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 Peter Makovicky, PhD
Geology Department
Assistant Curator, Fossil Amphibians and Reptiles
Peter Makovicky studies the evolutionary history of dinosaurs. His research is particularly focused on small theropods (carnivorous dinosaurs) and how they evolved into living birds. The theropods closely related to birds had wing feathers, brooded their eggs, and were small animals that were virtually indistinguishable from the earliest bird Archaeopteryx in all but a few features.
Makovicky also focuses on the horned dinosaur group Ceratopsia, which includes animals such as Triceratops and Protoceratops. He has conducted fieldwork in Wyoming, China, India, and Argentina, and he has described six new dinosaur species with colleagues from various parts of the world. He considers dinosaurs to be a poster child of evolutionary research.
Dr. Peter Makovicky Interview
“In 1995 we had strong evidence that birds evolved from small, dromaeosaurid-like dinosaurs. Nevertheless, there was still a gap between the anatomy of birds and non-avian theropods.
There was also much debate regarding how many of the traits that characterize birds, such as feathers, flight ability, and nest care, may have evolved. In the intervening decade, new theropod discoveries from around the world have provided amazing answers to many of these questions.”
 To learn more about why feathers might have evolved in some dinosaurs, take a look at the Dr. Peter Makovicky Video created for the Evolving Planet exhibition.
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Continue to Dr. Scott Lidgard. >>
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