Preservational bias controls the fossil record of pterosaurs.

Christopher D Dean, Philip D Mannion, Richard J Butler

January 2016 Palaeontology

Synopsis of Social media discussions

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.

A
Agreement
 Moderate 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.

I
Interest
 High level of 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.

E
Engagement
 Moderate level of engagement

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

I
Impact
 Moderate level of impact

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

Social Mentions

YouTube

2 Videos

Twitter

14 Posts

Metrics

Video Views

1,626,267

Total Likes

19,915

Extended Reach

1,784,413

Social Features

16

Timeline: Posts about article

Top Social Media Posts

Posts referencing the article

Understanding the Incompleteness of Fossil Records and Preservation Biases

Understanding the Incompleteness of Fossil Records and Preservation Biases

In 1990, fossil collectors in South Dakota discovered a significant T rex fossil, highlighting fossilization challenges. This video explores preservational bias, taphonomy, and how fossil site conditions impact dinosaur fossil completeness.

MinuteEarth

June 1, 2023

1,010,420 views

The Challenges of Finding Complete Dinosaur Skeletons and Fossil Preservation

The Challenges of Finding Complete Dinosaur Skeletons and Fossil Preservation

Minuto da Terra

October 21, 2023

615,848 views

  • James
    @JTDH (Twitter)

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

    July 1, 2025

  • Fang ( Commissions Open)
    @Fang83768513 (Twitter)

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

    June 15, 2023

    2

  • Juan Yu See #FreePalestine
    @Juanyudocus (Twitter)

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

    June 15, 2023

    2

  • Thomas R. Holtz, Jr.
    @TomHoltzPaleo (Twitter)

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

    June 15, 2023

    7

    2

  • John
    @HumanTide (Twitter)

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

    June 8, 2023

    3

  • Jeff “The Enemy” Terry
    @nuclear94 (Twitter)

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

    June 7, 2023

    3


  • @mountdiscovery (Twitter)

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

    June 7, 2023

    3

  • MinuteEarth (also on BlueSky)
    @MinuteEarth (Twitter)

    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
    view full post

    June 7, 2023

    7

    3


  • @FeikLozada (Twitter)

    https://t.co/DOlgA2fFwY cool vid
    view full post

    June 5, 2023

  • Pokethulu
    @Pokethulu (Twitter)

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

    June 1, 2023

    1

  • Dai
    @Dai5tr0y3r (Twitter)

    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…
    view full post

    June 1, 2023

    1

  • MinuteEarth (also on BlueSky)
    @MinuteEarth (Twitter)

    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
    view full post

    June 1, 2023

    13

    1

  • Alessandro Chiarenza
    @AAlechiarenza (Twitter)

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

    February 26, 2019

    2

  • Neil Brocklehurst
    @palaeo_neil (Twitter)

    @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
    view full post

    February 26, 2019

    2

Abstract Synopsis

  • * 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.