Tanytrachelos
Geologic period: Triassic
Pictured:
Tanytrachelos
Did you know?
Tanytrachelos (tany-trake-elos) is a small reptile common in the Solite layers of Virginia's Solite Quarry. Tany ate insects. It could both swim in water and move on land. Dinosaur tracks have been found in Virginia, including at the Solite Quarry, but no dinosaur bones have yet been found in Virginia.
Notes:
Solite Quarry – Pittsylvania County, Virginia – 225 million years ago
The Solite quarry is the only locality anywhere in the world with a number of complete fossils of insects from this time period. Many of the Solite insects closely resemble their modern counterparts, and this site is famous for having the oldest records for many living insect families and orders.
This was once the site of a deep lake, and today numerous animal and plant fossils are preserved in layers of shale. These layers are represented in the exhibit by part of the quarry face.
The fossils are often the same color as the rock, and the fossils can’t be separated from the rock, so Dr. Nick Fraser, who works at this site, uses a CT scan to examine the fossils. CT is an abbreviation for Computed Tomography. Physicians use CT scans to create 3-dimensional images so they can diagnose problems with brains and other organs and blood vessels. The lab experience for Solite will include an interactive where visitors can scan through the rock to pick out details of a fossil of a gliding reptile that Dr. Fraser has found at Solite.
Image and client information:
Tanytrachelos.
For Virginia Museum of Natural History.
Images produced under contract to Design and Production, Inc.
© Virginia Museum of Natural History
See more images of the Triassic.
See more images of Dinosaurs and ancient life.
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Karen in the classroom
— As a guest speaker or lecturer
In addition to the time she spends painting, Karen finds time now and again to serve as a guest speaker, lecturer and instructor to museum groups, professional organizations, schools and universities. She has also presented master classes in art and digital painting at universities in the U.S.
Karen has delivered recent presentations for these institutions and groups:
- Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
- Southern Methodist University
- Guild of Natural Science Illustrators at the College of William & Mary and at Montana State University
- New Mexico Highlands University
- University of Texas at Arlington
- University of North Texas
- Dallas Paleontological Society
Originally trained in the classical techniques of illustration and painting, Karen frequently speaks on the transition to a digital world, and on the challenges and benefits this transition poses for artists, clients and viewers. She conducts professional seminars on painting, illustration and digital image creation, and also offers specific programs tailored to the needs of professional groups or classroom instructors.
To contact Karen about a speaking engagement, just drop her a note or call her studio.
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