Periodic Reporting for period 1 - EarlyVertEvo (Unravelling the scenario of early vertebrate evolution through computational analysis of the fossil record)
Berichtszeitraum: 2019-06-01 bis 2021-05-31
In this context, the overall aim of my research programme was the joint application of an array of state-of-the-art techniques in palaeobiology to fossil stem-gnathostomes in order to elucidate the ecological scenarios in which the major groups of vertebrates emerged and to shed light onto the underlying selective forces that drove the main evolutionary transitions of the group. The specific objectives of the project can be summarized as:
- Summarizing and numerically describing the morphological diversity of early vertebrates within a phylogenetic and temporal framework on which to base evolutionary hypotheses regarding morphological disparity or functional and macroecological aspects.
- Obtaining a comprehensive and representative collection of realistic 3D virtual models of early vertebrates on which to empirically test these hypotheses by means of computational techniques.
- Assessing ecological and hydrodynamic aspects in early vertebrates by means of the novel application of CFD on this group.
- Contextualizing these results within a macroevolutionary scenario in order to ascertain if the evolution of vertebrates was characterised by a trend towards increasingly active lifestyles (according to classical hypotheses) or if more complex evolutionary patterns took place.
(2) Using these approaches, we have characterized the morphological diversity of all major stem-gnathostome clades (Ferrón et al. 2020, Palaeontology, 63(5); Ferrón et al. 2020, Curr. Biol., 30(23); Ferrón et al. 2021, Proc. Royal Soc. B, 288(1943)).
(3) We have generated a collection of more than 100 three-dimensional virtual models with representatives of all major stem-gnathostome clades.
From the above framework and database, we have performed functional tests by means of computational fluid dynamics elucidating some fundamental aspects to understand early vertebrate evolution:
(4) The headshield morphology in several groups of ostracoderms (stem-gnathostomes) is compatible with a diversity of hydrodynamic efficiencies including passive control of water flow around the body which could have increased versatility for adopting diverse locomotor strategies (Ferrón et al. 2020, Curr. Biol., 30(23)).
(5) We revealed similar hydrodynamic performance among morphologically convergent species (Ferrón et al. 2021, Proc. Royal Soc. B, 288(1943)).
(6) We have found that a number of the characters typically used to infer the evolutionary relationships among galeaspids, osteostracans and jawed vertebrates are convergent in nature, potentially obscuring understanding of the assembly of the gnathostome bodyplan (Ferrón et al. 2021, Proc. Royal Soc. B, 288(1943)).
(7) We have revealed that the jawless relatives of the earliest jawed vertebrates reached the limits of their potential ecological diversity—overcome by jawed vertebrates and their later innovations (Ferrón et al. 2021, Proc. Royal Soc. B, 288(1943)).
(8) In parallel, we have provided a refined view of the ecological context in which vertebrate and gnathostome body plans were assembled (Ferrón and Donoghue, Science Advances in rev.).
The researcher has produced several scientific publications, including a number of published papers as well as other at various stages between acceptance and final stages of preparation:
Ferron et al. (2020). Palaeontology, 63.
Ferrón et al. (2021). Proceedings of the Royal Society B, 288.
Ferrón et al. (2020). Current Biology, 30.
Ferrón, H. G., & Donoghue, P. C. (in rev.). Science Advances.
Ferrón, H. G. (2019). Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, 39.
Cooper et al. (2020). Scientific reports, 10.
Ballell, A., & Ferrón, H. G. (2021). Scientific reports, 11.
Herraiz et al. (2020). Biology Letters, 16.
Further, the researcher has attended several international congresses to disseminate the results and has also participated in several outreach activities including online events and different radio podcast.