The Solnhofen The Solnhofen LagerstattenLagerstatten

Unparalleled Detail inUnparalleled Detail in

Jurassic PreservationJurassic Preservation

Solnhofen, Bavaria, GermanySolnhofen, Bavaria, Germany

The Solnhofen PlattenkalkThe Solnhofen Plattenkalk

Cm scale beds of Cm scale beds of micritemicrite

Extremely fineExtremely fine

Deposited in lagoonDeposited in lagoon

Probably hypersalineProbably hypersaline

Possibly anoxicPossibly anoxic

Little native faunaLittle native fauna

Fossils were washed Fossils were washed into lagooninto lagoon

Free-swimming CrinoidFree-swimming Crinoid

CrustaceanCrustacean

Small Crocodillian ReptileSmall Crocodillian Reptile

DragonflyDragonfly

Horseshoe CrabHorseshoe Crab

A dance of deathA dance of death

ArchaeopteryxArchaeopteryx – –the Berlin Specimenthe Berlin Specimen

ArchaeopteryxArchaeopteryxOriginally thought to Originally thought to be a “typical” dinosaurbe a “typical” dinosaur

Recognition of Recognition of feathersfeathers

First bird?First bird?

Could it fly?Could it fly?

Probably not a true Probably not a true birdbird

Newer finds in China Newer finds in China are much more are much more directly linked to birdsdirectly linked to birds

Terminal Cretaceous Extinction: Terminal Cretaceous Extinction: The K-T BoundaryThe K-T Boundary

Mass extinction at the end of the Mass extinction at the end of the CretaceousCretaceousEstimates vary from 15-40% of speciesEstimates vary from 15-40% of speciesMarine organisms – discussed previouslyMarine organisms – discussed previouslyDinosaurs (but you knew that)Dinosaurs (but you knew that)Many non-dinosaur reptilesMany non-dinosaur reptilesMany amphibiansMany amphibiansMany mammalsMany mammalsPlants???? Requires further studyPlants???? Requires further studyWhat was the cause?What was the cause?