A5019415993- Paleontology and Evolutionary Biology
- Evolution and Paleontology Studies
- Ichthyology and Marine Biology
- Paleontology and Stratigraphy of Fossils
- Amphibian and Reptile Biology
- Turtle Biology and Conservation
- Pleistocene-Era Hominins and Archaeology
- Geology and Paleoclimatology Research
- Marine animal studies overview
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Fish biology, ecology, and behavior
- Geological formations and processes
- Morphological variations and asymmetry
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Isotope Analysis in Ecology
- Veterinary Equine Medical Research
- Mediterranean and Iberian flora and fauna
- Image Processing and 3D Reconstruction
- Robotic Locomotion and Control
- Marine and coastal plant biology
- 3D Surveying and Cultural Heritage
- Paleopathology and ancient diseases
- Bat Biology and Ecology Studies
- Primate Behavior and Ecology
- Image Processing Techniques and Applications
Naturalis Biodiversity Center
2015-2025
Utrecht University
2019-2025
Natural History Museum Rotterdam
2011-2024
Natural History Museum Maastricht
2011-2024
Teylers Museum
2024
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
2009-2021
Staatliches Naturhistorisches Museum
2000-2021
Google (United States)
2021
Streekziekenhuis Koningin Beatrix
2017
Institute of Geochemistry
2007-2017
Mosasaur taxa recovered from the Bearpaw Formation, Alberta, Canada, generally show exceptional preservation after rapid burial. Since mosasaur community consisted of two dominant taxa, Mosasaurus missourensis Prognathodon overtoni, and three less prevalent Tylosaurus proriger, conodon, Plioplatecarpus primaevus, some form habitat or dietary niche partitioning is to be expected. To test this, several approaches are tried. Two-dimensional microwear analysis used as an exploratory method...
The dentitions of extinct organisms can provide pivotal information regarding their phylogenetic position, as well paleobiology, diet, development, and growth. Extant birds are edentulous (toothless), but closest relatives among stem birds, the Cretaceous Hesperornithiformes Ichthyornithiformes, retained teeth. Despite significant position immediately outside avian crown group, these taxa have never been studied in detail. To obtain new insight into biology 'last' toothed we use cutting-edge...
The influence of climate change on hominin evolution is much debated. Two issues hamper our understanding this process: the limited fossil record, and incomplete knowledge about spatial occupation Africa. Here, we analyze presently known distribution pattern explore potential geographic hominins between ∼4.5 ∼2.5 Ma. We focus assessing relevance Coastal Forest Eastern Africa (CFEA) along Indian Ocean as a core area for early evolution. Based biogeographic-phylogeographic data propose coastal...
A forelimb of a new sauropod dinosaur (Angolatitan adamastor n. gen. et sp.) from the Late Turonian Iembe (Bengo Province) represents first discovery in Angola, and is one few occurrences dinosaurs sub-Saharan Africa collected with good chronological controls. The marginal marine sediments yielding specimen are reported to be late age and, thus it non-titanosaurian at time taken dominated by titanosaurian forms. Moreover, Angolatitan only basal Somphospondyli known Cretaceous which implies...
Humans and birds use very different running styles. Unlike humans, adopt “grounded running” at intermediate speeds—a gait where least one foot always maintains ground contact. Avian grounded is a paradox: Animals usually minimize locomotor energy expenditure, but prefer despite incurring higher costs. Using predictive simulations of the emu ( Dromaius novaehollandiae ), we resolve this paradox by demonstrating that represents an optimal for birds, from both energetics muscle excitations...
Abstract We report the discovery of a new species marine reptile, mosasaur, from Upper Cretaceous (Maastrichtian) The Netherlands. Prognathodon saturator sp. nov. is represented by an almost complete skull and much postcranial skeleton, one largest mosasaurs discovered to date. stout extremely massive jaws are more powerfully built than in any other known mosasaur. Bite marks, partial disarticulation scattering presence associated teeth Squalicorax Plicatoscyllium suggest extensive scavenging sharks.
Abstract New elasmosaurid plesiosaur specimens are described from the Early Maastrichtian of Angola. Phylogenetic analyses reconstruct Angolan taxon as an aristonectine and sister unnamed form similar age Zealand. Comparisons also indicate a close relationship with previously Patagonia. All these exhibit ostensibly osteologically immature external morphology, but histological analysis material suggests adult paedomorphic traits. By extension, similarity Angolan, Zealand Patagonian indicates...
Abstract We report here a new elasmosaurid from the early Maastrichtian at Bentiaba, southern Angola. Phylogenetic analysis places taxon as sister to Styxosaurus snowii , and that clade of composed ( Hydrotherosaurus alexandrae Libonectes morgani + Elasmosaurus platyurus )). The has reduced dorsal blade scapula, feature unique amongst elasmosaurids, but convergent with cryptoclidid plesiosaurs, indicates longitudinal protraction-retraction limb cycle rowing style simple pitch rotation...
The dinosaur–bird transition involved several anatomical, biomechanical, and physiological modifications of the theropod bauplan. Non-avian maniraptoran theropods, such as Troodon , are key to better understand changes in thermophysiology reproduction occurring during this transition. Here, we applied dual clumped isotope (Δ 47 Δ 48 ) thermometry, a technique that resolves mineralization temperature other nonthermal information recorded carbonates, eggshells from modern reptiles, birds. show...
A large data set of new and previously published measurements δ13C values derived from tooth enamel (n = 223, which 93 are new) compiled to explore patterns foraging area preferences Late Cretaceous mosasaurid squamates over evolutionary time scales (~93–66 Ma). Our results indicate that small-bodied halisaurines restricted a relatively nearshore range, overlapping the lower end range plioplatecarpines some mosasaurine taxa. Most moderately sized occupy narrow in much proximal offshore...
We present the δ13C and paleomagnetic stratigraphy for marine strata at coast of southern Angola, anchored by an intercalated basalt with a whole rock 40Ar/39Ar radiometric age 84.6 ± 1.5 Ma, being consistent both invertebrate vertebrate biostratigraphy. This is first African stable carbon isotope record correlated to significant events in global spanning Late Cenomanian Early Maastrichtian. A positive ∼3‰ excursion seen bivalve shells below indicates Cenomanian–Turonian Boundary Event 93.9...
New mosasaur fossils from Maastrichtian beds at Bentiaba, Angola, representing elements of the skull and postcranial axial skeleton two individuals durophagous genus Globidens, are reported. Based on dental morphology, specifically inflated posterior surface vertical sulci, Bentiaba specimens identified as Globidens phosphaticus, a species defined by characters composite dentition Morocco. Comparisons indicate that G. phosphaticus is most closely related to schurmanni, late Campanian South...
Abstract The carbon isotope composition of tooth enamel from all five mosasaur taxa known to date the type Maastrichtian (southeast Netherlands, northeast Belgium) has been analysed. Differences in δ 13 C values between suggest resource partitioning. Body size and value correlate surprisingly well, with larger having more depleted heavier isotope.
A new Late Cretaceous turtle, Angolachelys mbaxi gen.et sp.nov., from the Turonian (90 Mya) of Angola, represents oldest eucryptodire Africa.Phylogenetic analysis recovers as sister taxon Sandownia harrisi Aptian Isle Wight, England.An unnamed turtle Albian Glen Rose Formation Texas (USA) and Kimmeridgian Solnhofia parsonsi (Germany), are successively more distant taxa.Bootstrap suggests those four taxa together form a previously unrecognized monophyletic clade marine turtles, herein named...
Locomotor energetics are an important determinant of animal's ecological niche. It is commonly assumed that animals minimize locomotor energy expenditure by selecting gait kinematics tuned to the natural frequencies relevant body parts. We demonstrate this allows estimation preferred step frequency and walking speed Tyrannosaurus rex , using approach we introduce as Natural Frequency Method. Although tail bipedal dinosaurs was actively involved in walking, it suspended passively caudal...
Synopsis Musculoskeletal simulations can provide insights into the underlying mechanisms that govern animal locomotion. In this study, we describe development of a new musculoskeletal model horse, and to our knowledge present first fully muscle-driven, predictive equine Our goal was simulate captures only gross structure without specialized morphological features. We mostly acquired using feedforward control, state feedback (“top-down control”). Without kinematics or motion capture data as...