Léo Botton-Divet

I graduated my Msc in Systematics and Evolution at the UPMC of Paris working on beetles. Then I completed a PhD in functional morphology at the MNHN still in Paris studying locomotor adaptation to the semi-aquatic lifestyle in mammals (mustelids and rodents).

My current project focus on the evolution of long bones in a group of new world monkeys (Callitrichidae) in relation to their locomotor preferences and jumping behavior. The aim is to determine the morphological changes that goes together with the preferences in locomotor substrate use using morphometric approaches. Two other layers of this system will be investigated: muscular properties (dissections) and bone inner structure in order to get an in depth understanding of the locomotor apparatus. Using existing phylogenies this project should allow to understand the evolution of the locomotor apparatus through time in this group. Then the functional implications of the anatomical changes described will be with investigated using in vivo measures of jumping performances.