Enrico Bonino
Geologist, Editor, GIS consultant and software trainer @ Esri BeLux, amateur palaeontologist specialized in trilobites, Precambrian life… and amateur extreme macro photographer.
I hold a degree in Earth Sciences (University of Genoa) with a specialization in Stratigraphy and Paleontology. Originally from Italy, nowadays I live and work in Belgium.
I’m the scientific curator of the Back to the Past Museum (Cancun, Mexico), author and editor of scientific books (six today) and articles on Paleozoic arthropods, fossil lagerstätten, and trilobites.
My skills in digital image processing, mathematical morphology, artistic skills and a deep passion for the earth sciences push me to explore the possibilities of extreme macro-photography for microfossils and inclusions trapped in amber, offering a bright new look at the tiny wonders of nature.
(Coleoptera: Curculionida: Hylesinini tribe) – Dominican Republic
(Coleoptera: Cantharidae: Silinae) – Baltic region
Active collaborations
PhD researcher Hemen Sendi: Institute of Zoology, Department of Animal Systematics, Slovak Academy of Sciences in Bratislava, Slovakia
PhD professor (assistant) Artur Taszakowski: Institute of Biology, Biotechnology and Environmental Protection, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Silesia in Katowice, Katowice, Poland
PhD professor (associate) Robin Kundrata: Palacký University Olomouc, Olomouc, Czechia
Publications
Schall O-K O., Bonino E., Husemann M. (2025). A new member of Eumastacoidea (Orthoptera: Caelifera) from Cretaceous Burmese amber suggests possible Gondwanan origin of extant Asian monkey hoppers. Palaeoworld (in Press)
Sendi H., Cumming R., Vidlicka L., Bonino E., Káčerová J., Lian Z., Luo D., Luo C. (2025). Alienopterid nymphs with unique abdominal spines suggest a defensive strategy. Insect Science, 1-8. DOI 10.1111/1744-7917.70182
Sendi H., Klimov P.B., Kácerová J., Bonino E., Azar D., Robin N. (2025). Cretaceous mite-termite association in amber reveals evidence for long-term community and the evolutionary significance of phoresy. In: Kopeć, K., Sontag, E., Soszyńska, A. & Szwedo, J. (Eds), Fossil Insects – Bridging Past and Present, International Palaeoentomological Conference, 40th Anniversary of the Palaeoentomological Section of the Polish Entomological Society: Book of Abstracts, Institute of Systematics and Evolution of Animals, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, 22–25 May 2025: 76. Link
Taszakoswki A., Kim J., Phan Q.T., Bonino E., Jung S. (2025). A paradigm shift in Miridae classification: A remarkably well-preserved evidence. In: Kopeć, K., Sontag, E., Soszyńska, A. & Szwedo, J. (Eds), Fossil Insects – Bridging Past and Present, International Palaeoentomological Conference, 40th Anniversary of the Palaeoentomological Section of the Polish Entomological Society: Book of Abstracts, Institute of Systematics and Evolution of Animals, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, 22–25 May 2025: 98. Link
Packova, G., Triskova, K., Ferreira, V.S., Bonino, E. & Kundrata, R. (2025). Fossil record of bioluminescent and paedomorphic elateroid beetles (Coleoptera: Elateriformia). In: Kopeć, K., Sontag, E., Soszyńska, A. & Szwedo, J. (Eds), Fossil Insects – Bridging Past and Present, International Palaeoentomological Conference, 40th Anniversary of the Palaeoentomological Section of the Polish Entomological Society: Book of Abstracts, Institute of Systematics and Evolution of Animals, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, 22–25 May 2025: 60. Link
Kundrata, R., Triskova, K., Rosa, S.P., Hoffmannova, J., Jetelina, D., Bonino, E. & Packova, G. (2025). Elateroid immature stages in the fossil record (Coleoptera: Polyphaga). In: Kopeć, K., Sontag, E., Soszyńska, A. & Szwedo, J. (Eds), Fossil Insects – Bridging Past and Present, International Palaeoentomological Conference, 40th Anniversary of the Palaeoentomological Section of the Polish Entomological Society: Book of Abstracts, Institute of Systematics and Evolution of Animals, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, 22–25 May 2025: 52. Link
Sendi H., Klimov P.B., Kolesnikov V.B., Kacerova J., Bonino E., Azar D., Robin N. (2025). The oldest association between astigmatid mites and termites preserved in Cretaceous amber reveals the evolutionary significance of phoresy. BMC Ecology and Evolution, 25:16. Link
Ferrando A., Bosino A., Bonino E., Coratza P., Faccini F., (2023). Geomorphology and geoheritage in the Piana Crixia Natural Park (NW Italy), Journal of Maps, 19:1, 2257731, DOI: 10.1080/17445647.2023.2257731
Taszakowski A., Kim J., Bonino E., Tettamanzi L., Jung S. (2023) – Electroderaeous crassicornis; a new genus and species of Deraeocorinae (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Miridae) in Miocene Dominican amber. Zootaxa 5284(3), 593-600. Link
Szwedo J., Bonino E., Tettamanzi L., Stroinski A. (2022) – Yobuenahuaboshka gen.nov. of Colpopterini (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha: Nogodinidae) from the lower Miocene Dominican amber. Annales Geologici, 74(2), 994-1004. Link
Wentzel D., Bonino E., Fanti F. (2022) – A new Cacomorphocerus Schaufuss, 1892 (Cantharidae) from Baltic Amber. Baltic J. Coleopterol. 22(2), 313-318. Link
Bonino E. (2021) – Makro-Extremfotografie und ihre Anwendung bei Mikrofossilien. Fossilien Erdgeschichte erleben, Juli/August 38, 4/2021, 29-37. Link
Conway Morris S., Smith R.D.A., Hoyal Cuthill J.F.H., Bonino E., Lerosey-Aubril R. (2020) – A possible Cambrian stem-group gnathiferan-chaetognath from the Weeks Formation (Miaolingian) of Utah. Journal of Paleontology, 94(4), 624-636. https://doi.org/10.1017/jpa.2020.4
Daley A., Pates S., Kier C., Bonino E., Lerosey-Aubril R. (2019) New radiodonts from the Drumian (Miaolingian) Marjum Formation of Utah, USA. Paleobios, v. 36, supplement 1, June 2019. Link
Lerosey-Aubril R., Gaines R., Hegna T., Ortega-Hernández J., Van Roy P., Kier C., Bonino E. (2018) – The Weeks Formation Konservat-Lagerstätte and the evolutionary transition of Cambrian marine life. Journal of the Geological Society, DOI:10.1144/jgs2018-042. Link
Lerosey-Aubril R., Gaines R.R., Hegna T., Lefebvre B., Ortega-Hernandez J., Van Roy P., Kier C., Bonino E. (2016) – The Weeks Formation Fauna (Utah, USA) and the evolution of marine animal communities during the late Cambrian. 60th Palaeontological Association annual meeting, at Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France. Link
Lerosey-Aubril R., Gaines R.R., Hegna T., Ortega-Hernandez J., Van Roy P., Kier C., Bonino E. (2016) – The Weeks Formation Lagerstätte (Utah, USA): A unique window on the evolution of animal life during the late Cambrian. Palaeontology Down Under 2, At Adelaide, Australia. Link
Ortega-Hernandez J., Lerosey-Aubril R., Kier C., Bonino E. (2015) – A rare non-trilobite artiopodan from the Guzhangian (Cambrian Serie 3) Weeks Formation Konservat-Lagerstätte in Utah, USA. Palaeontology 58(2), 265-276. Link
Lerosey-Aubril R., Ortega-Hernandez J., Kier C., Bonino E., Martin E. (2014) – Rare non-trilobite arthropods from the Weeks Formation konservat-Lagerstätte (Cambrian, USA); Poster; Palaeontological Association Annual Meeting, At Leeds, UK. Link
Lerosey-Aubril R., Hegna T., Babcock L.E., Bonino E., Kier C. (2014) – Arthropod appendages from the weeks Formation Konservat-Lagerstätten: new occurences of anomalocaridids in the Cambrian of Utah, USA. Bulletin of Geosciences 89(2), 269-282. Link
Lerosey-Aubril R., Ortega-Hernandez J., Kier C., Bonino E. (2013) – Occurrence of the Ordovician-type aglaspidid Tremaglaspis in the Cambrian Weeks Formation (Utah, USA). Geol. Mag. 150(5), 945-951. Link
Hegna T., Lerosey-Aubril R., Bonino E., and Kier C. (2012) – A new enigmatic arthropod from the Cambrian Weeks Formation, Utah. 2012 GSA Annual Meeting in Charlotte (4–7 November 2012). Poster. Link
Lerosey-Aubril R., Hegna T.A., Kier C., Bonino E., Habersetzer J. (2012) – Controls on Gut Phosphatisation: The Trilobites from the Weeks Formation Lagerstätte (Cambrian; Utah). PLoS ONE 7(3). Link
Thargon P., Bonino E., Mottequin B. (2012) – A new representative of the lichid genus Ohleum (Trilobita) from the Eifelian (Middle Devonian) of southern Belgium. Geologica Belgica, 15(3), 120-125. Link
Weise K., Paganini M., Wolf B., Fitoka E., Hansen H., Bonino E., Valkengoed E. (2012) – Globwetland II – The new opportunities with Sentinel-2 for Wetland mapping and Monitoring. Proc. ‘First Sentinel-2 Preparatory Symposium’, Frascati, Italy 23-27 April 2012, ESA SP-707, July 2012. Link
Lerosey-Aubril R., Hegna T., Kier C, Bonino E., Habersetzer J. and Carré M. (2011) – Controls on gut phosphatisation: The trilobites from the Weeks Formation Lagerstätte (Cambrian, Utah). 21/27 October, Prague (Czech Rep.)
Lerosey-Aubril R., Hegna T., Kier C., Bonino E., Carré M., and Habersetzer J. (2011) – Trilobite guts: an inside look at the morphology and its mechanism of preservation. 2nd International Conference on Invertebrate Morphology, Cambridge, USA. Link
Lerosey-Aubril R., Kier C., Bonino E., Hegna T., Carré M., and Habersetzer J. (2011) – Etude préliminaire du systéme digestif des trilobites de la Formation Weeks (Cambrien, USA). Annual Meeting of the French Palaeontological Association, Elbeuf/Seine, France. Link
Bonino E., Kier C., Hennion L. (2011) – The Back to the Past Museum: the first museum dedicated entirely to trilobites. 2nd German Trilobite Symposium, 19-20 February, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
Lerosey-Aubril R., Kier C, Bonino E., Hegna T., Carré M., and Habersetzer J. (2011) – The digestive system of the trilobites from the Weeks Formation (Middle Cambrian, USA): a unique insight into the paleobiology of primitive arthropods. 2nd German Trilobite Symposium, 19-20 February, Frankfurt am Main, Germany. Link
Hansen H., Wolff E., Lohlé-Tart L., Lambert A., Taupin S., Bonino E., Sotiaux A. (2011) – Estimer la population à l’aide de la télédétection ? … un défi pour le développement! Science connection, 32:16-17. Link
Lerosey-Aubril R., Hegna T., Kier C. & Bonino E. (2010) – Reading the entrails of trilobites: a fresh look at the early diversification of primitive arthropods. Seminar of the Institut des Sciences de l’Evolution, Montpellier, France.
Lerosey-Aubril R., Kier C., Bonino E., Hegna T. (2010) – Vorschlag zum Fossil des Jahres 2011: Reading the entrails of trilobites: A unique insight into the palaeobiology of early arthropods. Abstract. Zitteliana – An International Journal of Palaeontology and Geobiology, (B29), 110a-110b. Poster
Bonino E., Kier C. (2010) – The Back to the Past Guide to Trilobites. ISBN 9788872035153, Casa Editrice Marna, 512pag.
Sotiaux A., De Maeyer M., Wolff E., Lohle-Tart L., Lambert A., Hansen H., Taupin S., Bonino E. (2010) – New improvements in Population estimate using Remote Sensing Techniques – Poster and presentation at Belgian Earth Observatory Day, Chaudfontaine, 6 May 2010
Bonino E., Kier C. (2009) – TRILOBITI – IL libro del Museo. ISBN 9788872034897, Casa Editrice Marna, 441pag.
Bonino E., Fattori D. (2009) – The ‘Back to the Past’ Trilobite Museum. Fossil News, ISSN 1 522-6859 July 2009, v15(7):12-15
Dardenne V., Caceres F., Bonino E., Campanella B., Pirard E. (2007). Hyperspectral Remote Sensing of the Environmental Impact of Historic and Modern Industrial Activities in the Meuse Valley (Liège, Belgium) – Poster presented at 5th EARSeL SIGIS workshop. Poster
Dardenne V., Caceres F., Hansen H., Bonino E., Pirard E. (2007) – Detection of acid drainage effects around Rosia Poieni mine in Romania using ASTER images.– Poster presentato al 5th EARSeL SIGIS workshop. Poster
Dardenne V., Càceres F., Hansen H., Bonino E., Pirard E. (2006) – Detection of acid drainage effects around Rosia Poieni mine in Romania using ASTER images.– Poster presentato al Remote Sensing for Earth resources: exploration, extraction and environments impacts (GRSG2006 meeting). Poster
Dardenne V., Càceres F., Bonino E., Campanella B., Pirard E (2006) – Hyperspectral Remote Sensing of the Environmental Impact of Historic and Modern Industrial Activities in the Meuse Valley (Liège, Belgium)– Poster presentato al Remote Sensing for Earth resources: exploration, extraction and environments impacts (GRSG2006 meeting). Poster
Càceres F., Dardenne V. , Campanella B., Bonino E., Hansen H. & Pirard E. (2006) – Remote Sensing of the environmental impact of industrial and mining activities– Poster presentation at Airborne Imaging WORKSHOP, Bruges, Belgium. Poster
Càceres F., Bonino E., Pirard E. (2000) – Remote Sensing Analysis of the San Pablo de Lipez Region, Bolivia – Poster presentato a ERIM, Novembre 2000 Las Vegas (Bruxelles e Las Vegas). Poster
Bonino E., Pirard E. (2000) – A geological information system for paleoseismological data retrieving and analysis in Proceedings Paleosis (2000). Link
Hansen H., Bonino E., Tshiunza C. (2000) – Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) Interferometry, A tool for thematic and topographic mapping in Democratic Republic of Congo. Congresso di Geomorfologia, Marocco.
Lebrun V., Nivart J.F., Bonino E., Pirard E. (1999) – Development of specific acquisition for field imaging. In Proceedings of GEOVISION ’99
Marechal J.C., Bonino E., VanBrabant Y., Teerlynck H., Pirard E., Jongmans D. (1999) – A preliminary study of cross correlation between lithology and K-airborne radiometry in the Ardennes. GEOVISION ’99
Bonino E. (1999) – Analyse géomorphologique et environnementale des bassins hydrographyques des rivières Maremola et Bottassano. Poster/ ESRI, Bruxelles.
Bonino E. (1999) – Compte rendu du contracte Paleosis. Observatoire Royal de la Belgique, Bruxelles
Bonino E. (1999) – Analisi micropaleontologica delle associazioni fossilifere rinvenute all’interno di selci paleolitiche. Ciotti di Mortola superiore (Ventimiglia, Italia). Quaderni del Museo Civico del Finale.
Bonino E. (1997) – Applicazione dell’analisi multivariata su parametri morfometrici tratti da un bacino campione. Relazione di ricerca. Università degli Studi di Genova (Italia)
Bonino E. (1996) – Analisi morfometriche del bacino del Torrente Maremola. Relazione di ricerca. Università degli Studi di Genova (Italia)
…and where I was active (and in the next future)
PaleoTIME BE : internationale fossielenbeurs, 16/11/2025 – exposition
54ème Interminèral (Liège, Belgium), 8-9/11/2025 – exposition
VU University (Amsterdam, The Netherlands) – conference
PaleoTime (Houten, The Netherlands) – exposition
16ème Salon Minéraux et Fossiles (Cambrai, France) – exposition
17ème PAC – Parcours des Artistes à Cointe (Liège, Belgium) -exposition
Museo Archeologico del Finale (Finale Ligure, Italy) – exposition & conference
GEI – Gruppo Esponenti Italiani (Losanna, Switzerland) – conference
Insectorama 2023 – exposition
52ème Intermineral (Liège, Belgium) – exposition and conference
PaleoTime (Herselt, Belgium) – exposition
Oertijd Museum (Boxtel, The Netherlands) – exposition
Cambrai (France) Le Labo – exposition and conference
Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Geomorfologia (Roma, Italy) – conferences (2) and exposition
18ème PAC – Parcours des Artistes à Cointe (Liège, Belgium) -exposition
Extreme macro and Paleontology 