Contact details +6492136595
Dr Daniel Thomas BSc(Hons), PhD
Senior Lecturer in Zoology and Ecology
Doctoral Supervisor School of Natural SciencesMy research group studies modern and fossil bone to contributes new knowledge about the biology and origins of birds. We discover new species that explain the evolutionary history of penguins and reveal the deep time origins of taonga seabird species. Our investigations into the biology of penguins have led to the discovery of adaptations for foraging and visual communication. We specialise in using technologies and methods from ecology, chemistry, engineering and statistics in my biological analyses. For example, have recently developed a new method for analysing bone shape that is available freely as the R package morphoBlocks.
Professional
Contact details
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Ph: DDL +64 9 2136595
Location: 50.03, Building 50
Campus: Albany
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Science (Honours) - University of Otago (2005)
- Doctor of Philosophy - University of Otago (2009)
Certifications and Registrations
- Licence, Supervisor, Massey University
Research Expertise
Research Interests
370506 - Palaeontology (incl. palynology)
310401 - Animal systematics and taxonomy
310402 - Biogeography and phylogeography
Area of Expertise
Field of research codes
Biological Sciences (060000):
Earth Sciences (040000):
Geology (040300):
Palaeontology (incl. Palynology) (040308):
Vertebrate Biology (060809):
Zoology (060800)
Keywords
3D scanning, birds, evolution, fossils, geometric morphometrics, museum collections research, systematics
Research Projects
Completed Projects
Project Title: Local taonga as the nexus for STEM introduction
Date Range: 2019 - 2019
Funding Body: Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
Project Team:
- Dr Daniel Thomas - Project Leader
Project Title: O tatou tamariki, nga Kaitiaki Taiao. Our children, our environmental guardians (Unlocking Curious Minds)
Date Range: 2017 - 2017
Funding Body: Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
Project Team:
- Dr Daniel Thomas - Project Leader
Teaching and Supervision
Teaching Statement
Teaching Contributions
199103 Animals and the Environment (Lecturer, Offering Coordinator)
199212 Vertebrate Zoology (Lecturer, Course Coordinator)
199330 Ornithology (Lecturer)
Graduate Supervision Statement
Examples of recent student topics:
- Simone Giovanardi (PhD, Massey University). “The Shape of Penguins in Four Dimensions”.
- Emma Holvast (MSc, Massey University). “Taxonomic Predictions of Seabird Identity using 3D Bone Shape”.
- Nathan Michael (PhD, University of Akron). “The Influence of Diet and Foraging Behavior on Carotenoid Ornaments in the Brown Booby (Sula leucogaster)”.
- Kaya Cooper (MSc, Massey University). “Ten Years After Pest Eradication: Little Penguins (Eudyptyla minor) at Tāwharanui Regional Park”.
Examples of potential student topics:
- Theseus’ Shipwright: Identifying Variation in Evolutionary Rates Within a Skeleton (suits MSc or PhD).
- History Repeating? Using Pliocene Fossils to Gain Insight into the Next Warm World Fauna (suits PhD).
- Mātauranga Māori and the Fossil Record: Developing a Best Practice Guide for Paleontological Research in Aotearoa (suits MSc or PhD).
- Low Cost, Large Sample Size Analysis of Tiny Bones for Exploring Important Sources of Shape Variation (suits MSc).
- Developing Capability in 21st Century Natural History (topics including Advanced Statistical Methods, 3D Scanning and Printing, Shape Analysis) (suits undergraduate research student or can contribute to MSc).
Dr Daniel Thomas is available for Masters and Doctorial supervision.
Current Doctoral Supervision
Co-supervisor of:
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Reshnu Rajan Sheela
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Doctor of Philosophy
The impact of anthropogenic disturbances on spider communities
Completed Doctoral Supervision
Main Supervisor of:
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2022
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Simone Giovanardi
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Doctor of Philosophy
The Shape of Penguins in Four Dimensions Assessing macroevolutionary shifts in a constructional morphology framework
Co-supervisor of:
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2020
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Wesley Webb
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Doctor of Philosophy
New horizons for female birdsong: evolution, culture and analysis tools
Media and Links
Media
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30 May 2014 - Online
Smithsonian Science: Carotenoids in feathers
http://smithsonianscience.org/2014/05/feather-pigments/ -
28 Nov 2015 - Radio
Fossil find reveals new giant penguin
Radio New Zealand interview -
28 Nov 2014 - Newspaper
Ancient penguin was a giant of NZ birdlife
New Zealand Herald interview -
22 Apr 2013 - Online
Smithsonian Science: Yellow Penguin Feathers
http://smithsonianscience.org/2013/04/yellow-pigment-in-penguin-feathers-is-chemically-distinct-spectoscopic-studies-show/ -
11 Sep 2014 - Newspaper
Rare penguin fossil gets 3D scanning treatment
Waikato Times interview
Other Links
- Fauna Tookit - A portal to 3D digitised models of bird bones from museum collections.