Alan Jack Charig (1927–1997): an overview of his academic accomplishments and role in the world of fossil reptile research

摘要: Alan Jack Charig was Curator of Fossil Amphibians, Reptiles and Birds at the British Museum (Natural History) from 1961 to 1987. We here review his academic accomplishments impact work within vertebrate palaeontology. His position gave him considerable influence in discussion emerging theories how palaeontology portrayed public. main areas scientific interest included biogeography faunal provinces, evolution an erect gait archosaurs, systematics diversity Triassic proterosuchians, erythrosuchians their relatives, origin dinosaurs. Besides ornithischian, theropod sauropodomorph dinosaurs, he published on gastropods, amphisbaenians plesiosaurs. While did produce some lasting contributions literature, it is telling that failed publish specimen-based analyses apparently planned to, despite citations ‘in press’ manuscripts. Between 1970s 1990s opposed or offered alternatives many schools thought. He best described as ‘conservative’ terms views palaeontological controversies opinions would not conform with those favoured by majority palaeontologists today. highly critical concept dinosaur monophyly, dinosaurian birds, division archosaurs into a crocodilian bird-dinosaur clade, cladistics. Several papers are ICZN (International Commission Zoological Nomenclature) submissions, order clear up taxonomic problems, they served bring nomenclatural stability. Contradicting exist scientist popularist. has, without contradiction, been intellectually arrogant, most clubbable, humorous, charming, snob, political meticulous. fame, however, very few us live be referred ‘Carl Sagan BBC’ have good fortune describe important Baryonyx. (1927–1997) (Fig. 1) born Jewish–Ukranian parents. educated Haberdashers’ Aske’s Boys’ School (Cox 1997) considered academically outstanding even earliest days secondary education (R.C.H. Old Haberdashers Obits). Prior joining then studied zoology Emanuel College Cambridge interrupted degree serve National Service; first The Royal Armoured Corps interpreter Russian Section Army Occupation Germany. On leaving forces returned complete Natural Sciences study for PhD under Rex Parrington (1905–1981). A. W. (‘Fuzz’) Crompton were two students Parrington. Alan’s 1956 thesis titled ‘New Tanganyika, including Mandasuchus Teleocrater’. subsequently mentioned these taxa – particularly publications manuscript supposedly describing them (titled ‘Preliminary note Manda Formation (Middle Trias) Tanzania’, cited if appearing 1967 edition Palaeontology) Appleby et al. (1967), Reptilia chapter Geological Society London’s (GSL’s) compendium Record 2). According latter article, member Prestosuchidae, group noted (1967, p. 46) being ‘probably ancestral sauropodomorphs’. discuss possible significance this proposed phylogenetic later on. Teleocrater regarded representing new ‘family’, Teleocrateridae Charig, (Appleby 1967, 46). Another taxon Palaeontology article Nyasasaurus cromptoni also (1967). Although classified thecodontosaurid From: Moody, R. T. J., Buffetaut, E., Naish, D. & Martill, M. (eds) Dinosaurs Other Extinct Saurians: A Historical Perspective. Society, London, Special Publications, 343, 89–109. DOI: 10.1144/SP343.6 0305-8719/10/$15.00 # London 2010. sauropodomorph, 712) ‘might still prestosuchid pseudosuchian’. This again highlighted fact ‘pseudosuchian thecodonts’ dinosaurs close allies. Finally, (1967) mention another taxon, Hypselorhachis mirabilis: attributed ‘Charig 1966’ (presumably reference article) suggested Spinosauridae. Subsequent authors identified relative Ctenosauriscus koeneni, poorly known archosaur tall neural spines (Krebs 1969, 1976; Nesbitt 2003, 2005). same note’ Reig (1970). Alas, never proper descriptions persisted literature nomina nuda. As we will see, claim numerous additional occasions descriptive had progressed further than actually had. After receiving doctorate, briefly lectured Kumasi (then Gold Coast, now Ghana) 1955 1956. During time visited Timbuctu, Mali, Morris Minor, told saw lions Sahara. In 1957 joined staff Department initially worked Mollusca Section, publishing paper gastropod Thatcheria 1963, well after transferred 1961. It appear, somewhat strangely, museum hierarchy policy placing people outside own speciality, Bill Swinton (1900–1994) (who preceded Alan) mammals before transferring Birds. Fig. 1. J. 1977. Photograph NHM. MOODY NAISH 90