Evolution of pheno- and genotype diversity in Cervidae (Ruminantia, Artiodactyla, Mammalia)

• Applicant: Privatdozentin Dr. Gertrud Elisabeth Rößner
• Subject Area: Palaeontology
• Term: from 2013 to 2016
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 249533638

The phylogenetic interrelationships of Cervidae (deer) have been the focus in many studies, but results are controversial and no definitive reconstruction yet exists. Critical issues include insufficient taxon and character sampling as well as heterogeneous data. Here we aim to compile a large data matrix considering all extant and many extinct species, combining molecular and morphological data. Morphology of hard tissues is fundamental to enable a simultaneous analysis of palaeontological and neontological data. Molecular data are easily obtainable for living species and are essential for reconstructing the tree of life. Our groups have access to both data sources and the methodologies to interpret them. With such a data matrix we expect to establish the hitherto largest set of characters in order to estimate cervid phylogeny. Systematic results will be used to solve long-standing questions of cladogenetic events in cervid evolution. Working hypotheses to be tested comprise the phenotype of the last common ancestor of cervids and cervid origination as well as mutual reaction of climatic conditions and cervid diversification / dispersal.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants