Paleontology – James Ronan Palaeontologist

27 Jan 202628 Jan 2026 James Ronan Bonus Edition, Dinosaurs, Education, Fossil Discoveries, Fossils, Natural History, Newsletter, Palaeobiology, Palaeontology, Palaeontology Newsletter, Paleontology, Science Communication, Science Newsletter, Scientific Newsletter, The Palaeo Minute, Unlock Dino Insights, Website Development, Website Engagement

Building a Science Communication Platform: Three Essentials for Success

Venture into the Lost World…One Minute at a Time

A warm welcome to The Palaeo Minute!

Welcome to this third bonus edition of The Palaeo Minute. In this edition, I wanted to share my three core principles in science communication, how to grow, sustain and stand out in the world of science outreach.

This bonus edition explores:

Develop a Growth Strategy: Get the lowdown on how to create a growth strategy that will enable your project to flourish.
Use Your Skills Wisely: Discover how to pace your workload and make it manageable.
Connect with Science Communicators: Uncover how connections can lead to new points of view and project refinement.

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18 Jan 202625 Jan 2026 James Ronan Albertosaurus, Daspletosaurus, Dinosaurs, Education, FEA, Fossil Discoveries, Fossils, Gorgosaurus, Jaw Biomechanics, Natural History, Newsletter, Palaeobiology, Palaeontology, Palaeontology Newsletter, Science Communication, Science Newsletter, Tarbosaurus, The Palaeo Minute, Theropod, Tyrannosaurid, Tyrannosaurus Rex, Unlock Dino Insights

The Secrets of Tyrannosaurs: Jaw Biomechanics

Venture into the Lost World…One Minute at a Time

Tyrannosaur Skulls & Evolution: Welcome to The Palaeo Minute your fossil dispatch from the Mesozoic frontier. In this edition I delve into the bone-crunching bite of tyrannosaurs, from their teeth to their skull adaptations. Get ready for the latest palaeobiology insights and jaw dropping discoveries, all packed into one mighty read.

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16 Jan 202627 Jan 2026 James Ronan Bonus Edition, Dinosaurs, Education, Fossil Discoveries, Fossils, Jurassic Park, Jurassic Park Franchise, Jurassic World, Natural History, Newsletter, Palaeobiology, Palaeontology, Palaeontology Newsletter, Paleontology, Science Communication, Science Newsletter, Scientific Newsletter, The Palaeo Minute, Unlock Dino Insights

How I would Plot a Jurassic World Sequel: Bonus Edition

Venture into the Lost World…One Minute at a Time

A warm welcome to The Palaeo Minute!

Welcome to this second bonus edition of The Palaeo Minute. In this edition, I wanted to share how I would approach writing a new Jurassic World sequel, and why I believe the franchise would receive help from having a palaeontologist directly involved in the script writing process.

This bonus edition explores:

A New Opening: Explore how a sequel could begin with scientific mystery rather than the usual early‑film disaster.
Dinosaurs as Animals: Discover how natural behaviour, interspecies interactions, & sequences from the novels could improve a sequel film.
Scientists Who Shine: Discover why palaeontologists & researchers deserve to be written as capable, charismatic figures again.
A Fresh Direction: Learn how rooting the story in real science can restore awe, tension, & authenticity to the Jurassic World franchise.

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10 Jan 202627 Jan 2026 James Ronan Badlands Dinosaur Museum, Dinosaurs, Education, Emily Rayfield, Fossil Discoveries, Fossils, Jack Horner, Jurassic Park, Jurassic Park Franchise, Jurassic World, Jurassic World: Dominion, Mike Benton, Newsletter, Palaeobiology, Palaeontology, Sam Neill, Steve Brusatte, The Palaeo Minute, Unlock Dino Insights

From Jurassic Park to Real Life: Palaeontology Connections

Venture into the Lost World…One Minute at a Time

A warm welcome to The Palaeo Minute!

From Fiction to Fossils: Mentorship in Motion: In this edition I reflect on the mentors, collaborators, and unexpected sources of inspiration that have shaped my path in palaeontology from research supervisors to consultants and creators behind the Jurassic Park films. Their guidance and creativity have played a defining role in my journey through both science and storytelling.

This edition explores:

Collaborating with Palaeontologists: Reflections on research & mentorship.
Jurassic Park’s Enduring Impact on Palaeontology: My encounters with Jurassic Park & Jurassic World cast & crew.
From Fiction to Fossils: How Jurassic World’s scientific evolution has shaped public understanding of palaeontology.

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30 Dec 202527 Jan 2026 James Ronan At The Feet of the Dinosaurs, Earth Science, Fossil Discoveries, Fossils, Geology, Natural History, Newsletter, Palaeobiology, Palaeobiology Research Group, Palaeontology, Palaeontology Newsletter, Science Communication, Science Newsletter, Science Writing, Scientific Newsletter, The Palaeo Minute, The University of Bristol, Thecodontosaurus, Unlock Dino Insights

At the Feet of the Dinosaurs Unearthing Ancient Secrets

Venture into the Lost World…One Minute at a Time

A warm welcome to The Palaeo Minute!

At the Feet of the Dinosaurs: Unearthing Ancient Secrets: This edition of The Palaeo Minute revisits the project that helped launch my palaeontology career, from fossil-rich bonebeds and storm-blown sediments to my first academic publication. Join me on a journey through prehistoric environments and the microscopic clues they left behind. I hope you enjoy unearthing Triassic insights in this edition.

This edition explores:

Palaeontology in Action: My research at the University of Bristol (2018–2020).
Behind-the-Scenes: Of my palaeontological internship, hands-on exploration & discovery.
A Geological Field Site: Like no other, the fascinating terrain I investigated.
Microvertebrate Fossils Revealed: Fossils identified & collection comparisons.

This project, though rooted in past research, set the foundation for the skills crucial to my palaeontological journey, skills I honed during my transformative At the Feet of the Dinosaurs internship.

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16 Dec 202527 Jan 2026 James Ronan Dinosaurs, Education, Fossil Discoveries, Fossils, Hadrosauridae, Hadrosaurs, Lambeosaurinae, Learning, Natural History, Newsletter, Palaeobiology, Palaeontology, Palaeontology Newsletter, Saurolophinae, Scientific Newsletter, The Palaeo Minute, Unlock Dino Insights

Exploring Hadrosaur Social Behaviour and Communication

Venture into the Lost World…One Minute at a Time

A warm welcome to The Palaeo Minute!

Crests, Calls & Cretaceous Kinships: This issue explores hadrosaur life beyond the bones. Dive into how these Cretaceous giants communicated, raised their young, and thrived together in mixed herds across the prehistoric world. I hope you enjoy the fascinating palaeontology content and discoveries in this edition.

This edition explores:

Meet the Hadrosaur Family: The Saurolophinae (non-crested) vs. Lambeosaurinae (crested) hadrosaurs.
How Hadrosaurs Communicated: Their social calls, signals & nesting behaviours.
Herd Life Revealed: The fossil evidence proving hadrosaurs thrived in social groups.
Dinosaur Parenting: Why hadrosaurs were devoted caregivers to their young.

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14 Oct 202527 Jan 2026 James Ronan Birds, Dinosaurs, Education, Feathered Dinosaurs, Feathers, Fossil Discoveries, Fossils, Natural History, Newsletter, Palaeobiology, Palaeontology, Palaeontology Newsletter, Sinosauropteryx Prima, The Palaeo Minute, Unlock Dino Insights, Zhenyuanlong suni

Discovering the Vibrant Feathers of Sinosauropteryx

Venture into the Lost World…One Minute at a Time

A warm welcome to The Palaeo Minute!

The Ginger-Tailed Dinosaur That Changed Everything: Welcome to The Palaeo Minute, where feathered secrets come to life, one filament at a time. In this edition, I spotlight Sinosauropteryx prima with its ginger-striped tail and “bandit mask” camouflage. I also examine Zhenyuanlong suni a spectacular dromaeosaurid from China with elaborate plumage.

From display and thermoregulation to evolutionary signalling, fossils continue to reshape our understanding of feather function in non-avian dinosaurs. I hope you enjoy this deep dive into their fossil stories and the evolutionary insights they continue to reveal.

This edition explores:

Sinosauropteryx prima: A feathered dinosaur with a fascinating history.
Melanosome & Pigmentation: How we can identify colour in dinosaurs.
How Scientific Discoveries: Have reshaped our understanding of dinosaur appearance.
Zhenyuanlong suni: A unique feathered dromaeosaurid from China.

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16 Sep 202512 Jan 2026 James Ronan Archaeopteryx lithographica, Birds, Dinosaurs, Education, Feathers, Fossil Discoveries, Fossils, Natural History, Newsletter, Palaeobiology, Palaeontology, Palaeontology Newsletter, The Palaeo Minute, Unlock Dino Insights

Unravelling Feathered Dinosaurs: Evolution Insights

Venture into the Lost World…One Minute at a Time

A warm welcome to The Palaeo Minute!

Feathers Before Flight The Dinosaur–Bird Connection: Welcome to The Palaeo Minute, where feathered dinosaurs rise from the geological record to rewrite natural history. This edition traces how feathers once seen as bird-exclusive evolved deep within the dinosaur lineage.

I examine one of the most important fossil discoveries Archaeopteryx and how this feathered dinosaur not only bridges the evolutionary gap between birds and their theropod ancestors, but also provides direct evidence of feather pigmentation through microscopic melanosomes.

From Archaeopteryx’s wings to Sinosauropteryx’s striped tail, fossils reshape the story of flight, appearance, and evolution. I hope you enjoy this deep dive into the evolutionary history of feathered dinosaurs.

This edition explores:

Feather Function: Feather evolution & their usage.
Avian Character Development: The key traits which arose through avian evolution.
Archaeopteryx: The first feathered bird-like dinosaur that changed everything.

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29 Aug 202529 Jan 2026 James Ronan Behind-the-scenes, Bonus Edition, Dinosaurs, Education, Fossil Discoveries, Fossils, Natural History, Newsletter, Palaeobiology, Palaeontology, Palaeontology Newsletter, Paleontology, Science Newsletter, Scientific Newsletter, The Palaeo Minute, Unlock Dino Insights

Behind-the-Scenes of The Palaeo Minute: Bonus Edition

Venture into the Lost World…One Minute at a Time

A warm welcome to The Palaeo Minute!

Welcome to this bonus edition of The Palaeo Minute! In this behind-the-scenes dispatch, I will walk you through the process of writing, researching, and refining the newsletter. How it came to be, why it matters, and how science communication can spark curiosity about life in the past, present, and beyond.

This bonus edition explores:

The Spark behind The Palaeo Minute: How a simmering idea throughout 2024 evolved into a living, breathing science communication project.
Shaping the First Editions: The editorial decisions, thematic planning, & symbolic choices that laid the foundation for the newsletter’s tone & identity.
Inside the Tyrannosaurid Edition: A dive into the research, structure, & storytelling that made Newsletter 2 a palaeontological powerhouse.
Science Beneath the Surface: From bone histology to jaw biomechanics, explore the anatomical insights & research methods that drive each edition.

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12 Aug 202527 Jan 2026 James Ronan Badlands Dinosaur Museum, ceratopsian, Daspletosaurus, Dinosaurs, Education, Fieldwork, Fossil Discoveries, Fossils, Geology, Gorgosaurus, Hadrosaurs, Judith River Formation, Natural History, Newsletter, Palaeobiology, Palaeontology, Palaeontology Newsletter, Science Communication, Science Newsletter, Science Writing, The Palaeo Minute, Theropod, Unlock Dino Insights

Unveiling Prehistoric Treasures in The Judith River Formation in Montana

Venture into the Lost World…One Minute at a Time

A warm welcome to The Palaeo Minute!

Step into Montana’s Late Cretaceous wilderness, where dreams came true and 79-million-year-old fossils saw daylight again. In this edition of The Palaeo Minute, I take you behind the scenes of my fossil-hunting adventure in the Judith River Formation where ancient environments, incredible discoveries, and a lifelong dream came to life. I hope you enjoy the insights from the field and a closer look at this remarkable chapter in palaeontological exploration.

This edition explores:

My Fossil Fieldwork in Montana: Digging deep into natural history!
Excavating Dinosaur Fossils: The discoveries I made & the skills I gained.
Step into the Late Cretaceous: Exploring this fossil rich site’s incredible dinosaur biodiversity.
A Glimpse into a Lost World: The palaeoenvironment where dinosaurs thrived 79–75 million years ago.