temp content - old site
Projects
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Fossil Colour[/caption][caption id="attachment_452" align="alignleft" width="150"]
Feather Evolution[/caption][caption id="attachment_454" align="alignleft" width="150"]
Vertebrate Taphonomy[/caption][caption id="attachment_4426" align="alignleft" width="150"]
Microplastics[/caption][caption id="attachment_4425" align="alignleft" width="150"]
Cancer[/caption][caption id="attachment_4422" align="alignleft" width="150"]
Soils[/caption][caption id="attachment_4423" align="alignleft" width="150"]
Palaeochem[/caption]
Research
In broad terms, my research group tries to answer these questions:
- How much can we trust the fossil record?
- Are some aspects of the fossil record more or less trustworthy than others?
- What factors skew the fossil record of ancient life?
- What “extra” information can soft tissues give us?
- How can we figure all this out?
We are especially interested in the preservation of non-biomineralised ‘soft’ tissues (e.g. integument, muscle, internal organs) in fossils, and what these exceptional fossil remains tell us about the anatomy, physiology, ecology and behaviour of ancient animals.
Over the last ten years or so a major focus of our research has been the taphonomy of colour in fossil animals. We are interested in the preservation, evolutionary origins and functions of structural and pigmentary coloration in various animal groups, in particular, insects and feathered taxa, throughout the Phanerozoic.
We’re also working hard on understanding the evolution of the integument – tissues such as feathers, skin, etc. – because it defines how vertebrates live their lives on land.
Ultimately we’re interested in fossil preservation, so we also study fossils in large numbers from certain biotas.
The research we do here in Cork is very analytical. We use both fossils and experiments to investigate the processes of soft tissue degradation and preservation. By understanding the various biological, sedimentological and diagenetic factors that control soft tissue preservation, we can begin to tease apart patterns (biases) in the fossil record.
Our fossil-based research leans heavily on electron microscopy and synchrotron-X-ray analyses to better understand the ultrastructure and chemistry of fossil tissues. However we are now also increasingly supporting these data with vibrational spectroscopy (FTIR and Raman) – work in progress! Plus we like to back up our fossil work with rigorous statistical analysis of taphonomic data.
What have we learned from fossils?
- Your inner pigment: vertebrates have lots of melanosomes in their internal organs (see news reports here: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
- Melanin in the driving seat: melanin pigments are intimately involved in major transitions in vertebrate evolution, e.g. evolution of endothermy, hair and feathers, and this goes hand-in-hand with evolution of immunity and behaviour (see news reports here: 1)
- Metal anatomy: We can analyse the metal chemistry of melanosomes in fossils to work out the tissue anatomy of ancient creatures
- Smells like a squid?: The weird fossil enigma Tullimonstrum has melanosomes that (in chemical terms) don’t look like vertebrate examples (see news reports here: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
- Fluffy pterosaurs: these flying beasts had feathers over 70 million years before birds and dinosaurs (see news reports here: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
- Sneaky snakes: Some fossil snakes had blotchy green patterns for camouflage (see news reports here: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
- Shiny happy beetles: fossil beetles from the Cenozoic preserve real structural colours (biophotonic crystals), including fabulous single diamond 3D photonic crystals (see news reports here: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
- Keeping their colours: some fossil moths living during the Eocene and Jurassic had colours (and colour-producing structures) that their living relatives still show today (see news reports here: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
- Many well-preserved fossil frogs had tough mineral-rich skin that helped preservation (see news reports here: 1)
- Even very decay-prone soft tissues like muscle and bone marrow can preserve as organic (carbon-based) molecules in fossils (see news reports here: 1, 2, 3)
Our experimental research involves simulating aspects of the fossilization process in the lab. We are not making fossils! Neither are we trying to replicate ancient fossil-creating environments! Instead we isolate parameters (e.g. temperature, pH) and study how these affect decay and preservation. We run some experiments at room temperatures and pressures to study decay. We run other experiments at elevated temperatures and pressures to understand how biological tissues transform to geomacromolecules as they are cooked during the burial part of the fossilization process.
What have we learned from experiments?
- Chemical chimeras: Melanosomes can take up metals during diagenesis, changing their original chemistry
- Convergent chemistry: Melanosomes from certain tissues are more prone to chemical change than others, and converge in chemistry during fossilization
- Disappearing melanosomes: Melanosomes are destroyed when fossils are oxidised, generating melanosome “ghosts” (moulds)
- Honey I shrunk the melanosomes: Melanosomes shrink when heated, potentially affecting colour reconstructions
- The blue problem: Many fossil insects are blue (and not green like today) because their structural colours have been blueshifted by the effects of heat and pressure (see news reports here: 1, 2, 3)
Our research is currently funded through the following projects:
- IRC awards (Postgraduate scholarships and Postdoctoral Fellowships)
- SFI awards through the Discover, Frontiers for the Future, and iCRAG-GSI Environmental Geoscience programmes
- ERC Consolidator Grant (more info here)
Previous funders: ERC Starting Grant (more info here), Marie Curie Career Integration Grant, Marie Curie International Fellowship.
Publications
2021
Zhang, Y., Shih, P., Wang, J., McNamara, M.E., Shih, C., Ren, D., Taiping, G., 2021. Jurassic scorpionflies (Mecoptera) with swollen first metatarsal segments suggesting sexual dimorphism. BMC Ecology and Evolution, 21, 47. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12862-021-01771-3. What’s it about? In this paper we report unusual swellings on the legs of beautifully preserved male scorpionflies from the Jurassic Yanliao (Daohuguo) biota. While we’re not fully certain of the purpose of these odd structures, comparison with extant insects suggests that they may have been used for mating displays and/or during copulation. Rossi, V., Webb, S.M., McNamara, M., 2021. Maturation experiments reveal bias in the chemistry of fossil melanosomes. Geology, 49, 784-788. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1130/G48696.1. What’s it about? In this paper we use maturation experiments to identify chemical signatures for diagenetically altered melanosomes in fossils. McNamara, M.E., Rossi, V., Slater, T.S., Rogers, C.S., Ducrest, A.-L., Dubey, S., Roulin, A., 2021. Decoding the Evolution of Melanin in Vertebrates. Trends in Ecology and Evolution, 36, 430-443. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tree.2020.12.012. What’s it about? In this paper we synthesise data on the distribution of melanin in different tissues and animals across the vertebrate tree to produce the first model on the evolution of melanin (and its functions) based on both fossil and modern data. Rogers, C.S., Webb, S.M., McNamara, M.E., 2021. Synchrotron x‐ray fluorescence analysis reveals diagenetic alteration of fossil melanosome trace metal chemistry. Palaeontology, 64, 63-73. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/pala.12506. What’s it about? In this paper we use maturation experiments to show how thermal maturation, and external sources of metal ions, can change the trace element chemistry of eye melanosomes, explaining some of the chemical signatures we see in fossils.2020
Yang, Z., Jiang, B., McNamara, M.E., Kearns, S.L., Pittman, M., Kaye, T.G., Orr, P.J., Xu, X., Benton, M.J. 2020. Reply to: ‘No protofeathers on pterosaurs’. Nature Ecology and Evolution, 4, 1592-1593. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-020-01309-8. What’s it about? In this paper we refute claims that the integumentary structures in pterosaurs are not feathers based on the anatomical distribution and taphonomy of the fossil structures and on the distribution of feather types in extant birds. Rossi, V., Webb, S.M., McNamara, M.E., 2020. Hierarchical biota-level and taxonomic controls on the chemistry of fossil melanosomes revealed using synchrotron X-ray fluorescence. Scientific Reports, 10, 8970. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-65868-3. What’s it about? We report the discovery of internal melanosomes in fossil vertebrates older than the dinosaurs. The chemistry of the fossil melanosomes is linked to that of their host sediment, confirming that melanosome chemistry can be altered by geological processes. McDonald, L.T., Narayanan, S., Sandy, A., Saranathan, V., McNamara, M.E., 2020. Brilliant angle-independent structural colours preserved in weevil scales from the Swiss Pleistocene. Biology Letters, 16, 20200063. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2020.0063. What’s it about? In this paper we report the discovery of brilliant green colours preserved in the scales of a fossil weevil from Switzerland. The colours are produced by fossilized diamond-type photonic structures and were used for camouflage in leafy undergrowth. Slater, T., Ashbrook, K., Kriwet, J., 2020. Evolutionary relationships among bullhead sharks (Chondrichthyes, Heterodontiformes). Papers in Palaeontology, 6, 425-437. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/spp2.1299. What’s it about? This paper investigates the relationships and diversity of bullhead sharks through deep time and stresses the importance of using non-dental characters for taxonomic analyses of fossil sharks. Tian, Q., Wang, S., Yang, Z., McNamara, M.E., Benton, M.J., Jiang, B., 2020. Experimental investigation of insect deposition in lentic environments and implications for formation of insect Konservat-Lagerst ätten. Palaeontology, 63, 565-578. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/pala.12472. What’s it about? We did experiments to help us understand how insects fossilize. In particular we studied how long fossil insects float at the water surface, and how easily ashfalls can submerge insects and cause them to sink.2019
Rogers, C.S., Astrop, T.I.A., McNamara, M.E., Webb, S., Ito, S., Wakamatsu, K., 2019. Synchrotron-X-ray absorption spectroscopy of melanosomes in vertebrates and cephalopods: implications for the affinity of Tullimonstrum. Proceedings B, 286, 20191649. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2019.1649. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PDF! What’s it about? We report that melanosomes in the eyes of invertebrates can be arranged by shape and size calling into question the idea that this feature is unique to vertebrates. We also used eye melanosome chemistry to work out which group of animals the bizarre fossil Tully monster belongs to. Slater, T.S., McNamara, M.E., Orr, P.J., Foley, T.B., Ito, S., Wakamatsu, K., 2019. Taphonomic experiments resolve controls on the preservation of melanosomes and keratinous tissues in feathers. Palaeontology, 63, 103 -115. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/pala.12445. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PDF! What’s it about? We performed experiments on modern feathers to understand how they degrade. Our results reveal controls on the preservation of feather pigments in the fossil record and indicate that the feather protein keratin is likely to survive various fossilization processes. Rossi, V., McNamara, M.E., Webb, S., Ito, S., Wakamatsu, K., 2019. Tissue-specific geometry and chemistry of modern and fossilized melanosomes reveal internal anatomy of extinct vertebrates. PNAS, 116, 17880-17889. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1820285116. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PDF! What’s it about? We report the discovery of internal melanosomes in modern amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals, and in fossils. These internal melanosomes differ in shape and chemistry in different organs, shedding light on the internal anatomy of ancient animals. Benton, M.J., Dhouailly, D., Jiang, B., McNamara, M., 2019. The early origin of feathers. Trends in Ecology and Evolution, 34, 856-869. DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2019.04.018. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PDF! What’s it about? We reviewed current knowledge on the evolutionary origins of feathers over 200 million years ago in the Triassic Period, bringing together information from feathered dinosaurs, pterosaurs, and genetics. Yang, Z.X., Jiang, B.Y., McNamara, M.E., Kearns, S.L., Pittman, M., Kaye, T.G., Orr, P.J., Xu, X., Benton, M.J., 2019. Pterosaur integumentary structures with complex feather-like branching. Nature Ecology and Evolution, 3, 24-30. DOI: 10.1038/s41559-018-0728-7. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PDF! What’s it about? We reported the discovery of branched feathers in pterosaurs – flying reptiles that are the sister group (close cousins) to the dinosaurs. This pushes back feather origins over 70 million years to the Early Triassic. Yang, Z., Wang, S., Tian, Q., Wang, B., Hethke, M., McNamara, M.E., Benton, M.J., Xu, X., Jiang, B., 2019. Palaeoenvironmental reconstruction and biostratinomic analysis of the Jurassic Yanliao Lagerstätte in northeastern China. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 514, 739-753. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.palaeo.2018.09.030. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PDF! What’s it about? We studied the sedimentary rocks that preserve fossils from the Jurassic fossil locality of Yanliao in NE China.2018
Odin, G.P., McNamara, M.E., Arwin, H., , K., 2018. Experimental degradation of helicoidal photonic nanostructures in scarab beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae): implications for the identification of circularly polarizing cuticle in the fossil record. Journal of the Royal Society Interface, 15, . DOI: https://doi.org/10.1098/rsif.2018.0560. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PDF! What’s it about? We did experiments to help us understand whether microscopic colour-producing structures in the shells of scarab beetles can fossilize readily. McNamara, M.E., Kaye, J.S., Benton, M.J., Orr, P.J., Rossi, V., Ito, S., Wakamatsu, K., 2018. Non-integumentary melanosomes bias reconstructions of the colours of fossil vertebrate skin. Nature Communications, 9, 2878. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-018-05148-x. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PDF! What’s it about? We reported the discovery of melanosomes – tiny rounded structures rich in melanin – in the internal organs of modern and fossil frogs. McNamara, M.E., Zhang, F., Kearns, S.L., Orr, P.J., Toulouse, A., Foley, T., Hone, D.W.E., Rogers, C.S., Benton, M.J., Johnson, D., Xu, X., Zhou, Z., 2018. Fossilized skin reveals coevolution with feathers and metabolism in feathered dinosaurs and early birds. Nature Communications, 9, 2072. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-018-04443-x. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PDF! What’s it about? We reported the discovery of fossil snake skin with all three types of pigment cell preserved, allowing us to reconstruct the snake’s original colour. Zhang, Q., Mey, W., Ansorge, J., Starkey, T.A., McDonald, L.T., McNamara, M.E., Jarzembowski, E.A., Wichard, W., Kelly, R., Ren, X., Chen, J., Zhang, H., Wang, B., 2018. Fossil scales illuminate the early evolution of lepidopterans and structural colors. Science Advances, 4, e1700988. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.1700988. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PDF! What’s it about? We reported the discovery of structurally coloured scales in fossil moths from the Jurassic Period. Purnell, M.A., Donoghue, P.J.C., Gabbott, S.E., McNamara, M., Murdock, D.J.E., Sansom, R.S., 2018. Experimental analysis of soft-tissue fossilization – opening the black box. Palaeontology, 61, 317-323. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/pala.12360. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PDF! What’s it about? We explained the best ways of doing experiments to understand fossilization.2017
Muscente, A.D., Schiffbauer, J.D., Broce, J., Laflamme, M., O’Donnell, K., Boag, T.H., Meyer, M., Hawkins, A.D., Huntley, J.W., McNamara, M., MacKenzie, L.A., Stanley Jr., G.D., Hinman, N.W., Hofmann, M.H., Xiao, S., 2017. Exceptionally preserved fossil assemblages through geologic time and space. Gondwana Research, 48, 164-188. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gr.2017.04.020. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PDF!2016
Mears, E., Rossi, V., MacDonald, E., Coleman, G., Davies, T., Arias-Riesgo, C., Hildebrandt, C., Thiel, H., Duffin, C.J., Whiteside, D.I., Benton, M.J., 2016. The Rhaetian (Late Triassic) vertebrates of Hampstead Farm Quarry, Gloucestershire, UK. Proceedings of the Geologists’ Association, 127, 478-505. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pgeola.2016.05.003. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PDF! Orr, P.J., Adler, L.B., Beardmore, S.R., Furrer, H., McNamara, M.E., Peñalver-Mollá, E., Redelstorff, R., 2016. “Stick ‘n’ peel”: Explaining unusual patterns of disarticulation and loss of completeness in fossil vertebrates. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 457, 380-388. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.palaeo.2016.05.024. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PDF! McNamara, M.E., Van Dongen, B., Bull, I., Orr, P.J., 2016. Fossilisation of melanosomes via sulfurization. Palaeontology, 59, 337-350. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/pala.12238. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PDF ! McNamara, M.E., Orr, P.J., Kearns, S.L., Alcalá, L., Anadón, P., Peñalver, E., 2016. Reconstructing carotenoid-based and structural coloration in fossil skin. Current Biology, 26, 1075-1082. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2016.02.038. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PDF !2015
Rogers, C.S., Hone, D.W., McNamara, M.E., Zhao, Q., Orr, P.J., Kearns, S.K., Benton, M.J., 2015. The Chinese Pompeii? Death and destruction of dinosaurs in the Early Cretaceous of Lujiatun, NE China. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 427, 89-99. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.palaeo.2015.03.037. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PDF !2014
Godefroit, P., Sinitsa, S.M., Dhouailly, D., Bolotsky, Y.L., Sizov, A.V., McNamara, M.E., Benton, M.J., Spagna, P., 2014. Response to Comment on ‘A Jurassic ornithischian dinosaur from Siberia with both feathers and scales’. Science, 346, 434-435. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1260146 . CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PDF! McNamara, M.E., Saranathan, V., Locatelli, E., Noh, H., Briggs, D.E.G., Orr, P., Cao, H., 2014. Cryptic iridescence in a fossil weevil generated by single diamond photonic crystals. Journal Of The Royal Society Interface, 11, 20140736. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1098/rsif.2014.0736 . CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PDF! Godefroit, P., Sinitsa, S.M., Dhouailly, D., Bolotsky, Y.L., Sizov, A.V., McNamara, M.E., Benton, M.J., Spagna, P., 2014. A Jurassic ornithischian dinosaur from Siberia with both feathers and scales. Science, 245, 451-455. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1253351. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PDF!Anderson, R.P., McCoy, V., McNamara, M.E.,2014. What big eyes you have: the ecological role of giant pterygotid eurypterids. Biology Letters, 10, 2040412. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2014.0412. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PDF!
2013
McNamara, M.E., 2013. The taphonomy of colour in fossil insects and feathers. Palaeontology, 56, 557-575. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/pala.12044. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PDF!
McNamara, M.E., Briggs, D.E.G., Orr, P.J., Field, D., Wang, Z., 2013. Experimental maturation of feathers: implications for reconstructions of fossil feather colour. Biology Letters, 9, 20130184. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2013.0184. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PDF!
McNamara, M.E., Briggs, D.E.G., Orr, P.J., Gupta, N.S., Locatelli, E.R., Qiu, L., Yang, H., Wang, Z., Noh, H., Cao, H., 2013. The fossil record of insect color illuminated by maturation experiments. Geology, 41, 487-490. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1130/G33836.1. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PDF!
2012
McNamara, M.E., Briggs, D.E.G., Orr, P.J., 2012. The controls on the preservation of structural color in fossil insects. Palaios, 27, 443-454. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2110/palo.2012.p12-027r. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PDF!
McNamara, M.E., Briggs, D.E.G., Orr, P.J., Noh, H., Cao, H., 2012. The original colours of fossil beetles. Proceedings of The Royal Society B, 279, 1114–1121. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2011.1677. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PDF!
McNamara, M.E., Orr, P.J., Kearns, S., Alcalá, L., Anadón, P., Peñalver, E., 2012. What controls the taphonomy of exceptionally preserved taxa – environment or biology? A case study using exceptionally preserved frogs from the Miocene Libros Konservat-Lagerstätte, Spain. Palaios, 27, 63-77. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2110/palo.2010.p10-126r. . CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PDF!
2011
McNamara, M.E., Briggs, D.E.G., Orr, P.J., Wedmann, S., Noh, H., Cao, H., 2011. Fossilized biophotonic nanostructures reveal the original colors of 47 million-year-old moths. PLoS Biology, 9, e1001200. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pbio.1001200. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PDF!
McNamara, M.E., Orr, P.J., Manzocchi, T., Alcalá, L., Anadón, P. Peñalver, E., 2011. Biological controls upon the physical taphonomy of exceptionally preserved salamanders from the Miocene of Rubielos de Mora, northeast Spain. Lethaia, 45, 210-226. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1502-3931.2011.00274.x. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PDF!
2010
McNamara, M.E., Orr, P.J., Kearns, S., Alcalá, L., Anadón, P., Peñalver, E., 2010. Organic preservation of fossil musculature with ultracellular detail. Proceedings of The Royal Society B, 277, 423-427. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2009.1378. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PDF!
2009
McNamara, M.E., Orr, P.J., Kearns, S., Alcalá, L., Anadón, P., Peñalver, E., 2009. Exceptionally preserved tadpoles from the Miocene of Libros, Spain: Ecomorphological reconstruction and the impact of ontogeny upon taphonomy. Lethaia, 43, 290-306. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1502-3931.2009.00192.x. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PDF!
McNamara, M.E., Orr, P.J., Kearns, S., Alcalá, L., Anadón, P., Peñalver, E., 2009. Soft tissue preservation in Miocene frogs from Libros (Spain): Insights into the genesis of decay microenvironments. Palaios, 24, 104-117. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2110/palo.2008.p08-017r. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PDF!
2006
McNamara, M.E., Orr, P.J., Kearns, S., Alcalá, L., Anadón, P., Peñalver, E., 2006. High fidelity preservation of bone marrow in c. 10 million year old amphibians. Geology, 34, 641-644. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1130/G22526.1. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PDF!
Outreach
My group is involved in diverse outreach activities that include: (click on the logos to find out more)
Why should scientists do public outreach?
I am strongly committed to engagement with the general public in order to stimulate wider interest in science - and the natural world - among children and adults of the non-scientific community. See here for a recent presentation I gave on this topic to UCC's most talented students.
Other outreach activities that I've been involved with include:
- Teaching primary-level children about rocks, minerals and fossils at the Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History
- Full-time outreach work in what is now the Burren and Cliffs of Moher Geopark
- ‘Earth Science for Educators’ training from the Earth Science Education Unit at Keele University
We are actively looking for schools or classes from primary and secondary schools, especially those in Deis or rural areas and the islands, to partner with us as we roll out our exciting “Ireland’s Fossil Heritage” project nationwide! If you are interested in having us visit your class or school please click here for more details!
Primary- and secondary school students are welcome to visit my research laboratory as part of a laboratory tour at UCC, and Transition Years are welcome to apply for the Transition Year placement scheme.
Opportunities
NEW OPPORTUNITIES!
Interested in joining the team in Cork and doing research on soft tissue taphonomy of fossils, taphonomic experiments, or fossil colour?
You can apply for funding via several sources:
Postdoctoral funding
Irish Research Council Government of Ireland Postdoctoral Fellowship
Maria-Sklowdowska Curie Individual Postdoctoral Fellowships
PhD funding
Irish Research Council Government of Ireland Postgraduate Fellowship
MRes opportunities
The MRes in Geological Sciences is a full-time programme running over 12 months from the date of first registration for the programme. Applications will be accepted for a start date in October or January. The programme consists of (a) a major research thesis and (b) taught modules on generic and transferable skills, with an emphasis on scientific writing, oral presentations, and general research skills.
Prospective students interested in carrying out a palaeontology-based MRes are advised to contact Prof. Maria McNamara and the Programme Coordinator (Prof. Andy Wheeler: a.wheeler@ucc.ie). For further information see https://www.ucc.ie/en/bees/courses/postgrad/.
Contact
Prof. Maria McNamara
School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences (BEES),
University College Cork,
Butler Building,
Distillery Fields,
North Mall, Cork, Ireland.
Tel: +353 21 490 4570
Fax: +353 21 490 4664
Email: maria.mcnamara@ucc.ie
School webpage: http://www.ucc.ie/en/bees/
Research profile: http://research.ucc.ie/profiles/D026/mariamcnamara
Google Scholar profile: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=DOrizhEAAAAJ&hl=en
ResearchGate profile: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Maria_McNamara
Orcid ID: http://www.orcid.org/0000-0003-0968-4624
Wiley Analytical Science profile: https://analyticalscience.wiley.com/do/10.1002/was.00020153 (credit to Rebecca Pool at Wiley Analytical Science)
Home
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Maria wins an ERC Consolidator grant![/caption] [caption id="attachment_4707" align="alignleft" width="150"]
Vacancy (Lecturer in Palaeontology) at UCC![/caption] [caption id="attachment_4505" align="alignleft" width="150"]
Maria wins new SFI grant![/caption] [caption id="attachment_3581" align="alignleft" width="150"]
Maria on "The Conversation" podcast![/caption] [caption id="attachment_4519" align="alignleft" width="150"]
New paper published in Geology![/caption] [caption id="attachment_4120" align="alignleft" width="150"]
New paper published in TREE![/caption] [caption id="attachment_3961" align="alignleft" width="150"]
New paper in Palaeontology![/caption] [caption id="attachment_3774" align="alignleft" width="150"]
New paper in Scientific Reports![/caption]
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Geocareers
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Welcome to our blog about life as a palaeontologist – or trainee palaeontologist – working on fossil colour.
25th of October 2021
When we are clearing out the lab, we must pause and admire the beautiful fossils!
18th of October 2021
Jess has been busy visiting amazing places around Ireland where you can find fossils, including Hook Head, the Malahide coast, the Burren, Loughshinny, and more! She has photographed some beautiful fossils in preparation for the launch of Ireland’s Fossil Heritage website, which will feature lots of information about Irish fossils, coming soon!
[gallery link="none" columns="2" size="medium" ids="http://mariamcnamara.ucc.ie/wp-content/uploads/sites/53/2021/10/Jess_FW_3-scaled.jpg|,http://mariamcnamara.ucc.ie/wp-content/uploads/sites/53/2021/10/Jess_FW_2-scaled.jpg|,http://mariamcnamara.ucc.ie/wp-content/uploads/sites/53/2021/10/Jess_FW_4-scaled.jpg|,http://mariamcnamara.ucc.ie/wp-content/uploads/sites/53/2021/10/Jess_FW_1-scaled.jpg|"]11th of October 2021
Daniel got visitors during the week and went with them to the Beara Peninsula to look at the giant tree ferns on Garnish Island and the copper mining museum in Allihies. They also went for a quick dip into the ocean.
4th of October 2021
Aude is glad to be back in the office after more than a year working mainly from home. She is preparing something very exciting involving big extinct creatures…
27th of September 2021
Naomi is helping Hannah with her soil sample pH analyses!
[gallery link="none" columns="2" size="medium" ids="http://mariamcnamara.ucc.ie/wp-content/uploads/sites/53/2021/10/Naomi_soil_1.jpg|,http://mariamcnamara.ucc.ie/wp-content/uploads/sites/53/2021/10/Naomi_soil_2-scaled.jpg|"]20th of September 2021
This week Hannah was back out in the field collecting urban soil samples from the Loughmahon Community Park and the Douglas Community Park. A local resident shared that Loughmahon Community Park is one of the oldest parks in the area and that it used to be an orchard for a local convent. Some of the trees in that park may well be over 100 years old (unfortunately none of those gorgeous trees are shown in the picture, so you’ll have to visit the park yourself to have a look at them!).
13th of September 2021
Feels great to be back around the offices in UCC again!
6th of September 2021
Jess is the newly appointed science engagement officer for the SFI Discover-funded project ‘Ireland’s Fossil Heritage’. She has been in the lab recently photographing our fossil collection in preparation for exciting science engagement events.
30th of August 2021
Daniel had lovely holidays on the Aran Islands where he watched out for fossils (e.g. corals and brachiopods) in the Burren limestone.
[gallery link="none" columns="2" size="large" ids="http://mariamcnamara.ucc.ie/wp-content/uploads/sites/53/2021/10/foss_1.jpg|,http://mariamcnamara.ucc.ie/wp-content/uploads/sites/53/2021/10/foss_2.jpg|,http://mariamcnamara.ucc.ie/wp-content/uploads/sites/53/2021/10/foss_3.jpg|,http://mariamcnamara.ucc.ie/wp-content/uploads/sites/53/2021/10/foss_4.jpg|"]23rd of August 2021
Aude was on holidays in Belgium recently, and accompanied her dad, an astronomy enthusiast, to observe the night sky. She observed the Moon, Jupiter, Saturn and different constellations like Cassiopeia and Cygnus. The sky was super clear with optimal conditions to see the Perseids, a meteor shower observable in the sky at this time of the year.
16th of August 2021
Naomi visited Hook Head, County Wexford today, and spotted lots of different fossils including brachiopods, bryozoans, corals and crinoids!
[gallery link="none" columns="2" size="full" ids="http://mariamcnamara.ucc.ie/wp-content/uploads/sites/53/2021/10/brachiopod-scaled.jpg|,http://mariamcnamara.ucc.ie/wp-content/uploads/sites/53/2021/10/bryozoan-scaled.jpg|,http://mariamcnamara.ucc.ie/wp-content/uploads/sites/53/2021/10/coral-scaled.jpg|,http://mariamcnamara.ucc.ie/wp-content/uploads/sites/53/2021/10/crinoid-scaled.jpg|"]9th of August 2021
Recently, Hannah helped out with the Forensic Geology workshop organised by Girls into Geoscience (GiG) and iCRAG. The participants had to solve a fictional murder mystery scenario and match sediment traces that were found on the victim with those found on four suspects. Sediment traces led the participants around the Island of Ireland, from Skellig Michael to the Giants Causeway, which was a great way to explore the diverse geology found across Ireland.
3rd of August 2021
Here is Luke doing one last day of microspectrophotometry on subfossil weevil scales before taking up a new position with the British Geological Survey!
26th of July 2021
Undergraduate field research in Co. Wexford: sun, sea and zillions of fossils. What an amazing place to do your thesis project!
20,000 times magnification and beyond. Daniel is discovering fossil textures that are build up from modules as tiny as microns (one-millionth of a meter and one-thousandth of a millimeter).
Reading a 1000-page document is not so bad when your office looks like this:
Aude has recently been working with her colleague Larissa on 3D modeling of rocks for an outreach project. They have taken plenty of photos of rocks and fossils from Cork area that will later be uploaded on a website dedicated to Cork's geoheritage.
[gallery link="none" columns="2" size="full" ids="http://mariamcnamara.ucc.ie/wp-content/uploads/sites/53/2021/07/Limestone.jpeg|,http://mariamcnamara.ucc.ie/wp-content/uploads/sites/53/2021/07/photogrammetry_trial.jpg|"]Give that thing a rest! Daniel submitted a paper manuscript last night, so he and his computer will have a break today.
23rd of June 2021
Naomi attended an online lecture this evening on the life, times and legacy of Mary Anning, by Dr Ed Jarvis.
14th of June 2021
Recently, Aude had a welcome break from her research by joining UCC geology students in the field, in Myrtleville, County Cork. The group logged Upper Devonian channel and floodplain deposits, and Quaternary periglacial and glacial sediments. Aude really appreciated the refresher on sedimentology logging in such a beautiful place.
[gallery link="none" columns="2" size="large" ids="http://mariamcnamara.ucc.ie/wp-content/uploads/sites/53/2021/06/Myrtleville_Beach_UpperDevonian-rotated.jpg|,http://mariamcnamara.ucc.ie/wp-content/uploads/sites/53/2021/06/Myrtleville_Beach_Quaternary-rotated.jpg|"] 8th of June 2021We may still be working from home as much as possible, but that doesn't mean Naomi can't keep an eye out for wildlife elsewhere instead of the usual walk into the office - this includes spiders in the garden shed!
31st of May 2021
This week, Hannah gave a virtual update to her funding bodies, iCRAG and GSI, of her work on urban soils in Cork city. These meetings are always a great opportunity to get feedback from other researchers and to stay connected, even during COVID times.
24th of May 2021 Maria recently gave a talk for the Pint of Science event on fossils!
17th of May 2021
The key to finishing up a PhD in palaeontology is having great support. Tiffany is enjoying the ease of lockdown restrictions by taking weekend walks around Cork with a few friends.
10th of May 2021
Daniel refreshes his knowledge by (re)watching an SEM online webinar to analyse his fossil frog samples from the Geiseltal Lagerstätte soon.
4th of May 2021
Aude has recently been imaging the soft tissues that she had decayed in the lab, using scanning electron microscopy. This will help her to understand how the structure of soft tissues, here bird feathers and lizard skin, changes before fossilization.
26th of April 2021
An early peacock butterfly spotted during the weekend by Naomi - it was also enjoying the lovely sunny warm weather we've been having over the last week! Just look at those eyespots!
19th of April 2021
Ireland's coastline has a diverse geology. As the lockdown restrictions eased, Hannah ventured down to Garretstown Beach near Kinsale and took some time to appreciate the beauty of it all!
[gallery size="large" columns="1" link="none" ids="http://mariamcnamara.ucc.ie/wp-content/uploads/sites/53/2021/04/beach2.jpg|,http://mariamcnamara.ucc.ie/wp-content/uploads/sites/53/2021/04/beach1.jpg|"] 12th of April 2021Tiffany attended this year's Synchrotron Radiation in Art & Archaeology conference, which featured some super cool research on the chemistry of Munch's paint!
6th of April 2021
Sometimes you need a break from rocks / video calls and just need... flowers! Here's to spring, vaccinations and life opening back up again.
29th of March 2021
Daniel will become a BEES Postgraduate Representative very soon. Hannah, the recent Postgraduate Representative, kindly shared her knowledge with Daniel about duties, ongoing projects and how to keep the Postgrad community happy or improve their situation. “Who you gonna call??” 😊
22nd of March 2021
Aude has been trained at preparing and sectioning samples for transmission electron microscopy. The photo on the right shows her practicing at the ultramicrotome last week and the photo on the left shows a sample being sectioned to a very thin thickness (200 nm) with a glass knife.
15th of March 2021
A robin - just starting to decompose. Naomi found it by the side of the road, took it home, put it under the shed, and will keep it there for a few weeks, exposed to insects, microbes, moisture and warmth, to get some nice bones from it. No waste in this research group where rotting stuff is cool!
8th of March 2021
This week, Hannah is in the process of identifying and getting permission to sample urban parks in County Wexford. Previous research has indicated that soils in this area are potentially high in cadmium and antimony. Her own research in the coming months will give us exact levels of each metal.
1st of March 2021
After embedding the samples of her decaying frog skin experiment, Ninon went to the lab to collect and prepare the results of her second experiment on the mineralization of these same skins.
[gallery columns="2" link="none" size="full" ids="http://mariamcnamara.ucc.ie/wp-content/uploads/sites/53/2021/03/ninon_lab1.jpg|,http://mariamcnamara.ucc.ie/wp-content/uploads/sites/53/2021/03/ninon_lab2-scaled.jpg|"] 22nd of February 2021This week the group met with fellow melanin lovers in Sweden to talk about their recent paper on the impact of maturation on melanin preservation in fossils!
15th of February 2021
Maria is doing FTIR of fossil samples in the lab. After a year of lockdown, finally collecting some new data.
8th of February 2021
Daniel has been grinding sediment samples that he took from the Geiseltal specimens. This future material analysis will reveal the depositional environment of the Geiseltal Lagerstätte.
[gallery link="none" columns="2" size="full" ids="http://mariamcnamara.ucc.ie/wp-content/uploads/sites/53/2021/02/Daniel_sample_2-scaled.jpg|,http://mariamcnamara.ucc.ie/wp-content/uploads/sites/53/2021/02/Daniel_sample_1-scaled.jpg|"] 1st of February 2021After her holidays, Aude has started working on a new paper and has wrapped up her decay experiments. The latest decayed samples (in the pink sample holder on the photo) will soon be ready for analysis. Exciting!
25th of January 2021
Restrictions might still be in place but that doesn't stop the group meeting virtually for Palaeo Discussion Group every week!
18th of January 2021
Hannah is back in the home office, and while she is waiting for the ground to no longer be frozen and for COVID-cases to go down to be able to continue her fieldwork, she is working on her review paper on metal contamination of urban soils in Europe using many, MANY spreadsheets - it's a good thing she loves analysing data!
11th of January 2021
Ninon was able to attend the inauguration of the first online PalAss Annual Conference this year, and also delivered a talk about the Irish Devonian crustacean Oxyuropoda. This all happened live from her bedroom in France, due to the conference proximity with Christmas time! This allowed her to make great contact with people abroad planning to work further on fossils from county Kilkenny!
4th of January 2021
Tiffany recently hosted a virtual taphonomy conference aimed at early career researchers. With over 50 speakers from 15 different countries, the meeting covered a variety of topics – from modern tar seep taphonomy to the taphonomy of vertebrate consumulites!
14th of December 2020
Fabulous Silurian chondrites in an offshore sequence near Clogher Strand, Dingle. Maria came across these during fieldwork at the weekend.
7th of December 2020
Daniel recently received an EAVP Research Grant worth €1000! His project ("An exceptional middle to late Permian tetrapod track fauna of Pangean Euramerica (Hornburg Formation, Germany)") will involve him leading an excavation in cooperation with local museums, universities and the regional authorities in central Germany in summer of 2021. The photos show the preliminary excavation site from 2013 (Daniel's MSc thesis) not far from the planned excavation site and some trace fossils (tetrapod tracks, arthropod tracks, jellyfish imprints) from the local area. Congratulations Daniel!
[gallery columns="2" link="none" size="full" ids="http://mariamcnamara.ucc.ie/wp-content/uploads/sites/53/2020/12/Daniel_grant_1-scaled.jpg|,http://mariamcnamara.ucc.ie/wp-content/uploads/sites/53/2020/12/Daniel_grant_2.jpg|"] 30th of November 2020In the past weeks, Aude has been working on her decay and maturation experiments. She collected the decayed and / or matured samples, took photos and then prepared the samples for electron microscopy. The photo on the left shows a sample of decayed and matured lizard skin in tree resin and the one on the right shows a tiny piece of decayed lizard skin embedded in artificial resin in silicone moulds for transmission electron microscopy. Aude will now have to trim and section all the samples before imaging them.
[gallery link="none" columns="2" size="full" ids="http://mariamcnamara.ucc.ie/wp-content/uploads/sites/53/2020/11/Aude_lab_1.jpg|,http://mariamcnamara.ucc.ie/wp-content/uploads/sites/53/2020/11/Aude_lab_2.jpg|"] 23rd of November 2020Naomi has all her meetings with Maria now that most people are working from home - this one was a good opportunity to congratulate Maria on being recently promoted to Professor!!
16th of November 2020
Hannah has collected more soil samples from parks around Cork city, come rain or shine, with the auger (pictured below). The colour differences between the soil samples are obvious, but for more detailed analysis she is continuing to conduct lab experiments. While sieving her soil samples she also found some plastic fragments.
9th of November 2020
Ninon started her experimental work on the decay and mineralization of vertebrate skins. For this, she is using three species of frogs that she is dissecting on the belly side. The skin fragments are then placed in jars with water enriched with sediments and bacterial loads. She then samples each skin fragment every 10 days to analyse the structures preserved within those skins using histological and TEM thin sections.
[gallery columns="2" link="none" size="full" ids="http://mariamcnamara.ucc.ie/wp-content/uploads/sites/53/2020/11/Ninon_lab_frog_1.jpg|,http://mariamcnamara.ucc.ie/wp-content/uploads/sites/53/2020/11/Ninon_lab_frog_2.jpg|"] 2nd of November 2020 Shengyu took some photos when she joined Palaeo Discussion Group last week outside our SEM lab! [gallery columns="2" link="none" size="full" ids="http://mariamcnamara.ucc.ie/wp-content/uploads/sites/53/2020/11/Shengyu_lab_1-scaled.jpg|,http://mariamcnamara.ucc.ie/wp-content/uploads/sites/53/2020/11/Shengyu_lab_2-scaled.jpg|"] 26th of October 2020Tiffany's back in full swing in the lab – resin embedding samples, preparing glass knives and cutting ultrathin sections, oh my!
20th of October 2020
Chris and Maria just published a new paper in Palaeontology! https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/pala.12506.
12th of October 2020
Daniel and Maria recently completed two days of teaching and demonstrating in the field with 3rd year students in Dingle last week. They saw beautiful rocks as part of the stunning landscape along the cliffs of Inch Beach, Wine Strand and Clogher Strand. The students learned in which environment the rocks were formed hundreds of millions of years ago and how to map those rocks. The weather was quite sunny without any rain, but the Atlantic Sea was wild!
Daniel also noted that his favourite rock of the trip was a very pretty welded tuff; an igneous rock formed by the compaction and cementation of volcanic ash or dust. It outcrops not far from Ferriter’s Cove.
5th of October 2020
Last week Aude (and Ninon too!) went to The Gearagh in County Cork to collect sediment and water that she will soon use for experiments. The Gearagh, also called the Wooden River, is a nature reserve displaying hundreds of stumps from ancient trees, today submerged by the River Lee. Aude will use sediment and water from that beautiful place to recreate natural conditions for the decay of vertebrate soft tissues. The same week, Aude also went to the lab to prepare amber samples for imaging and molecular analyses. She embedded the samples in resin to facilitate their analysis.
[gallery link="none" columns="2" size="full" ids="http://mariamcnamara.ucc.ie/wp-content/uploads/sites/53/2020/10/The-Gearagh.jpg|,http://mariamcnamara.ucc.ie/wp-content/uploads/sites/53/2020/10/resin.jpg|"]
28th of September 2020 Fleur recently updated the lab's inventory. Lots of organisation!
21st of September 2020
Hannah has started collecting her soil samples in the field using an auger. She then analysed her samples in the lab for soil pH (pictured below), bulk density, Loss-on-ignition and for any traces of heavy metals using the handheld XRF. Exciting times!
14th of September 2020
A summer day spent in the beautiful and romantic city of Verona, the city of Romeo and Juliet, in the Museo Civico di Storia Naturale for Valentina to take some samples of the famous Mene rhombea, a 50 million-year-old fish preserving traces of skin, eyespot and (hopefully) internal organs.
[gallery size="large" columns="2" link="none" ids="http://mariamcnamara.ucc.ie/wp-content/uploads/sites/53/2020/09/Vale_Verona_1-scaled.jpeg|,http://mariamcnamara.ucc.ie/wp-content/uploads/sites/53/2020/09/Vale_Verona_2-scaled.jpeg|"] 7th of September 2020Ninon is in Ireland after spending the last few months in France and remembered she could use dead woodlice from her place to assist with her studies on some of the Devonian Irish fossils she is working on! Back in the lab soon!
Tiffany found some lovely fossil corals while camping in Mayo (pictured left, with her partner doing all the labour in the background) and hiking in the Burren (pictured right, with her titchy feet for scale).
24th of August 2020
First day back in the lab for Shengyu!
17th of August 2020
Not having much access to our office and lab does not mean that we can't fossil-hunt in Cork City! Here are some that Naomi found!
[gallery columns="2" link="none" size="full" ids="http://mariamcnamara.ucc.ie/wp-content/uploads/sites/53/2020/08/fossil-4-scaled.jpg|,http://mariamcnamara.ucc.ie/wp-content/uploads/sites/53/2020/08/fossil-1.jpg|,http://mariamcnamara.ucc.ie/wp-content/uploads/sites/53/2020/08/fossil-2-rotated.jpg|,http://mariamcnamara.ucc.ie/wp-content/uploads/sites/53/2020/08/fossil-3-rotated.jpg|"] 10th of August 2020A first for Maria – a plenary lecture via Zoom for the recent Microscopy and Microanalysis virtual meeting (originally planned for Milwaukee, Illinois).
4th of August 2020
Back from holidays: Daniel is catching up with the Geiseltal frogs!
Projects
[caption id="attachment_451" align="alignleft" width="150"]
Fossil Colour[/caption][caption id="attachment_452" align="alignleft" width="150"]
Feather Evolution[/caption][caption id="attachment_454" align="alignleft" width="150"]
Vertebrate Taphonomy[/caption][caption id="attachment_4426" align="alignleft" width="150"]
Microplastics[/caption][caption id="attachment_4425" align="alignleft" width="150"]
Cancer[/caption][caption id="attachment_4422" align="alignleft" width="150"]
Soils[/caption][caption id="attachment_4423" align="alignleft" width="150"]
Palaeochem[/caption]
Research
In broad terms, my research group tries to answer these questions:
- How much can we trust the fossil record?
- Are some aspects of the fossil record more or less trustworthy than others?
- What factors skew the fossil record of ancient life?
- What “extra” information can soft tissues give us?
- How can we figure all this out?
We are especially interested in the preservation of non-biomineralised ‘soft’ tissues (e.g. integument, muscle, internal organs) in fossils, and what these exceptional fossil remains tell us about the anatomy, physiology, ecology and behaviour of ancient animals.
Over the last ten years or so a major focus of our research has been the taphonomy of colour in fossil animals. We are interested in the preservation, evolutionary origins and functions of structural and pigmentary coloration in various animal groups, in particular, insects and feathered taxa, throughout the Phanerozoic.
We’re also working hard on understanding the evolution of the integument – tissues such as feathers, skin, etc. – because it defines how vertebrates live their lives on land.
Ultimately we’re interested in fossil preservation, so we also study fossils in large numbers from certain biotas.
The research we do here in Cork is very analytical. We use both fossils and experiments to investigate the processes of soft tissue degradation and preservation. By understanding the various biological, sedimentological and diagenetic factors that control soft tissue preservation, we can begin to tease apart patterns (biases) in the fossil record.
Our fossil-based research leans heavily on electron microscopy and synchrotron-X-ray analyses to better understand the ultrastructure and chemistry of fossil tissues. However we are now also increasingly supporting these data with vibrational spectroscopy (FTIR and Raman) – work in progress! Plus we like to back up our fossil work with rigorous statistical analysis of taphonomic data.
What have we learned from fossils?
- Your inner pigment: vertebrates have lots of melanosomes in their internal organs (see news reports here: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
- Melanin in the driving seat: melanin pigments are intimately involved in major transitions in vertebrate evolution, e.g. evolution of endothermy, hair and feathers, and this goes hand-in-hand with evolution of immunity and behaviour (see news reports here: 1)
- Metal anatomy: We can analyse the metal chemistry of melanosomes in fossils to work out the tissue anatomy of ancient creatures
- Smells like a squid?: The weird fossil enigma Tullimonstrum has melanosomes that (in chemical terms) don’t look like vertebrate examples (see news reports here: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
- Fluffy pterosaurs: these flying beasts had feathers over 70 million years before birds and dinosaurs (see news reports here: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
- Sneaky snakes: Some fossil snakes had blotchy green patterns for camouflage (see news reports here: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
- Shiny happy beetles: fossil beetles from the Cenozoic preserve real structural colours (biophotonic crystals), including fabulous single diamond 3D photonic crystals (see news reports here: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
- Keeping their colours: some fossil moths living during the Eocene and Jurassic had colours (and colour-producing structures) that their living relatives still show today (see news reports here: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
- Many well-preserved fossil frogs had tough mineral-rich skin that helped preservation (see news reports here: 1)
- Even very decay-prone soft tissues like muscle and bone marrow can preserve as organic (carbon-based) molecules in fossils (see news reports here: 1, 2, 3)
Our experimental research involves simulating aspects of the fossilization process in the lab. We are not making fossils! Neither are we trying to replicate ancient fossil-creating environments! Instead we isolate parameters (e.g. temperature, pH) and study how these affect decay and preservation. We run some experiments at room temperatures and pressures to study decay. We run other experiments at elevated temperatures and pressures to understand how biological tissues transform to geomacromolecules as they are cooked during the burial part of the fossilization process.
What have we learned from experiments?
- Chemical chimeras: Melanosomes can take up metals during diagenesis, changing their original chemistry
- Convergent chemistry: Melanosomes from certain tissues are more prone to chemical change than others, and converge in chemistry during fossilization
- Disappearing melanosomes: Melanosomes are destroyed when fossils are oxidised, generating melanosome “ghosts” (moulds)
- Honey I shrunk the melanosomes: Melanosomes shrink when heated, potentially affecting colour reconstructions
- The blue problem: Many fossil insects are blue (and not green like today) because their structural colours have been blueshifted by the effects of heat and pressure (see news reports here: 1, 2, 3)
Our research is currently funded through the following projects:
- IRC awards (Postgraduate scholarships and Postdoctoral Fellowships)
- SFI awards through the Discover, Frontiers for the Future, and iCRAG-GSI Environmental Geoscience programmes
- ERC Consolidator Grant (more info here)
Previous funders: ERC Starting Grant (more info here), Marie Curie Career Integration Grant, Marie Curie International Fellowship.
Publications
2021
Zhang, Y., Shih, P., Wang, J., McNamara, M.E., Shih, C., Ren, D., Taiping, G., 2021. Jurassic scorpionflies (Mecoptera) with swollen first metatarsal segments suggesting sexual dimorphism. BMC Ecology and Evolution, 21, 47. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12862-021-01771-3. What’s it about? In this paper we report unusual swellings on the legs of beautifully preserved male scorpionflies from the Jurassic Yanliao (Daohuguo) biota. While we’re not fully certain of the purpose of these odd structures, comparison with extant insects suggests that they may have been used for mating displays and/or during copulation. Rossi, V., Webb, S.M., McNamara, M., 2021. Maturation experiments reveal bias in the chemistry of fossil melanosomes. Geology, 49, 784-788. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1130/G48696.1. What’s it about? In this paper we use maturation experiments to identify chemical signatures for diagenetically altered melanosomes in fossils. McNamara, M.E., Rossi, V., Slater, T.S., Rogers, C.S., Ducrest, A.-L., Dubey, S., Roulin, A., 2021. Decoding the Evolution of Melanin in Vertebrates. Trends in Ecology and Evolution, 36, 430-443. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tree.2020.12.012. What’s it about? In this paper we synthesise data on the distribution of melanin in different tissues and animals across the vertebrate tree to produce the first model on the evolution of melanin (and its functions) based on both fossil and modern data. Rogers, C.S., Webb, S.M., McNamara, M.E., 2021. Synchrotron x‐ray fluorescence analysis reveals diagenetic alteration of fossil melanosome trace metal chemistry. Palaeontology, 64, 63-73. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/pala.12506. What’s it about? In this paper we use maturation experiments to show how thermal maturation, and external sources of metal ions, can change the trace element chemistry of eye melanosomes, explaining some of the chemical signatures we see in fossils.2020
Yang, Z., Jiang, B., McNamara, M.E., Kearns, S.L., Pittman, M., Kaye, T.G., Orr, P.J., Xu, X., Benton, M.J. 2020. Reply to: ‘No protofeathers on pterosaurs’. Nature Ecology and Evolution, 4, 1592-1593. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-020-01309-8. What’s it about? In this paper we refute claims that the integumentary structures in pterosaurs are not feathers based on the anatomical distribution and taphonomy of the fossil structures and on the distribution of feather types in extant birds. Rossi, V., Webb, S.M., McNamara, M.E., 2020. Hierarchical biota-level and taxonomic controls on the chemistry of fossil melanosomes revealed using synchrotron X-ray fluorescence. Scientific Reports, 10, 8970. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-65868-3. What’s it about? We report the discovery of internal melanosomes in fossil vertebrates older than the dinosaurs. The chemistry of the fossil melanosomes is linked to that of their host sediment, confirming that melanosome chemistry can be altered by geological processes. McDonald, L.T., Narayanan, S., Sandy, A., Saranathan, V., McNamara, M.E., 2020. Brilliant angle-independent structural colours preserved in weevil scales from the Swiss Pleistocene. Biology Letters, 16, 20200063. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2020.0063. What’s it about? In this paper we report the discovery of brilliant green colours preserved in the scales of a fossil weevil from Switzerland. The colours are produced by fossilized diamond-type photonic structures and were used for camouflage in leafy undergrowth. Slater, T., Ashbrook, K., Kriwet, J., 2020. Evolutionary relationships among bullhead sharks (Chondrichthyes, Heterodontiformes). Papers in Palaeontology, 6, 425-437. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/spp2.1299. What’s it about? This paper investigates the relationships and diversity of bullhead sharks through deep time and stresses the importance of using non-dental characters for taxonomic analyses of fossil sharks. Tian, Q., Wang, S., Yang, Z., McNamara, M.E., Benton, M.J., Jiang, B., 2020. Experimental investigation of insect deposition in lentic environments and implications for formation of insect Konservat-Lagerst ätten. Palaeontology, 63, 565-578. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/pala.12472. What’s it about? We did experiments to help us understand how insects fossilize. In particular we studied how long fossil insects float at the water surface, and how easily ashfalls can submerge insects and cause them to sink.2019
Rogers, C.S., Astrop, T.I.A., McNamara, M.E., Webb, S., Ito, S., Wakamatsu, K., 2019. Synchrotron-X-ray absorption spectroscopy of melanosomes in vertebrates and cephalopods: implications for the affinity of Tullimonstrum. Proceedings B, 286, 20191649. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2019.1649. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PDF! What’s it about? We report that melanosomes in the eyes of invertebrates can be arranged by shape and size calling into question the idea that this feature is unique to vertebrates. We also used eye melanosome chemistry to work out which group of animals the bizarre fossil Tully monster belongs to. Slater, T.S., McNamara, M.E., Orr, P.J., Foley, T.B., Ito, S., Wakamatsu, K., 2019. Taphonomic experiments resolve controls on the preservation of melanosomes and keratinous tissues in feathers. Palaeontology, 63, 103 -115. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/pala.12445. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PDF! What’s it about? We performed experiments on modern feathers to understand how they degrade. Our results reveal controls on the preservation of feather pigments in the fossil record and indicate that the feather protein keratin is likely to survive various fossilization processes. Rossi, V., McNamara, M.E., Webb, S., Ito, S., Wakamatsu, K., 2019. Tissue-specific geometry and chemistry of modern and fossilized melanosomes reveal internal anatomy of extinct vertebrates. PNAS, 116, 17880-17889. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1820285116. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PDF! What’s it about? We report the discovery of internal melanosomes in modern amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals, and in fossils. These internal melanosomes differ in shape and chemistry in different organs, shedding light on the internal anatomy of ancient animals. Benton, M.J., Dhouailly, D., Jiang, B., McNamara, M., 2019. The early origin of feathers. Trends in Ecology and Evolution, 34, 856-869. DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2019.04.018. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PDF! What’s it about? We reviewed current knowledge on the evolutionary origins of feathers over 200 million years ago in the Triassic Period, bringing together information from feathered dinosaurs, pterosaurs, and genetics. Yang, Z.X., Jiang, B.Y., McNamara, M.E., Kearns, S.L., Pittman, M., Kaye, T.G., Orr, P.J., Xu, X., Benton, M.J., 2019. Pterosaur integumentary structures with complex feather-like branching. Nature Ecology and Evolution, 3, 24-30. DOI: 10.1038/s41559-018-0728-7. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PDF! What’s it about? We reported the discovery of branched feathers in pterosaurs – flying reptiles that are the sister group (close cousins) to the dinosaurs. This pushes back feather origins over 70 million years to the Early Triassic. Yang, Z., Wang, S., Tian, Q., Wang, B., Hethke, M., McNamara, M.E., Benton, M.J., Xu, X., Jiang, B., 2019. Palaeoenvironmental reconstruction and biostratinomic analysis of the Jurassic Yanliao Lagerstätte in northeastern China. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 514, 739-753. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.palaeo.2018.09.030. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PDF! What’s it about? We studied the sedimentary rocks that preserve fossils from the Jurassic fossil locality of Yanliao in NE China.2018
Odin, G.P., McNamara, M.E., Arwin, H., , K., 2018. Experimental degradation of helicoidal photonic nanostructures in scarab beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae): implications for the identification of circularly polarizing cuticle in the fossil record. Journal of the Royal Society Interface, 15, . DOI: https://doi.org/10.1098/rsif.2018.0560. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PDF! What’s it about? We did experiments to help us understand whether microscopic colour-producing structures in the shells of scarab beetles can fossilize readily. McNamara, M.E., Kaye, J.S., Benton, M.J., Orr, P.J., Rossi, V., Ito, S., Wakamatsu, K., 2018. Non-integumentary melanosomes bias reconstructions of the colours of fossil vertebrate skin. Nature Communications, 9, 2878. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-018-05148-x. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PDF! What’s it about? We reported the discovery of melanosomes – tiny rounded structures rich in melanin – in the internal organs of modern and fossil frogs. McNamara, M.E., Zhang, F., Kearns, S.L., Orr, P.J., Toulouse, A., Foley, T., Hone, D.W.E., Rogers, C.S., Benton, M.J., Johnson, D., Xu, X., Zhou, Z., 2018. Fossilized skin reveals coevolution with feathers and metabolism in feathered dinosaurs and early birds. Nature Communications, 9, 2072. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-018-04443-x. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PDF! What’s it about? We reported the discovery of fossil snake skin with all three types of pigment cell preserved, allowing us to reconstruct the snake’s original colour. Zhang, Q., Mey, W., Ansorge, J., Starkey, T.A., McDonald, L.T., McNamara, M.E., Jarzembowski, E.A., Wichard, W., Kelly, R., Ren, X., Chen, J., Zhang, H., Wang, B., 2018. Fossil scales illuminate the early evolution of lepidopterans and structural colors. Science Advances, 4, e1700988. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.1700988. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PDF! What’s it about? We reported the discovery of structurally coloured scales in fossil moths from the Jurassic Period. Purnell, M.A., Donoghue, P.J.C., Gabbott, S.E., McNamara, M., Murdock, D.J.E., Sansom, R.S., 2018. Experimental analysis of soft-tissue fossilization – opening the black box. Palaeontology, 61, 317-323. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/pala.12360. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PDF! What’s it about? We explained the best ways of doing experiments to understand fossilization.2017
Muscente, A.D., Schiffbauer, J.D., Broce, J., Laflamme, M., O’Donnell, K., Boag, T.H., Meyer, M., Hawkins, A.D., Huntley, J.W., McNamara, M., MacKenzie, L.A., Stanley Jr., G.D., Hinman, N.W., Hofmann, M.H., Xiao, S., 2017. Exceptionally preserved fossil assemblages through geologic time and space. Gondwana Research, 48, 164-188. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gr.2017.04.020. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PDF!2016
Mears, E., Rossi, V., MacDonald, E., Coleman, G., Davies, T., Arias-Riesgo, C., Hildebrandt, C., Thiel, H., Duffin, C.J., Whiteside, D.I., Benton, M.J., 2016. The Rhaetian (Late Triassic) vertebrates of Hampstead Farm Quarry, Gloucestershire, UK. Proceedings of the Geologists’ Association, 127, 478-505. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pgeola.2016.05.003. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PDF! Orr, P.J., Adler, L.B., Beardmore, S.R., Furrer, H., McNamara, M.E., Peñalver-Mollá, E., Redelstorff, R., 2016. “Stick ‘n’ peel”: Explaining unusual patterns of disarticulation and loss of completeness in fossil vertebrates. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 457, 380-388. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.palaeo.2016.05.024. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PDF! McNamara, M.E., Van Dongen, B., Bull, I., Orr, P.J., 2016. Fossilisation of melanosomes via sulfurization. Palaeontology, 59, 337-350. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/pala.12238. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PDF ! McNamara, M.E., Orr, P.J., Kearns, S.L., Alcalá, L., Anadón, P., Peñalver, E., 2016. Reconstructing carotenoid-based and structural coloration in fossil skin. Current Biology, 26, 1075-1082. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2016.02.038. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PDF !2015
Rogers, C.S., Hone, D.W., McNamara, M.E., Zhao, Q., Orr, P.J., Kearns, S.K., Benton, M.J., 2015. The Chinese Pompeii? Death and destruction of dinosaurs in the Early Cretaceous of Lujiatun, NE China. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 427, 89-99. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.palaeo.2015.03.037. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PDF !2014
Godefroit, P., Sinitsa, S.M., Dhouailly, D., Bolotsky, Y.L., Sizov, A.V., McNamara, M.E., Benton, M.J., Spagna, P., 2014. Response to Comment on ‘A Jurassic ornithischian dinosaur from Siberia with both feathers and scales’. Science, 346, 434-435. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1260146 . CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PDF! McNamara, M.E., Saranathan, V., Locatelli, E., Noh, H., Briggs, D.E.G., Orr, P., Cao, H., 2014. Cryptic iridescence in a fossil weevil generated by single diamond photonic crystals. Journal Of The Royal Society Interface, 11, 20140736. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1098/rsif.2014.0736 . CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PDF! Godefroit, P., Sinitsa, S.M., Dhouailly, D., Bolotsky, Y.L., Sizov, A.V., McNamara, M.E., Benton, M.J., Spagna, P., 2014. A Jurassic ornithischian dinosaur from Siberia with both feathers and scales. Science, 245, 451-455. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1253351. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PDF!Anderson, R.P., McCoy, V., McNamara, M.E.,2014. What big eyes you have: the ecological role of giant pterygotid eurypterids. Biology Letters, 10, 2040412. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2014.0412. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PDF!
2013
McNamara, M.E., 2013. The taphonomy of colour in fossil insects and feathers. Palaeontology, 56, 557-575. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/pala.12044. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PDF!
McNamara, M.E., Briggs, D.E.G., Orr, P.J., Field, D., Wang, Z., 2013. Experimental maturation of feathers: implications for reconstructions of fossil feather colour. Biology Letters, 9, 20130184. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2013.0184. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PDF!
McNamara, M.E., Briggs, D.E.G., Orr, P.J., Gupta, N.S., Locatelli, E.R., Qiu, L., Yang, H., Wang, Z., Noh, H., Cao, H., 2013. The fossil record of insect color illuminated by maturation experiments. Geology, 41, 487-490. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1130/G33836.1. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PDF!
2012
McNamara, M.E., Briggs, D.E.G., Orr, P.J., 2012. The controls on the preservation of structural color in fossil insects. Palaios, 27, 443-454. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2110/palo.2012.p12-027r. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PDF!
McNamara, M.E., Briggs, D.E.G., Orr, P.J., Noh, H., Cao, H., 2012. The original colours of fossil beetles. Proceedings of The Royal Society B, 279, 1114–1121. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2011.1677. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PDF!
McNamara, M.E., Orr, P.J., Kearns, S., Alcalá, L., Anadón, P., Peñalver, E., 2012. What controls the taphonomy of exceptionally preserved taxa – environment or biology? A case study using exceptionally preserved frogs from the Miocene Libros Konservat-Lagerstätte, Spain. Palaios, 27, 63-77. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2110/palo.2010.p10-126r. . CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PDF!
2011
McNamara, M.E., Briggs, D.E.G., Orr, P.J., Wedmann, S., Noh, H., Cao, H., 2011. Fossilized biophotonic nanostructures reveal the original colors of 47 million-year-old moths. PLoS Biology, 9, e1001200. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pbio.1001200. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PDF!
McNamara, M.E., Orr, P.J., Manzocchi, T., Alcalá, L., Anadón, P. Peñalver, E., 2011. Biological controls upon the physical taphonomy of exceptionally preserved salamanders from the Miocene of Rubielos de Mora, northeast Spain. Lethaia, 45, 210-226. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1502-3931.2011.00274.x. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PDF!
2010
McNamara, M.E., Orr, P.J., Kearns, S., Alcalá, L., Anadón, P., Peñalver, E., 2010. Organic preservation of fossil musculature with ultracellular detail. Proceedings of The Royal Society B, 277, 423-427. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2009.1378. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PDF!
2009
McNamara, M.E., Orr, P.J., Kearns, S., Alcalá, L., Anadón, P., Peñalver, E., 2009. Exceptionally preserved tadpoles from the Miocene of Libros, Spain: Ecomorphological reconstruction and the impact of ontogeny upon taphonomy. Lethaia, 43, 290-306. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1502-3931.2009.00192.x. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PDF!
McNamara, M.E., Orr, P.J., Kearns, S., Alcalá, L., Anadón, P., Peñalver, E., 2009. Soft tissue preservation in Miocene frogs from Libros (Spain): Insights into the genesis of decay microenvironments. Palaios, 24, 104-117. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2110/palo.2008.p08-017r. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PDF!
2006
McNamara, M.E., Orr, P.J., Kearns, S., Alcalá, L., Anadón, P., Peñalver, E., 2006. High fidelity preservation of bone marrow in c. 10 million year old amphibians. Geology, 34, 641-644. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1130/G22526.1. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PDF!
Outreach
My group is involved in diverse outreach activities that include: (click on the logos to find out more)
Why should scientists do public outreach?
I am strongly committed to engagement with the general public in order to stimulate wider interest in science - and the natural world - among children and adults of the non-scientific community. See here for a recent presentation I gave on this topic to UCC's most talented students.
Other outreach activities that I've been involved with include:
- Teaching primary-level children about rocks, minerals and fossils at the Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History
- Full-time outreach work in what is now the Burren and Cliffs of Moher Geopark
- ‘Earth Science for Educators’ training from the Earth Science Education Unit at Keele University
We are actively looking for schools or classes from primary and secondary schools, especially those in Deis or rural areas and the islands, to partner with us as we roll out our exciting “Ireland’s Fossil Heritage” project nationwide! If you are interested in having us visit your class or school please click here for more details!
Primary- and secondary school students are welcome to visit my research laboratory as part of a laboratory tour at UCC, and Transition Years are welcome to apply for the Transition Year placement scheme.
Opportunities
NEW OPPORTUNITIES!
Interested in joining the team in Cork and doing research on soft tissue taphonomy of fossils, taphonomic experiments, or fossil colour?
You can apply for funding via several sources:
Postdoctoral funding
Irish Research Council Government of Ireland Postdoctoral Fellowship
Maria-Sklowdowska Curie Individual Postdoctoral Fellowships
PhD funding
Irish Research Council Government of Ireland Postgraduate Fellowship
MRes opportunities
The MRes in Geological Sciences is a full-time programme running over 12 months from the date of first registration for the programme. Applications will be accepted for a start date in October or January. The programme consists of (a) a major research thesis and (b) taught modules on generic and transferable skills, with an emphasis on scientific writing, oral presentations, and general research skills.
Prospective students interested in carrying out a palaeontology-based MRes are advised to contact Prof. Maria McNamara and the Programme Coordinator (Prof. Andy Wheeler: a.wheeler@ucc.ie). For further information see https://www.ucc.ie/en/bees/courses/postgrad/.
Contact
Prof. Maria McNamara
School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences (BEES),
University College Cork,
Butler Building,
Distillery Fields,
North Mall, Cork, Ireland.
Tel: +353 21 490 4570
Fax: +353 21 490 4664
Email: maria.mcnamara@ucc.ie
School webpage: http://www.ucc.ie/en/bees/
Research profile: http://research.ucc.ie/profiles/D026/mariamcnamara
Google Scholar profile: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=DOrizhEAAAAJ&hl=en
ResearchGate profile: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Maria_McNamara
Orcid ID: http://www.orcid.org/0000-0003-0968-4624
Wiley Analytical Science profile: https://analyticalscience.wiley.com/do/10.1002/was.00020153 (credit to Rebecca Pool at Wiley Analytical Science)
Home
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Maria wins an ERC Consolidator grant![/caption] [caption id="attachment_4707" align="alignleft" width="150"]
Vacancy (Lecturer in Palaeontology) at UCC![/caption] [caption id="attachment_4505" align="alignleft" width="150"]
Maria wins new SFI grant![/caption] [caption id="attachment_3581" align="alignleft" width="150"]
Maria on "The Conversation" podcast![/caption] [caption id="attachment_4519" align="alignleft" width="150"]
New paper published in Geology![/caption] [caption id="attachment_4120" align="alignleft" width="150"]
New paper published in TREE![/caption] [caption id="attachment_3961" align="alignleft" width="150"]
New paper in Palaeontology![/caption] [caption id="attachment_3774" align="alignleft" width="150"]
New paper in Scientific Reports![/caption]
In The News
Videos
Geocareers
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Welcome to our blog about life as a palaeontologist – or trainee palaeontologist – working on fossil colour.
1st of November 2021
25th of October 2021
When we are clearing out the lab, we must pause and admire the beautiful fossils!
18th of October 2021
Jess has been busy visiting amazing places around Ireland where you can find fossils, including Hook Head, the Malahide coast, the Burren, Loughshinny, and more! She has photographed some beautiful fossils in preparation for the launch of Ireland’s Fossil Heritage website, which will feature lots of information about Irish fossils, coming soon!
[gallery link="none" columns="2" size="medium" ids="http://mariamcnamara.ucc.ie/wp-content/uploads/sites/53/2021/10/Jess_FW_3-scaled.jpg|,http://mariamcnamara.ucc.ie/wp-content/uploads/sites/53/2021/10/Jess_FW_2-scaled.jpg|,http://mariamcnamara.ucc.ie/wp-content/uploads/sites/53/2021/10/Jess_FW_4-scaled.jpg|,http://mariamcnamara.ucc.ie/wp-content/uploads/sites/53/2021/10/Jess_FW_1-scaled.jpg|"]11th of October 2021
Daniel got visitors during the week and went with them to the Beara Peninsula to look at the giant tree ferns on Garnish Island and the copper mining museum in Allihies. They also went for a quick dip into the ocean.
4th of October 2021
Aude is glad to be back in the office after more than a year working mainly from home. She is preparing something very exciting involving big extinct creatures…
27th of September 2021
Naomi is helping Hannah with her soil sample pH analyses!
[gallery link="none" columns="2" size="medium" ids="http://mariamcnamara.ucc.ie/wp-content/uploads/sites/53/2021/10/Naomi_soil_1.jpg|,http://mariamcnamara.ucc.ie/wp-content/uploads/sites/53/2021/10/Naomi_soil_2-scaled.jpg|"]20th of September 2021
This week Hannah was back out in the field collecting urban soil samples from the Loughmahon Community Park and the Douglas Community Park. A local resident shared that Loughmahon Community Park is one of the oldest parks in the area and that it used to be an orchard for a local convent. Some of the trees in that park may well be over 100 years old (unfortunately none of those gorgeous trees are shown in the picture, so you’ll have to visit the park yourself to have a look at them!).
13th of September 2021
Feels great to be back around the offices in UCC again!
6th of September 2021
Jess is the newly appointed science engagement officer for the SFI Discover-funded project ‘Ireland’s Fossil Heritage’. She has been in the lab recently photographing our fossil collection in preparation for exciting science engagement events.
30th of August 2021
Daniel had lovely holidays on the Aran Islands where he watched out for fossils (e.g. corals and brachiopods) in the Burren limestone.
[gallery link="none" columns="2" size="large" ids="http://mariamcnamara.ucc.ie/wp-content/uploads/sites/53/2021/10/foss_1.jpg|,http://mariamcnamara.ucc.ie/wp-content/uploads/sites/53/2021/10/foss_2.jpg|,http://mariamcnamara.ucc.ie/wp-content/uploads/sites/53/2021/10/foss_3.jpg|,http://mariamcnamara.ucc.ie/wp-content/uploads/sites/53/2021/10/foss_4.jpg|"]23rd of August 2021
Aude was on holidays in Belgium recently, and accompanied her dad, an astronomy enthusiast, to observe the night sky. She observed the Moon, Jupiter, Saturn and different constellations like Cassiopeia and Cygnus. The sky was super clear with optimal conditions to see the Perseids, a meteor shower observable in the sky at this time of the year.
16th of August 2021
Naomi visited Hook Head, County Wexford today, and spotted lots of different fossils including brachiopods, bryozoans, corals and crinoids!
[gallery link="none" columns="2" size="full" ids="http://mariamcnamara.ucc.ie/wp-content/uploads/sites/53/2021/10/brachiopod-scaled.jpg|,http://mariamcnamara.ucc.ie/wp-content/uploads/sites/53/2021/10/bryozoan-scaled.jpg|,http://mariamcnamara.ucc.ie/wp-content/uploads/sites/53/2021/10/coral-scaled.jpg|,http://mariamcnamara.ucc.ie/wp-content/uploads/sites/53/2021/10/crinoid-scaled.jpg|"]9th of August 2021
Recently, Hannah helped out with the Forensic Geology workshop organised by Girls into Geoscience (GiG) and iCRAG. The participants had to solve a fictional murder mystery scenario and match sediment traces that were found on the victim with those found on four suspects. Sediment traces led the participants around the Island of Ireland, from Skellig Michael to the Giants Causeway, which was a great way to explore the diverse geology found across Ireland.
3rd of August 2021
Here is Luke doing one last day of microspectrophotometry on subfossil weevil scales before taking up a new position with the British Geological Survey!
26th of July 2021
Undergraduate field research in Co. Wexford: sun, sea and zillions of fossils. What an amazing place to do your thesis project!
20,000 times magnification and beyond. Daniel is discovering fossil textures that are build up from modules as tiny as microns (one-millionth of a meter and one-thousandth of a millimeter).
Reading a 1000-page document is not so bad when your office looks like this:
Aude has recently been working with her colleague Larissa on 3D modeling of rocks for an outreach project. They have taken plenty of photos of rocks and fossils from Cork area that will later be uploaded on a website dedicated to Cork's geoheritage.
[gallery link="none" columns="2" size="full" ids="http://mariamcnamara.ucc.ie/wp-content/uploads/sites/53/2021/07/Limestone.jpeg|,http://mariamcnamara.ucc.ie/wp-content/uploads/sites/53/2021/07/photogrammetry_trial.jpg|"]Give that thing a rest! Daniel submitted a paper manuscript last night, so he and his computer will have a break today.
23rd of June 2021
Naomi attended an online lecture this evening on the life, times and legacy of Mary Anning, by Dr Ed Jarvis.
14th of June 2021
Recently, Aude had a welcome break from her research by joining UCC geology students in the field, in Myrtleville, County Cork. The group logged Upper Devonian channel and floodplain deposits, and Quaternary periglacial and glacial sediments. Aude really appreciated the refresher on sedimentology logging in such a beautiful place.
[gallery link="none" columns="2" size="large" ids="http://mariamcnamara.ucc.ie/wp-content/uploads/sites/53/2021/06/Myrtleville_Beach_UpperDevonian-rotated.jpg|,http://mariamcnamara.ucc.ie/wp-content/uploads/sites/53/2021/06/Myrtleville_Beach_Quaternary-rotated.jpg|"] 8th of June 2021We may still be working from home as much as possible, but that doesn't mean Naomi can't keep an eye out for wildlife elsewhere instead of the usual walk into the office - this includes spiders in the garden shed!
31st of May 2021
This week, Hannah gave a virtual update to her funding bodies, iCRAG and GSI, of her work on urban soils in Cork city. These meetings are always a great opportunity to get feedback from other researchers and to stay connected, even during COVID times.
24th of May 2021 Maria recently gave a talk for the Pint of Science event on fossils!
17th of May 2021
The key to finishing up a PhD in palaeontology is having great support. Tiffany is enjoying the ease of lockdown restrictions by taking weekend walks around Cork with a few friends.
10th of May 2021
Daniel refreshes his knowledge by (re)watching an SEM online webinar to analyse his fossil frog samples from the Geiseltal Lagerstätte soon.
4th of May 2021
Aude has recently been imaging the soft tissues that she had decayed in the lab, using scanning electron microscopy. This will help her to understand how the structure of soft tissues, here bird feathers and lizard skin, changes before fossilization.
26th of April 2021
An early peacock butterfly spotted during the weekend by Naomi - it was also enjoying the lovely sunny warm weather we've been having over the last week! Just look at those eyespots!
19th of April 2021
Ireland's coastline has a diverse geology. As the lockdown restrictions eased, Hannah ventured down to Garretstown Beach near Kinsale and took some time to appreciate the beauty of it all!
[gallery size="large" columns="1" link="none" ids="http://mariamcnamara.ucc.ie/wp-content/uploads/sites/53/2021/04/beach2.jpg|,http://mariamcnamara.ucc.ie/wp-content/uploads/sites/53/2021/04/beach1.jpg|"] 12th of April 2021Tiffany attended this year's Synchrotron Radiation in Art & Archaeology conference, which featured some super cool research on the chemistry of Munch's paint!
6th of April 2021
Sometimes you need a break from rocks / video calls and just need... flowers! Here's to spring, vaccinations and life opening back up again.
29th of March 2021
Daniel will become a BEES Postgraduate Representative very soon. Hannah, the recent Postgraduate Representative, kindly shared her knowledge with Daniel about duties, ongoing projects and how to keep the Postgrad community happy or improve their situation. “Who you gonna call??” 😊
22nd of March 2021
Aude has been trained at preparing and sectioning samples for transmission electron microscopy. The photo on the right shows her practicing at the ultramicrotome last week and the photo on the left shows a sample being sectioned to a very thin thickness (200 nm) with a glass knife.
15th of March 2021
A robin - just starting to decompose. Naomi found it by the side of the road, took it home, put it under the shed, and will keep it there for a few weeks, exposed to insects, microbes, moisture and warmth, to get some nice bones from it. No waste in this research group where rotting stuff is cool!
8th of March 2021
This week, Hannah is in the process of identifying and getting permission to sample urban parks in County Wexford. Previous research has indicated that soils in this area are potentially high in cadmium and antimony. Her own research in the coming months will give us exact levels of each metal.
1st of March 2021
After embedding the samples of her decaying frog skin experiment, Ninon went to the lab to collect and prepare the results of her second experiment on the mineralization of these same skins.
[gallery columns="2" link="none" size="full" ids="http://mariamcnamara.ucc.ie/wp-content/uploads/sites/53/2021/03/ninon_lab1.jpg|,http://mariamcnamara.ucc.ie/wp-content/uploads/sites/53/2021/03/ninon_lab2-scaled.jpg|"] 22nd of February 2021This week the group met with fellow melanin lovers in Sweden to talk about their recent paper on the impact of maturation on melanin preservation in fossils!
15th of February 2021
Maria is doing FTIR of fossil samples in the lab. After a year of lockdown, finally collecting some new data.
8th of February 2021
Daniel has been grinding sediment samples that he took from the Geiseltal specimens. This future material analysis will reveal the depositional environment of the Geiseltal Lagerstätte.
[gallery link="none" columns="2" size="full" ids="http://mariamcnamara.ucc.ie/wp-content/uploads/sites/53/2021/02/Daniel_sample_2-scaled.jpg|,http://mariamcnamara.ucc.ie/wp-content/uploads/sites/53/2021/02/Daniel_sample_1-scaled.jpg|"] 1st of February 2021After her holidays, Aude has started working on a new paper and has wrapped up her decay experiments. The latest decayed samples (in the pink sample holder on the photo) will soon be ready for analysis. Exciting!
25th of January 2021
Restrictions might still be in place but that doesn't stop the group meeting virtually for Palaeo Discussion Group every week!
18th of January 2021
Hannah is back in the home office, and while she is waiting for the ground to no longer be frozen and for COVID-cases to go down to be able to continue her fieldwork, she is working on her review paper on metal contamination of urban soils in Europe using many, MANY spreadsheets - it's a good thing she loves analysing data!
11th of January 2021
Ninon was able to attend the inauguration of the first online PalAss Annual Conference this year, and also delivered a talk about the Irish Devonian crustacean Oxyuropoda. This all happened live from her bedroom in France, due to the conference proximity with Christmas time! This allowed her to make great contact with people abroad planning to work further on fossils from county Kilkenny!
4th of January 2021
Tiffany recently hosted a virtual taphonomy conference aimed at early career researchers. With over 50 speakers from 15 different countries, the meeting covered a variety of topics – from modern tar seep taphonomy to the taphonomy of vertebrate consumulites!
14th of December 2020
Fabulous Silurian chondrites in an offshore sequence near Clogher Strand, Dingle. Maria came across these during fieldwork at the weekend.
7th of December 2020
Daniel recently received an EAVP Research Grant worth €1000! His project ("An exceptional middle to late Permian tetrapod track fauna of Pangean Euramerica (Hornburg Formation, Germany)") will involve him leading an excavation in cooperation with local museums, universities and the regional authorities in central Germany in summer of 2021. The photos show the preliminary excavation site from 2013 (Daniel's MSc thesis) not far from the planned excavation site and some trace fossils (tetrapod tracks, arthropod tracks, jellyfish imprints) from the local area. Congratulations Daniel!
[gallery columns="2" link="none" size="full" ids="http://mariamcnamara.ucc.ie/wp-content/uploads/sites/53/2020/12/Daniel_grant_1-scaled.jpg|,http://mariamcnamara.ucc.ie/wp-content/uploads/sites/53/2020/12/Daniel_grant_2.jpg|"] 30th of November 2020In the past weeks, Aude has been working on her decay and maturation experiments. She collected the decayed and / or matured samples, took photos and then prepared the samples for electron microscopy. The photo on the left shows a sample of decayed and matured lizard skin in tree resin and the one on the right shows a tiny piece of decayed lizard skin embedded in artificial resin in silicone moulds for transmission electron microscopy. Aude will now have to trim and section all the samples before imaging them.
[gallery link="none" columns="2" size="full" ids="http://mariamcnamara.ucc.ie/wp-content/uploads/sites/53/2020/11/Aude_lab_1.jpg|,http://mariamcnamara.ucc.ie/wp-content/uploads/sites/53/2020/11/Aude_lab_2.jpg|"] 23rd of November 2020Naomi has all her meetings with Maria now that most people are working from home - this one was a good opportunity to congratulate Maria on being recently promoted to Professor!!
16th of November 2020
Hannah has collected more soil samples from parks around Cork city, come rain or shine, with the auger (pictured below). The colour differences between the soil samples are obvious, but for more detailed analysis she is continuing to conduct lab experiments. While sieving her soil samples she also found some plastic fragments.
9th of November 2020
Ninon started her experimental work on the decay and mineralization of vertebrate skins. For this, she is using three species of frogs that she is dissecting on the belly side. The skin fragments are then placed in jars with water enriched with sediments and bacterial loads. She then samples each skin fragment every 10 days to analyse the structures preserved within those skins using histological and TEM thin sections.
[gallery columns="2" link="none" size="full" ids="http://mariamcnamara.ucc.ie/wp-content/uploads/sites/53/2020/11/Ninon_lab_frog_1.jpg|,http://mariamcnamara.ucc.ie/wp-content/uploads/sites/53/2020/11/Ninon_lab_frog_2.jpg|"] 2nd of November 2020 Shengyu took some photos when she joined Palaeo Discussion Group last week outside our SEM lab! [gallery columns="2" link="none" size="full" ids="http://mariamcnamara.ucc.ie/wp-content/uploads/sites/53/2020/11/Shengyu_lab_1-scaled.jpg|,http://mariamcnamara.ucc.ie/wp-content/uploads/sites/53/2020/11/Shengyu_lab_2-scaled.jpg|"] 26th of October 2020Tiffany's back in full swing in the lab – resin embedding samples, preparing glass knives and cutting ultrathin sections, oh my!
20th of October 2020
Chris and Maria just published a new paper in Palaeontology! https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/pala.12506.
12th of October 2020
Daniel and Maria recently completed two days of teaching and demonstrating in the field with 3rd year students in Dingle last week. They saw beautiful rocks as part of the stunning landscape along the cliffs of Inch Beach, Wine Strand and Clogher Strand. The students learned in which environment the rocks were formed hundreds of millions of years ago and how to map those rocks. The weather was quite sunny without any rain, but the Atlantic Sea was wild!
Daniel also noted that his favourite rock of the trip was a very pretty welded tuff; an igneous rock formed by the compaction and cementation of volcanic ash or dust. It outcrops not far from Ferriter’s Cove.
5th of October 2020
Last week Aude (and Ninon too!) went to The Gearagh in County Cork to collect sediment and water that she will soon use for experiments. The Gearagh, also called the Wooden River, is a nature reserve displaying hundreds of stumps from ancient trees, today submerged by the River Lee. Aude will use sediment and water from that beautiful place to recreate natural conditions for the decay of vertebrate soft tissues. The same week, Aude also went to the lab to prepare amber samples for imaging and molecular analyses. She embedded the samples in resin to facilitate their analysis.
[gallery link="none" columns="2" size="full" ids="http://mariamcnamara.ucc.ie/wp-content/uploads/sites/53/2020/10/The-Gearagh.jpg|,http://mariamcnamara.ucc.ie/wp-content/uploads/sites/53/2020/10/resin.jpg|"]
28th of September 2020 Fleur recently updated the lab's inventory. Lots of organisation!
21st of September 2020
Hannah has started collecting her soil samples in the field using an auger. She then analysed her samples in the lab for soil pH (pictured below), bulk density, Loss-on-ignition and for any traces of heavy metals using the handheld XRF. Exciting times!
14th of September 2020
A summer day spent in the beautiful and romantic city of Verona, the city of Romeo and Juliet, in the Museo Civico di Storia Naturale for Valentina to take some samples of the famous Mene rhombea, a 50 million-year-old fish preserving traces of skin, eyespot and (hopefully) internal organs.
[gallery size="large" columns="2" link="none" ids="http://mariamcnamara.ucc.ie/wp-content/uploads/sites/53/2020/09/Vale_Verona_1-scaled.jpeg|,http://mariamcnamara.ucc.ie/wp-content/uploads/sites/53/2020/09/Vale_Verona_2-scaled.jpeg|"] 7th of September 2020Ninon is in Ireland after spending the last few months in France and remembered she could use dead woodlice from her place to assist with her studies on some of the Devonian Irish fossils she is working on! Back in the lab soon!
Tiffany found some lovely fossil corals while camping in Mayo (pictured left, with her partner doing all the labour in the background) and hiking in the Burren (pictured right, with her titchy feet for scale).
24th of August 2020
First day back in the lab for Shengyu!
17th of August 2020
Not having much access to our office and lab does not mean that we can't fossil-hunt in Cork City! Here are some that Naomi found!
[gallery columns="2" link="none" size="full" ids="http://mariamcnamara.ucc.ie/wp-content/uploads/sites/53/2020/08/fossil-4-scaled.jpg|,http://mariamcnamara.ucc.ie/wp-content/uploads/sites/53/2020/08/fossil-1.jpg|,http://mariamcnamara.ucc.ie/wp-content/uploads/sites/53/2020/08/fossil-2-rotated.jpg|,http://mariamcnamara.ucc.ie/wp-content/uploads/sites/53/2020/08/fossil-3-rotated.jpg|"] 10th of August 2020