August 12, 2022 A new page on Nearest Living Relative methods has been added to the paleoecology chapter. NLR methods use the nearest living modern relatives of fossil plants in order to estimate paleoclimate.. Explore here: https://www.digitalatlasofancientlife.org/learn/paleoecology/paleoclimate/nlr/ Image: The cycad Dioon spinulosum cultivated in a greenhouse. Photo by Elizabeth J. Hermsen (DEAL).
Leaf Margin Analysis
June 24, 2022 A new page on Leaf Margin Analysis (LMA) has been added to the paleoecology chapter. LMA is a technique used to estimate mean annual temperature using fossil leaves of flowering trees and shrubs. Explore here: https://www.digitalatlasofancientlife.org/learn/paleoecology/paleoclimate/lma/ Image: Eocene Green River Formation (Parachute Creek Member) plant fossils at display at the Utah State Field House of Natural History …
Hominid skulls added to Virtual Collection
April 20, 2021 Photogrammetry scans of casts of hominid skulls have been added to the Virtual Collection.
Branching
January 27, 2021 A new page has been added to the Embryophytes chapter of Digital Encyclopedia of Ancient Life (DEAL): Branching. This page explores the types of branching in plant shoots and roots and discusses monopodial and sympodial growth. It is part of the section “Introduction to vascular plant structure.” Image credits: Lepidodendron YPM PB 054238 (by Fiona O’Brien); Asterophyllites YPM PB 000699 (by Robert Swerling); Metasequoia …
Echinoderm Chapter of Digital Encyclopedia
July 24, 2020 The echinoderm chapter of the Digital Encyclopedia of Ancient Life is now complete has is available to explore here.
Leaf Structure & Evolution
June 4, 2020 A new page has been added to the Embryophytes chapter of Digital Encyclopedia of Ancient Life (DEAL): Leaf structure & evolution. This page explores the identity, structure (morphology and anatomy), and origins of leaves. It is part of the section “Introduction to vascular plant structure.”
Phylum Chordata: Overview & Basal Taxa
June 4, 2020 Initial pages on a new chapter about Phylum Cordata have been added to the Digital Encyclopedia of Ancient Life (DEAL). These cover basal chordates and jawless vertebrates.
Evolution and the Fossil Record
January 6, 2020 We have just posted the latest chapter of the Digital Encyclopedia of Ancient Life: “Evolution and the Fossil Record.” This chapter covers natural selection, species, speciation, and macroevolutionary theory. It may be accessed at https://www.digitalatlasofancientlife.org/learn/evolution/
Version 2.0 of the Digital Atlas of Ancient Life App
Dec. 9, 2019 We are very excited to share that Version 2.0 of our free Digital Atlas of Ancient Life App is now available for iOS and–for the first time–Android devices. Use it to identify fossils, even when you are offline. Apple App Store (iOS): https://apps.apple.com/us/app/digital-atlas-of-ancient-life/id971829286 Google Play (Android): https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=io.aleros.digitalatlasancientlife&hl=en_US
sponges, porifera, fossil, evolution
Dec. 5, 2019 A new chapter has just been added to the Digital Encyclopedia of Ancient Life and is all about the fossil record phylum Porifera: the sponges. Check it out at: https://www.digitalatlasofancientlife.org/learn/porifera/