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thomashegna.bsky.social
Arthropod paleontologist, father, science educator in western New York. Teaches paleontology, Earth history, stratigraphy, and more at SUNY Fredonia. University of Iowa and Yale G&G alum. WIU refugee.
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Who knows any other examples of trilobites in fiction out there? Ken Gass wrote the campy horror novella "Trilobites!" and Batti Dohm wrote "Stielauge, der Urkrebs: eine Chronik aus Urzeiten unsere Erde." I know there are a couple of kids books as well. #trilobites #paleontology

submitted 1 day ago • 2 comments

Just minutes from campus, Dunkirk Beach offers a glimpse into the Devonian era—about 400 million years ago! Geology student Jasper Bateman recently explored Point Gratiot in Dunkirk, searching for fossils of fish bones and woody plants as part of his research on local Devonian history. 1/5

submitted 3 days ago • 1 comment

Trust is hard to gain and easy to lose. One of the strengths that the USA had over the last century was trust. Below is an except from review of a grant I was a part of that was submitted for funding to a non-US funding body. The trust is already gone.

submitted 3 days ago • 0 comments

This #paleoart shows 3 views of the Devonian brachiopod fossil Paraspirifer bownockeri; one is reconstructed w/ some epifauna and boreholes. These are fun to find; they're an impressive size (for brachiopods). I had an excellent specimen to use as a reference for this painting. #FossilFriday #sciart

submitted 3 days ago • 7 comments

Environmental Science students Gavin Kaminski and Shelby Haber have been conducting experiments on plants with Dr. Lanning in his lab. They have been measuring transpiration rates in Thale Cress (Arabidopsis thaliana) under calcium depleted conditions. 1/4

submitted 4 days ago • 1 comment

submitted 5 days ago • 2 comments

With assignments piling up, finding a quiet and comfortable place to focus is key. Houghton Hall offers two study spaces: the Reading Room on the first floor and a study area on the second-floor. Students use them to work on homework or take a break between lectures. Plus, they’re open to everyone!

submitted 7 days ago • 0 comments

When tyranny becomes law, rebellion becomes duty.

submitted 14 days ago • 639 comments

New paper out: "Exploring the morphology and taphonomy of Archaeoniscus brodiei—a gregarious, Early Cretaceous isopod." Download for free here: link.springer.com/article/10.1...?

submitted 14 days ago • 2 comments

Before 1970, dangerous chemicals, like arsenic, lead, and mercury, were often used to produce taxidermied specimens. Though these chemicals kept pests at bay, they also created a potential health hazard for anyone handling them. 1/3

submitted 17 days ago • 1 comment

The Environmental Science and Geology Department at SUNY Fredonia has a long history of hands-on learning. These photos from past trips are a testament to that commitment. Our department has always provided incredible opportunities for student—to extend learning beyond the classroom.

submitted 16 days ago • 0 comments

Finished 3d printed Uintatherium.

submitted 25 days ago • 0 comments

Just a reminder that ridiculous wealth is a sign of moral turpitude. That scale of wealth cannot be acquired with out either failing to share the prosperity with those responsible for it, or manipulation.

submitted 26 days ago • 1 comment

I don't remember where I saw it, but 'Aggressively Gullible' as a synonym for 'Conspiracy Theorist' is such a good description.

submitted 44 days ago • 0 comments

Why can't we write species descriptions that use the word 'hansome' anymore?

submitted 81 days ago • 0 comments

Couple of amazing trilobite reports (ahem, that somehow slipped through peer review). [From the Devonian Temple Butte Formation in the Grand Canyon]: "There are unidentified trilobites associated with the Temple Butte Formation (GRCA 2668, 2669) that appear to be similar to Elrathia." 1/2

submitted 89 days ago • 1 comment

I drew an invertebrate today as well during the #Paleostream, but it's not very accurate and I only spent less than 5 mins on it. Jeholops with a tail that's too long and too narrow a top shell. #sciart #paleoart

submitted 422 days ago • 3 comments

Some tiny sketches from the last flocking #paleostream of the year: Protobalistium just swimming, Ikrandraco being preened by Chiappeavis, Yangchuanosaurus after a hunt, and Jeholops face-to-face with a Lycoptera at the bottom of a pond.

submitted 422 days ago • 1 comment

Epochtober Day 9: Lower Cretaceous (Jeholops) 👽 #digitalart #procreate #paleoart #paleontology #digitalpainting #jeholops #cretaceous #epochtober #brachiopod #notostracan (sry late again)

submitted 137 days ago • 0 comments

If you ever need 100+ year old geology articles from either: •Труды Геологического Комитета [Trudy Geologicheskogo Komiteta] •Известия Геологического Комитета [Trudy Geologicheskogo Komiteta] You can find them here! https://elib.rgo.ru/ Except for 1893's Труды Геологического Комитета. No dice.

submitted 613 days ago • 1 comment

A couple of giant crates arrived today that will have to live in the hallway for awhile. I spent way too much time making this sign to put on them. I think I need to 'distress' the paper for realism before putting it up.

submitted 613 days ago • 1 comment

I'm new to Bluesky. My name is Thomas Hegna, and I am an invertebrate paleontologist at SUNY Fredonia. Arthropod systematics and evolution is my main research interest. Other interests are approaches to teaching critical thinking and species concepts.

submitted 613 days ago • 0 comments