Darren Naish
Encyclopedia
Darren Naish is a vertebrate palaeontologist and science writer. He obtained a geology degree at the University of Southampton
and later studied vertebrate palaeontology under British palaeontologist David Martill at the University of Portsmouth
, where he obtained both an M. Phil. and Ph.D.
, a dinosaur that, together with Steve Hutt and colleagues, he named in 2001. He has published articles on the Wealden Supergroup theropods Thecocoelurus
, Calamospondylus
and Aristosuchus
. With Martill and Dino Frey, he named the new Brazilian compsognathid theropod Mirischia
. In 2004, Naish and Gareth Dyke reinterpreted the controversial Romanian fossil Heptasteornis
. Suggested by other authors to be a giant owl
, troodontid or dromaeosaurid, it was argued by Naish and Dyke to be an alvarezsaurid, and as such is the first member of this group to be reported from Europe. Other fragmentary European alvarezsaurid specimens have since been reported.
Naish has also published work on sauropod dinosaurs, pterosaurs, fossil marine reptiles, turtles, marine mammals and other fossil vertebrates, and he has also produced articles on other aspects of zoology. He published a series of articles on poorly known cetaceans during the 1990s and in 2004 published a review article on the giant New Zealand gecko
Hoplodactylus delcourti. In 2004 he and colleagues described a giant Isle of Wight sauropod dinosaur that appears closely related to the North American brachiosaurid Sauroposeidon
, and informally referred to as Angloposeidon
. Prior to the 2006 description of Turiasaurus
from Spain, this was the largest dinosaur reported from Europe. In 2005 he coauthored the description of the new Cretaceous turtle Araripemys arturi
, and in 2006 he and David Martill published a revision of the South American crested pterosaurs Tupuxuara
and Thalassodromeus
. During 2007 and 2008, Naish and Martill published a major revision of British dinosaurs; Naish also published work with Barbara Sánchez-Hernández and Michael J. Benton
on the vertebrate fossils of Galve
in Spain. The Galve fossils are significant in including istiodactylid pterosaurs, heterodontosaurids and spinosaurines. In 2007, Naish co-authored the description of the bizarre new sauropod Xenoposeidon
with fellow Portsmouth-based palaeontologist Mike P. Taylor. In 2008 he published an evaluation of azhdarchid pterosaurs with Mark Witton.
Encyclopedia of Dinosaurs and Prehistoric Life (2003, with David Lambert and Elizabeth Wyse), the Palaeontological Association book Dinosaurs of the Isle of Wight (2001, with David Martill) and the highly acclaimed BBC Walking with Dinosaurs: The Evidence (2000, with David Martill), produced to accompany the TV series Walking with Dinosaurs
. In 2010, he published The Great Dinosaur Discoveries as sole author. His name is also attached to several children's books on prehistoric animals. Naish is an associate editor for the journal Cretaceous Research and was also on the editorial board of the journal The Cryptozoology Review. He acts as a regular book reviewer for the Palaeontological Association
.
, and Live from Dinosaur Island. He appeared on a Channel 4 discussion programme on cryptozoology, presented by journalist Jon Ronson
, during the late 1990s. Naish's research on the giant Isle of Wight sauropod "Angloposeidon
", on the pterosaur Tupuxuara
, and on the sauropod Xenoposeidon
was widely reported in the news media.
network., although it left in 2011. Tetrapod Zoology seems to cover most subjects concerning tetrapods. Popular subjects written about in 2007 included frogs, dinosaurs, pterosaurs and cryptozoology. Together with colleagues Michael P. Taylor
and Mathew Wedel, Naish also contributes to one of the most special-interest blogs in the world: the Sauropod Vertebra Picture of the Week site (or SV-POW!). Despite its arcane appeal, SV-POW! has received thousands of hits since its inception and has proved highly popular among palaeontology aficionados.
University of Southampton
The University of Southampton is a British public university located in the city of Southampton, England, a member of the Russell Group. The origins of the university can be dated back to the founding of the Hartley Institution in 1862 by Henry Robertson Hartley. In 1902, the Institution developed...
and later studied vertebrate palaeontology under British palaeontologist David Martill at the University of Portsmouth
University of Portsmouth
The University of Portsmouth is a university in Portsmouth, Hampshire, England. The University was ranked 60th out of 122 in The Sunday Times University Guide...
, where he obtained both an M. Phil. and Ph.D.
Research
Though initially beginning his research career in palaeontology with the intention of working on fossil marine reptiles, Naish is best known among palaeontologists for his doctoral work on the basal tyrannosauroid theropod EotyrannusEotyrannus
Eotyrannus was a genus of tyrannosauroid theropod dinosaur hailing from the Early Cretaceous Wessex Formation beds, included in Wealden Group, located in the southwest coast of the Isle of Wight, United Kingdom...
, a dinosaur that, together with Steve Hutt and colleagues, he named in 2001. He has published articles on the Wealden Supergroup theropods Thecocoelurus
Thecocoelurus
Thecocoelurus is a genus of theropod dinosaur from the early Cretaceous period of England.Thecocoelurus is known only from half of a single cervical vertebra, discovered by the Rev. William Darwin Fox on the Isle of Wight during the 19th century. After his death the Fox Collection was acquired by...
, Calamospondylus
Calamospondylus
Calamospondylus was a theropod dinosaur genus. It lived during the Early Cretaceous, and its fossils were found in England. The type species, Calamospondylus oweni, was described by amateur paleontologist Reverend William D. Fox in 1866, but is based on fragmentary material...
and Aristosuchus
Aristosuchus
Aristosuchus was a small coelurosaurian dinosaur, whose name was derived from the Greek ἄριστος and σουχος, the Ancient Greek corruption of the name of the Egyptian crocodile-headed god Sobek. It shared many characteristics with birds.Aristosuchus was a bipedal, meat-eating theropod dinosaur...
. With Martill and Dino Frey, he named the new Brazilian compsognathid theropod Mirischia
Mirischia
Mirischia is a small extinct genus of compsognathid dinosaur from the Albian stage of Brazil. Though presently known only from a pelvis and incomplete hind limbs, it preserves enough information to show that it should be recognized as a distinct species...
. In 2004, Naish and Gareth Dyke reinterpreted the controversial Romanian fossil Heptasteornis
Heptasteornis
Heptasteornis is the name given to a dubious genus of small dinosaur from the Late Cretaceous. The type species is Heptasteornis andrewsi, described as a presumed gigantic prehistoric owl in 1975...
. Suggested by other authors to be a giant owl
Owl
Owls are a group of birds that belong to the order Strigiformes, constituting 200 bird of prey species. Most are solitary and nocturnal, with some exceptions . Owls hunt mostly small mammals, insects, and other birds, although a few species specialize in hunting fish...
, troodontid or dromaeosaurid, it was argued by Naish and Dyke to be an alvarezsaurid, and as such is the first member of this group to be reported from Europe. Other fragmentary European alvarezsaurid specimens have since been reported.
Naish has also published work on sauropod dinosaurs, pterosaurs, fossil marine reptiles, turtles, marine mammals and other fossil vertebrates, and he has also produced articles on other aspects of zoology. He published a series of articles on poorly known cetaceans during the 1990s and in 2004 published a review article on the giant New Zealand gecko
Gecko
Geckos are lizards belonging to the infraorder Gekkota, found in warm climates throughout the world. They range from 1.6 cm to 60 cm....
Hoplodactylus delcourti. In 2004 he and colleagues described a giant Isle of Wight sauropod dinosaur that appears closely related to the North American brachiosaurid Sauroposeidon
Sauroposeidon
Sauroposeidon is a genus of sauropod dinosaur known from four neck vertebrae that were found in the southeastern portion of the US state of Oklahoma. The fossils were found in rocks dating to the Early Cretaceous, a period when the sauropods of North America had diminished in both size and...
, and informally referred to as Angloposeidon
Angloposeidon
"Angloposeidon" is the informal name given to a dinosaur from the Early Cretaceous of southern England. It was a possible brachiosaurid but has not been formally named. Darren Naish, a notable vertebrate palaeontologist, has worked with the specimen and has recommended that this name only be used...
. Prior to the 2006 description of Turiasaurus
Turiasaurus
Turiasaurus is a genus of sauropod dinosaur from the Jurassic-Cretaceous boundary...
from Spain, this was the largest dinosaur reported from Europe. In 2005 he coauthored the description of the new Cretaceous turtle Araripemys arturi
Araripemys arturi
Araripemys is an extinct turtle genus, of which a fossil has been found in Brazil, supposed to be 120 million years old. According to the dating of this fossil, it therefore lived in the Early Cretaceous Period, the third period of the Mesozoic era....
, and in 2006 he and David Martill published a revision of the South American crested pterosaurs Tupuxuara
Tupuxuara
Tupuxuara is a genus of large, crested, toothless pterodactyloid pterosaur.The genus was in 1988 named and described by Alexander Kellner and Diogenes de Almeida Campos. The type species is Tupuxuara longicristatus. The genus name refers to a familiar spirit from the mythology of the Tupi...
and Thalassodromeus
Thalassodromeus
Thalassodromeus was a large pterodactyloid pterosaur found in northeastern Brazil.The genus was named in 2002 by Alexander Kellner and Diogenes de Almeida Campos. The type species is Thalassodromeus sethi. The genus name is derived from Greek thalasse, "sea" and dromaios, "runner", in reference to...
. During 2007 and 2008, Naish and Martill published a major revision of British dinosaurs; Naish also published work with Barbara Sánchez-Hernández and Michael J. Benton
Michael J. Benton
Michael J. Benton is a British paleontologist, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, and professor of vertebrate palaeontology in the Department of Earth Sciences at the University of Bristol....
on the vertebrate fossils of Galve
Galve, Teruel
Galve is a municipality located in the province of Teruel, Aragon, Spain. According to the 2006 census , the municipality has a population of 145 inhabitants. There is an important paleontological site.-Paleontological significance:...
in Spain. The Galve fossils are significant in including istiodactylid pterosaurs, heterodontosaurids and spinosaurines. In 2007, Naish co-authored the description of the bizarre new sauropod Xenoposeidon
Xenoposeidon
Xenoposeidon is a genus of sauropod dinosaur from the Early Cretaceous of England, living about 140 million years ago. It is known from a single partial vertebra with unusual features, unlike those of other sauropods...
with fellow Portsmouth-based palaeontologist Mike P. Taylor. In 2008 he published an evaluation of azhdarchid pterosaurs with Mark Witton.
Publications
Naish has published several popular books on prehistoric animals including the Dorling KindersleyDorling Kindersley
Dorling Kindersley is an international publishing company specializing in illustrated reference books for adults and children in 51 languages. It is currently part of the Penguin Group....
Encyclopedia of Dinosaurs and Prehistoric Life (2003, with David Lambert and Elizabeth Wyse), the Palaeontological Association book Dinosaurs of the Isle of Wight (2001, with David Martill) and the highly acclaimed BBC Walking with Dinosaurs: The Evidence (2000, with David Martill), produced to accompany the TV series Walking with Dinosaurs
Walking with Dinosaurs
Walking with Dinosaurs is a six-part documentary television miniseries that was produced by BBC, narrated by Kenneth Branagh, and first aired in the United Kingdom, in 1999. The series was subsequently aired in North America on the Discovery Channel in 2000, with Branagh's voice replaced with that...
. In 2010, he published The Great Dinosaur Discoveries as sole author. His name is also attached to several children's books on prehistoric animals. Naish is an associate editor for the journal Cretaceous Research and was also on the editorial board of the journal The Cryptozoology Review. He acts as a regular book reviewer for the Palaeontological Association
Palaeontological Association
The Palaeontological Association is a charitable organisation based in the UK founded in 1957 for the promotion of the study of palaeontology.-Functions:...
.
Media appearances
Naish has appeared widely on British television, having featured on BBC News 24, Richard and JudyRichard & Judy
Richard & Judy was a British magazine/chat show which was presented by married couple Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan. It originally aired on Channel 4 from 2001 to 2008 but later moved to digital channel Watch in October 2008. It featured the world's most famous stars, along with their Book Club...
, and Live from Dinosaur Island. He appeared on a Channel 4 discussion programme on cryptozoology, presented by journalist Jon Ronson
Jon Ronson
Jon Ronson is a Welsh journalist, documentary filmmaker, radio presenter and nonfiction author, whose works include The Men Who Stare At Goats. His journalism and columns have appeared in British publications including The Guardian newspaper, City Life and Time Out magazine...
, during the late 1990s. Naish's research on the giant Isle of Wight sauropod "Angloposeidon
Angloposeidon
"Angloposeidon" is the informal name given to a dinosaur from the Early Cretaceous of southern England. It was a possible brachiosaurid but has not been formally named. Darren Naish, a notable vertebrate palaeontologist, has worked with the specimen and has recommended that this name only be used...
", on the pterosaur Tupuxuara
Tupuxuara
Tupuxuara is a genus of large, crested, toothless pterodactyloid pterosaur.The genus was in 1988 named and described by Alexander Kellner and Diogenes de Almeida Campos. The type species is Tupuxuara longicristatus. The genus name refers to a familiar spirit from the mythology of the Tupi...
, and on the sauropod Xenoposeidon
Xenoposeidon
Xenoposeidon is a genus of sauropod dinosaur from the Early Cretaceous of England, living about 140 million years ago. It is known from a single partial vertebra with unusual features, unlike those of other sauropods...
was widely reported in the news media.
The Tetrapod Zoology blog
In 2006 Naish started a weblog, Tetrapod Zoology, that covered various aspects of zoology. In 2007 he joined the ScienceBlogsScienceBlogs
ScienceBlogs is an invitation-only blog network and virtual community. It was created by Seed Media Group in 2006 to enhance the public understanding of science. , ScienceBlogs hosted 75 blogs dedicated to various fields of research. Each blog has its own theme, specialty, and author and is not...
network., although it left in 2011. Tetrapod Zoology seems to cover most subjects concerning tetrapods. Popular subjects written about in 2007 included frogs, dinosaurs, pterosaurs and cryptozoology. Together with colleagues Michael P. Taylor
Mike Taylor (paleontologist)
Mike Taylor is a British computer programmer and amateur paleontologist. To date, he has published 13 paleontological papers and is co-credited with naming 2 dinosaur species .Along with paleontologists Darren Naish and Matt Wedel, he founded the paleontology blog .- References :...
and Mathew Wedel, Naish also contributes to one of the most special-interest blogs in the world: the Sauropod Vertebra Picture of the Week site (or SV-POW!). Despite its arcane appeal, SV-POW! has received thousands of hits since its inception and has proved highly popular among palaeontology aficionados.