New species honors the late Farish Jenkins

June 22, 2018
field work
Photo courtesy of co-author Edward B. Daeschler

A new paper in the MCZ journal Breviora describes a new species of tetrapodomorph sarcopterygian, Eusthenopteron jenkinsi. The species is named in honor of the late Dr. Farish A. Jenkins, Jr., beloved faculty member and curator of Vertebrate Paleontology at the MCZ, for his central role in the Nunavut Paleontological Expeditions from 1999 to 2008. He was a key contributor to the anatomical research, the fieldwork, and the quality of life in camp. The paper is available through BioOne and the MCZ.  

The photo here shows field work at the site in 2008 (NV2K17; Late Devonian-age; Fram Formation) where Eusthenopteron jenkinsi was found (along with Tiktaalik roseae and several other new species) on southern Ellesmere Island, Nunavut Territory, Canada.