Charlie Scherer

Integrating CT scanning and geometric morphometrics to explore the ecology and developmental evolution of non-avian theropods.

PhD project title:

Cranial and endocranial ontogeny in non-avian theropod dinosaurs: Implications for palaeoecology and behaviour.

Charlie Scherer

 

Project description:

Non-avian theropods were an incredibly diverse lineage of dinosaurs, with a unique range of body sizes and ecological niche not seen in other dinosaur groups, with forms such as Coelophysis and Tyrannosaurus. Recent work has revealed the significance of ontogeny, or development, in theropod evolution which has helped shed light on the ecology and evolution of these dinosaurs. Until recently, work on the dinosaur endocranium has been limited to qualitative analyses. With the application of robust statistical techniques, trends in development have been revealed across living and extinct archosaurs, but theropods have been critically under sampled.


Using CT scanning combined with geometric morphometric approaches, this study will aim to achieve the following: 1) Provide greater understanding into the intraspecific development of a range of non-avian theropods. 2) Reveal macroevolutionary patterns/processes and/or changes which occurred through theropod life-history. 3) Elucidate the ecology and behaviour of understudied theropods and 4) Provide insight into any ecological changes associated with different stages of life-history (i.e., juvenile to subadult to adult). By answering various questions relating to theropod cranial and endocranial ontogeny, this work will deepening our understanding of deep time ecology and the evolution of development in non-avian theropods, especially at a time when new discoveries are drastically changing our view of these animals.

Resources: