

Molecular palaeobiology is an emerging geobiological discipline directed towards the study of multimillion-year-old biomolecules and tissues that could provide information on the evolutionary history, biology and ecology of both ancient and modern organisms. I am leading a research group that has specialised in investigating the molecular content, ultrastructure and preservation of both biomineralised and non-biomineralised tissues, such as skin, feathers and bone. A particular focus is given to proteinaceous and/or pigmented organic matter, and those taphonomic pathways enabling its survival across geological time. A range of exceptionally preserved fossils representing different types of animals, time periods and burial conditions are examined; however, my main interest pertains to large-scale evolutionary patterns within various Mesozoic marine reptile lineages, including ichthyosaurs (‘fish-lizards’), mosasaurs and plesiosaurs. My research employs a suite of state-of-the-art analytical techniques, and its cross-disciplinary nature gives me the opportunity (and great pleasure) to work in close collaboration with leading scientists from many other fields, including biologists, chemists and physicists at the Department of Biology (Lund, Sweden), MAX IV laboratory (Lund, Sweden), RISE (Borås, Sweden), North Carolina State University (Raleigh, USA), Fujita Health University (Toyoake, Japan), and University of Göttingen (Göttingen, Germany).
Publications
Displaying of publications. Sorted by year, then title.
Mosasaur (Reptilia, Mosasauridae) remains from the Upper Cretaceous of Colombia, including the first occurrence of the genus Globidens
Juan S. López-Rueda, Michael J. Polcyn, Johan Lindgren, Luis E. Cruz-Guevara, Andrés S. Rodríguez-Sañudo
(2025) Cretaceous Research, 166
Journal articleSkin Anatomy, Bone Histology and Taphonomy of a Toarcian (Lower Jurassic) Ichthyosaur (Reptilia: Ichthyopterygia) from Luxembourg, with Implications for Paleobiology
Ida Bonnevier Wallstedt, Peter Sjövall, Ben Thuy, Randolph G. De La Garza, Mats E. Eriksson, et al.
(2024) Diversity, 16
Journal articleTaphonomic experiments reveal authentic molecular signals for fossil melanins and verify preservation of phaeomelanin in fossils
Tiffany S. Slater, Shosuke Ito, Kazumasa Wakamatsu, Fucheng Zhang, Peter Sjövall, et al.
(2023) Nature Communications, 14
Journal articlePreservational modes of some ichthyosaur soft tissues (Reptilia, Ichthyopterygia) from the Jurassic Posidonia Shale of Germany
Randolph G. De La Garza, Peter Sjövall, Rolf Hauff, Johan Lindgren
(2023) Palaeontology, 66
Journal articleAn ancestral hard-shelled sea turtle with a mosaic of soft skin and scutes
Randolph Glenn De La Garza, Henrik Madsen, Peter Sjövall, Frank Osbӕck, Wenxia Zheng, et al.
(2022) Scientific Reports, 12
Journal articlePreservation and Taphonomy of Fossil Insects from the Earliest Eocene of Denmark
Miriam Heingård, Peter Sjövall, Bo P. Schultz, René L. Sylvestersen, Johan Lindgren
(2022) Biology, 11
Journal articleA review of ichthyosaur (Reptilia, Ichthyopterygia) soft tissues with implications for life reconstructions
Mats E. Eriksson, Randolph De La Garza, Esben Horn, Johan Lindgren
(2022) Earth-Science Reviews, 226
Journal article reviewMiniaturization during a Silurian environmental crisis generated the modern brittle star body plan
Ben Thuy, Mats E. Eriksson, Manfred Kutscher, Johan Lindgren, Lea D. Numberger-Thuy, et al.
(2022) Communications Biology, 5
Journal articleCranial osteology of the mid-Cretaceous elasmosaurid Thalassomedon haningtoni from the Western Interior Seaway of North America
Sven Sachs, Johan Lindgren, Daniel Madzia, Benjamin P. Kear
(2021) Cretaceous Research, 123
Journal articleChemical evaluation of eumelanin maturation by tof-sims and alkaline peroxide oxidation hplc analysis
Martin Jarenmark, Peter Sjövall, Shosuke Ito, Kazumasa Wakamatsu, Johan Lindgren
(2021) International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 22
Journal articleA fossil sea turtle (Reptilia, Pan-Cheloniidae) with preserved soft tissues from the Eocene Fur Formation of Denmark
Randolph Glenn De La Garza, Henrik Madsen, Mats E. Eriksson, Johan Lindgren
(2021) Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, 41
Journal articleCrypsis in the pelagic realm : evidence from exceptionally preserved fossil fish larvae from the Eocene Stolleklint Clay of Denmark
Miriam Heingård, Peter Sjövall, René L. Sylvestersen, Bo P. Schultz, Johan Lindgren
(2021) Palaeontology, 64 p.805-815
Journal articleHard evidence from soft fossil eggs
Johan Lindgren, Benjamin Kear
(2020) Nature, 583 p.365-366
Journal articleA polar dinosaur feather assemblage from Australia
Martin Kundrát, Thomas H. Rich, Johan Lindgren, Peter Sjövall, Patricia Vickers-Rich, et al.
(2020) Gondwana Research, 80 p.1-11
Journal articleThe fossil alga Chaetocladus gracilis revisited : new material from the Silurian of Sweden
Johan Pettersson, Per Ahlberg, Anders Lindskog, Johan Lindgren, Mats E. Eriksson
(2020) GFF, 142 p.304-308
Journal articleMinnesord Sven Stridsberg
Per Ahlberg, Mats Eriksson, Kent Larsson, Johan Lindgren
(2020) Geologiskt forum
OtherFossil insect eyes shed light on trilobite optics and the arthropod pigment screen
Johan Lindgren, Dan Eric Nilsson, Peter Sjövall, Martin Jarenmark, Shosuke Ito, et al.
(2019) Nature, 573 p.122-125
Journal article (letter)Multi-proxy analyses of Late Cretaceous coprolites from Germany
Martin Qvarnström, Stavros Anagnostakis, Anders Lindskog, Udo Scheer, Vivi Vajda, et al.
(2019) Lethaia, 52 p.550-569
Journal articleMorphological and phylogenetic aspects of the dentition of Megacephalosaurus eulerti, a pliosaurid from the Turonian of Kansas, USA, with remarks on the cranial anatomy of the taxon
Daniel Madzia, Sven Sachs, Johan Lindgren
(2019) Geological Magazine, 156 p.1201-1216
Journal articlePreservation potential of keratin in deep time
Mary Higby Schweitzer, Wenxia Zheng, Alison E. Moyer, Peter Sjövall, Johan Lindgren
(2018) PLoS ONE, 13
Journal articleReassessment of the Styxosaurus snowii (Williston, 1890) holotype specimen and its implications for elasmosaurid plesiosaurian interrelationships
Sven Sachs, Johan Lindgren, Benjamin P. Kear
(2018) Alcheringa, 42 p.560-574
Journal articleSoft-tissue evidence for homeothermy and crypsis in a Jurassic ichthyosaur
Johan Lindgren, Peter Sjövall, Volker Thiel, Wenxia Zheng, Shosuke Ito, et al.
(2018) Nature, 564 p.359-365
Journal articleBiochemistry and adaptive colouration of an exceptionally preserved juvenile fossil sea turtle
Johan Lindgren, Takeo Kuriyama, Henrik Madsen, Peter Sjövall, Wenxia Zheng, et al.
(2017) Scientific Reports, 7
Journal articleMolecular and microstructural inventory of an isolated fossil bird feather from the Eocene Fur Formation of Denmark
Johan Gren, Peter Sjövall, Mats Eriksson, Rene Sylvestersen, Federica Marone, et al.
(2017) Palaeontology, 60 p.73-90
Journal articleA partial plesiosaurian braincase from the Upper Cretaceous of Sweden
Sven Sachs, Johan Lindgren, Mikael Siversson
(2016) Geological Society Special Publication, 434 p.293-301
Book chapterLate Cretaceous dinosaurian remains from the Kristianstad Basin of southern Sweden
Stephen F. Poropat, Elisabeth Einarsson, Johan Lindgren, Mohamad Bazzi, Clarence Lagerstam, et al.
(2016) Geological Society Special Publication, 434 p.231-239
Journal articleAn introduction to the Mesozoic biotas of Scandinavia and its Arctic territories
Benjamin P Kear, Johan Lindgren, Jørn H. Hurum, Jesper Milán, Vivi Vajda
(2016) Geological Society Special Publication, 434 p.1-14
Book chapterCenomanian-Campanian (Late Cretaceous) mid-palaeolatitude sharks of Cretalamna appendiculata type
Mikael Siversson, Johan Lindgren, Michael G. Newbrey, Peter Cederstrom, Todd D. Cook
(2015) Acta Palaeontologica Polonica, 60 p.339-384
Journal articleNew aristonectine elasmosaurid plesiosaur specimens from the Early Maastrichtian of Angola and comments on paedomorphism in plesiosaurs
R. Araujo, M. J. Polcyn, Johan Lindgren, L. L. Jacobs, A. S. Schulp, et al.
(2015) Netherlands Journal of Geosciences-Geologie en Mijnbouw, 94 p.93-108
Journal articleMolecular composition and ultrastructure of Jurassic paravian feathers.
Johan Lindgren, Peter Sjövall, Ryan M Carney, Aude Cincotta, Per Uvdal, et al.
(2015) Scientific Reports, 5
Journal articleInterpreting melanin-based coloration through deep time: a critical review.
Johan Lindgren, Alison Moyer, Mary Higby Schweitzer, Peter Sjövall, Per Uvdal, et al.
(2015) Royal Society of London. Proceedings B. Biological Sciences, 282
Journal article reviewMelanosomes and ancient coloration re-examined: A response to Vinther 2015 (DOI 10.1002/bies.201500018).
Mary Higby Schweitzer, Johan Lindgren, Alison Moyer
(2015) BioEssays, 37 p.1174-1183
Journal articleOccurrence and fate of fatty acyl biomarkers in an ancient whale bone (Oligocene, El Cien Formation, Mexico)
Volker Thiel, Martin Blumenberg, Steffen Kiel, Tim Leefmann, Katharina Liebenau, et al.
(2014) Organic Geochemistry, 68 p.71-81
Journal articleSkin pigmentation provides evidence of convergent melanism in extinct marine reptiles.
Johan Lindgren, Peter Sjövall, Ryan M Carney, Per Uvdal, Johan Gren, et al.
(2014) Nature, 506 p.484-484
Journal articleDental histology of mosasaurs and a marine crocodylian from the Campanian (Upper Cretaceous) of southern Sweden: incremental growth lines and dentine formation rates
Johan Gren, Johan Lindgren
(2014) Geological Magazine, 151 p.134-143
Journal articleSoft tissue preservation in a fossil marine lizard with a bilobed tail fin
Johan Lindgren, Hani F. Kaddumi, Michael J. Polcyn
(2013) Nature Communications, 4
Journal articleRisk and vulnerability analysis : A feasible process for local climate adaptation in Sweden?
Karin Mossberg Sonnek, Bengt Johansson, Johan Lindgren
(2013) Local Environment, 18 p.781-800
Journal articleMid-Cretaceous Cretoxyrhina (Elasmobranchii) from Mangyshlak, Kazakhstan and Texas, USA
Mikael Siverson, David J. Ward, Johan Lindgren, L. Scott Kelley
(2013) Alcheringa, 37 p.87-104
Journal articleMicroanatomical and Histological Features in the Long Bones of Mosasaurine Mosasaurs (Reptilia, Squamata) - Implications for Aquatic Adaptation and Growth Rates
Alexandra Houssaye, Johan Lindgren, Rodrigo Pellegrini, Andrew H. Lee, Damien Germain, et al.
(2013) PLoS ONE, 8
Journal articleFood resources and habitat selection of a diverse vertebrate fauna from the upper lower Campanian of the Kristianstad Basin, southern Sweden
Anne Mehlin Sorensen, Finn Surlyk, Johan Lindgren
(2013) Cretaceous Research, 42 p.85-92
Journal articleAquatic adaptation, cranial kinesis, and the skull of the mosasaurine mosasaur Plotosaurus bennisoni
Aaron R. H. LeBlanc, Michael W. Caldwell, Johan Lindgren
(2013) Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, 33 p.349-362
Journal articleDescription of new specimens of Halisaurus arambourgi BARDET & PEREDA SUBERBIOLA, 2005 and the relationships of Halisaurinae
Michael J. Polcyn, Johan Lindgren, Nathalie Bardet, Dirk Cornelissen, Louis Verding, et al.
(2012) Bulletin de la Société Géologique de France, 183 p.123-136
Journal articleMolecular preservation of the pigment melanin in fossil melanosomes.
Johan Lindgren, Per Uvdal, Peter Sjövall, Dan-E Nilsson, Anders Engdahl, et al.
(2012) Nature Communications, 3
Journal articlePlatecarpus tympaniticus (Squamata, Mosasauridae): osteology of an exceptionally preserved specimen and its insights into the acquisition of a streamlined body shape in mosasaurs
Takuya Konishi, Johan Lindgren, Michael W. Caldwell, Luis Chiappe
(2012) Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, 32 p.1313-1327
Journal articleIntegrated higher education in palaeontology: bridging the academic gap between Denmark and Sweden
David A. T. Harper, Per Ahlberg, Johan Lindgren, Maria Liljeroth, Jan Audun Rasmussen
(2011) European Geologist, 31 p.20-20
Conference paper: abstractCoprolite morphotypes from the Upper Cretaceous of Sweden: novel views on an ancient ecosystem and implications for coprolite taphonomy
Mats Eriksson, Johan Lindgren, Karen Chin, Urban Mansby
(2011) Lethaia, 44 p.455-468
Journal articleThree-dimensionally preserved integument reveals hydrodynamic adaptations in the extinct marine lizard ectenosaurus (reptilia, mosasauridae).
Johan Lindgren, Michael J Everhart, Michael W Caldwell
(2011) PLoS ONE, 6
Journal articleLandlubbers to leviathans: evolution of swimming in mosasaurine mosasaurs
Johan Lindgren, Michael J. Polcyn, Bruce A. Young
(2011) Paleobiology, 37 p.445-469
Journal articleMicrospectroscopic evidence of cretaceous bone proteins.
Johan Lindgren, Per Uvdal, Anders Engdahl, Andrew H Lee, Carl Alwmark, et al.
(2011) PLoS ONE, 6
Journal articleFirst chelonian eggs and carapace fragments from the Pliocene of Rhodes, Greece
Inken J. Mueller-Towe, Tina A. Kjeldahl-Vallon, Jesper Milan, Lothar H. Vallon, Georgios Theodorou, et al.
(2011) Neues Jahrbuch für Geologie und Paläontologie. Abhandlungen, 262 p.309-322
Journal articleNew Material of Prognathodon (Squamata: Mosasauridae), and the Mosasaur Assemblage of the Maastrichtian of California, USA
Johan Lindgren, Anne S. Schulp
(2010) Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, 30 p.1632-1636
Journal articleConvergent evolution in aquatic tetrapods: insights from an exceptional fossil mosasaur.
Johan Lindgren, Michael W Caldwell, Takuya Konishi, Luis M Chiappe
(2010) PLoS ONE, 5
Journal articleMosasaur bite marks on a plesiosaur propodial from the Campanian (Late Cretaceous) of southern Sweden
Elisabeth Einarsson, Johan Lindgren, Benjamin P. Kear, Mikael Siverson
(2010) GFF, 132 p.123-128
Journal articleAtt äta eller ätas?
Mats Eriksson, Johan Lindgren
(2010) Geologiskt Forum, 17 p.17-20
Journal articleMesozoic marine tetrapod diversity: mass extinctions and temporal heterogeneity in geological megabiases affecting vertebrates
Roger B. J. Benson, Richard J. Butler, Johan Lindgren, Adam S. Smith
(2010) Royal Society of London. Proceedings B. Biological Sciences, 277 p.829-834
Journal articleSkin of the Cretaceous mosasaur Plotosaurus: implications for aquatic adaptations in giant marine reptiles.
Johan Lindgren, Carl Alwmark, Michael W Caldwell, Anthony R Fiorillo
(2009) Biology letters, 5 p.528-531
Journal articleCranial Osteology Of The Giant Mosasaur Plesiotylosaurus (Squamata, Mosasauridae)
Johan Lindgren
(2009) Journal of Paleontology, 83 p.448-456
Journal articleLower Cretaceous Mesoeucrocodylians from Scandinavia (Denmark and Sweden)
Daniela Schwarz-Wings, Jan Rees, Johan Lindgren
(2009) Cretaceous Research, 30 p.1345-1355
Journal articleTheropod dinosaur teeth from the lowermost Cretaceous Rabekke Formation on Bornholm, Denmark
Johan Lindgren, Philip J Currie, Jan Rees, Mikael Siverson, Sofie Lindström, et al.
(2008) Geobios, 41 p.253-262
Journal articleConvergence Of Gigantism In Mosasaurs Does Not Reflect A Convergence Of Growth Strategy
Johan Lindgren, Andrew Lee
(2008) Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, 28 p.106-106
Conference paper: abstractAnacoracid sharks from the Albian (lower cretaceous) Pawpaw shale of Texas
Mikael Siverson, Johan Lindgren, L. Scott Kelley
(2007) Palaeontology, 50 p.939-950
Journal articleThe first neoceratopsian dinosaur remains from Europe
Johan Lindgren, Philip J. Currie, Mikael Siverson, Jan Rees, Peter Cederstrom, et al.
(2007) Palaeontology, 50 p.929-937
Journal articleA fishy mosasaur: the axial skeleton of Plotosaurus (Reptilia, Squamata) reassessed
Johan Lindgren, John W. M. Jagt, Michael W. Caldwell
(2007) Lethaia, 40 p.153-160
Journal articleFirst record of Halisaurus (Squamata: Mosasauridae) from the Pacific Coast of North America
Johan Lindgren
(2007) Paleobios, 27 p.40-47
Journal articleNew records of the tylosaurine mosasaur Hainosaurus from the (Late Cretaceous) of central Poland
JWM Jagt, Johan Lindgren, M Machalski, A Radwanski
(2005) Netherlands Journal of Geosciences-Geologie en Mijnbouw, 84 p.303-306
Journal articleDental and vertebral morphology of the enigmatic mosasaur Dollosaurus (Reptilia, Mosasauridae) from the lower Campanian (Upper Cretaceous) of southern Sweden
Johan Lindgren
(2005) Bulletin of the Geological Society of Denmark, 52 p.17-25
Journal articleHalisaurus sternbergi, a small mosasaur with an intercontinental distribution
Johan Lindgren, Mikael Siverson
(2005) Journal of Paleontology, 79 p.763-773
Journal articleDanish mosasaurs
Johan Lindgren, J W M Jagt
(2005) Netherlands Journal of Geosciences-Geologie en Mijnbouw, 84 p.315-320
Journal articleLate cretaceous sharks Cretoxyrhina and Cardabiodon from Montana, USA
Mikael Siverson, Johan Lindgren
(2005) Acta Palaeontologica Polonica, 50 p.301-314
Journal articleThe first record of Hainosaurus (Reptilia : Mosasauridae) from Sweden
Johan Lindgren
(2005) Journal of Paleontology, 79 p.1157-1165
Journal articleAquatic birds from the Upper Cretaceous (Lower Campanian) of Sweden and the biology and distribution of hesperornithiforms
Jan Rees, Johan Lindgren
(2005) Palaeontology, 48 p.1321-1329
Journal articleAmphibians and small reptiles from the Berriasian Rabekke formation on Bornholm, Denmark
Jan Rees, Johan Lindgren, S E Evans
(2005) GFF, 127 p.233-238
Journal articleThe first record of the mosasaur Clidastes from Europe and its palaeogeographical implications
Johan Lindgren, Mikael Siverson
(2004) Acta Palaeontologica Polonica, 49 p.219-234
Journal articleEarly Campanian mosasaurs (Reptilia; Mosasauridae) from the Kristianstad Basin, southern Sweden
Johan Lindgren
(2004) Litholund theses
DissertationStratigraphical distribution of Campanian and Maastrichtian mosasaurs in Sweden - evidence of an intercontinental marine extinction event?
Johan Lindgren
(2004) GFF, 126 p.221-229
Journal articleTylosaurus ivoensis: a giant mosasaur from the early Campanian of Sweden
Johan Lindgren, Mikael Siverson
(2002) Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. Earth Sciences, 93 p.73-93
Journal article review