International Conference on Ruminant Phylogenetics Munich 2013

GeoBio-Center^LMU, September 3–6, 2013

Conference background and aim

Ruminants are the most abundant (over 3 billion individuals) and diverse (over 300 species) group of ungulates.  They include some of the most agriculturally, environmentally, economically and culturally important species on earth.  Ruminants display a fascinating spectrum of adaptations allowing them to successfully inhabit nearly every terrestrial biome. Yet, the evolutionary history of ruminants remains unresolved. The fossil record documents 43 million years of diversification including several key radiations, each marking important steps in ruminant cladogenesis. At least thirteen million years of this history occurred before the origin of the living ruminant families.  This long time of radiations and extinctions makes ruminants an ideal group in which to study many aspects of evolutionary theory, including selection and speciation.

Ruminant phylogenetics have been the subject of scientific interest since the initial Linnean classification in 1735.  Many competing phylogenetic hypotheses have been advanced since then, linking the eight extinct and the six surviving ruminant families in almost every possible manner.  For 250 years, these phylogenies were based on comparative studies of diverse phenotypic traits in a wide array of disciplines. In the last 20 years, advances in genomic sequencing, developmental genetics, and computational phylogenetics have brought new forms of data and methodologies to bear on these questions.  In some cases, this has helped to resolve phylogenies.  In others, it has added to the confusion.  Both phenotypic and genomic data from fossil and extant species accumulate at an ever increasing rate.  Expertise from specialists in all of these diverse disciplines is needed to make a coherent and logical synthesis of this enormous amount of data. 

The International Conference on Ruminant Phylogenetics aims to provide an interdisciplinary meeting environment, promoting interaction of leading experts in diverse aspects of comparative ruminant (palaeo)biology. It will include reviews of critical disciplines by recognized experts, presentation and discussion of the most recent research results by participants and working group sessions on specific topics and issues. It is designed to produce a stimulating atmosphere for intensive debate on crucial issues.  Through these discussions, controversies in ruminant phylogenetics will be recognized. Collaborative efforts will be initiated to address and resolve critical deficiencies including a future communication platform.  A conference volume providing a current and comprehensive overview of ruminant phylogenetics will be published. 

Programme at a glance

Monday, Sept. 2	Tuesday, Sept. 3	Wednesday, Sept. 4	Thursday, Sept. 5	Friday, Sept. 6
	Reviews on involved disciplines	Current research presentations	Current research presentations	Current research presentations
				working in groups
				work group reports and overall discussion
Welcoming Reception, 6 pm			Event Evening, 5:30 pm	Farewell Party, 8 pm

Scientific programme

Tuesday, September 3rd, 2013

Session: Exploring ruminant phylogenetics

Reviews on involved disciplines

Current taxonomy and diversity of crown ruminants above the species level

C. P. Groves

Genomics

J. F. Taylor, R. D. Schnabel, J. E. Decker

Developmental genetics

R. M. Roberts

Cytogenetics

L. Ianuzzi

Skeletodental morphology

C. M. Janis & J. M. Theodor

Soft tissue biology

M. Clauss

Behavioural biology

P. Deleporte, H. Cap 

Session: Mining and recycling of ruminant phylogeny estimates

Reviews on outcome and application of ruminant phylogeny estimates

Rocks versus clocks or rocks and clocks: how can we solve the riddle of ruminant relationships?

L. Helbig, P. Price, O.R.P. Bininda-Emonds

Ruminant macroevolution: a phylogenetic approach based on extant faunas

M. Hernández Fernández, J. L. Cantalapiedra

Wednesday, September 4th, 2013

Session 3: Phylogenetic Patterns in Ruminantia

Phylogenetic patterns and diversity of embryonic skeletal ossification in Cetartiodactyla.

D. Koyabu

Dental eruption in ruminants and other mammals

R. Asher

Characterization of the gene family encoding for the pregnancy associated glycoproteins in ruminant ungulates

J. Green

Morphological aspects of the evolution of the ruminant placenta

K. Klisch, A. Mess

A comparison of vestigial zeugopodal and autopodal elements in ruminants and their potential use in establishing phylogenetic relationships

W.J. Silvia, C.H. Hamilton, W.F. Silvia

Histological insights into the deep homology of ruminant cranial appendages

B.L. Beatty, N. Solounias

Session 4: Phylogenetic Implications from Basal Hornless Ruminantia

Basicranial and ear morphology characters among basal ruminants

J.M. Theodor

Eocene-Oligocene selenodont artiodactyls from Asia and their bearing on the phylogeny and paleobiogeography of early ruminants

G. Métais

Reassessment of early European Ruminantia: implications for the diversity and evolution of the group

B. Mennecart

The fossil tragulids of the Siwalik Formations of Southern Asia

J.C. Barry

Phylogeny of the Tragulidae (Mammalia, Cetartiodactyla, Ruminantia)

I.M. Sánchez, V. Quiralte, M. Ríos, J. Morales

New insights into tragulid phylogeny of Europe: Dorcatherium naui from the latest Middle Miocene of Austria

M. Aiglstorfer, M. Böhme, G.E. Rössner

Session 5: Phylogenetics in Cervidae

Systematics of the endemic Pleistocene deer of Mediterranean islands

A. Lister, M. Breda

Fossil taxa and molecular clock calibrations in Cervidae phylogeny: the challenge of the Middle-Late Miocene muntjac-like deer

B. Azanza, D. DeMiguel

A revision of cervid phylogeny using a total evidence approach

N.S. Heckeberg, G.E. Rössner, R.J. Asher, G. Wörheide

Separating phylogenetic signals from trophic convergence in cervid dentition – implications from tooth morphology and 3D surface texture analysis

E. Schulz, N.S. Heckeberg, G.E. Rössner

Late Miocene Cervavitus novorossiae (Cervidae, Artiodactyla) from Lantian, Shaanxi Province

L. Wang, Z. Zhang

Fossil remains of family Cervidae from the Siwaliks of Pakistan

A. Ghaffar

Deer from Plio-Pleistocene of Western Eurasia: matching fossil record and molecular phylogeny data

R. Croitor

Morphology of articular surfaces can solve a phylogenetic issue: one instead of two ancestors for Candiacervus (Mammalia: Cervoidea)

A.A. Van Der Geer, G. Lyras, J. De Vos, H. Drinia

Extinction-recolonization events in Crimean red deer populations during Late Pleistocene

K. Doan, E. Sandoval-Castellanos, L. Dalen, A. Stankovic

Geographic variation in body size of Japanese sika deer: Bergmann’s rule revisited

M. Kubo, S. Takatsuki

Thursday, September 5th, 2013 

Session 6: Phylogenetic Relationships of Basal Pecora, Palaeomerycidae, Giraffidae, and Moschidae

On the phylogenetic position of the hornless pecoran Amphimoschus – an example of arising challenges with the incorporation of fossils in extant combined frameworks

G.E. Rössner, E.V. Bärmann, N.S. Heckeberg, R.J. Asher, D. Erpenbeck, G. Wörheide

The petrosal bone and inner ear of Micromeryx (Moschidae, Miocene)

L. Costeur

New Late Miocene North American dromomerycine artiodactyl from the Amazon Basin: implications for interchanged dynamics

D.R. Prothero, K.E. Campbell, Jr., B.L. Beatty, C.D. Frailey

The interrelationships of the Giraffidae

N. Solounias, S. Hou

New giraffoid fossils from the later Early Miocene Lothidok Formation (West Turkana, Kenya): implications for early giraffoid diversity

A. Grossmann, N. Solounias

Mitilanotherium (Artiodactyla: Giraffidae) skull from the Lower Pleistocene locality of Sésklo (SE Thessaly, Greece)

A. Athanassiou

Session 7: Phylogenetics in Bovidae

The evolution of body size, horn shape and social behaviour in crown Antilopini - an ancestral character state analysis

E.V. Bärmann

Neogene Bovidae from China: a review

Z. Zhang, G. Chen

The anatomy and paleoecology of the boselaphine Miotragocerus pannoniae from the late Miocene Höwenegg locality (Hegau, Germany)

D. Wolf, R.L. Bernor, G.M. Semprebon

Horn development in living boselaphines and their fossil relatives; implications for phylogenetic reconstructions

D.S. Kostopoulos

The phylogenetic relationships of the Mio-Pliocene gazelles of Europe

M. Andrés Rodrigo, B. Azanza, J. Morales, E.V. Bärmann

Revision of the Ovibovini Gill 1872 (Bovidae, Caprinae) through a cladistic analysis based on morphological characters

F. Fack

Evolutionary patterns in insular fossil bovids

R. Rozzi, M.R. Palombo, M.V. Lomolino

Morphological evidence on the origin of Bison and the Cephalophini

J. van der Made

The evolutionary meaning of Raphicerus-like morphology in the dentitions and postcrania of Antidorcas bondi (Antilopini)

J.S. Brink, F.C. De Beer, J. Hoffman, L. Bam

The possible role of hybridization in adaptive radiations

Y. Moodley

Geographic differentiation of domestic ruminants

J.A. Lenstra

Friday, September 6th, 2013

Session 8: Related Aspects and Future

Taxonomic inflation in ruminants and its bearing on evolutionary biology and conservation

F. E. Zachos

Evolutionary relationships between environments and locomotion in extant ruminants

G.M. Alcalde, J.L. Cantalapiedra, M. Hernández Fernández, B. Azanza, M.T. Alberdi

Evolutionary rates for ruminants based on fossils and phylogenies

J.L. Cantalapiedra, M. Hernández Fernández, B. Azanza, J. Morales

Toward a phylogeny of ruminants: combining morphology, molecules, fossils, and living taxa

F. Bibi

Phylogenomics and adaptive genomics of ruminants

M. Hofreiter

Abstracts

Abstracts will be published in our in-house journal Zitteliana. The volume will be provided with the conference package and will be available open-access through OpenAccessLMU on the journal's website.

Contact

Gertrud Rössner

Bayerische Staatssammlung für Paläontologie und Geologie, Munich, Germany
GeoBio-Center^LMU, Munich, Germany
g.roessner@lrz.uni-muenchen.de
Tel.: +49 (0)89 2180 6609
Fax: +49 (0)89 2180 6601

William Silvia

University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY USA
Scientific programme
wsilvia@email.uky.edu

Grégoire Métais

Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle, Paris, France
Scientific programme
gregoire.metais@mnhn.fr

Brian Beatty

New York College on Osteopathic Medicine, New York, NY USA
Scientific programme
bbeatty@nyit.edu

Eva Bärmann

Museum für Naturkunde, Berlin, Germany
Scientific programme

List of Attendees

Aiglstorfer, M. (Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, Germany)

Alcalde, G. M. (Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales Madrid, Spain)

Andrés Rodrigo, M. (Universidad de Zaragoza, Spain)

Asher, R. (University of Cambridge, UK)

Athanassiou, A. (Hellenic Ministry of Culture, Athens, Greece)

Azanza, B. (Universidad de Zaragoza, Saragossa, Spain)

Bärmann, E. V. (Museum für Naturkunde Berlin, Germany)

Barry, J. (Harvard University, Cambridge, Ma, USA)

Beatty, B. (New York College on Osteopathic Medicine, Old Westbury, NY, USA)

Bininda-Emonds, O. R.P. (Carl von Ossietzky Universität, Oldenburg, Germany)

Bibi, F. (American Museum of Natural History, New York, USA)

Böhme, M. (Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, Germany)

Brink, J. (National Museum, Bloemfontein, South Africa)

Cantalapiedra, J. L. (Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, Madrid, Spain)

Clauss, M. (University of Zurich, Switzerland)

Costeur, L. (Naturhistorisches Museum Basel, Switzerland)

Croitor, R. (Institute of Cultural Heritage, Kishinau, Moldova)

Deleporte, P. (Université de Rennes 1, Paimpont, France)

DeMiguel, D. (Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Spain)

Dittmann, M. (ETH Zürich, Switzerland)

Doan, K. (University of Warsaw, Poland)

Fack, F. ((Musée National d’Histoire Naturelle, Paris, France)

Fuß, J. (Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, Germany)

Gailer, J. P. (Universität Hamburg, Germany)

Van der Geer, A. (Netherlands Center for Biodiversity Naturalis, Leiden, The Netherlands)

Gentry, A. (The Natural History Museum, London, UK)

Gentry, A. W. (The Natural History Museum, London, UK)

Ghaffar, A. (COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Islamabad, Pakistan)

Green, J. A. (University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA)

Grossmann, A. (Midwestern University, IL, USA)

Groves, C. (Australian National University, Canberra, Australia)

Heckeberg, N. (Bayerische Staatssammlung für Paläontologie und Geologie, Munich, Germany)

Hernández-Fernández, M. (Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain)

Hintsche, S. (Münchener Tierpark Hellabrunn, Germany)

Hofreiter, M. (The University of York, UK)

Iannuzzi, L. (National Research Council of Italy, Naples, Italy)

Janis, C. M. (Brown University, Providence, RI, USA)

Klisch, K. (University of Nottingham, UK)

Kostopoulos, D. (Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece)

Koyabu, D. (University of Zurich, Switzerland)

Kubo, O. M.(University of Tokyo, Japan)

Langer, P. (Justus-Liebig-Universität, Giessen, Germany)

Lenstra, J. A. (Utrecht University, The Netherlands)

Lister, A. (The Natural History Museum, London, UK)

Liu, J. (Lanzhou University, China)

Van der Made, J. (Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, Madrid, Spain)

Maier, W. (Universität Tübingen, Germany)

Mennecart, B. (Université de Fribourg, Switzerland)

Mess, A. (Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil)

Métais, G. (Musée National d’Histoire Naturelle, Paris, France)

Moodley, Y. (Konrad Lorenz Institute Vienna, Austria)

Peng, Y. (Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, Germany)

Plath, M. (Johann-Wolfgang-Goethe Universität, Frankfurt am Main, Germany)

Qiu, Q. (Lanzhou University, China)

Rios, M. (Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales Madrid, Spain)

Roberts, M. (University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA)

Robovsky, J. (University of South Bohemia, Czechia)

Rössner, G. (Bayerische Staatssammlung für Paläontologie und Geologie, Munich, Germany)

Rozzi, R. ("Sapienza" Università di Roma, Italy)

Sánchez, I. (Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, Madrid, Spain)

Scharnhölz, R. (Kerpen, Germany)

Schulz, E. (Universität Hamburg, Germany)

Silvia, W. (University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY USA)

Solounias, N. (New York College of Osteopathic Medicine, Old Westbury, NY, USA)

Taylor, J. (University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA)

Theodor, J. (University of Calgary, Canada)

Wörheide, G. (Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany)

Wolf, D. (Staatliches Museum für Naturkunde Karlsruhe, Germany)

Zachos, F. (Naturhistorisches Museum Wien, Vienna, Austria)

Zhaoqun, Z. (Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Beijing, China)