as the Arctic Circle. A good representative of this fossil is Inoceramus labiatus.
Conclusions
Now that we have determined who and what makes a good index lets establish our
original problem. You have a some small Trilobites in your hands that was recovered at the
bottom of the strata and with the knowledge of index fossils you can tell that the a lot of the
trilobites look very bizarre as you progress higher in the strata indicating this was an older model
and at the very top of the strata there are no trilobites. Trilobites were very widespread globally
during the Cambrian. With that being said the Trilobite is probably from the middle Cambrian.
By cross referencing the data you have summarized when you get back and locate your map
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using the index fossil it can be determined that you were probably in the Cambrian section of
Utah and searching though the sediments of Millard County. This is a small guide detailing how
to use and begin to understand biostratigraphy and how it can be utilized in the field without the
aid of geologic maps.
Works cited
1.
"Geologic Time: Index Fossils." USGS Publications Warehouse. Web. 26 Jan. 2011.
<http://pubs.usgs.gov/gip/geotime/fossils.html>.
2.
Bromley, Richard Granville. Trace Fossils: Biology, Taphonomy and Applications.
London [etc.: Chapman and Hall, 1996. Print.
3.
Grabau, Amadeus W., and Hervey Woodburn Shimer. North American Index Fossils:
Invertebrates. New York: A.G. Seiler &, 1909. Print.
4.
Levi-Setti, Riccardo. “Trilobites”. Chicago: University of
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What’s Happening at the Heard?..Mosasaurs!
By Darlene Sumerfelt
The work continues at the lab on the Garland Mosasaur project. Volunteer turn out has
been great. A special thanks to the lead volunteers for their support this month working in some
challenging conditions when the weather wreaked havoc with the labs water pipes and heat. All
is up and running again and progress has been great.
I’ve received numerous emails from people who saw the Fox 4 News program featuring
the project and want to help. Great job to Rocky, Polly, Wayne, Janie and Roger Sanderson for
making us look good!
This month a trip to volunteer at the Heard can also include seeing the “Bugs” exhibit,
some of which were shown at our meeting in Januray. The exhibit includes 25 species of
invertebrates. Staged in Mayan Ruins, this exhibit shows the influence of bugs on human
culture. Coming up March 30th through April 3rd, the Heard is hosting a Big Bend trip.
Registration deadline is March 10th. Details are available on the Heard Website.
For more information about the museum please visit www.heardmuseum.org. To
volunteer for the lab contact Darlene Sumerfelt – [email protected]. No experience
necessary. The only qualification is that you have no fear of getting dusty – very dusty. See you
at the Heard!
A Garland Mosasaur jacket opened and ready to work on. Darlene Sumerfelt working with an air
scribe on the mosasaur in the Heard Museum lab.
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Celebrate Darwin Day and Evolution!
By Derek J. Main
Charles Darwin
Alfred Wallace
This Febuary 12th, the world celebrates the 201st birthday of Charles Darwin. On this
date, global celebrations will commence to commemorate the works of one of humanity’s
greatest scientists. Best known for his publication “On the Origin of Species by Natural
Selection”, Darwin was a well versed and well known naturalist long before the publication of
his most famous work. Darwin’s “Origins” was published in 1859, some 20 years after his
fateful voyage on the Beagle. A fateful voyage indeed, for Darwin did not set off upon that ship
to either discover or prove evolution, he wasn’t even the ships science officer (no he was not
Spock), he was simply the captains mate. Darwin was sent along to keep the ships captain
company, nothing more. What made the voyage unique, was Darwin’s passion for nature, his
curiousity and keen since of observation.
Darwin discovered evolution by natural selection while voyaging around the world on the
British naval vessel the Beagle. He did not set off to discover evolution, nor did he invent it. He
merely made a series of observations on his voyages that allowed him to view one of the most
pivotal aspects of the natural world, how species adapt to changes in their environment, and how
they evolve through time by natural selection. This was as much as surprise to him, as it was to
some of his colleagues. Not all agreed with him, however some did, and one in particular arrived
at the same conclusion independantly, Alfred Russel Wallace.
One of the beauties of science as a process, is that it is a universal tool for aquiring
knowledge. It is not limited to any one person, but to all humantiy that choose to use it. Alfred
Russel Wallace voyaged to some of the same places that Darwin did, although years later, and
made some of the same observations. Two men, working independantly discovered evolution.
Darwinism would have been Wallacism (sounds horrilbe) if Wallace had simply published his
work first. Unfortunately for him he waited to send a letter to Darwin notifying his colleague of
his discovery and hoped to receive some critique of his work. Darwin, upon receiving the letter
realized that his colleague was about to publish 1st on a theory of evolution. He quickly finished
his “Origins” manuscript and sent it off to press. History would be a bit different if Wallace had
not notified Darwin, few of us would ever have heard of his name. A historic irony. T. H. Huxley
perhaps best summarized it with; “Darwin’s Origin of Species is the most potent instrument for
the extension of the realm of knowledge which has come into mans hands since Newton’s
Principia. How extremely stupid of me not to have thought of it!”
For more on Darwin Day online see:
http://www.darwinday.org/
http://www.darwinday.org/events/
http://darwinweek.com/wordpress/
http://www.darwinday.org/home/index.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/On_the_Origin_of_Species
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TPS Officers:
President
Derek J. Main
Vice President
Roger Fry
Secretary
Leeni Vilpas
Treasurer
Deborah Nixon
Editor
Derek J. Main
Asst. Editor
Jan Weisner
TPS Committee:
Education
Ronnie Colvin
Membership
Phil Kirchhoff
Historian
Aaron Martin
Webmaster
Glenn Hadsall
Paleo-Artist:
Clinton Crowley
TPS Grants, Scholarships & Fund Raising:
Kevin Staudenmeir
Jan Weisner
TPS Programs Committee:
Kristi Argenbright
Phil Kirchhoff
Nathan Van Vranken
TPS Field Trips Committee:
Kevin Anderson
Phil Kirchhoff
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TPS Calendar:
Feb meeting: Feb program by Dr. Art Busbey of TCU, Geology & Paleontology of Big Bend.
TPS –AAS events: “Kick off with the Archosaurs” opening dig of 2011 on Feb Fri 5 th & Sat 6th on Super Bowl
weekend. “Family Day” at the AAS Sat Feb 19th.
Darwin Day: Celebrate Darwin’s Birthday on Darwin Day Sat Feb 12 th. Salute Mr. Darwin!~
TPS Field trip: Sat Feb 26th-Woodbine exploration in Denton and Sherman Counties and along Lake Texoma.
The Texas Paleontological Society Statement of Purpose: The Texas Paleontological Society was
founded in 2010 from the volunteer dig crew of the Arlington Archosaur Site for the purpose of
promoting interest in and knowledge of the science of paleontology. It is intended that the Society be a
network for the exchange of knowledge between students, professional & avocational paleontologists, and
then share that knowledge with the general public. The TPS is not a club for fossil collectors, but an
organization dedicated to the science of paleontology and to the service of the people of Texas.
The TPS provides paleontological workshops, educational programs, public lectures, research and
publications in cooperation with other state paleontological organizations. TPS members conduct
scientific investigations on the paleontology of Texas and present their findings at meetings and in the
annual bulletin of the Society. TPS meetings are held at 7:30 pm on the 1st Wednesday of each month in
the Scotese Museum of Paleontology at the University of Texas at Arlington. Visitors are both welcome
and encouraged to attend meetings of the Society. Membership in the Society is open to anyone 15 years
of age or older. Annual membership dues are $30 for a family, $20 for individuals and free to high school
& college students. Memberships expire yearly and are renewable upon expiration.
The Archosaur is published monthly, Copyright 2010-2011, by the Texas Paleontological Society (TPS).
All rights reserved. Contents may be used for educational purposes, but may not be reproduced or
distributed for commercial purposes, in any manner without prior written permission from the TPS.
Contributions to The Archosaur from all TPS members are encouraged. Please submit material to the
editor by email. The deadline for submissions for the next month’s issue is the 20th day of each month.
The Texas Paleontological Society
P. O. Box
Arlington, TX.
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