Promoters: Jamie A. MacLaren, Leonard Dewaele
Otters are one of the most charismatic members of the Mustelidae family (weasels, ferrets, badgers etc.). Otters are known today from a variety of genera, spanning a wide geographic range, and exhibiting a broad spectrum of aquatic and semi-aquatic adaptations and niches.
After the reflooding of the Mediterranean Sea around 5 million years ago, the region between southern Europe and Africa became an inland sea with many islands, ideal for semi-aquatic species to diversify and radiate. During the glacial and inter-glacial periods of the subsequent Pleistocene (Ice Age), new areas became accessible for colonisation by otters as sea levels rose and fell. The Italian island of Sardinia became inhabited by several otter species, the best known of which was an extremely large species which is now extinct: Megalenhydris barbaricina. Little is known about this enormous otter, as its phylogenetic relationships have never been investigated thoroughly. It is also unknown as to what role this otter played in its ecosystem – was it a terrestrial carnivore, or a sea-based piscivore? This project aims to answer both these questions.
In this project, the student will: (1) undertake a 1-2 week supervised visit to Sardinia to museum collections housing the fossilised remains of Megalenhydris; 3D scan the fossil remains and code character data from the bones, under supervision of the main supervisor; (2) visit extant collections of otters in Belgium (KBIN) and Netherlands (Naturalis) to 3D scan corresponding osteological material; (3) build a cladistic matrix from available otter morphological and molecular data, including Megalenhydris into a total-evidence phylogenetic framework for the first time; (4) analyse the dental morphology of Megalenhydris alongside modern otters (with known feeding ecologies) to categorise the niche of the giant Pleistocene otter.
Student: the successful student must have an interest in evolution and the relationship between form and function; familiarity with mammalian biology and palaeontology would be beneficial, but not essential. Guidance in all methods will be provided – no prior knowledge is required. Familiarity with the R statistical environment will be beneficial, but not essential. Willingness to travel to Mediterranean island(s) for up to 2 weeks will be essential.