Since August 2013, I am a postdoctoral scientist at the Hard Tissue Biology Lab – Center for the Advanced Study of Human Paleobiology. My current research focuses on growth and life history of wild mountain gorillas monitored by the Karisoke Research Center in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda. This project will generate data on the dental and somatic growth and development of mountain gorillas based on photogrammetry methods: a non-invasive technique to measure morphological traits from photographs.
Before coming to GWU, I studied Biology at the University of Barcelona, where I completed my Ph.D. in Physical Anthropology on dental microwear patterns in primates, under the direction of Dr. Alejandro Pérez-Pérez. After that, I became a post-doctoral researcher (2007 to 2010) at Duke University, supervised by Dr. Susan C. Alberts, to study tooth morphology and tooth wear in living baboons from Amboseli ecosystem (Kenya). Additionally, in 2012 I started new collaborations in order to study several dental ecology aspects in living mandrills from Lékédi Park (Gabon), and marmots in the Pyrenees (Spain).
Primate growth and development, life history evolution, feeding ecology, dental ecology and adaptation, tooth morphology, wild primates.
Field photogrammetry of postnatal development in Virunga mountain gorillas
Our last publication...
Galbany J, Abavandimwe D, Vakiener M, Eckardt W, Mudakikwa A, Ndagijimana F, Stoinski TS & McFarlin SC (2017) Body growth in wild mountain gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei) from Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda. American Journal of Physical Anthropology 163: 570-590.
Abstract
Objectives: Great apes show considerable diversity in socioecology and life history, but knowledge of their physical growth in natural settings is scarce. We characterized linear body size growth in wild mountain gorillas from Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda, a population distinguished by its extreme folivory and accelerated life histories.
Methods: In 131 individuals (0.09–35.26 years), we used non-invasive parallel laser photogrammetry to measure body length, back width, arm length and two head dimensions. Nonparametric LOESS regression was used to characterize cross-sectional distance and velocity growth curves for males and females, and consider links with key life history milestones.
Results: Sex differences became evident between 8.5 and 10.0 years of age. Thereafter, female growth velocities declined, while males showed increased growth velocities until 10.0–14.5 years across dimensions. Body dimensions varied in growth; females and males reached 98% of maximum body length at 11.7 and 13.1 years, respectively. Females attained 95.3% of maximum body length by mean age at first birth. Neonates were 31% of maternal size, and doubled in size by mean weaning age. Males reached maximum body and arm length and back width before emigration, but experienced continued growth in head dimensions.
Conclusions: While comparable data are scarce, our findings provide preliminary support for the prediction that mountain gorillas reach maximum body size at earlier ages compared to more frugivorous western gorillas. Data from other wild populations are needed to better understand comparative great ape development, and investigate links between trajectories of physical, behavioral, and reproductive maturation.
Main publications
PostDoc. Hard Tissue Biology Lab (Shannon C. McFarlin). Center for the Anvanced Study of Human Paleobiology. Department of Anthropology. The George Washington University, 2013-current.
PostDoc. Susan Alberts Lab. Department of Biology. Duke University, 2007-2010.
Ph.D. Alejandro Pérez-Pérez Lab. Dental microwear in primates. Universitat de Barcelona, 2006.
M.S. Experimental biology - Animal Biology. Universitat de Barcelona, 2005.
D.E.A. Physical Anthropology. Universitat de Barcelona, 2001.
B.S. Biology. Universitat de Barcelona, 1999.