The Functional Morphology of Extinct Bone Crushing Dogs
Jack Tseng, Professor
Integrative Biology
Applications for Fall 2024 are closed for this project.
Bone crushing dogs were a diverse and successful subfamily of canids that thrived throughout North America for nearly 30 million years. As bone crushing dogs evolved they show convergent features with hyaenas in their cranial anatomy (i.e. a large sagittal crest and domed forehead to dissipate stress). While the skull of bone crushing dogs is morphologically suited for eating bone, their postcranial anatomy is perplexing. Bone crushing dogs’ limb proportions have longer proximal elements and shorter distal elements, leading to the inference that these dogs were not strongly running-adapted. This would have contrasted with other canids at the time, which show a general trend toward greater cursorial specialization and pursuit-hunting habits.
Role: This project will utilize 3D geometric morphometrics and phylogenetic comparative methods to compare the skull, mandible, humerus, radius, ulna, femur, and tibia of bone crushing dogs to other genera of Carnivora. Students will learn methods involving hand scanners, CT scanners, and digital landmarking.
Qualifications: Attention to detail, a willingness to learn and develop skills in asking scientific questions is essential. Any class level and major will be considered. No previous experience is required.
For Fall 2024 we are specifically looking for students who are available for at least two consecutive hours on Monday, Wednesday, or Friday.
Day-to-day supervisor for this project: Emily Bogner, Ph.D. candidate
Hours: to be negotiated
Related website: https://sites.google.com/site/zjtseng/laboratory
Biological & Health Sciences