Research in the Evolutionary Morphology Research Group (EvoMoRG) at the Department of Palaeontology of the University of Vienna is at the interface between palaeobiology and evolutionary developmental biology of vertebrates. For this we integrate living and fossil organisms, knowledge of their evolutionary relationships, anatomy and morphology, developmental (palaeo)biology and genetic information, but also past diversity patterns to provide a holistic understanding of their evolutionary history. We have particular interests in, but not restricted to, the evolutionary origin, morphological rate changes, adaptive trait developments, and diversity and disparity patterns of modern sharks, skates, and rays as well as bony fishes at the broadest temporal and spatial scales. Central questions that we seek to answer are why certain groups became successful (in terms of taxonomic diversity or position within trophic food webs) or went extinct even when they were successful in deep time.

Infrastructure
Our lab has facilities for rock digestion, high-end micro-computed tomography (Bruker Skyscan 1173 Desktop-Micro-Computertomograph; click here for more information), 3D digital microscopy (Keyence VHX-6000, 20-2000x magnification), scanning electron microscopy, high performance computing for image data processing, micro- and macro-anatomical labs, and an aquarium infrastructure (click here for watching suction feeding of Hemiscyllium ocellatum) to support individual palaeobiological projects but also providing research services for other departments of the University of Vienna (e.g., Geology, Mineralogy, Anthropology, Zoology, and Theoretical Biology) and third parties.

Congratulations! Patrick L. Jambura and Julia Türtscher have defended their PhD theses very successfully on Monday, Oct. 14, 2024! Many NEW research projects in vertebrate palaeobiology for bachelor and master theses are available. For enquiries contact Univ.-Prof. Dr. Jürgen Kriwet (juergen.kriwet@univie.ac.at) or Dr. Cathrin Pfaff (cathrin.pfaff@univie.ac.at). up Latest Publication 2024: Convergent evolution in Afrotheria and non-afrotherians demonstrates high evolvability of the mammalian inner ear. (Link) Evolutionary convergence in distantly related species is among the most convincing evidence of adaptive evolution. The mammalian ear, responsible for balance and hearing, is not only characterised by its spectacular evolutionary incorporation of several bones of the jaw, it also varies considerably in shape across modern mammals. Using a multivariate approach, we show that in Afrotheria, a monophyletic clade with morphologically and ecologically highly disparate species, inner ear shape has evolved similar adaptations as in non-afrotherian mammals. We identify four eco-morphological trait combinations that underlie this convergence. The high evolvability of the mammalian ear is surprising: Nowhere else in the skeleton are different functional units so close together; it includes the smallest bones of the skeleton, encapsulated within the densest bone. We suggest that this evolvability is a direct consequence of the increased genetic and developmental complexity of the mammalian ear compared to other vertebrates. up Affiliations up Address Department of Paleontology University of Vienna, Geozentrum Josef-Holaubek-Platz 2 1090 Vienna, Austria Contact Our research is/was supported by the Austrian Science Fund (FWF), the CONICYT Chile, the Austrian Exchange Service (OeAD), German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), the German Research Foundation (DFG), the Marie-Curie Actions of the European Union, the SENACYT Panama, Sharkproject Austria, Synthesys, the University of Vienna, Human Evolution and Archaeological Sciences (HEAS) Vienna Doctoral School of Ecology and Evolution (VDSEE). and the Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research.