When it comes to my scientific interests, I’m fascinated by the shape of organic things and what they can tell about the animals they’re found on and in. Once, the work I've done over the last ten years might have been called anatomy but as I’m also interested in the behaviour of animals and how this influences their anatomy (and vice versa) I suppose I am a functional morphologist. Preferably, I’m a zoologist. Here are some of the areas I've been interested in over the last few years:
Mammalian Biodiversity
I have worked with colleagues based at the Zoological Society of London in order to better understand the diversity and evolutionary history of the (venomous) Solenodon species in Hispaniola (which led to the description of Solenodon paradoxus haitiensis), as well as with colleagues at the University of Cambridge to better understand the evolutionary relatedness and deep history of small mammals including the wonderful African tenrecs and golden moles.
More recently, I have worked with the Turvey group to describe newly discovered sub-fossil (giant) rodent taxa from Sumba, Indonesia. Here’s a lovely write-up of that work in Mongabay.
Collaborators: Turvey Group, ZSL, University of Cambridge
Turvey, S; Crees, J; Hansford, J; Jeffree, T; Crumpton, N; Kurniawan, I; Setiyabudi, E; Guillerme, T; Paranggarimu, U; Dosseto, A; van den Bergh G. 2017. Quaternary vertebrate faunas from Sumba, Indonesia: implications for Wallacean biogeography and evolution. Proceedings of the Royal Society B 284(1861): 20171278
Brocklehurst RJ, Crumpton N, Button E, Asher RJ. 2016. Jaw anatomy of Potamogale velox (Tenrecidae, Afrotheria) with a focus on cranial arteries and the coronoid canal in mammals. PeerJ 4, e1906
http://dx.doi.org/10.7717/peerj.1906
Turvey ST, Peters S, Brace S, Young RP, Crumpton N, Hansford J, Nuñez-Miño JM, King G, Tsalikidis K, Ottenwalder JA, Timpson A, Funk SM, Brocca JL, Thomas MG, Barnes I. 2016. Independent evolutionary histories in allopatric populations of a threatened Caribbean land mammal. Diversity and Distributions 22, 589–602 doi:10.1111/ddi.12420
I have worked with colleagues based at the Zoological Society of London in order to better understand the diversity and evolutionary history of the (venomous) Solenodon species in Hispaniola (which led to the description of Solenodon paradoxus haitiensis), as well as with colleagues at the University of Cambridge to better understand the evolutionary relatedness and deep history of small mammals including the wonderful African tenrecs and golden moles.
More recently, I have worked with the Turvey group to describe newly discovered sub-fossil (giant) rodent taxa from Sumba, Indonesia. Here’s a lovely write-up of that work in Mongabay.
Collaborators: Turvey Group, ZSL, University of Cambridge
Turvey, S; Crees, J; Hansford, J; Jeffree, T; Crumpton, N; Kurniawan, I; Setiyabudi, E; Guillerme, T; Paranggarimu, U; Dosseto, A; van den Bergh G. 2017. Quaternary vertebrate faunas from Sumba, Indonesia: implications for Wallacean biogeography and evolution. Proceedings of the Royal Society B 284(1861): 20171278
Brocklehurst RJ, Crumpton N, Button E, Asher RJ. 2016. Jaw anatomy of Potamogale velox (Tenrecidae, Afrotheria) with a focus on cranial arteries and the coronoid canal in mammals. PeerJ 4, e1906
http://dx.doi.org/10.7717/peerj.1906
Turvey ST, Peters S, Brace S, Young RP, Crumpton N, Hansford J, Nuñez-Miño JM, King G, Tsalikidis K, Ottenwalder JA, Timpson A, Funk SM, Brocca JL, Thomas MG, Barnes I. 2016. Independent evolutionary histories in allopatric populations of a threatened Caribbean land mammal. Diversity and Distributions 22, 589–602 doi:10.1111/ddi.12420
Vertebrate biomechanics
Along with colleagues at the Universities of Hull and Aberdeen I helped build on previous research by colleagues such as Marc Jones to generate highly detailed, computer simulations of the mammalian and squamate (mostly lizard) skull. This BBSRC project used the classical tools of comparative anatomy - i.e. scalpels, cameras, and scales - as well as cutting-edge computer technology largely borrowed from engineers (such as finite element analyses, contrast-enhanced scanning, and multibody dynamic analyses) to work out how the tissues of the head in squamates and mammals have evolved to resist similar strains whilst looking physically extremely different.
Collaborators: Susan Evans, Hugo Dutel, Michael Fagan, Flora Groening
Sharp AC, Dutel H, Watson PJ, Groening F, Crumpton N, Fagan MJ, Evans SE. 2023. Assessment of the mechanical role of cranial sutures in the mammalian skull: Computational biomechanical modelling of the rat skull. Journal of Morphology 284 (3) e21555 doi:10.1002/jmor.21555
Along with colleagues at the Universities of Hull and Aberdeen I helped build on previous research by colleagues such as Marc Jones to generate highly detailed, computer simulations of the mammalian and squamate (mostly lizard) skull. This BBSRC project used the classical tools of comparative anatomy - i.e. scalpels, cameras, and scales - as well as cutting-edge computer technology largely borrowed from engineers (such as finite element analyses, contrast-enhanced scanning, and multibody dynamic analyses) to work out how the tissues of the head in squamates and mammals have evolved to resist similar strains whilst looking physically extremely different.
Collaborators: Susan Evans, Hugo Dutel, Michael Fagan, Flora Groening
Sharp AC, Dutel H, Watson PJ, Groening F, Crumpton N, Fagan MJ, Evans SE. 2023. Assessment of the mechanical role of cranial sutures in the mammalian skull: Computational biomechanical modelling of the rat skull. Journal of Morphology 284 (3) e21555 doi:10.1002/jmor.21555
Convergent evolution, fossoriality and ears
Living under the ground is an interesting evolutionary niche for mammals. Many of the animals that have evolved into the 'fossorial' realm have similar, sleek bodies, extremely strong forelimbs, and a reduced reliance on sight. But this convergence is countered by some unique adaptations, like 'true' moles that have developed unique tactile adaptations to help them feel their way around which aren't found in other subterranean fuzz-balls. And what about their sense of balance? Is that less, or more important in a dark tunnel? By studying the inner ear with new imaging techniques I have investigated this in order to tease apart the similarity or dissimilarity of these sensory systems of animals that look and behave alike, but are very distantly related.
Collaborators: Rob Asher, Rick Thompson, Lionel Hautier
Crumpton N, Kardjilov N, Asher RJ. 2015. Convergence vs. Specialization in the ear region of moles (mammalia). Journal of Morphology 276 (8), 900-914. doi:10.1002/jmor.20391
Benoit J, Crumpton N, Merigeaud S, Tabuce R. 2014. Petrosal and Bony Labyrinth Morphology Supports Paraphyly of Elephantulus Within Macroscelididae (Mammalia, Afrotheria). Journal of Mammalian Evolution 21 (2), 173-193. doi:10.1007/s10914-013-9234-5
Billet G, Hautier L, Asher RJ, Schwarz C, Crumpton N, Martin T, Ruf I. 2012. High morphological variation of vestibular system accompanies slow and infrequent locomotion in three-toed sloths. Proceedings of the Royal Society B-Biological Sciences279 (1744), 3932-3939. doi:10.1098/rspb.2012.1212
Living under the ground is an interesting evolutionary niche for mammals. Many of the animals that have evolved into the 'fossorial' realm have similar, sleek bodies, extremely strong forelimbs, and a reduced reliance on sight. But this convergence is countered by some unique adaptations, like 'true' moles that have developed unique tactile adaptations to help them feel their way around which aren't found in other subterranean fuzz-balls. And what about their sense of balance? Is that less, or more important in a dark tunnel? By studying the inner ear with new imaging techniques I have investigated this in order to tease apart the similarity or dissimilarity of these sensory systems of animals that look and behave alike, but are very distantly related.
Collaborators: Rob Asher, Rick Thompson, Lionel Hautier
Crumpton N, Kardjilov N, Asher RJ. 2015. Convergence vs. Specialization in the ear region of moles (mammalia). Journal of Morphology 276 (8), 900-914. doi:10.1002/jmor.20391
Benoit J, Crumpton N, Merigeaud S, Tabuce R. 2014. Petrosal and Bony Labyrinth Morphology Supports Paraphyly of Elephantulus Within Macroscelididae (Mammalia, Afrotheria). Journal of Mammalian Evolution 21 (2), 173-193. doi:10.1007/s10914-013-9234-5
Billet G, Hautier L, Asher RJ, Schwarz C, Crumpton N, Martin T, Ruf I. 2012. High morphological variation of vestibular system accompanies slow and infrequent locomotion in three-toed sloths. Proceedings of the Royal Society B-Biological Sciences279 (1744), 3932-3939. doi:10.1098/rspb.2012.1212
Comparative neuroanatomy
As a bi-product of my work on squamates and previous work on the endocasts of mammalian brains, I am finding myself very interested in the comparative neurology of the reptilian brain. This is a new, exciting avenue of interest for me and I will be updating on this as time goes on.
Collaborators: Julien Benoit
Benoit J, Crumpton N, Merigeaud S, Tabuce R. 2013. A Memory Already like an Elephant's? The Advanced Brain Morphology of the Last Common Ancestor of Afrotheria (Mammalia). Brain, Behavior and Evolution 81 (3), 154-169. doi:10.1159/000348481
Crumpton N, Thompson RS. 2013. The Holes of Moles: Osteological Correlates of the Trigeminal Nerve in Talpidae. Journal of Mammalian Evolution 20 (3), 213-225. doi:10.1007/s10914-012-9213-2
As a bi-product of my work on squamates and previous work on the endocasts of mammalian brains, I am finding myself very interested in the comparative neurology of the reptilian brain. This is a new, exciting avenue of interest for me and I will be updating on this as time goes on.
Collaborators: Julien Benoit
Benoit J, Crumpton N, Merigeaud S, Tabuce R. 2013. A Memory Already like an Elephant's? The Advanced Brain Morphology of the Last Common Ancestor of Afrotheria (Mammalia). Brain, Behavior and Evolution 81 (3), 154-169. doi:10.1159/000348481
Crumpton N, Thompson RS. 2013. The Holes of Moles: Osteological Correlates of the Trigeminal Nerve in Talpidae. Journal of Mammalian Evolution 20 (3), 213-225. doi:10.1007/s10914-012-9213-2
Mammalian dietary preferences
Teeth and jaws are amazing structures in their ability to record the dietary preferences of animals that are no longer living on Earth. I have previously been involved in research into mesozoic mammals, and I am keen to expand this into more recently extinct taxa.
Collaborators: Pam Gill, Emily Rayfield, Mark Purnell, Gareth Jones
Gill PG, Purnell MA, Crumpton N, Brown KR, Gostling NJ, Stampanoni M, Rayfield EJ. 2014. Dietary specializations and diversity in feeding ecology of the earliest stem mammals. Nature, 512 (7514), 303-305. doi:10.1038/nature13622
National Geographic article by Riley Black
Purnell MA, Crumpton N, Gill PG, Jones G, Rayfield EJ. 2013. Within-guild dietary discrimination from 3-D textural analysis of tooth microwear in insectivorous mammals. Journal of Zoology 291 (4), 249-257. doi:10.1111/jzo.12068
Teeth and jaws are amazing structures in their ability to record the dietary preferences of animals that are no longer living on Earth. I have previously been involved in research into mesozoic mammals, and I am keen to expand this into more recently extinct taxa.
Collaborators: Pam Gill, Emily Rayfield, Mark Purnell, Gareth Jones
Gill PG, Purnell MA, Crumpton N, Brown KR, Gostling NJ, Stampanoni M, Rayfield EJ. 2014. Dietary specializations and diversity in feeding ecology of the earliest stem mammals. Nature, 512 (7514), 303-305. doi:10.1038/nature13622
National Geographic article by Riley Black
Purnell MA, Crumpton N, Gill PG, Jones G, Rayfield EJ. 2013. Within-guild dietary discrimination from 3-D textural analysis of tooth microwear in insectivorous mammals. Journal of Zoology 291 (4), 249-257. doi:10.1111/jzo.12068
