Dr. Rachel Racicot, PhD
Head of special field Evolution of Sensory Systems
Current Positions
- Head of Section Evolution of Sensory Systems
- Department of Messel Research and Mammalogy
- Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum, September 2023–present
- Research Associate
- Vertebrate Paleontology and The Dinosaur Institute, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, Los Angeles, CA, July 2017–present
- Research Associate
- Vertebrate Zoology, Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, Washington, DC, November 2018–present
Prior Positions
- Research Assistant Professor, Vanderbilt University, August 2020–August 2023
- Senior Lecturer, Vanderbilt University, August 2021–August 2023
- Affiliate Faculty, Department of Atmospheric, Oceanic and Earth Sciences, George Mason
University, Fairfax, VA, May 2021–2023 - Alexander von Humboldt Postdoctoral Research Fellow, October 2019–July 2021
- Visiting Assistant Professor of Biology, W.M. Keck Science Department, Claremont
McKenna, Pitzer, and Scripps Colleges, Claremont, CA, July 2018–July 2019 - Postdoctoral Research Scholar, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences,
Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, July 2017–June 2018 - Postdoctoral Research Scientist, The Dinosaur Institute, Natural History Museum of Los
Angeles County, Los Angeles, CA, October 2015–July 2017 - Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Howard University, Washington, DC, 2014–2015
Degrees Earned
- PhD in Vertebrate Paleontology
- Yale University, 2008–2014
- Dissertation: “What goes on inside the heads of porpoises?: Internal anatomy in fossil and Recent porpoises based on CT scans”
- Advisor: Jacques Gauthier
- MPhil, Yale University, 2008–2011
- MS in Evolutionary Biology
- San Diego State University, 2004–2007
- Advisor: Annalisa Berta
- BS in Biology: Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation
- The University of Texas at Austin, 1999–2002
Publications in Peer–Reviewed Journals And Volumes (*Student authors)
Vertebrates
Submitted/In review/In revision/In press
2025
Racicot R, Mourlam M‡, Ekdale E, Glass A*, Marino L, Uhen M. (2025) Variation in whale (Cetacea) inner ear anatomy reveals the early evolution of “specialized” high‐frequency hearing sensitivity. Journal of Anatomy 246 (3), 363–375. Cover article
2024
Smith K, Collinson M, Folie A, Habersetzer J, Hennicke F, Kothe E, Lehmann T, Lenz O, Mayr G, Micklich N, Rabenstein R, Racicot R, Schaal S, Smith T, Tosal A, Uhl D, Wappler T, Wedmann S, Wuttke M. (2024) The biodiversity of the Eocene Messel Pit. Palaeobiodiversity and Palaeoenvironments 104, 859–940.
Mayr G, Richter A, Racicot R. (2024) The true identity of the strigiform species Ninox dubiosa Weick, 2006, with comments on a skull feature shared by the Ieraglaucinae and Surniinae. Journal of Ornithology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10336-024-02244-2
Sanchez-Posada C*, Racicot R, Ruf I, Krings M, Rössner G. (2024) Romaleodelphis pollerspoecki, gen. et sp. nov., an archaic dolphin from the Central Paratethys (Early Miocene, Austria). Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 44 (2), e2401503.
Olaru A*, Gutarra-Diaz S‡, Racicot R, Dunn F, Rahman I, Wang Z, Darroch S, Gibson B‡ (2024) Functional morphology of the Ediacaran organism Tribrachidium heraldicum. Paleobiology 50 (3), 475–489.
Young M, Schwab J, Dufeau D, Racicot R, Cowgill T, Bowman C, Witmer L, Herrera Y, Higgins R, Zanno L, Xing X, Clark J, Brusatte S. (2024) Skull sinuses precluded extinct crocodile relatives from cetacean-style deep diving as they transitioned from land to sea. Royal Society Open Science 11 (10), 241272.
Sanks J*, Racicot R. (2024) Predicting ecology and hearing sensitivities in Parapontoporia–An extinct long-snouted dolphin. The Anatomical Record. https://doi.org/10.1002/ar.25538
Gutarra S‡, Mitchell E, Dunn F, Gibson B‡, Racicot R, Darroch S, Rahman I (2024) Ediacaran marine animal forests and the ventilation of the oceans. Current Biology 34 (11), 2528-2534.E3.
Racicot R, Smith C‡. (2024) Cetology: The bare ‘jaw’ bones of whale evolution. Current Biology 34: R67–R69. (invited Current Biology Dispatch)
Smith KT, Collinson M, Folie A, Habersetzer J, Hennicke F, Kothe E, Lehmann T, Lenz OK, Mayr G, Micklich N, Rabenstein R, Racicot R, Schaal SFK, Smith T, Tosal A, Uhl D, Wappler T, Wedmann S, Wuttke M. (2024) The biodiversity of the Eocene Messel Pit. Palaeobiodiversity and Palaeoenvironments 104, 859–940.
Mayr G, Richter A, Racicot R. (2024) The true identity of the strigiform species Ninox dubiosaWeick, 2006, with comments on a skull feature shared by the Ieraglaucinae and Surniinae. Journal of Ornithology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10336-024-02244-2
Racicot RA, Mourlam MJ‡, Ekdale EG, Glass A*, Marino L, Uhen MD. (2024) Variation in whale (Cetacea) inner ear anatomy reveals the early evolution of “specialized” high‐frequency hearing sensitivity. Journal of Anatomy. https://doi.org/10.1111/joa.14176
Sanchez-Posada C, Racicot RA, Ruf I, Krings M, Rössner GE. (2024) Romaleodelphis pollerspoecki, gen. et sp. nov., an archaic dolphin from the Central Paratethys (Early Miocene, Austria). Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 44 (2), e2401503.
Young MT, Schwab JA, Dufeau D, Racicot RA, Cowgill T, Bowman CIW, Witmer LM, Herrera Y, Higgins R, Zanno L, Xing X, Clark J, Brusatte SL. (2024) Skull sinuses precluded extinct crocodile relatives from cetacean-style deep diving as they transitioned from land to sea. Royal Society Open Science 11 (10), 241272.
Sanks J*, Racicot RA. (2024) Predicting ecology and hearing sensitivities in Parapontoporia–An extinct long-snouted dolphin. The Anatomical Record. https://doi.org/10.1002/ar.25538
Racicot RA, Smith C. (2024) Cetology: The bare ‘jaw’ bones of whale evolution. Current Biology 34: R67–R69.
2023
Park T, Ekdale EG, Racicot RA, Marx FG (2023) Testing for convergent evolution in baleen whale cochleae. In Convergent Evolution. Animal Form and Function, V. Bels and A. Russell (eds). ISTE, London.
2022
Racicot RA (2022) Evolution of whale sensory ecology: frontiers in nondestructive anatomical investigations. Anatomical Record. 305: 736–752.
Racicot RA, Preucil VA* (2022) Bony labyrinths of the Blackfish (Delphinidae: Globicephalinae). Marine Mammal Science. 38: 29–41.
2021
Kraatz B, Belabbas R, Fost L, Ge D, Lang M, Lopez-Torres S, Ravosa M, Racicot R, Sharp A, Sherratt E, Silcox M, Slowiak J, Winkler A, Zeinal M, Ruf I (2021) Lagomorphs as a model morphological system. Frontiers in Ecology & Evolution, Special issue “Recent Advances in the Evolution of Euarchontoglires” https://doi.org/10.3389/fevo.2021.636402
2020
Galatius A, Racicot R, McGowen M, Olsen MT (2020) Evolution and diversification of delphinid skull shapes. iScience, 101543.
Martins MCI*, Park T, Racicot RA, Cooper N. 2020. Intraspecific variation in the cochleae of harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena)and its implications for comparative studies across odontocetes. PeerJ 8: e8916.
2019
Racicot RA, Darroch SAF, Boessenecker RW, Geisler J (2019) Evidence for convergent evolution of ultrasonic hearing in toothed whales (Cetacea: Odontoceti). Biology Letters 15: 20190083.
Galatius A, Olsen MT, Steeman M, Racicot RA, Bradshaw CD, Miller LA (2019) Raising your voice: Evolution of narrow band high frequency signals in odontocetes. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society 126: 213–224.
2018
Racicot RA, Darroch SAF, Kohno N. 2018. Neuroanatomy and inner ear labyrinths of the narwhal and beluga (Cetacea: Monodontidae). Journal of Anatomy 233: 421–439.
Racicot RA (2018) Dolphins, porpoises, and monodontids, Evolution. In Encyclopedia of Marine Mammals (B. Würsig, J.G.M. Thewissen, and K.M. Kovacs, eds.), 3rd Ed, pp. 271–274, Academic Press/Elsevier, San Diego, CA, USA.
2017
Racicot RA (2017) Fossil secrets revealed: X–ray CT scanning and applications in paleontology. In: L. Tapanila and I.A. Rahman (eds.), Virtual Paleontology. Paleontological Society Papers 22: 21–38.
Field DJ, Boessenecker R, Racicot RA, Ásbjörnsdóttir L, Jónasson K, Hsiang A, Behlke A, Vinther J (2017) The oldest marine vertebrate fossil from the volcanic island of Iceland: A partial right whale skull from the high latitude Pliocene Tjörnes Formation. Palaeontology. 60: 141–148.
2016
Racicot RA, Gearty W*, Flynn J, Kohno N (2016) Comparative anatomy of the bony labyrinth of extant and extinct porpoises (Cetacea: Phocoenidae). Biological Journal of the Linnean Society. 119: 831–846.
2015
Hsiang AY, Field DJ, Webster TH, Behlke A, Davis MB, Racicot RA, Gauthier JA (2015) The origin of snakes: revealing the ecology, behavior, and evolutionary history of early snakes using genomics, phenomics, and the fossil record. BMC Evolutionary Biology 15: 87.
Ekdale EG, Racicot RA (2015) Anatomical evidence for low frequency sensitivity in the inner ear of Zygorhiza kochii (Cetacea, Basilosauridae). Journal of Anatomy 226: 22–39.
2014
Racicot RA, Rowe T (2014) Endocranial anatomy of a new fossil porpoise (Odontoceti, Phocoenidae) from the Pliocene San Diego Formation of California. Journal of Paleontology 88: 652–663. (Cover Article)
Racicot RA, Deméré T, Boessenecker R, Beatty B (2014) Unique feeding morphology in a new prognathous extinct porpoise from the Pliocene of California. Current Biology 24: 774 779. (Cover Article)
2013
Racicot RA, Colbert MW (2013) Morphology and variation of porpoise (Cetacea: Phocoenidae) cranial endocasts. Anatomical Record 296: 979–992.
Racicot RA, Berta A (2013) Comparative morphology of True Porpoise (Cetacea: Phocoenidae) pterygoid sinuses: Phylogenetic and Functional Implications. Journal of Morphology 274: 49–62. (Cover Article)
2009
Burns KJ, Racicot RA (2009) Molecular phylogenetics of a clade of lowland tanagers: Implications for avian participation in the Great American Interchange. The Auk 126: 635–648.
2005
Colbert MW, Racicot RA, Rowe T (2005) Anatomy of the cranial endocast of the bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops truncatus, based on HRXCT. Journal of Mammalian Evolution 12:195–207.
Invertebrates
2022
Darroch SAF, Gibson BM, Syversen M*, Rahman IA, Racicot RA, Dunn FS, Gutarra-Diaz S, Schindler E, Wehrmann A, Laflamme M. (2022) The life and times of Pteridinium simplex. Paleobiology. DOI: 10.1017/pab.2022.2.
2021
Darroch SAF, Cribb AT*, Buatois LA, Germs GJB, Kenchington CG, Smith EF, Mocke H, O’Neil GR, Schiffbauer JD, Maloney KM, Racicot RA, Turk KA*, Gibson BM*, Almond J, Koester B*, Boag TM, Tweedt SM, Laflamme M (2020) The trace fossil record of the Nama Group, Namibia: exploring the terminal Ediacaran roots of the Cambrian explosion. Earth Science Reviews, 212, 103435.
2020
Maloney KM, Boag TH, Facciol AJ, Gibson BG, Cribb A, Koester BE, Kenchington CG, Racicot RA, Darroch SAF, Laflamme M (2020) Palaeoenvironmental analysis of Ernietta-bearing Ediacaran deposits in southern Namibia. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 556, 109884.
2019
Cribb AT, Kenchington CG, Koester B, Gibson BM, Boag TH, Racicot RA, Mocke H, Laflamme M, Darroch SAF (2019) Increase in metazoan ecosystem engineering prior to the Ediacaran–Cambrian boundary in the Nama Group, Namibia. Royal Society Open Science 6: https://doi.org/10.1098/rsos.190548.
Gibson BM, Rahman I, Maloney K, Racicot RA, Mocke H, Laflamme M, Darroch SAF (2019) Gregarious suspension feeding in a modular Ediacaran organism. Science Advances 5:eaaw0260.
Clark EG, Fezzaa K, Burke JE, Racicot RA, Shaw JO, Westacott S, Briggs DEG (2019) A farewell to arms: using X-ray synchrotron imaging to investigate autotomy in brittle stars. Zoomorphology https://doi.org/10.1007/s00435-019-00451-7.
2017
Darroch SAF, Rahman IA, Gibson B, Racicot RA, Laflamme M (2017) Inference of facultative mobility in the enigmatic Ediacaran organism Parvancorina. Biology Letters 13: 20170033.
2016
Darroch SAF, Boag T, Racicot RA, Tweedt S, Mason S, Erwin DH, Laflamme M (2016) A mixed Ediacaran–metazoan assemblage from the Zaris Sub–basin, Namibia. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology. 459: 198–208.
2015
Rahman I, Darroch SAF, Racicot RA, Laflamme M (2015) Suspension feeding in the enigmatic Ediacaran organism Tribrachidium demonstrates complexity of Neoproterozoic ecosystems. Science Advances 1:10, e1500800.
Darroch SAF, Sperling EA, Boag T, Racicot RA, Mason SJ, Morgan AS, Tweedt S, Myrow P, Johnston DT, Erwin DH, Laflamme M (2015) Biotic replacement and mass extinction of the Ediacara biota. Proceedings of the Royal Society B. 282: 20151003.
2012
Vinther J, Jell P, Kampouris G, Carney R, Racicot RA, Briggs DEG (2012) The origin of multiplacophorans – convergent evolution of Aculiferan molluscs. Palaeontology 55:1007–1019.
Publications in Preparation (draft stage with figures)
Racicot RA, Budd AF, Huang D, Smith ND. Morphological data partitions possess different levels of phylogenetic signal for the evolutionary relationships of the reef coral families Merulinidae, Montastraeidae, and Diploastraeidae (Cnidaria: Anthozoa: Scleractinia).
Kofranek A-K M, Boessenecker RW, Darroch SAF, Ruf R, Racicot RA. First porpoise fossils (Artiodactyla: Phocoenidae) from the Pliocene of South Carolina Goose Creek Formation shed light on their sensory performance and biogeography.
Racicot RA, Ruf R. Development of the brain of the Pantropical spotted dolphin (Stenella attenuata).
Other Publications
Racicot RA, Ruf I (2020) MicroCT scans of an iodine stained prenatal rabbit. https://www.morphosource.org/projects/0000C1184
Palaeontology [online] editorial board (2018) Perspectives – Palaeontology in 2017. Palaeontology [online], Volume 7, Article 12, 1–14.
Palaeontology [online] team (2016) Perspectives: 2015 in Palaeontology. Palaeontology[online], Volume 6, Article 1, 1–6.
Racicot RA (2014) Fossil Focus: Porpoises. Palaeontology [online], Volume 4, Article 10, 1–8.
Racicot RA and Colbert MA (2002) “Tursiops truncatus” (online), Digital Morphology. http://digimorph.org/specimens/Tursiops_truncatus/.
Dr. Adrian Richter
Head of micro-CT and SEM lab
Positionen
from 09/2024
Laborleiter micro-CT und REM, Senckenberg Institut für Naturforschung Frankfurt
02/2022 – present
JSPS Postdoctoral Fellow am Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST), erste zwei Monate als Postdoctoral Scholar bei OIST angestellt, Thema: Evolutio of the ant feeding system.
2020 – 2022
Technical Assistant Max-Planck Institute (MPI) for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, micro-CT scanning und 3D-Druck
03/2019 – 08/2019
Visiting Research Student, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology, Japan, Projektthema: Comparative morphology of ant heads
Ausbildung
02/2019 – 11/2022
Promotion (Dr. rer. nat.) in Zoologie, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena
10/2016 – 09/2018
Titel: “The evolution of ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) head morphology. Betreuer: Prof. Dr. Rolf G. Beutel
MSc in Evolution, Ecology and Systematics, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena
Betreuer: Prof. Dr. Rolf G. Beutel
10/2013 – 09/2016
BSc in Biologie, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena
Betreuer: PD DR. Hans Pohl
Boudinot, B.E.*, Bock, B.L., Weingardt, M., Tröger, D., Batelka, J., Di, L. Richter A., … Beutel, R. G. (2024). Et latet et lucet: Discoveries from the Phyletisches Museum amber and copal collection in Jena, Germany. Deutsche Entomologische Zeitschrift 71(1), 111-176.
Brazidec, M.*, Vilhelmsen, L., Boudinot, B.E., Richter, A., Hammel, J.U., Perkovsky, E.E., … Perrichot, V. (2024). Unveiling ancient diversity of long-tailed wasps (Hymenoptera: Megalyridae): new taxa from Cretaceous Kachin and Taimyr ambers and their phylogenetic affinities. Arthropod Systematics and Phylogeny 82, 151-181.
Griebenow, Z.H.*, Richter, A., van de Kamp, T., Economo, E.P., Lieberman, Z.E. 2023. Comparative morphology of male genital skeletomusculature in the Leptanillinae (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), with a standardized muscular terminology for the male genitalia of Hymenoptera. Arthropod Systematics & Phylogeny 81, 945-1018.
Richter, A.*, Economo, P.E., 2023. The feeding apparatus of ants: An overview of structure and function. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B 378: 20220556.
Ulmer, J.M., Mikó, I., Richter, A., Helms, A., van de Kamp, T., & Krogmann, L. 2023. ‘Social glands’ in parasitoids?–convergent evolution of metapleural glands in Hymenoptera. Insect Systematics and Diversity 7(2), Article 2.
Richter, A.*, Boudinot, B.E., Hita Garcia, F., Billen, J., Economo, E.P., Beutel, R.G. 2023. Wonderfully weird: The head anatomy of the armadillo ant, Tatuidris tatusia (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Agroecomyrmecinae), with evolutionary implications. Myrmecological News 33, 35-75.
Sansom, T.M., Oberst, S., Richter, A., Lai, J.C., Saadatfar, M., Nowotny, M., Evans, T.A. 2022. Low radiodensity μCT scans to reveal detailed morphology of the termite leg and its subgenual organ. Arthropod Structure & Development 70, 101191.
Richter, A.*, Boudinot, B.E., Yamamoto, S., Katzke, J., Beutel, R.G., 2022. The first reconstruction of the head anatomy of a Cretaceous insect, †Gerontoformica gracilis (Hymenoptera, Formicidae), and the early evolution of ants. Insect Systematics and Diversity 6(5), Article 4.
Boudinot, B.E.*, Richter, A.K., Hammel, J.U., Szwedo, J., Bojarski, B., Perrichot, V. 2022a. Genomic-phenomic reciprocal illumination: Desyopone hereon gen. et sp. nov., an exceptional Aneuretine-like fossil ant from Ethiopian amber (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Ponerinae). Insects 13(9), 796.
Boudinot, B.E.*, Richter, A., Katzke, J., Chaul, J.C.M., Keller, R.A., Economo, E.P., Beutel, R.G., Yamamoto, S., 2022b. Evidence for the evolution of eusociality in stem ants and a systematic revision of †Gerontoformica (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society zlab097.
Yang, Z.L., Seitz, F., Grabe, V., Nietzsche, S., Richter, A., Reichelt, M., Beutel, R.G. Beran, F.* 2022. Rapid and selective absorption of plant defense compounds from the gut of a sequestering insect. Frontiers in Physiology 13, 846732.
Aibekova, L.*, Boudinot, B.E., Beutel, R.G., Richter, A., Keller, R.A., Hita-Garcia, F., Economo, E.P. 2022. The skeletomuscular system of the mesosoma of Formica rufa workers (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Insect Systematics and Diversity 6(2), Article 2.
Boudinot, B.E.*, Moosdorf, O.T.D.*, Beutel, R.G., Richter, A. 2021. Anatomy and evolution of the head of Dorylus helvolus (Formicidae: Dorylinae): Patterns of sex‐and caste‐limited traits in the sausagefly and the driver ant. Journal of Morphology 282(11), 1616-1658.
Wöhrl, T.*, Richter, A., Guo, S., Reinhardt, L., Nowotny, M., Blickhan, R., 2021. Comparative analysis of a geometric and an adhesive righting strategy against toppling in inclined hexapedal locomotion. Journal of Experimental Biology 224(15), jeb242677.
Richter, A.*, Schoeters, E., Billen, J., 2021a. Morphology and closing mechanism of the mandibular gland orifice in ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Journal of Morphology 282(8), 1127-1140
Richter, A.*, Hita Garcia, F., Keller, R.A., Billen, J., Katzke, J., Boudinot, B.E., Economo, E.P., Beutel, R.G., 2021b. The head anatomy of Protanilla lini (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Leptanillinae), with a hypothesis of their mandibular movement. Myrmecological News 31, 85-114.
Beutel, R.G., Richter, A.*, Keller, R.A., Hita Garcia, F., Matsumura, Y., Economo, E. P., Gorb, S. N. 2020. Distal leg structures of the Aculeata (Hymenoptera): a comparative evolutionary study of Sceliphron (Sphecidae) and Formica (Formicidae). Journal of Morphology 281(7), 737-753.
Richter, A.*, Hita Garcia, F., Keller, R.A., Billen, J., Economo, E.P., Beutel, R.G. 2020. Comparative analysis of worker head anatomy of Formica and Brachyponera (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Arthropod Systematics & Phylogeny 78(1), 133-170.
Pohl, H.*, Hammel, J.U., Richter, A., Beutel, R.G. (2019). The first fossil free-living late instar larva of Strepsiptera (Insecta). Arthropod Systematics & Phylogeny 77(1), 125-140.
Liu, S.-P., Richter, A., Stoessel, A., Beutel, R.G.*, 2019. The mesosomal anatomy of Myrmecia nigrocincta workers and evolutionary transformations in Formicidae (Hymenoptera). Arthropod Systematics & Phylogeny 77(1), 1-19.
Richter, A.*, Keller, R.A., Rosumek, F.B., Economo, E.P., Hita Garcia, F., Beutel, R.G., 2019. The cephalic anatomy of workers of the ant species Wasmannia affinis (Formicidae, Hymenoptera, Insecta) and its evolutionary implications. Arthropod Structure & Development 49, 26-49.
Wipfler, B.*, Kočárek, P., Richter, A., Boudinot, B., Bai, M., Beutel, R.G. 2019. Structural features and life habits of† Alienoptera (Polyneoptera, Dictyoptera, Insecta). Palaeoentomology 2(5), 465-473.
Beutel, R.G.*, Yan, E., Richter, A., Büsse, S., Miller, K., Yavorskaya, M., Wipfler, B. 2017. The head of Heterogyrus milloti (Coleoptera: Gyrinidae) and its phylogenetic implications. Arthropod Systematics & Phylogeny 75(2), 261-280.
Richter, A., Wipfler, B., Beutel, R.G., Pohl, H.*, 2017. The female cephalothorax of Xenos vesparum Rossi, 1793 (Strepsiptera: Xenidae). Arthropod Systematics & Phylogeny 75(2), 327-347.
Dr. Mickael Mourlam
Postdoctoral Reseacher
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Paleobiology; evolution; phylogeny; geometric morphometrics; µCT scan investigation; adaptation to aquatic life; emergence of echolocation; origin of cetaceans;
Mammalogy; Artiodactyla; endemic European Paleogene artiodactyls; Cetancodonta; “archaeocetes”; Protocetidae; Raoellidae; Xenorophidae; Simocetidae;
Anatomy; tympanic bulla; ear ossicles; petrosal; bony labyrinth.
ACADEMIC POSITION
Since 2024 Postdoctoral researcher, Division Messel Research & Mammalogy, Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum, Frankfurt am Main
EDUCATION
2019 PhD in Palaeobiology
“The auditory region of Artiodactyla: phylogenetical and ecological signals”
CNRS – Institut des Sciences de l’Évolution de Montpellier (ISEM)
2015 Master’s degree in Palaeontology
Université Montpellier 2 – Institut des Sciences de l’Évolution de Montpellier (ISEM)
Université de Poitiers – Institute of Paleoprimatology, Human Paleontology: Evolution and Paleoenvironments (iPHEP)
2012 Bachelor’s degree in Science of Earth, Universe and Environment Université de Strasbourg – Université Montpellier 2
Orliac, M. J., Mourlam, M. J., Boisserie, J. R., Costeur, L. and Lihoreau, F. 2023. Evolution of semiaquatic habits in hippos and their extinct relatives: insights from the ear region. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 198(4): 1092-1105. doi: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlac112
Hautier, L., Tabuce, R., Mourlam, M. J., Kassegne, K. E., Amoudji, Y. Z., Orliac, M.J., Quillévéré, F., Charruault, A.-L., Johnson, A. K. and Guinot, G. 2021. New middle Eocene proboscidean from Togo illuminates the early evolution of the elephantiform-like dental pattern. Proceedings of the Royal Society B, Biological Sciences, 288(1960): 20211439. doi: 10.1098/rspb.2021.1439
Kassegne, K. E., Mourlam, M. J., Guinot, G., Amoudji, Y. Z., Martin, J. E., Togbe, K. A., Johnson, A. K. and Hautier, L. 2021. First partial cranium of Togocetus from Kpogamé (Togo) and the protocetid diversity in the Togolese phosphate basin. Annales de Paléontologie, 107(2): 102488. doi: 10.1016/j.annpal.2021.102488
Assemat, A., Mourlam, M. J., Weppe, R., Maugoust, J., Antoine, P.-A. and Orliac, M. J. 2020. The ossicular chain of Cainotheriidae (Artiodactyla, Mammalia). Journal of Anatomy, 237(2): 250-262. doi: 10.1111/joa.13190
Mourlam, M. J. and Orliac, M. J. 2019. Early Evolution of the Ossicular Chain in Cetacea: Into the Middle Ear Gears of a Semi-Aquatic Protocetid Whale. Proceedings of the Royal Society B, Biological Sciences, 286(1912): 20191417. doi: 10.1098/rspb.2019.1417
Mourlam, M. J. and Orliac, M. J. 2017. Infrasonic and ultrasonic hearing evolved after the emergence of modern whales. Current Biology, 27(12): 1776-1781. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2017.04.061
Mourlam, M. J. and Orliac, M. J. 2017. Protocetid (Cetacea, Artiodactyla) bullae and petrosals from the middle Eocene locality of Kpogamé, Togo: new insights into the early history of cetacean hearing. Journal of Systematic Palaeontology, 16(8): 621-644. doi: 10.1080/14772019.2017.1328378
Data Paper
Hautier, L., Tabuce, R., Kassegne, K. E., Amoudji, Y. Z., Mourlam, M. J., Orliac, M.J., Quillévéré, F., Charruault, A.-L., Johnson, A. K. and Guinot, G. 2021. 3D models related to the publication: New middle Eocene proboscidean from Togo illuminates the early evolution of the elephantiform-like dental pattern. MorphoMuseuM, doi: 10.18563/journal.m3.145
Kassegne, K. E., Mourlam, M. J., Guinot, G., Amoudji, Y. Z., Martin, J. E., Togbe, K. A., Johnson, A. K. and Hautier, L. 2021. 3D models related to the publication: First partial cranium of Togocetus from Kpogamé (Togo) and the protocetid diversity in the Togolese phosphate basin. MorphoMuseuM, doi: 10.18563/journal.m3.143
Assemat, A., Mourlam, M. J. and Orliac, M. J. 2020. 3D models related to the publication: The ossicular chain of Cainotheriidae (Artiodactyla, Mammalia). MorphoMuseuM, doi: 10.18563/journal.m3.110
Mourlam, M. J. and Orliac, M. J. 2019. 3D models related to the publication: Early Evolution of the Ossicular Chain in Cetacea: Into the Middle Ear Gears of a Semi-Aquatic Protocetid Whale. MorphoMuseuM, doi: 10.18563/journal.m3.94
Orliac, M. J. and Mourlam, M. J. 2017. 3D models related to the publication: Infrasonic and ultrasonic hearing evolved after the emergence of modern whales. MorphoMuseuM, doi: 10.18563/m3.3.2.e4
Mourlam, M. J. and Orliac, M. J. 2017. 3D models related to the publication: Protocetid (Cetacea, Artiodactyla) bullae and petrosals from the middle Eocene locality of Kpogamé, Togo: new insights into the early history of cetacean hearing. MorphoMuseuM, doi: 10.18563/m3.3.1.e2
