How Development and Behavior Interact to Change Skull Form: Exploring and Sharing Evolutionary Insights from the Fossil Record of Cetaceans (Whales, Dolphins, and Porpoises)

发育和行为如何相互作用来改变头骨形态：探索和分享鲸目动物（鲸鱼、海豚和鼠海豚）化石记录的进化见解

• 批准号: 1349607
• 负责人: Jonathan Geisler
• 金额: $ 22.02万
• 依托单位: New York Institute of Technology
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Continuing Grant
• 财政年份: 2014
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2014-04-01 至 2018-03-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1349607&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: How; Development; Behavior; Interact; Change

How Development and Behavior Interact to Change Skull Form: Exploring and Sharing Evolutionary Insights from the Fossil Record of Cetaceans (Whales, Dolphins, and Porpoises)By Jonathan H. GeislerNew York Institute of TechnologyNSF EAR-1349607Extant cetaceans (whales, dolphins, and porpoises) display an extraordinary diversity of skull shapes, yet there is wide anatomical gap between the skulls of cetaceans and those of other mammals. Fortunately the fossil record of cetaceans bridges much of this anatomical gap, making it one of the best documented, but least appreciated, examples of large-scale evolutionary change. In this project we will explore how the cetacean skull evolved and test whether its shape was influenced by changes in brain size, feeding behavior, or the advent of echolocation. To accomplish these aims we will apply a wide array of technology to more than 400 skulls of recent and fossil species, including a laser scanner to generate 3D digital computer models of skulls, X-ray computed tomography (CT scans) to probe inside fossil skulls, and sophisticated computer applications that can analyze the data we collect in the context of evolutionary relationships. We will also formally name four new species of 30 million year old fossil whales that document key stages in the cetacean evolution. Our project will use several strategies to share and disseminate our discoveries. The new fossil species we name will be displayed at the College of Charleston Natural History Museum, and 3D printed models of their inner ears and brains (developed from CT scans) will be displayed at that museum as well as at the Georgia Southern Museum. In both places these objects and specimens will be integrated into exhibits that describe the remarkable history of whale and dolphin evolution. A wider audience will learn of our discoveries through an updated website on cetacean evolution. In all stages of our project, we will involve students in the act of scientific investigation, thus training future scientists. Specifically we will engage undergraduates at the College of Charleston and New York Institute of Technology as well as medical students at the latter institution. A Postdoctoral Scholar is part of the project team, and through this project, he/she will develop a diverse skill set that should serve as a catalyst for a successful career in science.

发展和行为如何相互作用以改变骷髅形式：乔纳森·H·盖斯诺夫·约克·约克（Jonathan H.鲸类和其他哺乳动物的头骨之间的解剖学差距。幸运的是，鲸类动物的化石记录弥合了大部分这种解剖学差距，使其成为大规模进化变化的最佳记录但最不受欢迎的例子之一。在这个项目中，我们将探讨鲸类头骨如何进化并测试其形状是否受到大脑大小，进食行为的变化或回声定位的影响。为了实现这些目标，我们将在最近的400多个最近的化石物种上应用大量的技术，包括激光扫描仪，以生成3D数字计算机模型的头骨，X射线计算机断层扫描（CT扫描），以探测化石颅骨内部的X射线计算机，以及可以分析我们在Excontolution of Condectore of Extolutional Ressection中分析数据的精致计算机应用。我们还将正式列举四种新的3000万年历史的化石鲸，记录了鲸类进化中的关键阶段。我们的项目将使用几种策略来共享和传播我们的发现。我们命名的新化石物种将在查尔斯顿自然历史博物馆展出，其内耳和大脑的3D印刷模型（由CT扫描开发）将在该博物馆以及佐治亚州南部博物馆展出。在这两个地方，这些物体和标本都将整合到描述鲸鱼和海豚进化的杰出历史的展览中。更广泛的受众将通过Cetacean Evolution的更新网站了解我们的发现。在我们项目的各个阶段，我们将让学生参与科学研究行为，从而培训未来的科学家。具体来说，我们将在查尔斯顿学院和纽约理工学院以及后一种机构的医学生互动。博士后学者是项目团队的一部分，通过这个项目，他/她将开发出多种技能，应作为成功从事科学职业的催化剂。