Ph. D. Student

Olivier JANSEN
Doctorant, Palevoprim

Topic

Evolution of vertebrates and wetlands around the K/Pg boundary

Amphibians and squamates (lizards and snakes), which are generally abundant in freshwater ecosystems, are relatively sensitive to environmental changes. However, the consequences and modalities of environmental changes during the Late Cretaceous on their diversity are still poorly understood due to the fragmented nature of their fossil record, particularly in France, where it is limited to a few localities that have yielded isolated, incomplete, and poorly identifiable elements. New material from previously unknown and historic sites, distributed stratigraphically throughout the Late Cretaceous across several French continental sedimentary basins, has led to the discovery of numerous amphibian and squamate remains. An in-depth study of this material has been carried out, providing a new perspective on the diversity of amphibians and squamates in the Cretaceous, particularly through the use of 3D imaging. This work provides valuable information on the distribution and evolutionary history of European amphibians and squamates, particularly for the Campanian-Maastrichtian, providing a better understanding of the faunal and diversity changes occurring in European freshwater ecosystems around the K/Pg boundary.

Illustration Olivier Jansen

Key-words: Late Cretaceous, Europe, France, freshwater environments, amphibians,squamates, palaeobiogeography, palaeoecology

Place

INSPÉ amphitheater – building B20 (5 Rue Shirin Ebadi), University of Poitiers.

Jury

• James D. GARDNER Conservateur, Royal Tyrrell Museum, Canada
• Pascal GODEFROIT Professeur des universités, IRScNB, Belgique
• Annelise FOLIE Cheffe de travaux, IRScNB, Belgique
• Anthony HERREL Directeur de recherche CNRS, MNHN, France
• Alexandra HOUSSAYE Directrice de recherche CNRS, MNHN, France
• Xabier PEREDA-SUPERBIOLA Chercheur, Universidad del País Vasco, Espagne
• Géraldine GARCIA Maître de conférences HDR, Université de Poitiers, France
• Olga OTERO Professeure des universités, Université de Poitiers, France