Project description
Well-preserved fossil fishes found at the world famous Gogo sites in northern Western Australia will be formally described and analysed so as to determine their taxonomic placement, phylogenetic and biogeographic significance. These fossils are 380 million years old and are 3D uncrushed specimens prepared from the rock using weak acetic acid, so represents exceptionally well-preserved material that allows detailed anatomical study of the fossils. On offer are projects about placoderms (the first jawed fishes), and early lungfish and ray-finned fish fossils.
Further information
https://theconversation.com/our-ideas-about-vertebrate-evolution-challenged-by-a-new-tree-of-life-68416; https://theconversation.com/the-first-vertebrate-sexual-organs-evolved-as-an-extra-pair-of-legs-27578; https://theconversation.com/no-bones-about-it-sharks-evolved-cartilage-for-a-reason-42258
Assumed knowledge
None required, but background subjects in paleontology will help
Industry involvement
Note: You need to register interest in projects from different supervisors (not a number of projects with the one supervisor).
You must also contact each supervisor directly to discuss both the project details and your suitability to undertake the project.