Alumni – Evolutionary Morphology Research Group

Visiting Professors in our Lab

Dr. Fidji Berio (Univ. Montpellier, France): 19.09.-17.10.2022
Dr. Christine Böhmer (MNHN Paris, France): 01.07.2019-31.07.2019
Dr. Julia Schultz (Univ. Bonn, Germany): 01.03.2018 – 31.03.2018
Dr. Giuseppe Marramà (Univ. Turin, Italy): 01.07.2017 – 31.08.2017
Dr. Zerina Johanson (NHM London, UK): 01.05.2017 – 31.05.2017
Dr. Marcello Ruta (Univ. Bristol, UK): 13.06.2011 – 17.07.2011

PhD Students (in chronological order)

C. Klimpfinger: The prelevance and diversity of labial cartilages in sharks and their facets of utilization during prey capture (University of Vienna, 08.2025).
P. Jambura: Evolutionary History and macroevolutionary dynamics in sharks and rays (Elasmobranchii) (University of Vienna, 10.2024)
J. Türtscher: Shaping sharks and rays: taxonomic inferences of morphology and morphometry on elasmobranch fishes (University of Vienna, 10.2024)
C. De Gracia: Evolutionary affinities among fossil and living billfishes (Istiophoriformes: Istiophoridae) (University of Vienna, 03.2024).
M. Amadori: Palaeobiology and Taxonomy of the extinct elasmobranch shark, †Ptychodus (Vertebrata, Chondrichthyes) (University of Vienna, 05.2022).
F.A. López Romero: Morphological evolution of elasmobranchs: Quantitative approaches from ontogeny to ecomorphological signals among clades (University of Vienna, 07.2022).
J.A. Villafaña Navea: Insights into Cenozoic fishes (Chondrichthyes, Teleostei) from South America and Europe (University of Vienna, 04.2022)
J.J. Cawley: New perspectives on pycnodont fishes (Neopterygii, Pycnodontiformes) concerning evolutionary success, niche partitioning, extinction and taxonomy (University of Vienna, 10.2021)
J. Amalfitano: Late Cretaceous chondrichthyans and palaeoenvironments of northern Italy (Univ. Padua, co-supervisor) (University of Padua, Italy, 2019).
Engelbrecht: Evolution and diversification of post-Cretaceous Antarctic fishes (University of Vienna, 01.2018)
Romano: Evolutionary dynamics of Permian–Triassic fishes and early Triassic seawater temperature changes (University of Zürich, 2013, co-supervisor).
J. Fischer: Thema: Palaeoecology and migration behaviour of the Palaeozoic to Mesozoic freshwater sharks Lissodus and Orthacanthus using stable isotopes (Technical University Freiberg, 2012; adviser).
M. Licht: Ontogeny and evolution of holocephalians (Chondrichthyes) (Technical University Freiberg, 2013; adviser).
N. Straube: Deep Divergence: Phylogeny and age estimates of deep-water Chondrichthyes (Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, 2011).
S. Klug: Morphology and systematics of synechodontiform sharks (Chondrichthyes, Elasmobranchii), with comments on the origin and early evolution of neoselachians (Free University of Berlin, 2009).

MSC / Diploma Students (in chronological order)

2025

R. Pichler: Locomotion patterns in the epaulette shark, Hemiscyllium ocellatum (Elasmobranchii, Orectolobiformes).
K. Holzinger: A short-snouted crocodyliform from the Late Cretaceous Gosau Fm. of Austria (University of Graz, 2025).

2024

A.-S. Hawranek: Comparative morphology of pectoral spines in Corydoradinae (Siluriformes: Callichthyidae) (University of Vienna, 2024).

2023

P. Etzler: Diversity patterns of Jurassic to Cretaceous dinosaurs of Europe (University of Vienna, 2023).
J. Jackwert:. Osteologic morphology of the Malabar pufferfish (Carinotetraodon travancoricus Hora & Nair, 1941), and implications on its taxonomic position (University of Vienna, 2023).
L. Mathiashitz: Comparative morphology and histology of chondrichthyan egg cases (University of Vienna, 2023).
F. Schläffer: Growth patterns and ontogeny of Late Cretaceous dinosaurs from Austria (University of Vienna, 2023).

2022

G. Gorczynński: Fossil record of Antarctica teleostean fishes and the origin of ice-fishes (University of Vienna, 2022).
P. Prüß: Ecology and phylogeny of carnivores (Mammalia, Carnivora) represented in the inner ear (University of Vienna, 2022).
M. Staggl: Cranial development of bamboo sharks (Elasmobranchii, Hemiscyliidae) (University of Vienna, 2022).
K. Stroben: A closer look at the tooth morphology of sleeper sharks (Squaliformes: Somniosidae) and its impact as an identification character (University of Vienna, 2022).

2021

M. Widmann: Colour change in Lethrinidae (Actinopterygii, Perciformes) and insights into ecology (University of Vienna, 2021).

2020

P. Abdalla: The effect of ecology and phylogeny on the skull shape of extinct crocodilians (Crocodyliformes, Archosauria) as indicated by morphometric analyses (University of Vienna, 2020).
P. Stüber: Relationships between caudal fin shape and ecomorphology in sharks (University of Vienna, 2020).
F. Wegan: Biomechanics of the shoulder and pectoral muscle during gliding flight in Anhanguera piscator (Archosauria, Pterosauria) from the Lower Cretaceous of Brazil (University of Vienna, 2020).

2019

Begat: Late Cretaceous elasmobranchs (sharks and rays) from the Austral Basin of Patagonia, South America (Université de Bourgogne, Dijon, France, 2019)
J. Türtscher: Tooth replacement and histology patterns in orectolobiform and tiger sharks (Chondrichthyes, Elasmobranchii) (University of Vienna, 2019).

2018

Schipany: Sharks and rays of the Kvarner Bay (Croatia): Past and recent diversity patterns (financial support by Sharkproject Austria) (University of Vienna, 2018).

2017

Fuchs: New off-shore sharks (Chondrichthyes, Elasmobranchii) from the Early Cretaceous of Austria (University of Vienna, 2017).
P. Jambura: Tooth replacement and histology patterns in carcharhiniform sharks (Chondrichthyes, Elasmobranchii) (University of Vienna, 2017).
F. Schult: Variation in Miocene freshwater fish populations (University of Vienna, 2017).
J. Schwab: Divergence and Disparity of the inner ear in canids through time (University of Vienna, 2017).

2016

S. Czerny: Marsupial morphology of the inner and middle ear (University of Vienna, 2016[Diploma]).
Egger: Shark embryo behaviour in response to electric and magnetic stimuli (University of Vienna, 2016).
N. Gierlinger: The distribution and morphology of dermal and dental denticles in different stages of ontogeny in Chiloscyllium cf. punctatum, Scyliorhinus canicula and Scyliorhinus retifer (University of Vienna, 2016).
P. Wiesinger: Cranial anatomy of stomiid fishes (University of Vienna, 2016 [Diploma]).
K. Zraunig: Conservation and fishery impacts related to shark attacks on humans (University of Vienna, 2016 [Diploma]).

2015

D. Grau: Ontogeny of Sciurus vulgaris (University of Vienna, 2015).
K. Fritz: Evolutionary development of jaws in basal gnathostomes (University of Vienna, 2015).
M. Herke: Comparative morphology and prey capture in pikes (Esox spp.) and gars (Lepisosteus spp.) (University of Vienna, 2015[Diploma]).
L. Schnetz: Cranial anatomy of the porbeagle shark (Lamna nasus) (University of Vienna, 2015).

2014

Elsler: A new specimen of Othnielosaurus consors and its phylogenetic position (University of Vienna, 2014).
J. Happ: Morphology and systematic setting of Miocene birds from the Lavanttal, Austria (University of Vienna, 2014).
Neidhart: Cranial characters of adult and embryonic electric rays (Chondrichthyes, Torpediniformes) and their bearing on individual development and their interrelationships (University of Vienna, 2014).

2013

Veitschegger: The systematic position of the blue shark, Prionace glauca, revisited (University of Vienna, 2013).

2010

S. Jordan: Pre-natal electroreception in cat sharks, Scyliorhinus (Hohenheim University, Stuttgart, 2010).
Niewitz: Early Cretaceous (Albian) selachians (Chondrichthyes, Neoselachii) from northern Germany (Free University of Berlin, 2010).

2009

H. Mewis: Diversity and fossil record of mackerel sharks (Elasmobranchii, Lamniformes) with special reference to Miocene lamniforms from Groß-Pampau (Schleswig-Holstein) (Free University of Berlin, 2009).
J. Dummasch: Systematic position of Late Jurassic batoids (Humboldt-University Berlin, 2009).
Pigowske: Ecology and life history of modern neoselachians (Chondrichthyes, Elasmobranchii) using geochemical tracer analyses (Free University of Berlin, 2009).
R. Stepanek: Anatomy of the freshwater stingray Potamotrygon motoro (Batoidea, Potamotrygonidae) (Free University of Berlin, 2009).
J. Waligora: Character interpretation in etmopterid deep-water sharks (Neoselachii, Squaliformes) (Humboldt-University Berlin, 2009).

2008

Stelbrink: Phylogeography of modern angel sharks (Neoselachii: Squatinidae) using multiple molecular sequences (Humboldt-University Berlin, 2008).

2007

O’Connor: Cope’s Rule in galeomorph sharks (co-supervisor Prof. Dr. M.J. Benton) (University of Bristol, UK, 2007).

2006

N. Hoffmann: Fishes from the Upper Jurassic of Poland (University of Greifswald, Germany, 2006).
N. Straube: Dental morphology and taxonomy of extant deep-water sharks of the genus Etmopterus (Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, 2006).

2003

S. Joomun: Feeding habits and trophic levels of Upper Jurassic fishes from South Germany (University of Bristol, UK, 2003).
Lipkin: Biomechanics of the forelimbs of spinosaurid theropods (University of Bristol, UK, 2003).
L. Nunn: Mid-Cretaceous fish faunas of Aliaga, NE Spain (University of Bristol, UK, 2003).
M. Riley: Lower Cretaceous fish remains (Chondrichthyes, Actinopterygii) of NE Spain (University of Bristol, UK, 2003).
J. Ruffle: Taxonomy and Phylogeny of Priscacara (Teleostei: Perciformes) from the Eocene Green River Formation, U.S.A. (University of Bristol, UK, 2003).
M. Woodger: Lower to Mid-Cretaceous ostracodes of NE Spain (University of Bristol, UK, 2003).

2002

N. Cartwright: Cranial anatomy and phylogeny of Saurichthys (Actinopterygii, Saurichthyiidae) (University of Bristol, UK, 2002).
E. Williams: Dental morphology and systematics of fossil squatinid selachians (Chondrichthyes, Neoselachii) (University of Bristol, UK, 2002).

BSc Students

2025

H. Bauer: Fish remains (Chondrichthyes, Actinopterygii) from the Aquitanian of the Central Paratethys.
K. Eggetsberger: Historical bones of flightless birds (Palaeognathae) in the palaeontological collection of the University of Vienna.
B. Grabensteiner: Revision of the Early Jurassic hybodontiform shark-like chondrichthyan Hybodus reticulatus Agassiz, 1837.
E. Makhamat: Life history drivers of elasmobranch success.
E. Marx: Morphology and Identity of two Eocene whales from Fayum, Egypt.
V. Lagler: Taxonomic diversity of Middle Miocene requiem sharks (Chondrichthyes, Carcharhiniformes) from the Florida Platform (University of Vienna, 2025).

2024

K. Bachler: Analysis of tooth morphologies and correlated abrasion patterns of Struthiosaurus austriacus Bunzel, 1871 and Mochlodon suessi (Bunzel, 1871) from the Gosau formation, Austria (University of Vienna, 2024).
D.P.H. Giritzer: A marine crocodilian bromalite from the Lower Jurassic Posidonia Shale of Schandelah, Germany (University of Vienna, 2024).
J. Holik: On the vertebral anatomy of the European Late Cretaceous ankylosaur, Struthiosaurus austriacus (University of Vienna, 2024).
S. Hübner: Head anatomy of the blue shark, Prionace glauca (Chondrichthyes, Carcharhiniformes (University of Vienna, 2024).
H.K. Lüth. From research to public outreach: The lost world of the dinosaur Struthiosaurus austriacus (University of Vienna, 2024).

2023

R.V. Bichler: Anatomy and functional morphology of the feeding apparatus of the hogfish, Lachnolaimus maximus (Neoteleostei, Labridae) (University of Vienna, 2023).
J. Leimhofer: The Late Jurassic pterosaurs of the Solnhofen Archipelago (University of Vienna, 2023).
M. Leonardelli: Musculotendinous system in a stem-group elasmobranch fish from the Upper Jurassic of the Solnhofen Archipelago (University of Vienna, 2023).
Novak: Resurrecting the dinosaur: New insights into the nodosaurid Struthiosaurus austriacus from the Upper Cretaceous of Austria (University of Vienna, 2023).
J. Madl: Fossil record and palaeodiversity of chamaeleonids (Reptilia, Squamata) (University of Vienna, 2023).
G. Wilhelm: South American fossil record of theropod and sauropod dionsaurs (University of Vienna, 2023).
P.F. Balàka: Updated checklist of chondrichthyan species in the Croatian Sea (University of Vienna, 2022).

2021

F.-S. Füby: Evolutionary trajectories in the illium of suaropodomorph dinosaurs (University of Vienna, 2021).
S.A.L. Philipp: Dental Patterns and jaw morphology of the Campanian ornithischian rhabdodontid dinosaur Mochlodon suessi (University of Vienna, 2021).
E. Meneweger: Body size estimations of extinct sand tiger sharks, †Striatolamia macrota, from the Eocene of Antarctica (University of Vienna, 2021).
D. Offenberger: Dental morphologies and taxonomic identity of the prehistoric shark, “Isurus” hastalis. (University of Vienna, 2021).
M. Schwaiger: Morphological studies on teeth of freshwater stingrays (Chondrichthyes, Potamotrygoninae) (University of Vienna, 2021).

2019

P. Etzler: Jurassic diversity patterns of carnivorous archosauromorphs (University of Vienna, 2019).
C. Janiczek: Phenotypic plasticity in the vertebral column of a Miocene freshwater fish (University of Vienna, 2019).

2018

P. Abdalla: Revision of Late Cretaceous crocodiles (Tetrapoda, Crocodyliformes) of Austria (University of Vienna, 2018).
F. de Rossi: Reconstruction of the Austrian nodosaurid dinosaur, Struthiosaurus austriacus from the Late Cretaceous of Austria (University of Vienna, 2018).
Sistani: Taphonomy of bird remains from Pleistocene caves of Austria (University of Vienna, 2018).
F. Wegan: Late Cretaceous pterosaurs (Vertebrata, Reptilia) from Austria (University of Vienna, 2018).

2017

M.E. van Andel: Mineralized inner ear structures in elasmobranch fishes. (student of “Helicon MBO”, Apeldoorn, dual Dutch university system, 2017).

2016

R. Caspers: Cranial morphology of placoderm fishes. (student of “Helicon MBO”, Apeldoorn, dual Dutch university system) (University of Vienna, 2016).
T. Hazod: Teeth and rostral spines in the sclerorhynchid sawfish, Libanopristis (Chondrichthyes, Elasmobranchii) (University of Vienna, 2016).
J. van der Waal: Miocene bird remains from Austria (student of “Helicon MBO”, Apeldoorn, dual Dutch university system, 2016).

2015

Fuchs: Palaeoecology and distribution of early Miocene elasmobranchs (Chondrichthyes, Neoselachii) from Austria (University of Vienna, 2015).
G. Kaineder: Less for success: Reduced ossification in the dentary bone of notothenioids (Teleostei, Perciformes) (University of Vienna, 2015).
Schwab: Palaeoecology and distribution of middle Miocene elasmobranchs (Chondrichthyes, Neoselachii) from Austria (University of Vienna, 2015).

2014

L. Clara: Palaeoecology and sedimentology of the fossil locality of Hipples, Lower Austria (in German) (University of Vienna, 2014).

2012

L. Baumann: Spontaneous calcification of vertebrate collagen provides new insights into the appearance of skeletons in early vertebrates (University of Vienna, 2012).