Annual Meeting

Sessions


The cornerstone of the SVP meeting, oral and poster presentations will be given throughout the week in the following categories:

Symposia

The SVP Program Committee chooses a selection of submitted proposals for topical symposia to be presented at the annual meeting.

Advances in Paleoecology: Geochemistry, Microwear and Beyond
Co-conveners: Mark T. Clementz, University of Wyoming; Larisa R.G. DeSantis, Vanderbilt University

Paleoecological reconstructions of fossil vertebrate communities have benefited from the development of a suite of new and innovative methods of gathering additional information from vertebrate remains. These methods are particularly important for paleontology in that they often provide a quantitative means for assessing paleontological information that is independent from morphology and phylogenetic interpretations. This feature makes these methods broadly applicable to a whole host of paleocological questions that cover various geologic timescales and paleoenvironments.

Two of the most widely recognized advances in this area of research are stable isotope analysis of fossil bioapatite and high resolution imaging of the wear patterns (i.e., microwear) on fossil teeth. Each of these techniques, in addition to other novel sources of data (e.g., Rare Earth Element analysis, phytoliths), have led to major leaps in our understanding of how the structure and function of vertebrate communities have evolved over time, especially in the context of significant climatic and environmental change. Within the last few years, the sensitivity and utility of analytical techniques have been significantly advanced, primarily due to the identification of new materials for analysis, higher resolution sampling of accreted materials, and, for microwear specifically, improvements in 2D resolution techniques and 3D dental microwear texture analysis. When used in tandem or combined with other integrative methods of paleoecological analysis, these techniques have the potential to significantly expand our ability to study ancient ecosystems.

The primary objective of this symposium is to highlight the latest advances in the field of paleoecological research and provide a forum for discussion of how these techniques may be combined in multidisciplinary studies. Currently, there is a need for the integration of multiple paleoecological methods and constructive discussions regarding the strength and weaknesses of these methods. For example, discussions regarding advances in dental microwear analysis need to involve the developers of multiple methods (i.e., low resolution methods, dental microwear texture analysis) with the goal of furthering paleoecological interpretations through the proper interpretation of resulting data. Similarly, advances in geochemistry (e.g., biomineral advances) need to be brought to the forefront to allow for paleoecological researchers and collaborators to learn new methods for direct application to fossil vertebrates. With these goals in mind, this symposium will bring together participants to discuss the latest advancements and future directions of paleoecological research.


Making Connections: The Evolution and Function of Joints in Vertebrates
Co-conveners: Casey M. Holliday, University of Missouri; Matthew Vickaryous, University of Guelph

Areas of contact between skeletal elements—joints—are critical features of vertebrate anatomy. Diverse in structure and function, joints figure prominently in the evolution of most major vertebrate lineages including the origin of mammals, lepidosaurs and teleosts, and are critical to the interpretation of locomotion and feeding behaviors. Although fossils provide valuable information about skeletal evolution, details of joint anatomy and complexity have often been limited by a poor understanding of associated soft tissues. Recent interest in biomechanics and the role of fossils in evolutionary developmental biology has placed new emphasis on the study of joints. Ongoing research involving computer modeling, morphometrics, computed tomography and developmental biology have greatly enhanced our ability to investigate and interpret the fossil record of joint evolution and functional morphology. In turn, these studies provide valuable contributions to vertebrate macroevolution and the biology of connective tissues.

This symposium revisits many classic investigations in joint evolution, including the origin of the mammalian jaw joint, the evolution of hominid bipedality, and the function of cranial kinesis, as well as showcasing emerging topics such as three-dimensional analysis, tissue adaptive plasticity, and in vivo imaging. In addition this symposium will present new insights into the role of joints in tetrapod burrowing, archosaur ventilation, dinosaur locomotion, crocodilian herbivory, primate walking, lizard mastication and tail loss, and cranial ontogeny. This symposium will also celebrate the important role of the curators and collections of the Carnegie Museum of Natural History to the study of joint evolution and function.


Evolution of the modern African fauna
Co-conveners: Lars Werdelin, Swedish Museum of Natural History, Stockholm; Nancy Stevens, Ohio University; William Sanders, University of Michigan

Despite more than a century of study and enormous research effort generated by the investigation of human origins, the Tertiary fossil record of Afro-Arabia remains unevenly known. Although Plio-Pleistocene paleoecology of eastern and southern Africa has received considerable attention, large geographical and temporal gaps plague the vertebrate record of Afro-Arabia, limiting our understanding of the origin and evolution of many of the groups that now inhabit the African continent. This is particularly true for Afrotheria, a proposed grouping of mammals comprised of elephants, hyraxes, aardvarks, sengis, tenrecs and sirenians, suggested to have evolved on the African continent. Afrotheria is identified on the basis of molecular studies of extant mammals, but remains poorly verified from morphological studies and the fossil record.

Discoveries over the past 30 years have yielded a 3- to 4-fold increase in the known African mammalian fossil record, with most of this expansion occurring over the past decade. Exciting new discoveries in northern and southern Africa have pushed back into the Paleocene the earliest dates of several of the afrotherian orders, revealing new information about the morphology and evolution of the clade's earliest members. Some of the new finds suggest African affinities for extinct orders not previously included in this supraordinal grouping. Another exciting development in recent years is the discovery of fossil mammal-bearing sites in the Paleogene of sub-Saharan and even sub-equatorial Africa, pushing back the time of migration into Afro-Arabia of several groups of mammals of Eurasian origin. A third important development is the discovery of a host of Miocene sites in southern Africa, advancing our knowledge of faunal evolution in that subregion, and bringing new evidence to bear on the origin of modern African ecosystems.

These recent discoveries provide an abundance of new evidence for use in refining taxonomic, biogeographic and paleoenvironmental hypotheses related to Afro-Arabian faunal evolution. At the same time, advances in molecular systematics and evolutionary developmental biology provide enhanced insight into the phylogeny and mechanisms of evolutionary change of these forms. This symposium builds upon recent syntheses of mammalian evolution on the African continent to develop future research directions for exploring Cenozoic vertebrate evolution. The symposium will include participants from North America, Europe and Africa to consider evolutionary processes, isotope studies, biogeographic patterns and faunal provincialism, and to explore how recent discoveries bring to bear upon our understanding of the evolutionary history of modern African faunas.


Physical Drivers and Marine Tetrapod Evolution
Co-conveners: R Ewan Fordyce, University of Otago; Neil P Kelley, University of California, Davis

Many lineages of terrestrial vertebrates have invaded marine environments and adapted to life in the oceans since the early Mesozoic. Marine tetrapods include diverse and ecologically important clades, both extant and extinct, such as cetaceans, pinnipeds, penguins, sea turtles, ichthyosaurs and mosasaurs. These convergent ecological shifts from land to sea involved major changes in morphology, physiology and behavior. Most previous attempts to understand the patterns and processes of marine tetrapod evolution have dealt with individual groups or a single era; efforts to explore larger common patterns have been limited. This symposium will cut across traditional approaches by evaluating broad-scale patterns and potential drivers common to the Mesozoic and Cenozoic eras.

This symposium will bring together specialists from around the world working on a diverse range of marine tetrapod taxa over a broad swath of geologic time to elucidate common patterns linked to physical processes in the evolution and extinction of marine tetrapods. Marine tetrapods have evolved in dynamic oceans, subject to major changes in terms of tectonics, climate, thermohaline circulation, productivity and ecosystem structure. These dynamic earth processes offer potential physical drivers of evolution and extinction among marine tetrapod clades. Early attempts to connect changes in the ocean system with marine tetrapod evolution date back at least half a century. Recent fossil discoveries and new sources of paleontologic and paleoceanographic data allow us to reevaluate these original ideas and greatly extend our understanding of the links between the evolution oceans and the organisms within them.

The symposium will address a range of topics including long-term change in marine ecosystems through time; the influence of tectonic, climatic, upwelling and sea level changes on patterns of evolution, extinction and biogeography; convergent structural patterns in phylogenetically, temporally and geographically disparate groups; and the importance of short term crises (such as hyperthermals) on marine tetrapod history.

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Regular Sessions

Abstracts are accepted for oral and poster presentations in the following categories:

  • Amphibians
  • Birds
  • Fish
  • History of paleontology
  • Mammals
  • Reptiles
  • Theoretical/geological


Edwin H. and Margaret M. Colbert Prize
(Previously known as the Student Poster Prize)

Selected and presented on site at the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology Annual Meeting, the Edwin H. and Margaret M. Colbert Prize recognizes an outstanding poster presentation by a student. The prize was named in honor of the Colberts' contributions to vertebrate paleontology. All abstract entries for the Colbert Poster Session and, ultimately, the Colbert Prize, are submitted through the SVP abstract submission site during the abstract submission period. The final awardee is chosen on site by the Edwin H. and Margaret M. Colbert Prize Committee.


Romer Prize Session
The Alfred Sherwood Romer Session (and Prize) recognizes an outstanding scientific contribution in vertebrate paleontology by a predoctoral student. The Romer Prize is awarded on the basis of the scientific value and quality of an abstract summarizing an original research project in vertebrate paleontology, in the broadest sense, and an oral presentation of the research during the Romer Session at the SVP Annual Meeting. The abstracts presented during the Romer Session are selected by the Romer Prize Review Committee from abstracts submitted for the Romer Session through the SVP Abstract Submissions system.


Preparators' Session
A forum for presentations on current issues in paleontological preparation, ranging from field and lab techniques to specimen curation and exhibition design. Presentations will be selected by a panel from the SVP Preparators’ Committee.


Education & Outreach Committee Poster Session
Communicating Current Research to the Public: Facilitating Educational Outreach
Here is an opportunity for SVP members to learn from each other's educational outreach successes during a poster session held in conjunction with the Educators' Workshop and displayed throughout the SVP Annual Meeting in the registration area just outside all session rooms.

Participants will primarily consist of current SVP members engaged in both educational outreach and scientific scholarship. However, we also welcome and anticipate the participation of both current and new members who are primarily involved in educational endeavors, including museum educators, teachers (K and up) and exhibit developers.

Topics discussed will span exhibit development, informal and formal broader impact activities and novel techniques used to bring "hot off the presses" science to the public. With similar goals of communicating the broader impacts of our research to the public, this poster session will facilitate the development of innovative educational outreach ideas and help prevent us from perpetually reinventing the wheel when it comes to educational outreach activities.

See Abstract Submission Details for this session.

Dates and Times: Sunday, October 10 through Wednesday, October 13, all day
Location: David L. Lawrence Convention Center, East Lobby, in the registration area, just outside of the session rooms.

Education & Outreach Committee Poster Session Organizers
Larisa R.G. DeSantis
Vanderbilt University, USA
Larisa.desantis@vanderbilt.edu

Stuart S. Sumida
California State University, San Bernardino, USA
ssumida@csusb.edu

Robin Whatley
Columbia College Chicago, USA
rwhatley@colum.edu