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Tiiu Märss (until 1970, Tiiu Noppel, born October October 1943, in Elva) is an
Estonia Estonia, officially the Republic of Estonia, is a country in Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by the Gulf of Finland across from Finland, to the west by the Baltic Sea across from Sweden, to the south by Latvia, and to the east by Ru ...
n
geologist A geologist is a scientist who studies the structure, composition, and History of Earth, history of Earth. Geologists incorporate techniques from physics, chemistry, biology, mathematics, and geography to perform research in the Field research, ...
and palaeoichthyologist.


Education and scientific career

Märss attended Uderna Primary School in 1951–1953 and Tallinn 16th Secondary School in 1953–1963. She studied geology at
Tartu State University The University of Tartu (UT; ; ) is a Public university, public research university located in the city of Tartu, Estonia. It is the national university of Estonia. It is also the largest and oldest university in the country.Estonia Estonia, officially the Republic of Estonia, is a country in Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by the Gulf of Finland across from Finland, to the west by the Baltic Sea across from Sweden, to the south by Latvia, and to the east by Ru ...
,
Crimea Crimea ( ) is a peninsula in Eastern Europe, on the northern coast of the Black Sea, almost entirely surrounded by the Black Sea and the smaller Sea of Azov. The Isthmus of Perekop connects the peninsula to Kherson Oblast in mainland Ukrain ...
and East Pamir) and obtained the qualification of geological engineer in the field of
geological mapping A geological map or geologic map is a special-purpose map made to show various geological features. Rock units or geologic strata are shown by color or symbols. Bedding planes and structural features such as faults, folds, are shown with s ...
and
prospecting Prospecting is the first stage of the geological analysis (followed by Mining engineering#Pre-mining, exploration) of a territory. It is the search for minerals, fossils, precious metals, or mineral specimens. It is also known as fossicking. ...
for mineral resources. Her diploma work was titled ‘Vertebrate distribution in the Silurian of
Estonia Estonia, officially the Republic of Estonia, is a country in Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by the Gulf of Finland across from Finland, to the west by the Baltic Sea across from Sweden, to the south by Latvia, and to the east by Ru ...
’. In 1973–1976, she was a postgraduate student of
palaeontology Paleontology, also spelled as palaeontology or palæontology, is the scientific study of the life of the past, mainly but not exclusively through the study of fossils. Paleontologists use fossils as a means to classify organisms, measure geo ...
and
stratigraphy Stratigraphy is a branch of geology concerned with the study of rock layers (strata) and layering (stratification). It is primarily used in the study of sedimentary and layered volcanic rocks. Stratigraphy has three related subfields: lithost ...
in the Institute of Geology of the Academy of
Science Science is a systematic discipline that builds and organises knowledge in the form of testable hypotheses and predictions about the universe. Modern science is typically divided into twoor threemajor branches: the natural sciences, which stu ...
s of the ESSR (since 1989
Estonian Academy of Sciences Founded in 1938, the Estonian Academy of Sciences (, ) is Estonia's national academy of science in Tallinn. As with other national academies, it is an independent group of well-known scientists whose stated aim is to promote research and develo ...
). In 1983, she defended the Candidate of Sciences thesis ‘The Silurian vertebrates of
Estonia Estonia, officially the Republic of Estonia, is a country in Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by the Gulf of Finland across from Finland, to the west by the Baltic Sea across from Sweden, to the south by Latvia, and to the east by Ru ...
and West Latvia’ and was awarded the degree of the Candidate of Geological-Mineralogical Sciences, equivalent to a PhD, in 1984. The work of Märss has mainly been tied with the Institute of Geology of the
Estonian Academy of Sciences Founded in 1938, the Estonian Academy of Sciences (, ) is Estonia's national academy of science in Tallinn. As with other national academies, it is an independent group of well-known scientists whose stated aim is to promote research and develo ...
, where she held the following positions: 1963–1965
technician A technician is a worker in a field of technology who is proficient in the relevant skill and technique, with a relatively practical understanding of the theoretical principles. Specialisation The term technician covers many different special ...
and senior technician; 1970–1973, engineer; 1976–1985, junior scientist; 1985–2006, 2009–2013, senior scientist; 2006–2007 leading scientist; 2008, extraordinary senior scientist; 2014–2015, palaeontology specialist working on palaeontological collections. During 1980–1986, she lectured on micropalaeontology at the Department of Geology of the
University of Tartu The University of Tartu (UT; ; ) is a public research university located in the city of Tartu, Estonia. It is the national university of Estonia. It is also the largest and oldest university in the country.
and in 1993–1995, she gave a special course on
Silurian The Silurian ( ) is a geologic period and system spanning 23.5 million years from the end of the Ordovician Period, at million years ago ( Mya), to the beginning of the Devonian Period, Mya. The Silurian is the third and shortest period of t ...
and
Devonian The Devonian ( ) is a period (geology), geologic period and system (stratigraphy), system of the Paleozoic era (geology), era during the Phanerozoic eon (geology), eon, spanning 60.3 million years from the end of the preceding Silurian per ...
vertebrate palaeontology Vertebrate paleontology is the subfield of paleontology that seeks to discover, through the study of fossilized remains, the behavior, reproduction and appearance of extinct vertebrates (animals with vertebrae and their descendants). It also tr ...
at the same university. In 2011–2013, T. Märss worked as a project manager at the Estonian Maritime Institute of the University of Tartu and in 2015–2016 as an
ichthyologist Ichthyology is the branch of zoology devoted to the study of fish, including bony fish (Osteichthyes), cartilaginous fish (Chondrichthyes), and jawless fish (Agnatha). According to FishBase, 35,800 species of fish had been described as of March 2 ...
. She has studied
fish A fish (: fish or fishes) is an aquatic animal, aquatic, Anamniotes, anamniotic, gill-bearing vertebrate animal with swimming fish fin, fins and craniate, a hard skull, but lacking limb (anatomy), limbs with digit (anatomy), digits. Fish can ...
at the
National Museum of Scotland The National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh, Scotland, is a museum of Scottish history and culture. It was formed in 2006 with the merger of the new Museum of Scotland, with collections relating to Scottish antiquities, culture and history, ...
in
Edinburgh Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland and one of its 32 Council areas of Scotland, council areas. The city is located in southeast Scotland and is bounded to the north by the Firth of Forth and to the south by the Pentland Hills. Edinburgh ...
,
Natural History Museum A natural history museum or museum of natural history is a scientific institution with natural history scientific collection, collections that include current and historical records of animals, plants, Fungus, fungi, ecosystems, geology, paleo ...
in
London London is the Capital city, capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of both England and the United Kingdom, with a population of in . London metropolitan area, Its wider metropolitan area is the largest in Wester ...
, the Department of Biological Sciences at the
University of Alberta The University of Alberta (also known as U of A or UAlberta, ) is a public research university located in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. It was founded in 1908 by Alexander Cameron Rutherford, the first premier of Alberta, and Henry Marshall Tory, t ...
, Canada, as well in the
Australian Museum The Australian Museum, originally known as the Colonial Museum or Sydney Museum. is a heritage-listed museum at 1 William Street, Sydney, William Street, Sydney central business district, Sydney CBD, New South Wales. It is the oldest natural ...
in
Sydney Sydney is the capital city of the States and territories of Australia, state of New South Wales and the List of cities in Australia by population, most populous city in Australia. Located on Australia's east coast, the metropolis surrounds Syd ...
and the Chinese Geological Museum in
Beijing Beijing, Chinese postal romanization, previously romanized as Peking, is the capital city of China. With more than 22 million residents, it is the world's List of national capitals by population, most populous national capital city as well as ...
. In 2017–2024, she continued her research on
Palaeozoic The Paleozoic ( , , ; or Palaeozoic) Era is the first of three geological eras of the Phanerozoic Eon. Beginning 538.8 million years ago (Ma), it succeeds the Neoproterozoic (the last era of the Proterozoic Eon) and ends 251.9 Ma at the start of ...
and modern fishes at the Institute of Geology of
Tallinn University of Technology Established in 1918, Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech; ) is the only Institute of technology, technical university in Estonia. TalTech, in the capital city of Tallinn, is a university for engineering, business, public administration a ...
as a
freelancer ''Freelance'' (sometimes spelled ''free-lance'' or ''free lance''), ''freelancer'', or ''freelance worker'', are terms commonly used for a person who is self-employed and not necessarily committed to a particular employer long-term. Freelance w ...
.


Membership

Märss has been or is a member of the following organizations and institutions: 1975–1990, member of the All-Union Palaeontological Society (VPO); 1990–present, corresponding member of the Subcommission on Silurian Stratigraphy of the
International Union of Geological Sciences The International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS) is an international non-governmental organization devoted to global cooperation in the field of geology. As of 2023, it represents more than 1 million geoscientists around the world. About Fo ...
(IUGS); 1999–2008, member of the Scientific Council of the Institute of Geology, Tallinn University of Technology; 2007–2015, member of the Scientific Board of the
International Geoscience Programme The International Geoscience and Geoparks Programme (IGCP) is a cooperative enterprise of UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) and the International Union of Geological Sciences The International Union ...
(IGCP); 2008–2010, member of the Baltic Stratigraphical Association.


Managerial and administrative work

Märss has been a grant holder of several research projects of the Estonian Science Foundation (ESF): 1995–1996, ESF grant 1666: Biozonal schemes of Silurian vertebrates; 1997–1999, ESF grant 2854: Evolutionary lineages of Silurian conodonts and early vertebrates, and high resolution
stratigraphy Stratigraphy is a branch of geology concerned with the study of rock layers (strata) and layering (stratification). It is primarily used in the study of sedimentary and layered volcanic rocks. Stratigraphy has three related subfields: lithost ...
; 2000–2002, ESF grant 4160: Early vertebrates (
conodont Conodonts, are an extinct group of marine jawless vertebrates belonging to the class Conodonta (from Ancient Greek κῶνος (''kōnos''), meaning " cone", and ὀδούς (''odoús''), meaning "tooth"). They are primarily known from their hard ...
s,
agnatha Agnatha (; ) or jawless fish is a paraphyletic infraphylum of animals in the subphylum Vertebrata of the phylum Chordata, characterized by the lack of jaws. The group consists of both extant taxon, living (Cyclostomi, cyclostomes such as hagfish ...
ns, fishes) of Paadla age in the Palaeobaltic; 2004–2007, ESF grant 5726: Vertebrates of the Palaeobaltic Sea:
taxonomy image:Hierarchical clustering diagram.png, 280px, Generalized scheme of taxonomy Taxonomy is a practice and science concerned with classification or categorization. Typically, there are two parts to it: the development of an underlying scheme o ...
,
phylogeny A phylogenetic tree or phylogeny is a graphical representation which shows the evolutionary history between a set of species or Taxon, taxa during a specific time.Felsenstein J. (2004). ''Inferring Phylogenies'' Sinauer Associates: Sunderland, M ...
and distribution in the Silurian and
Devonian The Devonian ( ) is a period (geology), geologic period and system (stratigraphy), system of the Paleozoic era (geology), era during the Phanerozoic eon (geology), eon, spanning 60.3 million years from the end of the preceding Silurian per ...
2008–2010, ESF grant 7334: Ultrasculpture on the
exoskeleton An exoskeleton () . is a skeleton that is on the exterior of an animal in the form of hardened integument, which both supports the body's shape and protects the internal organs, in contrast to an internal endoskeleton (e.g. human skeleton, that ...
of recent fishes, and its value in the taxonomy and systematics of fishes. She has been active in the following international projects on early vertebrates: 1990–1995, leader of the Silurian Working Group of the International Geoscience Programme (IGCP) Project 328 ‘Palaeozoic microvertebrates’; 1996–2000, co-leader of the IGCP Project 406 ‘Circum-Arctic Lower-Middle Palaeozoic vertebrate palaeontology and biostratigraphy’; 2003–2007, Estonian representative and leader of the Working Group on thelodont study of the IGCP Project 491 ‘Middle Palaeozoic vertebrate biogeography, palaeogeography and climate’. She has co-supervised licentiate and doctoral dissertations on the Silurian fishes.


Research work  

Märss has studied Silurian and Lower
Devonian The Devonian ( ) is a period (geology), geologic period and system (stratigraphy), system of the Paleozoic era (geology), era during the Phanerozoic eon (geology), eon, spanning 60.3 million years from the end of the preceding Silurian per ...
early vertebrates,
agnatha Agnatha (; ) or jawless fish is a paraphyletic infraphylum of animals in the subphylum Vertebrata of the phylum Chordata, characterized by the lack of jaws. The group consists of both extant taxon, living (Cyclostomi, cyclostomes such as hagfish ...
ns and
gnathostomes Gnathostomata (; from Ancient Greek: (') 'jaw' + (') 'mouth') are jawed vertebrates. Gnathostome diversity comprises roughly 60,000 species, which accounts for 99% of all extant vertebrates, including all living bony fishes (both ray-finned a ...
. Her interest in fossil vertebrates arose and deepened through the geology projects of undergraduate students (1967, 1969), graduation (diploma) work (1970) at Tartu State University and in studies for the Candidate of Sciences thesis (PhD) in the Institute of Geology (1983). Her research has enriched knowledge on early vertebrate
morphology Morphology, from the Greek and meaning "study of shape", may refer to: Disciplines *Morphology (archaeology), study of the shapes or forms of artifacts *Morphology (astronomy), study of the shape of astronomical objects such as nebulae, galaxies, ...
and
histology Histology, also known as microscopic anatomy or microanatomy, is the branch of biology that studies the microscopic anatomy of biological tissue (biology), tissues. Histology is the microscopic counterpart to gross anatomy, which looks at large ...
, taxonomy, phylogeny and spatio-temporal distribution and significantly improved the picture on the diversity of
Silurian The Silurian ( ) is a geologic period and system spanning 23.5 million years from the end of the Ordovician Period, at million years ago ( Mya), to the beginning of the Devonian Period, Mya. The Silurian is the third and shortest period of t ...
marine biota on Earth. For the time, experts of other faunal groups and lithologists were involved in studies of various aspects of vertebrates (see the list of publications). Nearly 200 scientific papers have been published, including three monographs and four monographic papers. 2]3] 5] 7]


Collection of research material outside Estonia

As an expert on Silurian fishes and for the purpose of collecting fossils, Märss has participated in geological expeditions in the Baltic Countries, Baltic countries, western
Ukraine Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It is the List of European countries by area, second-largest country in Europe after Russia, which Russia–Ukraine border, borders it to the east and northeast. Ukraine also borders Belarus to the nor ...
, the Central Ural (
Russia Russia, or the Russian Federation, is a country spanning Eastern Europe and North Asia. It is the list of countries and dependencies by area, largest country in the world, and extends across Time in Russia, eleven time zones, sharing Borders ...
),
Great Britain Great Britain is an island in the North Atlantic Ocean off the north-west coast of continental Europe, consisting of the countries England, Scotland, and Wales. With an area of , it is the largest of the British Isles, the List of European ...
(England, Wales and Scotland), NW Territories of
Canada Canada is a country in North America. Its Provinces and territories of Canada, ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and northward into the Arctic Ocean, making it the world's List of coun ...
(
Mackenzie Mountains The Mackenzie Mountains are a Canadian mountain range forming part of the Yukon–Northwest Territories boundary between the Liard and Peel rivers. The range is named in honour of Canada's second prime minister, Alexander Mackenzie. Nahanni ...
) and Arctic islands ( Baillie-Hamilton and
Cornwallis Charles Cornwallis, 1st Marquess Cornwallis (31 December 1738 – 5 October 1805) was a British Army officer, Whig politician and colonial administrator. In the United States and United Kingdom, he is best known as one of the leading Britis ...
). Fish material from the Severnaya and
Novaya Zemlya Novaya Zemlya (, also , ; , ; ), also spelled , is an archipelago in northern Russia. It is situated in the Arctic Ocean, in the extreme northeast of Europe, with Cape Flissingsky, on the northern island, considered the extreme points of Europe ...
archipelagos was provided in her studies was provided by Estonian, Lithuanian and Russian colleagues. Märss has taken part in the Middle Devonian fish excavations in Essi and Karksi outcrops, Estonia, and Upper Devonian Lode quarry, Latvia. She has also obtained Silurian and Lower Devonian rock samples and vertebrate material during her shorter trips, mainly to the international geological meetings in Komi in Russia, Gotland Island and Skåne region of Sweden, Ringerike area of Norway, Holy Cross Mountains of Poland, Bohemia in Czechia, Thuringia in Germany, Austrian Alps, SW of Spain and Portugal, Eastern Canada, in several USA states and
Parana River Paraná, Paranã or Parana may refer to: Geology *Paraná Basin, a sedimentary basin in South America Places In Argentina *Paraná, Entre Ríos, a city * Paraná Department, a part of Entre Ríos Province In Brazil *Paraná (state), a state ...
Basin in Brazil. A total of about 3800 samples for palaeoihthyological study have been collected and processed by Märss from Estonia and elsewhere, partly together with her colleagues.


Morphology, taxonomy and systematics of early vertebrates

As a result of her individual or co-authored studies, Märss has established 167 new vertebrate and 4 invertebrate taxa with a focus on the Silurian agnathan thelodonts, 2] 5] [3/sup> Osteostraci">osteostracans,[6">"><sup>[3<_a>_sup>_ [3/sup> Osteostraci">osteostracans,[6/sup> Heterostraci">heterostracans,[7">Osteostraci.html" ;"title=".html" ;"title="
[3/sup> Osteostraci">osteostracans,[6/sup> Heterostraci">heterostracans,[7/sup> and on the gnathostome Acanthodii">acanthodians Acanthodii or acanthodians is an extinct class of gnathostomes (jawed fishes). They are currently considered to represent a paraphyletic grade of various fish lineages basal to extant Chondrichthyes, which includes living sharks, rays, and c ...
, chondrichthyans Chondrichthyes (; ) is a class of jawed fish that contains the cartilaginous fish or chondrichthyans, which all have skeletons primarily composed of cartilage. They can be contrasted with the Osteichthyes or ''bony fish'', which have skeletons ...
and osteichthyans.[19">Osteichthyes">osteichthyans.[1920">9.html" ;"title="Osteichthyes">osteichthyans.[19">Osteichthyes">osteichthyans.[192027] On the basis of the morphological and histological features, as well as the sculpture of the exoskeletal elements (shields, plates, tesserae, scales, etc.), two new Silurian vertebrate faunas have been identified, one in the Canadian Arctic islands 18] 4/sup>  and the other in the Russian Arctic. 223] One new thelodont family, genus and species ( Eestilepididae, ''Eestilepis prominens)'' from Cornwallis Island, Arctic Canada, is named after Estonia. Märss was the first to map the squamation of the articulated thelodont '' Phlebolepis elegans'' from Himmiste-Kuigu quarry,
Saaremaa Saaremaa (; ) is the largest and most populous island in Estonia. Measuring , its population is 31,435 (as of January 2020). The main island of the West Estonian archipelago (Moonsund archipelago), it is located in the Baltic Sea, south of Hi ...
, Estonia. 13] Later on, similar work was conducted on thelodonts from Scotland /sup> and Cornwallis and Baillie-Hamilton islands, Arctic Canada. /sup> She reconstructed the sensory-line canal system of '' Phlebolepis elegans'' and showed its similarity with the sensory-line system of another
agnatha Agnatha (; ) or jawless fish is a paraphyletic infraphylum of animals in the subphylum Vertebrata of the phylum Chordata, characterized by the lack of jaws. The group consists of both extant taxon, living (Cyclostomi, cyclostomes such as hagfish ...
n group, cyathaspidid heterostracans, attesting their close relationships. 0/sup> The branchial openings of ''Phlebolepis elegan''s and denticles covering the buccal, pharyngeal and branchial areas, also found in modern cartilaginous fish, were described for the first time by Märss and her co-author. 8/sup> She also discovered a second pair of paired fins in the thelodont ''Shielia taiti'', /sup> which was an important finding in elucidating the formation and phylogeny of fins of early vertebrates. 2/sup>


Taphonomy and biostratigraphy

Relying on the sedimentary rock material from outcrops and numerous drill cores, Märss has proved that most of the known Silurian agnathans and fish dwelled in marine environments, refuting the widespread opinion of their freshwater habitats. 14] In order to study the unique burial and preservation conditions of articulated squamations of ''Phlebolepis elegans'' in the Palaeobaltic Sea, she used the material from Himmiste-Kuigu quarry collected by A. Luha in 1929. Together with lithologists, she found out that a shoal of thelodonts died in a shallow depression on the bottom of the lagoon behind the reef belt towards the land; the depression acted as a trap during low tide. Unfavourable conditions, primarily the lack of oxygen in warm and shallow water, caused the perishing of the ''Phlebolepis'' shoal. Very low wave activity prevented postmortem disintegration of the squamations, and rapid conservation in mud saved the exoskeletons from scattering. 5/sup> Märss has devoted great attention to the use of agnathans and fish scales in the subdivision and correlation of sedimentary rocks of the Silurian sea basins. 8] 17] 826] 9/sup> As the author of the Regional Vertebrate Biozonal Scheme 1 she initiated the creation of the Global Silurian Vertebrate Biozonal Scheme 6 which has since been widely used in the biostratigraphic works of many authors. She proved that new vertebrate taxa appeared during the transgressive phases of the development of the Palaeobaltic Sea 9] and identified the levels of bioevents in the distribution of Silurian vertebrates. 21] Following the research methodology employed in Estonia 8 9 Märss was the first among the international geologists investigating the Canadian Arctic islands (Baillie-Hamilton and Cornwallis) to simultaneously use the distribution data of several faunal groups (fishes,
conodont Conodonts, are an extinct group of marine jawless vertebrates belonging to the class Conodonta (from Ancient Greek κῶνος (''kōnos''), meaning " cone", and ὀδούς (''odoús''), meaning "tooth"). They are primarily known from their hard ...
s,
ostracod Ostracods, or ostracodes, are a Class (biology), class of the crustacean, Crustacea (class Ostracoda), sometimes known as seed shrimp. Some 33,000 species (only 13,000 of which are extant taxon, extant) have been identified,Brandão, S.N.; Antoni ...
es,
brachiopod Brachiopods (), phylum (biology), phylum Brachiopoda, are a phylum of animals that have hard "valves" (shells) on the upper and lower surfaces, unlike the left and right arrangement in bivalve molluscs. Brachiopod valves are hinged at the rear e ...
s) and the results of isotope studies 8to solve the stratigraphical issues. In addition to fossil distribution in the Silurian and Lower Devonian, the carbon isotope curves of geological sections of these islands were compared with those of the Baltic and the Central Ural ones, similar curve patterns were found, and these distant sections were correlated.


Microichthyological research of modern fishes

Märss and her working team at the Estonian Marine Institute of the University of Tartu and Alberta University have studied modern fishes from the Baltic Sea with initial interest in comparing their small ossicles with skeletal elements of fossil fish. They started in 2008 with examining the morphology and sculpture of scales and their modifications in Baltic scorpaeniforms, gasterosteiforms and pleuronectiforms. Later, however, they focused on a comparative study of fish teeth and gill-rakers, which have very different morphologies in different taxa and are valuable in characterizing species but could also be used in establishing new ones. Märss has started similar research also on clupeiforms. With such work she laid the foundation of microichthyological studies in Estonia. 0 1/sup>


Popular-scientific work

Märss has presented her research findings to a wider readership in the Estonian journals ''Eesti Loodus'', ''Loodusesõber'' and some special publications. 334] 536] She has provided entries on Saaremaa cliffs for '' Estonian Encyclopedia, Estonian Encyclopaedia'' and booklets in the
Estonian Estonian may refer to: * Something of, from, or related to Estonia, a country in the Baltic region in northern Europe * Estonians, people from Estonia, or of Estonian descent * Estonian language * Estonian cuisine * Estonian culture See also

...
, Finnish and English languages, as well as photos for local magazines ''Horisont'' and ''Eesti Loodus''. She has shown Silurian fishes at exhibitions and compiled texts for posters on Saaremaa cliffs. Märss has guided numerous excursions to famous palaeontological sites in Silurian outcrops on Saaremaa Island.


Nature preservation

In 1991, Märss provided the characterization of the cliffs situated in ''The'' ''West Estonian'' ''Archipelago Biosphere Reserve'' ''Area'' with the proposition of establishing the Silurian Reef Belt Protection Area on the northern coast of the western Estonian islands. She was of the opinion that the extensive and unique reef zone of the Early Silurian Jaagarahu Age described by E. Klaamann and R. Einasto 7deserved to be protected under the nature conservation laws of Estonia. This proposal was not realized but the descriptions of objects were used in the Estonian Primeval Nature Book. 0/sup> She compiled identification cards for more than 40 Saaremaa cliffs and outcrops important for the Silurian palaeontology and stratigraphy, representing type sections of certain stratigraphic units and sites of special fossils. The descriptions of the bedrock objects (cliffs, outcrops) of the Primeval Nature Book have been entered in the Estonian Nature Information System (EELIS).


Recognitions

2002 PalSIRP Sepkoski Grant of the US Paleontological Society for her research ‘Ultrasculpture on the exoskeleton of early agnathans and fishes’ (Priscum, The Newsletter of the Paleontological Society, 2002, Vol. 11, No. 2). 2005 The Estonian National Science Award in geological and biological sciences for the research cycle ‘Evolution and distribution of Mid Palaeozoic vertebrates in the seas of the Northern Hemisphere and their practical value in geology’. 2022. The 16th International Symposium on Early and Lower Vertebrates in Valencia, Spain (20–28 June 2022) was devoted to Tiiu Märss and Philippe Janvier. One thelodont (''Drepanolepis maerssae'' Wilson & Caldwell, 1998), one acanthodian (''Poracanthodes marssae'' Valiukevičius, 2004) and one ostracode 'Beyrichia'' (''Beyrichia'') ''marssae'' Miller, Williams & Siveter, 2010have been named after Märss.


Personalia

Tiiu Märss. Eesti Geoloogia. Biograafiline Teatmik stonian Geology. Biographic Directory(compiler A. Aaloe)]. Eesti Geoloogia Selts, Tallinn, 1995, p. 74, 141. Märss (Noppel), Tiiu. Eesti geoloogiateadlasi. Maa Universumis. Möödanik, tänapäev, and Tulevik cientists of Estonian Geology Earth is in the Universe. he past, present, and future.(compilers: H. Nestor, A. Raukas, R. Veskimäe). Tallinn, 2004, p. 317. Eesti Vabariigi Teaduspreemiad 2005. he Science Awards of the Republic of Estonia Tallinn, 2005, pp. 86–97. Kukk, T. 2005. Eestit tuntakse Siluri kalade ja nende uurija järgi stonia is known after Silurian fish and their researcher: interview with Tiiu Märss Eesti Loodus, 4, pp. 34–38. ISSN 0131-5862. Tiiu Märss. Eesti Geoloogia. Biograafiline Teatmik stonian Geology. Biographic Directory(compiler A. Aaloe)]. Eesti Geoloogia Selts, Tallinn, 2016, p. 141, 277. Martínez-Pérez, C., Ferrón, H. & Botella, H. 2023. Tribute to Tiiu Märss and Philippe Janvier (16th International Symposium on Early and Lower Vertebrates). Spanish Journal of Palaeontology 38, 1, p. 1–2. https://doi.org/10.7203/sjp.26864


Personal life

Märss was influenced by the high spirituality of Uderna Primary School, and, in her home village of Hellenurme, by stories about nature studies and expeditions to Siberia and the Arctic Ocean conducted by famous explorer and scientist
Alexander von Middendorff Alexander Theodor von Middendorff (; 18 August 1815 – 24 January 1894) was a Russian zoologist and explorer of Baltic German and Estonian extraction. He was known for his expedition in 1843–45 to the extreme north and east of Siberia, des ...
, the former owner of Hellenurme manor. The granduncle of Märss, Juhan (Johannes) Kartau was a member of the Constituent Assembly (1919–1920) and the first
Minister of Education An education minister (sometimes minister of education) is a position in the governments of some countries responsible for dealing with educational matters. Where known, the government department, ministry, or agency that develops policy and deli ...
of the Republic of Estonia in Otto Strandman’s first government (1919) Her husband, Jaan Märss, the metal conservator at the Tallinn City Museum, was awarded a medal for his restoration and heritage protection works (2008); the Museum-Rat Prize (2014) and the award for his lifetime achievements (2021) Märss has two children.


External links

Tiiu Märss Eesti Teadusinfosüsteemis iiu Märss in Estonian Research Information Systemhttps://www.etis.ee/CV/Tiiu_Märss/eng Tiiu Märss. Eesti Entsüklopeedia. Eesti elulood iiu Märss. In: Estonian Encyclopaedia. Estonian biographies Estonian Encyclopaedia Publishers, 2000, 14, p. 314. Tiiu Märss. Eesti Teaduse Biograafiline Leksikon. (K. Siilivask, ed.). Eesti Entsüklopeediakirjastus iiu Märss. In: Biographical Lexikon of the Estonian Science. Estonian Encyclopaedia Publishers 2005, 2. Tallinn, p. 691, 744.


References


12. Selected publications


12.1. Monographs and monographic papers

1.     1. Märss, T. 1986. Silurian vertebrates of Estonia and West Latvia. Tallinn, Valgus, 104 pp. n Russian with English summary https://files.geocollections.info/b7b6e2a0-6f6b-4a80-8fb8-2a5be139b891.pdf 2. Märss, T., & Ritchie, A. 1998 (for 1997). Articulated thelodonts (Agnatha) of Scotland. Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh: Earth Sciences, 88, 143–195. doi:10.1017/S026359330000691X 3. Blom, H., Märss, T., & Miller, G. C. 2002 (for 2001). Silurian and earliest Devonian birkeniid anaspids from the Northern Hemisphere. Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh: Earth Science, 92, 263–323. doi:10.1017/S0263593300000250 4. Märss, T., Wilson, M. V. H. & Thorsteinsson, R. 2006. Silurian and Lower Devonian thelodonts and putative chondrichthyans from the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. Special Papers in Palaeontology, 75, 144 pp. doi:10.1017/S0016756807003615 5. Märss, T., Turner, S., & Karatajtė-Talimaa, V. 2007. “Agnatha” II. Thelodonti. In: H.-P. Schultze (ed.). Handbook of Paleoichthyology. Vol. 1B. Verlag Dr. Friedrich Pfeil, München, 143 pp. ISBN 978-3-89937-081-2. 6. Märss, T., Afanassieva, O., & Blom, H. (2014). Biodiversity of the Silurian osteostracans of the East Baltic. Earth and Environmental Science Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, 105, 73–148. doi:10.1017/S1755691014000218 7. Märss, T. 2019. Silurian cyathaspidid heterostracans of Northern Eurasia. Estonian Journal of Earth Sciences, 68, 113–146. doi:10.3176/earth.2019.11


12.2 Scientific articles

8. Mark-Kurik, E. & Noppel, T. 1970. Additional notes on the distribution of vertebrates in the Silurian of Estonia. ENSV Teaduste Akadeemia Toimetised. Keemia. Geoloogia, 19, 2, 171–173. 10.3176/chem.geol.1970.2.13 9. Märss, T., & Einasto, R. (1978). Distribution of vertebrates in deposits of various facies in the North Baltic Silurian. ENSV TA Toimetised. Keemia. Geoloogia, 27, 1, 16–22. n Russian with English summary doi:10.3176/geol.1978.1.03 10. Märss, T. (1979). Lateral line sensory system of the Ludlovian thelodont ''Phlebolepis'' ''elegans'' Pander. ENSV TA Toimetised. Geoloogia, 28, 3, 108–111. n Russian with English summary doi:10.3176/geol.1979.3.05 11. Märss, T. 1982a. Vertebrate zones in the East Baltic Silurian. In: Kaljo, D. & Klaamann, E. (eds). Ecostratigraphy of the East Baltic Silurian. Tallinn, Valgus, 97–106. https://paleoarchive.com/literature/Marss1982-VertebrateZonesBalticSilurian.pdf 12. Märss, T. 1982b. Biozones of vertebrates (Silurian of the North Baltic). In: Kaljo, D., & Klaamann, E. (eds). Communities and Biozones in the Baltic Silurian. Tallinn, Valgus, 97–116.
n Russian N, or n, is the fourteenth letter of the Latin alphabet, used in the modern English alphabet, the alphabets of other western European languages, and others worldwide. Its name in English is ''en'' (pronounced ), plural ''ens''. History ...
13. Märss, T. 1986. Squamation of the thelodont agnathan ''Phlebolepis''. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, 6, 1–11. doi:10.1080/02724634.1986.10011593 14. Märss, T. 1989. Vertebrates. In: Holland, C. H., & Bassett, M. G. (eds). A Global Standard for the Silurian System. National Museum of Wales, Geological Series No. 9, Cardiff, 284–289. doi:10.1017/S001675680001387X 15. Märss, T. 1992. Vertebrate history in the Late Silurian. Proceedings of the Estonian Academy of Sciences. Geology, 41, 205–214. doi:10.3176/geol.1992.4.05 16. Märss, T., Fredholm, D., Talimaa, V., Turner, S., Jeppsson, L., & Nowlan, G. 1995. Silurian Vertebrate Biozonal Scheme. In: Lelièvre, H., Wenz, S., Blieck, A., & Cloutier, R. (eds). Premiers Vertébrés et Vertébrés Inferieurs. Geobios, M. S., 369–372. doi:10.1016/S0016-6995(95)80140-5 17. Märss, T. 1997. Vertebrates of the Přidoli and Silurian-Devonian boundary beds in Europe. Modern Geology, 21, 17–41. 18. Märss, T., Caldwell, M., Gagnier, P.-Y., Goujet, D., Martma, T., Männik, P., & Wilson, M. 1998. Distribution of Silurian and Lower Devonian vertebrate microremains and conodonts in the Baillie-Hamilton and Cornwallis Island sections, Arctic Canada. Proceedings of the Estonian Academy of Sciences. Geology, 47, 51–76. doi:10.3176/geol.1998.2.01 19. Märss, T. 2001. ''Andreolepis'' (Actinopterygii) in the Upper Silurian of northern Eurasia. Proceedings of the Estonian Academy of Sciences. Geology, 50, 174–189. doi:10.3176/geol.2001.3.03 20. Märss, T., & Gagnier, P.-Y. 2001. A new chondrichthyan from the Wenlock, Lower Silurian, of Baillie-Hamilton Island, the Canadian Arctic. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, 21, 693–701. doi:10.1671/0272-4634(2001)021 693:ANCFTW.0.CO;2 21. Märss, T. 2002. Thelodonts and eustatic sea-level changes. In: Yushkin, N. P., Tsyganko, V. S., & Männik, P. (eds). Geology of the Devonian System. Proceedings of the International Symposium, Syktyvkar, Komi Republic, 9–12 July 2002. Geoprint, Syktyvkar, 100–102. 22. Märss, T. & Karatajūtė-Talimaa, V. 2002. Ordovician and Lower Silurian thelodonts from Severnaya Zemlya Archipelago (Russia). Geodiversitas, 24, 2, 381–404. http://sciencepress.mnhn.fr/sites/defult/files/articles/pdf/g2002n2a6.pdf 23. Karatajūtė-Talimaa, V. & Märss, T. 2002. Upper Silurian thelodonts from Severnaya Zemlya Archipelago (Russia). Geodiversitas, 24, 2, 405–443. https://sciencepress.mnhn.fr/sites/default/files/articles/pdf/g2002n2a6.pdf 24. Märss, T., Wilson, M. V. H., & Thorsteinsson, R. 2002. New thelodont (Agnatha) and possible chondrichthyan (Gnathostomata) taxa established in the Silurian and Lower Devonian of Arctic Canada. Proceedings of the Estonian Academy of Sciences. Geology, 51, 88–120. doi:10.3176/geol.2002.2.02 25. Märss, T., Perens, H., & Klaos, T. 2003. Sedimentation of the Himmiste-Kuigu fish bed (Ludlow of Estonia) and taphonomy of the ''Phlebolepis elegans'' Pander (Thelodonti) shoal. Proceedings of the Estonian Academy of Sciences, Geology, 52, 239–265. doi:10.3176/geol.2003.4.04 26. Märss, T., & Miller, C. G. (2004). Thelodonts and distribution of associated conodonts from the Llandovery-lowermost Lochkovian of the Welsh Borderland. Palaeontology, 47, 1211–1265. doi:10.1111/j.0031-0239.2004.00409.x 27. Märss, T., Kleesment, A., & Niit, M. (2008). ''Karksilepis parva'' gen. et sp. nov. (Chondrichthyes) from the Burtnieki Regional Stage, Middle Devonian of Estonia. Estonian Journal of Earth Sciences, 57, 219–230. doi:10.3176/earth.2008.4.02 28. Märss, T., & Wilson, M. V. H. (2008). Buccopharyngo-branchial denticles of ''Phlebolepis elegans'' Pander (Thelodonti, Agnatha). Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, 28, 601–612. doi:10.1671/0272-4634(2008)28 01:BDOPEP.0.CO;2 29. Märss, T., & Männik, P. (2013). Revision of Silurian vertebrate biozones and their correlation with the conodont succession. Estonian Journal of Earth Sciences, 62, 181–204. doi:10.3176/earth.2013.15 30. Märss, T., Wilson, M., Lees, J., Saat, T., & Špilev, H. 2015. A comparative SEM study of ossicles in the Pleuronectiformes (Teleostei) of the Baltic Sea. Proceedings of the Estonian Academy of Sciences, 64, 495–517. doi:10.3176/proc.2015.4.05 31. Märss, T., Wilson, J., Saat, T., & Špilev, H. 2017. Gill rakers and teeth of three pleuronectiform species (Teleostei) of the Baltic Sea: a microichthyological approach. Estonian Journal of Earth Sciences, 66, 21–46. doi:10.3176/earth.2017.01 32. Wilson, M. V. H., Hanke, G. F., & Märss, T. 2007. Paired fins of jawless vertebrates and their homologies across the "agnathan"-gnathostome transition, pp. 122–149 in Anderson, J. S., & Sues, H.-D. (eds.). Major Transitions in Vertebrate Evolution, 432 p. Indiana University Press.


12.3. Popular-scientific articles

33. Märss, T. 1982. Vanimate selgroogsete leiud Saaremaal he oldest vertebrate findings in Saaremaa Eesti Loodus, 10, 646–654. ISSN 0131-5862. 34. Märss, T. 1995. Luatute kivistised gnathans, a group of primitive vertebrates Eesti Loodus, 7, 192–194. 35. Märss, T. 2011. Ühe väljasurnud kala lugu Saaremaalt he story of an extinct fish from Saaremaa Loodusesõber, 3, 20–23. ISSN 1736-4531. 36. Märss, T. 2011. Siluri selgroogsed: ühe rühma arengulugu ilurian vertebrates: the history of a group Parmasto, E., Laisk, A., & Kaljo, D. (eds). Teadusmõte Eestis (VI). Elu-ja maateadused. Eesti Teaduste Akadeemia, Tallinn, 117–124. ISBN 978-9949-21-823-3(pdf).


13. Other cited works

37. Klaamann, E. & Einasto, R. 1982. Coral reefs of the Baltic Silurian (structure, facies relations). In: Kaljo, D., & Klaamann, E. (eds). Ecostratigraphy of the East Baltic Silurian. Tallinn, Valgus, 35–41. 38. Kaljo, D., Kiipli, T., & Martma, T. 1997. Carbon isotope event markers through the Wenlock-Přidoli sequence at Ohesaare (Estonia) and Priekule (Latvia). Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 132, 1–4, 211–223. 39. Kaljo, D., Kiipli, T., & Martma, T. 1998. Correlation of carbon isotope events and environmental cyclicity in the East Baltic Silurian. Silurian cycles. Linkages of dynamic stratigraphy with atmospheric, oceanic, and tectonic changes. New York State Museum Bulletin, 491, 297–312. ''40. Pirrus'', E.-A., ''Kink'', H., ''Märss'', T., ''Karukäpp'', R., & ''Lust'', L. 1995. ''Eesti Ürglooduse'' ''Raamat'' IX osa. Saare maakond. stonian Primeval Nature Book, part IX, Saare County(Täht-Kok, K., ed.). 756 p. ''KKM Info''- ja ''tehnokeskus 'Information and Technology Center, Ministry of Environment {{DEFAULTSORT:Marss, Tiiu 1943 births Living people Estonian paleontologists Estonian geologists University of Tartu alumni Academic staff of the University of Tartu Academic staff of the Tallinn University of Technology People from Elva, Estonia