Guide in PDF format
Logo

Paleobiology Practicum II

Code: 44794
Credits: 6
2026/2027
Degree programme Type Course
Paleobiology and Fossil Record OB 1

Contact lecturer

Name :
Josep Fortuny Terricabras
Email :
josep.fortuny@uab.cat

Teaching staff

Sergio Almecija Martinez
David Martinez Alba
Carmen Nacarino Meneses
Isaac Casanovas Vilar
José María Robles Gimenez
Arnau Bolet Mercadal
Julia Arias Martorell
Albert Garcia Sellés
Andrea Villa
Marta Pina Miguel
Omar Cirilli
Ane De Celis Ruiz

Teaching staff (external to UAB)

Ashley Hammond
Marina Rull Aguilar
Nicole Torres Tamayo

Group languages

You can consult this information at the end of the document.

Prerequisites

None.

Objectives

Acquisition of specific methodologies and techniques for the field of vertebrate paleontology. Likewise, this module will enhance the study of vertebrate fossils with practical examples in various vertebrate groups and will be complemented by fieldtrips to paleontological vertebrate sites, as well as visits to a preparation lab devoted to vertebrate fossils and a paleontological vertebrate collection.

Learning outcomes

  • CA12 (Design a communication and dissemination project on a topic related to vertebrate palaeontology.) Design a communication and dissemination project on a topic related to vertebrate palaeontology.
  • CA13 (Demonstrate a proactive attitude in the search for specialised information for character coding in phylogenetic studies.) Demonstrate a proactive attitude in the search for specialised information for character coding in phylogenetic studies.
  • KA11 (Identify the main field and laboratory methodologies and techniques used in vertebrate palaeontology, with emphasis on those that are solely applicable to this group, due to their anatomical characteristics (teeth and bones).) Identify the main field and laboratory methodologies and techniques used in vertebrate palaeontology, with emphasis on those that are solely applicable to this group, due to their anatomical characteristics (teeth and bones).
  • KA12 (Identify statistical, allometric and three-dimensional geometric morphometry techniques applied to vertebrate palaeobiology as well as advanced methods in the functional morphology and biomechanics of vertebrates.) Identify statistical, allometric and three-dimensional geometric morphometry techniques applied to vertebrate palaeobiology as well as advanced methods in the functional morphology and biomechanics of vertebrates.
  • KA13 (Recognise the methods of phylogenetic inference and palaeoecological and palaeobiogeographic analysis, and the dynamics of palaeobiodiversity in fossilised vertebrates.) Recognise the methods of phylogenetic inference and palaeoecological and palaeobiogeographic analysis, and the dynamics of palaeobiodiversity in fossilised vertebrates.
  • SA12 (Apply work methods and techniques to a palaeontological excavation of vertebrates.) Apply work methods and techniques to a palaeontological excavation of vertebrates.
  • SA13 (Know how to use specialised computer programs to perform morphofunctional and phylogenetic studies applied to the study of fossilised vertebrates.) Know how to use specialised computer programs to perform morphofunctional and phylogenetic studies applied to the study of fossilised vertebrates.
  • SA14 (In a professional environment, analyse the problems associated with the recovery of fossils and their management in museum collections.) In a professional environment, analyse the problems associated with the recovery of fossils and their management in museum collections.

Contents

1) Lab. General characteristics of vertebrate skeleton (amphibians, reptiles and mammals) and types of mammal dentition with special emphasys on some eutherian orders. Paleobiologia de Dinosaures. Els Primates de la Península Ibérica. Hominins fossils. Advanced techniques in vertebrate paleobiology: bone and tooth paleohistology, enamel isotope analysis, paleodietary inference from dental wear. Statistical techniques and geometric morphometrics applied to vertebrate paleobiology. Advanced methods of functional morphology and vertebrate biomechanics. Methods of phylogenetic inference, evolutionary models and paleoecological, paleobiogeographical and paleobiodiversity analyzes in fossil vertebrates. Communication and dissemination strategies in vertebrate paleontology.


2) Fieldtrip. Guided visit to a paleontological vertebrate site during its excavation to understand digging techniques and methods, sampling and associated information recording (stratigraphy, taphonomy, etc.). Guided visit to the vertebrate fossil collections of the Institut Català de Paleontologia to understand the problems associated with the management of these remains and the methods used for their management (inventory, labeling, storage). Visit – Tour of different museum examples and geotourism.


For this course, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies is permitted exclusively in specific assignments and only when authorized by the teaching staff. Students must clearly identify which parts have been generated using this technology, specify the tools employed, and include a critical reflection on how these tools have influenced both the process and the final outcome of the activity. Failure to disclose the use of AI in this assessed activity will be considered a breach of academic integrity and may result in a partial or full penalty to the activity grade, or more severe sanctions in cases of serious misconduct.



Learning activities and methodology

Title Hours ECTS Learning outcomes
Exercises 31 1.24
Lab session 42 1.68
Homework 60 2.4
Field sessions 15 0.6

The training activities include: a) guided sessions divided into lab and field sessions. b) supervised sessions focused on exercises and c) autonomous sessions where student deep into different aspects of the lessons.

Annotation: within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.

Assessment

Continuous assessment activities

Title Weight Hours ECTS Learning outcomes
Exercises evaluation 20% 0 0 KA11, KA12, KA13, SA13
Exam 40% 2 0.08 KA11, KA12, KA13
Homework evaluation 20% 0 0 CA12, CA13, SA12, SA13, SA14
class attendance 20% 0 0 CA12, CA13, KA11, KA12, KA13, SA12, SA13, SA14

The evaluation of the module will be based on class attendance, the proper completion of the assigned exercises, the depth of the proposed assignments, and an in-person exam. If the student has not provided sufficient evidence for assessment, at the discretion of the course coordinator, will be considered as not assessable.

Bibliography

Casanovas-Vilar, I., Garcés, M., Marcuello, Á., Abella, J., Madurell-Malapeira, J., Jovells-Vaqué, S., Cabrera, L., Galindo, J., Beamud, E., Ledo, J.J., Queralt, P., Martí, A., Sanjuan, J., Martín-Closas, C., Jiménez-Moreno, G., Luján, À.H., Villa, A., DeMiguel, D., Sánchez, I.M., Robles, J.M., Furió, M., Ostende, L.W.V. den H., Sánchez-Marco, A., Sanisidro, Ó., Valenciano, A., García-Paredes, I., Angelone, C., Pons-Monjo, G., Azanza, B., Delfino, M., Bolet, A., Grau-Camats, M., Vizcaíno-Varo, V., Mormeneo, D., Kimura, Y., Moyà-Solà, S., Alba, D.M., 2022. Els Casots (Subirats, Catalonia), a key site for the Miocene vertebrate record of Southwestern Europe. Historical Biology 34, 1494–1508. 

Cunningham, J.A., Rahman, I.A., Lautenschlager, S., Rayfield, E.J., Donogue, P.C.J. 2014. A virtual world of paleontology. Trends in Ecology & Evolution 29 (6), 347-357.

de Buffrénil, V., de Ricqlès, A.J., Zylberberg, L., & Padian, K. (2021). Vertebrate Skeletal Histology and Paleohistology (1st ed.) CRC Press: Boca Raton.

Evans, S.E. 2008. The skull of lizards and Tuatara. In: Biology of the Reptilia. The skull of Lepidosauria. Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles

Foote, M., Miller, A.I., 2006. Principles of paleontology, 3 edition. ed. W. H. Freeman, New York.

Hammer, Ø, Harper, DAT. 2006. Paleontological Data Analysis. Blackwell Publishing: Malden.

Rayfield, E. J. 2007. Finite element analysis in vertebrate morphology. Annual Reviews in Earth and Planetary Sciences 35: 541–576.

Rayfield, E.J. 2019. What Does Musculoskeletal Mechanics Tell Us About Evolution of Form and Function in Vertebrates?. In: Bels, V., Whishaw, I. (eds) Feeding in Vertebrates. Fascinating Life Sciences. Springer, Cham.

Smith, F.A., 2021. Mammalian paleoecology: Using the past to study the present. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, Md.

Zelditch, M.L., Swiderski, D.L., Sheets, H.D. 2012. Geometric Morphometrics for Biologists. Academic Press. Cambridge, MA.

Software

-Meshroom

-Meshlab

-Slicer

-Past

-TPS Dig

Course groups and languages

The information provided is provisional until November 30. After this date, you will be able to consult the language of each group through this link. To access the information, you will need to enter the course CODE

Type of teaching Group Language Semester Shift
(PAULm) Classroom practices (master) 1 Spanish second semester morning-mixed
(PCAMm) Field practices (master) 1 Spanish second semester morning-mixed