My training is in primate functional morphology and evolutionary biology and my research has centered on three different aspects of primate paleobiology:

1.  functional morphology and locomotor behavior among living and fossil prosimian primates,
2. the fossil record of  primates and other mammals from the Eocene of Wyoming, and
3. dental development and life history among hominoid primates.                                              Anemone homepage

Primate Functional Morphology

I have long been interested in the functional morphology and biomechanics of the musculo-skeletal system in primates that practice different patterns of locomotion. My work has centered around the vertical clingers and leapers, saltatory prosimians with specialized hindlimbs found in Africa, Asia, and Madagascar. In addition to the functional morphology of extant VCL prosimians, I am interested in reconstructing the locomotor behavior of extinct primates, especially Eocene forms.  Bert Covert (University of Colorado) and I recently completed a study of the hindlimb morphology and locomotor behavior of the middle Eocene Omomys carteri  (proximal and distal femur of Omomys pictured at right). This paper is in the May 2000 issue of  Journal of Human Evolution (38:607-633).   Selected Publications                  back to top

Proximal and distal femora of Omomys carteri

Primate Paleontology in the Great Divide Basin, SW Wyoming

Since the summer of 1994 I have been leading field crews of anthropologists, geologists, and students in paleontological investigations of the early Tertiary deposits of the Great Divide Basin. We have located approximately 50 localities in the Fort Union and Wasatch Formations from which we have recovered nearly 5000 mammalian specimens. The long term research goals of this project involve an analysis of pattern and process of evolutionary change in mammalian lineages across the Paleocene-Eocene boundary and, in particular, the effects of changing climate on evolving mammalian lineages. We hope to begin stable isotope analyses of carbonate rocks and dental enamel in order to investigate changes in the local climate and their possible effects on mammalian lineages, and particularly on primates. Selected Publications                back to top

Tipton Buttes, one of our Wasatchian Great Divide Basin localities.

Dental Development and Life History among Apes and Humans

Determining the pattern and rate of dental development among chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) is critical for understanding evolutionary changes in human dental development and associated life history traits. In 1993, Elizabeth Watts, Daris Swindler and I published the first longitudinal record of dental development among chimpanzees of known chronological age. This work and a follow up study done in conjunction with Mike Siegel and Mark Mooney clearly pointed out the major differences in pattern and timing of dental development between humans and chimps, as well as the implications for discussions of development and life history among fossil hominids.  Selected Publications                               back to top

Chimpanzee dental radiograph, Fanny at 33 months of age