PHYLOGENETIC TAXONOMY AND
PENNSYLVANIA PALEONTOLOGY
Dr. Jason P. Downs
Associate Professor of Biology, Delaware Valley University,
Doylestown, Pennsylvania
Sunday, March 17, 2024 2:00 P.M.
THIS TALK WILL BE ONLINE
In the last four decades, a new taxonomic code has been adopted that is designed around evolution and ancestry. Under the new system, names explicitly reflect evolutionary relationships. Nowhere are ancestry-based names more relevant than in paleontology. With this talk, Dr. Jason Downs will share his recent paleontological projects from Pennsylvania’s Late Devonian (375–360 Ma) Catskill Formation. His focus will be on the specific ways in which modern naming practice can reshape our understanding of the history of life.
Dr. Jason Downs is Associate Professor of Biology at Delaware Valley University and a Research Associate at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University in the Vertebrate Paleontology Group. He is also a member of the Wagner Free Institute of Science faculty. His research includes extensive field work on Paleozoic rocks throughout North America. He received his PhD from Yale University in Geology and Geophysics and has BA degrees in Biology and Geology from the University of Pennsylvania.
N.Y.P.S. MEETING DATES FOR THE YEAR
These are the meeting dates of the New York Paleontological Society for the 2023-2024 season. We normally meet at 2:00 P.M. in a room at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City (79th Street and Central Park West). However, due to the covid-19 pandemic and new construction, the Museum is unable to assign any rooms for meetings for any groups through November. Exactly when the Museum will allow groups like our Society to reserve rooms is uncertain. It will depend on new room availability and also the status of covid and the relevant Museum and government policies pertaining to indoor meetings and our Society’s own judgement as to whether attendance will be safe for our members and attendees.
But, since room availability may change, it has been decided to hold online meetings on the regular dates and times so that the schedule remains the same whether the meeting is in a room or online. One advantage of online meetings is that they will be recorded so members who can’t attend at the meeting time can view the whole meeting afterwards at their convenience.
Our Annual Party would normally be held at the NYU Tandon School of Engineering in Brooklyn, but new construction may effect the availability of a large enough venue space. It also may be affected by the University’s policy as to whether or not to allow us to meet in the event space there due to covid guidelines and the large number of people that usually attend. Due to the nature of the party (many tables, events, talks and wonderful food), this event cannot be held online.
As of this writing, all of the dates this year are on the third Sunday of the month, except September’s. Also, our Annual Holidays Party would be held if possible on a Saturday (the date to be determined), but, again, the available venue space and covid rules may effect this event. The dates are as follows: