The apprehension of our evolution through the analysis of faunal dynamics, the global responses of fauna to environmental variations, and the comparison of these responses not only locally over time, but also in their inter-regional dimension is a promising avenue of research, yet still limited. In this context, the doctoral topic proposes to evaluate the dynamics of faunal responses to environmental changes at different times within two basins, the Chad Basin in Central Africa and the Omo Basin in Eastern Africa, and to compare these dynamics between these basins. Thus, the study will focus on the eco-morphological responses of fauna to changes in the environmental framework. It will involve using biometric data independently of taxonomy as proxies for the environments. A Master’s degree in Paleontology and a strong motivation for fieldwork are expected.

The discoveries of fossil humans in Eastern and Southern Africa have led to the development of evolutionary paradigms and hypotheses based on a biased view of the distribution of fauna. The proposed paleoscenarios present an evolution largely driven by climate-related factors (expansion of the « savanna » biome, global cooling and aridification, more marked seasonality, increasing climate instability over time, etc.).
Paleontological research in Chad has uncovered thousands of fossil vertebrate remains shedding new light on Miocene-Pliocene paleoenvironments and faunal evolution in a region of Africa whose paleontological history was still largely unknown. These discoveries suggest a more complex history than the one formulated mainly from work in Eastern Africa and make it possible to reconsider evolutionary hypotheses.

This subject proposes to evaluate the dynamics of faunal responses to environmental changes at different times within two basins, those of Chad in Central Africa and Omo in Eastern Africa, and to compare these dynamics between these basins. These two study workshops are located at the same latitude but subjected to different climate regimes and environmental histories, which are presumably very different: desert/wetland alternations in the Chad basin; the continuity of water supply through two monsoon regimes on the Ethiopian highlands in the Turkana basin. Have these different environmental contexts generated different ecological responses in each basin? Have biotic interactions had different dynamics between these basins? Has Chad been a center of diversification and dispersion in a context of environmental pressures?

The project will be based on studying the ecomorphological responses of fauna (mammals) to environmental changes. It will involve using biometric data independently of taxonomy as proxies for the environments. The main ecomorphometric approaches employed will be based on the example of work carried out in the Turkana basin and, more specifically, for the Shungura Formation. This includes, in particular: dental measurements and codings describing crown height (hypsodonty) and tooth shape, which have been used as proxies for humidity in Turkana; postcranial measurements (including autopod measurements), which have been used as proxies for substrate type in Omo; and the evolution of body size in ectotherms, which has recently been used as a proxy for climate.

A doctoral thesis corresponds to a high level of professional expectation. Although the person recruited will be a beginner and receive support and guidance from the thesis supervisors, they will be considered a full colleague. Therefore, a high level of motivation, personal commitment to the research, real ability to work in a team (the new data acquired in the framework of this doctoral thesis must be incorporated into the rest of the team’s productions) while remaining highly autonomous, good writing skills, acceptance of the deontology specific to paleontology, and finally, a commitment to complete the doctoral contract, research project, and thesis to the best of their ability, are all expected. It is expected that the candidate has a Master’s degree in Paleontology and a strong motivation for fieldwork.