JCU > Research Portfolio > Dr Espen Knutsen

About

Espen is the Senior Curator of Palaeontology at JCU and the Museum of Tropical Queensland in Townsville. He has a special interest in the diversity, evolution and ecology of Mesozoic reptiles, such as ichthyosaurs, plesiosaurs and dinosaurs. Current projects, involving fieldwork throughout Australia, aim to fill significant gaps in our knowledge and understanding of the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous vertebrate fauna in the southern hemisphere. See fnqpaleo.wordpress.com for project updates.

Previously Espen has been involved in pioneering work on Jurassic and Cretaceous marine faunas of the High Arctic archipelago of Svalbard, and in fieldwork in The Netherlands (Triassic) and USA (Cretaceous).

Teaching

EA3120: The Fossil Record: Dinosaurs and Vertebrates Through Time (Level 3; TSV)
EA5120: The Fossil Record: Dinosaurs and Vertebrates Through Time (Level 5; TSV)
MB1110: Introductory Marine Science (Level 1; TSV)

Interests

Research

Triassic, Jurassic, Cretaceous, Palaeontology, Vertebrates, Dinosaurs, Marine Reptiles, Arctic, Biogeography, Australia, Biodiversity, Evolution

Experience

2008 to 2012 - PhD, University of Oslo (Norway)
2005 to 2007 - MSc, University of Oslo (Norway)
2002 to 2005 - BSc, University of Oslo (Norway)

Research Disciplines

Socio-Economic Objectives

Publications

These are the most recent publications associated with this author. To see a detailed profile of all publications stored at JCU, visit ResearchOnline@JCU. Hover over Altmetrics badges to see social impact.

Journal Articles

Hammer Ø, Hryniewicz K, Hurum J, Høyberget M, Knutsen E and Nakrem H (2013) Large onychites (cephalopod hooks) from the Upper Jurassic of the Boreal Realm. Acta Palaeontologica Polonica, 58 (4). pp. 827-835
Druckenmiller P and Knutsen E (2012) Phylogenetic relationships of Upper Jurassic (Middle Volgian) plesiosaurians (Reptilia: Sauropterygia) from the Agardhfjellet Formation of central Spitsbergen, Norway. Norwegian Journal of Geology, 92. pp. 277-284
Druckenmiller P, Hurum J and Knutsen E (2012) Two new ophthalmosaurids (Reptilia: Ichthyosauria) from the Agardhfjellet Formation (Upper Jurassic: Volgian/Tithonian), Svalbard, Norway. Norwegian Journal of Geology, 92. pp. 311-339
Hurum J, Nakrem H, Hammer Ø, Knutsen E, Druckenmiller P, Hryniewicz K and Novis L (2012) An arctic lagerstätte – the slottsmøya member of the Agardhfjellet formation (Upper Jurassic – Lower Cretaceous) of Spitsbergen. Norwegian Journal of Geology, 92. pp. 55-64
Knutsen E (2012) A taxonomic revision of the genus Pliosaurus (Owen, 1841a) Owen, 1841b. Norwegian Journal of Geology, 92. pp. 259-276
Knutsen E, Druckenmiller P and Hurum J (2012) A new species of Pliosaurus (Sauropterygia: Plesiosauria) from the Middle Volgian of central Spitsbergen, Norway. Norwegian Journal of Geology, 92. pp. 235-258
Knutsen E, Druckenmiller P and Hurum J (2012) A new Plesiosauroid (Reptilia: Sauropterygia) from the Agardhfjellet Formation (Middle Volgian) of central Spitsbergen, Norway. Norwegian Journal of Geology, 92. pp. 213-234
Knutsen E, Druckenmiller P and Hurum J (2012) Two new species of long-necked plesiosaurians (Reptilia: Sauropterygia) from the Upper Jurassic (Middle Volgian) Agardhfjellet Formation of central Spitsbergen. Norwegian Journal of Geology, 92. pp. 187-212
Knutsen E, Hurum J and Druckenmiller P (2012) Redescription and taxonomic clarification of 'Tricleidus' svalbardensis based on new material from the Agardhfjellet Formation (Middle Volgian). Norwegian Journal of Geology, 92. pp. 175-186
Hammer Ø, Nakrem H, Little C, Hryniewicz K, Sandy M, Hurum J, Druckenmiller P, Knutsen E and Høyberget M (2011) Hydrocarbon seeps from close to the Jurassic–Cretaceous boundary, Svalbard. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 306 (1-2). pp. 15-26

Current Funding

Current and recent Research Funding to JCU is shown by funding source and project.

Australian Institute of Nuclear Science and Engineering - Australian Synchrotron Access Program

Digital preparation and constituent analysis of rare vertebrate remains from the Jurassic rocks of Western Australia rocks of Western Australia.

Indicative Funding: $920
Summary: Our current record of Jurassic (201?145mya) Australian terrestrial vertebrates is very scanty, comprising of a handful of specimens. Recently collected material from Western Australia, including a dinosaur tail vertebra, consists of single elements preserved mainly as natural casts. That is, cavities left behind by dissolved bones subsequently filled by sedimentary rock, such as sandstone. These natural casts were preserved in sandstone and consist of sand grains supported by a gossanous matrix. Synchrotron data may aid in the digital removal of the surrounding sandstone from the natural casts, and also to delineate the constituents of the casts themselves.
Investigators: Espen Knutsen (College of Science & Engineering)
Keywords: Jurassic; Tetrapod; Palaeontology; Synchrotron; Dinosaur; Fossil

Supervision

Advisory Accreditation: I can be on your Advisory Panel as a Primary or Secondary Advisor.

These Higher Degree Research projects are either current or by students who have completed their studies within the past 5 years at JCU. Linked titles show theses available within ResearchOnline@JCU.

Current

Palaeoenvironment and palaeovalley gold provenance of the Lefroy Palaeodrainage System, Western Australia and its implications for future placer gold exploration. (Masters , Primary Advisor)
Reconstructing the Mesozoic of Eastern Australia, with emphasis on establishing the tectonic evolution, geochronology and sedimentary provenance of its basins. (PhD , Secondary Advisor)

Collaboration

The map shows research collaborations by institution from the past 7 years.
Note: Map points are indicative of the countries or states that institutions are associated with.