Natural History
Bahamian natural history and prehistory are subject to constant study and international acclaim. This encompasses the changing plant and animal communities on the islands.
Paleontology is the study of fossil plants and animals, and does include the study of dinosaurs. Here, we hope to bring awareness of some of these projects and ongoing studies.
Exceptionally well-preserved late Quaternary plant and vertebrate fossils from a blue hole on Abaco, Bahamas. Steadman, D.W., R. Franz, G.S. Morgan, N.A. Albury, B. Kakuk, K. Broad, S.E. Franz, K. Tinker, M.P. Pateman, T.A. Lott, D.M. Jarzen & D. L. Dilcher. 2007. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA 104: 19897-19902.
Tropical ancient DNA reveals relationships of the extinct Bahamian giant tortoise Chelonoidis alburyorum. , , , , , , , , ,
Vertebrate community on an ice-age Caribbean island. Steadman, D.W., N.A. Albury, B. Kakuk, J.I. Mead, J.A. Soto-Centeno, H.M. Singleton, J. Franklin. 2015.Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 112(44):E5963-E5971 doi/10.1073/pnas.1516490112
Molecular phylogeny of Caribbean dipsadid (Xenodontinae: Alsophiini) snakes, including identification of the first record from the Cay Sal Bank, The Bahamas. Krysko, K.L., L. Nuñez, D.W. Steadman & D.S. Lee. 2015. Zootaxa 4028:441-450. doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4028.3.9
Late Holocene faunal and landscape change in the Bahamas. Steadman, D.W., N.A. Albury, P. Maillis, J.I. Mead, J.D. Slapcinsky, K.L. Krysko, H.M. Singleton & J. Franklin. 2014. The Holocene 24: 220-230.
A new species of Late Pleistocene rail (Aves: Rallidae) from Abaco, The Bahamas. Steadman, D.W., J.R. Morris & N.A. Wright. 2013. Paleontological Journal 47:1355-1364. Steadman, D.W., J.R. Morris & N.A. Wright. 2013. Paleontological Journal 47:1355-1364.
Winter bird communities in pine woodland vs. broadleaf forest on Abaco, The Bahamas. Franklin, J. & D.W. Steadman. 2013. The Caribbean Naturalist 3: 1-18.
New records for amphibians and reptiles on the Little Bahama Bank, Commonwealth of the Bahamas. Krysko, K.L., D.W. Steadman, J.I. Mead, N.A. Albury, C.A. MacKenzie-Krysko & S.L. Swift. 2013. IRCF Reptiles & Amphibians 20: 152-154.
Confirmation of the Southeastern Five-lined Skink, Plestiodon inexpectatus Taylor 132 (Scincidae), on Grand Bahama Island, Commonwealth of the Bahamas. Krysko, K.L., N.A. Albury & D.W. Steadman. 2012. IRCF Reptiles and Amphibians 19: 126-127.