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Evolutionary Morphology Lab
Washington University in St. Louis

About Us

ABOUT US

The Evolutionary Morphology Lab at the Washington University in St. Louis is dedicated primarily to analyzing the anatomy of living and extinct humans and non-human primates in order to better understand human origins and adaptations. The Lab can be thought of not simply as a space with equipment, but rather as a community of like-minded researchers.  Lab members work both independently and collaboratively on a variety of projects pertaining to biomechanics, systematics (including both the reconstruction of evolutionary history and the documentation of diversity and variation), biogeography, and evolutionary ecology (defined broadly).

Testimonials

Recent
PUBLICATIONS

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 Fracture mechanics, enamel thickness and the evolution of molar form in hominins

Dr. David Strait and colleagues published a study in the Royal Society of Publishing on Jan. 22, 2020, proposing a new standard for evaluating dental biomechanics. 

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New hominin fossil cranium discovered at Drimolen site

 An international research team including Dr. David Strait reported their discovery from the fossil-rich Drimolen cave system northwest of Johannesburg in the journal Nature Ecology & Evolution on Nov. 9.

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Ingestive behaviors in bearded capuchins (Sapajus libidinosus)

Dr. David Strait along with an international team of collaborators published a study examining the patterns of manual, ingestive, and masticatory behaviors from a wild population of bearded capuchins from Fazenda Boa Vista in Piauí, Brazil.

Check out our blog!

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Simple Beginnings is a blog about human evolution, defined broadly. The blog will be run by an editorial board comprised of lab members, each an expert in paleoanthropology. Even though we study the fossil record of human evolution, the blog will not simply be about “bones and stones”. It will encompass the broader topics of human evolutionary biology and evolutionary anthropology. Check back soon for the launch of Simple Beginnings! 

 Simple Beginnings

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