# Curation and Prehistoric sea creatures **URL:** \ **Category:** Curators\ **Created:** [August 7, 2019, 6:54pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/curation-and-prehistoric-sea-creatures/5653 "2019-08-07T18:54:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![zoology123](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/zoology123/32/66135_2.png) [@zoology123](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/zoology123)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2019, 6:54pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/curation-and-prehistoric-sea-creatures/5653/1 "2019-08-07T18:54:38Z")
I just became curator maybe 2 days ago with the hope of fixing and adding more prehistoric sea creature species to Inaturalist. I understand there are much more important things to fix, but I’ve got plenty of time. I’m also more adding species/genera that have enough information that reconstructions have been made, i don’t plan on adding every extinct sea creature. But i have just been running into problem after problem. I can’t seem to fix anything. I’ve helped add tribes and genera that were missing. But there are a piling number of flags I’ve made because i can’t add a parent taxon because a framework is in or something. I need help Flags [https://www.inaturalist.org/flags/392793](https://www.inaturalist.org/flags/392793) [https://www.inaturalist.org/flags/392792](https://www.inaturalist.org/flags/392792) [https://www.inaturalist.org/flags/392791](https://www.inaturalist.org/flags/392791) [https://www.inaturalist.org/flags/392776](https://www.inaturalist.org/flags/392776) [https://www.inaturalist.org/flags/392775](https://www.inaturalist.org/flags/392775) [https://www.inaturalist.org/flags/392773](https://www.inaturalist.org/flags/392773) [https://www.inaturalist.org/flags/392772](https://www.inaturalist.org/flags/392772) [https://www.inaturalist.org/flags/392850](https://www.inaturalist.org/flags/392850) A list of mine [https://www.inaturalist.org/lists/2311544-Prehistoric-fish](https://www.inaturalist.org/lists/2311544-Prehistoric-fish) ---
**Author:** ![zoology123](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/zoology123/32/66135_2.png) [@zoology123](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/zoology123)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2019, 6:55pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/curation-and-prehistoric-sea-creatures/5653/2 "2019-08-07T18:55:19Z")
I accidentally posted without finishing. so im still typing. Finished now. ---
**Author:** ![zoology123](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/zoology123/32/66135_2.png) [@zoology123](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/zoology123)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2019, 7:08pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/curation-and-prehistoric-sea-creatures/5653/3 "2019-08-07T19:08:45Z")
Masracetus is separated from everything else because i can’t put Dorudontinae under Basilosauridae even though that’s where it belongs. [https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/918573-Masracetus](https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/918573-Masracetus) ---
**Author:** ![cmcheatle](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/cmcheatle/32/37_2.png) [@cmcheatle](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/cmcheatle)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2019, 7:15pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/curation-and-prehistoric-sea-creatures/5653/4 "2019-08-07T19:15:06Z")
> [@zoology123](#): > > Basilosauridae Not to discourage you, but I think you need to interface with the respective taxon curators under mammals, reptiles, fish, possibly birds etc that you want to add things to. Even though your species are extinct, all these areas and others are locked taxa, which means only the designated curator in those areas can add any new records under them. You can see who the designated curators are by going to any of the respective pages such as [https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/26036-Reptilia](https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/26036-Reptilia) and on the taxonomy tab clicking the Taxonomy Details link. ---
**Author:** ![zoology123](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/zoology123/32/66135_2.png) [@zoology123](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/zoology123)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2019, 7:17pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/curation-and-prehistoric-sea-creatures/5653/5 "2019-08-07T19:17:45Z")
But what if they don’t wanna waste time fixing extinct creatures? I’m fully willing to do the work but these “problems” are getting in the way. ---
**Author:** ![cmcheatle](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/cmcheatle/32/37_2.png) [@cmcheatle](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/cmcheatle)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2019, 7:19pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/curation-and-prehistoric-sea-creatures/5653/6 "2019-08-07T19:19:00Z")
Unless they are willing to assign you as a taxa curator for all these areas, there is not too much that can be done. ---
**Author:** ![zoology123](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/zoology123/32/66135_2.png) [@zoology123](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/zoology123)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2019, 7:19pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/curation-and-prehistoric-sea-creatures/5653/7 "2019-08-07T19:19:42Z")
Well how do i apply to become the curator of extinct sea creatures? ---
**Author:** ![zoology123](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/zoology123/32/66135_2.png) [@zoology123](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/zoology123)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2019, 7:23pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/curation-and-prehistoric-sea-creatures/5653/8 "2019-08-07T19:23:31Z")
I for whatever reason couldn’t even add this species to its genus. So its just floating free from the taxonomic tree. [https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/918534-Ptychodus-mortoni](https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/918534-Ptychodus-mortoni) ---
**Author:** ![cmcheatle](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/cmcheatle/32/37_2.png) [@cmcheatle](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/cmcheatle)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2019, 7:47pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/curation-and-prehistoric-sea-creatures/5653/9 "2019-08-07T19:47:35Z")
Only an iNat staff member can assign taxa curation roles, you’ll need to reach out to them. ---
**Author:** ![zoology123](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/zoology123/32/66135_2.png) [@zoology123](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/zoology123)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2019, 7:49pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/curation-and-prehistoric-sea-creatures/5653/10 "2019-08-07T19:49:17Z")
Why am i able to do everything right with [https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/333781-Dinocaridida](https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/333781-Dinocaridida) Iv’e been able to add 5 genera, a few families etc with no trouble. ---
**Author:** ![cmcheatle](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/cmcheatle/32/37_2.png) [@cmcheatle](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/cmcheatle)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2019, 7:58pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/curation-and-prehistoric-sea-creatures/5653/11 "2019-08-07T19:58:17Z")
Because not all families of life are locked, and arthropods fall under this. Areas not locked can be edited by any curator If you have not done so, I would suggest reading the curator guide [https://www.inaturalist.org/pages/curator+guide#changes](https://www.inaturalist.org/pages/curator+guide#changes) ---
**Author:** ![zoology123](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/zoology123/32/66135_2.png) [@zoology123](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/zoology123)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2019, 7:59pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/curation-and-prehistoric-sea-creatures/5653/12 "2019-08-07T19:59:46Z")
I have, thank you. ---
**Author:** ![zoology123](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/zoology123/32/66135_2.png) [@zoology123](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/zoology123)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2019, 8:00pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/curation-and-prehistoric-sea-creatures/5653/13 "2019-08-07T20:00:44Z")
I’ll read through it again just to make sure that i’m not breaking any rules. ---
**Author:** ![zoology123](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/zoology123/32/66135_2.png) [@zoology123](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/zoology123)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2019, 8:05pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/curation-and-prehistoric-sea-creatures/5653/14 "2019-08-07T20:05:44Z")
I have one more question. What should i do about Lyrarapax? Lyrarapax has a few reconstructions/drawings but none are on flickr or Wikipedia. Is there a way to add the photo? [http://www.sci-news.com/paleontology/science-lyrarapax-unguispinus-cambrian-marine-predator-02067.html](http://www.sci-news.com/paleontology/science-lyrarapax-unguispinus-cambrian-marine-predator-02067.html) [https://alphynix.tumblr.com/post/92453020814/newly-described-anomalocaridid-lyrarapax](https://alphynix.tumblr.com/post/92453020814/newly-described-anomalocaridid-lyrarapax) ---
**Author:** ![tiwane](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/tiwane/32/54612_2.png) [@tiwane](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/tiwane)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2019, 4:55am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/curation-and-prehistoric-sea-creatures/5653/15 "2019-08-08T04:55:46Z")
iNat is specifically _not_ focused on prehistoric creatures, so I’m curious as to what your goal is here. ---
**Author:** ![zoology123](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/zoology123/32/66135_2.png) [@zoology123](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/zoology123)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2019, 7:06pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/curation-and-prehistoric-sea-creatures/5653/16 "2019-08-08T19:06:13Z")
You know your right, apologies for wasting all your time. The original goal i thought of was Inaturalist is like the only site where you can make lists of creatures, and i think that inaturalist would be more complete if all species where in the database. So if you wanted to make a list of bacteria you could. ---
**Author:** ![bobby23](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/bobby23/32/2990_2.png) [@bobby23](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/bobby23)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2019, 8:08pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/curation-and-prehistoric-sea-creatures/5653/17 "2019-08-08T20:08:51Z")
iNaturalist is a great tool for managing taxonomy, but because the focus of iNaturalist is to document living organisms, our taxonomic tree is geared towards supporting living organisms. The few extinct organisms we have are largely the consequence of imports from Encyclopedia of Life and because people like to upload photos of fossils on occasion. It’s really only out of courtesy that some extinct organisms are in our database. I’m sorry if this disappoints you. However, iNaturalist can always use more curators and your enthusiasm is appreciated. I would suggest applying your focus towards living taxa, rather than long-extinct ones. EDIT: We do support [Bacteria](https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/67333)! ---
**Author:** ![dankillam](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/dankillam/32/3526_2.png) [@dankillam](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/dankillam)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2019, 4:47pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/curation-and-prehistoric-sea-creatures/5653/18 "2019-08-09T16:47:16Z")
Have you considered getting involved with [MyFossil](https://www.myfossil.org)? They are building a fossil database and social network and would be more up your alley. Also, if you want to volunteer with a participating lab, the [Paleobiology Database](https://paleobiodb.org/navigator/) is building a database of specimens from scientific publications. Cheers, A paleontologist ---
**Author:** ![jasonhernandez74](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/jasonhernandez74/32/33615_2.png) [@jasonhernandez74](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/jasonhernandez74)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2023, 12:21am UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/curation-and-prehistoric-sea-creatures/5653/19 "2023-09-27T00:21:04Z")
> [@dankillam](#): > > Have you considered getting involved with MyFossil? Well, since I didn’t see a way to look at individual users’ “life lists,” I have a question about that. From the closed thread, “Are Fossils Acceptable?” > [@Are Fossils Acceptable](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/are-fossils-acceptable/40395/10): > > Just a note that it will never be possible to accommodate certain extinct taxa in the iNat tree of life. And this thread: > [@bobby23](#): > > iNaturalist is a great tool for managing taxonomy, So here’s the thing: when I go to my Dynamic Life List, I see this: ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/uploads/inaturalist/original/3X/3/f/3f8a64856a8f457082e064bb2ad312e79571b85b.png) There is the fossil genus _Exogyra_, in its phylogenetic context with other bivalves. Now imagine if I had observed several genera of Gryphaeidae, as well as other families in the Ostreoidea. They would appear in their proper places as branches on the tree. Is there a database for fossil observations that has a comparable functionality, that is, one that would let me look at my observed taxa in the form of a phylogenetic tree? I was going to ask this question in one of the existing threads on fossils, but they are all closed. Anyway, this is my concern with being redirected someplace away from iNaturalist. ---
**Author:** ![dankillam](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.inaturalist.org/dankillam/32/3526_2.png) [@dankillam](https://forum.inaturalist.org/u/dankillam)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2024, 8:12pm UTC](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/curation-and-prehistoric-sea-creatures/5653/20 "2024-04-10T20:12:37Z")
On MyFossil, you can view your own (or other users’) specimen lists (not a life list per se). You can even generate little specimen cards for them to print and organize your collection! There is also a taxonomy view, not shown as a nice tree though, just a list of the clades. I haven’t uploaded my collection there but have been meaning to…someday. [Next page](https://forum.inaturalist.org/t/curation-and-prehistoric-sea-creatures/5653.md?page=2)