Descripción del proyecto
Investigación sobre los orígenes filogenéticos de los dinosaurios Averostra
Tras el episodio de extinción del Pliensbachiense-Toarciense, se produjo una evolución masiva en los dinosaurios terópodos, sobre todo del grupo de los Averostra, que incluye a los tetanuros y los ceratosaurios. La radiación posterior de Averostra, desde principios a finales del Jurásico, estuvo acompañada por un aumento de los cambios morfológicos que, quizá, se produjeron durante la evolución paralela en los nodos basales de los clados y no a partir de su ancestro común. Por esta razón, existe una gran controversia sobre la relación filogenética entre sus taxones. El objetivo del proyecto JurRad, que cuenta con el apoyo de las Acciones Marie Skłodowska-Curie, es investigar las causas de la evolución de las especies del grupo de los Averostra. Esta investigación proporcionará nuevos conocimientos sobre el origen de sus diferentes linajes y su evolución.
Objetivo
Averostra is the major-group of theropod dinosaurs that includes Tetanurae and Ceratosauria, and it constitutes one of the most debated monophyletic groups within Theropoda, due to the unclear interrelationship of its basal members and the relationships between their major clades. From Early to Late Jurassic, an explosive radiation of Averostra happened, the Pliensbachian-Toarcian extinction event probably being one of the major causes for the explosive evolution of theropods and the radiation of averostrans. The consequent rapid radiation following this extinction event and the increase of morphological changes might be closely related to high peaks of homoplasy in the basal nodes within these principal clades. These homoplastic peaks together with the fragmentary nature of the fossil record of the basal members could be the cause of the problematic phylogenetic relationship of its taxa. Through this research project, I aim to obtain a robust and synthetic view of the evolutionary drivers of the radiation of Averostra during the Jurassic, in order to explore when averostrans originated at the latest, and unravel the impact of the Pliensbachian-Toarcian extinction on their radiation and how the different lineages were established in the aftermath. To achieve this goal, the most complete early members of the two main averostran lineages, Ceratosauria and Tetanurae, the probably late Early Jurassic species from Chubut (Argentina), Eoabelisaurus mefi and Asfaltovenator vialidadi, will be studied in detail. These taxa are exceptionally complete and show unique character combinations, which will be essential for reconstructing character transformations and the role of homoplasy in the early evolution of Averostra. The opportunity to lead my research to the origin of the most important lineage of Theropoda would imply the enhancement of my knowledge in this matter and the development of my paleontological career.
Ámbito científico
Palabras clave
Programa(s)
- HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Main Programme
Régimen de financiación
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-GF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - Global FellowshipsCoordinador
80539 MUNCHEN
Alemania