|
Research
Interests
I am interested the evolutionary biology of
tetrapod vertebrates. I am currently involved in two different projects:
one which investigates the origins and evolution of exercise physiology
and endothermy among amniotes; and another which examines the role of
the tear duct and the Harderian gland in the function of the vomeronasal
system of amphibians, reptiles and mammals. In both cases, I combine
experimental and anatomical information from recent animals with paleontological
data. Go to publications
for a complete list of my papers.
1. Evolution of Endothermy —
I
have long been interested in the evolutionary origins of exercise physiology.
My PhD work was concerned the role of the nasal turbinates in the respiratory
physiology of mammals. It turned out that the respiratory turbinates are
a reliable osteological correlate of elevated metabolic rates and endothermy,
and the first ones that could be used in the fossil record. For instance,
it became possible to trace the origin of endothermy to certain Late Permian
ancestors of mammals, cynodonts and therocephalians. In collaboration with,
among others, John
Ruben of Oregon Sate University,
Terry
Jones of Steven F. Austin University, and Nick
Geist of Sonoma State University, I continue to investigate the
fossil record of mammals, birds and dinosaurs for testable evidence of
respiratory and metabolic status. So far, by combining empirical studies
of modern animals with close scrutiny of fossils, we have been able to
elucidate aspects of nasal turbinate structure as well as lung structure
of theropod dinosaurs, which resulted in a virtual paradigm shift in the
interpretation of dinosaur physiology. Recently, we also made a startling
discovery pertaining to the origin of feathers. |
