| Project Detail |
Shark’s and their relatives are distinctly unique compared to other vertebrates (including humans); they have an internal skeleton made entirely out of cartilage. It was presumed that cartilage was the ancestral condition among vertebrates based on the assumption that evolution would be driven toward the increased complexity of bone. However, recent fossil evidence disproves this assumption and reveals that the skeletal mineralisation shown in sharks (calcified cartilage) is an evolutionary innovation. Our understanding of calcified cartilage in sharks greatly lags behind that of the hard tissues in other vertebrates. Thus, the mechanisms behind cartilage calcification, how or whether this relates to bone, and our overall understanding of how hard tissues evolved in vertebrates is impacted. In this project, I will address this knowledge gap by examining the 3D histology of calcified cartilage in a wide range of both living and fossil sharks, using cutting-edge scanning methods. This holistic approach will cover 400 million years of cartilage evolution in sharks. The results of this project will be of importance across multiple scientific fields: advancing our understanding of the evolution of hard tissues in vertebrates, detailed 3D information on structural properties of calcified cartilage relevant to material engineering, and insight into calcification mechanisms relevant to medical research on cartilage disorders in humans. Naturalis is the perfect setting to conduct this research due to the vast collection of preserved sharks available for study, expertise in hard tissue histology, and active collaborations with medical researchers on cartilage disorders. It also offers a valuable platform for public outreach and skills training, such as in management and science communication. This project will provide a crucial stepping stone towards my aspiration to spearhead a research team focused on bridging research of both fossil and living animals. |
