Functional Morphology of Giant Fossil Dormice

The ‘island effect’ is a well-documented evolutionary phenomenon whereby animal species that become isolated on islands undergo rapid morphological change. In particular, small species tend to get larger and large species become smaller. It has also been shown that such morphological changes are often associated with functional changes related to feeding biomechanics, such as changes in bite force. The fossil dormice of the genus Leithia from the Pleistocene of Malta and Sicily are excellent examples of the island effect. These two species, isolated from their mainland ancestors by rising sea levels in the Mediterranean, underwent gigantism, becoming much larger in body size. However, despite being a key component of the Early to Late Pleistocene Siculo-Maltese fauna, they remain poorly studied with attention focussing instead on more charismatic taxa such as the one-metre-tall dwarf elephant Palaeoloxodon falconeri.

This project seeks to understand the effects of gigantism on the morphology and function of Leithia. Are the giant fossil dormice of Malta and Sicily simply scaled-up versions of their mainland relatives or has allometric shape change occurred as body size has increased? This project will use statistical shape analysis techniques (geometric morphometrics) to compare the morphology of Leithia specimens with their extant relatives. Furthermore, how has the change in size and shape affected the feeding performance of these dormouse species? The project will then use a state-of-the-art bioengineering methodology (finite element analysis) to simulate feeding in virtual models of different dormouse species. Finally, the results of the morphological and functional analyses will be analysed in the context of known environmental data from the Pleistocene of Malta and Sicily to shed light on the factors driving the evolution, and ultimately the extinction, of the giant Mediterranean dormice.

This project would be ideal for a student with a background in zoology, anatomy, palaeontology or zooarchaeology. Prior experience with geometric morphometrics and/or finite element analysis would be a bonus, but is not essential as training will be provided during the course of the PhD. However, it is important that the student is competent in mathematics and data handling. The supervisory team includes expertise in functional morphology, biomechanics, imaging and palaeontology. The project is also CASE funded by the Natural History Museum, London, and as such the student will receive 3-6 months of curatorial training during their PhD at the NHM. The training will take the form of improving the NHM collections database for the Leithia material by research site stratigraphy and excavation history. If time allows, this research may extend to collaborative work across the fossil mammal, bird and reptile collections.

Supervisor: Dr Philip Cox (Department of Archaeology, University of York & Hull York Medical School)

Co-supervisors: Dr Nathan Jeffery (Department of Musculo-skeletal Biology, University of Liverpool) and Dr Victoria Herridge (Natural History Museum, London)

The student will be based at the University of York with Dr Cox. Curatorial training at the NHM will be overseen by Dr Herridge.