Dinosaur Report:

Due Date: to be announced

Length: Six double spaced pages total. Use 10 or 12 pt Font with one inch margins all around. This includes any tables, charts, or figures you deem appropriate for explanation

Material to be Covered by the Report:

1. Systematics of Genus: As much as possible make clear the phylogenetic position of the animal that you have been assigned. You should follow for major groupings the cladogram which will be handed out in class.

2. Nature of Fossil Specimen: Describe the fossil specimen(s) which have been used for reconstructing and determining the systematics of the genus. In particular, we are interested in how complete the specimen(s) were and if any key elements might be missing which would affect the phylogenetic analyses or biological interpretation.

3. Geological Time: When did this genus exist during the age of dinosaurs? Are there any questions about the dating of the specimen?

4. Biology of Genus: On the basis of the fossil specimen and any close, similar relatives what can be said about this animal. Its size, locomotion, what it likely ate, behavior, ecology etc.

5. References: You should include all sources of information you have used in preparing your report. In addition, you must demonstrate that you have accessed primary information about your genus. The demonstration of the accessing of primary information is to include a photocopy of the first page of a journal article dealing specifically with your species (reviews will generally not be acceptable). If you have any question about the appropriateness of the article you are going to attach please see one of your instructors.