Palaeobiota of the mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber

Amber from Myanmar, or Burmese amber, is considered to be one of the most important deposits for studying mid-Cretaceous terrestrial biodiversity (99 million-years ago). Amber preserves specimens in three-dimensions with soft tissues, internal organs and integumentary structures. Vertebrate specimens in amber have proven valuable for studying various aspects of the anatomy, evolution and diversification of taxa. Specimens that are particularly small and delicate are usually not preserved in the fossil record, whereas amber frequently fossilizes such specimens. This project involves the study of Enantiornithes, a very successful and diverse lineage of small-bodied primitive birds, and lizards in Burmese amber. Detailed studies will involve photomicroscopy, scientific illustration, taxonomic and anatomical descriptions, systematic works (classification), and the utilization of imaging and chemical mapping techniques based on X-ray and fluorescence. The results will be published in peer-reviewed journals. If additional time is available, the project will include the study of insect specimens of major scientific interest, belonging to new species or higher-level taxa.

Faculty Supervisor:

Christopher Somers;Ryan McKellar

Student:

Partner:

China University of Geosciences (Beijing)

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Education

University:

University of Regina

Program: