Pembina Paleontology's Vision:
To place a spotlight on the fossil heritage of Manitoba through research and education.
What to Know
Pembina Paleontology has two vertebrate paleontologists specializing in dinosaurs and marine reptiles. Research is an integral part of Pembina Paleontology and we strive to advance the knowledge of the Western Interior Seaway of Manitoba. The primary research interests for Pembina Paleontology include Pleistocene paleontology, Cretaceous biostratigraphy, plesiosaur paleobiology, and Manitoba's Mesozoic marine paleobotany. Our findings from the field seasons lead to scientific analysis and publication in peer reviewed academic journals. We attend and present at paleontological symposia in Canada and the United States of America, sharing the findings of our research from Manitoba.
Joseph Hatcher
Dinosaur Paleontology and Geology
Hunting dinosaurs is quite literally in his blood; a relative of the famed Triceratops hunter John Bell Hatcher, Joseph has led many successful dinosaur field expeditions in Montana's Hell Creek Formation excavating duckbilled hadrosaurs, the three-horned Triceratops, and Tyrannosaurus rex; sauropods from the Jurassic Morrison Formation of Wyoming, fossil sharks from the Peace River Formation of Florida, and marine reptiles from the Navsink Formation of New Jersey and the Pierre Shale of North Dakota and Manitoba. He has trained in vertebrate fossil preparation at the prestigious Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia. Joseph is a two time recipient of the Distinguished Mentor in the Roy J. Shelemon Mentors in Applied Geosciences Program, awarded by the Geological Society of America, in 2006 and 2007, respectively. He has published over 30 scientific papers and is the current expert on the paleontology of the Gammon Ferriginious Member of the Pierre Shale in Manitoba.
Anita Hatcher
Marine Reptile Paleontology and Zoology
Manitoba's premier plesiosaur expert, Anita has vast field experiece in marine reptile field paleontology.
Having excavated throughout all of the Cretaceous rocks of Manitoba and the Pierre Shale of North Dakota, she has also excavated the ferocious tyrannosaurid Albertosaurus in the badlands of Alberta, the amazing Triceratops in Montana, and a large duck-billed hadrosaur in the Kaiparowits Formation of Utah. She described the first specimen of the marine crocodile Terminonaris ever found in Manitoba! Yet there is still something special about plesiosaurs!
Current Research
We currently have 3 levels of active science across 4 field research projects:
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Locally - We are searching for geological evidence of the Manson Meteor Impact and how that event altered the paleoecology of the Western Interior Seaway.
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Provincially - Ice Age Biodiversity Project. With research quality fossil localities near Minitonas, Souris, and Mowbray Creek, this will be the first comprehensive data assemblage of Manitoba's Ice Age vertebrate paleontology!
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The Odanah Research Initiative. We've always been told that the Odanah Member of the Pierre Shale didn't contain much for fossils; now we have plenty of reason to delve into an organized stratigraphic framework for this largest and lesser studied member of the Pierre. With key research localities in the Pembina Trench, Big Valley, and Qu'Appelle Valley, this will be an exciting larger scale field project in 2023!
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Nationally - The Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin Atlas 2027 Project. Pembina Paleontology is proud to have been invited to contribute to this keystone masterpiece on the vertebrate paleontology of Manitoba, as well as other key fossil localities across western Canada! Here is a link to the project: About – Atlas 2027
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Publications List
2022
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Plouffe, C., K. Brink, A. Hatcher, and J. Campbell. A Partial Dolichorhynchops osborni skeleton (Plesiosauria, Polycotylidae) with associated stomach contents from the Pierre Shale (Lower Campanian) of southwestern Manitoba. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, Program and Abstracts, 2022, p. 285-286.
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Hatcher, A. and J. Hatcher. 2022. A New Specimen of the Late Cretaceous Octopod Enchoteuthis from the Upper Pembina Member of the Pierre Shale in southern Manitoba. Canadian Paleontology Conference, Proceedings No. 17, ISSN 1708-5217, P. 15.
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Hatcher, J. and A. Hatcher. 2022. Preliminary Biostratigraphy of the upper unit of the Pembina Member of the Pierre Shale in Manitoba. Vertebrate Anatomy, Morphology, and Paleontology, ISSN 2292-1389, p. 16-17.
2020
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Hatcher, J. 2020. The Kaleida Code. Journal of Masonic Research, pp. 14-16.
2019
Hatcher, J. 2019. The Kaleida Conundrum. Grand Lodge of Manitoba, Masonic Resource Centre, M49.132 H36k 2019.
2014
Gallagher, W.B., J. Hatcher, and E. Morris. 2014. Stratigraphy, Depositional Environment, Taphonomy, and Geochemistry of the Babyback Triceratops Quarry, Hell Creek Formation (Late Cretaceous), Garfield County, Montana. The Mosasaur, Vol. VIII, pp. 1-13.
2013
Bamburak, J.D., Nicolas, M.P.B., and Hatcher, J. 2013: Radiometric dating of Late Cretaceous bentonite beds in southwestern Manitoba; in Report of Activities 2013, Manitoba Mineral Resources, Manitoba Geological Survey, p. 129-136.
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Bamburak, J.D., Nicolas, M.P.B., Hatcher, J. and Yang, X.M. 2013: Rare-earth element potential of the Gammon Ferruginous Member of the Upper Cretaceous Pierre Shale in southwestern Manitoba; in Report of Activities 2013, Manitoba Mineral Resources, Manitoba Geological Survey, p. 123-128.
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Hatcher, J. and J.D. Bamburak. 2013. A New Lectostratotype Locality of the Millwood Member of the Upper Cretaceous Pierre Shale in Manitoba. Geological Association of Canada – Mineral Society of Canada Joint Annual Meeting, Program Volume 36, p. 57.
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Bamburak, J.D., M.P.B. Nicolas, and J. Hatcher. 2013. A visual system of correlating bentonite seams in the Pembina Member of the Upper Cretaceous Pierre Shale in the Pembina Hills area of Manitoba and North Dakota. Geological Association of Canada – Mineral Society of Canada Joint Annual Meeting, Program Volume 36, p. 57.
2012
Bamburak, J.D., Hatcher, J. and Nicolas, M.P.B. 2012: Chemostratigraphy, paleontology, and mineral potential of the Gammon Ferruginous Member of the Cretaceous Pierre Shale in southwestern Manitoba (parts of NTS 62F, G, H, J, K, N, O, 63C, F); in Report of Activities 2012, Manitoba Innovation, Energy and Mines, Manitoba Geological Survey, p.141-150.
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Weaver, P.G., D.R. Lawver, R.C. Tacker, L.A. Doguzhaeva, M.J. Everhart, J. Hatcher, J. Hoganson. 2012. Postmortem Mineralogy of gladii of the Coniacian/Santonian (Late Cretaceous)”Squid” Tusoteuthis longa (Cephalopoda: Coleoidea), North America: A Key to their Original Composition. Abstracts with Programs, Geological Society of America, Vol. 44, No. 7. P. 397.
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Aotsuka, K., J. Hatcher, A. Janzic, and T. Sato. 2012. Diversity of the Hesperornithiformes (Aves) from the Upper Cretaceous Pierre Shale in Southern Manitoba, Canada. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, Program and Abstracts, 2012, p. 57.
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Hatcher, J. and J. Russell. 2012. Cretaceous Paleogeography of the Gammon Ferruginous Member (Pierre Shale) in Manitoba. Prairie Division, Canadian Association of Geographers, 36th Annual Meeting Conference Abstracts, p. 21.
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Aotsuka, K., A. Janzic, J. Hatcher, and T. Sato. 2012. Avian Diversity of the Upper Cretaceous Pierre Shale in Southern Manitoba, Canada. Paleontological Society of Japan, Annual Meeting, Abstracts with Programs, p. 51.
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Hatcher, J. 2012. Cretaceous Clarifying Solutions from the Pierre Shale (Odanah Member) of Manitoba, Canada. American Journal of Enology and Viticulture, Technical Abstracts, 63rd Annual Meeting, Portland, Oregon, USA, P14.
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Hatcher, J. 2012. The Historical Role of Freemasonry in Manitoba’s Fossil Heritage. Grand Lodge of Manitoba, Masonic Resource Centre, M49.132 H36h 2012.
2011
Hatcher, J. 2011. Palynostratigraphy of the Cretaceous Pierre Shale (Pembina Member) across the Manitoba/North Dakota Border. Third Manitoba Palaeontology Symposium, Proceedings and Field Trip Manual, Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre, Morden, Manitoba, pp. 10-13.
Duda, M. and J. Hatcher. 2011. Trains, Fossils, and Steam Shovels: Construction of Railways and the Discovery of Fossils along the Manitoba Escarpment in the Late Nineteenth Century. Third Manitoba Palaeontology Symposium, Proceedings and Field Trip Manual, Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre, Morden, Manitoba, pp. 6-10
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Janzic, A. 2011. The First Occurance of Ornithurae from the Gammon Ferruginous Member of the Pierre Shale in Manitoba. Third Manitoba Palaeontology Symposium, Proceedings and Field Trip Manual, Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre, Morden, Manitoba, pp. 13-16.
2010
Hatcher, J. and J.D. Bamburak. 2010. Stratigraphic correlation of multiple bentonite horizons from the Upper Cretaceous Pierre Shale (Pembina Member) of Manitoba (part of NTS 62G1, 2); in Report of Activities 2010, Manitoba Innovation, Energy and Mines, Manitoba Geological Survey, p. 178-185.
Hatcher, J. and A. Janzic. 2010. First Occurrence of the Marine Crocodyliform Terminonaris from the Upper Cretaceous (Turonian) of Manitoba. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, v. 28, Supplement to No. 3, p. 102A-103A.
2009
Janzic, A. and J. Hatcher. 2009. Cretaceous Marine Fossils of Manitoba. Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre, Premier Printing Ltd., Winnpeg, Manitoba, pp. 1-29.
Hatcher, J. 2009. Palaeotaxonomy of the Pierre Shale Formation in Southern Manitoba. Alberta Palaeontological Society, Thirteenth Annual Symposium, Abstracts Volume, pp. 16-20. Mount Royal College, Calgary, Alberta.
2008
Hatcher, J., A. Janzic, and K. Aotsuka. 2008. Preliminary Report on the Taphonomy of a new Multi-Species Death Assemblage in the Pierre Shale Formation, Southern Manitoba. Canadian Paleontology Conference, Proceedings No. 6, Winnipeg, MB, pp. 29-33.
Janzic, A. and J. Hatcher. 2008. Late Cretaceous Marine Reptile Fossils of the Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre. Alberta Palaeontological Society, Twelfth Annual Symposium, Abstracts Volume, p.28. Mount Royal College, Calgary, Alberta.
2007
Bamburak, J.D. and A. Janzic. 2007. Mesozoic Stratigraphy of the Manitoba Escarpment (Pembina Mountain). Manitoba Paleontology Seminar, Abstracts and Field Manual. Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre, 34 p.
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Hatcher, J. 2007. Why Triceratops Did Not Live In Herds: Evidence From The Geological Component. Ceratopsian Symposium, Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology, Drumheller, Alberta, pp. 74-76.
Hatcher, J. 2007. On the Preservational Matrix of Triceratops. Abstracts With Programs, Geological Society of America, 39 (1), p. 72
Janzic, A. 2007. A New Short-Necked Plesiosaur from the Pierre Shale Formation of Manitoba. Abstracts and Field Manual, Manitoba Paleontology Seminar, p. ii.
2006
Janzic, A. 2006. A Preliminary Analysis of Stomach Contents from a new Polycotylid Plesiosaur. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, 26 (Supplement to No. 3), p.81A.
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Hatcher, J. 2006. Walking in the Footsteps of Barnum Brown and R.S. Lull: The Triceratops of Red Butte. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, v. 26, supplement to no. 3, p.73A.
Hatcher, J. 2006. Maastrichtian Vertebrata: On the Palaeoecology of Hell Hollow. In BARRETT,
P.M. and EVANS, S.E. (eds) Ninth International Symposium on Mesozoic Terrestrial Ecosystems and Biota. Natural History Museum, London, UK pp. 52-54, 160.
Hatcher, J. 2006. Preserving America’s Fossil Heritage. In Lucas et al. (eds) America’s Antiquities: 100 Years of Managing Fossils on Federal Lands, New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science Bulletin 34, pp. 55-56.
Hatcher, J, Garrettson, C. C., Newman, K. W. 2006. On the Stratigraphic Distribution of Triceratops in the Latest Maastrichtian Deposits of the Upper Hell Creek Formation in Garfield County, Montana. Abstracts With Programs, Geological Society of America, 38 (4), p. 62.
Hatcher, J. and Poole, J. 2006. On the Geology of Star Wars. Abstracts With Programs, Geological Society of America, 38 (2), p. 17.
2005
Garrettson, C. C., and Hatcher, J. 2005. Paleoenvironment of the Upper Hell Creek Formation and theGeology Left Behind. Abstracts With Programs, Geological Society of America, 37 (7) p. 159.
Hatcher, J. 2005. Preserving America’s Fossil Heritage, Society for the Preservation of Natural History Collections Newsletter, 20th Anniversary Edition, 19 (1), pp. 1-2, 11.
2004
Newman, K E., and Hatcher, J, 2004. Comparison of Anthill Microfossils Between the Upper Hell Creek Formation and the Tullock Member of the Fort Union Formation of Eastern Montana, Abstracts With Programs, Geological Society of America, 36(5), p.366.
Garrettson, C. C., and Hatcher, J, 2004. Stratigraphy & Sedimentology of the Upper Hell Creek Formation, Abstracts With Programs, Geological Society of America, 36 (5), p. 60.