Laura E Wilson

Fort Hays State University, Geosciences & Sternberg Museum of Natural History, Curator of Paleontology

Fort Hays State University, Geosciences, Faculty Member

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My research continues to focus on reconstructing the ecosystems of the Western Interior Seaway. Research interests include studying the bone histology of marine vertebrates to uncover life history strategies of extinct animals, as well as comparisons between mid-latitude and high-latitude ecosystems along the Seaway. Specific taxa of interest include seabirds, sea turtles, and mosasaurs. Much of my research involves comparisons to modern animals and ecosystems to better understand past systems and with the hopes of contributing to current marine conservation issues.
Phone: (785) 628-4963
Address: Sternberg Museum of Natural History
3000 Sternberg Dr.
Hays, KS 67601

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University of Exeter

The University of the South Pacific

Adolfo Marco

Nicola Maio

Università degli Studi di Napoli "Federico II"

Roberta Petitet

FURG - Universidade Federal do Rio Grande

Fabio Maria Guarino

Università degli Studi di Napoli "Federico II"

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Papers by Laura E Wilson

Rapid growth in Late Cretaceous sea turtles reveals life history strategies similar to extant leatherbacks

PeerJ, 2023

Modern sea turtle long bone osteohistology has been surprisingly well-studied, as it is used to u... more Modern sea turtle long bone osteohistology has been surprisingly well-studied, as it is used to understand sea turtle growth and the timing of life history events, thus informing conservation decisions. Previous histologic studies reveal two distinct bone growth patterns in extant sea turtle taxa, with Dermochelys (leatherbacks) growing faster than the cheloniids (all other living sea turtles). Dermochelys also has a unique life history compared to other sea turtles (large size, elevated metabolism, broad biogeographic distribution, etc.) that is likely linked to bone growth strategies. Despite the abundance of data on modern sea turtle bone growth, extinct sea turtle osteohistology is virtually unstudied. Here, long bone microstructure of the large, Cretaceous sea turtle Protostega gigas is examined to better understand its life history. Humeral and femoral analysis reveals bone microstructure patterns similar to Dermochelys with variable but sustained rapid growth through early ontogeny. Similarities between Progostegea and Dermochelys osteohistology suggest similar life history strategies like elevated metabolic rates with rapid growth to large body size and sexual maturity. Comparison to the more basal protostegid Desmatochelys indicates elevated growth rates are not present throughout the entire Protostegidae, but evolved in larger and more derived taxa, possibly in response to Late Cretaceous ecological changes. Given the uncertainties in the phylogenetic placement of the Protostegidae, these results either support convergent evolution towards rapid growth and elevated metabolism in both derived protostegids and dermochelyids, or a close evolutionary relationship between the two taxa. Better understanding the evolution and diversity of sea turtle life history strategies during the Late Cretaceous greenhouse climate can also impact current sea turtle conservation decisions.

Laura E Wilson

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