Geology

Joseph Peterson, Ph.D.

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Education

Ph.D. 2010, Geology, Northern Illinois University

M.S. 2007, Geology, Northern Illinois University

B.S. 2011, Geology, Southern Illinois University

Academic/Professional Appointments

2011-present   Associate Professor, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh

2010-2011        Visiting Lecturer, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh

2010-present   Adjunct Faculty, Elgin Community College

Selected Awards

• Dissertation Completion Fellowship

• Outstanding Achievement in Graduate Teaching

Courses Taught

• Evolution of the Earth

• Dinosaurs and the Age of Reptiles

• Stratigraphy and Basin Analysis

• Forensic Geology

• Paleontology

• Dinosaur Paleontology Field Methods

• Dinosaurs, Extinctions, and Environmental Change Field Course

Professional Affiliations

• Paleontological Society

• Geological Society of America

• Society of Vertebrate Paleontology

Research Interests

• Vertebrate Paleontology

• Paleopathologies

• Geomicrobiology

• 3D Methods in Paleontology

• Paleobiology

• Experimental Taphonom

• Biofilms and Fossilizatio

• Stratigraphy

Publications (peer-reviewed)

Peterson, JE, Lovelace, D, Connely, M, and McHugh, J.B. 2022. A novel feeding mechanism of diplodocid sauropods revealed in an Apatosaurine skull from the Upper Jurassic Nail Quarry (Morrison Formation) at Como Bluff, Wyoming, USA. Palaeontologia Electronica, 25(2):a21. https://doi.org/10.26879/1216

Peterson, JE, Warnock, JP, Coenen, JJ, Bills, CA, and Denoto, ME. 2022. A review of charophytes of the Cleveland-Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry at Jurassic National Monument in the Upper Morrison Formation, Emery County, Utah, USA. Journal of the Intermountain West, Geology of the Intermountain West, v. 9, p. 39-47., doi: 10.31711/giw.v9. https://giw.utahgeology.org/giw/index.php/GIW/article/view/101

Peterson JE, Tseng, Z.J., and Brink, S. 2021. Bite force estimates in juvenile Tyrannosaurus rex based on simulated puncture marks. PeerJ 9:e11450 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.11450erJ

Peterson JE, Daus KN. 2019. Feeding traces attributable to juvenile Tyrannosaurus rex offer insight into ontogenetic dietary trends. PeerJ 7:e6573 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.6573

Hunt, T.C., Peterson, J.E., Frederickson, J.A., Cohen, J.E., and Berry, J.L. 2019. First documented pathologies in Tenontosaurus tilletti with comments on infection in non-avian dinosaurs. Scientific Reports 9:8705. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-45101-6

Peterson, J.E. and Krippner, M. 2019. Comparisons of fidelity in the digitization and 3D printing of vertebrate fossils. Journal of Paleontological Techniques 22: 1-9. https://www.jpaleontologicaltechniques.org/pasta3/JPT%20N22/Pdf/JPT_n022_Feb.pdf

Warnock, J.P, Peterson, J.E., Clawson, S.R., and Matthews, N. 2018. Close-range photogrammetry of the Cleveland-Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry, Emery County, Utah. Geology of the Intermountain West, 5, p. 271-285. https://giw.utahgeology.org/giw/index.php/GIW/article/view/35

Peterson, J.E., and Boegh, A.M. 2018. Distribution of Mammuthus sp. in east central Wisconsin: A review. Fox Valley Archeology, 5, p. 8-22.

Foster, J.R., Hunt-Foster, R.K., Gorman, M.A., Trukillo, K.C., Suarez, C.A., McHugh, J.B., Peterson, J.E., Warnock, J.P., and Schoenstein, H.E. 2018. Paleontology, taphonomy, and sedimentology of the Mygatt-Moore Quarry, a large dinosaur bonebed in the Morrison Formation, western Colorado: implications for Upper Jurassic preservation modes. Geology of the Intermountain West, 5, p. 23-93. https://giw.utahgeology.org/giw/index.php/GIW/article/view/24 9

Peterson, J.E., Warnock, J.P., Eberhart, S.L., Clawson, S.R., and Noto, C.R. 2017. New data towards the development of a taphonomic framework for the Late Jurassic Cleveland-Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry, Central Utah. PeerJ 5:e3368; DOI 10.7717/peerj.3368. https://peerj.com/articles/3368/

Peterson, J.E., Lenczewski, M.E., Clawson, S.R., and Warnock, J.P. 2017. Role of Sediment Size and Biostratinomy on the Development of Biofilms in Recent Avian Vertebrate Remains. Frontiers in Earth Science 5, https://www.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/feart.2017.00030.

Foster, J.R., McHugh, J.B., Peterson, J.E., and Leschin, M.F. 2016. Major bonebeds in mudrocks of the Morrison Formation (Upper Jurassic), Northern Colorado Plateau of Utah and Colorado. Geology of the Intermountain West, 3, p. 33-66. http://giw.utahgeology.org/giw/index.php/GIW/article/view/9

Foster, J.R. and Peterson, J.E. 2016. First report of Apatosaurus (Diplodocidae: Apatosaurinae) from the Cleveland-Lloyd Quarry in the Upper Jurassic Morrison Formation of Utah: abundance, distribution, paleoecology, and taphonomy of an endemic North American sauropod clade. Palaeoworld 25(3): 431-443. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.palwor.2015.11.006

Peterson, J.E. 2015. Evolution of marginocephalian combat and patterns of pathology distribution. Wyoming Geological Association, 68th Annual Field Conference Guidebook pp. 141-149.

Peterson, J.E., Coenen JJ, Noto CR. 2014. Fluvial transport potential of shed and root-bearing dinosaur teeth from the late Jurassic Morrison Formation. PeerJ 2:e347. http://dx.doi.org/10.7717/peerj.347

Peterson, J.E., Dischler, C. and Longrich, N.R. 2013. Distributions of cranial pathologies provide evidence for head-butting in dome-headed dinosaurs (Pachycephalosauria). PLoS ONE 8(7): e6820. Doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0068620

Peterson, J.E. and Bigalke, C. 2013. Hydrodynamic behaviors of pachycephalosaurid domes in controlled fluvial settings: a case study in experimental dinosaur taphonomy. PALAIOS 28(5): 285.292.

Peterson, J.E. and Vittore, C.P. 2012. Cranial pathologies on a specimen of Pachycephalosaurus. PLoS ONE 7(4): e36227.doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0036227.

Peterson, J.E., Scherer, R., Huffman, K. 2011. Methods of microvertebrate sampling and their influence on taphonomic interpretations. PALAIOS 26(2) p.81-88. https://doi.org/10.2110/palo.2010.p10-080r

Peterson, J.E., Lenczewski, M.E., and Scherer, R.P. 2010. Influence of microbial biofilms on the preservation of primary soft tissues in fossil and extant archosaurs. PLoS ONE 5(10): e13334. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0013334. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0013334

Peterson, J.E ., Henderson, M.D., Scherer, R., Vittore, C. 2009. Face biting on a juvenile tyrannosaur and behavioral implications. PALAIOS 24(11) p. 780-784. https://doi.org/10.2110/palo.2009.p09-056r

Henderson, M.D., & Peterson, J.E. 2006. An azhdarchid pterosaur cervical vertebra from the Hell Creek formation (Maastrichtian) of southeastern Montana. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, J. A., et al. 2022. Mammalian ecology of the Optima Fauna of Oklahoma (Miocene; Late Hemphillian). Acta Palaeontologica Polonica. 26(1) p. 192-195. https://doi.org/10.1671/0272-4634(2006)26[192:AAPCVF]2.0.CO;2

Selected Abstracts

Thomas, HN, Hone, DWE, and Peterson, JE. 2022. The feathered serpent did not live in Hell: reappraisal of an azhdarchid cervical vertebra from the Hell Creek Formation of Montana. Accepted for presentation at the Meeting of the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, November 2-5, 2022.

Peterson, JE. 2022. Bite force and feeding traces of Tyrannosaurus throughout ontogeny: a review. Joint Meeting of Experimental Biology and the American Anatomy Association, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, April 2-5, 2022.

Peterson, JE, Tseng, Z, and Brink, S. 2020. Bite force estimates in juvenile Tyrannosaurus rex based on simulated puncture marks. Meeting of the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology, Meeting of the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology, Virtual, October 12-16, 2020.

Noto, CR, Peterson, JE, Acosta, M. 2019. Hydrodynamic transport potential of modeled turtle shell in a controlled fluvial setting: a case study in experimental taphonomy. Cretaceous and Beyond Symposium, Dickinson, North Dakota, September 14th-15th, 2019.

Peterson, J.E. , Lovelace, D.M., Connely, M. V., McHugh, J.B. Hartman, S., Hayes, L., Strey, F. 2018. Computed tomography, segmentation, and rapid prototyping of the dental batteries of an apatosaurine (sauropoda, diplodocidae) specimen from the Upper Jurassic Morrison formation, Como Bluff, Wyoming. Society of Vertebrate Paleontology 78th Annual Meeting, Albuquerque, New Mexico, October 19-21, 2018.

Peterson, J.E., Krippner, M.L., and Clawson, S.R. 2017. Comparisons of fidelity in the digitization and 3D printing of vertebrate fossils for outreach, education, and research. Society of Vertebrate Paleontology 77th Annual Meeting, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, August 23-26, 2017.

Hunt, T.C., Peterson, J.E., Frederickson, J.A., Cohen, J.E., and Berry, J.L. 2017. New insights into Tenontosaurus tilletti (Dinosauria; Ornithopoda) from an exceptionally preserved specimen. Society of Vertebrate Paleontology 77th Annual Meeting, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, August 23-26, 2017.

Peterson, J.E., Warnock, J.P., and Clawson, S.R. 2016. New data towards a taphonomic framework for the Cleveland-Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry. Society of Vertebrate Paleontology 76th Annual Meeting, Salt Lake City, UT October 26-29, 2016.

Reich, C.L., and Peterson, J.E. 2016. Frequency of craniofacial pathologies in tyrannosauridae. North Central Geological Society of America. 50th Annual Meeting, April 18-19, 2016. Champaign, IL.

Peterson, J.E., Eberhart, S, Warnock, J.P., Clawson, S.R., and Noto, C 2016. Bone fragments from the matrix of the Cleveland-Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry (Upper Jurassic Morrison Formation) and their bearing on depositional reconstructions. North Central Geological Society of America. 50th Annual Meeting, April 18-19, 2016. Champaign, IL.

Peterson, J.E., Clawson, S.R., and Williams, S. 2016. Laser texture scanning and 3D printing as tools for geoscience education and outreach. North Central Geological Society of America. 50th Annual Meeting, April 18-19, 2016. Champaign, IL.

Peterson, J.E., Warnock, J.P., and Clawson, S.R. 2016. New data from the Cleveland-Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry: Insights into Taphonomy. Utah Friends of Paleontology Annual Meeting, April 1-3, 2016. Moab, UT. 11

Anderson, B.M., Peterson, J.E., and Lenczewski, M.E. 2016. Influence of high pH conditions on early vertebrate diagenesis and decomposition: a preliminary qualitative assessment. 18th Annual PaleoFest, Burpee Museum of Natural History. March 12-13, 2016. Rockford, IL.

Carr, T., Henderson, M., Erickson, G., Peterson, J.E., Williams, S., Currie, P., Scherer, R.P., and Harrison, W. 2015. A subadult Tyrannosaurus rex and its bearing on the Nanotyrannus hypothesis. Society of Vertebrate Paleontology 75th Annual Meeting, Dallas, TX October 14-17, 2015.

Peterson, J.E. and Rients, K. M. 2015. Bionic Bones: using laser texture scanning and 3D printing to reconstruct damaged vertebrate fossils. North Central Geological Society of America. 49th Annual Meeting, May 19-20 2015. Madison, WI.

Vosters, C.N., Peterson, J.E., and Clawson, S.R. 2015. Photogrammetric reconstruction of the Late Jurassic Cleveland-Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry of central Utah. North Central Geological Society of America. 49th Annual Meeting, May 19-20 2015. Madison, WI.

Farke, A.A., Widga, C., Clawson, S.R., Noto, C, and Peterson, J.E. 2015. Share and share alike: an open discussion of the role of digital 3D imagery in paleontological research and outreach. North Central Geological Society of America. 49th Annual Meeting, May 19-20 2015. Madison, WI.

Clawson, S.R., Peterson, J.E., and Vosters, C.N. 2015. Close range photogrammetry of the upper Jurassic Cleveland-Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry, Emery County, Utah. 8th Annual Fossil Preparation and Collections Symposium, April 15, 2015, Raleigh, NC.

Peterson, J.E. and Rients, K. 2014. Taphonomy of a partial hadrosaurid skeleton possessing subadult tyrannosaur feeding traces. North Central Geological Society of America. 48th Annual Meeting, April 24-25 2014. Lincoln, NE.

Peterson, J.E. and Coenen, J. 2013. Fluvial transport potential of archosaur teeth: a preliminary investigation in shed tooth taphonomy. North Central Geological Society of America. 47th Annual Meeting, May 2-3 2013. Kalamazoo, MI.

Peterson, J.E., Farke, A.A., and Dischler, C. 2013. Comparisons of injury distributions in ceratopsians and extant bovids. The End of the Dinosaurs: Changes in the Late Cretaceous Biosphere. Abstracts with Programs, 15th Annual PaleoFest, Burpee Museum of Natural History, March 2-3, 2013. Rockford, IL.

Peterson, J.E. and Dischler, C. 2012. Distribution of injuries in pachycephalosaurids using frontoparietal landmarks. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, SVP Program and Abstracts, 2012: 157.

Bigalke, C., Dischler, C., Coenen, J., and Peterson, J.E. 2012. Hydrodynamic properties of pachycephalosaurid crania. North Central Geological Society of America. 46th Annual Meeting, April 23-24 2012. Dayton Ohio.

Peterson, J.E. Exploratory evaluation of abnormal erosive structures in pachycephalosaurid dinosaurs 2011. Northeastern (46th Annual) and North-Central (45th Annual) Joint Meeting, Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, Vol. 42, No. 1, p.119.

Peterson, J.E ., Lenczewski, M., and Scherer, R. 2009. Comparisons of biofilm structure and formation in extant and fossil vertebrate remains from the Hell Creek Formation (Latest Maastrichtian). American Society of Microbiology, 5th Annual Conference on Biofilms, November 15-19, 2009, Cancun, Mexico. Abstracts with Programs.

Peterson, J.E ., Scherer, R., Huffman, K. 2009. Methods of microvertebrate sampling and their influence on paleoecological interpretations: preliminary results of a standardized experiment. Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, Vol. 41, No. 7, p. 628.

Peterson, J.E ., Henderson, M.D., Vittore, C., Scherer, R. 2007. Face biting on a juvenile tyrannosaurid. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. 23(3) p. 129A. Abstract of Papers.

Peterson, J.E . 2005. Fluvial dispersal of shed crocodilian teeth and other microvertebrate remains.Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, vol. 25, p. 100A Abstract of Papers,