ADN antiguo proporciona información sobre la evolución de los pingüinos y desvela dos nuevos taxones de pingüinos extintos

El aragosaurero Pere Bover ha participado en el estudio publicado recientemente en la revista Molecular Biology and Evolution, sobre el análisis de genomas mitocondriales de pingüinos actuales y extintos. 
 
El estudio, liderado por Theresa L. Cole de la University of Otago y Manaaki Whenua-Landcare Research de Nueva Zelanda y al que han contribuido diversos investigadores de otros paises como Nueva Zelanda, Australia, Estados Unidos, Reino Unido, Sudáfrica, Dinamarca, España y China, ha usado secuencias mitocondriales para realizar el análisis de las relaciones filogenéticas de este grupo de aves. Su estudio ha permitido demostrar que algunas especies de pingüinos aparecieron poco después de la formación geológica de las islas que habitan, incluyendo las Islas Antípodas y Chatham, Isla Macquarie, Isla de Gough y las Islas Galápagos.

Este estudio, el cual incluye la secuenciación de ADN y el análisis morfológico de cientos de huesos prehistóricos de Nueva Zelanda, también ha permitido confirmar la presencia de una especie única, ahora extinguida, de pingüino crestado en las Islas Chatham hasta hace unos pocos siglos. Además, también proporcionó un resultado sorprendente, el del descubrimiento de una subespecie desconocida hasta la fecha de pingüino ojigualdo de pequeño tamaño que habitó estas mismas islas. 

Ambos taxones (Eudyptes warhami y Megadyptes antipodes richdalei) habitaron las Islas Chatham hasta hace solo unos pocos cientos de años y se extinguieron después de la llegada humana a estas islas.

Link al artículo: http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/molbev/msz017

Autor del dibujo: Sean Murtha. Eudyptes warhami en primer plano, con Megadyptes antipodes richdalei en el fondo.

2019 John W. Wells Grant-in-Aid of Research

The Paleontological Research Institution (PRI) invites applications from graduate students and post-doctoral researchers for the 2019 John W. Wells Grants-in-Aid of Research Program to support collections based research in any field of paleontology. The program awards grants of up to $500 to visit PRI’s collections.  Please note that the 2019 application deadline has been extended until March 15, 2019.

This grant honors John W. Wells (1907 – 1994), past President of the PRI Board of Trustees, a long-time geology faculty member at Cornell University, and one of the world’s leading authorities on fossil and living corals.
PRI houses one of the largest collections of invertebrate fossils in North America, with particular strengths in Cenozoic mollusks from the Western Hemisphere, and marine invertebrates of the northeastern U.S., especially the Devonian of central New York.

 Applications should include a brief (one page) description of the research project, a budget justification and a letter of recommendation.
 Application deadline is March 15, 2019.

 Please e-mail your application material to Dr. Gregory P. Dietl, Curator of Cenozoic Invertebrates at gpd3@cornell.edu

Burke Museum – Paleontology & Geology Collections Manager (Program Operations Specialist)

The University of Washington Burke Museum invites applications for the full-time position of collections manager of paleontology and geology. The Burke Museum, located on the university campus in Seattle, is a repository for research collections and has substantial exhibit and K-16 outreach programs. Fossil collections at the Burke Museum are actively growing and include over three million specimens distributed in several subdisciplines: vertebrate paleontology, paleobotany (including pollen and phytoliths), invertebrate paleontology, and micropaleontology. A smaller collection of minerals and meteorites is also part of the divisional holdings. Currently, the fossil collections are managed by four half-time faculty curators, one full-time fossil lab manager, and one collections manager. The volume of the collection exceeds proportionally the number of individuals tasked with managing both the specimens and the accompanying digital resources.

This position must support diverse paleontogy collections, to include vertebrate paleontology, invertebrate paleontology, paleobotany,micropaleontology, and geology, on and off-site. Each collection must be managed appropriately, and each set of data is housed in a different database file. There is much work to be done to bring all of the collections under the appropriate level of care and organization, as the use of the collections for research is determined by their accessibility both digitally and tangibly.

Basic Functions:
The successful candidate will assist the curators in day-to-day collections operations. Specific responsibilities include:

Management and Maintenance of Collections:  75%
Growth of the Collections:  10%
Public Outreach:  15%

Required Qualifications:
·         Masters Degree in Paleobiology or related field
·         Four to five years related work experience
·         Proficient experience with computer databases and online access of natural history collections

Desired Qualifications:
·         PhD in Paleobiology or related field
·         Experience with GPS mapping and GIS technology
·         Experience with MySQL or related relational database systems
·         Experience writing funded grant proposals

Conditions of Employment:
·         Work in a lab that is visible to the public; work weekends as scheduled

Application Process:
The application process for UW positions may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process. These assessments may include Work Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others.

Here is the link: https://uwhires.admin.washington.edu/eng/candidates/?szLocationID=88&_ga=2.164298237.337529311.1548776092-1503876941.1514918516

VIII Jornadas Internacionales sobre Paleontología de Dinosaurios

Ponemos en marcha las VIII Jornadas Internacionales sobre Paleontología de Dinosaurios y su Entorno, del 5 al 7 de septiembre próximos.

Hemos creado dos sitios web para difundir, informar y aportar documentación que facilite a todos los interesados su participación:

https://www.facebook.com/dinosaurioscyl/

En ellos puedes encontrar la primera circular:
https://dinosaurioscyl.blogspot.com/p/documentos-documents.html

Y el formulario de inscripción:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mGeFvTJfff3hwHSWGFv5D0XkY6g7eRMJ/view

Nos gustaría que difundieses la celebración de este congreso en tu Centro de trabajo e investigación, así como en tus redes sociales, blogs, etc.

Y, por supuesto, te queremos animar a participar en las Jornadas.

Un cordial saludo
Fidel Torcida
Comité Organizador VIII Jornadas Dinosaurios

Curatial Assistant Museum Comparative Zoology

Reports to the Curatorial Associate of Invertebrate Paleontology (IP)/[Acting] Curatorial Associate of Vertebrate Paleontology (VP) in the Museum of Comparative Zoology (MCZ). The Curatorial Assistant will be responsible for assisting the Curatorial Associate with day-to-day collection activities in both the VP and IP collections; update all collection indices as necessary; assists with processing of loans, returns and exchanges; answer pertinent correspondence in consultation with Curatorial Associate; assist visitors with access to collections and department library; may perform clerical duties required by the collection such as ordering or mailings. The curatorial assistant processes data relevant to taxonomic and collection information into the museum database, including accessions. May assist in fossil preparation and preservation, maintenance, renovation of collection, pertinent inquiries and visitors to the MCZ collections and facilities, and executes related duties as assigned. Provides clerical functions incidental to the curatorial activities. Attends regular staff trainings/meetings. Contributes to unit goals by accomplishing related duties as required.

Basic Qualifications

 1+ years of experience working in a museum collection, or a minimum of a bachelor’s degree with coursework in geology, paleontology, or other closely related fields (e.g. zoology, evolution, etc.) Experience with data processing, spreadsheet and database software.

Additional Qualifications

College background in geology, biology or museum studies. Ability to work independently with minimal supervision. Experience working with collection database management programs, and web interface required. Knowledge PC computers, including Microsoft Word and Excel in addition to demonstrated comfort with learning new software applications. Must be flexible and willing to take on new assignments. Ideal candidate will have great attention to detail, be self-motivated, and the ability to work as part of a team.  Should be able to demonstrate good written and verbal communication skills. Must be able to lift 30 lbs.  Vertebrate Paleontology experience preferred.  

Additional Information

This is a one year term position ending approximately January 31, 2020.  A cover letter and resume must be submitted in order to be considered for this position.

https://sjobs.brassring.com/TGnewUI/Search/Home/Home?partnerid=25240&siteid=5341#jobDetails=1430506_5341

Descubierta la ultraestructura de los dientes rojos de las musarañas

Acaba de publicarse un novedoso trabajo realizado por las aragosaureras Raquel Moya, Blanca Bauluz y Gloria Cuenca en la prestigiosa revista Lethaia. En este trabajo se trata el estudio del esmalte dental de mamíferos con dientes pigmentados. Hay distintos grupos de vertebrados con dientes coloreados, por ejemplo algunas musarañas tienen las cúspides de los dientes de color rojo, anaranjado o marrón y los incisivos de algunos roedores son amarillos o anaranjados. Estos colores se deben a que su esmalte contiene óxidos o hidróxidos de hierro. Al parecer  estos compuestos otorgan mayor dureza, resistencia y flexibilidad al diente.

En esta ocasión estudiamos en detalle el esmalte de los incisivos de especies actuales y fósiles de varias musarañas de dientes rojos, una de dientes blancos y un roedor utilizando distintas técnicas de microscopía electrónica y análisis composicionales. Así observamos que la estructura del esmalte es muy similar dentro de las musarañas,  pero que la forma en la que se distribuye el hierro cambia según las especies. Los roedores tienen una estructura completamente diferente y el contenido en hierro de su esmalte es muy bajo en comparación con el de las musarañas de dientes rojos.

Además hemos podido ver que estos óxidos forman cristales nanométricos que están localizados en un elemento concreto del esmalte dental, la matriz interprismática. Como los incisivos de roedores crecen a lo largo de toda su vida, también hemos visto que estos compuestos de hierro se generan después del apatito, el mineral principal en los dientes.

La referencia es: Moya-Costa, R., Bauluz, B. & Cuenca-Bescós, G. 2019: Structure and composition of the incisor enamel of extant and fossil mammals with tooth pigmentation. Lethaia, https://doi.org/10.1111/let.12318.

El trabajo se puede leer aquí: https://rdcu.be/bh0Wh

Profesor in homin environments research at the University of Helsinki

The Faculty of Science at the University of Helsinki invites applications for a
PROFESSOR OR ASSISTANT/ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR IN HOMININ ENVIRONMENTS RESEARCH

The appointed professor is expected to develop a centre of expertise for the study of the living environments of prehistoric humans or alternatively the study of prehistoric humans in relation to their environment. This position will sit in a community of vibrant biogeoscience and evolutionary palaeontology research already in place in a multidisciplinary research environment including developmental biology, computer science and mathematics. This is also the home of the NOW database of fossil mammals.

To be successful in the position, the candidate must have an excellent track record of independent and innovative research relative to the career stage is expected of the successful candidate. Demonstrated expertise in any subject relevant to hominin environments research is welcomed, with preference given to applicants having experience in transdisciplinary collaboration or fieldwork related to hominin environments or remains. 

The University will offer the appointee a challenging career opportunity in top-level research and research-based teaching, possibilities for international collaboration, and for the appointed assistant/associate professor prerequisites to grow into full professorship. In addition to the funding possibilities offered by the national funding agencies, the Faculty of Science opens calls on a yearly basis for infrastructure funding. The selected person is also anticipated to get a startup package equivalent to a postdoc salary for three years and some support for infrastructure development. 

A professor will carry out and supervise scientific research, provide teaching based on it, follow developments in research and participate in societal interaction in his/her field and in international cooperation. 

According to the Regulations of the University of Helsinki, a professor must hold a doctoral degree and have high-level academic qualifications, experience in heading scientific research. The professor must also be able to provide research-based teaching of high quality, supervise dissertations and theses as well as evidence of international cooperation in the field. 

An assistant/associate professor must hold a doctoral degree and ability for independent scientific work as well as teaching skills required by the position. Furthermore, the successful candidate is expected to have competence and motivation for scientific career proven by scientific publications and other academic activities. 

When assessing the qualifications of each candidate, attention will be paid to scientific publications and other research results of scientific value, teaching experience and pedagogical training, the ability to produce teaching materials, other teaching merits, and, if deemed necessary, teaching skills as demonstrated in a lecture as well as participation in doctoral education. Furthermore, attention will be paid to the applicant’s activities within the research community, success in obtaining research funding, research work abroad and elected positions in international organisations.

Applications must have the following enclosures as a one single pdf file (in English):
1) an academic portfolio approved by the Faculty (as set out at https://www.helsinki.fi/en/faculty-of-science/faculty/join-us/academic-p...)
2) a list of those publications and other relevant documents on competence and merits that the applicant wishes to be taken into account in the selection process. 

On the Faculty’s request, applicants should prepare to submit up to 10 publications of their choice to be sent to assessors after the application period. The publications shall be submitted the University of Helsinki Recruitment System upon request of the Faculty.
Please submit your application using the University of Helsinki Recruitment System via the link Apply for the position.
Applicants who are employees of the University of Helsinki are requested to leave their application via the SAP HR portal.

The dead line for applications is 18 February 2019.
More information: Professor Mikael Fortelius, +358-2941 50837, mikael.fortelius@helsinki.fi and Head of the Department Annakaisa Korja, +358-2941 51606, annakaisa.korja@helsinki.fi.
https://www.helsinki.fi/en/researchgroups/evolutionary-palaeontology-group
https://www.helsinki.fi/en/faculty-of-science/faculty/geosciences-and-ge...
http://www.helsinki.fi/science/now/

new international call to reinforce research and scientific career in the Basque Country

Ikerbasque,  the Basque Foundation for Science, would like to inform you that we have launched a new international call to reinforce research and scientific career in the Basque Country. 

We offer:
20 positions for promising postdoctoral researchers Ikerbasque Research Fellows   5 year contracts, during the last year the researcher can be assessed and she/he can obtain a permanent position
PhD degree between Jan2008-Dec2016
Support letter from the host group is mandatory
Applications from women are especially welcomed
Deadline: March 15th at 13:00 CET
For further information, please visit calls.ikerbasque.net
We would appreciate your help in disseminating this information, in case you know about any colleague that could be interested and meets the requirements of the call.