Embedded Files
All datasets should be available either here or at the journal homepage. If not, please contact me.
Please cite the paper where the dataset and/or script was first published in your research outputs. (The paper will be above the dataset link.)
Please cite the paper where the dataset and/or script was first published in your research outputs. (The paper will be above the dataset link.)
Major taxonomic groups I work on
Major taxonomic groups I work on
Pigeons, Doves, and the Dodo
Pigeons, Doves, and the Dodo
Columbids (pigeons and doves) are a geographically widespread group. But some species adapted to living solely on the group, as fully terrestrial. These species (the iconic Dodo and its sister species the Solitaire) are unfortunately extinct. My forthcoming research will focus on their anatomy, evolutionary relationships, and ecology.
(Photo of a Dodo skeleton!)
Peer-reviewed publications on columbids
Peer-reviewed publications on columbids
1. Young MT, Hume JP, Day MO, Douglas RP, Simmons ZM, White J, Heller MO, Gostling NJ. (2024). The systematics and nomenclature of the Dodo and the Solitaire (Aves: Columbidae), and an overview of columbid family-group nomina. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 201 (4): zlae086. LINK
Thalattosuchian crocodylomorphs
Thalattosuchian crocodylomorphs
Metriorhynchoid thalattosuchians were the crocodylian equivalent of dolphins. They lived during the Jurassic and Early Cretaceous (~180-134 million years ago), and evolved flippers and a tail fin. My research focuses on their anatomy, evolutionary relationships, feeding ecology and the land-to-sea transition.
Teleosauroid thalattosuchians were closely related to metriorhynchoids. During the Jurassic teleosauroids were found across the world, with species ranging from 2 - 7.2 m in length. Most species looked similar to the living gharial, most likely preying primarily on fish. However, some teleosauroids (like Machimosaurus) were specialists that fed on sea turtles. My work focuses their anatomy, evolutionary relationships, feeding ecology, diversification, and their role in the land-to-sea transition.
(Photos are of Cricosaurus [top] and Bathysuchus [bottom].)
Peer-reviewed publications on thalattosuchians
Peer-reviewed publications on thalattosuchians
65. Higgins RR, Cowgill T, Young MT, Bowman C, Schwab JA, Herrera Y, Witmer LM, Katsamenis OL, Brusatte SL. (e-published). The internal braincase anatomy of Thalattosuchus superciliosus - with implications for the endocranial evolution of metriorhynchid crocodylomorphs. Historical Biology. LINK
64. Young MT, Schwab J, Dufeau D, Racicot R, Cowgill T, Bowman C, Wimter L, Herrera Y, Higgins R, Zanno L, Xu X, Clark J, Brusatte SL. (2024). Skull sinuses precluded exinct crocodile relatives from cetacean-style deep diving as they transitioned from land to sea. Royal Society Open Science 11 (10): 241272. LINK
63. Sachs S, Young MT, Hornung JJ, Cowgill T, Schwab JA, Brusatte SL. (2024). A new genus of metriorhynchid crocodylomorph from the Lower Cretaceous of Germany. Journal of Systematic Palaeontology 22 (1): 2359946. LINK
62. Young MT, Dufeau D, Bowman C, Cowgill T Schwab JA, Witmer LM, Herrera Y, Katsamenis OL, Steel L, Rigby M, Brusatte SL. (2024). Thalattosuchian crocodylomorphs form the Sinemurian (Early Jurassic) of the UK. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 201 (3): zlae079. LINK
61. Weryński Ł, Błażejowski B, Szczygielski T, Young MT. (2024). The first occurrence of machimosaurid crocodylomorphs from the Oxfordian of south-central Poland provides new insights into the distribution of macrophagous teleosauroids. PeerJ 12: e17153. LINK
60. Young MT, Wilberg EW, Johnson MM, Herrera Y, Andrade MB, Brignon A, Sachs S, Abel P, Foffa D, Fernández M, Vignaud P, Cowgill T, Brusatte SL. (2024). The history, systematics, and nomenclature of Thalattosuchia (Archosauria: Crocodylomorpha). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 200 (2): 547–617. LINK
59. Serafini G, Foffa D, Young MT, Friso G, Cobianchi M, Giusberti L. (2023). Reappraisal of the thalattosuchian crocodylomorph record from the Middle-Upper Jurassic Rosso Ammonitico Veronese of northeastern Italy: age calibration, new specimens and taphonomic biases. PLOS ONE 18 (10): e15781. LINK
58. Young MT, Zverkov NG, Arkhangelsky MS, Ippolitov AP, Meleshin IA, Mirantsev GV, Shmakov AS, Stenshin IM. (2023). Thalattosuchian crocodylomorphs from European Russia, and new insights into metriorhynchid tooth serration evolution and their palaeolatitudinal distribution. PeerJ 11: e15781. LINK
57. Young MT, Bowman CIW, Erb A, Schwab JA, Witmer LM, Herrera Y, Brusatte SL. (2023). Evidence for a novel cranial thermoregulatory pathway in thalattosuchian crocodylomorphs. PeerJ 11: 15353. LINK
56. Cowgill T, Young MT, Schwab JA, Walsh S, Witmer LM, Herrera Y, Dollman KN, Choiniere JN, Brusatte SL. (2023). Cephalic salt gland evolution in Mesozoic pelagic crocodylomorphs. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 197 (3): 812–835. LINK
55. Johnson MM, Foffa D, Young MT, Brusatte SL. (2022). The ecological diversification and evolution of Teleosauroidea (Crocodylomorpha, Thalattosuchia), with insights into their mandibular biomechanics. Ecology and Evolution 12: e9484. LINK
54. Johnson MM, Young MT, Brignon A, Brusatte SL. (2022). Addition to ‘The phylogenetics of Teleosauroidea (Crocodylomorpha; Thalattosuchia) and implications for their ecology and evolution’. Bulletin of Phylogenetic Nomenclature 1: 1-7. LINK
53. Bowman CIW, Young MT, Schwab JA, Walsh S, Witmer LM, Herrera Y, Choiniere J, Dollman K, Brusatte SL. (2022). Rostral neurovasculature indicates sensory trade-offs in Mesozoic pelagic crocodylomorphs. The Anatomical Record 305: 2654-2669. LINK
52. Cowgill T, Young MT, Schwab JA, Walsh S, Witmer LM, Herrera Y, Dollman K, Choiniere J, Brusatte SL. (2022). Paranasal sinus system and upper respiratory tract evolution in Mesozoic pelagic crocodylomorphs. The Anatomical Record 305: 2583-2603. LINK
51. Young MT, Sachs S. (2021). Evidence of thalattosuchian crocodylomorphs in the Portland Stone Formation (Late Jurassic) of England, and a discussion on Cretaceous teleosauroids. Historical Biology 33 (9): 1473-1476. LINK
50. Sachs S, Young MT, Abel P, Mallison H. (2021). A new species of Cricosaurus (Thalattosuchia, Metriorhynchidae) based upon a remarkably well-preserved skeleton from the Upper Jurassic of Germany. Palaeontologia Electronica 24 (2): a24. LINK
49. Schwab JA, Young MT, Herrera Y, Witmer LM, Walsh S, Katsamenis OL, Brusatte SL. (2021). The braincase and inner ear of 'Metriorhynchus' cf. brachyrhynchus – implications for aquatic sensory adaptations in crocodylomorphs. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 41 (1): e1912062. LINK
48. Young MT, Brignon A, Sachs S, Hornung J, Foffa D, Kitson JJN, Johnson MM, Steel L. (2021). Cutting the Gordian knot: a historical and taxonomic revision of the Jurassic crocodylomorph Metriorhynchus. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 192 (2): 510-553. LINK
47. Madzia D, Sachs S, Young MT, Lukeneder A, Skupien P. (2021). Evidence of two lineages of metriorhynchid crocodylomorphs in the Lower Cretaceous of the Czech Republic. Acta Palaeontologica Polonica 66 (2): 357-367. LINK
46. Kean KJ, Foffa D, Johnson MM, Young MT, Greitens G, Brusatte SL. (2021). First and most northern occurrence of a thalattosuchian crocodylomorph from the Jurassic of the Isle of Skye, Scotland. Scottish Journal of Geology 57 (1): sjg2020-013. LINK
45. Johnson MM, Young MT, Brusatte SL. (2020). The phylogenetics of Teleosauroidea (Crocodylomorpha, Thalattosuchia) and implications for their ecology and evolution. PeerJ 8:e9808. LINK
44. Young MT, Sachs S, Abel P, Foffa D, Herrera Y, Kitson JJN. (2020). Convergent evolution and possible constraint in the posterodorsal retraction of the external nares in pelagic crocodylomorphs. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 189 (2): 494–520. LINK
43. Young MT, Steel L, Foffa D, Etches S. (2020). Macroevolutionary trends in the genus Torvoneustes (Crocodylomorpha, Metriorhynchidae) and discovery of a giant specimen from the Late Jurassic of Kimmeridge, UK. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 189 (2): 483–493. LINK
42. Johnson MM, Young MT, Brusatte SL. (2020). Re-description of two contemporaneous mesorostrine teleosauroids (Crocodylomorpha, Thalattosuchia) from the Bathonian of England, and insights into the early evolution of Machimosaurini. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 189 (2): 449–482. LINK
41. Johnson MM, Young MT, Brusatte SL. (2020). Emptying the wastebasket: a historical and taxonomic revision of the Jurassic crocodylomorph Steneosaurus. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 189 (2): 428–448. LINK
40. Sachs S, Young MT, Hornung J. (2020). The enigma of Enaliosuchus, and a reassessment of the Early Cretaceous fossil record of Metriorhynchidae. Cretaceous Research 114: 104479. LINK
39. Schwab JA, Young MT, Neenan JM, Walsh SA, Witmer LM, Herrera Y, Allain R, Brochu C, Choiniere JN, Clark JM, Dollman KN, Etches S, Fritsch G, Gignac PM, Ruebenstahl A, Sachs S, Turner AH, Viganud P, Wilberg EW, Xing X, Zanno LE, Brusatte SL. (2020). Inner ear sensory system changes as extinct crocodylomorphs transitioned from land to sea. PNAS 117 (19): 10422–10428. LINK
38. Abel P, Sachs S, Young MT. (2020). Metriorhynchid crocodylomorphs from the lower Kimmeridgian of Southern Germany: evidence for a new large-bodied geosaurin lineage in Europe. Alcheringa 44 (2): 312–326. LINK
37. Séon N, Amiot R, Martin J, Young MT, Middleton H, Fourel F, Picot L, Valentin X, Lecuyer C. (2020). Thermophysiologies of Jurassic marine crocodylomorphs inferred from the oxygen isotope compositions of their tooth apatites. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B 375: 20190139. LINK
36. Young MT, Steel L. (2020). Chapter 7: Crocodiles. In: Martill DM & Etches S. (eds) Fossils of the Kimmeridge Clay Formation, volume two. Palaeontological Association Field Guide 16. 194 pp.
35. Sachs S, Johnson MM, Young MT, Abel P. (2019). The mystery of Mystriosaurus Kaup, 1834: redescribing the poorly known Early Jurassic teleosauroid thalattosuchians Mystriosaurus laurillardi Kaup, 1834 and Steneosaurus brevior Blake, 1876. Acta Palaeontologica Polonica 64 (3): 565–579. LINK
34. Sachs S, Young MT, Abel P, Mallison H. (2019). A new species of the metriorhynchid crocodylomorph Cricosaurus from the Upper Jurassic of southern Germany. Acta Palaeontologica Polonica 64 (2) 343–356. LINK
33. Foffa D, Johnson MM, Young MT, Steel L, Brusatte SL. (2019). A revision of the deep-water teleosauroid crocodylomorph Teleosaurus megarhinus Hulke, 1871 from the Kimmeridge Clay Formation (Late Jurassic) of England, UK. PeerJ 7:e6646. LINK
32. Johnson MM, Young MT, Brusatte SL, Thuy B, Weis R. (2019). A catalogue of teleosauroids (Crocodylomorpha: Thalattosuchia) from the Toarcian and Bajocian of southern Luxembourg. Historical Biology 31 (9): 1179–1194. LINK
31. Young MT, Steel L. (2019). Chapter 19: Reptiles – Crocodylomorphs. In: Lord AR. (ed.) Fossils from the Lias of the Yorkshire Coast. Palaeontological Association Field Guide 15. 403 pp.
30. Ősi M, Young MT, Galácz A, Rabi M. (2018). A new large-bodied thalattosuchian crocodyliform from the Lower Jurassic (Toarcian) of Hungary, with further evidence of the mosaic acquisition of marine adaptations in Metriorhynchoidea. PeerJ 6:e4668. LINK to OPEN-ACCESS
29. Foffa D, Young MT, Brusatte SL, Graham MR, Steel L. (2018). A new metriorhynchid crocodylomorph from the Oxford Clay Formation (Middle Jurassic) of England, with implications for the origin and diversification of Geosaurini. Journal of Systematic Palaeontology 16 (13): 1123-1143. LINK
28. Johnson MM, Young MT, Steel L, Foffa D, Smith AS, Hua S, Havlik P, Howlett EA, Dyke G. (2018). Re-description of 'Steneosaurus' obustidens Andrews, 1909, an unusual macrophagous teleosaurid crocodylomorph from the Middle Jurassic of England. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 182 (2): 385–418. LINK
27. Young MT, Rabi M, Bell MA, Steel L, Foffa D, Sachs S, Peyer K. (2016). Big-headed marine crocodyliforms, and why we must be cautious when using extant species as body length proxies for long extinct relatives. Palaeontologia Electronica 19.3.30A: 1–14. LINK to OPEN-ACCESS
26. Brusatte SL, Muir A, Young MT, Walsh S, Witmer L, Steel L. (2016). The braincase and neurosensory anatomy of an Early Jurassic marine crocodylomorph: implications for crocodilian sinus evolution and sensory transitions. The Anatomical Record 299: 1511–1530. LINK
25. Foffa D, Young MT, Brusatte SL. (2015). Evidence of macrophagous teleosaurid crocodylomorphs in the Corallian Group (Oxfordian, Late Jurassic) of the UK. PeerJ 3: e1497. LINK to OPEN-ACCESS
24. Young MT, Beatty BL, Brusatte SL, Steel L. (2015). First evidence of denticulated dentition in teleosaurid crocodylomorphs. Acta Palaeontological Polonica 60: 661–671. LINK
23. Chiarenza A, Foffa D, Young MT, Insacco G, Cau A, Carnevale G, Catanzariti R. (2015). The youngest record of metriorhynchid crocodylomorphs, with implications for the extinction of Thalattosuchia. Cretaceous Research 56: 608–616. LINK
22. Johnson MM, Young MT, Steel L, Lepage Y. (2015). Steneosaurus edwardsi (Thalattosuchia, Teleosauridae), the largest crocodylomorph of the Middle Jurassic. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society 115 (4): 911–918. LINK
21. Young MT, Steel L, Rigby MP, Howlett EA, Humphrey S. (2015). Largest known specimen of the genus Dakosaurus (Metriorhynchidae: Geosaurini) from the Kimmeridge Clay Formation (Late Jurassic) of England, and an overview of Dakosaurus specimens discovered from this formation (including reworked specimens from the Woburn Sands Formation). Historical Biology 27 (7): 947–953. LINK
20. Young MT, Hua S, Steel L, Foffa D, Brusatte SL, Thüring S, Mateus O, Ruiz-Omeñaca JI, Havlik P, Lepage Y, Andrade MB. (2015). Addendum to 'Revision of the Late Jurassic teleosaurid genus Machimosaurus (Crocodylomorpha, Thalattosuchia)'. Royal Society Open Science 2 (2): 150024. LINK to OPEN-ACCESS
19. Young MT, Steel L, Brusatte SL, Foffa D, Lepage Y. (2014). Tooth serration morphologies in the genus Machimosaurus (Crocodylomorpha, Thalattosuchia) from the Late Jurassic of Europe. Royal Society Open Science 1 (3): 140269. LINK to OPEN-ACCESS
18. Young MT, Hua S, Steel L, Foffa D, Brusatte SL, Thüring S, Mateus O, Ruiz-Omeñaca JI, Havlik P, Lepage Y, Andrade MB. (2014). Revision of the Late Jurassic teleosaurid genus Machimosaurus (Crocodylomorpha, Thalattosuchia). Royal Society Open Science 1 (2): 140222. LINK to OPEN-ACCESS
17. Foffa D, Young MT. (2014). The cranial osteology of Tyrannoneustes lythrodectikos (Crocodylomorpha: Metriorhynchidae) from the Middle Jurassic of Europe. PeerJ 2: e608. LINK to OPEN-ACCESS
16. Young MT, Steel L, Middleton H. (2014). Evidence of the metriorhynchid crocodylomorph genus Geosaurus in the Lower Kimmeridge Clay Formation (Late Jurassic) of England. Historical Biology 26 (5): 551–555. LINK
15. Young MT, Steel L. (2014). Evidence for the teleosaurid crocodylomorph genus Machimosaurus in the Kimmeridge Clay Formation (Late Jurassic) of England. Historical Biology 26 (4): 472–479. LINK
14. Young MT, Andrade MB, Cornée J-J, Steel L, Foffa D. (2014). Re-description of a putative Early Cretaceous “teleosaurid” from France, with implications for the survival of metriorhynchids and teleosaurids across the Jurassic-Cretaceous Boundary / Nouvelle description d'un "téléosauridé" hypothétique de France et implications sur la survie des métriorhynchidés et des téléosauridés au passage Jurassique-Crétacé. Annales de Paléontologie 100 (2): 165–174. LINK
13. Young MT. (2014). Filling the 'Corallian Gap': re-description of a metriorhynchid crocodylomorph from the Oxfordian (Late Jurassic) of Headington, England. Historical Biology 26 (1): 80–90. LINK
12. Young MT, Andrade MB, Etches S, Beatty BL. (2013). A new metriorhynchid crocodylomorph from the Lower Kimmeridge Clay Formation (Late Jurassic) of England, with implications for the evolution of dermatocranium ornamentation in Geosaurini. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 169 (4): 820–848. LINK
11. Buchy M-C, Young MT, Andrade MB. (2013). A new specimen of Cricosaurus saltillensis (Crocodylomorpha: Metriorhynchidae) from the Upper Jurassic of Mexico: evidence for craniofacial convergence within Metriorhynchidae. Oryctos 10: 9–21. LINK
10. Young MT, Andrade MB, Brusatte SL, Sakamoto M, Liston J. (2013). The oldest known metriorhynchid super-predator: a new genus and species from the Middle Jurassic of England, with implications for serration and mandibular evolution in predacious clades. Journal of Systematic Palaeontology 11 (4): 475–513.LINK
9. Parrilla-Bel J, Young MT, Moreno-Azanza M, Canudo JI. (2013). The first metriorhynchid crocodylomorph from the Middle Jurassic of Spain, with implication for evolution of the subclade Rhacheosaurini. PLoS ONE 8 (1): e54275. LINK to OPEN-ACCESS
8. Young MT, Brusatte SL, Andrade MB, Desojo JB, Beatty BL, Steel L, Fernández MS, Sakamoto M, Ruiz-Omeñaca JI, Schoch RR. (2012). The cranial osteology and feeding ecology of the metriorhynchid crocodylomorph genera Dakosaurus and Plesiosuchus from the Late Jurassic of Europe. PLoS ONE 7 (9): e44985.LINK to OPEN-ACCESS
7. Young MT, Brusatte SL, Beatty BL, Andrade MB, Desojo JB. (2012). Tooth-on-tooth interlocking occlusion suggests macrophagy in the Mesozoic marine crocodylomorph Dakosaurus. The Anatomical Record 295 (7): 1147–1158. LINK
6. Young MT, Bell MA, Andrade MB, Brusatte SL. (2011). Body size estimation and evolution in metriorhynchid crocodylomorphs: implications for species diversification and niche partitioning. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 163 (4): 1199–1216. LINK
5. Young MT, Bell MA, Brusatte SL. (2011). Craniofacial form and function in Metriorhynchidae (Crocodylomorpha: Thalattosuchia): modelling phenotypic evolution with maximum likelihood methods. Biology Letters 7 (6): 913–916. LINK Link to supplementary material
4. Andrade MB, Young MT, Desojo JB, Brusatte SL. (2010). The evolution of extreme hypercarnivory in Metriorhynchidae (Mesoeucrocodylia: Thalattosuchia) based on evidence from microscopic denticle morphology. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 30 (5): 1451–1465. LINK
3. Young MT, Brusatte SL, Ruta M, Andrade MB. (2010). The evolution of Metriorhynchoidea (Mesoeucrocodylia, Thalattosuchia): an integrated approach using geometrics morphometrics, analysis of disparity and biomechanics. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 158 (4): 801–859. LINK
2. Young MT, Andrade MB. (2009). What is Geosaurus? Redescription of Geosaurus giganteus (Thalattosuchia, Metriorhynchidae) from the Upper Jurassic of Bayern, Germany. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 157 (3): 551–585. LINK link to supplementary material
1. Wilkinson LE, Young MT, Benton MJ. (2008). A new metriorhynchid crocodilian (Mesoeucrocodylia: Thalattosuchia) from the Kimmeridgian (Upper Jurassic) of Wiltshire, UK. Palaeontology 51 (6): 1307–1333. LINK
Neosuchian crocodylomorphs
Neosuchian crocodylomorphs
Neosuchian were the second major radiation of semi-aquatic crocs. They first appear in the Early Jurassic, survived into the modern day (as all extant species are part of this evolutionary group).
The fossil neosuchians I have worked on are primarily tethysuchians, goniopholidids, and atoposaurids. These forms were the predominant crocodylomorph groups during the Early Cretaceous. Like teleosauroids, most tethysuchians were similar to the living gharial. My work focuses their anatomy, evolutionary relationships, feeding ecology and diversification. (Photo of Sarcosuchus imperator on display in Paris.)
Peer-reviewed publications on neosuchians
Peer-reviewed publications on neosuchians
6. Ristevski J, Young MT, Andrade MB, Hastings AK. (2018). A new species of Anteophthalmosuchus (Crocodylomorpha, Goniopholididae) from the Lower Cretaceous of the Isle of Wight, United Kingdom, and a review of the genus. Cretaceous Research 84: 340–383. LINK
5. Yi H, Tennant JP, Young MT, Challands TJ, Foffa D, Hudson JD, Ross DA, Brusatte SL. (2017). An unusual small-bodied crocodyliform from the Middle Jurassic of Scotland, UK, and potential evidence for an early diversification of advanced neosuchians. Earth and Environmental Science Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh 107: 1–12. LINK to OPEN-ACCESS
4. Young MT, Hastings AK, Allain R, Smith TJ. (2017). Revision of the enigmatic crocodyliform Elosuchus felixi de Lapparent de Broin, 2002 from the Lower–Upper Cretaceous boundary of Niger: potential evidence for an early origin of the clade Dyrosauridae. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 179: 377–403. LINK
3. Young MT, Tennant JP, Brusatte SL, Challands TJ, Fraser NC, Clark NDL, Ross DA. (2016). The first definitive Middle Jurassic atoposaurid (Crocodylomorpha, Neosuchia), and a discussion on the genus Theriosuchus. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 176 (2): 443–462. LINK to OPEN-ACCESS
2. Young MT, Steel L, Foffa D, Price T, Naish D, Tennant JP. (2014). Marine tethysuchian crocodyliform from the ?Aptian-Albian (Lower Cretaceous) of the Isle of Wight, UK. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society 113 (3): 854–871. LINK
1. Parrilla-Bel J, Young MT, Puértolas E, Canudo JI, Cruzado-Caballero P, Gasca JM, Moreno-Azanza M. (2012). Descripción de un resto craneal de reptil marino de la Formación Blesa (Barremiense inferior) de la localidad de Josa (Teruel). Jornadas de la Sociedad Española de Paleontología: 28: 241–243.
Sauropod dinosaurs
Sauropod dinosaurs
Sauropods were one of the major dinosaur groups, and the largest terrestrial tetrapods in Earth's history. They first appeared in the Late Triassic, and throughout the Jurassic and Cretaceous Periods, their body size continued to increase, reaching estimated body masses of 70 tonnes or more.
My work focused on the skull anatomy and feeding biomechanics of sauropods. (Photo of Diplodocus longus from the Carnegie Museum of Natural History in Pittsburgh.)
Peer-reviewed publications on sauropods
Peer-reviewed publications on sauropods
2. Young MT, Rayfield EJ, Holliday CM, Witmer LM, Button DJ, Upchurch P, Barrett PM. (2012). Cranial biomechanics of Diplodocus (Dinosauria, Sauropoda): testing hypotheses of feeding behaviour in an extinct megaherbivore. Naturwissenschaften 99 (8): 637–643. LINK
1. Young MT, Larvan MD. (2010). Chapter 11: Macroevolutionary trends in the skull of sauropodomorph dinosaurs - the largest terrestrial animals to have ever lived. In: Elewa AMT. (ed.) Morphometrics for Non-morphometricans. Lecture Notes in Earth Sciences 124, Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg: 259–269. LINK
Other research areas
Other research areas
Systematics, taxonomy, & nomenclature
Systematics, taxonomy, & nomenclature
Systematics is the subfield of evolutionary biology that investigates the evolutionary relationships between organisms. There is no concensus on whether taxonomy (the practice of describing and naming new species and higher taxa, and revising descriptions) is a subdiscipline of systematics, if systematics is a subdiscipline of taxonomy, or if both are synonyms. Nomenclature is the practice of how we label species and higher clades - their names and the rules associated with maintaining stability.
Regardless of which school of thought is subscribed to, this is an important domain of evolutionary biology, and is intimately links Mayr's distinctions between: 1) descriptive understanding (here describing specimens), 2) proximate understanding (causal understanding derived from within an individual organisms life span - functional considerations and ontogenetic change being two examples), and 3) ultimate understanding (causal understanding derived from looking at the population level and beyond, including tokogenetic and phylogenetic hypotheses).
My work on these topics can be split into two categories. The first is on the how to do systematics, taxonomy and nomenclature. The second involves actually doing systematic research. (Photo is of a living crocodylian.)
Peer-reviewed publications on these topics
Peer-reviewed publications on these topics
5. Jiménez-Mejías P, et al. [1562 additional co-authors] (2024). Protecting stable biological nomenclatural systems enables universal communication: a collective international appeal. BioScience, biae043. LINK
4. Dubois A, Aescht E, Aneesh PT, Ceríaco LMP, Daniels GM, de Prins J, Engel MS, Frétey T, Löbl I, Lorvelec O, Marinov M, Ohler A, Schmitt M, Whittington A, Young MT, Bauer AM. (2022). The Linz Zoocode project. Sixth report of activities (2022). Nomenclatural availability. 5. Optical disc publication. Bionomina 31: 24–45. LINK
3. Dubois A, Aneesh PT, Bauer AM, Ceríaco LMP, Daniels GM, de Prins J, Frétey T, Löbl I, Lorvelec O, Marinov M, Ohler A, Schmitt M, Whittington A, Young MT, Aescht E. (2022). The Linz Zoocode project. Fifth report of activities (2022). Nomenclatural availability. Work availability. 3. Electronic publications. Bionomina 28: 71–119. LINK
2. Dubois A, Aneesh PT, Bauer AM, Ceríaco LMP, Daniel GM, Dellapé P, Engel MS, Frétey T, Löbl I, Lorvelec O, Ohler A, Schmitt M, Whittington A, Young M, Aesht A. (2021). Optical discs in zoological nomenclature: problems and proposed solution. Bionomina 24:1-8. LINK
1. Engel MS, Ceríaco LMP, Daniel GM, Dellapé PM, Löbl I, Marinov M, Reis RE, Young MT, Dubois A, Agarwal I, Albornoz PL, Alvarado M, Alvarez N, Andreone F, Araujo-Vieira K, Ascher JS, Baêta D, Baldo D, Bandeira SA, Barden P, Barrasso DA, Bendifallah L, Bockmann FA, Böhme W, Borkent A, Brandão CRF, Busack SD, Bybee SM, Channing A, Chatzimanolis S, Christenhusz MJM, Crisci JV, D’Elía G, da Costa LM, Davis SR, de Lucena CAS, Deuve T, Elizalde SF, Faivovich J, Farooq H, Ferguson AW, Gippoliti S, Gonçalves FMP, Gonzalez VH, Greenbaum E, Hinojosa-Díaz IA, Ineich I, Jiang J, Kahono S, Kury AB, Lohrmann V, Lucinda PHF, Lynch JD, Malécot V, Marques MP, Marris JWM, McKellar RC, Mendes LF, Nihei SS, Nishikawa K, Ohler A, Orrico VGD, Ota H, Paiva J, Parrinha D, Pauwels OSG, Pereyra MO, Pestana LB, Pinheiro PDP, Prendini L, Prokop J, Rasmussen C, Rödel M-O, Rodrigues MT, Rodríguez SM, Salatnaya H, Sampaio Í, Sánchez-García A, Shebl MA, Santos BS, Solórzano-Kraemer MM, Sousa ACA, Stoev P, Teta P, Trape J-F, dos Santos CV-D, Vasudevan K, Vink CJ, Vogel G, Wagner P, Wappler T, Ware JL, Wedmann S, Zacharie CK, Ziegler T. (2021). The taxonomic impediment: a shortage of taxonomists, not the lack of technical approaches. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 193 (2): 381-387. LINK
Major peer-reviewed publications carrying out taxonomic revisions
Major peer-reviewed publications carrying out taxonomic revisions
12. Young MT, Hume JP, Day MO, Douglas RP, Simmons ZM, White J, Heller MO, Gostling NJ. (In press). The systematics and nomenclature of the Dodo and the Solitaire (Aves: Columbidae), and an overview of columbid family-group nomina. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society.
11. Young MT, Wilberg EW, Johnson MM, Herrera Y, Andrade MB, Brignon A, Sachs S, Abel P, Foffa D, Fernández M, Vignaud P, Cowgill T, Brusatte SL. (2024). The history, systematics, and nomenclature of Thalattosuchia (Archosauria: Crocodylomorpha). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 200 (2): 547–617. LINK
10. Young MT, Brignon A, Sachs S, Hornung J, Foffa D, Kitson JJN, Johnson MM, Steel L. (2021). Cutting the Gordian knot: a historical and taxonomic revision of the Jurassic crocodylomorph Metriorhynchus. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 192 (2): 510-553. LINK
9. Johnson MM, Young MT, Brusatte SL. (2020). The phylogenetics of Teleosauroidea (Crocodylomorpha, Thalattosuchia) and implications for their ecology and evolution. PeerJ 8:e9808. LINK
8. Johnson MM, Young MT, Brusatte SL. (2020). Emptying the wastebasket: a historical and taxonomic revision of the Jurassic crocodylomorph Steneosaurus. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 189 (2): 428–448. LINK
7. Sachs S, Young MT, Hornung J. (2020). The enigma of Enaliosuchus, and a reassessment of the Early Cretaceous fossil record of Metriorhynchidae. Cretaceous Research 114: 104479. LINK
6. Ristevski J, Young MT, Andrade MB, Hastings AK. (2018). A new species of Anteophthalmosuchus (Crocodylomorpha, Goniopholididae) from the Lower Cretaceous of the Isle of Wight, United Kingdom, and a review of the genus. Cretaceous Research 84: 340–383. LINK
5. Johnson MM, Young MT, Steel L, Foffa D, Smith AS, Hua S, Havlik P, Howlett EA, Dyke G. (2018). Re-description of 'Steneosaurus' obustidens Andrews, 1909, an unusual macrophagous teleosaurid crocodylomorph from the Middle Jurassic of England. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 182 (2): 385–418. LINK
4. Young MT, Tennant JP, Brusatte SL, Challands TJ, Fraser NC, Clark NDL, Ross DA. (2016). The first definitive Middle Jurassic atoposaurid (Crocodylomorpha, Neosuchia), and a discussion on the genus Theriosuchus. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 176 (2): 443–462. LINK to OPEN-ACCESS
3. Young MT, Hua S, Steel L, Foffa D, Brusatte SL, Thüring S, Mateus O, Ruiz-Omeñaca JI, Havlik P, Lepage Y, Andrade MB. (2014). Revision of the Late Jurassic teleosaurid genus Machimosaurus (Crocodylomorpha, Thalattosuchia). Royal Society Open Science 1 (2): 140222. LINK to OPEN-ACCESS
2. Young MT, Brusatte SL, Andrade MB, Desojo JB, Beatty BL, Steel L, Fernández MS, Sakamoto M, Ruiz-Omeñaca JI, Schoch RR. (2012). The cranial osteology and feeding ecology of the metriorhynchid crocodylomorph genera Dakosaurus and Plesiosuchus from the Late Jurassic of Europe. PLoS ONE 7 (9): e44985.LINK to OPEN-ACCESS
1. Young MT, Andrade MB. (2009). What is Geosaurus? Redescription of Geosaurus giganteus (Thalattosuchia, Metriorhynchidae) from the Upper Jurassic of Bayern, Germany. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 157 (3): 551–585. LINK link to supplementary material
Philosophy of biology
Philosophy of biology
The evolutionary biology research I undertake is also informed by the philosophy of biology. I try to ensure that my research is compatible with the goal of scientific inquiry. The goal of the sciences is the cumulative gathering of descriptive and ultimately causal understanding of objects and events.
My research on this topic includes the ontology of taxa, species concepts, what are phenotypic classifications, and the interaction between systematics, nomenclature, and philosophy. (Photos are of fossil thalattosuchian crocodylomorphs.)
Peer-reviewed publications on these topics
Peer-reviewed publications on these topics
1. Young MT et al. (In review). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society.
Multi-year research projects
Multi-year research projects
Crocodylomorph SuperMatrix Project
Crocodylomorph SuperMatrix Project
One of the big questions in crocodylomorph systematics is: where do the thalattosuchians belong? Unfortunately, different datasets hypothesise very different positions for them in the croc family tree.
This on-going project hopes to address this question (amongst others). Our 2024 paper is the first step in this process, and our datasets are showing some interesting results! (Photograph of Platysuchus multiscrobiculatus.)
Peer-reviewed project publications
Peer-reviewed project publications
7. Young MT, Wilberg EW, Johnson MM, Herrera Y, Andrade MB, Brignon A, Sachs S, Abel P, Foffa D, Fernández M, Vignaud P, Cowgill T, Brusatte SL. (2024). The history, systematics, and nomenclature of Thalattosuchia (Archosauria: Crocodylomorpha). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 200 (2): 547–617. LINK
6. Young MT, Brignon A, Sachs S, Hornung J, Foffa D, Kitson JJN, Johnson MM, Steel L. (2021). Cutting the Gordian knot: a historical and taxonomic revision of the Jurassic crocodylomorph Metriorhynchus. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 192 (2): 510-553. LINK
5. Johnson MM, Young MT, Brusatte SL. (2020). The phylogenetics of Teleosauroidea (Crocodylomorpha, Thalattosuchia) and implications for their ecology and evolution. PeerJ 8:e9808. LINK
4. Young MT, Sachs S, Abel P, Foffa D, Herrera Y, Kitson JJN. (2020). Convergent evolution and possible constraint in the posterodorsal retraction of the external nares in pelagic crocodylomorphs. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 189 (2): 494–520. LINK
3. Ősi M, Young MT, Galácz A, Rabi M. (2018). A new large-bodied thalattosuchian crocodyliform from the Lower Jurassic (Toarcian) of Hungary, with further evidence of the mosaic acquisition of marine adaptations in Metriorhynchoidea. PeerJ 6:e4668. LINK to OPEN-ACCESS
2. Ristevski J, Young MT, Andrade MB, Hastings AK. (2018). A new species of Anteophthalmosuchus (Crocodylomorpha, Goniopholididae) from the Lower Cretaceous of the Isle of Wight, United Kingdom, and a review of the genus. Cretaceous Research 84: 340–383. LINK
1. Young MT, Hastings AK, Allain R, Smith TJ. (2017). Revision of the enigmatic crocodyliform Elosuchus felixi de Lapparent de Broin, 2002 from the Lower–Upper Cretaceous boundary of Niger: potential evidence for an early origin of the clade Dyrosauridae. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 179: 377–403. LINK
Meereskrokodile Project
Meereskrokodile Project
Germany has one of the biggest, and best, collections of thalattosuchian fossils. Many of which were discovered in the 18th-19th Centuries. Many thalattosuchian genus and species names are based on these historical German fossils. Unfortunately, like all historical collections they need to be periodically re-examined as new ideas, newly discovered specimens and new techniques come to the fore.
This on-going project aims to re-describe the important historical specimens from Germany and German-speaking countries, as well as describe newly discovered specimens. This project is ran by Sven Sachs and myself, with numerous collaborators from Germany. Some of the papers from this project are already out! (Photograph of Cricosaurus albersdoerferi.)
Peer-reviewed project publications
Peer-reviewed project publications
6. Sachs S, Young MT, Hornung JJ, Cowgill T, Schwab JA, Brusatte SL. (2024). A new genus of metriorhynchid crocodylomorph from the Lower Cretaceous of Germany. Journal of Systematic Palaeontology 22 (1): 2359946. LINK [Also a Croc Transition Project publication]
5. Sachs S, Young MT, Abel P, Mallison H. (2021). A new species of Cricosaurus (Thalattosuchia, Metriorhynchidae) based upon a remarkably well-preserved skeleton from the Upper Jurassic of Germany. Palaeontologia Electronica 24 (2): a24. LINK
4. Sachs S, Young MT, Hornung J. (2020). The enigma of Enaliosuchus, and a reassessment of the Early Cretaceous fossil record of Metriorhynchidae. Cretaceous Research 114: 104479. LINK
3. Abel P, Sachs S, Young MT. (2020). Metriorhynchid crocodylomorphs from the lower Kimmeridgian of Southern Germany: evidence for a new large-bodied geosaurin lineage in Europe. Alcheringa 44 (2): 312–326. LINK
2. Sachs S, Johnson MM, Young MT, Abel P. (2019). The mystery of Mystriosaurus Kaup, 1834: redescribing the poorly known Early Jurassic teleosauroid thalattosuchians Mystriosaurus laurillardi Kaup, 1834 and Steneosaurus brevior Blake, 1876. Acta Palaeontologica Polonica 64 (3): 565–579. LINK
1. Sachs S, Young MT, Abel P, Mallison H. (2019). A new species of the metriorhynchid crocodylomorph Cricosaurus from the Upper Jurassic of southern Germany. Acta Palaeontologica Polonica 64 (2) 343–356. LINK
Croc Transition Project
Croc Transition Project
Thalattosuchian (teleosauroids and metriorhynchoids) represent the pinnacle of marine specialisation within Crocodylomorpha. However, what changes inside the skull had to occur for thalattosuchians to diversify within the marine realm?
This project looks inside the croc skull. To see how the brain, inner ears, sinuses, salt glands, and other neurosensory systems of this group changed as they became pelagic.
(Internal reconstructions of 9 crocs! See our first paper on this project.)
Peer-reviewed project publications
Peer-reviewed project publications
12. Higgins RR, Cowgill T, Young MT, Bowman C, Schwab JA, Herrera Y, Witmer LM, Katsamenis OL, Brusatte SL. (e-published). The internal braincase anatomy of Thalattosuchus superciliosus - with implications for the endocranial evolution of metriorhynchid crocodylomorphs. Historical Biology. LINK
11. Young MT, Schwab J, Dufeau D, Racicot R, Cowgill T, Bowman C, Wimter L, Herrera Y, Higgins R, Zanno L, Xu X, Clark J, Brusatte SL. (2024). Skull sinuses precluded exinct crocodile relatives from cetacean-style deep diving as they transitioned from land to sea. Royal Society Open Science 11 (10): 241272. LINK
10. Sachs S, Young MT, Hornung JJ, Cowgill T, Schwab JA, Brusatte SL. (2024). A new genus of metriorhynchid crocodylomorph from the Lower Cretaceous of Germany. Journal of Systematic Palaeontology 22 (1): 2359946. LINK [Also a Meereskrokodile Project publication]
9. Young MT, Dufeau D, Bowman C, Cowgill T Schwab JA, Witmer LM, Herrera Y, Katsamenis OL, Steel L, Rigby M, Brusatte SL. (2024). Thalattosuchian crocodylomorphs form the Sinemurian (Early Jurassic) of the UK. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 201 (3): zlae079. LINK
8. Young MT, Bowman CIW, Erb A, Schwab JA, Witmer LM, Herrera Y, Brusatte SL. (2023). Evidence for a novel cranial thermoregulatory pathway in thalattosuchian crocodylomorphs. PeerJ 11: 15353. LINK
7. Cowgill T, Young MT, Schwab JA, Walsh S, Witmer LM, Herrera Y, Dollman KN, Choiniere JN, Brusatte SL. (2023). Cephalic salt gland evolution in Mesozoic pelagic crocodylomorphs. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 197 (3): 812–835. LINK
6. Bowman CIW, Young MT, Schwab JA, Walsh S, Witmer LM, Herrera Y, Choiniere J, Dollman K, Brusatte SL. (2022). Rostral neurovasculature indicates sensory trade-offs in Mesozoic pelagic crocodylomorphs. The Anatomical Record 305: 2654-2669. LINK
5. Cowgill T, Young MT, Schwab JA, Walsh S, Witmer LM, Herrera Y, Dollman K, Choiniere J, Brusatte SL. (2022). Paranasal sinus system and upper respiratory tract evolution in Mesozoic pelagic crocodylomorphs. The Anatomical Record 305: 2583-2603. LINK
4. Schwab JA, Young MT, Walsh SA, Herrera Y, Timmons ZL, Butler IB, Walsh S, Witmer LM, Brusatte SL. (2022). 'Ear stones' in crocodylians: a cross-species comparative and ontogenetic survey of otolith structures. Royal Society Open Science 9 (3): 211633. LINK
3. Schwab JA, Young MT, Walsh SA, Witmer LM, Herrera Y, Brochu CA, Butler IB, Brusatte SL. (2022). Ontogenetic variation in the crocodylian vestibular system. Journal of Anatomy 240: 821-832. LINK
2. Schwab JA, Young MT, Herrera Y, Witmer LM, Walsh S, Katsamenis OL, Brusatte SL. (2021). The braincase and inner ear of 'Metriorhynchus' cf. brachyrhynchus – implications for aquatic sensory adaptations in crocodylomorphs. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 41 (1): e1912062. LINK
1. Schwab JA, Young MT, Neenan JM, Walsh SA, Witmer LM, Herrera Y, Allain R, Brochu C, Choiniere JN, Clark JM, Dollman KN, Etches S, Fritsch G, Gignac PM, Ruebenstahl A, Sachs S, Turner AH, Viganud P, Wilberg EW, Xing X, Zanno LE, Brusatte SL. (2020). Inner ear sensory system changes as extinct crocodylomorphs transitioned from land to sea. PNAS 117 (19): 10422–10428. LINK
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