CDB Seminar - Dr Elsa Panciroli, Oxford University Museum of Natural History

Talk abstract: New analytical methods have recently revitalised the role of British fossils in understanding mammal evolution in the ‘time of dinosaurs’ (the Mesozoic). The first fossil Mesozoic mammals were discovered in Oxfordshire over 200 years ago, and were subsequently pivotal to understanding taxonomy, dentition and important anatomical changes in the skeleton. But their significance was eclipsed as more complete skeletons came to light in other parts of the world. British fossils are now once again providing significant new data, including information on ecological diversity and the emergence of mammalian physiology (e.g. ‘warm-bloodedness’) and life histories. Exceptional near-complete fossil skeletons discovered during ongoing fieldwork on the Isle of Skye in Scotland provide unpresented insights into growth rates and weaning. The techniques being developed for their study herald an exciting new frontier for palaeontology, opening new areas for research in the coming decades.

Suggested references:

Newham, E., Gill, P.G., Brewer, P., Benton, M.J., Fernandez, V., Gostling, N.J., Haberthür, D., Jernvall, J., Kankaanpää, T., Kallonen, A. and Navarro, C., 2020. Reptile-like physiology in Early Jurassic stem-mammals. Nature communications, 11(1), p.5121.

Panciroli, E., Benson, R.B., Walsh, S., Butler, R.J., Castro, T.A., Jones, M.E. and Evans, S.E., 2020. Diverse vertebrate assemblage of the Kilmaluag Formation (Bathonian, Middle Jurassic) of Skye, Scotland. Earth and Environmental Science Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, 111(3), pp.135-156.

Panciroli, E., Benson, R.B., Fernandez, V., Humpage, M., Martín‐Serra, A., Walsh, S., Luo, Z.X. and Fraser, N.C., 2022. Postcrania of Borealestes (Mammaliformes, Docodonta) and the emergence of ecomorphological diversity in early mammals. Palaeontology, 65(1), p.e12577.

Zoom: https://ucl.zoom.us/j/93107791520

Host: Prof Susan Evans