’20 MSc

Aaron has done research on theropods and on vertebrate remains. Part of this work examined the preservation potential of vertebrate fossils. Comparison of preservation in different types of rocks allowed examination of the potential influence of sedimentological conditions and palaeoenvironment at the time of burial. Dissolution of fossilized bones revealed a number of microstructures that bear morphological resemblance to components of hard and soft vertebrate tissues. Further research would help to clarify whether or not this kind of preservation is widespread, and if these structures are related to original vertebrate hard and soft tissues.

Aaron is from North Bay, Ontario. He completed a BSc in Paleontology in 2017 and a MSc with Specialization in Systematics and Evolution in 2020 at the University of Alberta.

 

LAB-RELATED PUBLICATIONS

van der Reest, A.J. and Currie, P.J. 2020. Preservation rates of tissue-like structures in vertebrate remains from the upper Campanian of Alberta: Dinosaur Park Formation. Cretaceous Research 109: 104370. DOI: 10.1016/j.cretres.2019.104370

van der Reest, A. and Currie, P.J. 2017. Troodontids (Theropoda) from the Dinosaur Park Formation, Alberta, with a description of a unique new taxon: implications for deinonychosaur diversity in North America. Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences 54: 919–935. DOI: 10.1139/cjes-2017-0031

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van der Reest, A.J. 2020. Preservation of Tissue Structures in Late Cretaceous Vertebrate Remains from Alberta, Canada [master’s thesis]. University of Alberta Education and Research Archive. DOI: https://doi.org/10.7939/r3-wz6z-2h05