Steve Westrop

Professor
Curator of Invertebrate Paleontology,
Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History

Ph.D., 1984, University of Toronto
M.S., 1980, University of Toronto
B.S., 1976, University of Wales at Swansea

Office: SEC 920
Phone: 405-325-0542
Fax: 405-325-3140
E-mail: swestrop@ou.edu

Areas of Interest

Invertebrate Paleontology

Research

My research interests lie at the intersection of paleontology, ecology and evolutionary biology. Patterns and processes of mass extinction, with special reference to Lower Paleozoic trilobite faunas of North America, have been a primary focus for several years. More recently, I have expanded my studies to deal with evolutionary radiations following mass extinctions and with the changing role of trilobites in Paleozoic marine communities. I have also published extensively on trilobite systematics and biostratigraphy. Other areas of research include taphonomy of shell beds, particularly in storm-influenced depositional systems, stratigraphy and sedimentary facies analysis.

Courses Taught

History of the Earth and Life

Fundamentals of Invertebrate Paleontology

Evolutionary Paleobiology

Selected Publications

Adrain, J.M. and Westrop, S.R. 2000. An empirical assessment of taxic paleobiology. Science, 289:110-112.

Adrain, J.M., Westrop, S.R., Chatterton, B.D.E., and Ramsköld, L. 2000. Silurian trilobite alpha diversity and the end-Ordovician mass extinction. Paleobiology, 26:625-646.

Westrop, S.R. and Landing, E. 2000. Lower Cambrian (Branchian) trilobites and biostratigraphy of the Hanford Brook Formation, New Brunswick. Journal of Paleontology, 74:858-878.

Westrop, S.R. and Ludvigsen, R. 2000. The Late Cambrian (Marjuman) trilobite Hysteropleura Raymond from the Cow Head Group, western Newfoundland. Journal of Paleontology, 74: 1020-1030.

Westrop, S.R. and Cuggy, M.B. 1999. Comparative paleoecology of Cambrian trilobite extinctions. Journal of Paleontology, 72: 337-354.

Westrop, S.R. and Rudkin, D.M. 1999. Trilobite taphonomy of a Silurian reef: Attawapiskat Formation, James Bay Lowlands, Ontario. Palaios, 14, 389-397.

Adrain, J.M., Fortey, R.A. and Westrop, S.R. Post-Cambrian trilobite diversity and evolutionary faunas. Science, 280: 1922-192

	School of Geology and Geophysics
Prospective Undergraduates What are Geology and Geophysics? What do Geologists and Geophysicists do? Why do we need Geologists and Geophysicists? You might be a Geologist or Geophysicist if you... Why study Geology and Geophysics at OU? Scholarships Degrees Offered Areas Of Emphasis Prospective Graduate Students Areas of Emphasis Degrees Offered Admissions Assistantships and Fellowships Successful Graduates Field Trips Recruiting Current Students Student Organizations Geology Courses Geophysics Courses OU Course Catalog CEE Student Services Registration Degree Navigator Mission People Faculty Staff Students Research Areas of Emphasis Laboratories Alumni School Policies, Forms, and Archives	Steve Westrop Professor Curator of Invertebrate Paleontology, Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History Ph.D., 1984, University of Toronto M.S., 1980, University of Toronto B.S., 1976, University of Wales at Swansea Office: SEC 920 Phone: 405-325-0542 Fax: 405-325-3140 E-mail: swestrop@ou.edu Areas of Interest Invertebrate Paleontology Research My research interests lie at the intersection of paleontology, ecology and evolutionary biology. Patterns and processes of mass extinction, with special reference to Lower Paleozoic trilobite faunas of North America, have been a primary focus for several years. More recently, I have expanded my studies to deal with evolutionary radiations following mass extinctions and with the changing role of trilobites in Paleozoic marine communities. I have also published extensively on trilobite systematics and biostratigraphy. Other areas of research include taphonomy of shell beds, particularly in storm-influenced depositional systems, stratigraphy and sedimentary facies analysis. Courses Taught History of the Earth and Life Fundamentals of Invertebrate Paleontology Evolutionary Paleobiology Selected Publications Adrain, J.M. and Westrop, S.R. 2000. An empirical assessment of taxic paleobiology. Science, 289:110-112. Adrain, J.M., Westrop, S.R., Chatterton, B.D.E., and Ramsköld, L. 2000. Silurian trilobite alpha diversity and the end-Ordovician mass extinction. Paleobiology, 26:625-646. Westrop, S.R. and Landing, E. 2000. Lower Cambrian (Branchian) trilobites and biostratigraphy of the Hanford Brook Formation, New Brunswick. Journal of Paleontology, 74:858-878. Westrop, S.R. and Ludvigsen, R. 2000. The Late Cambrian (Marjuman) trilobite Hysteropleura Raymond from the Cow Head Group, western Newfoundland. Journal of Paleontology, 74: 1020-1030. Westrop, S.R. and Cuggy, M.B. 1999. Comparative paleoecology of Cambrian trilobite extinctions. Journal of Paleontology, 72: 337-354. Westrop, S.R. and Rudkin, D.M. 1999. Trilobite taphonomy of a Silurian reef: Attawapiskat Formation, James Bay Lowlands, Ontario. Palaios, 14, 389-397. Adrain, J.M., Fortey, R.A. and Westrop, S.R. Post-Cambrian trilobite diversity and evolutionary faunas. Science, 280: 1922-192