Vert Pal Lab, IITR

Vertebrate Paleontology Laboratory
Dept of Earth Sciences @iitroorkee
Lab head @sunilbajpai2012

[Science News @ScienceNews]

Over several million years, mammalian diversity built up in Mexico before the Isthmus of Panama arose, making Mexico a ‘holding pen’ for mammals, researchers report.
https://t.co/WdZP5W1Mb8

[Dr. Georgios Georgalis @DrGeorgalis]

Our new paper on iguana fossil remains from the Eocene of Anatolia. This is the first reptile remain from the Eocene of Balkanatolia, a landmass characterized by peculiar endemic mammal faunas.
#openaccess in @SciReports
https://t.co/VYItLpoPhK
Many thanks to @NCN_PL for support

[JURASSICA @JURASSICAMuseum]

Applications are now open for our 2026 Paleontological Field School in Armenia!

See flyer below for more details.
📝 Apply by June 7, 2026
Application form: https://t.co/jc4iSGgRs5

[Vert Pal Lab, IITR @PaleoVertIITR]

🌊New publication alert!🌊
Recent contribution from our lab examining the cranial evolution of sea cows spanning an illustrious fossil record of 45 million years, transitioning from land to sea! Led by @saha_aatreyee

[Aatreyee Saha @saha_aatreyee]

Excited to present our new paper on Sirenia!

Cranial restructuring in the evolution of Sirenia (Mammalia): Insights from 2D morphometric analysis of fossil and extant taxa by
@saha_aatreyee, Aditya Bhardwaj and @sunilbajpai2012 .
https://t.co/JSaWqkufHf

[Taylor McCoy 🦖 @TM9380]

Today is #WorldWhaleDay. This extraordinary group has been on the planet for some 50 million years and have evolved from dog sized land hunters to ocean leviathans. Their very existence hangs in the balance however because of a comparatively small but highly destructive primate

[MoEF&CC @moefcc]

Wetlands play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance and environmental well-being.
Together, let’s raise awareness and act for their conservation.

#MissionLiFE #WorldWetlandsDay
#WorldWetlandsDay2026

[Aldo Benites-Palomino @paleoAldo]

We are delighted to share the first circular of #SECAD2027, the meeting on Secondary Adaptations of Tetrapods to Life in Water, to be held in Lima, Peru, from 30 August to 3 September 2027. We look forward to welcoming you all!

Link:https://t.co/fKyywgvpHC

[Devapriya Chattopadhyay @Devapriya_Chat]

Big questions in #paleontology?

In a global effort involving ~ 200 scientists from 30+ countries, we identified the key questions shaping the future of paleontology.

Our work is now published in Paleobiology!
https://t.co/jq9uOsjRKx

@IISERPune
@ECS_IISER_Pune
@PaleoSoc

[Aatreyee Saha @saha_aatreyee]

Need some help!
Can someone suggest any software (preferably free) for 3D modelling?

[Anusuya CHINSAMY-T @palaeo_prof]

Our much-loved Extinctions online course has been "refreshed and repackaged" and is now FREELY available on Coursera. Signup and Enjoy!
https://t.co/ycgSijU4dV

[MoEF&CC @moefcc]

Did You Know?

#WorldElephantDay

[Vert Pal Lab, IITR @PaleoVertIITR]

Prof. Ashutosh Sharma, President of the Indian National Science Academy (INSA), visited the Vertebrate Paleontology Laboratory in the Department of Earth Sciences at IIT Roorkee. https://t.co/JmfmoCPZ2c @sunilbajpai2012 @iitroorkee @insa_academy

[Vert Pal Lab, IITR @PaleoVertIITR]

@iitroorkee @CambridgeCore @ANRFIndia @IndiaDST

[Vert Pal Lab, IITR @PaleoVertIITR]

New article alert!
@debajitdatta_9 and @sunilbajpai2012 describe a diverse array of Eocene (c. 55-40 Ma) snakes from Kutch, India, including a new aquatic species Pterosphenus rannensis.

https://t.co/Gfgh8AiV1V

[Hodari Shadowalker ❄️🐆 @HodariNundu]

Since it's #WorldSnakeDay , have this new drawing of Vasuki indicus, one of the largest snakes (?) ever to exist, estimated at up to 15 m long (longer than Titanoboa?), eating a proto-sirenian in Eocene India because why wouldn´t it, it was hungry. :B

[Vert Pal Lab, IITR @PaleoVertIITR]

Calling interested applicants for two positions (a JRF and an RA) to work on an @moesgoi funded three-year project in our lab on major global extinction events using geological and paleontological records of India.
Deadline for receiving applications is 23 July until 5 pm.

[Vert Pal Lab, IITR @PaleoVertIITR]

New article alert!
@sunilbajpai2012 and @ishurautela7 review the biogeographic affinities of early Eocene (c. 55Ma) land mammals from India.
https://t.co/X5i5TkxeoL

[M.Yuvaraj @kiruthikyuvara1]

Today is #worldcrocodileday
#crocodile #fdc #philately #stamps

[Kanha Tiger Reserve @TrKanha]

Crocodiles are not just predators — they are essential for the ecosystem.
They keep fish populations in check, support biodiversity, and even shape the water bodies they live in.
On World Crocodile Day, let’s shift the narrative from fear to understanding and protection.
Healthy crocodiles mean healthy rivers.

#kanha #kanhatigerreserve
#worldcrocodileday #crocodiles

[Karnataka Forest Department @aranya_kfd]

ವಿಶ್ವ ಕಡಲಾಮೆ ದಿನದ ಶುಭಾಷಯಗಳು!
Happy World Sea Turtle Day!

ಈ ದಿನದಂದು, ಕಡಲತೀರಗಳನ್ನು ಸ್ವಚ್ಛವಾಗಿರಿಸಿ, ಸಂರಕ್ಷಣೆಯನ್ನು ಬೆಂಬಲಿಸುವ ಪಣ ತೊಡೋಣ.

On this day, let’s promise to keep our beaches clean and support conservation.

#worldseaturtleday #seaturtle #conservation #kfd #aranya #karnatak