Tracing the Land-to-Water Transition in Aquatic Carnivorans

22 June – 31 July (six weeks)
supervised by Dr Julia Schwab

Project summary

The transition from land to water represents one of the most dramatic shifts in mammalian evolution. Pinnipeds (seals, sea lions, and walruses) provide a remarkable case study for understanding how terrestrial carnivorans adapted to aquatic life. This project explores the morphological changes associated with this transition, focusing on the limb bones, vertebrae, and skulls of fossil and modern taxa. Using 3D surface scanning and CT data, the student will help document and quantify anatomical adaptations linked to swimming and terrestrial locomotion.

Project details

During their placement, students will work with surface and CT scan datasets of carnivoran skeletal material, primarily aquatic carnivorans and their terrestrial relatives. This project will contribute to ongoing research on the evolutionary morphology of the land-to-water transition.

The intern will:

Conduct a literature review on pinniped evolution and carnivoran functional morphology.
Assist in 3D surface scanning of limb bones and vertebrae.
Work on CT scan datasets of carnivoran skulls.
Use 3D visualization software (Amira) to segment and annotate scans.
Record key morphological features relevant to aquatic adaptation (e.g., bone shape)
Compile data for specimens for further quantitative analysis.

Selection criteria

Essential

Enthusiastic about evolutionary biology, anatomy, or mammalian evolution.
Comfortable working independently and within a research group.
Good attention to detail and able to perform precise tasks.

Desirable

Interest in 3D imaging, scanning, or digital morphology.
Background in vertebrate anatomy, palaeontology, or zoology.
Experience with 3D visualization or imaging software (training will be provided).

Outcomes for students

Experience working with 3D datasets (surface and CT scans).
Practical skills in digital specimen documentation and data management.
Understanding of morphological evolution during major ecological transitions.
Insight into current research practices in vertebrate palaeobiology and evolutionary morphology.

To note:
The daily working hours for this project will be 10.00-18.00. The accommodation provided for the duration of this project is a one-minute walk from the Museum.

Reasonable adjustments

The Museum is committed to making reasonable adjustments to its summer placements to make sure that students with disabilities or health conditions are not substantially disadvantaged. If you are concerned about meeting the selection criteria for a project of interest, or completing relevant tasks, please get in touch with Hannah Betts before submitting your application to discuss possible adjustments to the project: summerplacements@oum.ox.ac.uk.