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Publications

Peer Reviewed Publications and Chapters 

  • Motani, R. and L. Schmitz.  in press.  Phylogenetic versus functional signals in the evolution of form-function relationships in terrestrial vision.  Evolution.
  • Motani, R.  2010.  Warm blooded sea dragons?  Science 328:1361-1362. (Invited and peer-reviewed Perspective)
  • Schmitz, L. and R. Motani.  2010.  Morphological differences between eyeballs of nocturnal and diurnal amniotes revisited from optical perspectives of visual environments.  Vision Research 50:936-943.
  • Hinic-Frlog, S. and R. Motani.  2010. Relationship between osteology and aquatic locomotion in birds: determining modes of locomotion in extinct Ornithurae. Journal of Evolutionary Biology 23:372-385.
  • Motani, R.  2009.  The evolution of marine reptiles.  Evolution: Education and Outreach 2:224-235
  • Jiang D., R. Motani, Hao W., O. Rieppel., Sun Y., A. Tintori, Sun Z. and L. Schmitz. 2009. Biodiversity and sequence of the Middle Triassic Panxian Marine Reptile Fauna, Guizhou Province, China. Acta Geologica Sinica 83:451-459
  • Jiang., D., O. Rieppel., R. Motani, W. Hao, Y. Sun, L. Schmitz, and Z. Sun.  2008.  A new Middle Triassic sauropterygian from Southwestern China.  Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 28:1055-1062. 
  • Motani, R.  2008.  Combining uniformitarian and historical data to interpret how Earth environment influenced the evolution of Ichthyopterygia.  The Paleontological Society Papers 14:147-164. (PS Centennial Short Course)
  • Motani, R., D. Jiang, A. Tintori, Y. Sun, W. Hao, A. Boyd, S. Hinic-Frlog, L. Schmitz, J. Shin, L. and Z. Sun.  2008.   Horizons and assemblages of Middle Triassic marine reptiles from Panxian, Guizhou, China.  Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 28:900-903.
  • Jiang, D., R. Motani, O. Rieppel, L. Schmitz, W. Hao, Y. Sun, and Z. Sun.  2008. First record of Placodontoidea (Reptilia, Sauropterygia, Placodontia) from the Eastern Tethys.  Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 28:904-908.
  • Jiang, D., R. Motani, L. Schmitz, O. Rieppel, W. Hao, Y. Sun, and Z. Sun.  2008.  New primitive ichthyosaurian (Reptilia, Diapsida) from the Middle Triassic of Panxian (Guizhou, southwestern China) and its position in the Triassic Biotic Recovery.  Progress on Natural Science 18:1315-1319.. [In English and Chinese]
  • Boyd, A. and R. Motani.  2008.  3D Re-evaluation of the deformation removal technique based on “Jigsaw Puzzling”.  Paleontologica Electronica. Article # 11.2.A
  • Jiang, D., L. Schmitz, R. Motani, W. Hao and Y. Sun.  2007.  The mixosaurid ichthyosaur Phalarodon cf. P. fraasi from the Middle Triassic of Guizhou Province, China.  Journal of Paleontology 84:602-605. 
  • Motani, R.  2005.  Ichthyosauria: evolution and physical constraints of fish-shaped reptiles.  Annual Review of Earth and Planetary Sciences 33:395-420.
  • Jiang, D., R. Motani, C. Li, W. Hao, Y. Sun, Z, Sun and L. Schmitz.  2005.  Guanling Biota: A marker of Triassic biotic recovery from the end-Permian extinction in the ancient Guizhou Sea.  Acta Geologica Sinica—English Edition 79:729-738.
  • Motani, R.  2005.  Detailed tooth morphology in a durophagous ichthyosaur captured by 3D laser scanner.  Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 25:462-465.
  • Motani, R.  2005.  True skull roof configuration of Ichthyosaurus and Stenopterygius and its implications.  Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 25: 338-342..
  • Motani, R.  2002.  Swimming speed estimation of extinct marine reptiles: energetic approach revisited.  Paleobiology 28:251-262.
  • Motani, R.  2002.  Scaling effects in caudal fin kinematics: implication for ichthyosaurian speed.  Nature 415:309-312. (Letter to Nature)
  • Motani, R.  2001.  Estimating body mass from silhouettes: testing the assumption of elliptical body cross-sections.  Paleobiology 27:735-750.
  • Motani, R.  2000a.  Skull of Grippia longirostris: no contradiction with a diapsid affinity for the Ichthyopterygia.  Palaeontology 43:1-14.
  • Motani, R.  2000b.  Is Omphalosaurus ichthyopterygian? –A phylogenetic perspective.  Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 20:295-301.
  • McGowan, C. and R. Motani.  1999.  A new interpretation of the Upper Triassic ichthyosaur, Shonisaurus.  Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 19:42-49.
  • Motani, R., M. Manabe, and Z.-M. Dong.  1999.  The status of Himalayasaurus tibetensis (Ichthyopterygia).  Paludicola 2:174-181.
  • Motani, R.  1999a.  On the evolution and homologies of the Ichthyopterygian forefins.  Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 19:28-41.
  • Motani, R.  1999b.  The skull and taxonomy of Mixosaurus (Ichthyopterygia).  Journal of Paleontology 73:917-928.
  • Motani, R.  1999c.  Phylogeny of the Ichthyopterygia.  Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 19:472-495.
  • Motani, R., B. M. Rothschild, and W. Wahl Jr.  1999.  Large eyes in deep diving ichthyosaurs.  Nature 402: 747. (Brief Communication)
  • Motani, R. and H. You.  1998a.  The forefin of Chensaurus chaoxianensis (Ichthyosauria) shows delayed mesopodial ossification.  Journal of Paleontology 72:133-136.
  • Motani, R., N. Minoura, and T. Ando.  1998.  Ichthyosaurian relationships illuminated by new primitive skeletons from Japan.  Nature 393: 255-257.  (Letter to Nature)
  • Motani, R. and H. You.  1998b.  Taxonomy and limb ontogeny of Chaohusaurus geishanensis (Ichthyosauria), with a note on the allometric equation.  Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 18:533-540.
  • Motani, R.  1998.  First complete forefin of the ichthyosaur Grippia longirostris discovered from the Triassic of Spitsbergen.  Palaeontology 41:591-600.
  • Motani, R.  1997a.  Temporal and spatial distribution of tooth implantation in ichthyosaurs.  pp. 81-103.  In Callaway, J. M. and E. L. Nicholls (eds.), Ancient Marine Reptiles.  Academic Press, London and New York. 
  • Motani, R.  1997b.  Redescription of the dentition of Grippia longirostris (Ichthyosauria) with a comparison with Utatsusaurus hataii.  Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 17:39-44.
  • Motani, R.  1997c  New information on the forefin of Utatsusaurus hataii (Ichthyosauria).  Journal of Paleontology 71:475-479.
  • Motani, R.  1997d.  New technique for retrodeforming tectonically deformed fossils, with an example for ichthyosaurian specimens.  Lethaia 30:221-228.
  • Motani, R.  1996.  Redescription of the dental features of an Early Triassic ichthyosaur Utatsusaurus hataii.  Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 16:396-402.
  • Motani, R., You H. and C. McGowan.  1996.  Eel-like swimming in the earliest ichthyosaurs.  Nature 382:347-348. (Letter to Nature)

Book       

  • McGowan, C. and R. Motani.  2003.  Ichthyopterygia. Handbuch der Paläoherpetologie Part 8. Verlag Dr. Friedrich Pfeil, München.  175 pp.

       
Popular Articles   

  • Motani, R.  2007.  Evolution of Ichthyosaurs. Iden 61(6):80-84. [In Japanese]
  • Motani, R.  2002.  From Overseas Laboratories. Nikkei Science 32(3):1.  [In Japanese]
  • Motani, R.  2001.  Rulers of the Jurassic seas. (translated and revised from the English version)  Nikkei Science.  31(3):40-50.  [In Japanese]
  • Motani, R.  2001.  What ichthyosaurs saw.  Understanding Dinosaurology, Aera Mook 66:148-152. [In Japanese]
  • Motani, R.  2000.  Rulers of the Jurassic seas.  Scientific American.  283(6):52-59.  (December 2000)

Published Abstracts

  • Motani, R. and L. Schmitz.  2010.  Phylogenetic bias in form-function relationships and its implication to the frequency of nocturnal dinosaurs.  Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 30:138A.
  • Shin, J.-Y. and R. Motani.  2010.  High shell-crushing performance of teeth facilitated by unique fracture patterns.  Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 30:164A
  • Kelley, N., R. Motani, D. Jiang, and O. Rieppel.  2010.  Global geochemical context of early Mesozoic marine reptile evolution.  Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 30:114A.
  • Ji, C., D. Jiang, R. Motani, W. Hao, and Z. Sun.  2010.  Phylogenetic analysis of Shastasauridae illuminated by Guizhouichthyosaurus from China indicates a possible pathway of the migration of the family.  Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 30:111A.
  • Jiang, D., O. Rieppel, W. Hao, R. Motani, and A. Tintori.  2010.  Comparison between the Chinese Middle Triassic marine reptile fauna at the east end and the Monte San Giorgio fauna at the west end of the Tethys.  Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 30:112A.
  • Hao, W., D. Jiang, O. Rieppel, R. Motani, and A. Tintori.  2010.  New specimen of the terrestrial reptile Macrocnemus from the latest Ladinian Xingyi-Fuyuan marine reptile level, Southwestern China.  Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 30:101A.
  • Shin, J.-Y. and R. Motani.  2009.  Feeding mechanism of large Mesozoic fossil chimaeroids (Chondrichthyes, Holocephali): How large a shell could they crush? Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 29:181A.
  • Kelley, N., R. Motani, D. Jiang, O. Rieppel, and A. Tintori.  2009.  Rapid diversification of dental and jaw morphology among marine reptiles during the Triassic Recovery. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 29:125A.
  • Jiang D., R. Motani, W. Hao, O. Rieppel, and A. Tintori. 2009. Correspondence of paleoenvironmental-paleoecological changes with biodiversity squence of the Middle Triassic Panxian Marine Reptile Fauna, Guizhou Province, China.  Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 29:123A.
  • Ji, C., Jiang D., R. Motani, W. Hao, and Z. Sun. 2009. New specimen of Guizhouichthyosaurus (shastasauridae) from southwestern China.  Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 29:122A.
  • Motani, R. and Jiang D.  2008.  Evolution of U-shaped clavicle complex and early evolution of Ichthyopterygia.  Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 28:119A.
  • Jiang, D., Rieepel O., Motani, R., Hao, W., and Sun Y.  2008.  A sauropterygian of small head with special dentition (Reptilia, Sauropterygia) from the Middle Triassic of Southwest China.  Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 28:96A.
  • Ji, C., Jiang, D., Motani, R., Hao, W., and Sun Y.  2008.  True tailbend occurred in Triassic—evidence from the Triassic ichthyosaur skeleton of China.  Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 28:96A.
  • Motani, R., Hirayama, R., Sato, T., Konishi, T., and Montanez, I.  2007.  Generic Diversity of marine reptiles through the Mesozoic and sea level changes.  Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 27: 121A.
  • Jiang, D., Motani, R.,  Hao, W., Tintori, A., and Rieppel, O.  2007.  Marine reptile horizons in the Anisian (Middle Triassic) of Guizhou, China and their implication to marine reptile evolution after end-Permian extinction.  Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 27:95A.
  • Schmitz, L., Motani, R., and Milner A.  2007.  Diel Activity pattern of Archaeopteryx.  Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 27:142A.
  • Shin, J. and Motani, R.  2007.  Bite force analysis of the ptyctodont placoderms, the earliest vertebrate durophage.  Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 145A.
  • Motani, R., A. Milner. and L. Schmitz.  2006.  The first truly objective method for 3D removal of geological deformation with an application to the braincase of Archaeopteryx.  Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 26: 103A.
  • Jiang, D., W. Hao, Y. Sun, R. Motani. and L. Schmitz.  2006.  First record of Placodontoidea (Reptilia, Sauropterygia, Placodontia) from the Eastern Thethys.  Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 26: 82A.
  • Hinic-Frlog, S. and R. Motani.  2006.  Correlation of osteology and locomotion: inferring swimming modes in extinct Ornithurae.  Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 26: 76A.
  • Boyd, A. and R. Motani.  2006.  3D re-evaluation of the deformation removal technique based on jigsaw puzzling.  Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 26:44A.
  • Motani, R.  2006.  Evolution and palaeobiogeography o fichthyosaurs in the Triassic.  Abstract of the 2nd International Paleontological Congress, Beijing, China: 395-396.
  • Tintori, R., Schmitz, L., Jiang, D.-Y., Lombardo, C. and Motani, R.  2006.  Durophagy in Triassic marine vertebrates.  Abstract of the 2nd International Paleontological Congress, Beijing, China: 400
  • Hinic-Frlog, S. and R. Motani.  2006.  Correlation of osteology and locomoter modes: evaluating biomechanical potential for swimming in extinct ornithurae.  Abstract of the 2nd International Paleontological Congress, Beijing, China: 201-202.
  • Schmitz, L., D. Jiang, R. Motani, W. Hao and Y. Sun.  2005.  Explosive radiation of durophagous marine reptiles during the post-Permian recovery.  Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 25:110A.
  • Motani, R.  2005. Frontline of marine reptile research.  70th Anniversary Special Symposium, Paleontological Society of Japan. [Invited Submission, in Japanese]
  • Motani, R., N. Amenta, and D. Wiley.  2005.  Possibilities and limitations of three-dimensional retrodeformation of a trilobite and plesiosaur vertebrae.  North American Paleontological Congress, Halifax, NS, Canada.  [Invited Submission]
  • Jiang, D., R. Motani, L. Schmitz, W. Hao, and Y. Sun.  2005.  Explosive radiation of shell-eating marine reptiles during the post-Permian recovery.  International Symposium on Triassic Chronostratigraphy and Biotic Recovery.  Chaohu, China.  Albertiana 33:43.
  • Schmitz, L., D. Jiang, R. Motani, W. Hao, and Y. Sun.  2005.  Early radiation and geographic dispersal of ichthyopterygians (Reptilia, Diapsida).  International Symposium on Triassic Chronostratigraphy and Biotic Recovery.  Chaohu, China.  Albertiana 33:69.
  • Motani, R.  2004.  Three-dimensional retrodeformation of the neck of the elasmosaur Thalassomedon haningtoni (Sauropterygia: Plesiosauria).  Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 14:96A.
  • Motani, R. and E. Starck.  2004.  3D retrodeformation of the neck of the elasmosaur Thalassomedon.  International Geological Congress, Florence, Italy.  Published in Abstract CD-ROM.
  • Motani, R.  2003.  Framework for explicit functional inferences using 3D data, and test of physical constraints in vertebrate evolution.  Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 23:80A.
  • Motani, R.  2002.  Bracketing dinosaurian body mass using elastic similarity approach.  Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 22:90A.
  • McGowan, C. and R. Motani.  2002.  Two new ichthyosaurs from English Lias causing a polytomy.  Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 22:86A.
  • Motani, R.  2001.  Using models of extant swimmers to infer aspects of locomotion in thunniform ichthyosaurs.  SICB Annual Meeting, Chicago.
  • Motani, R.  2000.  Are physical constraints narrow enough to predict behaviors of extinct swimming vertebrates from body shape?  Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 20:59A.
  • Motani, R., B. M. Rothschild, and W. Wahl Jr.  1999.  What to do with a 10-inch eyeball? –Evolution of vision in ichthyosaurs.  Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 19:65A.
  • Rothschild, B. M., R. Motani, and W. Wahl Jr.  1999.  Repeated diving was not for all ichthyosaurs.  Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 19:71A.
  • Motani, R.  1998.  Ichthyosaurian swimming revisited: implications from the vertebral column and phylogeny.  Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 18:65A.
  • Motani, R.  1997.  Phylogeny of the Ichthyosauria (Amniota: Reptilia) with special reference to Triassic forms.  Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 17:66A.
  • McGowan, C. and R. Motani.  1997.  A reinterpretation of the Upper Triassic ichthyosaur, Shonisaurus.  Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 17:64A.
  • Motani, R., You H., and C. McGowan.  1996.  Earliest ichthyosaurs swam like eels.  Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 16:55A.
  • Motani, R.  1995.  How cladistic analyses react to incidental inclusion of real ancestors: implications for vertebrate paleontology. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 15:46A.
  • Motani, R.  1994a.  Computer aided comparisons among Early Triassic ichthyosaurs reveals smaller taxonomic diversity than was believed.  Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 14:39A.
  • Motani, R.  1994b.  Spatial and temporal distribution of tooth implantation in ichthyosaurs.  Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 14:39A.
  • Motani, R.  1993.  A re-examination of the type specimens of Utatsusaurus hataii, the geologically oldest ichthyosaur species from the Lower Triassic of Japan.  Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 13:50A.
  • Motani, R.  1991.  A large ichthyosaur from the Middle Jurassic of Shizugawa, Miyagi.  Abstracts of the 140th Regular Meeting of the Palaeontological Society of Japan:36.

Papers based on research in my lab, of which I am not an author for various reasons but provided significant scientific input   

  • Jiang, D.-Y., Schmitz, L., Hao, W.-C. & Y.-L. Sun.  2006. A new mixosaurid ichthyosaur from the Middle Triassic of China. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, 26:60-69.
  • Schmitz, L. 2005. The taxonomic status of Mixosaurus nordenskioeldii (Ichthyosauria). Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, 25:983-985.
  • Schmitz, L. 2009. Quantitative estimates of visual performance features in fossil birds. Journal of Morphology 270:759-773.
  • Shin, J.  2010.  A new species of Edaphodon (Chondrichthyes: Holocephali) from the Upper Cretaceous Haslam Formation, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada.  Journal of Vertebrate Pa leontology 30:1012-1018.