Prof. Luca Pandolfi: – The past gives us insight into the future

• The Italian scientist, prof. Luca Pandolfi, is currently at UPWr for a scientific study visit at the Department of Anthropology.
• – Some ancient rhinos were no larger than a big dog – says Prof. Pandolfi, highlighting the incredible variation within this group.
• By looking back into Earth's history, we can better predict how species may respond to future environmental challenges.

Paleontologist Prof. Pandolfi's work is focused around large mammals, specifically on species hailing from Eurasia and Africa. He delves deep into the world of ungulates, such as hippos, rhinos, cervids, and bovids. His research aims to unravel these magnificent creatures' evolutionary history and gain insights into their adaptive traits in response to climatic changes.

Fossilised mammals, like the ones Prof. Pandolfi studies, are invaluable in understanding Earth's history. They offer a window into past ecosystems and the effects of environmental changes on ancient life forms. – For example, during the Pleistocene, which lasted from approximately 2.5 million to 12 thousand years ago, Europe was home to many large mammals, including elephants, hippopotamuses, and rhinos. Unfortunately, these creatures became extinct, and climate shifts are partly responsible for that – says Prof. Luca Pandolfi, whose research seeks to shed light on these extinctions and their underlying causes.

An international collaboration

The collaboration between Prof. Pandolfi and Dr. hab. Nowakowski aims to investigate the morphometric characteristics and microstructures of fossilized mammal bones. Currently, the Italian scientist is at UPWr for a scientific study visit at the Department of Anthropology, at the Institute of Environmental Biology. The scientists have just returned from the Niedźwiedzia Cave where they analyzed cave bear bones dating approximately from 250,000 to about 24,000 years ago. The research concerning the bones of fossil animals is being conducted in collaboration with scientists from the Department of Paleozoology at the University of Wrocław.

The scientists are particularly focusing on bones and teeth of rhinoceroses collected from numerous paleontological sites across Africa, Europe, and Asia, including the recently discovered skeleton of the extinct forest rhinoceros (Stephanorhinus kirchbergensis) from Gorzów Wielkopolski. Rhinoceroses have a diverse history, with various species adapting to different environments and experiencing body size and shape changes over time. By examining the paleohistology of rhino bones, the researchers hope to understand how these changes relate to shifts in climate and ecosystems.

 – We use both traditional and modern techniques, such as geometric morphometrics, 3D reconstruction, and cladistic techniques, to gain a comprehensive understanding of these ancient mammals. We are also interested in histological analysis of bones, which provides insights into the microscopic structure of bones and can reveal data about adaptation, body mass, and bone structure changes over time – explains Prof. Pandolfi

Prehistoric discoveries

One of the most exciting aspects of Prof. Pandolfi's work is the unearthing of fossils from a bygone era. A particularly intriguing discovery concerns the remains of rhinoceroses dating back approximately one million years, found in Africa. These creatures differ greatly from today's rhinos and showcase the diversity of this species over time. – Some ancient rhinos were no larger than a big dog – says Prof. Pandolfi, highlighting the incredible variation within this group.

Understanding why these animals went extinct is a critical component of the research. Many extinctions are linked to environmental changes, including shifts in climate, vegetation, and geography. For instance, the transformation from Mediterranean-type vegetation to taiga-type forests had a profound impact on the survival of some species of rhinos in Europe during the last few million years. These insights into the past offer valuable lessons for managing and conserving present-day large mammals in the face of climate change.

Implications for modern ecosystems

The research conducted by Prof. Pandolfi and Dr. hab. Nowakowski has significant implications for our understanding of prehistoric ecosystems and the history of regions like Europe. As they piece together the puzzle of evolutionary patterns in large mammals, they're contributing to our knowledge of how these creatures adapted to environmental changes in the past. This knowledge can help inform conservation efforts for existing large mammals facing similar challenges today.

In a rapidly changing world, where climate change is an ever-present threat, understanding how species adapted and went extinct in the past is invaluable. – By looking back into Earth's history, we can better predict how species may respond to future environmental challenges. This collaboration reminds us that the path to preserving our planet's biodiversity lies not only in protecting the present but also in learning from the past – say the scientists.

The ongoing collaboration between Prof. Luca Pandolfi and Dr. hab. Dariusz Nowakowski is a testament to the importance of international cooperation in scientific research. By combining their expertise and sharing their findings, they are uncovering the secrets of Earth's past ecosystems and helping us navigate the challenges of the modern world. As they continue to work together, we can expect even more exciting discoveries that illuminate the mysteries of our planet's past. – We’re open to anyone who wishes to join us and our endeavors – encourages Dr. hab. Nowakowski, highlighting how important paleontology is in regard to many contemporary sciences.

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The project is led as part of the B011/0004/23 SUPPORT FOR STRATEGIC ACTIVITIES IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF EVALUATED DISCIPLINES - BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES

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