This course on the Palaeontology of the Cretaceous Chalk aims to explore the organisms found in the Cretaceous chalk seas, focusing on their form, shape, and adaptations to the seabed conditions. The course covers topics such as the geology and sedimentology of the chalk, various fossils found in the chalk including invertebrates, echinoderms, and marine reptiles. The teaching method involves a presentation by Dr. Jon Noad, University of Alberta, discussing the morphology and preservation styles of these organisms. This course is intended for individuals interested in palaeontology, geology, or marine biology, seeking to deepen their understanding of the Cretaceous chalk ecosystems and the organisms that inhabited them.
Overview
Syllabus
Introduction
Historical research on the Chalk
Geology of the Chalk
Single celled animals
Relative sea level
Chalk stratigraphy
Chalk sedimentology - Overview
All about the flints
My favourite fossil-a flint cast
Hardgrounds
What was it really like on the Chalk seabed?
Innoceramus
Spondylus spinosa
Ammonites
Belemnites
Other selected invertebrates
Echinoderms-champions of the Chalk
Irregular echinoid morphology
Micraster-stratigraphic innovator
The problem with splitters
Micraster - aberrant forms
Micraster-changes through time
Variations in Echinocorys through time
Urchin epifauna
More epifauna
Cidaroids with clubs
More cidaroids
Nature goes a little crazy - Hagenowia
Crinoids
The crinoid Marsupites
Asteroids flattening out
Chalk echinoderms in folklore
Chalk echinoderms in the Neolithic
Selected fossil fish
Sharks from the British Chalk
Berthe Mosasurus
The ultimate honour for Ber
Other marine reptiles
Adaptations to a thixotropic substrate
Final thoughts
Taught by
Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology
