research

May 2014

On a special extended stand, the drill was used to sample another pelycosaur. A well earned BBQ after a challenging but successful day! Courtesy of Johannes Richter (geol. survey), Martin Sander, Jörg Schneider, Christen Shelton, Nico Richter, and Marcel Hübner.

I contributed to the annual meetings of Paläontolgische Gesellschaft (joint meeting with the Chinese Paleontological Society, Göttingen) and Society of Vertebrate Paleontology (L.A.) - a lot of fun, meeting friends and lerning much about ancient life… and sketching of course

The sphenacodont poster was elected the 1st poster prize. Many thanks to my co-authors Graciela Pineiro and Kirstin Brink!

July 2013

histological sampling on early amniote juveniles - together with Christen Shelton (Bonn) and Jörg Schneider (also photographers)

published images can be seen in the gallery

Spindler, F., Scott, D. & Reisz, R.R. (2015): New information in the cranial and postcranial anatomy of the early synapsid Ianthodon schultzei (Sphenacomorpha: Sphenacodontia), and its evolutionary significance. – Fossil Record 18, 17-30. Published online 2014, doi:10.5194/fr-18-17-2015

Spindler, F. (2014): Reviewing the question of the oldest therapsid. – Paläontologie, Stratigraphie, Fazies (22), Freiberger Forschungshefte, C 548, 1-7.

Voigt, S., Fischer, J., Schindler, T., Wuttke, M., Spindler, F. & Rinehart, L. (2014): On a potential fossil hotspot for Pennsylvanian – Permian non-aquatic vertebrates in central Europe. – Paläontologie, Stratigraphie, Fazies (22), Freiberger Forschungshefte, C 548, 39-44.

Elicki, O., Schneider, J.W. & Spindler, F. (eds.) (2014): CPC-2014 Field Meeting on Carboniferous and Permian Nonmarine-Marine Correlation. – Wissenschaftliche Mitteilungen Institut für Geologie 45, Freiberg, 80 pp.

Fischer, J. Schneider, J.W., Rößler, R., Spindler, F. & Hoffmann, U. (2014): An Early Carboniferous mass occurrence of shark egg capsules from freshwater deposits – the oldest chondrichthyan multi-taxon nursery. – Abstract volume, 74th annual meeting of the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology, Berlin, 130. [Abstract]

Spindler, F. (2014): Carboniferous origins of therapsids? – a case study on phylogenetic conflicting stratigraphy. – In: Elicki, O., Schneider, J.W. & Spindler, F. (eds.) (2014): CPC-2014 Field Meeting on Carboniferous and Permian Nonmarine-Marine Correlation. – Wissenschaftliche Mitteilungen Institut für Geologie 45, 62-63. [Poster abstract]

Spindler, F. (2014): Reptiliomorpha der Niederhäslich Formation (Rotliegend) von Freital. – 3. Internationales Hanns-Bruno-Geinitz-Symposium, Dresden, Geologica Saxonica 60 (2), 337. [Abstract]

Spindler, F. (2014): Revision of "pelycosaur"-grade synapsids and problems with their phylogeny. – Abstract volume, 74th annual meeting of the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology, Berlin, 234. [Poster abstract]

Spindler, F. (ed.), Werneburg, R., Rößler, R. & Schneider, J.W. (2014): Tetrapods and Fishes from the Pennsylvanian and Permian of Saxonia and Thuringia. – Excursion Guide for the 74th Annual Meeting of the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology, 49 pp. [Self-published]

Voigt, S., Fischer, J., Schindler, T., Wuttke, M., Spindler, F., Schneider, J.W. (2014): On a potential fossil hotspot for Pennsylvanian-Permian non-aquatic vertebrates in Europe. – Abstract volume, 74th annual meeting of the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology, Berlin, 249. [Poster abstract]

Piñeiro, G., Ferigolo, J., Ribeiro, A.M., Spindler, F., Meneghel, M. & Ramos, A. (2013): The first record of sphenacodontid synapsids from Gondwana. − In: Ribeiro, A.M., Lana, C.C., Abdala, F., Coimbra, J.C., Leme, J. & Garcia, M.J. (eds.): XXIII Congresso Brasileiro de Paleontologia, Paleontologia em Destaque (spec. ed. 10): 265. [Abstract]

Piñeiro, G., Ramos, A., Meneguel, M., Spindler, F., Ferigolo, J. & Laurin, M. (2013): Taphonomic and paleoecological studies may suggest reproductive aggregation and social behavior in mesosaurs. − In: Ribeiro, A.M., Lana, C.C., Abdala, F., Coimbra, J.C., Leme, J. & Garcia, M.J. (eds.): XXIII Congresso Brasileiro de Paleontologia, Paleontologia em Destaque (spec. ed. 10): 313. [Abstract]

Spindler, F. (2013): The Niederhäslich tetrapod assemblage (Early Permian, Döhlen basin) from Germany – new insights to ecology, reptiliomorph diversity, and the biology of (basal Sphenacodontia). –  abstract volume of 73. Annual Meeting SVP, 218. [Poster abstract]

Kogan, I., Fischer, J., Voigt, S., Schneider J.W. & Spindler, F. (2013): The ichthyofauna of the non-marine Triassic Madygen Formation (Southwest Kyrgyzstan, Central Asia). – 6th International Meeting on Mesozoic Fishes: Diversification and Diversity Patterns (abstract volume, Univ. Vienna & Nat. H. Mus. Vienna), 39. [Poster abstract]

Mudroch, A., Richter, U. & Spindler, F. (2013): NaTourDidact - Transmission of palaeobiological content as a service provided by NaTourWissen Ltd., Hannover, Germany. – In: Reitner, J., Qun, Y., Yongdong, W. & Reich, M.: Palaeobiology and Geobiology of Fossil Lagerstätten through Earth History (Joint Conference of the Paläontologische Gesellschaft and the Palaeontological Society of China, Göttingen, abstract volume), 118f. [Poster abstract]

Schneider, J.W., Saber, H., Belahmira, A., Scholze, F., Spindler, F. & Lagnaoui, A. (2013): Thunderstorm and catastrophical flood in Morocco - 305 Ma ago. – In: Reitner, J., Qun, Y., Yongdong, W. & Reich, M.: Palaeobiology and Geobiology of Fossil Lagerstätten through Earth History (Joint Conference of the Paläontologische Gesellschaft and the Palaeontological Society of China, Göttingen, abstract volume), 146f. [Poster abstract]

Spindler, F., Brink, K. & Piñeiro, G. (2013): An upgraded perspective on basal Sphenacodontia, the stem group of mammal-like amniotes. – In: Reitner, J., Qun, Y., Yongdong, W. & Reich, M.: Palaeobiology and Geobiology of Fossil Lagerstätten through Earth History (Joint Conference of the Paläontologische Gesellschaft and the Palaeontological Society of China, Göttingen, abstract volume), 157f. [Poster abstract]

Voigt, S., Kogan, I., Buchwitz, M., Fischer, J., Moisan, P. Schneider, J.W., Spindler, F., Brosig, A., Preusse, M. / Scholze, F (2013): The continental Triassic Madygen Lagerstätte (southwest Kyrgyzstan, Central Asia). – In: Reitner, J., Qun, Y., Yongdong, W. & Reich, M.: Palaeobiology and Geobiology of Fossil Lagerstätten through Earth History (Joint Conference of the Paläontologische Gesellschaft and the Palaeontological Society of China, Göttingen, abstract volume), 167f. [Talk abstract]

Franeck, F., Schneider, J.W., Fischer, J., Kogan, I., Buchwitz, M., Spindler, F. & Voigt, S. (2012): Microvertebrate remains from the non-marine Triassic Madygen Formation of Kyrgyzstan. - Centenary Meeting of the Paläontologische Gesellschaft, Terra Nostra (3): 57f. [Poster abstract]

Richter, U., Mudroch, A. & Spindler, F. (2012): NaTourDidakt - Vermittlung paläobiologischer Inhalte als Dienstleistung. - Centenary Meeting of the Paläontologische Gesellschaft, Terra Nostra (3): 141f. [Poster abstract]

Rößler, R., Spindler, F., Noll, R., Neregato, R. & Rohn-Davies, R. (2012): Anatomically preserved calamitaleans from the Permian of Tocantins (Parnaíba Basin, NE Brazil) exhibit growth form diversity. - Centenary Meeting of the Paläontologische Gesellschaft, Terra Nostra (3): 144f. [Poster abstract]

Spindler, F. (2012): Die sphenacodonten Pelycosaurier Europas. - Centenary Meeting of the Paläontologische Gesellschaft, Terra Nostra (3): 171f. [Talk abstract]

Spindler,F. & Fischer, J. (2012): The Second Evolution - Life reconstructions through the ages. - Centenary Meeting of the Paläontologische Gesellschaft, Terra Nostra (3): 172. [Poster abstract]

Spindler, F. & Schneider, J.W. (2012): Pantelosaurus saxonicus - "Sachsens vollkommene Echse". - In: Martin, T., von Koenigswald, W., Radtke, G. & Rust, J. (editors): Paläontologie. 100 Jahre Paläontologische Gesellschaft. Pfeil Vlg., München, 24f.

Rößler, R., Spindler, F., Zhuo Feng & Zierold, T. (2011): Close to their extinction horsetails became giants. – Beiträge zur Paläontologie (82. Jahrestagung Pal. Ges.), 72. [Poster abstract]

Spindler, F. (2011): Taking up the cudgels for paraphyletic taxonomy. – Beiträge zur Paläontologie (82. Jahrestagung Pal. Ges.), 76. [Poster abstract]

Spindler, F., Buchwitz, M., Fischer, J. & Voigt, S. (2011): Preservation of tetrapod skin in the Triassic Madygen Formation. – Beiträge zur Paläontologie (82. Jahrestagung Pal. Ges.), 76-77. [Poster abstract]

Spindler, F. & Schneider, J.W. (2011): Taphonomie und Ökologie der früh-permischen Wirbeltierfauna von Niederhäslich (Sachsen): Amphibien, (Sphenacodontia) und andere Reptiliomorpha. – Beiträge zur Paläontologie (82. Jahrestagung Pal. Ges.), 37-38. [Talk abstract]

Spindler, F. & Rathaj, H. (2010): Zur Historie und Rekonstruktion von  () von Huene 1925. – Veröff. Museum für Naturkunde Chemnitz 33, 51-62.

Spindler, F., Schneider, J.W. & Voigt, S. (2010): Taphonomic analysis of the skeletal aggregation of (Sphenacodontia, Eupelycosauria). –  J. Vert. Pal. 28 (3) (70. Annual Meeting SVP), 169A. [Poster abstract]

Spindler, F. & Schneider, J.W. (2010): Probleme und Hypothesen zur Evolution der Sphenacodontia (Synapsida). – Zitteliana B, Abh. Bayr. Staatssamml. Pal. u. Geol. 29 (80. Jahrestagung Pal. Ges.), 99. [Talk abstract]

Spindler, F., Schneider, J.W. & Werneburg, R. (2009): Zur Evolution früher Sphenacodontier. – Terra Nostra 2009/3 (79. Jahrestagung Pal. Ges.), 113-114. [Poster abstract]

Spindler, F. & Schneider, J.W. (2008): Re-evaluating von Huene 1925 (Synapsida: Sphenacodontidae) from the Lower Permian of Germany. – Erlanger Geologische Abhandlungen, Sonderband 6 (78. Jahrestagung Pal. Ges.), 115. [Poster abstract]

Rößler, R., Zierold, T., Spindler, F. & Rudolph, F. (2007): Strandsteine – eine Ausstellung des Museums für Naturkunde Chemnitz. – Veröff. Museum für Naturkunde Chemnitz 30, 5-24.

Voigt, S.; Spindler, F.; Fischer, J.; Kogan, I. & Buchwitz, M. (2007): An extraordinary lake basin – the Madygen fossil lagerstaette (Middle to Upper Triassic, Kyrgyzstan, Central Asia). – Wissensch. Mitteilungen des Inst. f. Geol. der TU Bergakademie Freiberg 36 (77. Jahrestagung Pal. Ges.), 162. [Poster abstract]

Spindler, F. (2007): Flugsaurier auf Briefmarken: Entwicklung und Vielfalt einer bemerkenswerten Tiergruppe – die philatelistische Sammlung von Kurt Höppner, Chemnitz. – Veröff. Museum für Naturkunde Chemnitz 30, 131-146.

I've done several documentation journeys to European collections that house pelycosaur remains: Warwick (England), Paris, Berlin, Thallichtenberg. Our excavation in Oberhof (Thuringia) was about the environmental history of an Early Permian lake ecosystem.

Documentary sketches before the final drawing help to clear up the anatomy and preservation. Tracing paper over colored print-out, scaled to 200% of natural size, by observing the fossils and casts.

For my planned dissertation some Permian amniote fossils have to be cast. The soft bones have left natural casts in the limestone that can be documented as the original shapes when molded with silicone.

Before sampling thin sections, these armor plates of a stagonolepid archosaur have been cast to preserve their shape data. (Carried out for Michael Buchwitz)

For some years I have pursued dinosaur publications. Due to increasing activities I lost the view over all new species. Also drawing dinosaurs had to be decreased. Here I show you some of the older drawings: some skeletons  (Piatnitzkysaurus, Procompsognathus und Shuvuuia) from the so-called special study effort for my secondary school qualification (2002), raptor table, sauropod skulls, and the cranial reconstruction of Buitreraptor. As you see, theropods are focused. More dinosaurs within this gallery.

Through my diploma thesis I came to pelycosaurs (ancestors of mammal-like reptiles). It was then about Pantelosaurus, the documentation of their skeletal aggregation, anatomy and biology. We're going to study all haptodonts, including revision and biological interpretation. Here are some old drawings from my thesis. Also the posters seen above belong to that effort. More pelycosaurs can be seen in the galleries among any reconstructions and scientific style.

Spindler, F. (2008): Klassifikation, Taphonomie und Palökologie des „Haptodus“-Komplexfundes aus dem Perm des Döhlen-Beckens. – unpublished diploma thesis, Freiberg.

For the qualification I passed my field mapping in 2009, dealing with clastic dykes from the Döhlen basin, Freital (Saxony). These are earthquake fissures, of which I had to document their structures and distribution. Only few fossils, mainly algae and terrestrial plant roots could be collected. Hope to publish the data one day...

Among the field mappings during the academic studies, there was a profile documentation in the French Permian rocks of the Lodéve basin. It's a playa facies with channel systems.

Determined by the Freiberg research team, excavations also have been carried out in the Permian rocks. I joined fossil collection activities in Thuringia, Saxony, the Czech Republic and France.

photos: Lodéve excavation team.