Theme Session 17

Paleontologic Deviates: Taphonomy versus Pathology

Bruce Rothschild, Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine
Larry Martin, University of Kansas

The characteristics we utilize to distinguish species must be interpreted in light of normal variation, taphonomic influences and pathologic alterations. Some pathologies may even represent species 'identifiers,' given their selective high frequency. This program addresses fossilization, invertebrate and vertebrate paleopathology and taphonomic processes.