Explodosaurus redux

Just taking an opportunity to update the project before we get buried with snow. Lower jaws are on and positioned, but I still have to finish the braincase and palate.... then on to fixing the whole total lack of teeth problem. Top of skull is 40.5cm long. Such a cute little Tylosaurus.

Explodosaurus reconstruction

Earlier this summer paleo tech Jacob Jett happened upon the exploded out skull of a small Tylosaurus kansasensis specimen in Lane County, KS. I would have found it first, but I was distracted watching a couple of bulls fighting a few hundred feet away while simultaneously noticing the lack of a fenceline between us and them.

Yes, that pile of rubble is the specimen.

It's taken a lot of puzzlework to get the pieces back together, but they are looking better every day. The skull will end up being under 17 inches long when finished. Most bones are still present and I am actually a bit shocked how much of it has fit. Now, how to get the bleached bone to look like the in situ material....

Patting ourselves on the back

Discover Magazine came out with their list of "The Top 100 Discoveries of 2010"

We came in at #50 with our Bonnerichthys paper that came out in Science in February.

I can't reveal much more yet, but there is further exciting research happening with this critter, so stay tuned.

And lastly: the Sternberg Museum in Hays, KS is putting their Bonnerichthys gladius specimen (that RMDRC helped collect and prepare) on public display starting this weekend, so be sure to stop in and say "Hi"!

http://discover.coverleaf.com/discovermagazine/201101?pg=59#pg59

DRAMATIC MUSIC TIME!

Perhaps it's best to hit mute.