A5033812729- Evolution and Paleontology Studies
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Pleistocene-Era Hominins and Archaeology
- Animal Ecology and Behavior Studies
- Bat Biology and Ecology Studies
- Morphological variations and asymmetry
- Pacific and Southeast Asian Studies
- Geology and Paleoclimatology Research
- Forensic Anthropology and Bioarchaeology Studies
- Plant and Fungal Species Descriptions
- Paleontology and Evolutionary Biology
- Primate Behavior and Ecology
- Ecology and biodiversity studies
- Isotope Analysis in Ecology
- Archaeology and ancient environmental studies
- Genetic and phenotypic traits in livestock
- Archaeological and Geological Studies
- Ancient Near East History
- Bone Metabolism and Diseases
- Genetic diversity and population structure
- Paleopathology and ancient diseases
- Comparative Animal Anatomy Studies
- Geological and Geophysical Studies
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Human-Animal Interaction Studies
National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
2013-2024
Naturalis Biodiversity Center
2011-2014
Abstract Aim We assessed the generality of island rule in a database comprising 1593 populations insular mammals (439 species, including 63 species fossil mammals), and tested whether observed patterns differed among taxonomic functional groups. Location Islands world‐wide. Methods measured museum specimens (fossil mammals) reviewed literature to compile animal body size ( S i = mean mass individuals from an population divided by that ancestral or mainland population, M ). used linear...
Abstract Aim We investigated the hypothesis that insular body size of fossil elephants is directly related to isolation and surface area focal islands. Location Palaeo‐islands worldwide. Methods assembled data on geographical characteristics (area isolation) islands evolution palaeo‐insular species for 22 across 17 Results Our results support generality island rule in sense all but one experienced dwarfism The smallest generally harbour elephants. found no declines with isolation. Body...
Abstract Aim We investigated the hypothesis that body size evolution of mammals is strongly influenced by ecological interactions, resulting in evolutionary divergence species‐rich (e.g. mainland) biotas, and convergence on intermediate but absent species species‐poor insular) biotas. Location Mediterranean palaeo‐islands. Methods assembled data temporal variation palaeo‐insular associated characteristics (colonization or extirpation mammalian competitors predators) for 19 fossil, non‐volant...
Since its first description in 2004, Homo floresiensis has been attributed to a species of own, descendant H. erectus or another early hominid, pathological form sapiens, dwarfed sapiens related the Neolithic inhabitants Flores. In this contribution, we apply geometric morphometric analysis skull (LB1) and compare it with skulls normal insular (Minatogawa Man from Flores), (microcephalics), Asian (Sangiran 17), habilis (KNM ER 1813), Australopithecus africanus (Sts 5). Our includes specimens...
Abstract Aim To assess whether mammalian species introduced onto islands across the globe have evolved to exhibit body size patterns consistent with ‘island rule,’, and test an ecological explanation for evolution of insular mammals. Location Islands worldwide. Methods We assembled data on mass, geographical characteristics (latitude, maximum elevation) communities (number competitors, predators prey) 385 populations 285 islands, comprising 56 extant, non‐volant used linear regression,...
Abstract Aim Our goals here are to: (1) assess the generality of one aspect island rule – progressive trend towards decrease in size larger species for fossil carnivores on islands; (2) offer causal explanations this pattern and deviations from it as far concerned; (3) estimate speed trend. Location Oceanic oceanic‐like islands world‐wide. Methods Body estimates insular their phylogenetically closest mainland relative were obtained our own data published literature. dataset consisted 18 nine...
Caninae is one of the most studied mammalian groups, nevertheless there are relatively few comparative studies on their neuroanatomy. This work contributes to a better knowledge this subfamily, since it describes external cerebrum anatomy 29 out 35 living species, 11 which described for first time. Information about frontal region appears be welcome supplement study phylogeny. Two distinctive features recognized, that can traced back in fossil record: sulcal pattern medial coronal sulci, and...
Abstract Aim To assess the relative contributions of colonization, speciation and human activities on species richness ( S ) mammalian communities among oceanic islands. Location Palaeo‐islands world‐wide. Methods We compiled lists from published works compared species–area species–isolation relationships for taxa 36 islands over three stages community development during late Pleistocene Holocene: at or founding f ); after in situ speciation, but before colonization by humans s Anthropocene...
Neurogenesis is a well‐characterized phenomenon within the dentate gyrus (DG) of adult hippocampus. Aging and chronic degenerative disorders have been shown to impair hippocampal neurogenesis, but consequence inflammation remains controversial. In this study experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) mouse model multiple sclerosis was used investigate long‐term effects T cell–mediated central nervous system on neurogenesis. 5‐Bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU)‐labeled subpopulations cells in EAE...
ABSTRACT The endemic insular canid Cynotherium sardous has been known for 1 ½ centuries, yet its phylogenetic position remained unsolved. This was because inherited ancestral characters and acquired adaptations to different ecological pressures could not be separated. In this study the problem is approached again, with use of morphological features that were either overlooked or explained properly, combined results from recent major revisions phylogeny. It appears Xenocyon ancestor...
Of all known insular mammals, hippos and elephants present the extremes of body size decrease, reducing to 4 a mere 2% their ancestral mainland size, respectively. Despite numerous studies on these taxa, what happens relative brain during phyletic dwarfing is not well known, results are sometimes conflicting. For example, increase has been noted in Sicilian dwarf elephant, <i>Palaeoloxodon falconeri</i>, whereas decrease postulated for Malagasy hippos. Here, I perform an analysis...
How hippopotamuses managed to cross tens or even hundreds of kilometres open sea islands and why they did so are, as Mazza (2014) formulates it, challenging problems.The formidable body mass, barrel-shaped build the relatively stocky, short limbs do not look those an apt swimmer.Furthermore, have been described bottom-walkers rather than surface swimmers (for details see below).Yet, fossil record proves their existence on six during Pleistocene.Mazza (2014, p. 2) suggests were 'probably most...
The order Carnivora is a large and highly diverse mammalian group with long well-documented evolutionary history. Nevertheless, our knowledge on the degree of cortical folding (or gyrification) limited to just few species. Here we investigate in 64 contemporary 37 fossil carnivore We do so by measuring length gyri impressions endocranial casts. use this approach because have found that there very good correlation between relative are exposed outer surface hemispheres. Our results indicate...
Age-graded fossils of Pleistocene endemic Cretan deer (Candiacervus spp.) reveal unexpectedly high juvenile mortality similar to that reported for extant mainland ruminants, despite the fact these lived in a predator-free environment and became extinct before any plausible date human arrival. Age profiles show surviving past fawn stage were relatively long-lived indicating was not an expression their living “fast” life. Although effects on survivorship such variables as fatal accidents,...
Myotragus balearicus is the terminal species of a Caprinae lineage that inhabited Balearic Islands since Messinian. had relatively small brain, reported to be half size contemporary bovid similar size. This study presents reassessment its brain and anatomy. We demonstrate M. only 17% smaller when compared Late Miocene taxa. Since ancestors were isolated on Balearics in Miocene, we deduce feature largely retained from continental ancestor partially result geographic isolation. The reduction...