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Applied Research and Innovation Fossil mammals of the late Miocene (11.6-5.3 MYA) Santa Cruz Formation, Santa Cruz (Patagonia), Argentina Gerry De Iuliis,

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Presentation on theme: "Applied Research and Innovation Fossil mammals of the late Miocene (11.6-5.3 MYA) Santa Cruz Formation, Santa Cruz (Patagonia), Argentina Gerry De Iuliis,"— Presentation transcript:

1 Applied Research and Innovation Fossil mammals of the late Miocene (11.6-5.3 MYA) Santa Cruz Formation, Santa Cruz (Patagonia), Argentina Gerry De Iuliis, School of Nursing, GBC Museo de La Plata Duke University Medical Center National Geographic Society Arius 3D

2 Applied Research and Innovation Santa Cruz Formation: classical site for fossil mammals during critical period in mammalian evolution in S Am Especially for xenarthrans: sloths, armadillos, anteaters Objective: understand this group of sloths from a modern biological perspective Introduction and Research Objectives

3 Applied Research and Innovation  An important diversification of sloths occurred during this period  Critical for understanding later evolutionary history of this group  Knowledge of these sloths limited to collections made > 100 years ago  So, material abundant, but based on century-old collecting techniques

4 Applied Research and Innovation To understand this group of sloths from modern biological perspective: controlled data collection and analysis  1 st step: obtain new fossil specimens under tight stratigraphic control;  2 nd step: analyze fossil specimens. Methodology

5 Applied Research and Innovation 2007 Funding:1 st step: obtain new fossil specimens under tight stratigraphic control  Mounting an expedition to Santa Cruz Province (Patagonia), Argentina;  Collection of material from exposures of the Santa Cruz Formation;

6 Applied Research and Innovation Profile of Santa Cruz Formation  Fossils from several levels  Older collections: poor information on precise position of fossils  Current objective: collect new fossils with precise information in geological context

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14 Very good results from this expedition:  104 total fossil specimens  17 fossil sloth specimens Results

15 Applied Research and Innovation Future Research: 2 nd step: analyze new fossil specimens and integrate older fossil specimens to produce: 1) modern understanding of the biological taxonomic relationships of the species, which allows: 2) inferences on population structure, biodiversity, paleoecology, extinction Conclusions and Future Research

16 Applied Research and Innovation  Interdisciplinary collaboration with specialists to produce a comprehensive view of the mammalian paleobiology of the Santa Cruz Formation;  Potential expansion of multi-institutional 3D data banks of fossil specimens;  enhance international reputation though involvement in an international multidisciplinary research project;  benefit student outcome through enhanced teaching and learning experiences; Benefits to Industry Partner Benefits to GBC

17 Applied Research and Innovation  commercialization potential with Arius 3D by providing a viable conduit for commercialization of 3D casts and images of fossils for sale to academic institutions and graphic production houses, and for educational use through digital databases in teaching and in linking with other researchers;  providing a student with paid research experience through training and preparation of material at the Royal Ontario Museum; potential as an IPE experience


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