Evolution of pinniped carnivores – a case study of engineering morphology

Within this DFG-project, data on anatomy and locomotion of extant pinniped carnivores (seals and sea lions) are collected, complied and categorized to anatomy based construction types. For each construction type bracing systems will be reconstructed that mechanically demonstrate how forces are introduced and transmitted in the animal during resting and locomotion. Aim of the project is to reconstruct the evolution of the pinniped carnivores with the methods of engineering morphology and to explain the evolution of their diverse locomotor styles.

PhD student: Carolin Kuhn
PIs: apl Prof. Dr. Eberhard “Dino” Frey SMNK, Prof. Dr, Norbert Rieder KIT, Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft