Dr Martin Ruecklin

Summary

My research focuses on the evolution of early vertebrates. The topic of my current research programme is the evolution and development of jaws and teeth in placoderms, the first jawed vertebrates. Using computed tomography (Micro-CT and SRXTM) we achieve a non-invasive insight into the first jaws. We compare this fossil data with embryological data and use it to test recent hypotheses on the evolution of teeth.

My general interests are in the palaeobiology and taphonomy of early vertebrates and the palaeobiogeographical reconstruction of Gondwana and Laurussia. I have previously undertaken extensive fieldwork in the Devonian of Morocco and research in collections.

Keywords

• evolution
• early vertebrates
• vertebrates
• jaw joint
• jaws
• placoderms
• fossils

Memberships

Organisations

School of Earth Sciences

Academic staff

• Earth Sciences academic staff

Research groups

• Palaeobiology and Biodiversity

Research themes

• Evolution of Biodiversity and Morphology

Recent publications

• Cunningham, JA, Ruecklin, M, Blom, H, Botella, H & Donoghue, PCJ 2012, ‘Testing models of dental development in the earliest bony vertebrates, Andreolepis and Lophosteus’. Biology Letters, vol 8., pp. 833-837
• Ruecklin, M, Donoghue, PCJ, Johanson, Z, Trinajstic, K, Federica, M & Stampanoni, M 2012, ‘Development of teeth and jaws in the earliest jawed vertebrates’. Nature, vol 491.
• Ruecklin, M, Giles, S, Janvier, P & Donoghue, PCJ 2011, ‘Teeth before jaws? Comparative analysis of the structure and development of the external and internal scales in the extinct jawless vertebrate Loganellia scotica’. Evolution & Development, vol 13., pp. 523-532
• Lubeseder, S, Rath, J, Ruecklin, M & Messbacher, R 2009, ‘Controls on Devonian hemi-pelagic limestone deposition analyzed on cephalopod ridge to slope sections, Eastern Anti-Atlas, Morocco’. Facies, vol 56 (2)., pp. 295 - 315
• Klug, C, Kroeger, B, Korn, D, Ruecklin, M, Schemm-Gregory, M, Baets, KD & Mapes, RH 2008, ‘Ecological change during the early Emsian (Devonian) in the Tafilalt (Morocco), the origin of the Ammonoidea, and the first African pyrgocystid edrioasteroids, machaerids and phyllocarids’. Palaeontographica abteilung a-Palaozoologie-Stratigraphie, vol 283., pp. 83-U58

View complete publications list in the University of Bristol publications system