Puijila: A Prehistoric Walking Seal
Target audience: grade 9, grade 10, grade 1 1, secondary cycle 2, college, university
Subject: the scientific breakthrough and discovery of a "missing link" fossil mammal from Canada's Arctic, as well as a glimpse into how palaeontological research is conducted in the field and in the lab
Home page.
Description
This Web site presents:
- explanation of why the Puijila darwini fossil provides new information about the evolution of seals from terrestrial to marine adaptation
- discussion of the implications of this discovery on the current theory of where the centre of pinniped evolution is located (pinnipeds are the group that includes seals)
- information about how palaeontology is conducted in the lab and in the field
- insight into the animal's physical characteristics, behaviour and habitat
- connections to investigate about climate change in the Arctic.
Topics
Palaeontology, evolution, pinnipeds, terrestrial to marine adaptation, fieldwork.
Don't Overlook...!
- Photo galleries that focus on the research fieldwork and camp life in the Arctic and the fossil discovered.
- 3D interactives that let you see all sides of a specimen, and that show you the identifying, seal-like characters of the skull.
- A short video overview of what the lead palaeontologist is learning from the fossil.
- A short video of the latest replicating technology—watch a 3D printer make reproductions of the bones from laser-gathered data.
Launch Date
April 2009
Creators
The Canadian Museum of Nature.