Nick Butterfield

I conduct research across a wide range of palaeobiological topics including the early evolution of eukaryotes and animals, the taphonomy of exceptional fossil preservation, biomineralization, lacustrine palaeoecology, and ecosystem engineering through deep time.

Research Area

My current research is focused on the early fossil record of sponges, spiculogenesis and biomineralization more generally.  It turns out there’s something deeply flawed about how these fossils have been classified, even recognized, over the past 150+ years – with potentially major phylogenetic and macroevolutionary implications.  Other ongoing projects include study of pre-Ediacaran eukaryotes and multicellularity, Cambrian ‘small carbonaceous fossils’ (SCFs), the mechanics and distribution of ‘exceptional’ fossil preservation, lacustrine palaeoecology, and the impact of evolutionary innovations on planetary function.

Project Interests

My current research is focused on the early fossil record of sponges, spiculogenesis and biomineralization more generally.  It turns out there’s something deeply flawed about how these fossils have been classified, even recognized, over the past 150+ years – with potentially major phylogenetic and macroevolutionary implications.  Other ongoing projects include study of pre-Ediacaran eukaryotes and multicellularity, Cambrian ‘small carbonaceous fossils’ (SCFs), the mechanics and distribution of ‘exceptional’ fossil preservation, lacustrine palaeoecology, and the impact of evolutionary innovations on planetary function.  I’d be happy to discuss research possibilities in any of these areas.