Fossil of the Week

This is an ark shell, a member of the bivalve family Arcidae, which has members still living today. If you are a shell collector this one probably looks very familiar. It is Arca zebra abisiniana, described by Weisbord in 1964 in Bulletins of American Paleontology no. 204. It is the holotype, collected from the Abisinia formation of Playa Grande village in northern Venezuela. It is a very young fossil, Pleistocene in age or less than 2 million years old.

The species: This specimen was described as a subspecies of Arca zebra, the modern "Turkey Wing" shell found today from North Carolina through the Caribbean. The fossil subspecies is said to differ from the living species by lacking the broad radial depression so characteristic of the modern form (although in my experience, this is a highly variable feature even today). The living species is striped brown and white, as reflected by the species name "zebra." The fossil subspecies is named after its fossil formation.

The publication: BAP 204 is a 564-page monograph entitled "Late Cenozoic Pelecypods from Northern Venezuela." In addition to its fossils, it covers many living species from the region, and is lavishly illustrated, plus includes an extensive bibliography.

The author: Norman Weisbord (1901-1990) was a student of PRI-founder Gilbert Harris. He received an Associate degree from Cornell University in 1923, followed by a Masters degree in 1926, and had a very successful career in the petroleum business (which hired paleontologists in those days). Warren Allmon's history of PRI, "The First 75 Years," tells us that as part of his job, Weisbord worked for long stretches abroad, and sent specimens to PRI from foreign locales. He published 19 major paleontological monographs in the Bulletins alone, covering a wide diversity of topics from corals to mollusks, mostly from the Cenozoic of the circum-Caribbean.

Text by Paula Mikkelsen

24 Days of Darwin...

For the past 24 days scientists, physicians, students, and people from all different backgrounds have shared their thoughts on Darwin and his seminal work. Today, on the 150th anniversary of the publication of The Origin of Species, I believe that we should end this series with Darwin's own words:

"There is grandeur in this view of life, with its several powers, having been originally breathed into a few forms or into one; and that, whilst this planet has gone cycling on according to the fixed law of gravity, from so simple a beginning endless forms most beautiful and most wonderful have been, and are being, evolved."- Charles Darwin

24 Days of Darwin...

"What does the Origin of Species mean to you today?"

I am living, breathing proof that you don't have to be an academic to love and admire the work of Darwin.

Every time I revisit the Origin of Species I'm impressed by the intellectual passion, dedication and directness found in its pages. However, what resonates most with me is how beautifully this work illustrates what is possible when we have the curiosity and courage to ask “why” and “how”.

For more than twenty years, Darwin researched, contemplated, and reevaluated his theory before one line was ever published. Utilizing straightforward arguments, contemporary references, and minimal jargon, Darwin offered both academics and the educated upper and middle classes a lens through which to view the natural world. Now, after 150 years of scientific study and improved technology, the evidence supporting Darwin’s theories on evolution and natural selection is overwhelming.

In celebrating the anniversary of this work, we must remind ourselves and others that the act of scientific inquiry is for everyone. Critical thinking and the pursuit of knowledge are paths rife with challenges, but with passion and perseverance comes understanding.

While I wish everyone had the opportunity, time and interest to read Darwin’s work, I know, sadly, that this is not the case. My hope, instead, is that we, as scientists, educators, parents, and interested laypeople, find new, interesting and more accessible ways to share key concepts. Through our collective enthusiasm, I am convinced we can reinvigorate and reframe the discourse.

Jennifer Liber Raines, PRI Trustee

24 Days of Darwin...

"What does the Origin of Species mean to you today?"

Last night I went to visit my partners parents and we got on the discussion of Darwin and The Origin. (I should point out that it's been said that I take some delight in getting my partners parents all "riled" up with my liberal leanings. They like Sarah Palin. They like George W. Bush. They are much closer to John McCain's age then they are to our current Presidents age. So I wasn't certain as to how this conversation was going to go.) To my surprise - they are on the side of science and reason!

They reminded me that the belief of evolution was not a political belief, but it was simply science. I think that was an important message to hear. Evolution is not to be politicized. It's science. It's really that simple.

Billy Kepner, Director of Marketing and Communications at PRI

24 Days of Darwin

"What does the Origin of Species mean to you today?"

Countless others (and a number in this blog) have pontificated upon the huge significance of The Origin of Species in laying the foundation for our understanding of the history of life, and of the social and cultural implications. We are in addition fascinated by the story – how one insightful person was able to make quantum leaps in understanding in just a few decades of personal study, and by the manner in which he communicated his findings to such a broad spectrum of audiences. And the book remains current and all the more remarkable because, in spite of limitations Darwin faced in data and technology (relative to now), such a high percentage of what Darwin wrote remains relevant and close to the scientific consensus today. Yet it is also true, of course, that 150 years of research by tens of thousands of scientists internationally has brought us to levels of detail far beyond the original foundation that Darwin provided. Thus many of the strongest arguments for reading The Origin of Species would seem to be largely focused upon historical perspectives. But for me for The Origin offers us a couple important lessons that may inform our own work now and explain further why this one book holds so much attraction.

Firstly, a way of working: The Origin of Species served a different purpose, and had a different structure, than most other books in science. It was, as Darwin himself described it, "one long argument." While containing long lists of empirical information, it is all toward a comprehensive, cross-disciplinary argument for just a couple central ideas. Of course, scientists still use focused arguments regularly for published scientific literature, but these are usually presented in short articles on very narrow topics. The Origin of Species reminds us of the effectiveness of working toward a cohesive, cross-disciplinary approach to the body of our work (even if it's never published in a book as an argument founding a new field!). As an aside, this brings to mind current educational research suggesting that humans learn better when we explore a few "Big Ideas" deeply rather than dozens of ideas shallowly (work in which PRI's Don Duggan-Haas has been a national leader). One wonders if it might be effective, by analogy, to focus our students long-term on developing portfolios documenting their own long arguments toward a few Big Ideas.

Secondly, a way of doing science: Limitations of the human mind and lifespan force us to specialize in our research: those who do evolution research know best a particular category of organisms, study them in a particular way, often in a particular area, time interval, and environment. We all know intellectually that each of us would have a deeper understanding if we worked more broadly, and it is a truism among researchers that what one accepts about the relative significance of evolutionary mechanisms depends on one's specialties. The Origin of Species reminds to try to make one long argument from all the available sources of information, and to grapple explicitly with the difficulties. It isn't that no one has thought to take this broader view since Darwin, but simply that in spite of better impulses to do so, our personal constraints tend to push us toward narrow expertise. The same could likely apply to any broad field of human endeavor. The Origin of Species is for me a model of effective and enduring scholarship.

Rob Ross, PhD., Associate Director for Outreach
Paleontological Research Institution and its Museum of the Earth

What's Going On at the Museum of the Earth..

"Why Everyone Should Read On The Origin of Species"
Friday, November 20
Doors 6:00, Lecture 6:30
Tickets $10
Join us for an evening lecture on Friday, November 20 led by our Director, Warren Allmon. He'll be discussing why Darwin's book - though 150 years old - continues to hold great importance in our modern day lives. Light hors d'oeuvres and wine will be served.
Purchase your ticket in advance by calling 607.273.6623 x11, clicking here, or at the Museum admissions desk. Tickets also available at the door.

Dinosaur TrainDinosaur Train at Museum of the Earth
Sunday, November 22
2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
The Education Department at WSKG Public Broadcasting and Museum of the Earth are teaming up to host a very special “Dinosaur Train” event. Visitors will enjoy free admission beginning at 2 p.m. and an afternoon full of educational, dinosaur-themed activities! Children can also meet Buddy the T-Rex, the star of the newest PBS KIDS show, Dinosaur Train.

Up Next!

Cecil's Dino Holiday PartyCecil's Dinosaur Holiday Party
Saturday, December 5
11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Join us for a day full of fun holiday activities. Take your picture with Cecil, make a snow globe, and more! At 2:30 p.m. we'll have a special performance from Tom Knight Puppets. Be sure to put it on your calendar now!

Holiday Closings
Please note that in addition to our normal winter hours (closed on Tuesday and Wednesday) the Museum of the Earth will be closed on the following dates:

* Thursday, November 26
* Thursday, December 24
* Friday, December 25
* Friday, January 1

24 Days of Darwin...

"What does the Origin of Species mean to you today?"

Many years ago, I read the Origin as a biology student,and of course, I was impressed by the observations, intellect and science. But as I grow older it is Darwin the man, and the context within which he wrote the Origin, that impresses me, too. I think few understand the depth of Darwin’s feelings for his family, for the death of his child, the deep love he had for his wife, and the intense conflict he had about the implications of his ideas. The theories put forth in the Origin were not only counter to established scientific theories of the time, but also in direct conflict with many beliefs held by his wife. He took great risks publishing the Origin not only with his peers, but with his own family. He wasn’t just the "dome-headed, white bearded scientist who said we came from apes"; he had a deep sympathy and respect for the passions and feelings of others. As I have moved from being a bench scientist to science education and outreach,I have become more aware of the role of interpreting science to the public in a manner that is legible, that conveys a passion for the process of science, and that gives science meaning in our everyday lives. "Give people facts and you feed their minds for an hour. Awaken passion and curiosity, and they will feed their own minds for a lifetime". I don't believe the majority of people understand Darwin, the man – his passions, his fears, his risks - or that his values and characteristics are inherent in many scientists today.

Carlyn Buckler, PhD
Outreach Associate at PRI