We return to our interviews, after a long time span without any paleontologist annoy domestic or foreign.
virtually On this occasion we travel to Lyon to locate and interview one of our favorite researchers. Adrian Oliver, a graduate in Geology from the Universidad Complutense de Madrid and researcher at the Department of Paleobiology National Museum of Natural Sciences, recently returned from his visit to the Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1. 1. What you were to do in Lyon?
I went to visit the collection of the Laboratory "PaleoEnvironnements et PaleobioSphere" , where one of the largest and finest collections of Megacricetodon (Cricetidae, Rodentia) in the world. In this center there are many kinds of materials Megacricetodon and many of the French classic karst deposits, which have been described numerous species of rodents.
also an additional advantage of this center is the presence of one of the leading specialists in rodents in the Miocene, Dr. Pierre Mein, who despite being retired keeps working hard in the center.
2. After three months of stay, how was your experience in the French city?
Very good, better than I imagined. Despite the language difficulties people have been very nice. After the first few weeks at the University of Lyon 1, I moved the material to the Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, the department "evo-devo the denture chez les vertebras ", with Dr. Viriot and his team, which had better means (a magnifying glass with built-in camera) and technically the thing is much improved. Additionally, the city has seemed very nice and very approachable people .
3. Are there many differences in organization of that department when you compare it with yours in the National Museum of Natural Science?
Not too many because the department is part of the "Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle de Lyon" (IGFL), which is a joint research between the University of Lyon 1, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, CNRS and INRA. Perhaps the biggest difference is that a center is very new, now endowed with great financial support.
4. On the other hand, are not the only pre-doctoral researcher in palaeontology has recently been in Lyon. Our sources have informed us that you also accompanied some fellow of the National Museum of Natural Science and the University Complutense of Madrid. What is special about the city, which attracts both young researchers in Madrid? Indeed I have been with Rosa Ana Gómez Cano the UCM and the MNCN Sanisidro Oscar. It is not really the city itself that has brought us to land but the formidable French collections of fossils and the people who work here, such as Dr. Pierre Mein, father of Biochronology European Mammal Neogene (MN) and one of the leading paleontologists of rodents of all time. Dr. Renaud O, specialized in geometric morphometric techniques such as Furier analysis.
5. I had been making visits to other European research centers. With that experience we now have, what differences do you see about paleontological research in Spain?
What most caught my attention is the kind of argument they do: they are shorter (they have only three years to make and never lengthen), less demanding (as the time to do it is much more limited), shorter and generally are slightly more dynamic. For them the thesis is a research first, a first approach for us is like the ultimate aim of the research career, as if everything was based on the view you have done. On the other hand, in Europe, once finished the thesis seems to be more resources for continuing research career as well not be needed two years to go abroad! In France for example, can make a post-doctoral in your country, not like here that they have to go abroad. Personally I think something positive to change schools, change of environment, a team ... but I feel bad that there is only this possibility because the circumstances of each are different and there are people who can not afford it.
6. Well, let's focus on your long-term jobs. Please could you explain which is the subject of your doctoral research?
My thesis focuses on the evolution of the genus Megacricetodon of the Iberian Peninsula and Vallesian Aragonian (Middle and Upper Miocene). Ironically, despite his name, I am studying the smallest hamster that ever lived.
7. What makes Megacricetodon an object of study so exciting?
This little hamster is one of the most abundant mammals of the European Miocene, accounting in some cases 95% of the fauna of rodents. His enormous wealth and diversity coupled with the large geographical distribution, makes it one of the main indicators Biochonologically Continental European Miocene. Besides, on the basis of successive species of Megacricetodon has been defined most local areas biozones proposed for the Miocene (~ 16-10 Ma).
8. How does an organism with a range so broad and general supposedly ecological characteristics could eventually disappear? Do you have a hypothesis about its extinction?
modern hamsters experienced a dramatic reduction in the base of the terminal Miocene, coinciding with the appearance of rats and mice (murine). Specifically, gender as important as Megacricetodon Democricetodon or disappeared in the late MN 9.
9. Your work focuses on the English fossil record. What is so special compared to other areas?
English basins Tertiary have a great continuity of Miocene stratigraphic record. Mainly my work focuses on the Calatayud Basin-Daroca (province of Zaragoza), notable for being one of the basins of the world with greater richness and abundance of Miocene fossil mammals (especially mammals), as well as quality the sedimentary record. This has served to define two floors stratotypes within the continental Tertiary (Ramblian and Aragonian), magnetostratigraphic studies very complete, with continuous high quality and the development of curves paleoclimatic and paleoenvironmental evolution.
10. What would you say to people who think small mammal fossils are unattractive?
is true that at first glance may be less attractive than other groups because of their small size and less spectacular. However, they are very important for paleontologists because the experience rapid evolutionary changes in short geological time, have a wide geographical distribution and are sensitive to environmental variations. Therefore, the presence of certain mammal species can tell us very accurately the age of a site and paleoecological conditions.
11. Could you briefly describe what techniques you use in the excavation work of small mammals? Due to its small size (some are micro) requires special techniques to obtain them: First, the fossil sediment is washed and screened using high pressure water hoses. Then, the sediment passes through different screens, where the fossils are being retained in one or another depending on their size. Subsequently, screened the coarse fraction of sediment and finally loupe or microscope used for separation and study.
12. Turning to other issues ... have declared more than once that you are a clear example of the generation "Jurassic Park." What intrigued you most about the movie?
guess it all a bit, stunning reconstructions of dinosaurs, the way that achieves get dinosaur DNA, the fast-paced action ...
13. And at the tender age of eleven years old, decided to target your training to Paleontology. How did you do? The truth is that I come from above, from very tiny I had books and stories of dinosaurs, prehistoric animals and primitive men, so you can say I've always been very clear as of Paleontology. The difficult step was to decide whether in college studying biology or geology and then make Paleontology. Geology was finally because the curriculum came as a specialty. Even years later, talking to a paleontologist on a dig, I found that biology could also take free elective courses and do the same, honestly, I never regretted the choice. Then I guess good luck took me for a team of great people and here I am, doing the thesis.
14. Tell us about your first paleontological excavation.
My first excavation was at the site of Somosaguas Madrid. It was a great experience with a group of very nice people. In addition the first Once you find a fossil you experience a great feeling. The result was very positive which returned the following year to repeat.
15. What is your opinion of the Project Paleontology Somosaguas ?
Very good, I think a role model on many levels, from training of students at both the field ( excavation of fossils) and theoretical (first research ) to the reservoir management, or rather self-management of a reservoir, and has almost no economic resources and yet, year after year can not passed the excavation.
16. Since then has worked on numerous digs. What do you consider to be, or are your sources of reference?
In all excavations keep a good memory because they learn different things (how to dig in different sediments, how to wash the sediment, etc ...). Obviously Somosaguas I have much affection as it was my first dig paleontology. But I guess the excavation that has made me most is the Hill of the Battalions , an exceptional site of Miocene southwest of Madrid. Thanks to this site I discovered the importance of "micro" and met the people I work with now.
17. Any unfinished business? Where would you like to dig?
The truth is that the thesis is not having much time to do things, but I guess I would try to dig at the site of Las Hoyas, and their differences, both in age (Lower Cretaceous) stratigraphy and sedimentology (laminated limestones) and faunal composition (dinosaurs, birds, plants, crustaceans, insects, fish, amphibians, ...). It's very different to what I'm used to.
18. When finally you finished a degree in Geology and Paleontology begin your investigation into what caused the feelings you achieve your goal?
course gave me great satisfaction. It closed a cycle and was about to start a new one full of opportunities. This is what we always wanted to do!
19. However, to get your FPU predoctoral fellowship from the Ministry of Education and Science, had to deal also with the work by private companies. Are there many differences between academic paleontology and companies?
In a way, yes. In the company will stay in the first part of the paleontological work is purely manual, ie the excavation. Lack throughout the study, description and subsequent analysis of the fossils. Furthermore everything is faster, because the company is interested in you to finish in the shortest time possible. Yet I can not complain the company where I worked (Paleoconsult Studies Anthropology and Palaeontology SL), were very serious and also let advice from people who had experience.
20. Finally, tell us how you see the medium-term future paleontological research within the economic framework of crisis in which we live.
The uncertain future raises, the crisis has affected everyone and logically to the research as well. At the moment it shows in all types of grants (predoctoral and postdoctoral) in both the reduction of aid and the expansion from a call to another.
Well thank you very much for having offered to answer our questions. We hope that the data has collected in Lyon will be very useful and that sooner rather than later we can see a publication about it.
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