A5064029758- Marine animal studies overview
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Evolution and Paleontology Studies
- Indigenous Studies and Ecology
- Geological Studies and Exploration
- Paleontology and Evolutionary Biology
- Morphological variations and asymmetry
- Underwater Acoustics Research
- Rabbits: Nutrition, Reproduction, Health
- Ichthyology and Marine Biology
- Anatomy and Medical Technology
- Cephalopods and Marine Biology
- Ecology and Conservation Studies
- Animal Ecology and Behavior Studies
- Paleontology and Stratigraphy of Fossils
- Animal Vocal Communication and Behavior
- Arctic and Antarctic ice dynamics
- Craniofacial Disorders and Treatments
- Advanced X-ray Imaging Techniques
- Radiation Dose and Imaging
- Bat Biology and Ecology Studies
- Evolutionary Algorithms and Applications
- Pleistocene-Era Hominins and Archaeology
- Genomics and Phylogenetic Studies
- Epigenetics and DNA Methylation
Natural History Museum
2021-2025
University of Birmingham
2022-2025
German Oceanographic Museum
2021-2022
San Diego State University
2015-2020
University of California, Riverside
2015
The origin of baleen and filter feeding in mysticete cetaceans occurred sometime between approximately 34 24 million years ago represents a major macroevolutionary shift cetacean morphology (teeth to baleen) ecology (raptorial feeding). We explore this dramatic change strategy by employing diversity tools approaches: morphology, molecules, development, stable isotopes from the geological record. Adaptations for raptorial extinct toothed mysticetes provide phylogenetic context evaluating...
Attempts to explain the origin and diversification of vertebrates have commonly invoked evolution feeding ecology, contrasting passive suspension invertebrate chordates larval lampreys with active predation in living jawed vertebrates. Of extinct jawless that phylogenetically intercalate these groups, apparatus is well-preserved only early diverging stem-gnathostome heterostracans. However, its anatomy remains poorly understood. Here, we use X-ray microtomography characterize pteraspid...
Extant baleen whales (Mysticeti) share a distinct suite of extreme and unique adaptations to perform bulk filter feeding, such as long, arched skull, mandible the complete loss adult dentition in favor plates. However, mysticetes still develop tooth germs during ontogeny. In fossil record, multiple groups document transition from ancestral raptorial feeding feeding. Fetal specimens give us an extraordinary opportunity observe when how this macroevolutionary occurs gestation. We used...
Abstract Baleen whales (Mysticeti) have an extraordinary fossil record documenting the transition from toothed raptorial taxa to modern species that bear baleen plates, keratinous bristles employed in filter‐feeding. Remnants of their ancestry can be found ontogeny, as they still develop tooth germs utero . Understanding developmental teeth and associated skull modifications prenatal specimens extant enhance our understanding evolutionary history this lineage by using ontogeny a relative...
A recent paper by Peredo et al. 1 criticized the well-established hypothesis that lateral palatal foramina (LPF) on hard palate of baleen whales (Artiodactyla, Cetacea, Mysticeti) indicate presence in extinct species, citing examples non-mysticete cetaceans and terrestrial artiodactyls.Peredo argued all 73 artiodactyl species they examined have LPF, artiodactyls just as many LPF whales, concluded these are problematic for predicting transitional stem mysticetes .However, we contend 's...
Abstract Artificial intelligence (AI) is poised to revolutionise many aspects of science, including the study evolutionary morphology. While classical AI methods such as principal component analysis and cluster have been commonplace in morphology for decades, recent years seen increasing application deep learning ecology biology. As digitised specimen databases become increasingly prevalent openly available, offering vast new potential circumvent long standing barriers rapid, big data...
Marine mammals are key components of aquatic ecosystems.Feeding strategies identified in extant cetaceans, pinnipeds, sirenians, marine otters, and polar bears associated with anatomical specializations the head (rostrum, palate, temporomandibular joint, teeth/baleen, mandible).Genetic ontogenetic evidence skull tooth morphology provide mechanisms that underlie patterns feeding diversity.Based on a comprehensive diversity data set derived from Paleobiology Database, we considered (suction,...
Abstract Computed tomography (CT) scanning is being increasingly employed in the study of natural history, particularly to investigate internal anatomy unique specimens museum collections. Different techniques enhance contrast between tissues have been developed improve quality scans while preserving integrity these rare specimens. Diffusible iodine‐based enhanced computed (diceCT) was found be effective and reversible for staining formalin preserved While it can also effectively stain...
Artificial intelligence (AI) is poised to transform many aspects of society, and the study evolutionary morphology no exception. Machine learning-grade methods AI such as Principal Component Analysis (PCA) Cluster have been commonplace in for decades, but last decade has seen increasing application Deep Learning ecology biology, opening up potential circumvent longstanding barriers rapid, big data analysis phenotype. Here we review current state available discuss prospectus near-term...
Abstract Ontogeny plays a key role in the evolution of organisms, as changes during complex processes development can allow for new traits to arise. Identifying ontogenetic allometry—the relationship between skull shape and size growth—can reveal underlying major evolutionary transformations. Baleen whales (Mysticeti, Cetacea) underwent morphological transitioning from their ancestral raptorial feeding mode three specialized filter‐feeding modes observed extant taxa. Heterochronic have been...
The neurocranium is an integral part of the vertebrate head, itself a major evolutionary innovation1,2. However, its early history remains poorly understood, with great dissimilarity in form between two living groups: gnathostomes (jawed vertebrates) and cyclostomes (hagfishes lampreys)2,3. 100 Myr gap separating Cambrian appearance vertebrates4-6 from earliest three-dimensionally preserved neurocrania7 further obscures origins modern states. Here we use computed tomography to describe...
Abstract The transition in Mysticeti (Cetacea) from capture of individual prey using teeth to bulk filtering batches small baleen ranks among the most dramatic evolutionary transformations mammalian history. We review phylogenetic work on homology mysticete feeding structures anatomical, ontogenetic, and genomic perspectives. Six characters with key functional significance for filter-feeding behavior are mapped cladograms based 11 morphological datasets reconstruct change across...
Toothed whales (odontocetes) emit high-frequency underwater sounds (echolocate)—an extreme and unique innovation allowing them to sense their prey environment. Their highly specialized mandible (lower jaw) allows be transmitted back the inner ear. Echolocation is evident in earliest toothed whales, but little research has focused on evolution of mandibular form regarding this adaptation. Here, we use a high-density, three-dimensional geometric morphometric analysis 100 living extinct...
Extreme asymmetry of the skull is one most distinctive traits that characterizes toothed whales (Odontoceti, Cetacea). The origin and function cranial are connected to evolution echolocation, ability use high-frequency sounds navigate surrounding environment. Although this novel phenotype must arise through changes in development, ontogeny cetacean has never been investigated. Here we three-dimensional geometric morphometrics quantify degree shape during prenatal postnatal for five genera...
Abstract Cetaceans (baleen and toothed whales) present a unique set of adaptations for life in water. Among other abilities, the two living groups can hear produce different sound frequencies: baleen whales use low frequencies primarily communication, whereas acquired ability to echolocate using high-frequency sounds. Both exhibit modifications morphology ear bones (tympanic bulla periotic) that closely track their behaviour ecology. The evolution reception is being investigated thoroughly,...
Abstract Extreme asymmetry of the skull is one most distinctive traits that characterizes toothed whales (Odontoceti, Cetacea). The origin and function cranial are connected to evolution echolocation, ability use high frequency sounds navigate surrounding environment. Although this novel phenotype must arise through changes in development, ontogeny cetacean has never been investigated. Here we three-dimensional geometric morphometric quantify degree shape during prenatal postnatal for five...
Abstract Intraspecific variation in cetacean vertebral anatomy as a result of ageing, growth, and sexual dimorphism is poorly understood. Using 3D geometric morphometrics, we investigated allometric patterns, dimorphism, ontogenetic trajectories the column false killer whale ( Pseudorca crassidens ). Our data set includes thoracic, lumbar, caudal vertebrae 30 specimens, including neonates, juveniles, adults both sexes. Vertebral shape was significantly correlated with size within each...
The Eurasian otter is a wide-ranging semi-aquatic mammal that underwent significant population decline in the last century, leading to local extinctions, reduction and fragmentation of populations. individuals populations exposed both external internal stress may present inability produce specific developmental outcome, generating ‘noise’ (developmental instability (DI)). Factors contributing DI include inbreeding depression, bottlenecks, habitat loss exposure pollution. We analysed...