The main objective of the EVER Research Group is to study the early evolution and diversification of vertebrates through the taxonomic, histological, sclerochronological and functional characterisation of the main structures of their skeleton. Our group tries to answer questions related to the origin and early evolution of the large groups of basal vertebrates (i.e. non-tetrapod vertebrates), as well as the time and form of the appearance of the different types of tissues and skeletal structures, key to delimit their evolutionary scenario. In this way, our research combines the traditional palaeontological study of basal vertebrate remains (biodiversity and phylogeny), with the application of some of the most advanced techniques in virtual palaeontology (tomographic techniques and computational analysis); as well as studies of comparative anatomy and developmental biology in present-day organisms. Some of the specific questions we are currently working on are:
(i) The origin of dentition in vertebrates.
(ii) The homology or not of some of the mineralised tissues in different groups.
(iii) To provide new data to help resolve the deep phylogeny of the different groups of fish: agnathans (jawless fish) and gnathostomates (jawed vertebrates).
(iv) The identification of the functional diversity of the basal vertebrate exoskeleton using various biomechanical analysis techniques.
EVER is the first working group focused on the early evolution of our own lineage (vertebrates) in our country, a new line of research in the Spanish Science System. Collaborating members of the team are internationally renowned researchers, such as Prof. Donoghue (Bristol, UK) and Dr. Dupret (Canberra, Australia).
- Anatomical, histological and systematic study of fossil remains of basal vertebrates. Mainly from the Palaeozoic of the Iberian Peninsula.
- Chemical, sclerochronological and structural characterisation (patterns of organisation and ontogeny) of the skeleton of the first vertebrates.
- Study of the functional diversity of the exoskeleton using morphometry, microwear, finite elements and computational fluid dynamics.
- Palaeoecological studies using experimental approaches to make inferences about their ecology, development, lifestyles and hydrodynamics.
- Application of tomographic techniques and computational analysis to study the evolution of vertebrates (Virtual Palaeontology Laboratory).
Evolution of basal vertebrates: palaeobiology, phylogeny and development
Study of the origin and early evolution of the large groups of basal vertebrates, as well as the time and form of the appearance of the different types of skeletal tissues and structures, key to delimit their evolutionary scenario.
- MARTINEZ PEREZ, CARLOS
- Alumn.-Servei de Formacio Permanent
- Director/a Titulacio Master Oficial
- PAREDES ALIAGA, MARIA VICTORIA
- Doctorand.
- RASSKIN GUTMAN, DIEGO
- PI-Invest Indefinit
- (Nivel de) Cap de Seccio-Servei
- ROS FRANCH, SONIA
- PDI-Ajudant Doctor/A
- Secretari/a de Departament
Partners
- Philip Conrad James Donoghue - University of Bristol
Burjassot/Paterna Campus
C/ Doctor Moliner, 50
46100 Burjassot (Valencia)
