Research topics
Macroevolution and Paleobiology
Evolutionary processes unfold over millions of years, and the fossil record provides an irreplaceable window into their dynamics. A central goal of the lab is to characterize large-scale evolutionary patterns using paleontological data, including the evolution of phenotypic traits (such as body size and skull shape) and the diversification dynamics of major clades over geological time. To address these questions, we rely on phylogenetic comparative methods, macroevolutionary modelling, and virtual morphology approaches applied to both extant and extinct taxa.
Taxonomy, Systematics and Fieldwork
Accurately documenting deep-time biodiversity is a prerequisite for understanding evolutionary patterns. The lab is actively involved in the description and redescription of fossil vertebrates, as well as in phylogenetic analyses aimed at establishing the relationships of extinct species. This taxonomic and systematic work is closely tied to fieldwork: we conduct expeditions to prospect new fossil localities and collect specimens, primarily in Cretaceous and Cenozoic rock units of Brazil.
Conservation Paleobiology
Conservation Paleobiology is a relatively young but rapidly growing field that leverages data from the fossil record to inform conservation science and policy. By documenting long-term patterns of extinction, diversity, and functional change across geological timescales, we can place current biodiversity loss in a deeper temporal context and identify baselines that are invisible to ecology alone. The lab applies these approaches to different vertebrate groups and ecosystems, with a particular focus on South American taxa. Image credit: Julio Lacerda.
Paleoecology and Geochemistry
Understanding how ancient organisms interacted with their environments requires tools that go beyond morphology. The lab uses stable isotope analyses to reconstruct past ecological conditions, resource use, and paleoenvironments. This geochemical approach complements our morphological and phylogenetic work, and is currently being applied to fossil-bearing localities of the Bauru Basin (Late Cretaceous, south-central Brazil).
Ongoing projects
Crocodylomorph taxonomy and systematics
Crocodylomorpha is a once extraordinarily diverse group of archosaur reptiles, encompassing a remarkable range of body plans and ecological strategies. Several ongoing projects in the lab focus on the description, taxonomy, and phylogenetic systematics of crocodylomorph taxa. Current work includes studies of notosuchian crocodylomorphs, led by Daniel and Pedro Kenji, and an investigation of Late Miocene caimanines from the Solimões Formation, conducted by Leonardo Aldrin.
Crocodylomorph macroevolutionary patterns
Complementing our systematic work, the lab also investigates large-scale evolutionary patterns within Crocodylomorpha. Luís Felipe David is currently developing a project focused on estimating divergence times across the group using different methodological approaches. This project will soon be expanded with additional work on phenotypic evolution and diversification dynamics within the clade.
Conservation Paleobiology of vertebrates
The lab applies Conservation Paleobiology frameworks to different vertebrate groups, using the fossil record to characterize long-term extinction and diversity patterns that can inform the conservation of living species. Thayara's postdoctoral project investigates the ecological consequences of the Late Pleistocene megafauna extinction in South America, focusing on changes in functional diversity of terrestrial mammals and the role of introduced species such as cattle.
Snake early evolution and diversification
The evolutionary origin of snakes remains one of the most debated topics in vertebrate phylogenetics, with ongoing discussions about their sister group, the ecology of the earliest forms, and the tempo of their diversification. Gabriela's project applies macroevolutionary methods to estimate diversification rates across the snake total-group and crown Serpentes through geological time, contributing to our understanding of this remarkably successful radiation.
Dinosaur evolution and systematics
Non-avian dinosaurs represent one of the most diverse and morphologically varied groups of vertebrates in Earth's history. In the lab, Luan's PhD project investigates macroevolutionary patterns in Ornithischia, exploring questions about phenotypic evolution and diversification dynamics across this major dinosaurian clade.
Geochemistry and isotopic ecology
As part of our FAPESP-funded research program, the lab is currently applying stable isotope analyses to fossil specimens from the Bauru Basin (Late Cretaceous, south-central Brazil) to investigate the paleoecology and paleoenvironments of this fossil-rich geological unit. Fernanda Serpa is developing a complementary project focused on assessing diagenetic alteration in these fossils using FTIR, a necessary step to evaluate the reliability of geochemical data. Image from Bobroff et al. (2016).