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Dr John Paterson

General research interests include:

  • Systematics (taxonomy & phylogeny), biostratigraphy, palaeobiology and palaeobiogeography of early Palaeozoic (Cambrian and Ordovician) trilobites from Australia
  • Early Cambrian arthropods (and other biota) from South Australia
  • ALL aspects of the Cambrian ‘explosion’ of life!!!
Image of Balcoracania Image of Redlichia

Current research projects:

  • Documenting the palaeobiodiversity of early Cambrian faunas from South Australia [in collaboration with Dr. Glenn A. Brock (Macquarie University, Sydney) and Dr. Christian B. Skovsted (Uppsala University, Sweden)]
  • The Cambrian ‘explosion’ of arthropods in Australia: Ediacaran origins, evolution and biodiversity [ARC Linkage grant with A.Prof. Mike Lee (University of Adelaide), Dr. Greg Edgecombe (Natural History Museum, London), Dr. Jim Gehling (South Australia Museum) and A.Prof. Jim Jago (University of South Australia)]
  • The organic geochemical record of metazoans during the Cambrian ‘explosion’ [in collaboration with Macquarie University colleagues: A.Prof. Simon George, Dr. Glenn A. Brock and Prof. Malcolm Walter; visit Simon George’s website: http://aca.mq.edu.au/People/SGpages/DecipheringBiogeochemical.htm]
Mt Scott Range

Research facilities

Palaeontological research facilities at the University of New England:

  • Digital macrophotography: Canon EOS 5D (12.8 megapixel SLR with 35 mm CMOS sensor) with Canon EF50mm f/2.5 and MP-E65mm f/2.8 1-5x macro lenses. Camera connected to a dedicated desktop computer (for direct transfer of images). Lighting includes fibre optic and fluorescent (maggy) lamps. (Other camera accessories include: Canon angle finder; Kenko extension tube set; remote switch [Canon RS-80N3]).
  • Macrofossil preparation lab: pneumatic airscribe (vibrotool) for fine-scale preparation; rotary tool kit for coarse removal of matrix; latex casting.
  • Acid lab: acid leaching of carbonate and siliceous rocks using acetic, hydrochloric and hydrofluoric acids.
  • Thin section facility (http://www.une.edu.au/earthsciences/facilities.php)
  • Other palaeo-related facilities within the university include: Dixson Library (with an extensive collection of palaeontological books, journals and monographs), microscope labs and a scanning electron microscope (SEM).

Research grants

2007-2009: Australian Research Council (ARC) Linkage Project LP0774959 (to M.S.Y. Lee, J.R. Paterson, J.G. Gehling, G.D. Edgecombe & J.B. Jago); PROJECT: The Cambrian Explosion of arthropods in Australia: Ediacaran origins, evolution and biodiversity

2006-2009: (non-continuing as of 2007): Macquarie University Research Fellowship; ‘Australia’s oldest fossil trilobites: documenting their biodiversity and evolution during the Cambrian radiation of animal life’

2005-2006: National Geographic Society Research & Exploration Grant (to G.A. Brock, J.B. Jago, J.R. Paterson & C.B. Skovsted); PROJECT: The Cambrian Explosion Down Under: documenting the oldest shelly fossils from Australia