James M. Clark

James M. Clark specializes in the evolution and systematics of archosaurs, with a particular focus on crocodylomorphs, pterosaurs, and theropod dinosaurs. His research examines the evolutionary transitions within these groups during the Mesozoic era, helping clarify how modern crocodilian lineages relate to their ancient terrestrial ancestors.

Clark serves as a professor at George Washington University in the Department of Biological Sciences. He has conducted extensive fieldwork in fossil-rich regions such as China and the American Southwest, focusing on Triassic and Jurassic deposits.

Clark's phylogenetic work on early crocodylomorphs has helped map the evolutionary pathway from small, fully terrestrial ancestors to the semi-aquatic crocodilians alive today. His analyses of fossil specimens from China and elsewhere have been widely cited in vertebrate paleontology literature for clarifying relationships among extinct archosaur lineages.

Clark has participated in numerous paleontological expeditions, particularly to the Junggar Basin in northwestern China, which yields important Middle to Late Jurassic fossils. His fieldwork has contributed significant crocodylomorph and dinosaur specimens that illuminate archosaur diversity during critical periods of evolutionary transition.