Research Leonard Dewaele

Abstract

The FAC2ET (Functional Anatomy using Classical and Cutting-Edge Techniques) scientific research network (SRN) will link specialists in biological evolution, biomechanics, veterinary sciences, and palaeobiology, all of whom study form-function relationships of vertebrates, but via different methodologies and with different perspectives. All these disciplines are ultimately reliant on a core understanding of the anatomical biology of the organisms under study. A collaborative network between labs within all these disciplines will facilitate a more comprehensive understanding of how vertebrate forms came to be the way that they are today, and how the relationship between form and function affects modern species. In addition to a breadth of disciplines, a second important aspect of the FAC2ET research network is the inclusion of both experienced research leaders and newer, early career researchers, for mutually beneficial means. Established groups will contribute guidance, mentorship and networking, whilst younger groups can be more agile or dynamic, and facilitate exploration of new areas of collaborative research. The field of functional anatomy has a very deep history, and many of the methods are tried-and-tested and are used in veterinary and medical departments across the globe (e.g. dissection, x-ray imaging, electromyography, etc.). With novel approaches to imaging, reconstruction, and mathematical quantification, the techniques available to functional anatomists have become increasingly varied and specialised. FAC2ET will contribute to the integration and synergy of classic and cutting-edge methodologies developing within the field. It will bring together professors, post-doctoral researchers, and PhD students from three leading Flemish labs specialising in functional anatomy of modern and extinct vertebrates, and two established Flemish clinical veterinary labs; it will also establish new relationships with two emerging Welsh labs, specialising in veterinary anatomy and biomechanics. FAC2ET will implement a series of activities to promote collaboration between both newly emerging and fully established labs, incorporating early career researchers and tenured professors alike, and using both simple and complex methodological approaches. Over the next five years (2025-2030), FAC2ET will organise symposia, mini-conferences, residential training workshops, and guest lectures to highlight and disseminate the research areas and expertise of each group. Exploratory workshops will be held to generate collaborative partnerships, research projects, and joint grant applications. FAC2ET will be instrumental in achieving successful grant applications, which will utilise the expertise, facilities, and experience of the research network members, solidifying the relationship(s) between the involved labs. At least one activity will be organised per year, hosted by five different labs, which (where appropriate) will be open to postgraduate and undergraduate students from each host institution, enabling the education and training of our research collaborators of tomorrow.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Van Damme Raoul
• Co-promoter: Dewaele Leonard
• Co-promoter: Maclaren Jamie
• Co-promoter: Van Wassenbergh Sam

Research team(s)

• Functional Morphology

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

The Belgian Alliance for Biomechanics (BAB) originates from the fundamental belief that the science of biomechanics provides a profound contribution to form-function insight, healthcare, performance, and quality of life. The field of biomechanics is a domain of confluence of several disciplines, from engineering to medicine and sports, such as mechanics, anatomy, physiology, orthopedics, organ system, ergonomics and others. The current consortium defines the term 'biomechanics' as the interdisciplinary science that applies principles of mechanics to understand-alter-improve the movement, the structure, and function of biological systems. It encompasses the study of the forces acting on and generated within a body or various body parts, ranging from the microscopic scale of cells and molecules to the macroscopic scale of limbs and whole organisms. In general, the discipline is divided into three main areas: 1) biomechanics of rigid bodies, 2) biomechanics of deformable bodies (including biomaterial properties), 3) fluid biomechanics. The mission of the Belgian Alliance for Biomechanics (BAB) is to foster excellence and innovation in the field of biomechanics, especially in Belgium. We aim to unite researchers, practitioners, and industry leaders to advance the understanding and application of biomechanics through collaborative efforts. Over the next five years, the Alliance aims to achieve several scientific targets to improve our understanding of biomechanics and its applications in healthcare. 1. Promoting Research and Development: Encouraging high-quality research and technological advancements in biomechanics to improve human health and performance and trigger scientific breakthrough in this field. 2. Facilitating Collaboration: Creating a platform for interdisciplinary collaboration among academic institutions, healthcare providers, and industry stakeholders to address biomechanical challenges and opportunities. 3. Education and Training: Providing and communicating about educational resources and training opportunities for students, researchers, and professionals to enhance their knowledge and skills in biomechanics. 4. Public Engagement and Outreach: Raising public awareness about the importance of biomechanics in society and its potential to contribute to healthcare, sports, and everyday life. These targets will be pursued through a concrete planning. The network's activities, including workshops, conferences, and collaborative projects, will enhance the visibility and impact of the Belgian biomechanical community on the national and international stage. Through these efforts, the BAB intends to demonstrate its commitment to advancing the field, thus positioning itself as a worthy candidate as a national affiliate society of the International Society of Biomechanics (ISB- https://isbweb.org/about-us/affiliate-societies) and as a national chapter of the European Society of Biomechanics (ESB-https://esbiomech.org/affiliated-societies/). By securing this affiliation, the BAB aims to foster greater collaboration and integration within the national and international biomechanics community. Membership in one or both prestigious organizations would provide the BAB with a platform to contribute to and benefit from global advancements in biomechanics research, education, and application.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Van Wassenbergh Sam
• Co-promoter: Aerts Peter
• Co-promoter: Dewaele Leonard
• Co-promoter: Maclaren Jamie

Research team(s)

• Functional Morphology

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Semi-aquatic mustelids have undergone a secondary transition to adapt to life in an aquatic environment. Locomotion on land and in water happen in a starkly different medium, and thus pose different locomotor requirements. This imposes an important trade-off in semi-aquatic animals. The Mustelidae are a diverse family of mammals which offers the unique opportunity of having species across many niches, including a range of aquatic specialisation; from fully terrestrial species to those specialized to operate in a semi-aquatic or almost fully aquatic niche. This range offers an insight into the trade-offs and evolution of adaptations to a semi-aquatic life. The project will use comparative functional anatomy (muscle architecture based on manual and digital dissection) and video-based locomotor kinematics to build musculoskeletal models. These models will be used to verify, in terms of muscle contraction regimes, how well the musculoskeletal system of these species is 'built' for the two different environments and thus what the functional significance of the morphological adaptations is. Starting from this data and insights of the extant species, we will use inverse modelling to build models of extinct otters to gain insight into their locomotor capabilities and which modes were likely used by these species. These distinct species, from different fossil time periods and ecologies will help elucidate which locomotive capabilities were gained or lost during otter evolution.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Van Wassenbergh Sam
• Co-promoter: Dewaele Leonard
• Co-promoter: Maclaren Jamie
• Fellow: De Ridder Tim

Research team(s)

• Functional Morphology

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Pinnipedimorphs are semi-aquatic mammals that adapted secondarily to a life in water, allowing them to successfully move and capture prey underwater. The group includes all extinct and extant pinnipeds (e.g. seals, sea-lions, walruses) and stem taxa (e.g. Enaliarctos). Modern pinnipeds are still bound to land, where they rest and reproduce, but they feed almost exclusively underwater. Feeding is regarded as the main driver for their transition from land to water. However, making inferences about organismal evolution presents difficulties with a lack of a robust phylogenetic framework. The main debates about pinnipedimorph phylogeny include the monophyly of Enaliarctos and the relation of mustelid-like taxa (e.g. Puijila) to stem-pinnipedimorphs. In this project I will conduct a careful redescription of basal pinnipeds and perform a comprehensive phylogenetic analysis including all stem-pinnipedimorphs (accepted and contested taxa), later diverging pinnipedimorphs and outgroup taxa (mustelids and ursids). I will then investigate (stem-)pinnipedimorph mandibular morphology and function using geometric morphometrics and finite element analysis to better understand their feeding capabilities through time, using the updated phylogeny as the foundation for morphofunctional comparisons among pinnipedimorphs. This study will provide valuable quantitative information for understanding pinnipedimorph evolution, and will provide fundamental insights into the land-to-water transition.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Van Wassenbergh Sam
• Co-promoter: Dewaele Leonard
• Co-promoter: Maclaren Jamie
• Fellow: Selini Anastasia

Research team(s)

• Functional Morphology

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Throughout the long evolutionary history of tetrapods, multiple taxa returned to life in water from a terrestrial (or aerial) environment. Notable groups are Mesozoic marine reptiles, sirenians, and whales. Among mammals, aquatic taxa within the order Carnivora, or "meat-eaters", show an 'incomplete' transition to life in the aquatic environment: pinnipeds (true seals, sea lions, fur seals and walruses), otters, polar bears, and even the fishing cat rely heavily on water for feeding, but none are exclusively aquatic and they all still return to land to rest, give birth, etc. The transition from a terrestrial to a (semi-)aquatic lifestyle is an impactful biological shift, with multiple potential drivers and requires various physiological and anatomical adaptations. As this transition occurred independently in several carnivoran groups (Pinnipedia, Mustelidae, Ursidae, Felidae), as well as in different environments (riverine, lacustrine, and marine), it asks the following questions: Which environmental and ecological changes triggered this transition for each group? How did these carnivorans functionally adapt to life in water? What are the similarities and differences between these groups, and between aquatic carnivorans and other aquatic mammals? And, more specifically, what is the extent of morphological and functional convergence between these lineages? The MEATLOAF project aims to investigate the different evolutionary aspects of this transition in carnivorans from land to water, specifically targeting adaptations for locomotion (on land and in the water) and feeding (prey sensing, prey capture, and food processing, both above and below the water surface), using a variety of well-supported proxies. Proxies will be organized along two main approaches, which will link to one another in a two-way process: (1) a comparative approach, documenting the morphological diversity and shifts in morphology, and (2) a modelling approach, focusing on performance and loading of the recorded morphologies. Comparative aspects will include anatomical, systematic and phylogenetic analyses, all gathered in a 'classical paleontology' work package, as well as geometric morphometric and microanatomical-osteohistological packages to quantify internal and external morphology. The modelling approach will encompass functional analyses, finite element analyses, computational fluid dynamics, and musculo-skeletal modelling, each within its own work package. A synthesis of the results of these different packages will ultimately result in a time-calibrated assessment of the paleoecological and paleoenvironmental frameworks in which these groups evolved to life in water, in order to better understand the biotic and abiotic drivers of such a major, iterative transition.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Van Wassenbergh Sam
• Co-promoter: Aerts Peter
• Co-promoter: Van Damme Raoul
• Fellow: Dewaele Leonard

Research team(s)

• Functional Morphology

Project type(s)

• Research Project