Press Release from Mount Allison University

Mount Allison researchers study how changes in the environment affect evolution
2010-09-20 09:20:39
SACKVILLE, NB —

As many scientists believe we are experiencing the sixth mass extinction, researchers from Mount Allison University, the Joggins Fossil Institute, and Acadia University are examining the fossil record to see how changes in the environment affect evolution.

“The earth has experienced five mass extinctions in its history. The more we can understand about evolution, the more we can understand our effect on the biodiversity of the planet,” says Dr. Melissa Grey, adjunct professor at Mount Allison University, curator of paleontology at the Joggins Fossil Institute, and lead researcher on the project.

Grey has a prestigious Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) of Canada Postdoctoral Fellowship for this research at Mount Allison University. She is collaborating with Dr. Zoe Finkel, Environmental Science Program Coordinator at Mount Allison, and Dr. Peir Pufahl from Acadia University.

The focus of the study is the humble ostracod — a bivalved crustacean the size of a grain of sand which is related to shrimp and lobster. The researchers want to find out how environmental changes have affected the ostracod’s evolution.

Joggins, located 40 minutes from Mount Allison, is the ideal location for this research. As you walk north along the beach at Joggins, Grey likes to explain, you go back in time 310 million years. The UNESCO World Heritage site is home to fossil bones of the earliest reptiles, evidence of creatures found nowhere else in the world, and the famous fossilized forests. Charles Darwin mentioned Joggins twice in his book On the Origin of Species. It is not uncommon to find fossils on the beach and according to Grey, children are particularly good at discovering them.

“The advantage of looking at the ostracod is that it is a survivor, a living fossil like the cockroach and the millipede that has been around for over 310 million years,” says Grey. “It is also ubiquitous, living anywhere it is damp.”

The researchers are looking at fossils preserved in limestone rocks found at Joggins. Finkel and Grey are examining the ostracods, while Pufahl is looking at the chemical composition of the rock to aid in identifying the temperature,oxygen levels, and salinity of the time period. They will eventually be able to identify evolutionary patterns over time with changing environmental conditions.

Joggins Fossil Institute (JFI)
JFI is a registered charity that manages the Joggins Fossil Cliffs UNESCO World Heritage Site. The JFI provides educational programming to visitors, including school/university field trips, and tour groups. JFI also actively supports researchers, and research on fossils from Joggins is still being carried out by leading scientists around the world after over 150 years of work and discovery at the site.

Five Islands Artist Donates Paintings to the Joggins Fossil Centre

Gail Card is an upcoming artist who resides in Lower Five Islands but was raised in the River Hebert area. Her childhood dream was to paint the things in life that inspired her as an artist. Landscapes, seascapes, architecture, antique cars and more are portrayed in her art works. Paintings from photos or on location, as well as self-inspired works such as Christmas paintings, are completed by brush or with painting knives. She enjoys painting and is always happy to finish a new piece of art work. More paintings can be seen on Facebook groups she has created such as “Gail Card Artist My Paintings for viewing and sale” and “Nova Scotia Artist's Group”. If you’d like to contact Gail, she can be reached at 902-254-3690 or at gaillovesrainbows@hotmail.com

"Joggins Ocean Scene"

“The colours of the Bay of Fundy have always been interesting for me. It displays change and reminds me that, as in life, there are constant changes. This painting reflects the brown water with the bit of white wave which is so much a part of the coastal area. The inlets of water as the waves continue inshore and the dark colors of the shore itself makes for an interesting piece of art and pop out the ocean colour. This piece was done from a photo taken in the spring of 2010”.

"Joggins Interpretative Centre"

“This painting captures the distance and yard view on a cloudy Spring day in 2010. Inspiring colours portray the surrounding area and the Centre itself in an interesting combination. The history of time gone by that the Centre represents has always inspired me throughout my life. To be able to put the culture and heritage of the Joggins Fossil Centre in paint was like putting a bit of my own history and thoughts into this piece of art”.