PRESENTATION OF THE PALEONTOLOGICAL SOCIETY MEDAL TO RICHARD K. BAMBACH

Abstract

In 1981, a short paper was published in Nature Magazine that was among the most influential paleontological publications of the past quarter century. Officially titled “Phanerozoic Marine Diversity and the Fossil Record,” the Consensus Paper, as it has come to be known, juxtaposed several depictions of the history of Phanerozoic marine taxonomic diversity, each developed with a different protocol for data collection. Despite these differences, a robust signal emerged at three different taxonomic levels, which the authors attributed to an unmistakable—and biologically meaningful—Phanerozoic trajectory. Of course, as many of us know, this paper played—and continues to play—a remarkable role in shaping the interests of paleontologists. The four authors of the Consensus Paper, Jack Sepkoski, Richard Bambach, Dave Raup, and Jim Valentine, were a remarkable bunch. They have long been among the giants of our profession, and, over the years, they have received a number of accolades that testify to their status. To list just some of their collective honors: two are members of the National Academy of Sciences; one was a member of the Polish Academy of Sciences; two received the Schuchert Award; one received the medal of the University of Helsinki; and Richard, who already has the SEPM's Moore Medal in his trophy case, today becomes the third member of the group to be awarded the Paleontological Society Medal. So, as we honor Richard Bambach today, I think it also presents us with an opportunity to search for a common thread that might help us to understand the inherent characteristics of people who go on to especially creative careers in paleontology. Is there anything we can recognize as key characteristics—call them key adaptations if you'd like—shared by the members of this quartet? Well… of course, I've thought about this…. long and hard. They come from different socioeconomic backgrounds and …