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University of Nevada, Reno Three-dimensional visualization of the Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park fossil beds from terrestrial LiDAR data A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Geology and the Honors Program by Paige dePolo Dr. Paula Noble, Thesis Advisor Dr. Robert Watters, Thesis Supervisor May, 2016 UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA THE HONORS PROGRAM RENO We recommend that the thesis prepared under our supervision by Paige dePolo entitled Three-dimensional visualization of the Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park fossil beds from terrestrial LiDAR data be accepted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of BACHELOR OF SCIENCE, GEOLOGY ___________________________________________ Paula Noble, Ph.D., Thesis Advisor ______________________________________________ Robert Watters, Ph.D., Thesis Supervisor ______________________________________________ Tamara Valentine, Ph. D., Director, Honors Program May, 2016 i Abstract A terrestrial LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) unit was used to scan an in situ death assemblage of the enormous Late Triassic ichthyosaur, Shonisaurus popularis, with the goal of testing the applicability of this method in creating three-dimensional digital models of large fossil sites. The fossil beds are located at Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park in Nye County, Nevada where they are protected by a permanent shelter, the Fossil Hut. Thirteen scan locations were used to survey both the exterior and interior of the Fossil Hut. The point cloud of the quarry model was composed from nine high-resolution scans. Digital measurements of the length of selected skeletal elements in the quarry model correspond well to caliper measurements of the same elements in the field. The millimeter scale resolution of the S. popularis remains demonstrated by the LiDAR point cloud is suitable for analysis of gross bone structures and represents a viable means of digitally capturing in situ fossil sites. The LiDAR model allows for the accurate measurement of the spatial relationships between skeletal elements and provides an important baseline for conserving in situ fossil exhibits. ii Acknowledgements I would like to express deepest appreciation to my thesis advisor, Dr. Paula Noble, who was willing to invest a great deal of time and effort outside of her field of specialization to support my ‘vertebrate tendencies.’ With Paula on sabbatical this year, I am also deeply grateful to Dr. Bob Watters for stepping into the role of on-campus resource and project supervisor. Much thanks is also due to the team from the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History and Digitization Program Office: Dr. Neil Kelley, Dr. Nick Pyenson, Holly Little, and Jon Blundell. Neil (the PI of this investigation) has been an excellent resource - not just on ichthyosaurs – but for a young scientist learning how to be an effective collaborator on a larger project. The project has grown from its initial inception and new folks have joined the team. Dr. Randy Irmis and his PhD. student, Conny Rasmussen, are wonderful additions to the team and their field perspective on a project that was spiraling into virtual reality has helped to keep the whole crew grounded. Material support for this project came from a variety of University of Nevada, Reno sources. The Center for Neotectonic Studies (Steve Wesnousky and Steve Angster) allowed me to borrow a terrestrial LiDAR machine and to use their licensed software to process the data. Speaking of licenses, Gabe Plank (Nevada Seismological Laboratory) is a computer ninja has been a huge help in renewing and updating the license files. The staff at the DLM library (Dr. Tod Colgrove, Chrissy Klenke, Tara Radiecki, Sierra Gonzales, and Dwight Boyko) has also been generous with their time and library resources. Despite the great danger presented to fancy equipment by dust, the DLM library staff allowed me to check out scanners and laptops and bring them to the field. iii This library does indeed rock! Dr. Jim Carr generously let me borrow his portable generator in order to power this equipment. Thank you for bringing light to the desert! Thanks is also due to Russ Fields, Director of the Mackay School of Earth Sciences and Engineering for provided dedicated funds to support a trip to the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History to use better computers. This research was also facilitated by a General Undergraduate Research Award (GURA) from the Office of Undergraduate Research. Finally, thank you to my fellow students, Taylor Krabiel and Riley Kellermeyer, for being willing to give up a weekend and to be my wheels and field assistants. To Dr. Tamara Valentine, Director of the Honors Program, I owe much of my sanity. Thank you for working with my unique research schedule and for letting me make my own path as an Honors student. Finally, great thanks is due to my parents, Craig and Diane, who have been incredibly supportive of my first foray into the professional world of science. I’ll never forget the mad vehicle shuffle after our first round of field work where the pair of you dropped everything to make sure the Smithsonian folks and their equipment all got to the plane on time. Dedication This work is dedicated to Robin Riggs (February 1, 1960-October 18, 2014). His years of service as a park ranger at Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park touched many lives. Robin, your insight and enthusiasm are missed. iv Table of Contents Abstract i Acknowledgements ii Dedication iii Table of Contents iv List of Tables v List of Figures vi List of Visualizations vii Introduction 1 Background Site Characterization and History 2 Description of Shonisaurus popularis 5 Theories for Death Assemblage at BISP 6 Terrestrial LiDAR 8 Methods Data Collection 8 Data Processing 10 Results 11 Discussion Orientation of Skeletal Elements in Relation to Death and Taphonomy 16 Exhibit Monitoring and Fossil Preservation 18 Conclusion 19 References 21 Appendix I: Stratigraphic Column of Geologic Units in Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park 24 Appendix II:Pylogenetic Tree of Ichthyosaurs 25 Appendix III: Schematic of Terrestrial LiDAR Scanner Locations Relative to Major Features of Fossil Hut 26 Appendix IV: Comparison of Field Measurements with Scan Measurements 27 v List of Tables Table 1: Field Observations vs. Point Cloud Measurements 27 vi List of Figures Figure 1: Location of Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park in Nevada 3 Figure 2: Locations of Camp’s Quarries 3 Figure 3: Geologic Map of Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park 4 Figure 4: Camp’s Skeletal Reconstruction of Shonisaurus popularis 5 Figure 5: Kosch’s Skeletal Reconstruction of Shonisaurus popularis 6 Figure 6:”U” Vertebrae of the Visitor’s Quarry 7 Figure 7: Complete Terrestrial LiDAR Scanner Setup 9 Figure 8: Scan Coverage in Quarry 10 Figure 9: LiDAR Quarry Model 12 Figure 10: Distance Measurements in Point Cloud 13 Figure 11: Comparison of Field and Point Cloud Measurements 14 Figure 12: Taylor Diagram Comparing LiDAR Model with Field Observations 15 Figure 13: Coracoid-Vertebrae Relationship 16 Figure 14: Skeleton Orientation Interpretation of Visitor’s Quarry 17 Figure 15: Concrete Retaining Wall in Quarry 18 Figure 16: Stratigraphic Column of Geologic Units in Berlin Ichthyosaur State Park 24 Figure 17: Phylogenetic Tree of Supraorder Ichthyopterygia 25 Figure 18: Scanner Locations Schematic 26 vii List of Visualizations Visualization 1: Overview of Fossil Hut 9 Visualization 2: Flyover of Visitor’s Quarry 11 Visualization 3: Specimen I Vertebral Column and Coracoids 17 The files for all visualizations are located on the supplemental disc for this manuscript. 1 I. Introduction Since its systematization as a science, vertebrate paleontology has faced the problem of fossil access. Namely, if a set of bones is curated at a museum, then the only individuals able to work on the bones are those who are both knowledgeable and who have physical access to the museum. Three-dimensional technology provides a solution to this problem of fossil access through the generation of multiple clear three-dimensional images of the bones in question that can then be disseminated to multiple individuals for study from afar (Cunningham et al., 2014). Three-dimensional imaging also allows for a better analysis of how ancient organisms looked and moved by facilitating the visualization, manipulation, and rotation of their skeletal elements. Additionally, the potential for non-destructive analysis of the bones opens up new pathways of inquiry for paleontologists interested in the nature of soft tissue in prehistoric animals (Cunningham et al., 2014). The power of three-dimensional data also speaks strongly to the puzzle of effective conservation of large fossils that are left permanently in situ, embedded in the rock. Several of these sites exist in the United States including Dinosaur National Monument (Utah), the Mammoth Site (Hot Springs, South Dakota), Ashfall Fossil Beds State Historical Park (Nebraska), and, the study area of this thesis, Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park (Nevada). Three-dimensional images provide the potential for electronic curation of fossils and monitoring the deterioration that cannot be removed from the location where they are found. Data from such studies can be used to propose preservation plans for fossil resources. These plans, which include shoring up unstable support structures, aid in allowing the fossils to survive for future viewing and study. 2 Many different methods of capturing three-dimensional images of fossils - including photogrammetry, computerized tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)- have been employed to visualize vertebrate fossils (Cunningham et. al., 2014; Pyenson et al., 2014). One three-dimensional visualization technique, terrestrial LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), has been previously applied to dinosaur trackways to produce a digital model of the sites (Bates et al., 2008; Bates et al., 2009). However, terrestrial LiDAR has not been previously used to describe in situ vertebrate fossils. Terrestrial LiDAR provides advantages over other three-dimensional techniques with its portability and short field collection time.
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  • On a New Ichthyosaur of the Genus Undorosaurus

    On a New Ichthyosaur of the Genus Undorosaurus

    Proceedings of the Zoological Institute RAS Vol. 318, No. 3, 2014, рр. 187–196 УДК 568.152 ON A NEW ICHTHYOSAUR OF THE GENUS UNDOROSAURUS M.S. Arkhangelsky1, 2* and N.G. Zverkov3 1Saratov State Technical University, Politekhnicheskaya St. 77, 410054 Saratov, Russia 2Saratov State University, Astrakhanskaya St. 83, 410012 Saratov, Russia, e-mail: [email protected] 3Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie Gory 1, 119991 Moscow, Russia; e-mail: [email protected] ABSTRACT A new species of ichthyosaur genus Undorosaurus from the Volgian stage of Moscow is described based on an incomplete forelimb. It differs from congeners basically in the form and position of pisiforme. With the application of cladistic method the phylogenetic position of two genera Undorosaurus and Paraophthalmosaurus in the system of Ichthyosauridae is defined. Both taxa are referred to the clade Ophthalmosaurinae. Key words: ichthyosaurs, Jurassic, phylogeny, Undorosaurus О НОВОМ ПРЕДСТАВИТЕЛЕ ИХТИОЗАВРОВ РОДА UNDOROSAURUS М.С. Архангельский1, 2* и Н.Г. Зверьков3 1Саратовский государственный технический университет, ул. Политехническая 77, 410054 Саратов, Россия 2Саратовский государственный университет, ул. Астраханская 83, 410012 Саратов, Россия; e-mail: [email protected] 3Московский государственный университет, Ленинские горы 1, 119991 Москва, Россия; e-mail: [email protected] РЕЗЮМЕ По неполной передней конечности описан новый вид ихтиозавра рода Undorosaurus из волжских отложений г. Москвы. Он отличается от других представителей рода, главным образом, формой и расположением горо- ховидной гости. С применением кладистических методов определено филогенетическое положение родов Undorosaurus и Paraophthalmosaurus в системе ихтиозаврид. Оба рода отнесены к кладе Ophthalmosaurinae. Ключевые слова: ихтиозавры, юра, филогения, Undorosaurus INTRODUCTION known, but are usually represented by isolated bones and tooth crowns.