Christian Sidor
Christian Alfred Sidor is an American biologist and paleontologist. He is currently a Professor in the Department of Biology, University of Washington in Seattle, WA[1], as well as Curator of Vertebrate Paleontology and Associate Director for Research and Collections at the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture.[2] His research focuses on Permian and Triassic tetrapod evolution, especially on therapsids. He is also an avid squash enthusiast[3].
Academic and professional background
Sidor received a B.S. (with honors) in biology from Trinity College in 1994. He went on to pursue his graduate studies at the University of Chicago, completing his M.S. in 1996 and his Ph.D. in 2000 under the supervision of James Hopson.[4] Sidor won the Romer Prize in 2001 for his doctoral work[5], a highly competitive annual award at the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology annual meeting for the best predoctoral student oral presentation.[6] Following his dissertation, Sidor held a postdoctoral fellowship at the National Museum of Natural History (2001) before becoming an Assistant Professor in Anatomy at the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine.[7] He held that position until 2005, when he was took up a position as an Assistant Professor in Biology at the University of Washington. Presently, he is a full Professor in Biology at the University of Washington, as well as a Curator of Vertebrate Paleontology and Associate Director for Research and Collections at the affiliated Burke Museum. He is a research associate at the Field Museum of Natural History, National Museum of Natural History (Smithsonian Institution), and Evolutionary Studies Institute (University of the Witwatersrand).
Academic contributions
Sidor is best known for his work on therapsid synapsids[8][9][10][11][12][13]; the title of his dissertation was "Evolutionary trends and relationships within the Synapsida."[14] However, Sidor has been involved with research on a diverse array of other Paleozoic and Mesozoic tetrapod clades, including temnospondyl amphibians[15][16][17]; captorhinid reptiles[18][19]; pseudosuchian archosaurs[20][21][22]; and avemetatarsalian archosaurs[23][24][25][26][27][28], encompassing a wide-ranging research program focusing on descriptive anatomy, taxonomy and phylogenetics, histology and pathology, trends in biogeography, and responses of tetrapods to major climatic perturbations. Sidor has extensive experience collecting and researching fossils from historically less well-sampled geographic regions, including Niger[29], Tanzania[30], Zambia[31], and Antarctica[32]. He has co-authored papers in numerous high-profile scientific journals, including Nature, Science, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, and JAMA Oncology. Previously he was a member of the editorial board of the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology (2005-2010). In his role as a professor, Sidor has supervised numerous graduate students, including Adam Huttenlocker (Assistant Professor at the University of Southern California)[33], Brandon Peecook (Assistant Professor at Idaho State University)[34], and Megan Whitney (postdoctoral fellow at the Museum of Comparative Zoology)[35].
Below is a list of new taxa that Sidor has contributed to naming:
Year | Taxon | Authors |
---|---|---|
2019 | Ancistronychus paradoxus gen. et sp. nov. | Gonçalves & Sidor[36] |
2019 | Laosuchus naga gen. et sp. nov. | Arbez, Sidor & Steyer[37] |
2019 | Antarctanax shackletoni gen. et sp. nov. | Peecook, Smith & Sidor[38] |
2017 | Teleocrater rhadinus gen. et sp. nov. | Nesbitt et al.[28] |
2016 | Wantulignathus gwembensis gen. et sp. nov | Whitney & Sidor[39] |
2016 | Mupashi migrator gen. et sp. nov. | Huttenlocker & Sidor[40] |
2015 | Opisthodontosaurus carrolli gen. et sp. nov. | Reisz, LeBlanc, Sidor, Scott & May[41] |
2015 | Ichibengops munyamadziensis gen. et sp. nov. | Huttenlocker & Sidor[42] |
2014 | Abajudon kaayai gen. et sp. nov. | Angielczyk et al.[43] |
2014 | Nundasuchus songeaensis gen. et sp. nov. | Nesbitt, Sidor, Angielczyk, Smith & Tsuji[44] |
2014 | Antarctosuchus polyodon gen. et sp. nov. | Sidor, Steyer & Hammer[45] |
2013 | Lutungutali sitwensis gen. et sp. nov. | Peecook, Sidor, Nesbitt, Smith, Steyer & Angielczyk[46] |
2013 | Nyasasaurus parringtoni gen. et sp. nov. | Nesbitt, Barrett, Werning, Sidor & Charig[47] |
2010 | Asilisaurus kongwe gen. et sp. nov. | Nesbitt, Sidor, Irmis, Angielczyk, Smith & Tsuji[48] |
2010 | Kombuisia antarctica sp. nov. | Fröbisch, Angielczyk & Sidor[49] |
2008 | Kryostega collinsoni gen. et sp. nov. | Sidor, Damiani & Hammer[50] |
2007 | Lophorhinus willodenensis gen. et sp. nov. | Sidor & Smith[51] |
2006 | Pachydectes elsi gen. et sp. nov. | Rubidge, Modesto & Sidor[52] |
2006 | Paraburnetia sneeubergensis gen. et sp. nov. | Smith, Rubidge & Sidor[53] |
2006 | Elliotherium kersteni gen. et sp. nov. | Sidor & Hancox[54] |
2006 | Herpetoskylax hopsoni gen. et sp. nov. | Sidor & Rubidge[55] |
2005 | Saharastega moradiensis gen. et sp. nov | Sidor et al.[56] |
2005 | Nigerpeton ricqlesi gen. et sp. nov. | Sidor et al.[56] |
2004 | Lobalopex mordax gen. et sp. nov. | Sidor, Hopson & Keyser[57] |
2004 | Progalesaurus lootsbergensis gen. et sp. nov. | Sidor & Smith[58] |
2003 | Anatosuchus minor gen. et sp. nov. | Sereno, Sidor, Larsson & Gado[22] |
1998 | Suchomimus tenerensis gen. et sp. nov. | Sereno et al.[59] |
1996 | Deltadromeus agilis gen. et sp. nov. | Sereno et al.[60] |
References
- "Christian Sidor | UW Biology". www.biology.washington.edu. Retrieved 2020-07-10.
- "Leadership". Burke Museum. Retrieved 2020-07-10.
- "Twitter - Christian Sidor". Twitter. Retrieved 2020-07-10.
- "Chris Sidor".
- "SVP - Past Award Winners". Retrieved 2020-07-09.
- "SVP - Romer Prize". Retrieved 2020-07-09.
- "Christian A. Sidor". ResearchGate.
- Rubidge, Bruce S.; Sidor, Christian A. (2001). "Evolutionary Patterns Among Permo-Triassic Therapsids". Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics. 32 (1): 449–480. doi:10.1146/annurev.ecolsys.32.081501.114113. ISSN 0066-4162.
- Sidor, Christian A.; Hopson, James A. (1998). "Ghost Lineages and "Mammalness": Assessing the Temporal Pattern of Character Acquisition in the Synapsida". Paleobiology. 24 (2): 254–273. ISSN 0094-8373.
- Sidor, Christian A. (2001). "SIMPLIFICATION AS A TREND IN SYNAPSID CRANIAL EVOLUTION". Evolution. 55 (7): 1419–1442. doi:10.1111/j.0014-3820.2001.tb00663.x. ISSN 0014-3820.
- Sidor, Christian A.; Hopson, James A. (2017-11-29). "Cricodon metabolus(Cynodontia: Gomphodontia) from the Triassic Ntawere Formation of northeastern Zambia: patterns of tooth replacement and a systematic review of the Trirachodontidae". Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. 37 (sup1): 39–64. doi:10.1080/02724634.2017.1410485. ISSN 0272-4634.
- Kato, Kyle M.; Rega, Elizabeth A.; Sidor, Christian A.; Huttenlocker, Adam K. (2020-01-13). "Investigation of a bone lesion in a gorgonopsian (Synapsida) from the Permian of Zambia and periosteal reactions in fossil non-mammalian tetrapods". Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences. 375 (1793): 20190144. doi:10.1098/rstb.2019.0144. ISSN 0962-8436.
- Kulik, Zoe T.; Sidor, Christian A. (2019-05-09). "The original boneheads: histologic analysis of the pachyostotic skull roof in Permian burnetiamorphs (Therapsida: Biarmosuchia)". Journal of Anatomy: joa.12987. doi:10.1111/joa.12987. ISSN 0021-8782. PMC 6580075. PMID 31070781.
- Sidor, Christian A. (2000). Evolutionary trends and relationships within the Synapsida [Ph.D. thesis]. Chicago: University of Chicago.
- Sidor, Christian A.; O'Keefe, F. Robin; Damiani, Ross; Steyer, J. Sébastien; Smith, Roger M. H.; Larsson, Hans C. E.; Sereno, Paul C.; Ide, Oumarou; Maga, Abdoulaye (2005). "Permian tetrapods from the Sahara show climate-controlled endemism in Pangaea". Nature. 434 (7035): 886–889. doi:10.1038/nature03393. ISSN 0028-0836.
- Sidor, Christian A.; Damiani, Ross; Hammer, William R. (2008-09-12). "A new Triassic temnospondyl from Antarctica and a review of Fremouw Formation biostratigraphy". Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. 28 (3): 656–663. doi:10.1671/0272-4634(2008)28[656:anttfa]2.0.co;2. ISSN 0272-4634.
- Sidor, Christian A.; Steyer, J. Sébastien; Damiani, Ross (2007-03-12). "Parotosuchus(Temnospondyli: Mastodonsauridae) from the Triassic of Antarctica". Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. 27 (1): 232–235. doi:10.1671/0272-4634(2007)27[232:ptmftt]2.0.co;2. ISSN 0272-4634.
- O'Keefe, F. Robin; Sidor, Christian A.; Larsson, Hans C. E.; Maga, Abdoulaye; Ide, Oumarou (2005-06-27). "The vertebrate fauna of the Upper Permian of Niger—III, morphology and ontogeny of the hindlimb ofMoradisaurus grandis(Reptilia, Captorhinidae)". Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. 25 (2): 309–319. doi:10.1671/0272-4634(2005)025[0309:tvfotu]2.0.co;2. ISSN 0272-4634.
- Reisz, R. R.; LeBlanc, Aaron R. H.; Sidor, Christian A.; Scott, Diane; May, William (2015-08-20). "A new captorhinid reptile from the Lower Permian of Oklahoma showing remarkable dental and mandibular convergence with microsaurian tetrapods". The Science of Nature. 102 (9–10). doi:10.1007/s00114-015-1299-y. ISSN 0028-1042.
- Sereno, P. C. (2001-10-25). "The Giant Crocodyliform Sarcosuchus from the Cretaceous of Africa". Science. 294 (5546): 1516–1519. doi:10.1126/science.1066521. ISSN 0036-8075.
- Nesbitt, Sterling J.; Stocker, Michelle R.; Parker, William G.; Wood, Thomas A.; Sidor, Christian A.; Angielczyk, Kenneth D. (2017-11-29). "The braincase and endocast ofParringtonia gracilis, a Middle Triassic suchian (Archosaur: Pseudosuchia)". Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. 37 (sup1): 122–141. doi:10.1080/02724634.2017.1393431. ISSN 0272-4634.
- Sereno, P. C.; Sidor, C. A.; Larsson, H. C. E.; Gado, B. (2003-06-17). "A new notosuchian from the Early Cretaceous of Niger". Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. 23 (2): 477–482. doi:10.1671/0272-4634(2003)023[0477:ANNFTE]2.0.CO;2. ISSN 0272-4634.
- Nesbitt, Sterling J.; Sidor, Christian A.; Irmis, Randall B.; Angielczyk, Kenneth D.; Smith, Roger M. H.; Tsuji, Linda A. (2010). "Ecologically distinct dinosaurian sister group shows early diversification of Ornithodira". Nature. 464 (7285): 95–98. doi:10.1038/nature08718. ISSN 0028-0836.
- Nesbitt, S. J.; Barrett, P. M.; Werning, S.; Sidor, C. A.; Charig, A. J. (2012-12-05). "The oldest dinosaur? A Middle Triassic dinosauriform from Tanzania". Biology Letters. 9 (1): 20120949–20120949. doi:10.1098/rsbl.2012.0949. ISSN 1744-9561.
- Peecook, R; Sidor, A; Nesbitt, J; Smith, M; Steyer, S; Anigelczyck, D (2014). "A New Silesaurid from the Upper Ntawere Formation of Zambia (Middle Triassic) Demonstrates the Rapid Diversification of Silesauridae (Avemetatarsalia, Dinosauriformes) (project)". MorphoBank datasets. Retrieved 2020-07-10.
- Nesbitt, Sterling J.; Sidor, Christian A.; Angielczyk, Kenneth D.; Smith, Roger M. H.; Tsuji, Linda A. (2014-09-19). "A new archosaur from the Manda beds (Anisian, Middle Triassic) of southern Tanzania and its implications for character state optimizations at Archosauria and Pseudosuchia". Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. 34 (6): 1357–1382. doi:10.1080/02724634.2014.859622. ISSN 0272-4634.
- Peecook, Brandon R.; Sidor, Christian A. (2015-05-20). "The First Dinosaur from Washington State and a Review of Pacific Coast Dinosaurs from North America". PLOS ONE. 10 (5): e0127792. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0127792. ISSN 1932-6203.
- Nesbitt, Sterling J.; Butler, Richard J.; Ezcurra, Martín D.; Barrett, Paul M.; Stocker, Michelle R.; Angielczyk, Kenneth D.; Smith, Roger M. H.; Sidor, Christian A.; Niedźwiedzki, Grzegorz; Sennikov, Andrey G.; Charig, Alan J. (2017). "The earliest bird-line archosaurs and the assembly of the dinosaur body plan". Nature. 544 (7651): 484–487. doi:10.1038/nature22037. ISSN 0028-0836.
- "Reptile Relative Was Among the First Animals to Walk On Upright Legs". Science. 2015-09-21. Retrieved 2020-07-10.
- "Dinosaurs Ten Million Years Older Than Thought". National Geographic News. 2010-03-04. Retrieved 2020-07-10.
- "'Scarface,' an ancient cousin to mammals, unearthed in Africa". UW News. Retrieved 2020-07-10.
- "Going to the end of the Earth to uncover fossil life in Antarctica". Burke Museum. Retrieved 2020-07-10.
- "Adam Huttenlocker, MD | Keck School of Medicine of USC". Retrieved 2020-07-10.
- "Brandon Peecook | Idaho State University". www.isu.edu. Retrieved 2020-07-10.
- "Megan Whitney". mcz.harvard.edu. Retrieved 2020-07-10.
- Gonçalves, Gabriel S.; Sidor, Christian A. (2019-12-15). "A new drepanosauromorph, Ancistronychus paradoxus n. gen. et sp., from the Chinle Formation of Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona, USA". PaleoBios. 36: 1–10.
- Arbez, Thomas; Sidor, Christian A.; Steyer, J.-Sébastien (2018-09-27). "Laosuchus naga gen. et sp. nov., a new chroniosuchian from South-East Asia (Laos) with internal structures revealed by micro-CT scan and discussion of its palaeobiology". Journal of Systematic Palaeontology. 17 (14): 1165–1182. doi:10.1080/14772019.2018.1504827. ISSN 1477-2019.
- Peecook, Brandon R.; Smith, Roger M. H.; Sidor, Christian A. (2018-11-02). "A novel archosauromorph from Antarctica and an updated review of a high-latitude vertebrate assemblage in the wake of the end-Permian mass extinction". Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. 38 (6): e1536664. doi:10.1080/02724634.2018.1536664. ISSN 0272-4634.
- Whitney, Megan R.; Sidor, Christian A. (2016-04-11). "A new therapsid from the Permian Madumabisa Mudstone Formation (Mid-Zambezi Basin) of southern Zambia". Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. 36 (4): e1150767. doi:10.1080/02724634.2016.1150767. ISSN 0272-4634.
- Huttenlocker, Adam K.; Sidor, Christian A. (2016-03-10). "The first karenitid (Therapsida, Therocephalia) from the upper Permian of Gondwana and the biogeography of Permo-Triassic therocephalians". Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. 36 (4): e1111897. doi:10.1080/02724634.2016.1111897. ISSN 0272-4634.
- Reisz, R. R.; LeBlanc, Aaron R. H.; Sidor, Christian A.; Scott, Diane; May, William (2015-08-20). "A new captorhinid reptile from the Lower Permian of Oklahoma showing remarkable dental and mandibular convergence with microsaurian tetrapods". The Science of Nature. 102 (9–10). doi:10.1007/s00114-015-1299-y. ISSN 0028-1042.
- Huttenlocker, Adam K.; Sidor, Christian A.; Angielczyk, Kenneth D. (2015-07-20). "A new eutherocephalian (Therapsida, Therocephalia) from the upper Permian Madumabisa Mudstone Formation (Luangwa Basin) of Zambia". Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. 35 (5): e969400. doi:10.1080/02724634.2015.969400. ISSN 0272-4634.
- Angielczyk, Kenneth D.; Huertas, Sébastien; Smith, Roger M. H.; Tabor, Neil J.; Sidor, Christian A.; Steyer, Jean-Sébastien; Tsuji, Linda A.; Gostling, Neil J. (2014-09-19). "New dicynodonts (Therapsida, Anomodontia) and updated tetrapod stratigraphy of the Permian Ruhuhu Formation (Songea Group, Ruhuhu Basin) of southern Tanzania". Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. 34 (6): 1408–1426. doi:10.1080/02724634.2014.880448. ISSN 0272-4634.
- Nesbitt, Sterling J.; Sidor, Christian A.; Angielczyk, Kenneth D.; Smith, Roger M. H.; Tsuji, Linda A. (2014-09-19). "A new archosaur from the Manda beds (Anisian, Middle Triassic) of southern Tanzania and its implications for character state optimizations at Archosauria and Pseudosuchia". Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. 34 (6): 1357–1382. doi:10.1080/02724634.2014.859622. ISSN 0272-4634.
- Sidor, Christian A.; Steyer, J. SéBastien; Hammer, William R. (2014-04-16). "A new capitosauroid temnospondyl from the Middle Triassic upper Fremouw Formation of Antarctica". Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. 34 (3): 539–548. doi:10.1080/02724634.2013.808205. ISSN 0272-4634.
- Peecook, Brandon R.; Sidor, Christian A.; Nesbitt, Sterling J.; Smith, Roger M. H.; Steyer, J. Sebastien; Angielczyk, Kenneth D. (2013). "A new silesaurid from the upper Ntawere Formation of Zambia (Middle Triassic) demonstrates the rapid diversification of Silesauridae (Avemetatarsalia, Dinosauriformes)". Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. 33 (5): 1127–1137. doi:10.1080/02724634.2013.755991. ISSN 0272-4634.
- Nesbitt, S. J.; Barrett, P. M.; Werning, S.; Sidor, C. A.; Charig, A. J. (2012-12-05). "The oldest dinosaur? A Middle Triassic dinosauriform from Tanzania". Biology Letters. 9 (1): 20120949–20120949. doi:10.1098/rsbl.2012.0949. ISSN 1744-9561.
- Nesbitt, Sterling J.; Sidor, Christian A.; Irmis, Randall B.; Angielczyk, Kenneth D.; Smith, Roger M. H.; Tsuji, Linda A. (2010). "Ecologically distinct dinosaurian sister group shows early diversification of Ornithodira". Nature. 464 (7285): 95–98. doi:10.1038/nature08718. ISSN 0028-0836.
- Fröbisch, Jörg; Angielczyk, Kenneth D.; Sidor, Christian A. (2009-12-03). "The Triassic dicynodont Kombuisia (Synapsida, Anomodontia) from Antarctica, a refuge from the terrestrial Permian-Triassic mass extinction". Naturwissenschaften. 97 (2): 187–196. doi:10.1007/s00114-009-0626-6. ISSN 0028-1042.
- Sidor, Christian A.; Damiani, Ross; Hammer, William R. (2008-09-12). "A new Triassic temnospondyl from Antarctica and a review of Fremouw Formation biostratigraphy". Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. 28 (3): 656–663. doi:10.1671/0272-4634(2008)28[656:anttfa]2.0.co;2. ISSN 0272-4634.
- Sidor, Christian A.; Smith, Roger M. H. (2007-06-12). "A second burnetiamorph therapsid from the Permian Teekloof Formation of South Africa and its associated fauna". Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. 27 (2): 420–430. doi:10.1671/0272-4634(2007)27[420:asbtft]2.0.co;2. ISSN 0272-4634.
- Rubidge, Bruce S.; Sidor, Christian A.; Modesto, Sean P. (2006). "A NEW BURNETIAMORPH (THERAPSIDA: BIARMOSUCHIA) FROM THE MIDDLE PERMIAN OF SOUTH AFRICA". Journal of Paleontology. 80 (4): 740–749. doi:10.1666/0022-3360(2006)80[740:ANBTBF]2.0.CO;2. ISSN 0022-3360.
- Smith, Roger M. H.; Rubidge, Bruce S.; Sidor, Christian A. (2006-06-12). "A new burnetiid (Therapsida: Biarmosuchia) from the Upper Permian of South Africa and its biogeographic implications". Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. 26 (2): 331–343. doi:10.1671/0272-4634(2006)26[331:anbtbf]2.0.co;2. ISSN 0272-4634.
- SIDOR, C. A.; HANCOX, P. J. (2006). "ELLIOTHERIUM KERSTENI, A NEW TRITHELEDONTID FROM THE LOWER ELLIOT FORMATION (UPPER TRIASSIC) OF SOUTH AFRICA". Journal of Paleontology. 80 (2): 333–342. doi:10.1666/0022-3360(2006)080[0333:ekantf]2.0.co;2. ISSN 0022-3360.
- Sidor, Christian A.; Rubidge, Bruce S. (2006). Herpetoskylax hopsoni, a new biarmosuchian (Therapsida: Biarmosuchia) from the Beaufort Group of South Africa. Amniote paleobiology: Perspectives on the evolution of mammals, birds, and reptiles. University of Chicago Press. pp. 76–113.
- Sidor, Christian A.; O'Keefe, F. Robin; Damiani, Ross; Steyer, J. Sébastien; Smith, Roger M. H.; Larsson, Hans C. E.; Sereno, Paul C.; Ide, Oumarou; Maga, Abdoulaye (2005). "Permian tetrapods from the Sahara show climate-controlled endemism in Pangaea". Nature. 434 (7035): 886–889. doi:10.1038/nature03393. ISSN 0028-0836.
- Sidor, Christian A.; Hopson, James A.; Keyser, André W. (2004-12-10). "A new burnetiamorph therapsid from the Teekloof Formation, Permian, of South Africa". Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. 24 (4): 938–950. doi:10.1671/0272-4634(2004)024[0938:anbtft]2.0.co;2. ISSN 0272-4634.
- Sidor, Christian A.; Smith, Roger M. H. (2004). "A new galesaurid (Therapsida: Cynodontia) from the Lower Triassic of South Africa". Palaeontology. 47 (3): 535–556. doi:10.1111/j.0031-0239.2004.00378.x. ISSN 0031-0239.
- Sereno, P. C. (1998-11-13). "A Long-Snouted Predatory Dinosaur from Africa and the Evolution of Spinosaurids". Science. 282 (5392): 1298–1302. doi:10.1126/science.282.5392.1298.
- Sereno, P. C.; Dutheil, D. B.; Iarochene, M.; Larsson, H. C. E.; Lyon, G. H.; Magwene, P. M.; Sidor, C. A.; Varricchio, D. J.; Wilson, J. A. (1996-05-17). "Predatory Dinosaurs from the Sahara and Late Cretaceous Faunal Differentiation". Science. 272 (5264): 986–991. doi:10.1126/science.272.5264.986. ISSN 0036-8075.
External links
- "Toothy 'Crocamander' Was Top Triassic Predator", the Discovery Channel discusses one of the finds of Sidor's team