Gjesteforelesning - Dr. Francois Durand

Dr. Francois Durand ved Dep. of Zoology, University of Johannesburg vil holde gjesteforelesningen:

The importance of the Karoo fossils of South Africa and our understanding of Gondwanaland and the origin of mammals. 

Dr. Francois Durand

Om foreleseren

Dr. Durand earlier worked for ten years as a palaeontologist at the Council for Geoscience of South Africa, and has for the past 13 years been a lecturer in zoology and palaeontology (invertebrate diversity; comparative morphology, embryology and palaeontology of vertebrates; general evolution) at the University of Johannesburg. He also established cave and groundwater ecology research in South Africa, and researches on the ecological and health impacts of Acid Mine Drainage emanating from the gold fields of Johannesburg.

 

Abstract

The evolution of mammalian characteristics occurred in subtle increments over millions of years.  This makes it difficult to identify the first mammals amongst the rest of the advanced cynodonts which appeared in the late Triassic and the early mammals that appeared in the early Jurassic.

 

The South African fossil record gives us a unique glimpse into this period.  The Karoo Supergroup which is the largest terrestrial Permo-Triassic deposit in the world contains more than 70% of the synapsid (mammal-like reptiles) fossils ever discovered.

 

This lecture will focus on the origin of the characteristics which define mammalness and will include commentary on the evolution of the palate, jaw, ear ossicles, teeth and braincase as can be seen in these fossils.  The contribution of the South African fossil record in the reconstruction of Gondwanaland and the development of the plate tectonic theory will also be discussed.

Arrangør

Naturhistorisk museum
Publisert 23. aug. 2011 14:19 - Sist endret 24. aug. 2011 09:20