skip to Main Content
To Preserve & Study Our Natural WondersThe McWane Science Center Collection is made up of nearly a half-million specimens & artifacts related to the natural history of Alabama.
ResourcesResources

Peer-Reviewed Publications By Year McWane Science Center

The scientific research at McWane Science Center is focused on utilizing museum specimens to help better our understanding of the natural world. Research at McWane is conducted by both museum staff and visiting researchers. Below are scientific publications that are based on specimens in the McWane collection, as well as additional works authored by museum staff.

Type Specimens Housed at McWane Science Center

2024

2023

2022

Tsogtbaatar, C., T. Cullen, G. Phillips, R. Rolke & L.E. Zanno. 2022. Large-bodied ornithomimosaurs inhabited Appalachia during the Late Cretaceous of North America. PloS ONE 17(10): e0266648. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0266648
Gentry, A.D., C.R. Kiernan, and J.F. Parham. 2022. A large non-marine turtle from the Upper Cretaceous of Alabama and a review of North American “Macrobaenids.” The Anatomical Record. https://doi.org/10.1002/ar.25054
Cicimurri, D.J., J.L. Knight, and J.A. Ebersole. 2022. Early Oligocene (Rupelian) fishes (Chondrichthyes, Osteichthyes) from the Ashley Formation (Cooper Group) of South Carolina, USA. Paleobios 39:1-38. https://doi.org/10.5070/P939056976
Ebersole, J.A., S.V. Solonin, D.J. Cicimurri, M.S. Arkhangelsky, and N.V. Martynovich. 2022. Marine fishes (Chondrichthyes, Holocephali, Actinopterygii) from the Upper Cretaceous (Campanian) Rybushka Formation near Beloe Ozero, Saratov Oblast, Russia. Rivista Italiana di Paleontologia e Stratigrafia 128(2):369-409. https://doi.org/10.54103/2039-4942/16954
Fuelling, L.J., S.J. Jacquemin, G.L. Stringer, A.J. Smith, and C.N. Ciampaglio. 2022. Phylogeography and biogeography of the ubiquitous and unique sciaenid genus Aplodinotus in North America. Historical Biology. https://doi.org/10.1080/08912963.2022.2054713
Stringer, G.L., D. Parmley, and A. Quinn. 2022. Eocene teleostean otoliths, including a new taxon, from the Clinchfield Formation (Bartonian) in Georgia, USA, with biostratigraphic, biogeographic, and paleoecologic implications. Palaeovertebrata 45(1):1-20. https://doi.org/10.18563/pv.45.1.e1

2021

Cicimurri, D.J. & J.A. Ebersole. 2021. New Paleogene elasmobranch (Chondrichthyes) records from the Gulf Coastal Plain of the United States, including a new species of Carcharhinus de Blainville, 1816. Cainozoic Research 21(2):147-164.
Gentry, A.D. and J.A. Ebersole. 2021. The first occurrence of the stem turtle Naomichelys from the Later Cretaceous of eastern North America. Historical Biology 34(7):1129-1136. https://doi.org/10.1080/08912963.2021.1962855
Rana, R.S., R. Patel, D.J. Cicimurri, & J.A. Ebersole. 2021. Additions to the elasmobranch assemblage from the Bandah Formation (middle Eocene, Bartonian), Jaisalmer District, Rajasthan, India, and the palaeobiogeographic implications of the fauna. Palaeovertebrata 44(2)-e1. https://doi.org/10.18563/pv.44.2.e1
Ebersole, J.A., D.J. Cicimurri & G.L. Stringer. 2021. Marine fishes (Elasmobranchii, Teleostei) from the Glendon Limestone Member of the Byram Formation (Oligocene, Rupelian) at site AWa-9, Washington County, Alabama, USA, including a new species of gobiid (Gobiiformes: Gobiidae). Acta Geologica Polonica 71(4):481-518. https://doi.org/10.24425/agp.2020.134561
Joyce, W.G., J. Anquetin, E-A. Cadena, J. Claude, I.G. Danilov, S.W. Evers, G.S. Ferreira, A.D. Gentry, G.L. Georgalis, T.R. Lyson, A. Peréez-Garcia, M. Rabi, J. Sterli, N.S. Vitek & J.F. Parham. 2021. A nomenclature for fossil and living turtles using phylogenetically defined clade names. Swiss Journal of Palaeontology 140:5. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13358-020-00211-x

2020

2019

Gentry, A.D., J.A. Ebersole & C.R. Kiernan. Asmodochelys parhami, a new fossil marine turtle from the Campanian Demopolis Chalk and the stratigraphic congruence of competing marine turtle phylogenies. Royal Society Open Science 6:191950. http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rsos.191950
Ebersole, J.A., D.J. Cicimurri & G.L. Stringer. Taxonomy and biostratigraphy of the elasmobranchs and bony fishes (Chondrichthyes and Osteichthyes) of the lower-to-middle Eocene (Ypresian to Bartonian) Claiborne Group in Alabama, USA, including an analysis of otoliths. European Journal of Taxonomy 585:1-274. https://doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2019.585
Van Vranken, N.E., C. Fielitz & J.A. Ebersole. 2019. New occurrences of Belonostomus (Teleostomorpha: Aspidorhynchidae) from the Late Cretaceous of the North American Gulf Coastal Plain, USA. Palaeontologica Electronica 22.3.58:1-11. https://doi.org/10.26879/983
Grass, A.D. 2019. Inferring differential behavior between giant ground sloth adults and juveniles through scapula morphology. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 39(1):e1569018. https://doi.org/10.1080/02724634.2019.1569018
King, O.A., M.R. Stimson & S.G. Lucas. 2019. The ichnogenus Kouphichnium and related xiphosuran traces from the Steven C. Minkin Paleozoic Footprint Site (Union Chapel Mine), Alabama, USA: ichnotaxonomic and paleoenvironmental implications. Ichnos 26(4):266-302. https://doi.org/10.1080/10420940.2018.1561447
Lively, J.R. 2019. Taxonomy and historical inertia: Clidastes (Squamata:Mosasauridae) as a case study of problematic paleobiological taxonomy. Alcheringa: An Australasian Journal of Palaeontology 42(4): 516-527. https://doi.org/10.1080/03115518.2018.1549685

2018

Gentry, A.D. 2018. Prionochelys matutina Zangerl, 1953 (Testudines: Pan-Cheloniidae) from the Late Cretaceous of the United States and the evolution of epithecal ossifications in marine turtles. PeerJ 6:e5876. https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.5876
Ebersole, J.A. & Jacquemin, S.J. 2018. A late Miocene (Hemphillian) freshwater fish (Osteichthyes) fauna from Mobile County, Alabama, USA. Historical Biology 32(6):750-763. https://doi.org/10.1080/08912963.2018.1530995
Field, D., M. Hanson, D. Burnham, L. Wilson-Brantley, K. Super, D. Ehret, J.A. Ebersole & B-A.S. Bhullar. 2018. Complete Ichthyornis skull illuminates mosaic assembly of the avian head. Nature 557:96-100. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-018-0053-y
Gentry, A.D., J.F. Parham, D.J. Ehret & J.A. Ebersole. 2018. A new species of Peritresius Leidy, 1856 (Testudines: Pan-Cheloniidae) from the Late Cretaceous (Campanian) of Alabama, USA, and the occurrence of the genus within the Mississippi Embayment of North America. PLoS ONE 13(4):e0195651. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0195651
Sternes, P.C & K. Shimada. 2018. Paleobiology of the Late Cretaceous sclerorhynchid sawfish, Ischyrhiza mira (Elasmobranchii: Rajiformes), from North America based on new anatomical data. Historical Biology 31(10):1323-1340. https://doi.org/10.1080/08912963.2018.1452205
Brownstein, C.D. 2018. The biogeography and ecology of the Cretaceous non-avian dinosaurs of Appalachia. Palaeontologica Electronica 21.1.5A. https://doi.org/10.26879/801
Gentry, A.D. & J.A. Ebersole. 2018. The first report of Toxochelys latiremis Cope 1873 (Testudines: Panchelonioidea) from the early Campanian of Alabama, USA. PaleoBios 35:1-10. https://doi.org/10.5070/P9351037558
Ebersole, J.A. & D.J. Ehret. 2018. A new species of Cretalamna sensu stricto (Lamniformes, Otodontidae) from the Late Cretaceous (Santonian-Campanian) of Alabama, USA. PeerJ 6:e4229. https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.4229

2017

2016

Gentry, A.D. 2016. New material of the Late Cretaceous marine turtle Ctenochelys acris Zangerl, 1953 and a phylogenetic reassessment of the ‘toxochelyid’-grade taxa. Journal of Systematic Palaeontology 15(8):1-22. https://doi.org/10.1080/14772019.2016.1217087
Jiménez-Huidobro, P., T. R. Simõesa & M. W. Caldwell. 2016. Re-characterization of Tylosaurus nepaeolicus (Cope, 1874) and Tylosaurus kansasensis Everhart, 2005: Ontogeny or sympatry? Cretaceous Research 65:68-818. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cretres.2016.04.008
Prieto-Márquez, A., G. M. Erickson & J. A. Ebersole. 2016. Anatomy and osteohistology of the basal hadrosaurid dinosaur Eotrachodon from the uppermost Santonian (Cretaceous) of Southern Appalachia. PeerJ 4:e1872. https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.1872
Jacquemin S.J., J.A. Ebersole, W.C. Dickinson & C.N. Ciampaglio. 2016. Late Pleistocene fishes of the Tennessee River Basin: an analysis of a late Pleistocene freshwater fish fauna from Bell Cave (site ACb-2) in Colbert County, Alabama, USA. PeerJ 4:e1648. https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.1648
Jacquemin, S.J., D.J. Cicimurri, J.A. Ebersole, M. Jones, Z. Whetstone & C.N. Ciampaglio. 2016. Quantifying heterodonty in the late Devonian (Upper Famennian) sharks Cladoselache and Ctenacanthus from the Ohio Shale, USA. PalArch’s Journal of Vertebrate Palaeontology 13(1):1-20.
Prieto-Márquez, A., G.M. Erickson & J.A. Ebersole. 2016. A primitive hadrosaurid from southeastern North America and the origin and early evolution of ‘duck-billed’ dinosaurs. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 36(2):e1054495. https://doi.org/10.1080/02724634.2015.1054495
Harney, E.E. & J.A. Ebersole. 2016. Gorgas House at the University of Alabama. Images of America series, Arcadia Press. 128 pp. ISBN 10: 1467123846, ISBN 13: 978-1467123846.

2015

2014

2013

Ciampaglio, C.N., D.J. Cicimurri, J.A. Ebersole & K.E. Runyon. 2013. A note on Late Cretaceous fish taxa recovered from stream gravels at site AGr-43 in Greene County, Alabama. Bulletin Alabama Museum of Natural History 31:84-97.
Ebersole, J.A. & L.S. Dean. 2013. The history of Late Cretaceous vertebrate research in Alabama. Bulletin Alabama Museum of Natural History 31(1):4-45.
Friedman. M.K., K. Shimada, M.J. Everhart, K.J. Irwin, B.S. Grandstaff & J.D. Stewart. 2013. Geographic and stratigraphic distribution of the Late Cretaceous suspension-feeding bony fish Bonnerichthys gladius (Teleostei, Pachycormiformes). Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 33(1):35-47. https://doi.org/10.1080/02724634.2012.713059
Ikejiri, T., J.A. Ebersole, S.M. Ebersole & H.B. Blewitt. 2013. An overview of Late Cretaceous vertebrates from Alabama. Bulletin Alabama Museum of Natural History 31(1):46-71.
Jasinski, S. E. 2013. Review of the fossil Trionychidae (Testudines) from Alabama, including the oldest record of trionychid turtles from Eastern North America. Bulletin Alabama Museum of Natural History 31(2).
Loewen, M.A., R.B. Irmis, J.J.W. Sertich, P.J. Currie & S.D. Sampson. 2013. Tyrant dinosaur evolution tracks the rise and fall of Late Cretaceous oceans. PLoS ONE 8(11): e79420. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0079420
Schein, J.P., D.C. Parris, J.C. Poole & K.J. Lacovara. 2013. A nearly complete skull of Enchodus ferox (Actinopterygii, Aulopiformes) from the Upper Cretaceous Ripley Formation of Lowndes County, Alabama. Bulletin Alabama Museum of Natural History 31(1):78-83.
Shimada, K. 2013. Chondrichthyan origin for the fossil record of the Tselfatiiform Osteichthyan fish, Thryptodus zitteli Loomis, from the Upper Cretaceous Mooreville Chalk of Alabama. Bulletin Alabama Museum of Natural History Bulletin 31(1):72-77.
Uhen, M. D. 2013. A review of North American Basilosauridae. Bulletin Alabama Museum of Natural History 31(2):1-45.

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

2005

2003

2002

1999

1998

1997

1996

Sheldon, A. & J.E. Donachy. 1996. Histological and biochemical analysis of bone from four genera of mosasaurs. Bulletin de l’Institut océanographique 14: 369–375.

1995

1992

1990

1989

1988

King, D.T., J.P. King, G.L. Bell, Jr., J.P. Lamb, Jr., J.L. Dobie & D.R. Womochel. 1988. Stratigraphy and depositional environments of the Turnipseed dinosaur site in the Upper Cretaceous Demopolis Chalk of Montgomery County, Alabama. Journal of the Alabama Academy of Science 59:34–48.
Wright, K.R. 1988. The first record of Clidastes liodontus (Squamata, Mosasuridae) from the Eastern United States. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 8(3):343-345. https://doi.org/10.1080/02724634.1988.10011719

1986

Non-Refereed Publications

Field, D.J., M. Hanson, D.A. Burnham, L.E. Wilson, K.J. Super, J.A. Ebersole & B.A.S. Bhullar. 2019. Exceptional Mesozoic fossils reveal the mosaic assembly of the crown bird skull. Journal of Morphology, Supplemental, 12th International Congress of Vertebrate Morphology, July 21-25, Prague, Czech Republic, S121
Ehret, D.J. & J.A. Ebersole. 2017. New Late Cretaceous (Santonian-Campanian) genus of lamniform shark from the Mooreville Chalk of Alabama, USA. Abstracts, Technical Session II, Society of Vertebrate Paleontology, 77th Annual Meeting, p. 107.
Burns, M.E. & J.A. Ebersole. 2016. Juvenile Appalachian nodosaur material (Nodosauridae, Ankylosauridae) from the lower Campanian lower Mooreville Chalk of Alabama. Abstracts and Posters Session IV, Society of Vertebrate Paleontology, 76th Annual Meeting.
Burns, M.E. & J.A. Ebersole. 2016. New Appalachian armored dinosaur material (Nodosauridae, Ankylosauria) from the Maastrichtian Ripley Formation of Alabama. Abstract, Paper No. 22-5, The Geological Society of America, Southeastern Section, 65th Annual Meeting.
Jacquemin, S.J., J.A. Ebersole, D.J. Cicimurri, C.N. Ciampaglio, M. Jones & Z. Whetstone. 2016. Quantifying heterodonty in the late Devonian (upper Famennian) sharks Cladoseleche and Ctenacanthus from the Ohio Shale, USA. The Geological Society of America, North-Central Meeting, April 18-19, 2016; Abstracts and Posters, Session No. 22.
Ehret, D.J. & J.A. Ebersole. 2016. Recent paleontological research and discoveries in Alabama, USA. The Geological Society of America, Southeastern Section Meeting, March 31-April 1, 2016; Abstracts and Programs.
Ehret, D.J., T.L. Harrell, Jr. & J.A. Ebersole. 2015. Feeding traces on Pteranodon longiceps (Reptilia: Pterosauria) bones from the Late Cretaceous (Campanian) Mooreville Chalk. Abstracts, Poster Session IV, 75th Annual Meeting of the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology, Dallas, Texas, p. 120.
Ehret, D.J. & J.A. Ebersole. 2014. Occurrence of the megatoothed sharks (Lamniformes: Otodontidae) in Alabama, USA. Abstracts, 7th Annual Meeting of the Southeastern Association of Vertebrate Paleontology, Jackson, Mississippi.
Ebersole, J.A. 2014. Nodosaur. Encyclopedia of Alabama. Published online January 13, 2014. http://www.encyclopediaofalabama.org/face/Article.jsp?id=h-3553
Gentry, A.D. 2014. New stem-Chelonioid material from the Upper Cretaceous of Alabama and the taxonomic validity of the genus Ctenochelys (Testudines: Toxochelys). Posters with Abstracts, 7th Annual Meeting of the Southeastern Association of Vertebrate Paleontology, Jackson, Mississippi.
Prieto-Marquez, A.P., G.M. Erickson & J.A. Ebersole. 2014. A new hadrosaurid from Appalachia and the evolution of the facial skeleton in ‘duck-billed’ dinosaurs. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, Program and Abstracts, Technical Session XIV:201.
Lively, J.R. 2013. Eocene Gyrolithes-Thalassinoides ichnocoenoses from Alabama and Peru: implications for marine vertebrate taphonomy. Poster presented at the Geological Society of America annual conference, 2013.
Lacefield, J. 2013. Lost Worlds in Alabama Rocks: A Guide to the State’s Ancient Life and Landscapes, 2nd Edition. Alabama Museum of Natural History, Tuscaloosa. 276 pp.
Brochu, C.A., R.K. Denton, Jr., B.S. Grandstaff, & D.C. Parris. 2012. Southern northern crocodiles: Borealosuchus from the Campanian of Alabama and the early biogeographic history of crocodilians in North America. Society of Vertebrate Paleontology Abstracts with Programs 2012:68-69.
Brudatte, S.L., J.N. Chioniere, R.B. Benson, T.D. Carr & M.A. Norell. 2012. Theropod dinosaurs from the Late Cretaceous of eastern North America; anatomy, systematics, biogeography an new information from historic specimens. Society of Vertebrate Paleontology Abstracts with Programs 2012:70.
Ruez, D.R. 2008. Ice–Age mammals of Alabama and the state’s paleobiogeographical position. Earth Science Posters Abstracts, Journal of the Alabama Academy of Science 29(2):117.
Shaver, W., B. Schubert, & S. Wallace. 2006. The cave of sloths: a description of the Megalonyx jeffersonii remains from ACb–3 Cave, Colbert County, Alabama. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 26(3, Supplement):124.
Lamb, J.P., Jr. 2001. Dinosaur egg with embryo from the Cretaceous (Campanian) Mooreville Chalk Formation, Alabama. Abstracts, Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 21(3):70-71A.
Lamb, J.P., Jr. 1998. Lophorhothon, and Iguanodontian, not a Hadrosaur. Abstracts, Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 18(3):58A.
Lamb, J.P., Jr. 1997. A Late Cretaceous land bridge in the Gulf of Mexico Basin. Abstracts, Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 17(3):59A.
Lamb, J.P., Jr. 1997. Marsh was right: Ichthyornis had a beak! Abstracts, Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 17(3):59A.
Lamb, J.P., Jr. 1996. Ankylosauria from the Upper Cretaceous of Alabama. Abstracts, Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology.
Hooks, G.E., III. 1995. A new specimen of Calcarichelys gemma from the Mooreville Chalk (Campanian) of Alabama. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 15(3):35A-36A.
Sheldon, A.M. 1994. Ecological implications of mosasaur bone microstructure. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 14(3):45A.
Lamb, J.P., Jr., L.M. Chiappe & P.G.P. Ericson. 1993. A marine Enantionithine from the Cretaceous of Alabama. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology Abstracts 13(3):45A.
Lamb, J.P., Jr., G.L. Bell & A.K. Rindsberg. 1991. The Catoma Creek scrap fauna (Late Cretaceous) from Montgomery County, Alabama. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 11(3, Supplement), Abstracts of Papers.
Lamb, J.P., Jr. 1989. Functional hearing in mosasaurs reassessed. Journal of the Alabama Academy of Science 60(3): Abstracts.
Meylan, P.A. 1988. The potential contribution of the collections of the Red Mountain Museum to a science center in the City of Birmingham. A report to the office of the Mayor.
Bell, G.L. Jr. & J. P. Lamb. 1987. Additional investigations in northwest Alabama caves. Journal of the Alabama Academy of Science 58(3):99.
Rothschild, B.M., L.D. Martin, G.Bell & J. Lamb. 1987. Avascular necrosis in Cretaceous reptiles. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 7(3) Supplement, Abstracts of Papers.
Sheldon, A.M. 1987. Juvenile mosasaurs from the Mooreville Chalk of Alabama. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 7(3):25A.
Bell, G.L., Jr. 1985. Vertebrate faunal zones in the Upper Cretaceous of west central Alabama. Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs 17(2):80.
Bell, G.L., Jr. 1985. Ground sloths from a cave near Tuscumbia. Journal of the Alabama Academy of Science 17(2):80.
Bell, G.L., Jr. 1985. Stratigraphy and fauna within latest Wisconsinan deposits in Bell Cave, northwest Alabama; pg. 8- in Geological Society of America, Southeastern Section, 34th annual meeting, Abstracts and Programs. Geological Society of America 17(2):80.

Thesis And Dissertations

McCormack, L. 2019. Borealosuchus (Crocodylia) from the early Campanian Mooreville Chalk reveals new insights into the Late Cretaceous fauna of Alabama and the origin of crocodylian lineages. MS Thesis, University of Iowa.
Grass, A.D. 2014. Inferring lifestyle and locomotor habits of extinct sloths through scapula morphology and implications for convergent evolution in extant sloths. PhD Dissertation, University of Iowa, 123 pp.
Carlisle, C. N. 2013. Archaeology after the field: assessment of the Josselyn Collection at the University of Alabama Birmingham. MS Thesis, Department of Archaeology, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa. 81 pp.
Holte, S. E. 2012. Description of Jefferson’s Ground Sloth (Megalonyx jeffersonii) from ACB-3 cave, Colbert County, Alabama, with comments on ontogeny, taphonomy, pathology, and paleoecology. Thesis, East Tennessee State University, 180 pp.
Konishi, T. 2009. Systematics of Plioplatecarpinae (Squamata: Mosasauridae). PhD Dissertation, University of Alberta. https://doi.org/10.7939/R3QQ44
Hooks, G. E., III. 1995. Redescription of the protostegid turtle Calcarichelys gemma Zangerl, 1953 and systematic revision of the Protostegididae using cladistic analysis. MS Thesis, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama, 68 pp.
Sheldon, A. 1995. Ontogeny, ecology and evolution of North American mosasaurids (Clidastes, Platecarpus and Tylosaurus): evidence from bone microstructure. Unpublished MS Thesis, University of Rochester, New York.
Shannon, S. W. 1975. Selected Alabama Mosasaurs. Unpublished MS Thesis, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, 77 pp.
Back To Top