Ornella Bertrand
University of Edinburgh
June 15, 2021
The impact of environmental changes on the brain evolution of rodents and early placental mammals
Mammalian brain evolution has been studied since the late 1800s. More recently, the use of virtual endocasts has improved substantially our understanding of the behaviour of extinct mammals. Ecological factors and cataclysmic events have been seen as potential triggers for evolutionary change. Past studies have shown that adaptation to a new environment may specifically affect the nervous system. Squirrels and their closest relatives are a great model to test the relationship between locomotor behaviour and brain evolution, while early placental mammals can be used to explore the role of the end-Cretaceous extinction in the emergence of the brain of modern groups. The goal of this talk is to provide an overview of new and exciting findings on how the environment may influence brain evolution in placental mammals.
Audrey Taylor
University of Notre Dame
June 22, 2021
Title TBA
Joe Moysuik
University of Toronto/Royal Ontario Museum
June 29, 2021
Title TBA
Evan Ramos
University of Texas
July 6, 2021
Title TBA
Mónica Carvalho
Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute
July 13, 2021
Title TBA
Catherine Davis
Yale University
July 20, 2021
Title TBA
Farid Saleh
Yunnan University
July 27, 2021
