About the Seminar

The ear is often thought of solely as the organ responsible for hearing. However, it plays a much broader role in biology! In this seminar, we will explore the three distinct parts of the mammalian ear — external, middle, and inner — and how these structures can be used to study a wide range of biological traits in both living and extinct species.

Using techniques such as geometric morphometrics, statistical modelling, and biomechanical analyses, we will examine how the ear relates to:

• Hearing
• Locomotion
• Taxonomy
• Navigation
• Body size
• Body temperature

Special focus will be given to the semicircular ducts of the inner ear, which are essential for balance. We will also discuss the importance of incorporating functional analyses of soft tissues when reconstructing traits in fossil organisms.