Michael Deak – myFOSSIL

Michael Deak posted an update in the group What is it? 1 year, 11 months ago

1 year, 11 months ago

I am currently investigating some possible feathers from the Hell Creek Formation. How does one tell the difference between fossil feathers and structures such as plant fibers?

Matthew Gramling replied 1 year, 11 months ago

Greetings @michael-deak ! You might have better luck with your inquiry if you contact Scott Wing at the Smithsonian. He is a paleobotanist with considerable experience with Hell Creek flora.

Michael Deak joined the group Mongolian Dinos Educators 2 years, 11 months ago

2 years, 11 months ago

Michael Deak joined the group What is it? 2 years, 11 months ago

2 years, 11 months ago

Michael Deak posted an image in the group Paleo Pics from the myFOSSIL app 4 years ago

4 years ago

Last week I had the honor of observing the holotype of Tyrannosaurus rex in person! this will add a good deal of information for my senior thesis regarding cranial facial integument and potential sexual dimorphism. #fossil

Michael Deak posted an image in the group Paleo Pics from the myFOSSIL app 4 years, 1 month ago

4 years, 1 month ago

So here’s a little experiment I did a week ago with our Tarbosaurus skull. I ended up taping thin sheets of paper over the lateral temporal fenestrae, and they seem to be offset. This may be simple deformation, or it could mean that Tyrannosaurids had stereophony akin to owls. If so, maybe they had a small facial ruff behind the ears to help…[Read more]

Tim Collins replied 4 years, 1 month ago

After researching your question online I cannot find any information suggesting tyrannosaurs had asymmetrical ears. I did learn that asymmetry in ears in owls occurs primarily in nocturnal species. But then I also didn’t find information saying tyrannosaurs were nocturnal hunters or not. Either way, it pains me to see you taping anything to a…[Read more]
- Michael Deak replied 4 years, 1 month ago
  
  This is clearly a cast and not an actual specimen. However this is a first generation cast and is very close to the original specimen which is the one that Nick Cage used to own. Again, the reason why I taped thin sheets of paper of the lateral temporal fenestrae is to see if they are asymmetrical or not, and they appear to be so. Also, try…[Read more]
- Michael Deak replied 4 years, 1 month ago
  
  Also, last I checked its illegal to own an actual Tarbosaurus skull in the United States, and all of the real ones are in museums in Mongolia.