Placeholder image for Prof Richard Twitchett

Prof Richard Twitchett

Research Leader

Department: Earth Sciences
Division: ES Invertebrates and Plants Palaeobiology

Summary

I am interested in understanding how marine ecosystems responded to major biological and environmental changes of the past, particularly those associated with global warming and the mass extinction episodes of the Phanerozoic. Trained in geology, biology and palaeoenvironmental analysis, my primary expertise is in palaeoecology and ichnology, but my work is multidisciplinary with a strong focus on the analysis of fossil specimens in the field and from museum collections.

Main research themes are:

(1) Trace fossils through time: using fossil burrows, tracks and trails as records of the responses of benthic animals to past climate change; patterns and implications of changes in bioturbation and foraging through past extinction events.

(2) Environmental change during the Permian and Mesozoic: evidence for, and consequences of, changes in atmospheric CO2, temperature, marine hypoxia, and continental weathering associated with the Late Permian, Late Triassic and early Jurassic extinction events.

(3) Palaeoecology of mass extinction events: patterns and drivers of ecological change through Phanerozoic extinction events; size change and the Lilliput effect; marine ecosystem functioning; fossil and rock record biases.

Qualifications

    Degrees

  • PhD, University of Leeds, United Kingdom
  • BSc, University of Bristol, United Kingdom

Employment history

    Academic

  • Professor of Earth Sciences, University of Plymouth, United Kingdom, 2012 - 2014
  • Associate Professor (Reader) in Geology, University of Plymouth, United Kingdom, 2008 - 2012
  • Royal Society Japan-UK Research Fellow, University of Plymouth, United Kingdom, 2005 - 2007
  • JSPS Foreign Research Fellow, University of Tokyo, Japan, 2003 - 2005
  • Lecturer in Geology, University of Plymouth, United Kingdom, 2003 - 2008

Grants

A Jurassic PalaeoBlitz
Role: Principal investigatorTwitchett R
Funding: NERC
Total value £7,500 (to Museum £7,500)
Dates: 2015 - 2015

The evolution of modern marine ecosystems: environmental controls on their structure and function
Role: Principal investigatorTwitchett R
Funding: NERC
Total value £453,223.10 (to Museum £52,784)
Dates: 2014 - 2015

Committees

Vice president, The Palaeontological Association, 2017 - 2018.

Secretary, The Palaeontological Association, 2012 - on going.

Publications

Dunhill AM, Foster WJ, Azaele S, Sciberras J, Twitchett RJ (2018) Modelling determinants of extinction across two Mesozoic hyperthermal events. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 285 (1889) : 20180404 - 20180404. doi: 10.1098/rspb.2018.0404

Calosi P, Putnam HM, Twitchett RJ, Vermandele F (2019) Marine Metazoan Modern Mass Extinction: Improving Predictions by Integrating Fossil, Modern, and Physiological Data. Annual Review of Marine Science, 11 (1) : 369 - 390. doi: 10.1146/annurev-marine-010318-095106

Heindel K, Foster WJ, Richoz S, Birgel D, Roden VJ, Baud A, Brandner R, Krystyn L, Mohtat T, Koşun E, Twitchett RJ, Reitner J, Peckmann J (2018) The formation of microbial-metazoan bioherms and biostromes following the latest Permian mass extinction. Gondwana Research, 61 : 187 - 202. doi: 10.1016/j.gr.2018.05.007

FOSTER WJ, DANISE S, PRICE GD, TWITCHETT RJ (2018) PALEOECOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF BENTHIC RECOVERY AFTER THE LATE PERMIAN MASS EXTINCTION EVENT IN EASTERN LOMBARDY, ITALY. PALAIOS, 33 (6) : 266 - 281. doi: 10.2110/palo.2017.079

van Soelen EE, Twitchett RJ, Kürschner WM (null) Salinity changes and anoxia resulting from enhanced run-off during the late Permian global warming and mass extinction event. Climate of the Past, 14 (4) : 441 - 453. doi: 10.5194/cp-14-441-2018

Dunhill AM, Foster WJ, Sciberras J, Twitchett RJ (2018) Impact of the Late Triassic mass extinction on functional diversity and composition of marine ecosystems. Palaeontology, 61 (1) : 133 - 148. doi: 10.1111/pala.12332

Mettam C, Zerkle AL, Claire MW, Izon G, Junium CJ, Twitchett RJ (2017) High-frequency fluctuations in redox conditions during the latest Permian mass extinction. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 485 : 210 - 223. doi: 10.1016/j.palaeo.2017.06.014

Hughes ZE, Hughes C, Twitchett RJ, Johnson K (2017) Exploring and Enhancing the Potential of the Post-Palaeozoic Brachiopod Collections at the Natural History Museum. Presented at NatSCA 2017.

Grotheer H, Le Métayer P, Piggott MJ, Lindeboom EJ, Holman AI, Twitchett RJ, Grice K (2017) Occurrence and significance of phytanyl arenes across the Permian-Triassic boundary interval. Organic Geochemistry, 104 : 42 - 52. doi: 10.1016/j.orggeochem.2016.12.002

Belben RA, Underwood CJ, Johanson Z, Twitchett RJ (null) Ecological impact of the end-Cretaceous extinction on lamniform sharks. PLOS ONE, 12 (6) : e0178294 - e0178294. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0178294

Foster WJ, Danise S, Price GD, Twitchett RJ (null) Subsequent biotic crises delayed marine recovery following the late Permian mass extinction event in northern Italy. PLOS ONE, 12 (3) : e0172321 - e0172321. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0172321

Foster WJ, Danise S, Twitchett RJ (2017) A silicified Early Triassic marine assemblage from Svalbard. Journal of Systematic Palaeontology, 15 (10) : 851 - 877. doi: 10.1080/14772019.2016.1245680

Hughes ZE, hughes C, Twitchett RJ, johnson K (2016) Exploring and Enhancing the Potential of the Post-Palaeozoic Brachiopod Collections at the Natural History Museum. Presented at 60th Palaeontological Association Annual Meeting 14-17 December 2016, Lyon..

Pye F, Dunhill AM, Hughes ZE, Hughes C, Twitchett RJ (2016) Survival of the Smallest? Trends in Brachiopod size across the end Triassic mass extinction.. Presented at Palaeontological Association Annual Meeting.

Tilley HB, Twitchett RJ, Todd JA, Danise S (2016) Programme, Abstracts and AGM papers. The Palaeontological Association; 60th Annual Meeting; 14th–17th December 2016. Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France. The Palaeontological Association; 60th Annual Meeting, 1412 12 - 14 12 12110 - 110.

Foster WJ, Danise S, Sedlacek A, Price GD, Hips K, Twitchett RJ (2015) Environmental controls on the post-Permian recovery of benthic, tropical marine ecosystems in western Palaeotethys (Aggtelek Karst, Hungary). Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 440 : 374 - 394. doi: 10.1016/j.palaeo.2015.09.004

Garilli V, Rodolfo-Metalpa R, Scuderi D, Brusca L, Parrinello D, Rastrick SPS, Foggo A, Twitchett RJ, Hall-Spencer JM, Milazzo M (2015) Physiological advantages of dwarfing in surviving extinctions in high-CO2 oceans. Nature Climate Change, 5 (7) : 678 - 682. doi: 10.1038/nclimate2616

Oji T, Twitchett RJ (2015) The Oldest Post-Palaeozoic Crinoid and Permian-Triassic Origins of the Articulata (Echinodermata). Zoological Science, 32 (2) : 211 - 215. doi: 10.2108/zs140240

Pugh AC, Danise S, Brown JR, Twitchett RJ (2015) Benthic ecosystem dynamics following the Late Triassic mass extinction event: palaeoecology of the Blue Lias Formation, Lyme Regis, UK.. Geoscience in South-West England,, 13 (3) : 255 - 266.

Danise S, Twitchett RJ, Little CTS (2015) Environmental controls on Jurassic marine ecosystems during global warming. Geology, 43 (3) : 263 - 266. doi: 10.1130/g36390.1

He W-H, Shi GR, Twitchett RJ, Zhang Y, Zhang K-X, Song H-J, Yue M-L, Wu S-B, Wu H-T, Yang T-L, Xiao Y-F (2015) Late Permian marine ecosystem collapse began in deeper waters: evidence from brachiopod diversity and body size changes. Geobiology, 13 (2) : 123 - 138. doi: 10.1111/gbi.12119

Koot MB, Cuny G, Orchard MJ, Richoz S, Hart MB, Twitchett RJ (2015) New hybodontiform and neoselachian sharks from the Lower Triassic of Oman. Journal of Systematic Palaeontology, 13 (10) : 891 - 917. doi: 10.1080/14772019.2014.963179

Danise S, Twitchett RJ, Matts K (2014) Ecological succession of a Jurassic shallow-water ichthyosaur fall. Nature Communications, 5 (1) : doi: 10.1038/ncomms5789

Sims DW, Reynolds AM, Humphries NE, Southall EJ, Wearmouth VJ, Metcalfe B, Twitchett RJ (2014) Hierarchical random walks in trace fossils and the origin of optimal search behavior. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 111 (30) : 11073 - 11078. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1405966111

Dunhill AM, Benton MJ, Twitchett RJ, Newell AJ (2014) Testing the fossil record: Sampling proxies and scaling in the British Triassic–Jurassic. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 404 : 1 - 11. doi: 10.1016/j.palaeo.2014.03.026

Manners HR, Grimes ST, Sutton PA, Domingo L, Leng MJ, Twitchett RJ, Hart MB, Jones TD, Pancost RD, Duller R, Lopez-Martinez N (2014) Reply to comment on “Magnitude and profile of organic carbon isotope records from the Paleocene–Eocene Thermal Maximum: Evidence from northern Spain” by Manners et al. [Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 376 (2013) 220–230]. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 395 : 294 - 295. doi: 10.1016/j.epsl.2014.03.056

Foster WJ, Twitchett RJ (2014) Functional diversity of marine ecosystems after the Late Permian mass extinction event. Nature Geoscience, 7 (3) : 233 - 238. doi: 10.1038/ngeo2079

Chen Y, Twitchett RJ, Jiang H, Richoz S, Lai X, Yan C, Sun Y, Liu X, Wang L (2014) Size Variation of Conodonts During the Smithian–Spathian (Early Triassic) Global Warming Event. Springer International Publishing : 25 - 27. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-04364-7_5

Hart M, Leighton A, Yancey T, Hampton M, Liu C, Miller B, Smart C, Twitchett R (2014) Cretaceous–Palaeogene Boundary Events in Texas: New Sections, Revised Micropalaeontological Interpretations, and Clarification of the Stratigraphy. Springer International Publishing : 37 - 41. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-04364-7_8

Jaraula CMB, Grice K, Twitchett RJ, Böttcher ME, LeMetayer P, Dastidar AG, Opazo LF (2013) Elevated pCO2 leading to Late Triassic extinction, persistent photic zone euxinia, and rising sea levels. Geology, 41 (9) : 955 - 958. doi: 10.1130/g34183.1

Manners HR, Grimes ST, Sutton PA, Domingo L, Leng MJ, Twitchett RJ, Hart MB, Dunkley Jones T, Pancost RD, Duller R, Lopez-Martinez N (2013) Magnitude and profile of organic carbon isotope records from the Paleocene–Eocene Thermal Maximum: Evidence from northern Spain. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 376 : 220 - 230. doi: 10.1016/j.epsl.2013.06.016

Chen Y, Twitchett RJ, Jiang H, Richoz S, Lai X, Yan C, Sun Y, Liu X, Wang L (2013) Size variation of conodonts during the Smithian–Spathian (Early Triassic) global warming event. Geology, 41 (8) : 823 - 826. doi: 10.1130/g34171.1

Dunhill AM, Benton MJ, Newell AJ, Twitchett RJ (2013) Completeness of the fossil record and the validity of sampling proxies: a case study from the Triassic of England and Wales. Journal of the Geological Society, 170 (2) : 291 - 300. doi: 10.1144/jgs2012-025

KOOT MB, CUNY G, TINTORI A, TWITCHETT RJ (2013) A new diverse shark fauna from the Wordian (Middle Permian) Khuff Formation in the interior Haushi-Huqf area, Sultanate of Oman. Palaeontology, 56 (2) : 303 - 343. doi: 10.1111/j.1475-4983.2012.01199.x

Danise S, Twitchett RJ, Little CTS, Clémence M-E (null) The Impact of Global Warming and Anoxia on Marine Benthic Community Dynamics: an Example from the Toarcian (Early Jurassic). PLoS ONE, 8 (2) : e56255 - e56255. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0056255

Price GD, Twitchett RJ, Wheeley JR, Buono G (2013) Isotopic evidence for long term warmth in the Mesozoic. Scientific Reports, 3 (1) : doi: 10.1038/srep01438

DUNHILL AM, BENTON MJ, TWITCHETT RJ, NEWELL AJ (2012) Completeness of the fossil record and the validity of sampling proxies at outcrop level. Palaeontology, 55 (6) : 1155 - 1175. doi: 10.1111/j.1475-4983.2012.01149.x

NEWELL AJ, BENTON MJ, KEARSEY T, TAYLOR G, TWITCHETT RJ, TVERDOKHLEBOV VP (2012) Calcretes, fluviolacustrine sediments and subsidence patterns in Permo-Triassic salt-walled minibasins of the south Urals, Russia. Sedimentology, 59 (5) : 1659 - 1676. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-3091.2012.01320.x

KEARSEY T, TWITCHETT RJ, NEWELL AJ (2012) The origin and significance of pedogenic dolomite from the Upper Permian of the South Urals of Russia. Geological Magazine, 149 (2) : 291 - 307. doi: 10.1017/s0016756811000926

Algeo TJ, Chen ZQ, Fraiser ML, Twitchett RJ (2011) Terrestrial–marine teleconnections in the collapse and rebuilding of Early Triassic marine ecosystems. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 308 (1-2) : 1 - 11. doi: 10.1016/j.palaeo.2011.01.011

Jacobsen ND, Twitchett RJ, Krystyn L (2011) Palaeoecological methods for assessing marine ecosystem recovery following the Late Permian mass extinction event. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 308 (1-2) : 200 - 212. doi: 10.1016/j.palaeo.2010.04.024

Metcalfe B, Twitchett RJ, Price-Lloyd N (2011) Changes in size and growth rate of ‘Lilliput’ animals in the earliest Triassic. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 308 (1-2) : 171 - 180. doi: 10.1016/j.palaeo.2010.09.011

Barrett PM, Butler RJ, Twitchett RJ, Hutt S (2011) NEW MATERIAL OF VALDOSAURUS CANALICULATUS (ORNITHISCHIA: ORNITHOPODA) FROM THE LOWER CRETACEOUS OF SOUTHERN ENGLAND. STUDIES ON FOSSIL TETRAPODS, 131 - 163. doi: 10.1111/j.1475-4983.2011.01076.x

Findlay HS, Wood HL, Kendall MA, Spicer JI, Twitchett RJ, Widdicombe S (2011) Comparing the impact of high CO2on calcium carbonate structures in different marine organisms. Marine Biology Research, 7 (6) : 565 - 575. doi: 10.1080/17451000.2010.547200

Fraiser ML, Twitchett RJ, Frederickson JA, Metcalfe B, Bottjer DJ (2011) Gastropod evidence against the Early Triassic Lilliput effect: COMMENT. Geology, 39 (1) : e232 - e232. doi: 10.1130/g31614c.1

Koot M, Twitchett R, Cuny G, Hart M (2011) EFFECTS OF THE LATE PERMIAN EXTINCTION ON THE PERMIAN-TRIASSIC SHARK FAUNA. JOURNAL OF VERTEBRATE PALEONTOLOGY 31 : 138 - 138.

HE W-H, TWITCHETT RJ, ZHANG Y, SHI GR, FENG Q-L, YU J-X, WU S-B, PENG X-F (2010) Controls on body size during the Late Permian mass extinction event. Geobiology, 8 (5) : 391 - 402. doi: 10.1111/j.1472-4669.2010.00248.x

Algeo TJ, Twitchett RJ (2010) Anomalous Early Triassic sediment fluxes due to elevated weathering rates and their biological consequences. Geology, 38 (11) : 1023 - 1026. doi: 10.1130/g31203.1

Nabbefeld B, Grice K, Schimmelmann A, Sauer PE, Böttcher ME, Twitchett R (2010) Significance of δDkerogen, δ13Ckerogen and δ34Spyrite from several Permian/Triassic (P/Tr) sections. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 295 (1-2) : 21 - 29. doi: 10.1016/j.epsl.2010.03.015

Nabbefeld B, Grice K, Twitchett RJ, Summons RE, Hays L, Böttcher ME, Asif M (2010) An integrated biomarker, isotopic and palaeoenvironmental study through the Late Permian event at Lusitaniadalen, Spitsbergen. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 291 (1-4) : 84 - 96. doi: 10.1016/j.epsl.2009.12.053

Nabbefeld B, Grice K, Schimmelmann A, Summons RE, Troitzsch U, Twitchett RJ (2010) A comparison of thermal maturity parameters between freely extracted hydrocarbons (Bitumen I) and a second extract (Bitumen II) from within the kerogen matrix of Permian and Triassic sedimentary rocks. Organic Geochemistry, 41 (2) : 78 - 87. doi: 10.1016/j.orggeochem.2009.08.004

Morten SD, Twitchett RJ (2009) Fluctuations in the body size of marine invertebrates through the Pliensbachian–Toarcian extinction event. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 284 (1-2) : 29 - 38. doi: 10.1016/j.palaeo.2009.08.023

Wade BS, Twitchett RJ (2009) Extinction, dwarfing and the Lilliput effect. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 284 (1-2) : 1 - 3. doi: 10.1016/j.palaeo.2009.08.019

Kearsey T, Twitchett RJ, Price GD, Grimes ST (2009) Isotope excursions and palaeotemperature estimates from the Permian/Triassic boundary in the Southern Alps (Italy). Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 279 (1-2) : 29 - 40. doi: 10.1016/j.palaeo.2009.04.015

Nabbefeld B, Grice K, Twitchett R, Summons R, Hays L, Boettcher M (2009) Biogeochemically cycling of C, S, H across the P/Tr boundary in Spitsbergen. GEOCHIMICA ET COSMOCHIMICA ACTA 73 (13) : A925 - A925.

Taylor GK, Tucker C, Twitchett RJ, Kearsey T, Benton MJ, Newell AJ, Surkov MV, Tverdokhlebov VP (2009) Magnetostratigraphy of Permian/Triassic boundary sequences in the Cis-Urals, Russia: No evidence for a major temporal hiatus. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 281 (1-2) : 36 - 47. doi: 10.1016/j.epsl.2009.02.002

Chen ZQ, Twitchett RJ, J. T (2009) Permian–Triassic mass extinction and subsequent recovery: an update. Australian Journal of Earth Sciences, 56 (6) : 741 - 744. doi: 10.1080/08120090903002573

PRICE GD, TWITCHETT RJ, SMALE C, MARKS V (2009) ISOTOPIC ANALYSIS OF THE LIFE HISTORY OF THE ENIGMATIC SQUID SPIRULA SPIRULA, WITH IMPLICATIONS FOR STUDIES OF FOSSIL CEPHALOPODS. PALAIOS, 24 (5) : 273 - 279. doi: 10.2110/palo.2008.p08-067r

MANDER L, TWITCHETT RJ (2008) QUALITY OF THE TRIASSIC-JURASSIC BIVALVE FOSSIL RECORD IN NORTHWEST EUROPE. Palaeontology, 51 (6) : 1213 - 1223. doi: 10.1111/j.1475-4983.2008.00821.x

RADLEY JD, TWITCHETT RJ, MANDER L, COPE JCW (2008) Discussion on palaeoecology of the Late Triassic extinction event in the SW UK Journal , Vol. 165, 2008, pp. 319–332. Journal of the Geological Society, 165 (5) : 988 - 992. doi: 10.1144/0016-76492008-014

Mander L, Twitchett RJ, Benton MJ (2008) Palaeoecology of the Late Triassic extinction event in the SW UK. Journal of the Geological Society, 165 (1) : 319 - 332. doi: 10.1144/0016-76492007-029

FENTON S, GRICE K, TWITCHETT R, BOTTCHER M, LOOY C, NABBEFELD B (2007) Changes in biomarker abundances and sulfur isotopes of pyrite across the Permian–Triassic (P/Tr) Schuchert Dal section (East Greenland). Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 262 (1-2) : 230 - 239. doi: 10.1016/j.epsl.2007.07.033

Benton M, Ruta M, Twitchett R, Valentin T, Surkov M (2007) Mass extinction of tetrapods at the Permo-Triassic boundary in Russia. JOURNAL OF VERTEBRATE PALEONTOLOGY, 27 (3) : 47A - 47A.

Twitchett RJ (2007) The Lilliput effect in the aftermath of the end-Permian extinction event. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 252 (1-2) : 132 - 144. doi: 10.1016/j.palaeo.2006.11.038

Grice K, Nabbefeld B, Maslen E, Summons RE, Hays L, Twitchett RJ, Turgeon S, Algeo T, Boettcher ME (2007) Significance of biomarkers for P/T and F/F mass extinctions. GEOCHIMICA ET COSMOCHIMICA ACTA 71 (15) : A354 - A354.

Nabbefeld B, Grice K, Twitchett R, Schimmelmann A, Sauer P (2007) D/H of kerogen across the Permian/Triassic (P/Tr) boundary. GEOCHIMICA ET COSMOCHIMICA ACTA 71 (15) : A698 - A698.

SURKOV MV, BENTON MJ, TWITCHETT RJ, TVERDOKHLEBOV VP, NEWELL AJ (2007) FIRST OCCURRENCE OF FOOTPRINTS OF LARGE THERAPSIDS FROM THE UPPER PERMIAN OF EUROPEAN RUSSIA. Palaeontology, 50 (3) : 641 - 652. doi: 10.1111/j.1475-4983.2007.00647.x

Barras CG, Twitchett RJ (2007) Response of the marine infauna to Triassic–Jurassic environmental change: Ichnological data from southern England. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 244 (1-4) : 223 - 241. doi: 10.1016/j.palaeo.2006.06.040

Grice K, Fenton S, Bőttcher ME, Twitchett RJ, Summons RE, Grosjean E (2006) The biogeochemical cycling of sulfur, carbon and nitrogen across the Permian-Triassic (P-Tr) Hovea-3 borehole (Western Australia) and Schuchert Dal Section (Eastern Greenland). Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 70 (18) : Elsevier BV : A218 - A218. doi: 10.1016/j.gca.2006.06.438

Twitchett RJ (2006) The palaeoclimatology, palaeoecology and palaeoenvironmental analysis of mass extinction events. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 232 (2-4) : 190 - 213. doi: 10.1016/j.palaeo.2005.05.019

Grice K, Twitchett RJ, Alexander R, Foster CB, Looy C (2005) A potential biomarker for the Permian–Triassic ecological crisis. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 236 (1-2) : 315 - 321. doi: 10.1016/j.epsl.2005.05.008

TWITCHETT RJ, FEINBERG JM, DIANE D O, ALVAREZ W, MCCOLLUM LB (2005) Early Triassic Ophiuroids: Their Paleoecology, Taphonomy, and Distribution. PALAIOS, 20 (3) : 213 - 223. doi: 10.2110/palo.2004.p04-30

WHEELEY J, TWITCHETT R (2005) Palaeoecological significance of a new Griesbachian (Early Triassic) gastropod assemblage from Oman. Lethaia, 38 (1) : 37 - 45. doi: 10.1080/0024116051003150

Grice K, Cao C, Love GD, Böttcher ME, Twitchett RJ, Grosjean E, Summons RE, Turgeon SC, Dunning W, Jin Y (2005) Photic Zone Euxinia During the Permian-Triassic Superanoxic Event. Science, 307 (5710) : 706 - 709. doi: 10.1126/science.1104323

Fraiser ML, Twitchett RJ, Bottjer DJ (2005) Unique microgastropod biofacies in the Early Triassic: Indicator of long-term biotic stress and the pattern of biotic recovery after the end-Permian mass extinction. Comptes Rendus Palevol, 4 (6-7) : 543 - 552. doi: 10.1016/j.crpv.2005.04.006

Twitchett RJ, Oji T (2005) Early Triassic recovery of echinoderms. Comptes Rendus Palevol, 4 (6-7) : 531 - 542. doi: 10.1016/j.crpv.2005.02.006

Twitchett RJ, Krystyn L, Baud A, Wheeley JR, Richoz S (2004) Rapid marine recovery after the end-Permian mass-extinction event in the absence of marine anoxia. Geology, 32 (9) : 805 - 805. doi: 10.1130/g20585.1

THOMAS BM, WILLINK RJ, GRICE K, TWITCHETT RJ, PURCELL RR, ARCHBOLD NW, GEORGE AD, TYE S, ALEXANDER R, FOSTER CB, BARBER CJ (2004) Unique marine Permian-Triassic boundary section from Western Australia. Australian Journal of Earth Sciences, 51 (3) : 423 - 430. doi: 10.1111/j.1400-0952.2004.01066.x

Twitchett RJ, Barras CG (2004) Trace fossils in the aftermath of mass extinction events., In: null, McIlroy D (Eds). null : 397 - 418.

Brookfield ME, Twitchett RJ, Goodings C (2003) Palaeoenvironments of the Permian–Triassic transition sections in Kashmir, India. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 198 (3-4) : 353 - 371. doi: 10.1016/s0031-0182(03)00476-0

Benton MJ, Twitchett RJ (2003) How to kill (almost) all life: the end-Permian extinction event. Trends in Ecology & Evolution, 18 (7) : 358 - 365. doi: 10.1016/s0169-5347(03)00093-4

Krystyn L, Richoz S, Baud A, Twitchett RJ (2003) A unique Permian–Triassic boundary section from the Neotethyan Hawasina Basin, Central Oman Mountains. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 191 (3-4) : 329 - 344. doi: 10.1016/s0031-0182(02)00670-3

Wignall PB, Twitchett RJ (2002) Permian–Triassic sedimentology of Jameson Land, East Greenland: incised submarine channels in an anoxic basin. Journal of the Geological Society, 159 (6) : 691 - 703. doi: 10.1144/0016-764900-120

Wignall PB, Twitchett RJ (2002) Extent, duration, and nature of the Permian-Triassic superanoxic event. null, doi: 10.1130/0-8137-2356-6.395

Looy CV, Twitchett RJ, Dilcher DL, Van Konijnenburg-Van Cittert JHA, Visscher H (2001) Life in the end-Permian dead zone. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 98 (14) : 7879 - 7883. doi: 10.1073/pnas.131218098

Twitchett RJ, Looy CV, Morante R, Visscher H, Wignall PB (2001) Rapid and synchronous collapse of marine and terrestrial ecosystems during the end-Permian biotic crisis. Geology, 29 (4) : 351 - 351. doi: 10.1130/0091-7613(2001)029<0351:rascom>2.0.co;2

Twitchett RJ (2001) Incompleteness of the Permian-Triassic fossil record: a consequence of productivity decline?. Geological Journal, 36 (3-4) : 341 - 353. doi: 10.1002/gj.883

TWITCHETT RJ, WIGNALL PB, BENTON MJ (2000) Discussion on Lazarus taxa and fossil abundance at times of biotic crisis Journal, Vol. 156, 1999, pp. 453–456. Journal of the Geological Society, 157 (2) : 511 - 512. doi: 10.1144/jgs.157.2.511

Twitchett RJ (1999) Palaeoenvironments and faunal recovery after the end-Permian mass extinction. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 154 (1-2) : 27 - 37. doi: 10.1016/s0031-0182(99)00085-1

WIGNALL PB, TWITCHETT RJ (1999) Unusual intraclastic limestones in Lower Triassic carbonates and their bearing on the aftermath of the end‐Permian mass extinction. Sedimentology, 46 (2) : 303 - 316. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-3091.1999.00214.x

Wignall PB, Twitchett RJ (1996) Late Permian extinctions - Reply. SCIENCE, 274 (5292) : 1552 - 1552.

Wignall PB, Twitchett RJ (1996) Response: Late Permian Extinctions. Science, 274 (5292) : 1552a - 1552a. doi: 10.1126/science.274.5292.1552a

Twitchett RJ, Wignall PB (1996) Trace fossils and the aftermath of the Permo-Triassic mass extinction: evidence from northern Italy. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 124 (1-2) : 137 - 151. doi: 10.1016/0031-0182(96)00008-9

Wignall PB, Twitchett RJ (1996) Oceanic Anoxia and the End Permian Mass Extinction. Science, 272 (5265) : 1155 - 1158. doi: 10.1126/science.272.5265.1155

Twitchett RJ (1996) The resting trace of an acorn-worm (class: Enteropneusta) from the Lower Triassic. JOURNAL OF PALEONTOLOGY, 70 (1) : 126 - 129.

Twitchett RJ (1995) A new Lower Cretaceous insect fauna from the Vectis Formation (Wealden Group) of the Isle of Wight. Proceedings of the Geologists' Association, 106 (1) : 47 - 51. doi: 10.1016/s0016-7878(08)80100-9

Hughes Z, Johnson KG, Belben R, Hughes C, Twitchett R (null) USING MUSEUM COLLECTIONS TO STUDY BRACHIOPOD SIZE CHANGE ACROSS EXTINCTION BOUNDARIES - TAKING ADVANTAGE OF MASS DIGITISATION. Geological Society of America Annual Meeting,

Courses taught

MSc: MSc Taxonomy & Biodiversity: Palaeobiology Module

2/2019.

Postgraduate: London DTP Evolution Training Week: Earth & Evolution

11/2018.

MSc: MSc Taxonomy & Biodiversity: Palaeobiology Module

2/2018 - 3/2018.

Postgraduate: London DTP Evolution Training Week: Earth & Evolution

11/2016.

MSc: MSc Taxonomy & Biodiversity: Palaeobiology Module


2/2016 - 3/2016.

Postgraduate: London DTP Evolution Training Week: Earth & Evolution
Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom
10/2015.

MSc: MSc Taxonomy & Biodiversity: Palaeobiology Module


3/2015.

Supervision

Doctorate (PhD) Co-supervisor to Walley R
Co supervisor(s): Twitchett R
Drivers of marine ecosystem change through the end Triassic extinction and recovery
University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom
Funding: NERC Spitfire DTP
1/10/2018 - on going.

Awards

James Lee Wilson Award, 1/1/2011.

Introduction

Summary

I am interested in understanding how marine ecosystems responded to major biological and environmental changes of the past, particularly those associated with global warming and the mass extinction episodes of the Phanerozoic. Trained in geology, biology and palaeoenvironmental analysis, my primary expertise is in palaeoecology and ichnology, but my work is multidisciplinary with a strong focus on the analysis of fossil specimens in the field and from museum collections.

Main research themes are:

(1) Trace fossils through time: using fossil burrows, tracks and trails as records of the responses of benthic animals to past climate change; patterns and implications of changes in bioturbation and foraging through past extinction events.

(2) Environmental change during the Permian and Mesozoic: evidence for, and consequences of, changes in atmospheric CO2, temperature, marine hypoxia, and continental weathering associated with the Late Permian, Late Triassic and early Jurassic extinction events.

(3) Palaeoecology of mass extinction events: patterns and drivers of ecological change through Phanerozoic extinction events; size change and the Lilliput effect; marine ecosystem functioning; fossil and rock record biases.

Qualifications

    Degrees

  • PhD, University of Leeds, United Kingdom
  • BSc, University of Bristol, United Kingdom

Employment history

    Academic

  • Professor of Earth Sciences, University of Plymouth, United Kingdom, 2012 - 2014
  • Associate Professor (Reader) in Geology, University of Plymouth, United Kingdom, 2008 - 2012
  • Royal Society Japan-UK Research Fellow, University of Plymouth, United Kingdom, 2005 - 2007
  • JSPS Foreign Research Fellow, University of Tokyo, Japan, 2003 - 2005
  • Lecturer in Geology, University of Plymouth, United Kingdom, 2003 - 2008
Projects

Grants

A Jurassic PalaeoBlitz
Role: Principal investigatorTwitchett R
Funding: NERC
Total value £7,500 (to Museum £7,500)
Dates: 2015 - 2015

The evolution of modern marine ecosystems: environmental controls on their structure and function
Role: Principal investigatorTwitchett R
Funding: NERC
Total value £453,223.10 (to Museum £52,784)
Dates: 2014 - 2015

Professional activities

Committees

Vice president, The Palaeontological Association, 2017 - 2018.

Secretary, The Palaeontological Association, 2012 - on going.

Publications

Publications

Dunhill AM, Foster WJ, Azaele S, Sciberras J, Twitchett RJ (2018) Modelling determinants of extinction across two Mesozoic hyperthermal events. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 285 (1889) : 20180404 - 20180404. doi: 10.1098/rspb.2018.0404

Calosi P, Putnam HM, Twitchett RJ, Vermandele F (2019) Marine Metazoan Modern Mass Extinction: Improving Predictions by Integrating Fossil, Modern, and Physiological Data. Annual Review of Marine Science, 11 (1) : 369 - 390. doi: 10.1146/annurev-marine-010318-095106

Heindel K, Foster WJ, Richoz S, Birgel D, Roden VJ, Baud A, Brandner R, Krystyn L, Mohtat T, Koşun E, Twitchett RJ, Reitner J, Peckmann J (2018) The formation of microbial-metazoan bioherms and biostromes following the latest Permian mass extinction. Gondwana Research, 61 : 187 - 202. doi: 10.1016/j.gr.2018.05.007

FOSTER WJ, DANISE S, PRICE GD, TWITCHETT RJ (2018) PALEOECOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF BENTHIC RECOVERY AFTER THE LATE PERMIAN MASS EXTINCTION EVENT IN EASTERN LOMBARDY, ITALY. PALAIOS, 33 (6) : 266 - 281. doi: 10.2110/palo.2017.079

van Soelen EE, Twitchett RJ, Kürschner WM (null) Salinity changes and anoxia resulting from enhanced run-off during the late Permian global warming and mass extinction event. Climate of the Past, 14 (4) : 441 - 453. doi: 10.5194/cp-14-441-2018

Dunhill AM, Foster WJ, Sciberras J, Twitchett RJ (2018) Impact of the Late Triassic mass extinction on functional diversity and composition of marine ecosystems. Palaeontology, 61 (1) : 133 - 148. doi: 10.1111/pala.12332

Mettam C, Zerkle AL, Claire MW, Izon G, Junium CJ, Twitchett RJ (2017) High-frequency fluctuations in redox conditions during the latest Permian mass extinction. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 485 : 210 - 223. doi: 10.1016/j.palaeo.2017.06.014

Hughes ZE, Hughes C, Twitchett RJ, Johnson K (2017) Exploring and Enhancing the Potential of the Post-Palaeozoic Brachiopod Collections at the Natural History Museum. Presented at NatSCA 2017.

Grotheer H, Le Métayer P, Piggott MJ, Lindeboom EJ, Holman AI, Twitchett RJ, Grice K (2017) Occurrence and significance of phytanyl arenes across the Permian-Triassic boundary interval. Organic Geochemistry, 104 : 42 - 52. doi: 10.1016/j.orggeochem.2016.12.002

Belben RA, Underwood CJ, Johanson Z, Twitchett RJ (null) Ecological impact of the end-Cretaceous extinction on lamniform sharks. PLOS ONE, 12 (6) : e0178294 - e0178294. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0178294

Foster WJ, Danise S, Price GD, Twitchett RJ (null) Subsequent biotic crises delayed marine recovery following the late Permian mass extinction event in northern Italy. PLOS ONE, 12 (3) : e0172321 - e0172321. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0172321

Foster WJ, Danise S, Twitchett RJ (2017) A silicified Early Triassic marine assemblage from Svalbard. Journal of Systematic Palaeontology, 15 (10) : 851 - 877. doi: 10.1080/14772019.2016.1245680

Hughes ZE, hughes C, Twitchett RJ, johnson K (2016) Exploring and Enhancing the Potential of the Post-Palaeozoic Brachiopod Collections at the Natural History Museum. Presented at 60th Palaeontological Association Annual Meeting 14-17 December 2016, Lyon..

Pye F, Dunhill AM, Hughes ZE, Hughes C, Twitchett RJ (2016) Survival of the Smallest? Trends in Brachiopod size across the end Triassic mass extinction.. Presented at Palaeontological Association Annual Meeting.

Tilley HB, Twitchett RJ, Todd JA, Danise S (2016) Programme, Abstracts and AGM papers. The Palaeontological Association; 60th Annual Meeting; 14th–17th December 2016. Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France. The Palaeontological Association; 60th Annual Meeting, 1412 12 - 14 12 12110 - 110.

Foster WJ, Danise S, Sedlacek A, Price GD, Hips K, Twitchett RJ (2015) Environmental controls on the post-Permian recovery of benthic, tropical marine ecosystems in western Palaeotethys (Aggtelek Karst, Hungary). Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 440 : 374 - 394. doi: 10.1016/j.palaeo.2015.09.004

Garilli V, Rodolfo-Metalpa R, Scuderi D, Brusca L, Parrinello D, Rastrick SPS, Foggo A, Twitchett RJ, Hall-Spencer JM, Milazzo M (2015) Physiological advantages of dwarfing in surviving extinctions in high-CO2 oceans. Nature Climate Change, 5 (7) : 678 - 682. doi: 10.1038/nclimate2616

Oji T, Twitchett RJ (2015) The Oldest Post-Palaeozoic Crinoid and Permian-Triassic Origins of the Articulata (Echinodermata). Zoological Science, 32 (2) : 211 - 215. doi: 10.2108/zs140240

Pugh AC, Danise S, Brown JR, Twitchett RJ (2015) Benthic ecosystem dynamics following the Late Triassic mass extinction event: palaeoecology of the Blue Lias Formation, Lyme Regis, UK.. Geoscience in South-West England,, 13 (3) : 255 - 266.

Danise S, Twitchett RJ, Little CTS (2015) Environmental controls on Jurassic marine ecosystems during global warming. Geology, 43 (3) : 263 - 266. doi: 10.1130/g36390.1

He W-H, Shi GR, Twitchett RJ, Zhang Y, Zhang K-X, Song H-J, Yue M-L, Wu S-B, Wu H-T, Yang T-L, Xiao Y-F (2015) Late Permian marine ecosystem collapse began in deeper waters: evidence from brachiopod diversity and body size changes. Geobiology, 13 (2) : 123 - 138. doi: 10.1111/gbi.12119

Koot MB, Cuny G, Orchard MJ, Richoz S, Hart MB, Twitchett RJ (2015) New hybodontiform and neoselachian sharks from the Lower Triassic of Oman. Journal of Systematic Palaeontology, 13 (10) : 891 - 917. doi: 10.1080/14772019.2014.963179

Danise S, Twitchett RJ, Matts K (2014) Ecological succession of a Jurassic shallow-water ichthyosaur fall. Nature Communications, 5 (1) : doi: 10.1038/ncomms5789

Sims DW, Reynolds AM, Humphries NE, Southall EJ, Wearmouth VJ, Metcalfe B, Twitchett RJ (2014) Hierarchical random walks in trace fossils and the origin of optimal search behavior. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 111 (30) : 11073 - 11078. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1405966111

Dunhill AM, Benton MJ, Twitchett RJ, Newell AJ (2014) Testing the fossil record: Sampling proxies and scaling in the British Triassic–Jurassic. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 404 : 1 - 11. doi: 10.1016/j.palaeo.2014.03.026

Manners HR, Grimes ST, Sutton PA, Domingo L, Leng MJ, Twitchett RJ, Hart MB, Jones TD, Pancost RD, Duller R, Lopez-Martinez N (2014) Reply to comment on “Magnitude and profile of organic carbon isotope records from the Paleocene–Eocene Thermal Maximum: Evidence from northern Spain” by Manners et al. [Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 376 (2013) 220–230]. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 395 : 294 - 295. doi: 10.1016/j.epsl.2014.03.056

Foster WJ, Twitchett RJ (2014) Functional diversity of marine ecosystems after the Late Permian mass extinction event. Nature Geoscience, 7 (3) : 233 - 238. doi: 10.1038/ngeo2079

Chen Y, Twitchett RJ, Jiang H, Richoz S, Lai X, Yan C, Sun Y, Liu X, Wang L (2014) Size Variation of Conodonts During the Smithian–Spathian (Early Triassic) Global Warming Event. Springer International Publishing : 25 - 27. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-04364-7_5

Hart M, Leighton A, Yancey T, Hampton M, Liu C, Miller B, Smart C, Twitchett R (2014) Cretaceous–Palaeogene Boundary Events in Texas: New Sections, Revised Micropalaeontological Interpretations, and Clarification of the Stratigraphy. Springer International Publishing : 37 - 41. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-04364-7_8

Jaraula CMB, Grice K, Twitchett RJ, Böttcher ME, LeMetayer P, Dastidar AG, Opazo LF (2013) Elevated pCO2 leading to Late Triassic extinction, persistent photic zone euxinia, and rising sea levels. Geology, 41 (9) : 955 - 958. doi: 10.1130/g34183.1

Manners HR, Grimes ST, Sutton PA, Domingo L, Leng MJ, Twitchett RJ, Hart MB, Dunkley Jones T, Pancost RD, Duller R, Lopez-Martinez N (2013) Magnitude and profile of organic carbon isotope records from the Paleocene–Eocene Thermal Maximum: Evidence from northern Spain. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 376 : 220 - 230. doi: 10.1016/j.epsl.2013.06.016

Chen Y, Twitchett RJ, Jiang H, Richoz S, Lai X, Yan C, Sun Y, Liu X, Wang L (2013) Size variation of conodonts during the Smithian–Spathian (Early Triassic) global warming event. Geology, 41 (8) : 823 - 826. doi: 10.1130/g34171.1

Dunhill AM, Benton MJ, Newell AJ, Twitchett RJ (2013) Completeness of the fossil record and the validity of sampling proxies: a case study from the Triassic of England and Wales. Journal of the Geological Society, 170 (2) : 291 - 300. doi: 10.1144/jgs2012-025

KOOT MB, CUNY G, TINTORI A, TWITCHETT RJ (2013) A new diverse shark fauna from the Wordian (Middle Permian) Khuff Formation in the interior Haushi-Huqf area, Sultanate of Oman. Palaeontology, 56 (2) : 303 - 343. doi: 10.1111/j.1475-4983.2012.01199.x

Danise S, Twitchett RJ, Little CTS, Clémence M-E (null) The Impact of Global Warming and Anoxia on Marine Benthic Community Dynamics: an Example from the Toarcian (Early Jurassic). PLoS ONE, 8 (2) : e56255 - e56255. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0056255

Price GD, Twitchett RJ, Wheeley JR, Buono G (2013) Isotopic evidence for long term warmth in the Mesozoic. Scientific Reports, 3 (1) : doi: 10.1038/srep01438

DUNHILL AM, BENTON MJ, TWITCHETT RJ, NEWELL AJ (2012) Completeness of the fossil record and the validity of sampling proxies at outcrop level. Palaeontology, 55 (6) : 1155 - 1175. doi: 10.1111/j.1475-4983.2012.01149.x

NEWELL AJ, BENTON MJ, KEARSEY T, TAYLOR G, TWITCHETT RJ, TVERDOKHLEBOV VP (2012) Calcretes, fluviolacustrine sediments and subsidence patterns in Permo-Triassic salt-walled minibasins of the south Urals, Russia. Sedimentology, 59 (5) : 1659 - 1676. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-3091.2012.01320.x

KEARSEY T, TWITCHETT RJ, NEWELL AJ (2012) The origin and significance of pedogenic dolomite from the Upper Permian of the South Urals of Russia. Geological Magazine, 149 (2) : 291 - 307. doi: 10.1017/s0016756811000926

Algeo TJ, Chen ZQ, Fraiser ML, Twitchett RJ (2011) Terrestrial–marine teleconnections in the collapse and rebuilding of Early Triassic marine ecosystems. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 308 (1-2) : 1 - 11. doi: 10.1016/j.palaeo.2011.01.011

Jacobsen ND, Twitchett RJ, Krystyn L (2011) Palaeoecological methods for assessing marine ecosystem recovery following the Late Permian mass extinction event. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 308 (1-2) : 200 - 212. doi: 10.1016/j.palaeo.2010.04.024

Metcalfe B, Twitchett RJ, Price-Lloyd N (2011) Changes in size and growth rate of ‘Lilliput’ animals in the earliest Triassic. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 308 (1-2) : 171 - 180. doi: 10.1016/j.palaeo.2010.09.011

Barrett PM, Butler RJ, Twitchett RJ, Hutt S (2011) NEW MATERIAL OF VALDOSAURUS CANALICULATUS (ORNITHISCHIA: ORNITHOPODA) FROM THE LOWER CRETACEOUS OF SOUTHERN ENGLAND. STUDIES ON FOSSIL TETRAPODS, 131 - 163. doi: 10.1111/j.1475-4983.2011.01076.x

Findlay HS, Wood HL, Kendall MA, Spicer JI, Twitchett RJ, Widdicombe S (2011) Comparing the impact of high CO2on calcium carbonate structures in different marine organisms. Marine Biology Research, 7 (6) : 565 - 575. doi: 10.1080/17451000.2010.547200

Fraiser ML, Twitchett RJ, Frederickson JA, Metcalfe B, Bottjer DJ (2011) Gastropod evidence against the Early Triassic Lilliput effect: COMMENT. Geology, 39 (1) : e232 - e232. doi: 10.1130/g31614c.1

Koot M, Twitchett R, Cuny G, Hart M (2011) EFFECTS OF THE LATE PERMIAN EXTINCTION ON THE PERMIAN-TRIASSIC SHARK FAUNA. JOURNAL OF VERTEBRATE PALEONTOLOGY 31 : 138 - 138.

HE W-H, TWITCHETT RJ, ZHANG Y, SHI GR, FENG Q-L, YU J-X, WU S-B, PENG X-F (2010) Controls on body size during the Late Permian mass extinction event. Geobiology, 8 (5) : 391 - 402. doi: 10.1111/j.1472-4669.2010.00248.x

Algeo TJ, Twitchett RJ (2010) Anomalous Early Triassic sediment fluxes due to elevated weathering rates and their biological consequences. Geology, 38 (11) : 1023 - 1026. doi: 10.1130/g31203.1

Nabbefeld B, Grice K, Schimmelmann A, Sauer PE, Böttcher ME, Twitchett R (2010) Significance of δDkerogen, δ13Ckerogen and δ34Spyrite from several Permian/Triassic (P/Tr) sections. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 295 (1-2) : 21 - 29. doi: 10.1016/j.epsl.2010.03.015

Nabbefeld B, Grice K, Twitchett RJ, Summons RE, Hays L, Böttcher ME, Asif M (2010) An integrated biomarker, isotopic and palaeoenvironmental study through the Late Permian event at Lusitaniadalen, Spitsbergen. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 291 (1-4) : 84 - 96. doi: 10.1016/j.epsl.2009.12.053

Nabbefeld B, Grice K, Schimmelmann A, Summons RE, Troitzsch U, Twitchett RJ (2010) A comparison of thermal maturity parameters between freely extracted hydrocarbons (Bitumen I) and a second extract (Bitumen II) from within the kerogen matrix of Permian and Triassic sedimentary rocks. Organic Geochemistry, 41 (2) : 78 - 87. doi: 10.1016/j.orggeochem.2009.08.004

Morten SD, Twitchett RJ (2009) Fluctuations in the body size of marine invertebrates through the Pliensbachian–Toarcian extinction event. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 284 (1-2) : 29 - 38. doi: 10.1016/j.palaeo.2009.08.023

Wade BS, Twitchett RJ (2009) Extinction, dwarfing and the Lilliput effect. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 284 (1-2) : 1 - 3. doi: 10.1016/j.palaeo.2009.08.019

Kearsey T, Twitchett RJ, Price GD, Grimes ST (2009) Isotope excursions and palaeotemperature estimates from the Permian/Triassic boundary in the Southern Alps (Italy). Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 279 (1-2) : 29 - 40. doi: 10.1016/j.palaeo.2009.04.015

Nabbefeld B, Grice K, Twitchett R, Summons R, Hays L, Boettcher M (2009) Biogeochemically cycling of C, S, H across the P/Tr boundary in Spitsbergen. GEOCHIMICA ET COSMOCHIMICA ACTA 73 (13) : A925 - A925.

Taylor GK, Tucker C, Twitchett RJ, Kearsey T, Benton MJ, Newell AJ, Surkov MV, Tverdokhlebov VP (2009) Magnetostratigraphy of Permian/Triassic boundary sequences in the Cis-Urals, Russia: No evidence for a major temporal hiatus. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 281 (1-2) : 36 - 47. doi: 10.1016/j.epsl.2009.02.002

Chen ZQ, Twitchett RJ, J. T (2009) Permian–Triassic mass extinction and subsequent recovery: an update. Australian Journal of Earth Sciences, 56 (6) : 741 - 744. doi: 10.1080/08120090903002573

PRICE GD, TWITCHETT RJ, SMALE C, MARKS V (2009) ISOTOPIC ANALYSIS OF THE LIFE HISTORY OF THE ENIGMATIC SQUID SPIRULA SPIRULA, WITH IMPLICATIONS FOR STUDIES OF FOSSIL CEPHALOPODS. PALAIOS, 24 (5) : 273 - 279. doi: 10.2110/palo.2008.p08-067r

MANDER L, TWITCHETT RJ (2008) QUALITY OF THE TRIASSIC-JURASSIC BIVALVE FOSSIL RECORD IN NORTHWEST EUROPE. Palaeontology, 51 (6) : 1213 - 1223. doi: 10.1111/j.1475-4983.2008.00821.x

RADLEY JD, TWITCHETT RJ, MANDER L, COPE JCW (2008) Discussion on palaeoecology of the Late Triassic extinction event in the SW UK Journal , Vol. 165, 2008, pp. 319–332. Journal of the Geological Society, 165 (5) : 988 - 992. doi: 10.1144/0016-76492008-014

Mander L, Twitchett RJ, Benton MJ (2008) Palaeoecology of the Late Triassic extinction event in the SW UK. Journal of the Geological Society, 165 (1) : 319 - 332. doi: 10.1144/0016-76492007-029

FENTON S, GRICE K, TWITCHETT R, BOTTCHER M, LOOY C, NABBEFELD B (2007) Changes in biomarker abundances and sulfur isotopes of pyrite across the Permian–Triassic (P/Tr) Schuchert Dal section (East Greenland). Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 262 (1-2) : 230 - 239. doi: 10.1016/j.epsl.2007.07.033

Benton M, Ruta M, Twitchett R, Valentin T, Surkov M (2007) Mass extinction of tetrapods at the Permo-Triassic boundary in Russia. JOURNAL OF VERTEBRATE PALEONTOLOGY, 27 (3) : 47A - 47A.

Twitchett RJ (2007) The Lilliput effect in the aftermath of the end-Permian extinction event. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 252 (1-2) : 132 - 144. doi: 10.1016/j.palaeo.2006.11.038

Grice K, Nabbefeld B, Maslen E, Summons RE, Hays L, Twitchett RJ, Turgeon S, Algeo T, Boettcher ME (2007) Significance of biomarkers for P/T and F/F mass extinctions. GEOCHIMICA ET COSMOCHIMICA ACTA 71 (15) : A354 - A354.

Nabbefeld B, Grice K, Twitchett R, Schimmelmann A, Sauer P (2007) D/H of kerogen across the Permian/Triassic (P/Tr) boundary. GEOCHIMICA ET COSMOCHIMICA ACTA 71 (15) : A698 - A698.

SURKOV MV, BENTON MJ, TWITCHETT RJ, TVERDOKHLEBOV VP, NEWELL AJ (2007) FIRST OCCURRENCE OF FOOTPRINTS OF LARGE THERAPSIDS FROM THE UPPER PERMIAN OF EUROPEAN RUSSIA. Palaeontology, 50 (3) : 641 - 652. doi: 10.1111/j.1475-4983.2007.00647.x

Barras CG, Twitchett RJ (2007) Response of the marine infauna to Triassic–Jurassic environmental change: Ichnological data from southern England. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 244 (1-4) : 223 - 241. doi: 10.1016/j.palaeo.2006.06.040

Grice K, Fenton S, Bőttcher ME, Twitchett RJ, Summons RE, Grosjean E (2006) The biogeochemical cycling of sulfur, carbon and nitrogen across the Permian-Triassic (P-Tr) Hovea-3 borehole (Western Australia) and Schuchert Dal Section (Eastern Greenland). Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 70 (18) : Elsevier BV : A218 - A218. doi: 10.1016/j.gca.2006.06.438

Twitchett RJ (2006) The palaeoclimatology, palaeoecology and palaeoenvironmental analysis of mass extinction events. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 232 (2-4) : 190 - 213. doi: 10.1016/j.palaeo.2005.05.019

Grice K, Twitchett RJ, Alexander R, Foster CB, Looy C (2005) A potential biomarker for the Permian–Triassic ecological crisis. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 236 (1-2) : 315 - 321. doi: 10.1016/j.epsl.2005.05.008

TWITCHETT RJ, FEINBERG JM, DIANE D O, ALVAREZ W, MCCOLLUM LB (2005) Early Triassic Ophiuroids: Their Paleoecology, Taphonomy, and Distribution. PALAIOS, 20 (3) : 213 - 223. doi: 10.2110/palo.2004.p04-30

WHEELEY J, TWITCHETT R (2005) Palaeoecological significance of a new Griesbachian (Early Triassic) gastropod assemblage from Oman. Lethaia, 38 (1) : 37 - 45. doi: 10.1080/0024116051003150

Grice K, Cao C, Love GD, Böttcher ME, Twitchett RJ, Grosjean E, Summons RE, Turgeon SC, Dunning W, Jin Y (2005) Photic Zone Euxinia During the Permian-Triassic Superanoxic Event. Science, 307 (5710) : 706 - 709. doi: 10.1126/science.1104323

Fraiser ML, Twitchett RJ, Bottjer DJ (2005) Unique microgastropod biofacies in the Early Triassic: Indicator of long-term biotic stress and the pattern of biotic recovery after the end-Permian mass extinction. Comptes Rendus Palevol, 4 (6-7) : 543 - 552. doi: 10.1016/j.crpv.2005.04.006

Twitchett RJ, Oji T (2005) Early Triassic recovery of echinoderms. Comptes Rendus Palevol, 4 (6-7) : 531 - 542. doi: 10.1016/j.crpv.2005.02.006

Twitchett RJ, Krystyn L, Baud A, Wheeley JR, Richoz S (2004) Rapid marine recovery after the end-Permian mass-extinction event in the absence of marine anoxia. Geology, 32 (9) : 805 - 805. doi: 10.1130/g20585.1

THOMAS BM, WILLINK RJ, GRICE K, TWITCHETT RJ, PURCELL RR, ARCHBOLD NW, GEORGE AD, TYE S, ALEXANDER R, FOSTER CB, BARBER CJ (2004) Unique marine Permian-Triassic boundary section from Western Australia. Australian Journal of Earth Sciences, 51 (3) : 423 - 430. doi: 10.1111/j.1400-0952.2004.01066.x

Twitchett RJ, Barras CG (2004) Trace fossils in the aftermath of mass extinction events., In: null, McIlroy D (Eds). null : 397 - 418.

Brookfield ME, Twitchett RJ, Goodings C (2003) Palaeoenvironments of the Permian–Triassic transition sections in Kashmir, India. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 198 (3-4) : 353 - 371. doi: 10.1016/s0031-0182(03)00476-0

Benton MJ, Twitchett RJ (2003) How to kill (almost) all life: the end-Permian extinction event. Trends in Ecology & Evolution, 18 (7) : 358 - 365. doi: 10.1016/s0169-5347(03)00093-4

Krystyn L, Richoz S, Baud A, Twitchett RJ (2003) A unique Permian–Triassic boundary section from the Neotethyan Hawasina Basin, Central Oman Mountains. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 191 (3-4) : 329 - 344. doi: 10.1016/s0031-0182(02)00670-3

Wignall PB, Twitchett RJ (2002) Permian–Triassic sedimentology of Jameson Land, East Greenland: incised submarine channels in an anoxic basin. Journal of the Geological Society, 159 (6) : 691 - 703. doi: 10.1144/0016-764900-120

Wignall PB, Twitchett RJ (2002) Extent, duration, and nature of the Permian-Triassic superanoxic event. null, doi: 10.1130/0-8137-2356-6.395

Looy CV, Twitchett RJ, Dilcher DL, Van Konijnenburg-Van Cittert JHA, Visscher H (2001) Life in the end-Permian dead zone. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 98 (14) : 7879 - 7883. doi: 10.1073/pnas.131218098

Twitchett RJ, Looy CV, Morante R, Visscher H, Wignall PB (2001) Rapid and synchronous collapse of marine and terrestrial ecosystems during the end-Permian biotic crisis. Geology, 29 (4) : 351 - 351. doi: 10.1130/0091-7613(2001)029<0351:rascom>2.0.co;2

Twitchett RJ (2001) Incompleteness of the Permian-Triassic fossil record: a consequence of productivity decline?. Geological Journal, 36 (3-4) : 341 - 353. doi: 10.1002/gj.883

TWITCHETT RJ, WIGNALL PB, BENTON MJ (2000) Discussion on Lazarus taxa and fossil abundance at times of biotic crisis Journal, Vol. 156, 1999, pp. 453–456. Journal of the Geological Society, 157 (2) : 511 - 512. doi: 10.1144/jgs.157.2.511

Twitchett RJ (1999) Palaeoenvironments and faunal recovery after the end-Permian mass extinction. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 154 (1-2) : 27 - 37. doi: 10.1016/s0031-0182(99)00085-1

WIGNALL PB, TWITCHETT RJ (1999) Unusual intraclastic limestones in Lower Triassic carbonates and their bearing on the aftermath of the end‐Permian mass extinction. Sedimentology, 46 (2) : 303 - 316. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-3091.1999.00214.x

Wignall PB, Twitchett RJ (1996) Late Permian extinctions - Reply. SCIENCE, 274 (5292) : 1552 - 1552.

Wignall PB, Twitchett RJ (1996) Response: Late Permian Extinctions. Science, 274 (5292) : 1552a - 1552a. doi: 10.1126/science.274.5292.1552a

Twitchett RJ, Wignall PB (1996) Trace fossils and the aftermath of the Permo-Triassic mass extinction: evidence from northern Italy. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 124 (1-2) : 137 - 151. doi: 10.1016/0031-0182(96)00008-9

Wignall PB, Twitchett RJ (1996) Oceanic Anoxia and the End Permian Mass Extinction. Science, 272 (5265) : 1155 - 1158. doi: 10.1126/science.272.5265.1155

Twitchett RJ (1996) The resting trace of an acorn-worm (class: Enteropneusta) from the Lower Triassic. JOURNAL OF PALEONTOLOGY, 70 (1) : 126 - 129.

Twitchett RJ (1995) A new Lower Cretaceous insect fauna from the Vectis Formation (Wealden Group) of the Isle of Wight. Proceedings of the Geologists' Association, 106 (1) : 47 - 51. doi: 10.1016/s0016-7878(08)80100-9

Hughes Z, Johnson KG, Belben R, Hughes C, Twitchett R (null) USING MUSEUM COLLECTIONS TO STUDY BRACHIOPOD SIZE CHANGE ACROSS EXTINCTION BOUNDARIES - TAKING ADVANTAGE OF MASS DIGITISATION. Geological Society of America Annual Meeting,

Teaching and students

Courses taught

MSc: MSc Taxonomy & Biodiversity: Palaeobiology Module

2/2019.

Postgraduate: London DTP Evolution Training Week: Earth & Evolution

11/2018.

MSc: MSc Taxonomy & Biodiversity: Palaeobiology Module

2/2018 - 3/2018.

Postgraduate: London DTP Evolution Training Week: Earth & Evolution

11/2016.

MSc: MSc Taxonomy & Biodiversity: Palaeobiology Module


2/2016 - 3/2016.

Postgraduate: London DTP Evolution Training Week: Earth & Evolution
Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom
10/2015.

MSc: MSc Taxonomy & Biodiversity: Palaeobiology Module


3/2015.

Supervision

Doctorate (PhD) Co-supervisor to Walley R
Co supervisor(s): Twitchett R
Drivers of marine ecosystem change through the end Triassic extinction and recovery
University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom
Funding: NERC Spitfire DTP
1/10/2018 - on going.

Impact and outreach

Awards

James Lee Wilson Award, 1/1/2011.