Leading Paleontologist To Speak At Baylor Oct. 8

by Judy Long

Dr. Stephen T. Hasiotis, one of the foremost experts in the paleontologic specialty of ichnology -- the study of tracks, trails, burrows and other traces of invertebrates from past millennia -- will speak at Baylor University at 3:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 8, in room E206 of the Baylor Sciences Building.
An assistant professor of geology at the University of Kansas, Hasiotis will address the topic, "Animal- and Plant-Sediment Relationships and the Interpretation of Trace Fossils in Terrestrial Environments." The lecture is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be provided prior to the talk in room E401 of the sciences building.
While pursuing doctoral work at the University of Colorado at Boulder, Hasiotis worked for the U.S. Geological Survey in Denver. He is credited with building a general system for using trace fossils to understand terrestrial environments.
Hasiotis employs his invertebrate work to examine the ecology and evolution of behavior and key evolutionary events in the history of arthropods (animals with segmented bodies such as insects and spiders) and vertebrates. His interests include the use of trace fossils to understand Cambrian radiation, analysis of the formation of soils and evaluation of the origins and evolution of crayfish and other groups of continental invertebrates.
Hasiotis also will teach a short course on "Ichnology of Continental Environments" from 9 a.m. until noon Saturday, Oct. 9, followed by a Saturday afternoon field trip, assisted by Dr. Rena Bonem, professor of geology, to examine dinosaur trackways in Central Texas. Interested professionals may call Dr. Steve Driese, chair of the department of geology, at (254) 710-2361 for reservations or additional information.