JOURNAL ARTICLES

2025

Taphonomic damage obfuscates interpretation of the retroarticular region of the Asteriornis mandible
A. Crane, J. Benito, A. Chen, G. Musser, C.R. Torres, J.A. Clarke, S. Lautenschlager, D.T. Ksepka, D.J. Field. 2025. Geobios 90, 31–43.
Taphonomic damage obfuscates interpretation of the retroarticular region of the Asteriornis mandible

New U-Pb constraints and geochemistry of the East Kirkton Quarry, Scotland: Implications for early tetrapod evolution in the Carboniferous
H.K. Garza, E.J. Catlos, T.J. Lapen, J.A. Clarke, M.E. Brookfield. 2025. PLOS ONE 20, e0321714.
New U-Pb constraints and geochemistry of the East Kirkton Quarry, Scotland: Implications for early tetrapod evolution in the Carboniferous

Geoscience ambassadors: An extracurricular college-level program for transforming relationships to the geosciences through student-crafted stories
K.K. Ellins, L.J. Legendre, A.S. Papendieck, J.A. Clarke. 2025. Journal of Geoscience Education 73, 117–132.
Geoscience ambassadors: An extracurricular college-level program for transforming relationships to the geosciences through student-crafted stories

Mesozoic mammaliaforms illuminate the origins of pelage coloration
R. Li, L. D’Alba, G. Debruyn, J.L. Dobson, C.-F. Zhou, J.A. Clarke, J. Vinther, Q. Li, M.D. Shawkey. 2025. Science 387, 1193–1198.
Mesozoic mammaliaforms illuminate the origins of pelage coloration

Cretaceous Antarctic bird skull elucidates early avian ecological diversity
C.R. Torres, J.A. Clarke, J.R. Groenke, M.C. Lamanna, R.D.E. MacPhee, G.M. Musser, E.M. Roberts, P.M. O’Connor (2025). Nature 638, 146–151.
Cretaceous Antarctic bird skull elucidates early avian ecological diversity

2024

Evolution of the syrinx of Apodiformes, including the vocal-learning Trochilidae (Aves: Strisores)
L. J. Legendre, C. A. Rodríguez-Saltos, C. M., Eliason, J. A. Clarke (2024). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 202, zlae001.
Evolution of the syrinx of Apodiformes, including the vocal-learning Trochilidae (Aves: Strisores)

A new Paleogene fossil and a new dataset for waterfowl (Aves: Anseriformes) clarify phylogeny, ecological evolution, and avian evolution at the K-Pg Boundary
G. Musser, J.A. Clarke (2024). PLOS ONE 19, e0278737.
A new Paleogene fossil and a new dataset for waterfowl (Aves: Anseriformes) clarify phylogeny, ecological evolution, and avian evolution at the K-Pg Boundary

Curiosity to Question: Tracing productive engagement in an interdisciplinary course-based research experience
A. Papendieck, J.A. Clarke (2024). Journal of the Learning Sciences 33, 323–364.
Curiosity to Question: Tracing productive engagement in an interdisciplinary course-based research experience

Ostrich (Struthio camelus) syrinx morphology and vocal repertoire across postnatal ontogeny and sex: Implications for understanding vocal evolution in birds
M. Chiappone, C. Rodriguez-Saltos, L.J. Legendre, Z. Li, J. Clarke (2024). Journal of Anatomy 244, 541–556.
Ostrich (Struthio camelus) syrinx morphology and vocal repertoire across postnatal ontogeny and sex: Implications for understanding vocal evolution in birds

Homology and the evolution of vocal folds in the novel avian voice box
C. Longtine, C.M. Eliason, D. Mishkind, C. Lee, M. Chiappone, F., Goller, J. Love, E.P. Kingsley, J.A. Clarke, C.J. Tabin (2024). Current Biology 34, 461-472.e7.
Homology and the evolution of vocal folds in the novel avian voice box

2023

Description of natal down of the ostrich (Struthio camelus) and comparison with common quail (Coturnix coturnix): Developmental and evolutionary implications
C.A. Urban, L.J. Legendre, J.A. Clarke (2023). Journal of Anatomy 243:1007–1023.
Description of natal down of the ostrich (Struthio camelus) and comparison with common quail (Coturnix coturnix): Developmental and evolutionary implications

New age constraints support a K/Pg boundary interval on Vega Island, Antarctica: Implications for latest Cretaceous vertebrates and paleoenvironments
E.M. Roberts, P.M. O’Connor, J.A. Clarke, S.P. Slotznick, C.J. Placzek, T.S. Tobin, C. Hannaford, T. Orr, Z.A. Jinnah, K.M. Claeson, S. Salisbury, J.L. Kirschvink, D. Pirrie, M.C. Lamanna (2023). GSA Bulletin 135:867–885.
New age constraints support a K/Pg boundary interval on Vega Island, Antarctica: Implications for latest Cretaceous vertebrates and paleoenvironments

Molecular exploration of fossil eggshell uncovers hidden lineage of giant extinct bird
A. Grealy, G.H. Miller, M.J. Phillips, S.J. Clarke, M. Fogel, D. Patawala, P. Rigby, A. Hubbard, B. Demarchi, M. Collins, M. Mackie, J. Sakalauskaite, J. Stiller, J.A. Clarke, L.J. Legendre, K. Douglass, J. Hansford, J. Haile, M. Bunce (2023). Nature Communications 14:914.
Molecular exploration of fossil eggshell uncovers hidden lineage of giant extinct bird

Early diversification of avian limb morphology and the role of modularity in the locomotor evolution of crown birds
C.M. Eliason, J.V. Proffitt, J.A. Clarke (2023). Evolution 77:342-354.
Early diversification of avian limb morphology and the role of modularity in the locomotor evolution of crown birds

New records of Theropoda from a Late Cretaceous (Campanian-Maastrichtian) locality in the Magallanes-Austral Basin, Patagonia, and insights into end Cretaceous theropod diversity
S.N. Davis, S. Soto-Acuña, R.A. Fernández, J. Amudeo-Plaza, M.A. Leppe, D. Rubilar-Rogers, A.O. Vargas, J.A. Clarke (2023). Journal of South American Earth Sciences 122:104163.
New records of Theropoda from a Late Cretaceous (Campanian-Maastrichtian) locality in the Magallanes-Austral Basin, Patagonia, and insights into end Cretaceous theropod diversity

Wrinkle nanostructures generate a novel form of blue structural color in great argus flight feathers
C.M. Eliason, J.A. Clarke, S.A. Kane (2023). iScience 26:105912.
Wrinkle nanostructures generate a novel form of blue structural color in great argus flight feathers

2022

Survival of mineral-bound peptides into the Miocene
B. Demarchi, M. Mackie, Z. Li, T. Deng, M.J. Collins, J. Clarke (2022). eLife 11:e82849.
Survival of mineral-bound peptides into the Miocene

Precise and nonscalar timing of intervals in a bird vocalization
C.A. Rodríguez-Saltos, F.G. Duque, J.A. Clarke (2022). Animal Behaviour 191:165-177.
Precise and nonscalar timing of intervals in a bird vocalization

The diverse terminology of reptile eggshell microstructure and its effect on phylogenetic comparative analyses
L.J. Legendre, S. Choi, J.A. Clarke (2022). Journal of Anatomy 241(3):641–666.
The diverse terminology of reptile eggshell microstructure and its effect on phylogenetic comparative analyses

Convergent evolution in dippers (Aves, Cinclidae): The only wing-propelled diving songbirds
N.A. Smith, K.L. Koeller, J.A. Clarke, D.T. Ksepka, J.S. Mitchell, A. Nabavizadeh, R.C. Ridgely, L.M. Witmer (2022). The Anatomical Record 305(7):1563–1591.
Convergent evolution in dippers (Aves, Cinclidae): The only wing-propelled diving songbirds

Ancient proteins resolve controversy over the identity of Genyornis eggshell
B. Demarchi, J. Stiller, A. Grealy, M. Mackie, Y. Deng, T. Gilbert, J. Clarke, L.J. Legendre, R. Boano, T. Sicheritz-Pontén, J. Magee, G. Zhang, M. Bunce, M.J. Collins, G. Miller (2022). Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 119:e2109326119.
Ancient proteins resolve controversy over the identity of Genyornis eggshell

Novel evolution of a hyper-elongated tongue in a Cretaceous enantiornithine from China and the evolution of the hyolingual apparatus and feeding in birds
Z. Li, M. Wang, T.A. Stidham, Z. Zhou, J. Clarke (2022). Journal of Anatomy 240(4):627-638.
Novel evolution of a hyper-elongated tongue in a Cretaceous enantiornithine from China and the evolution of the hyolingual apparatus and feeding in birds

Estimating the distribution of carotenoid coloration in skin and integumentary structures of birds and extinct dinosaurs
S.N. Davis, J.A. Clarke (2022). Evolution 76(1):42-57.
Estimating the distribution of carotenoid coloration in skin and integumentary structures of birds and extinct dinosaurs

2021

New Remains of Scandiavis mikkelseni Inform Avian Phylogenetic Relationships and Brain Evolution
M. Heingård, G. Musser, S.A. Hall, J.A. Clarke (2021). Diversity 13:651.
New Remains of Scandiavis mikkelseni Inform Avian Phylogenetic Relationships and Brain Evolution

Bird neurocranial and body mass evolution across the end-Cretaceous mass extinction: The avian brain shape left other dinosaurs behind
C.R. Torres, M.A. Norell, J.A. Clarke (2021). Science Advances 7(31):eabg7099.
Bird neurocranial and body mass evolution across the end-Cretaceous mass extinction: The avian brain shape left other dinosaurs behind

Shifts in eggshell thickness are related to changes in locomotor ecology in dinosaurs
L.J. Legendre, J.A. Clarke (2021). Evolution 75(6):1415-1430.
Shifts in eggshell thickness are related to changes in locomotor ecology in dinosaurs

2020

An Exceptionally Preserved Specimen From the Green River Formation Elucidates Complex Phenotypic Evolution in Gruiformes and Charadriiformes
G.M. Musser, J.A. Clarke (2020). Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution 8:326.
An Exceptionally Preserved Specimen From the Green River Formation Elucidates Complex Phenotypic Evolution in Gruiformes and Charadriiformes

Guidelines for removal, preservation, and CT imaging of the syrinx, the avian vocal organ
H. Bilger, S. Hood, K. Bader, J.A. Clarke (2020). The Wilson Journal of Ornithology 132(3):628–638.
Guidelines for removal, preservation, and CT imaging of the syrinx, the avian vocal organ

A giant soft-shelled egg from the Late Cretaceous of Antarctica
L.J. Legendre, D. Rubilar-Rogers, G.M. Musser, S.N. Davis, R.A. Otero, A.O. Vargas, J.A. Clarke (2020). Nature 583(7816):411-414.
A giant soft-shelled egg from the Late Cretaceous of Antarctica

Tempo and Pattern of Avian Brain Size Evolution
D.T. Ksepka, A.M. Balanoff, N.A. Smith, G.S. Bever, B.-A.S. Bhullar, E. Bourdon, E.L. Braun, J.G. Burleigh, J.A. Clarke, M.W. Colbert, J.R. Corfield, F.J. Degrange, V.L. De Pietri, C.M. Early, D.J. Field, P.M. Gignac, M.E.L. Gold, R.T. Kimball, S. Kawabe, L. Lefebvre, J. Marugán-Lobón, C.S. Mongle, A. Morhardt, M.A. Norell, R.C. Ridgely, R.S. Rothman, R.P. Scofield, C.P. Tambussi, C.R. Torres, M. van Tuinen, S.A. Walsh, A. Watanabe, L.M. Witmer, A.K. Wright, L.E. Zanno, E.D. Jarvis, J.B. Smaers (2020). Current Biology 30(11):2026-2036.e3.
Tempo and Pattern of Avian Brain Size Evolution

Cassowary gloss and a novel form of structural color in birds
C.M. Eliason, J.A. Clarke (2020). Science Advances 6(20):eaba0187.
Cassowary gloss and a novel form of structural color in birds

New evidence of a Campanian age for the Cretaceous fossil-bearing strata of Cape Marsh, Robertson Island, Antarctica
T.S. Tobin, E.M. Roberts, S.P. Slotznick, J.A. Biasi, J.A. Clarke, P.M. O'Connor, S.M. Skinner, A.R. West, L.S. Snyderman, J.L. Kirschvink, M.C. Lamanna (2020). Cretaceous Research 108:104313.
New evidence of a Campanian age for the Cretaceous fossil-bearing strata of Cape Marsh, Robertson Island, Antarctica

Estimating Flight Style of Early Eocene Stem Palaeognath Bird Calciavis grandei (Lithornithidae)
C.R. Torres, M.A. Norell, J.A. Clarke (2020). The Anatomical Record 303(4):1035-1042.
Estimating Flight Style of Early Eocene Stem Palaeognath Bird Calciavis grandei (Lithornithidae)

Digitization and the future of natural history collections
B.P. Hedrick, J.M. Heberling, E.K. Meineke, K.G. Turner, C.J. Grassa, D.S. Park, J. Kennedy, J.A. Clarke, J.A. Cook, D.C. Blackburn, S.V. Edwards, C.C. Davis (2020). BioScience 70(3):243-251.
Digitization and the future of natural history collections

The Global Museum: natural history collections and the future of evolutionary science and public education
F.T. Bakker, A. Antonelli, J.A. Clarke, J.A. Cook, S.V. Edwards, P.G.P. Ericson, S. Faurby, N. Ferrand, M. Gelang, R.G. Gillespie, M. Irestedt, K. Lundin, E. Larsson, P. Matos-Maraví, J. Müller, T. von Proschwitz, G.K. Roderick, A. Schliep, N. Wahlberg, J. Wiedenhoeft, M. Källersjö (2020). PeerJ 8:e8225.
The Global Museum: natural history collections and the future of evolutionary science and public education

New mammalian and avian records from the late Eocene La Meseta and Submeseta formations of Seymour Island, Antarctica
S.N. Davis, C.R. Torres, G.M. Musser, J.V. Proffitt, N.M.A. Crouch, E.L. Lundelius, M.C. Lamanna, J.A. Clarke (2020). PeerJ 8:e8268.
New mammalian and avian records from the late Eocene La Meseta and Submeseta formations of Seymour Island, Antarctica

A new species of Eogruidae (Aves: Gruiformes) from the Miocene of the Linxia Basin, Gansu, China: Evolutionary and climatic implications
G.M. Musser, Z. Li, J.A. Clarke (2020). The Auk 137(1):ukz067.
A new species of Eogruidae (Aves: Gruiformes) from the Miocene of the Linxia Basin, Gansu, China: Evolutionary and climatic implications

2019

Flight, symmetry and barb angle evolution in the feathers of birds and other dinosaurs
X. Wang, H.K. Tang, J.A. Clarke (2019). Biology Letters 15(12):20190622.
Flight, symmetry and barb angle evolution in the feathers of birds and other dinosaurs

A new zygodactylid species indicates the persistence of stem passerines into the early Oligocene in North America
T.L. Hieronymus, D.A. Waugh, J.A. Clarke (2019). BMC Evolutionary Biology 19:3.
A new zygodactylid species indicates the persistence of stem passerines into the early Oligocene in North America

Mass-transfer based modeling to investigate iodine staining effects for enhanced contrast X-ray computed tomography
Z.-H. Li, F. Yan, R.A. Ketcham, M.W. Colbert, J.A. Clarke (2019). Palaeoworld 28:562-571.
Mass-transfer based modeling to investigate iodine staining effects for enhanced contrast X-ray computed tomography

New skull remains of Phorusrhacos longissimus (Aves, Cariamiformes) from the Miocene of Argentina: implications for the morphology of Phorusrhacidae
F.J. Degrange, D. Eddy, P. Puerta, J. Clarke (2019). Journal of Paleontology 93(6):1221–1233.
New skull remains of Phorusrhacos longissimus (Aves, Cariamiformes) from the Miocene of Argentina: implications for the morphology of Phorusrhacidae

Body size evolution in palaeognath birds is consistent with Neogene cooling-linked gigantism
N.M.A. Crouch, J.A. Clarke (2019). Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 532:109224.
Body size evolution in palaeognath birds is consistent with Neogene cooling-linked gigantism

Late Cretaceous non-avian dinosaurs from the James Ross Basin, Antarctica: description of new material, updated synthesis, biostratigraphy, and paleobiogeography
M.C Lamanna, E.M. Roberts, V.M. Arbour, S.W. Salisbury, J.A. Clarke, D.E. Malinzak, P.M. O’Connor (2019). Advances in Polar Science 30(3):228-250.
Late Cretaceous non-avian dinosaurs from the James Ross Basin, Antarctica: description of new material, updated synthesis, biostratigraphy, and paleobiogeography

phenotools: An R package for visualizing and analysing phenomic datasets
C.M. Eliason, S.V. Edwards, J.A. Clarke (2019). Methods in Ecology and Evolution 10(9):1393-1400.
phenotools: An R package for visualizing and analysing phenomic datasets

New fossil birds from the earliest Eocene of Mongolia
S.C. Hood, C.R. Torres, M.A. Norell, J.A. Clarke (2019). American Museum Novitates 2019(3934):1-24.
New fossil birds from the earliest Eocene of Mongolia

Integrating natural history collections and comparative genomics to study the genetic architecture of convergent evolution
S. Lamichhaney, D.C. Card, P. Grayson, J.F.R. Tonini, G.A. Bravo, K. Näpflin, F. Termignoni-Garcia, C. Torres, F. Burbrink, J.A. Clarke, T.B. Sackton, S.V. Edwards (2019). Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences 374(1777):20180248.
Integrating natural history collections and comparative genomics to study the genetic architecture of convergent evolution

An avian femur from the Late Cretaceous of Vega Island, Antarctic Peninsula: removing the record of cursorial landbirds from the Mesozoic of Antarctica
A.R. West, C.R. Torres, J.A. Case, J.A. Clarke, P.M. O'Connor, M.C. Lamanna (2019). PeerJ 7:e7231
An avian femur from the Late Cretaceous of Vega Island, Antarctic Peninsula: removing the record of cursorial landbirds from the Mesozoic of Antarctica

Convergent regulatory evolution and loss of flight in paleognathous birds
T.B. Sackton, P. Grayson, A. Cloutier, Z. Hu, J.S. Liu, N.E. Wheeler, P.P. Gardner, J.A. Clarke, A.J. Baker, M. Clamp, S.V. Edwards (2019). Science 364(6435):74-78.
Convergent regulatory evolution and loss of flight in paleognathous birds

Chatham Island Paleocene fossils provide insight into the palaeobiology, evolution, and diversity of early penguins (Aves, Sphenisciformes)
J.C. Blokland, C.M. Reid, T.H. Worthy, A.J.D. Tennyson, J.A. Clarke, R.P. Scofield (2019). Palaeontologia Electronica 22.3.78:1-92.
Chatham Island Paleocene fossils provide insight into the palaeobiology, evolution, and diversity of early penguins (Aves, Sphenisciformes)

The fossil record of birds from the James Ross Basin, West Antarctica
C.I.A.A. Hospitaleche, P. Jadwiszczak, J.A. Clarke, M. Cenizo (2019). Advances in Polar Science 30(3):251-273.
The fossil record of birds from the James Ross Basin, West Antarctica

2018

Metabolic physiology explains macroevolutionary trends in the melanic colour system across amniotes
C.M. Eliason, J.A. Clarke (2018). Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences 286(1893):20182014.
Metabolic physiology explains macroevolutionary trends in the melanic colour system across amniotes

Nocturnal giants: evolution of the sensory ecology in elephant birds and other palaeognaths inferred from digital brain reconstructions
C.R. Torres, J.A. Clarke (2018). Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences 285(1890):20181540.
Nocturnal giants: evolution of the sensory ecology in elephant birds and other palaeognaths inferred from digital brain reconstructions

Elaborate plumage patterning in a Cretaceous bird
Q. Li, J.A. Clarke, K.-Q. Gao, J.A. Peteya, M.D. Shawkey (2018). PeerJ 6:e5831.
Elaborate plumage patterning in a Cretaceous bird

Identity and novelty in the avian syrinx
E.P. Kingsley, C.M. Eliason, T. Riede, Z. Li, T.W. Hiscock, M. Farnsworth, S.L. Thomson, F. Goller, C.J. Tabin, J.A. Clarke (2018). Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 115(41):10209-10217.
Identity-and-novelty-in-the-avian-syrinx

Convergent Evolution of a Mobile Bony Tongue in Flighted Dinosaurs and Pterosaurs
Z. Li, Z. Zhou, and J.A. Clarke (2018). PLoS ONE 13(6): e0198078.
convergent-evolution-of-a-mobile-bony-tongue-in-flighted-dinosaurs-and-pterosaurs

Keratin Nanofiber Distribution and Feather Microstructure in Penguins
F.B. Kulp, L. D'Alba, M.D. Shawkey, and J.A. Clarke (2018). The Auk: Ornithological Advances, 135(3):777-787.
keratin-nanofiber-distribution-and-feather-microstructure-in-penguins

Systematics and Phylogeny of the Zygodactylidae (Aves, Neognathae) With Description of a New Species From the Early Eocene of Wyoming, USA
N.A. Smith, A.M. DeBee, and J.A. Clarke (2018). PeerJ, 6:e4950.
systematics-and-phylogeny-of-the-zygodactylidae-aves-neognathae-with-description-of-a-new-species-from-the-early-eocene-of-wyoming-usa

Vocal Specialization Through Tracheal Elongation in an Extinct Miocene Pheasant From China
Z. Li, J.A. Clarke, C.M. Eliason, T.A. Stidham, T. Deng, and Zhonghe Zhou (2018). Nature Scientific Reports, 8:8099.
vocal-specialization-through-tracheal-elongation-in-an-extinct-miocene-pheasant-from-china

The Earliest Evidence for a Supraorbital Salt Gland in Dinosaurs in New Early Cretaceous Ornithurines
X. Wang, J. Huang, Y. Hu, X. Liu, J. Peteya, and J.A. Clarke (2018). Nature Scientific Reports, 8:3969.
the-earliest-evidence-for-a-supraorbital-salt-gland-in-dinosaurs-in-new-early-cretaceous-ornithurines

pre-2018

fossil-evidence-of-the-avian-vocal-organ-from-the-mesozoic

comparison-and-evaluation-of-the-effectiveness-of-two-approaches-of-diffusible-iodine-based-contrast-enhanced-computed-tomography-dicect-for-avian-cephalic-material

coos-booms-and-hoots

a-new-old-world-vulture-from-the-late-miocene-of-china-sheds-light-on-neogene-shifts-in-the-past-diversity-and-distribution-of-the-gypaetinae

the-anatomy-and-taxonomy-of-the-exquisitely-preserved-green-river-formation-early-eocene-lithornithids-aves-and-the-relationships-of-lithornithidae

a-new-ornithurine-from-the-early-cretaceous-of-china-sheds-light-on-the-evolution-of-early-ecological-and-cranial-diversity-in-birds

novel-insights-into-early-neuroanatomical-evolution-in-penguins-from-the-oldest-described-penguin-brain-endocast

diffusible-iodine-based-contrast-enhanced-computed-tomography-dicect

an-investigation-of-the-efficacy-and-mechanism-of-contrast-enhanced-x-ray-computed-tomography-utilizing-iodine-for-large-specimens-through-experimental-and-simulation-approaches

the-craniolingual-morphology-of-waterfowl-aves-anseriformes-and-its-relationship-with-feeding-mode-revealed-through-contrast-enhanced-x-ray-computed-tomography-and-2d-morphometrics

new-insight-into-the-anatomy-of-the-hyolingual-apparatus-of-alligator-mississippiensis-and-implications-for-reconstructing-feeding-in-extinct-archosaurs