1961-1962 - American Museum of Natural History

A study of fossil calcareous sponges was advanced substantially
by Dr. Robert M. Finks. This work is the second part of
Dr. Finks's monographic revision of the upper Paleozoic sponges
of the southwestern United States. Dr. Imbrie continued to develop
applications of digital computer systems to various problems
in geology and paleontology. These brilliant and original
studies in factor analysis received wide recognition, and Dr.
Imbrie spent considerable time lecturing on the subject throughout
the United States.
Under a collaborative arrangement with Columbia University,
one doctoral dissertation project was sponsored and completed
within the department, and four others were in progress.
Noteworthy among the acquisitions of the year was a fine
collection of some 295 specimens of eurypterids from the Baltic
region, donated by Dartmouth College.
DEPARTMENT OF HERPETOLOGY
Charles M. Bogert, Chairman
Researches dealing with heat and sound as elements of the
environment that affect the activities of amphibians and reptiles
occupied the attention of members of the department during
most of the year. Several taxonomic and faunistic studies were
continued, and research on toads at the Kalbfleisch Field Research
Station yielded interesting preliminary results on growth
rates and range of movement.
Investigations of the thermoregulatory capacities of amphibians
and reptiles advanced our- comprehension of the complex
interplay of heredity, morphology, and behavior in the heat
economy of these "cold-blooded" vertebrates. The tuatara, for
example, may respond to light as well as to heat, so that during
the day it seemingly shifts its activities toward the upper end of
the thermal zone favorable for activity. But during the hours
of darkness, its body temperature more closely approaches the
threshold that permits activity.
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