Palaeontology January 2016 PMID 27239072

Preservational bias controls the fossil record of pterosaurs.

Christopher D Dean, Philip D Mannion, Richard J Butler

Mentions

16
Peak: 12 in Jun 2023
across 2 sources since Feb 2019

Extended reach

1,784,413
potential audience

Total likes

19,915

Video views

1,626,267

Mentions per month

Feb 2019 – Jul 2025

Where it's discussed

  • X / Twitter14 posts
  • YouTube2 videos

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The analysis shows users engaging with the article by discussing how preservation biases affect fossil completeness, often citing conditions like Lagerstätten deposits and volcanic activity that increase fossilization likelihood, with some posts referencing specific taxa like pterosaurs and birds to exemplify the broader implications of preservation biases. The tone is informative and enthusiastic, emphasizing the significance and rare nature of fossil discoveries.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions acknowledge the importance of preservational biases and agree that fossils are challenging to find, with some recognizing the insights these biases provide.

InterestHigh interest

Posts show high interest by referencing detailed aspects of fossil preservation, such as Lagerstätten and the impact of specific conditions like proximity to volcanoes.

EngagementModerate engagement

The discussions include references to specific examples and related topics like clade-specific preservation, indicating a moderate level of engagement.

ImpactModerate impact

The conversations highlight that understanding preservation biases can significantly influence paleontological interpretations, though they do not seem to suggest immediate paradigm shifts.

Abstract in brief

  • * Researchers looked at how complete pterosaur fossils are and found that certain areas called Lagerstätten have a big impact on how well these fossils are preserved.
  • * They discovered that low fossil diversity in some time periods may be because there aren't many good fossils available, and different types of large and small dinosaurs had different patterns in their fossil preservation.

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
MinuteEarth (also on BlueSky)
@MinuteEarth · X

Why is it so hard to find complete fossils? Have a look at our latest video to see which conditions make for a (mostly) complete fossil! https://t.co/csyTQIOu2Q https://t.co/rYhXSVvrMi

Jun 1, 2023 · 13 likes · 1 share · 55,281 followers View post →
MinuteEarth (also on BlueSky)
@MinuteEarth · X

Creating a fossil requires a series of incredibly unlikely events - its amazing that we can find fossils at all! However, sites close to volcanos can give palaeontologists a lucky break! Find out why in our latest video: https://t.co/csyTQIOu2Q https://t.co/RTcnLqn4xc

Jun 7, 2023 · 7 likes · 3 shares · 55,281 followers View post →
Thomas R. Holtz, Jr.
@TomHoltzPaleo · X

Why Most Fossils Are Incomplete https://t.co/4D6ELZJtXR via @YouTube

Jun 15, 2023 · 7 likes · 2 shares · 31,853 followers View post →
Alessandro Chiarenza
@AAlechiarenza · X

@palaeo_neil @rachelwarnock @PeterJWagner6 @dwbapst And: https://t.co/uzuXdH62hq

Feb 26, 2019 · 2 likes · 3,103 followers View post →
Neil Brocklehurst
@palaeo_neil · X

@rachelwarnock @PeterJWagner6 @dwbapst there’s some clade specific examinations: pterosaurs and (at the risk of being accused of shameless self promotion) birds, looking at how they are differently affected by largersttte https://t.co/220xcnRrsB https://t.co/QllQsbdoD3

Feb 26, 2019 · 2 likes · 1,114 followers View post →
Pokethulu
@Pokethulu · X

@SUEtheTrex @MinuteEarth dropped a video with you today. https://t.co/c076xKvn0v

Jun 1, 2023 · 1 like · 115 followers View post →

All mentions

James
@JTDH · X

Why Most Fossils Are Incomplete https://t.co/j9xV4FK5dA via @YouTube

Jul 1, 2025 · 1,234 followers View post →
Fang ( Commissions Open)
@Fang83768513 · X

RT @TomHoltzPaleo: Why Most Fossils Are Incomplete https://t.co/4D6ELZJtXR via @YouTube

Jun 15, 2023 · 2 shares · 1,557 followers View post →
Juan Yu See #FreePalestine
@Juanyudocus · X

RT @TomHoltzPaleo: Why Most Fossils Are Incomplete https://t.co/4D6ELZJtXR via @YouTube

Jun 15, 2023 · 2 shares · 1,664 followers View post →
Thomas R. Holtz, Jr.
@TomHoltzPaleo · X

Why Most Fossils Are Incomplete https://t.co/4D6ELZJtXR via @YouTube

Jun 15, 2023 · 7 likes · 2 shares · 31,853 followers View post →
John
@HumanTide · X

RT @MinuteEarth: Creating a fossil requires a series of incredibly unlikely events - its amazing that we can find fossils at all! However…

Jun 8, 2023 · 3 shares · 317 followers View post →
Jeff “The Enemy” Terry
@nuclear94 · X

RT @MinuteEarth: Creating a fossil requires a series of incredibly unlikely events - its amazing that we can find fossils at all! However…

Jun 7, 2023 · 3 shares · 5,370 followers View post →
mountdiscovery
@mountdiscovery · X

RT @MinuteEarth: Creating a fossil requires a series of incredibly unlikely events - its amazing that we can find fossils at all! However…

Jun 7, 2023 · 3 shares · 443 followers View post →
MinuteEarth (also on BlueSky)
@MinuteEarth · X

Creating a fossil requires a series of incredibly unlikely events - its amazing that we can find fossils at all! However, sites close to volcanos can give palaeontologists a lucky break! Find out why in our latest video: https://t.co/csyTQIOu2Q https://t.co/RTcnLqn4xc

Jun 7, 2023 · 7 likes · 3 shares · 55,281 followers View post →
FeikLozada
@FeikLozada · X

https://t.co/DOlgA2fFwY cool vid

Jun 5, 2023 · 688 followers View post →
Pokethulu
@Pokethulu · X

@SUEtheTrex @MinuteEarth dropped a video with you today. https://t.co/c076xKvn0v

Jun 1, 2023 · 1 like · 115 followers View post →
Dai
@Dai5tr0y3r · X

RT @MinuteEarth: Why is it so hard to find complete fossils? Have a look at our latest video to see which conditions make for a (mostly) co…

Jun 1, 2023 · 1 share · 87 followers View post →
MinuteEarth (also on BlueSky)
@MinuteEarth · X

Why is it so hard to find complete fossils? Have a look at our latest video to see which conditions make for a (mostly) complete fossil! https://t.co/csyTQIOu2Q https://t.co/rYhXSVvrMi

Jun 1, 2023 · 13 likes · 1 share · 55,281 followers View post →
Alessandro Chiarenza
@AAlechiarenza · X

@palaeo_neil @rachelwarnock @PeterJWagner6 @dwbapst And: https://t.co/uzuXdH62hq

Feb 26, 2019 · 2 likes · 3,103 followers View post →
Neil Brocklehurst
@palaeo_neil · X

@rachelwarnock @PeterJWagner6 @dwbapst there’s some clade specific examinations: pterosaurs and (at the risk of being accused of shameless self promotion) birds, looking at how they are differently affected by largersttte https://t.co/220xcnRrsB https://t.co/QllQsbdoD3

Feb 26, 2019 · 2 likes · 1,114 followers View post →