Paleobiology and Environment
Prof. Dr. Friedemann Schrenk, schrenk@bio.uni-frankfurt.de, Phone. +49 69 7542 1260
PD Dr. Ottmar Kullmer, kullmer@senckenberg.de, Phone. +49 69 7542 1246
Dr. Christine Hertler, christine.hertler@senckenberg.de, Phone. +49 69 7542 1573
Dr. Thomas Lehmann, thomas.lehmann@senckenberg.de, Phone +49 69 7542 1338
Dr. Angela Bruch, angela.bruch@senckenberg.de, Phone. 49 69/ 7542-1568
Dr. Karen Hahn, karen.hahn@bio.uni-frankfurt.de, Phone. +49
69/798-43347
Module information
In Palaeobiology, the main source of information is fossilized hard tissue. In our case, we deal mainly with fossil teeth and bones of mammals and human ancestors. We consider palaeobiological remains as former living beings and interpret them in their evolutionary-biological context. The module focuses on linking basic anatomical, palaeontological and palaeoecological knowledge concerning evolutionary morphology, functional morphology and evolutionary ecology of mammals and humans. In detail, the following topics are covered: Origin of mammals, comparative anatomy and morphology of mammals (skeleton, skull, dentition), ontogenetic development of the mammalian skull, morphometrics and functional analyses of the mammalian dentition, evolution of primates, Tertiary and Quaternary palaeoecology, evolutionary ecology of early hominids, processes of taphonomy and fossilisation, actualistic comparisons and modelling in palaeobiology, fossil prospecting and field documentation. The module will take place at the Dept of Palaeoanthropology, Senckenberg Research Institute. It is divided into two parts: During the first three weeks, we integrate lectures and seminars and basic practical courses on Anthropology. During the second three weeks, the participants will work on a current research project at the Senckenberg Research Institute. For this purpose, the working areas of palaeoanthropology, mammals and morphometrics, Ethnobotany, Grube Messel, and the Grube Messel and the ROCEEH project (Role of Culture in Early Expansions of Humans) can be chosen.
Time
slot of the module-
second half of the Winter semester
Number
of available places
- 9
Special
features - The module can be conducted entirely or partly in English
in consultation with the students. The excursion and part of the practical
(fieldwork) usually take place outside the lecture period.
Homepages
of the participating working groups
,