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Member Magazine Spring 2014 Vol. 39 No. 2 in the Age of now open 2 News at the Museum 3

From the After an unseasonably cold, snowy winter, will work to identify items from your collection, More than 540,000 Marine the Museum is pleased to offer a number of while also displaying intriguing specimens from President springtime opportunities to awaken the inner the Museum’s own world-renowned collections. Added to Collection naturalist in us all. This is the time of when Of course, fieldwork and collecting have Ellen V. Futter Museum scientists prepare for the summer been hallmarks of the Museum’s work since Collections at a Glance field season as they continue to pursue new the institution’s founding. What has changed, discoveries in their fields. It’s also when Museum however, is technology. With a nod to the many Over nearly 150 of acquisitions and Members and visitors can learn about their ways that technology is amplifying how scientific fieldwork, the Museum has amassed preeminent own discoveries during the annual Identification investigations are done, this year, ID Day visitors collections that form an irreplaceable record Day in Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Hall. can learn how scientists use digital fabrication of life on Earth. Today, 21st-century tools— Held this year on May 10, Identification Day to aid their research and have a chance to sophisticated imaging techniques, genomic invites visitors to bring their own backyard finds have their own objects scanned and printed on analyses, programs to analyze ever-growing and curios for identification by Museum scientists. a state-of-the-art 3D printer. sets of data—offer Museum scientists a A green beetle bracelet from . A 72-million- Whether it’s on one of our springtime comprehensive way to address critical questions year-old tooth. Three arrowheads. A walrus walks or Members’ excursions, or by participating about Earth and the larger universe. . These are just a few of the many in Identification Day, the Museum inspires items identified by Museum scientists on ID Day visitors to think and act like scientists. And over the years. Whether it’s a rock, , bone, there’s no better time than springtime to rekindle 33 million arrowhead, or cultural object, Museum scientists the naturalist in you. Artifacts and specimens, including new types of specialized collections such as frozen and genomic and astrophysical data

Table of Contents 23.2 million Once one of the most common invertebrates in the oceans, ammonites went extinct more than 65 million years ago. Specimens in the Invertebrate collections, News 3 which includes 13 specialized collections Thanks to a major donation from Ohio University at Athens, 15,000 pounds of Close-Up 4 marine fossils hundreds of millions years old recently have been added to the 84,326 6 12 Museum’s collection. The final share of the 540,000 fossil specimens—which Frozen tissue specimens in the Ambrose Unearthing Pterosaurs 6 include nautiluses, ammonites, sponges, and —was delivered from Ohio to Monell Cryo Collection, one of the newest New York late last year on 16 shipping pallets. The donation fills a chronological of the Museum’s six collection units Suit Up! 12 gap in the Museum’s existing fossil collection, and after the formal accession this winter has pushed the total number of specimens and artifacts in the Museum’s 5,433 Flying Colors 14 world-class collections over the 33-million mark. Specimens in the meteorite collection of the “This collection is from the upper Paleozoic, roughly 240 to 350 million Earth and Planetary Science Department Next 16 years ago, an era that is under-represented in our current holdings,” says Neil Landman, curator-in-charge of the fossil invertebrate collection in the Museum’s More than 1,000 Education 20 Division of Paleontology, who studies ammonites and other invertebrates to better Scholarly visitors who access the Museum’s understand the evolution of life on the planet. “These spectacular specimens collections on-site every year Seen 22 14 20 will provide rich opportunities for scientific research far into the future as we investigate the record of marine biodiversity throughout Earth’s history.” Visit amnh.org/our-research for more about The fossil material mostly consists of invertebrates such as ammonites, the Museum’s research and collections. trilobites, gastropods, and bivalves, but also includes specimens such as exquisitely preserved . The specimens were collected primarily from Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and over a period of 45 years by Ohio University professors Royal and Gene Mapes and their students. In addition, a number of the specimens represent more distant locations, including Morocco, Russia, Japan, and Vietnam, the latter where Royal Mapes collected fossils while American Museum of Natural History ISSN 0194-6110 stationed there in 1970 as an officer in the United States Army. Chairman Lewis W. Bernard USPS Permit #472-650 President Ellen V. Futter Vol. 39, No. 2, Spring 2014 Museum scientists have been studying Mapes specimens for years through Senior Vice President of Institutional Advancement, Rotunda is published quarterly by the Membership Office of the American collaborative work with Ohio University. Strategic Planning, and Education Lisa J. Gugenheim Museum of Natural History, 15 West 77 Street, New York, NY 10024-5192. “The Mapes collection is an extremely valuable scientific collection, from Director of Membership Louise Adler Phone: 212-769-5606. Website: amnh.org. Museum membership of $75 per year which we’ve already described two new fish , one in 1989 and one that and higher includes a subscription to Rotunda. © 2014 American Museum Magazine is currently in press,” says John Maisey, curator-in-charge of the fossil fish of Natural History. Periodical postage paid at New York, NY and at additional Editor Eugenia V. Levenson collection in the Museum’s Division of Paleontology. “Many other specimens mailing offices. Postmaster: please send address changes to Rotunda, Contributors Joan Kelly Bernard, Jill Hamilton, Eliza McCarthy, in this collection are destined to star in future papers about the and Membership Office, AMNH, at the above address. Karen Miller, Elena Sansalone, Kendra Snyder evolution of and other early jawed .” Design Hinterland Please send questions, ideas, and feedback to [email protected]. The fossil ammonites shown here and above are from about

Image 6 © AMNH/C. Chesek; image 12 courtesy of Nuytco Research Ltd; image 14 © AMNH 2014; image 20 © AMNH/D. Finnin © AMNH/S. Thurston For more about ammonites, see story on page 5. 400 million years ago, during the period.

Rotunda / Spring 2014 / AMNH.org 4 Close-Up at the Museum 5

Monster Match-Up A Reliable Index Gila monsters measure up to 22 inches long and Gila Monster Paleontologists look for “index fossils” in rock can weigh more than 2 pounds, making them the layers to help gauge geologic time. To serve largest lizard native to the U.S. But they’re quite The dramatic , orange, black, and yellow markings on this lizard’s bead-like as reliable indicators, fossil species must be small compared to the world’s largest lizards, skin may serve as warning to predators to stay away or risk a painful bite. But the abundant, widely distributed, distinctive, Komodo : male Komodo Dragons can venom of the Gila monster (Heloderma suspectum), which is featured as one of and have existed for a limited period—like weigh more than 150 pounds and measure up to the live species in The Power of Poison, has medicinal capabilities as well: one of ammonites. Since various ammonites lived and 10 feet in length. its components has been used to develop a diabetes drug. became extinct at different times, paleontologists The key ingredient is exendin-4, a peptide that may slow the lizard’s digestion can use ammonites to compare rock layers from Venom vs. Poison and allow it to go for long periods without food. Gila (pronounced “HEE-lah”) separate locations to determine their approximate When toxins occur in an ’s skin—as in monsters, which are native to the southwestern U.S. and northern Mexico, are geologic age. golden poison , also featured in the Poison slow-moving and shy, spending most of their time concealed in underground exhibition—and pose danger to those who retreats in deserts and other relatively dry habitats. These carnivorous lizards Fossils Near and Far touch or eat it, such species are categorized as prey on nesting young rodents and rabbits, and the eggs of and . They Given the broad distribution of ammonites, Dr. poisonous. But when the toxin is injected, for can consume more than one-third of their body weight in a single feeding and Landman’s fieldwork can be far-flung. Recent example by a snake, spider, scorpion, or lizard, endure many months between meals by storing fat in their thick tails and bodies. research has taken him to sites in western Europe, the are considered venomous. The Gila As it turns out, exendin-4 is similar to a peptide that stimulates insulin New Zealand, and Antarctica, with a field trip monster falls in this latter category and is the only production and lowers blood sugar. A synthetic version of the hormone was to Morocco on the horizon. Closer to home, he dangerously venomous lizard in the U.S. developed for use in a drug to treat type 2 diabetes. In addition to regulating blood often collects ammonite fossils in creek beds sugar, exendin-4 may also reduce appetite and help control obesity. in suburban New Jersey, where, during the Monsters at the Museum In the wild, venom may help Gila monsters immobilize prey or defend period, warm seas covered the land The Museum has more than 70 Gila monster themselves when a predator or human disturbs them. If a quick slashing bite fails Catalog no. AMNH FI-56701 and ammonites were plentiful. specimens in its collection, including whole to deter a bothersome intruder, a Gila monster will grip the offender in its strong specimens, , and type specimens—the jaws and hold on for several minutes, forcing venom into the victim through Predator and Prey original specimens used to name and describe a grooves in the long teeth of its lower jaw. Although not fatal to , the venom Ammonites were hunters, with -like jaws species. Overall, the Department of Herpetology nevertheless acts as a powerful deterrent: it causes extreme pain, swelling, and teeth known as radula. The smallest species has one of the largest collections in the world, reduced blood pressure, and internal bleeding. Amazing Ammonites probably preyed on , and the larger with some 360,000 specimens. The collection species likely ate crabs and similar marine animals. is significant for its long history, its many type See a live Gila monster in The Power of Poison, which is free for Members. The extinct mollusks known as ammonites inhabited the planet for more than Ammonites were also a food source for other specimens, and its strengths in certain regions 300 million years—almost twice as long as dinosaurs—before disappearing in marine animals. Fossil evidence suggests that and species groups, including dendrobatid frogs the mass event more than 65 million years ago. As many as 10,000 mosasaurs, giant extinct marine reptiles that and venomous snakes. species may have existed, ranging from tiny organisms that measured only were widespread in the Cretaceous period, were a fraction of an inch across to formidable animals more than 2 feet in diameter, among their predators. Live Animal on such as the spectacular 75-million-year-old specimen shown above, which The Gila monster featured in The Power of Poison is on view in the Museum’s Grand Gallery. Shapely Shells is a young male who, like his wild counterparts, Like the modern-day pearly nautilus, ammonites had shells that contained The most commonly found ammonite fossils sleeps most of the time. He has periods of activity, Gila monsters are the largest lizard a body chamber for the animal and a series of connected chambers to hold air, are coiled like rams’ horns. In fact, ammonites however, particularly after meals—he is served species native to the U.S. enabling them to remain buoyant in water. A thin tube ran through the chambers, are named for the Egyptian god Ammon, who two dead mice a week—and after his weekly bath, allowing the removal of water and replacement by air. Diverse, widespread, and was sometimes represented as a ram. But many when he soaks in a shallow tub. He likes to dig and abundant in their marine environments, ammonites left behind an extraordinary ammonites were elongated or tubular, others occasionally climbs up the side of his enclosure number of fossils. snail-like, with surfaces ranging from smooth using his muscular tail for balance. Curator Neil Landman, who is investigating whether ammonites were already to heavily ribbed, probably for protection from in decline at the time of their extinction, has examined specimens from all 31 . Since soft body tissues rarely fossilize, Pioneering Studies known genera from around the world that were alive at the very end of the shells, along with jaws, are the focus of most In 1956, Museum Curator Charles M. Bogert, Cretaceous period. He is also researching jaw and tooth structures of different ammonite research. a lizard expert, published the landmark reference species to determine their role in the marine food web. “The challenge in work The Gila Monster and Its Allies about studying ammonites is that they all are found in rock,” says Dr. Landman. “We are Fossil Collections Helodermatidae, a of venomous lizards learning to get more information from CT [computed tomography] scans, which From its initial acquisition of 100,000 specimens with rough, -like skin. In recognition of his offer a non-destructive way to look at internal structures.” in 1875, the Museum’s paleontology collections work, a subspecies, the Guatemalan beaded lizard, Ammonite fossils have intrigued humans for centuries. In medieval Europe, have grown to include more than 5 million was named Heloderma horridum charlesbogerti the coiled fossils were known as “snakestones” and were thought to have curative invertebrate specimens, one half of which are after him. Another herpetologist, Sherman powers against snakebites and poisons. In North America, Crow, Sioux, and other ammonite fossils. In 2013, the Museum received Anthony Minton, produced groundbreaking Great Plains Indian tribes often found such fossils, relics of the sea that once approximately 540,000 marine fossils, including research under Museum sponsorship in the covered the continent’s western interior, and used these “stones” to heal injuries about 150,000 ammonite specimens, from the 1960s on venom and anti-venom. and to bring good fortune in marriage, hunting, travel, and warfare. Upper Paleozoic of North America, which were collected by Drs. Royal and Gene Mapes and their See ammonites on view in The Power of Poison, which is free for Members, students at Ohio University over some 45 years.

© istock.com/reptiles4all © AMNH/C. Chesek and in the Grand Gallery.

Rotunda / Spring 2014 / AMNH.org 6 7

previously unexplored locales and new methods are revealing more about these ancient reptiles

Flying predator Based on its long, sharp teeth, crassirostris, above, was likely a predator.

Rotunda / Spring 2014 / AMNH.org 8 9

not a bird, not a What is a ? It sounds like such a simple question. But “They are the most fabulous creatures that ever existed! I am the answer was by no means obvious when the first pterosaur not exaggerating,” says Kellner. “They made the first attempts was discovered in the mid-1700s, in the Solnhofen among vertebrates to conquer the air—they were the first to quarry in Germany. Perhaps, early observers theorized, develop powered flight,” that is, the type of sustained flight that that specimen’s long skinny -and- bones were for evolved, later and independently, in birds and . swimming? Or was it some kind of toothed, clawed, winged bird? Still, many mysteries remain. What type of material covered Or even a ? Debates raged, even after 1801, when the their skin? Was it , or , or something in between? great French anatomist analyzed drawings of What did they eat, and how did they hunt? Many pterosaurs had the skeleton and determined the animal to be something new flesh-and-bone crests atop their skulls—dramatic anatomical to science: a flying that Cuvier later named ptero-dactyle characteristics whose purpose is still debated by paleontologists. ( finger in Greek), whose were composed of (See p. 14 for more about crests.) a shortened upper arm bone, along with a dramatically elongated fourth finger that likely supported a wing membrane. Since Cuvier’s time, the fossil record has revealed much more unlike dinosaurs, about these extinct reptiles, which lived from about 220 million years ago to the end of the period 66 million years pterosaurs left no living Big Find This , or upper ago, disappearing at the same time as large dinosaurs in a mass descendants when they arm bone, supported the left wing extinction event. of the tremendous pterosaur known as northropi. Still, although pterosaurs may often be grouped with dinosaurs disappeared from earth. in children’s picture books, they are not dinosaurs. “Dinosaurs are characterized by a set of anatomical features Unlike dinosaurs, whose living descendants are modern birds, pterosaurs don’t have,” explains Norell, including a hole in pterosaurs left no heirs when they disappeared from Earth. That here is a place called the in a remote, at the Rio museum, where he is now a curator. the socket. Today’s scientific consensus is that pterosaurs means paleontologists have no living analogs to draw from as they sparsely populated region of northeastern Brazil. Arid but Before studying the bones, Kellner had to dissolve the are nonetheless more closely related to dinosaurs, whose living make inferences about pterosaur behavior. Nonetheless, in the past beautiful, it can be a difficult place for farmers to grow crops. calcereous “nodules” of rock in which the bones were entombed descendants are birds, than to any other group, including the decade or two, there has been a resurgence of pterosaur research and But the earth provides another bounty: fossils. And among the by sinking the fossils into buckets of formic acid. Using a next-closest, . synthesis, as new methods of examining fossils, such as computed bevy of bones are some rare finds—including 23 species of extinct pneumatic hammer, specialists at the museum gradually freed What is also clear is that pterosaurs were the first vertebrates tomography (CT) scanning and UV lighting to discern heretofore flying reptiles called pterosaurs. a partial skeleton of the animal from its stony home. to fly—an amazing feat. Tiny, invertebrate insects had long since invisible details, have become commonplace; as researchers More than three decades ago, a local there found some large It included part of the animal’s skull, complete with a bony taken to the air, but nothing as large as a four-legged vertebrate share data digitally; and as researchers begin to find new fossils pterosaur bones. He delivered them to the Museu Nacional in crest at the tip of its nose,vertebrae, —and, perhaps most had attempted such a thing. in previously unexplored locales, including and Brazil. , where they were tucked away in a drawer. As it dramatically, arm and wing-bones. The of this pterosaur happens, many natural history museums have a trove of unexamined was, the research team concluded, nearly 27 feet— the largest fossils awaiting study in their collections—there are just too many to pterosaur discovered so far in the Southern Hemisphere. A go through. But a few years ago, paleontologist , model of this recently described giant specimen, from the species a research associate at the American Museum of Natural History who mesembrinus, flies overhead at the entrance to as a doctoral student trained with Curators John Maisey and Malcolm the special exhibition Pterosaurs: Flight in the Age of Dinosaurs, McKenna, found the time to examine the 30-plus-year-old fossil finds overseen by Curator Mark Norell with Kellner as co-curator.

First discovery Pterodactylus antiquus

was the first pterosaur to be studied Chesek AMNH/C. © photo page, Previous Illustrations on pages 8 and 9 © AMNH 2014; photos © AMNH/C. Chesek This pterosaur, named and described. A fossil of this unusual guinazui, had bristle-like animal was acquired by a German ruler teeth,visible at the tip of this fossil, in the late 1700s. which it likely used for filter-feeding.

Rotunda / Spring 2014 / AMNH.org 10 sported sported a rounded crest. forms arealsorare. but alsovery delicate—like thoseofbirdsandbats,whosefossil rare isthatthey were thin-walled andhollow, solighterforflying and China. One reasonpterosaurbonesarerelativelyU.S., (see page11),andsitesinEngland, Canada, thenortheastern the BrazilianAraripe Basin,alsoknown astheSantanaFormation dimensionally. These includesitesinSolnhofen,Germany; “ roadkill”butinsteadarepreserved moreorlessthree- a lotofmaterial,”andwherethefossilsaren’tflattenedlike sites “where bonesarewell-preserved, basically,andthere’s just ahandfulofsitesaroundtheworld—so-called Lagerstätten As Kellner pointsout,too,themajorityofthosefossilscomefrom tenth thenumberofbonesdinosaursthathave beenunearthed. thousand pterosaurboneshave beendiscovered, perhapsone- pterosaur fossilsremainslow, notesNorell.Sofar,onlyseveral a shorttailornoatall. have usedasairbornerudders,whilelaterspecieshave toothless. Earlypterosaursoftenhadlongtailsthatthey might had peg-liketeethseeninlivingreptiles,whilemany otherswere flapping flight,likethatofacardinal.Someearlypterosaurs to short,stubby wingsthatmighthave allowed formorefrequent diverse: fromlong, thinsoaringwingslikethoseofanalbatross form thetrussofwingmembrane,shapesarequite which theupper-armbone(humerus)andelongatedfourthdigit Antarctica. Although allpterosaurssharethewinganatomy in Pterosaur boneshave beenfoundonevery continentincluding rare fossils crested species, Showy Crest Despite thisdiversity, however, thenumberofrecovered One of the smaller Brazilian pterosaur bones are thin-walled and and hollow, so

very delicate.

specialists—and tojoinintheexcitement ofanew discovery. new species known onlytoafew oftheworld’s toppterosaur exhibition, visitorswillhave therareopportunity toseea this animalcouldreallygetup and fly.” “It’s aprettyneatthingtothinkthat with abitofunderstatement: Quetzalcoatlus—with ashorterneckandbiggerhead.” Headds, animal representedby thebonesthey found…“a lotheavier than of abowling ball.“It’s quiteaspectacularthing,”says Norellofthe new, stillunnamedspecimen,includingasinglevertebra thesize collect thefossils.Sofar,they’ve collectedseveral bonesofthis potential sites,thescientistsrappeldown thefaceofcliffto previously beenlocated.Usingbinocularstosurvey cliffsidesfor knew therewas acliffwherepterosauranddinosaurboneshad of apterosaurthatmay rival Quetzalcoatlusinsize. American researchersincludingDr. Norellhasdiscovered fossils largest pterosaurofall. feet.Sinceitsdiscovery,a wingspanof33 it’s beenconsideredthe Atzec godwhowas representedasafeatheredsnake,likelyhad in BigBendNationalPark inTexas, Quetzalcoatlus,namedforan gigantic pterosaur plane. The exhibition includesacastofthe10-inch-wingspan evolved arangeofsizes,fromthatsparrow tothatofasmall Over millionyears themorethan150 pterosaursexisted, they giant discovery is free for Members. Pterosaurs: Flight in the Age of Dinosaurs With someofthesespecimenson view in thenew Pterosaurs Working in theCarpathian MountainsinRomania, theteam But over thelastfew years, ateamofRomanianand Quetzalcoatlus northropi.Discovered intheearly1970s crytpicus,aswell asamodel ofthe opened April 5 and

Illustration © AMNH 2014; fossil image © AMNH/C. Chesek

Ilustration © Ivy Rutzky; top fossil image © AMNH/M. Shanley; bottom fossil images © AMNH/D. Finnin Rotunda / Spring 2014 / AMNH.org / 2014 Spring Rotunda/ araripe basin, brazil world what a of of Vertebrate Origins. Basin) on display in the Museum’s Hall Formation (also known as the Araripe See more fish fossils from the Santana

bacteria,” says Maisey. the beautifulpreservation. “It’s likea3Dprinter,using in effect,createda3Dmodelofwhatwas therebefore—hence through thetissue,afterward excreting phosphatesthat, a low-oxygen “algal goo.” There, bacteriamay have eaten of thewater, gettingstuckinwhatMaisey calls,evocatively, of beingscavenged, perhapsthey sankquicklytothebottom Maisey, theanimalsmay have fossilizedvery quickly. Instead tissue, muscles,andbloodvessels. Why? For onething,says they areoftensowell-preserved, sometimesincludingsoft for decades. of Paleontology, whostudiedthefossil fishesofthe Araripe scenario,” says JohnMaisey, curatorintheDivision paleontologists know were partoftheecosystem atthetime. dinosaurs walk amidtreescalledBrachyphyllum , which 3-foot-long schools ofRhacolepsisfisharebeingchased by apredatory of theunsuspectingfishesin water below. Underwater, sethi,swoop over alagoon,huntingschools pterosaurs alsoruledtheskies.Large, crestedpterosaurs, life theRomualdoFormation fromthattime—atimewhen animals inanever-changing world. the fossilsformasnapshotofvanished assemblageof through today’s Brazil,includingthrough theRomualdo.So off fromAfrica, andanorth-southseaway may have rundown as they aretoday. SouthAmerica was onlystartingtosplit years ago—whenthecontinentsweren’t inthesamepositions geological interestbecausethey datefromatime—110million as theanimalsthey oncewere. The fossilsarealsoofparticular “You always findfossils!It’s amazing.” (Santana) BasininnortheasternBrazil. on theirfirstdigtotheRomualdo Formation inthe Araripe Kellner, co-curatorofthePterosaursexhibition, sendthem If you want tospoilbuddingpaleontologists,says Alexander “These fossilsareworld-famous,” hesays, because This earlyCretaceous sceneis“definitely aplausible A dioramainthePterosaursexhibition willbringto Many arebeautifullypreserved, immediatelyrecognizable In theRomualdo(likeallofAraripe Basin),says Kellner, Cladocyclus. Inthebackground,spinosaurid These Rhacolepsis fishes date from about 110 million years ago.

11 suit up—going down! Missed the Exosuit during a rare public display at the Museum last month? This newest generation atmospheric diving system (ADS) offers a way for scientists to observe and interact with fishes and invertebrates in their habitats in the ocean’s depths. By keeping the pilot protected from the effects of pressure, the Exosuit allows divers to perform delicate work at depths of up to 1,000 feet (305 meters) for hours. Researchers from the Museum, City University of New York, and the John B. Pierce Laboratory-Yale University are partnering with J.F. White Contracting Company to develop scientific applications for the Exosuit, which will be paired together with a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) that the team has designed to allow researchers to observe, photograph, and collect marine life in areas that are otherwise difficult to explore. fiber-optic tether The Exosuit’s first scientific test will come this July on the Stephen J. Barlow provides two-way Bluewater Expedition to study deep-water habitats off New England. communication, sends a live video feed to the surface and allows for topside monitoring of pressure and oxygen

oxygen systems allow for multi-hour dives, with up to 50 hours of life support teardrop-shaped view port allows the pilot to see clearly down to chest level

Powerful led lights

Four 1.6 horsepower water-jet thrusters provide propulsion

The Exosuit opens at the manipulators act torso, allowing the pilot as gripping devices. Custom to enter and exit tools in development will enable the pilot to collect and photograph marine life

The aluminum alloy suit weighs 530 pounds (240 kg)

18 patented rotary joints provide flexibility so the pilot can examine and collect specimens Pressure-sensitive foot pads enable the pilot to control the thrusters and move forward, backward, left, right, up and down Nuytco Research Ltd.

Pull-Out Poster Rotunda / Spring 2014 / AMNH.org 14 15 flying Pterosaurs’ dramatic crests still puzzle paleontologists.

The incredible diversity of pterosaurs is perhaps best expressed in one of the prehistoric flying reptile’s most intriguing and mysterious features: the head crest. colors Akin to a rooster’s comb, peacock’s crown, or the frill on some lizards’ necks, pterosaur crests were prominent anatomical features found across gracilis many species. But rather than flesh or feathers, these reptiles’ crests were made at least in part of bone—a boon to paleontologists, as hard bone tends to be preserved as a fossil. Recent research also indicates that other horn-like 84 mya 2-3 m material comprised part or even most of some pterosaur crests, with the thin, Late Cretaceous wingspan underlying bony structure supporting sometimes expansive membranes. Pterosaurs crests are thought to have been fairly ubiquitous, appearing Nyctosaurus had two long, thin in many groups of pterosaurs from the (252–201 million years ago) bones sticking out of its head, through the (201–145 million years ago) and Cretaceous (145–66 which scientists think were million years ago) periods. In terms of size and dramatic effect, crests peaked in probably connected by soft tissue. the Late Cretaceous, when the biggest pterosaurs also evolved. Among pterosaur species known to have had crests, there is an amazing range of shapes and sizes. sternbergi, for example, had a high upright crest on its skull; Pteranodon longiceps, dagger-shaped blades at the back of its head; and Nyctosaurus, a fan-like structure at the rear of its head. weii had two: a long, low crest on its snout and a short crest rising above the back of the head. The species had rounded disk Could something so flashy be all form and no function? The heavier crests shapes on both upper and lower jaws, while pterosaurs had cost the reptiles a lot in energy to grow and carry around. Reason suggests if they long, low ridges running down the middle of their heads. weren’t useful, they would have disappeared over millions of years of evolution. imperator had huge sail-like extensions that dwarfed the rest of its head. But just what that use was is a question that puzzles pterosaurologists to this day. There are competing theories, chief among them that crests serve as a form of species identification. Other possibilities include a role in , heat regulation, as a rudder in flight, or as a in the water, stabilizing the reptile as it dove or skimmed for food. The discovery in Brazil of wildly different crests among closely related species lends credibility to the theory of species tupandactylus identification: like a Mesozoic mohawk, a distinct crest would allow ready imperator recognition of one’s own kind and, equally important, rule out others. Were the crests as brightly colored as shown in artists’ renderings? While 115 mya 3 m scientists cannot know for certain, light and dark bands of color on the rare wingspan preserved tissue of a Pterorhynchus wellnhoferi crest found in China led to speculation that crests might indeed have been highly colored, especially if they No other pterosaur had a bigger served to communicate identity or attract mates. crest relative to its body size than Still, without living descendants for comparison and the relative paucity Tupandactylus. of fossils, definitive proof has been elusive—so far.

Pterosaurs: Flight in the Age of Dinosaurs is free for Members. Illustrations © AMNH 2014

Rotunda / Spring 2014 / AMNH.org 16 Next at the Museum 17

Programs and Events April Frontiers Lecture: Milstein Science Series: Walking Tour: Fossils Astronomy Live: Celestial Milstein Science Series Identification Day Unraveling the Mystery of the Poseidon’s Poisons of Fifth Avenue Fireworks in Spring Skies Presentation: Saturday, May 10 For more programs and to Baby Animal Encounter Continental Crust and Marine Medicines Thursday, April 24 Tuesday, April 29 Capturing the Ocean’s Glow Noon–4 pm purchase tickets, visit Saturday, April 5 Monday, April 7 Sunday, April 13 6–8 pm 6:30 pm Thursday, May 1–Saturday, May 31 Free amnh.org/calendar. 11 am; 1 pm; 2:30 pm 7:30 pm 11 am–4 pm $25 $12 Free Bring your shells, rocks, $10 $12 Free Join Sidney Horenstein along Take a tour of constellations See spectacular footage insects, feathers, bones, or For updates and reminders, Meet some of ’s wildest Oliver Jagoutz and Max Schmidt Join Curator Mark Siddall Fifth Avenue to investigate its and exoplanet locales in the of bioluminescent and artifacts, and a Museum expert sign up for monthly Calendar and cutest youngsters with have discovered a long for a dynamic program ancient fossils and geological Hayden Planetarium with biofluorescent ocean species will help identify your find. Highlights for Members by zoologist Jarod Miller. sought-after missing piece that expands on the formations. Joe Rao and Steve Beyer. in a dome presentation in the For the first time, visitors sending your membership explaining the formation Museum’s exhibition Milstein Hall of Ocean Life. will also have a chance to number and request to subscribe of Earth’s continental crust. The Power of Poison and have their objects scanned to [email protected]. The Discovery Room: Their explorations in the offers family-friendly Slide Slam Environmental Lecture and and printed on a 3D printer. Museum does not trade, rent, Meet the Scientist 100-150-million-year-old activities, including a live Monday, April 28 Luncheon The Adventuress’ or sell this information. Saturday, April 5 Kohistan Arc, which is the animal encounter with 6:30 pm Wednesday, April 30 Virgin Voyage 2:15 pm; 3 pm; 3:45 pm best-exposed arc section zoologist Jarod Miller. Free Celebrate the 20th anniversary Sunday, May 4 Frontiers Lecture: Tickets Free (Tickets available on a in the world, led to their Celebrate the launch of a of the Center for Biodiversity 3 pm The Cosmic Cocktail first-come, first-served basis) discovery of a hidden flux in new database of digital images and Conservation. Call Free Monday, May 12 Tickets are available by phone at Visitors ages 7 and up can Earth’s mantle. The talk will Taste the Museum: from the Library with Director 212-769-5166 for details. Library Director Tom Baione 7:30 pm 212-769-5200, Monday–Friday, learn more about the work explore the implications of this Beers from Around the World Tom Baione and New York- discusses explorer Roy $12 9 am–5 pm, or by visiting amnh.org. of Museum scientists in discovery for understanding Wednesday, April 16 based artists Alexis Rockman Chapman Andrews’s time Astrophysicist Katherine Freese Please have your membership these informal, child-friendly Earth’s evolution. 6:30 pm or 7:30 pm and Mark Dion. May aboard The Adventuress in 1913. ponders dark matter and the number ready. presentations. $40 for 21+ universe’s composition. This walking tour and tasting Our Earth’s Future: A New Availability may be limited. Behind-the-Scenes Tour highlights the history and Sackler Bench: Course for Adults SciCafe: Please purchase tickets in advance. A Night at the Museum in Paleontology manufacturing processes of Adult Learning Salons Five Thursdays, May 1–May 29 Collective Behavior in Ant Spring Birding Excursion Sleepover Saturday, April 12 beers around the world. Four Mondays, starting April 28 6–8:30 pm Colonies and Beyond Saturday, May 17 Please be aware that ticket sales Friday, April 11 10:30 am, 11 am, or 11:30 am 6–8 pm $25 for the series Wednesday, May 7 8 am–5 pm are final for all Member programs. Friday, May 2 $35 $35 per session ($105 for the series) Become fluent in the science 7 pm $90 All programs go ahead rain Saturday, May 17 Tour the collections of the Our Genes, Ourselves: Learn how the brain of climate change in this Free for 21+ Ornithologist Paul Sweet leads or shine. There are no refunds Friday, June 13 Division of Paleontology to see What Can Our DNA Tell Us? influences our personalities, unique course led by Museum Stanford University biologist bird watching at Minnewaska unless the program is cancelled Saturday, June 21 pterosaur fossils and the “Big Wednesday, April 23 emotions, and behavior. scientists and other experts. Deborah Gordon discusses State Park Preserve followed by the Museum. $135 per person Bone” collection. Must be 10 7 pm Sessions include Brain Power: Organized around case studies, research about collective by a visit to a local vineyard Break out your sleeping bags or older to participate. $12 The Other 90 Percent (April 28); the course offers a unique behavior in ant colonies. for a tasting. Cost includes on this after-hours adventure A panel with neuroscientist Beyond Left Brain, Right Brain opportunity to gain solid transportation by private coach. for children ages 6 through 13 Robert Darnell and other (May 5); Coming to Terms understanding of key scientific and their caregivers. experts focuses on the potential with Fear (May 12); and Sex principles and to learn how of genome-mapping. Differences in the Brain (May 19). to communicate about global climate phenomena.

Exhibitions The Power of Poison Natural Histories Please check amnh.org for The Butterfly Conservatory: LeFrak Theater Credits The presentation of Natural Free for Members Free for Members Member ticket prices for live- Tropical Butterflies Alive in Winter Mysteries of the Unseen World Pterosaurs: Flight in the Age of Histories at the American Museum Admission is by timed entry only. Explore poison’s paradoxical View reproductions of beautifully animal exhibits, 3D or IMAX films, Closes Sunday, June 22 Discover phenomena that can’t be Dinosaurs was organized by the of Natural History is made possible roles in nature, myth, and human illustrated scientific works from and Space Show. This annual favorite features up seen with the naked eye, revealed American Museum of Natural through the generosity of the Pterosaurs: Flight in the Age health and history while helping the Museum Library’s Rare Book to 500 live, free-flying tropical through time-lapse photography, History, New York (amnh.org). Arthur Ross Foundation. of Dinosaurs solve poisoning mysteries. Live collection in a new exhibition butterflies from Central, South and electron microscopy, and more. Opens Saturday, April 5 presenters in the Detecting inspired by the 2012 book Natural North America, Africa, and Asia. Now screening in 2D and 3D. The Museum gratefully Credits continue on page 18 Free for Members Poisons theater share real-world Histories. Highlights include large- acknowledges the The fossils of ancient winged cases and highlight dramatic scale reproductions of works by Hayden Planetarium Space Richard and Karen LeFrak Exhibition reptiles known as pterosaurs advances in toxicology and Albrecht Dürer, Joseph Wolf, and Show: Dark Universe and Education Fund. puzzled paleontologists for forensic science. John Woodhouse Audubon. Narrated by Neil deGrasse Tyson, hundreds of years. Find out about the new Space Show celebrates Major funding for The Power how incredible new discoveries pivotal discoveries and the cosmic of Poison has been provided by are revealing more about this mysteries that remain. the Lila Wallace—Reader’s Digest extraordinary group of animals. Endowment Fund.

Rotunda / Spring 2014 / AMNH.org 18 Next at the Museum 19

Credits: April Astronomy Live: Frontiers Lecture: Summer Star Sail The SciCafe series is proudly sponsored by Judy and Josh Weston. The Sci-Fi Universe The Universe and Beyond Tuesday, June 17 1 5 12 28 Tuesday, May 27 Monday, June 9 8–10 pm Tuesday Saturday Saturday Monday 6:30 pm 7:30 pm $95 Support for Hayden Planetarium Early Morning Bird Walks begin Pterosaurs: Flight in the Age of Behind-the-Scenes Tour Sackler Brain Bench: Adult $12 $12 Join astrophysicist Charles Programs is provided by the Dinosaurs opens in Paleontology Learning Salons begin Explore the universe through Alexander Vilenkin discusses Liu to watch the Sun set on Schaffner Family. Lunchtime Spring Bird Walks a science-fiction lens with developments suggesting that one of the longest days of the Begin Baby Animal Encounter 13 Slide Slam Sunday educators and the Big Bang was not a unique year while learning about the The Milstein Science Series Brian Levine 2 Discovery Room: Milstein Science Series: 29 Christina Pease. event in cosmic history. summer solstice. is proudly sponsored by the Wednesday Meet the Scientist Poseidon’s Poisons and Tuesday Irma and Paul Milstein Family. SciCafe: The Evolution of Marine Medicines Lunchtime Spring Bird Walks Irrationality 7 begin Nature Walk in Central Park Our Earth’s Future: A New Milstein Science Series: Sharks The Museum greatly acknowledges Monday 16 Early Morning Bird Walks begin Frontiers Lecture: Unraveling the Wednesday Astronomy Live: Celestial Saturday, May 31 Course for Adults Sunday, June 22 The Mortimer D. Sackler Mystery of the Continental Crust Taste the Museum: Fireworks in Spring Skies Foundation, Inc. for its support 10 am–noon Five Tuesdays, June 10–July 8 11 am–4 pm 3 Beers from Around the World $25 6–8:30 pm Free to establish The Sackler Brain Thursday 11 30 Urban naturalist Julie Feinstein $25 for the series Learn more about these Bench, part of the Museum’s Early Morning Bird Walks begin Friday 23 Wednesday takes you on an exploration Become fluent in the science fascinating fishes in a family- Sackler Educational Laboratory A Night at the Museum Wednesday Environmental Lecture and of wildlife in Central Park. of climate change in this friendly afternoon in the for Comparative Genomics and Sleepover (Girl Scouts) Our Genes, Ourselves: Luncheon Celebrating the 20th 4 What Can Our DNA Tell Us? Anniversary of the CBC course led by Museum Milstein Hall of Ocean Life. Human Origins, in The Spitzer Friday Early Morning Bird Walks begin scientists and other experts Hall of Human Origins. 24 June Organized around case studies, Thursday the course offers a unique Hall Tour: Our Earth’s Future was made Walking Tour: Fossils Behind-the-Scenes Tour: opportunity to gain solid Underground Secrets possible in part by the Institute of Fifth Avenue Ichthyology understanding of key scientific Sunday, June 22 for Museum and Library Tuesday, June 3 principles and to learn how 3 pm Services under grant number 6:30 pm (family-friendly), to communicate about global Free MA-10-13-0200-13. May 7 pm, or 7:30 pm climate phenomena. Tour Museum halls to see what’s hidden underneath Los $35 1 4 12 27 From modern fishes to fossil Angeles, the Great Plains, and Thursday Sunday Monday Tuesday sharks, the Department of Family Astronomy in the Yellowstone. Milstein Science Series Lecture: The Adventuress’ Frontiers Lecture: Astronomy Live: Ichthyology’s collection Dome Presentation Capturing the Virgin Voyage The Cosmic Cocktail The Sci-Fi Universe Ocean’s Glow begins includes more than 2 million Saturday, June 14

specimens. Scientific staff 6:30 pm 7 17 31 Summer Skies Telescope Party Our Earth’s Future adult course Wednesday Saturday Saturday will offer a rare look at $10 Tuesday, June 24 May session begins SciCafe: Collective Behavior Spring Birding Excursion Nature Walk in Central Park the collection and discuss Enjoy an evening of 8:30 pm in Ant Colonies and Beyond techniques for preserving and star-hopping, mythology, $12 2 Night at the Museum Sleepover Milstein Science Series studying specimens on this and stories of the sky. Scan the skies with Hayden Friday 10 Presentation Capturing the tour for ages 10 and up. Planetarium experts. Please Night at the Museum Sleepover Saturday Identification Day Ocean’s Glow ends note start time.

June

Credits continued from page 17 Dark Universe was created by the And proudly supported by Dark Universe was developed by 3 10 17 22 American Museum of Natural Con Edison. the American Museum of Natural Tuesday Tuesday Tuesday Sunday Lord & Taylor is the proud sponsor History, the Frederick Phineas History, New York (www.amnh.org), Behind-the-Scenes Tour Our Earth’s Future adult course Summer Star Sail Milstein Science Series: Sharks of The Butterfly Conservatory. and Sandra Priest Rose Center for The Museum also gratefully in collaboration with the California in Ichthyology June session begins Earth and Space, and the Hayden acknowledges major funding from Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, 21 Hall Tour: Underground Secrets Saturday Generous support for Planetarium. the Charles Hayden Foundation. and GOTO INC, Tokyo, Japan. 9 13 Monday Friday Night at the Museum Sleepover The Butterfly Conservatory closes The Butterfly Conservatory Frontiers Lecture: The Universe Night at the Museum Sleepover has been provided by the Made possible through the Presented with special thanks to and Beyond 24 Eileen P. Bernard Exhibition Fund. generous sponsorship of Accenture. NASA and the National Science 14 Tuesday Foundation. Saturday Summer Skies Telescope Party Family Astronomy in the Dome

Rotunda / Spring 2014 / AMNH.org 20 Education at the Museum 21

Urban Advantage: 10 Years of Connecting Students to Science As the Urban Advantage Middle School Science Initiative celebrates a 10-year milestone this year, by the numbers stories abound about how the program has helped New York City public middle-school students delve more deeply into science. There was the Bronx boy who was galvanized to get up at dawn to track the salinity of the Hudson River. The autistic Manhattan 8th-grader who went on to receive one of the highest scores on his New York State Intermediate-Level Science Test. The shy Brooklyn girl who surprised everyone with her poise while presenting her project at the annual Urban Advantage Science Expo, held at the 52,616 Museum at the end of every school year since the program was launched. Through Urban Advantage, Students served across these students—and thousands of others, as well as their families and teachers—have tapped into 6th-, 7th-, and 8th grades extraordinary resources at the Museum and at the city’s zoos, gardens, and science centers. in 2013–2014 “Science is more than reading a book,” says Kevyn Jackman, a science teacher at the Academy for Personal Leadership and Experience in the Bronx and an Urban Advantage teacher for seven years who names the Museum as his go-to destination for several science topics. “If we’re studying astronomy, we go to the Hayden Planetarium. Evolution? The (Spitzer) Hall of Human Origins. Fossils, the fourth-floor dinosaur halls.” With annual funding from the Council of the City of New York and the New York City Department NYC teachers525 active in Urban of Education, Urban Advantage is a partnership between the New York City Department of Advantage in 2013–2014 Education and the American Museum of Natural History, Brooklyn Botanic Garden, New York Hall of Science, Queens Botanical Garden, Staten Island Zoo, The New York Botanical Garden, Bronx Zoo, and New York Aquarium that supports science education in middle schools by providing materials for scientific investigations in the classroom, field trips to science-rich institutions, teacher access to such partner resources as collections and scientists, and professional development for 173 educators across the five boroughs aimed at bringing the best of science teaching to the classroom. Schools participating across In addition to offering teachers up to 40 hours of workshops on a range of topics, the Urban all five boroughs, or Advantage program has created a strong network of middle-school science teachers that educators approximately 30 percent value for its collegiality, collaboration, and the opportunity to share curricular resources. of NYC middle schools in the “As a former teacher and principal, I know how critical professional development is to empower, 2013-2014 academic year cultivate, and retain great teachers,” says New York City Schools Chancellor Carmen Fariña. “That’s why it’s great to see Urban Advantage, a truly wonderful program, using the cultural institutions of our City to help teachers innovate new strategies to inspire their students. This program provides tremendous service to school communities, and as science education becomes even more critical for our students over the next decade, I look forward to its continued success.” Teachers also stress that bringing their classes on visits to partner institutions, such as the Years since Urban Advantage Museum, helps energize students and expose them to new disciplines. Julie Wood, a science launched with10 the support teacher at The Young Women’s Leadership School of Brooklyn, recalls visits to the Museum in of the Council of the City of which her students were excited to meet with educator Jay Holmes to learn about Earth science. New York and the New York On a different visit, her 8th graders learned about and performed a molecular biology technique City Department of Education used to isolate DNA—gel electrophoresis—at the Sackler Institute for Comparative Genomics, a methodology Wood says students ordinarily find out about only in high school. In addition to visiting with teachers, Urban Advantage students also receive vouchers so that they can bring their families to New York’s museums and science centers outside of school hours for a fun day that also makes parents active participants in their child’s science education. “We find a way to involve every member of the family,” says Joanna Cuevas, parent coordinator at the Urban Assembly Academy for Civic Engagement in the Bronx, who arranges family field trips to Partner institutions: the Urban Advantage institutions. “The parents get to see their kids working so hard, to see the passion American Museum of Natural they have for what they are working on. It’s amazing how proud and supportive they are of their kids.” 8 History, Brooklyn Botanic Their pride isn’t misplaced. Independent studies conducted by New York University’s Institute Garden, New York Hall for Education and Social Policy showed that, on average, students attending Urban Advantage- of Science, Queens Botanical participating schools outperform peers on the eighth-grade exam—yet another measure of the Garden, Staten Island Zoo, program’s success. The New York Botanical Garden, Bronx Zoo, and

The Urban Advantage Science Expo will be held at the Museum on Saturday, June 7. New York Aquarium Clockwise from top left; Students from IS 75 in Woodrow, Staten Island, examine a hedgehog from the Staten Island Zoo during a 2004 event launching the Urban Advantage program at the Museum, while teacher Nicole Shiu Horowitz and her student Davon Carter from MS 184 in the Bronx tuned in next door. The annual Urban Advantage Science Expo takes place at the Museum in June, with hundreds of students presenting their projects. © AMNH/D. Finnin and R. Mickens

Rotunda / Spring 2014 / AMNH.org 22 Seen at the Museum 23

Save the Date! 1 Upcoming Events at the Museum

May 5/6 Members at the Adventurer level and above are invited to the annual Open House, with opportunities to meet scientists, enjoy educational activities, and watch the 3D movie Mysteries of the Unseen World after hours. Please call 212-769-5606 for more information.

4 1 2 5/10 Bring your shells, rocks, insects, feathers, bones, and artifacts to the annual Identification Day. Museum scientists will attempt to identify your discoveries while showing you some specimens from the Museum’s collections.

5/15 Dance the night away at the annual Museum Dance, the social event of the spring season. Please call 212-769-5166 for more information.

June 2 6/7 The annual Urban Advantage Science Expo is held in the Milstein Hall of Ocean Life. 3 6/14 Members at the Adventurer level and 3 above are invited to begin their day at the Museum with a light breakfast and before-hours showing of the Space Show Dark Universe. Please call 212-769-5606 for more information.

6/26 Join the Junior Council for an evening of music and cocktails at the annual Jazz on the Terrace. Please call 212-769-5986 for more information.

5 4

July 1. Preparator Celeste Carballo works on the 2. Hannah Rawe works on a life-size model 4. Preparator Andrea Raphael paints a cast 1. As part of the January behind-the-scenes 3. SciCafe takes place every first Wednesday foot of Tropeognathus mesembrinus for a model of Quetzalcoatlus, the head of which measures of a Pterodactylus fossil. tour for Members in the Department of Herpetology, of the month. Explore the amazing world of in Pterosaurs: Flight in the Age of Dinosaurs. about 8 feet. 5. Tory Ferraro works on the Quetzalcoatlus participants were able to examine several 4. Curatorial Associate David Kizirian showed arachnids when the exhibition Spiders: Alive! Beck Meah builds the wings of Tropeognathus, model, which will float over visitors in the exhibition remarkable specimens. off specimens from the Department of Herpetology 3. returns this summer. one of the largest pterosaurs, with a wingspan section devoted to pterosaur flight. 2. Curator Mark Norell and Research Associate Amy Collection on the January behind-the-scenes tour.

of more than 25 feet. © AMNH/R. Mickens © AMNH/D. Finnin and R. Mickens Balanoff led the January SciCafe about dinosaur .

Rotunda / Spring 2014 / AMNH.org Membership

Central Park West at 79th Street New York, New York 10024-5192 amnh.org Illustration © AMNH 2014 and photo © istock.com/littleny General Information

Hours Phone numbers Museum: Open daily, 10 am–5:45 pm; Central Reservations 212-769-5200 closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas. Membership Office 212-769-5606 Museum Information 212-769-5100 Entrances Development 212-769-5151 During Museum hours, Members may enter at Central Park West at 79th Street Transportation and parking (second floor), the Rose Center/81st Street, Subway: B (weekdays) or C to 81st Street; and through the subway (lower level). 1 to 79th Street, walk east to Museum Bus: M7, M10, M11, or M104 to 79th Street; Restaurants M79 to Central Park West Museum Food Court, Café on One, Parking Garage: Open daily, 8 am–11 pm; Starlight Café, and Café on 4 offer enter from West 81st Street. Members can park Members a 15 percent discount. for a flat fee of $10 if entering after 4 pm. Hours are subject to change. To receive this rate, show your membership card or event ticket when exiting the garage. Museum shops The Museum Shop, Dino Store, Shop for Earth and Space, Cosmic Shop, Millions of years ago, the skies were ruled by pterosaurs, the first animals with backbones to fly under their own power. Pterosaurs Shop, The Power of Poison Shop, Now these ancient flying reptiles have arrived at the Museum and Online Shop (amnhshop.com) in the new exhibition Pterosaurs: Flight in the Age of Dinosaurs. offer Members a 10 percent discount. Featuring life-size models, casts, and rarely displayed fossils, the exhibition reveals the latest findings about how these extraordinary vertebrates moved on land and in the air, how they hunted, and what they ate, as well as what scientists are discovering about them today.