Faculty | McAfee

Robert McAfee

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Lecturer in Anatomy
phone: 573-884-8938
email: mcafeerk@missouri.edu
Biographical sketch

Degrees:
B.Sc., 2000, Biology, Bowling Green State University

Ph.D., 2007, Biological Sciences, Northern Illinois University

Academic appointments:

Lecturer in Anatomy, Department of Pathology & Anatomical Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO

Visiting Lecturer, Department of Biology, Doane College, Crete, Nebraska

Interests:

vertebrate paleontology
functional morphology
fossil sloths
comparative anatomical dissection
mammalogy

Research Description: Dr. McAfee’s primary interests are in the fields of vertebrate paleontology and functional morphology, with a focus as a slothologist upon the extinct ground sloths of North and South America. Specific interests involve redefining sloth taxonomy using quantitative characters to supplement the traditional qualitative characterizations, reconstruction of muscle patterns using comparative dissections of modern taxa, and analysis of biomechanical capabilities utilizing the reconstructed lines of muscular action and morphometric methodologies.

Current efforts involve a reconstruction of the cranial musculature in the Haitian forms of the ground sloth, Neocnus, along with morphometric estimations of bite force to explore the feeding apparatus and habits of these sloths. These investigations have implications for further understanding the Megalonychids of the Greater Antilles and the evolution of feeding characters leading to the extant tree sloth, Choloepus. Additionally, he is also exploring the differential shape changes in the atlas bones of sloths that result from changing muscle patterns and articulation with posterior cranium, in order to assess the relation of those changes to head posture and potential locomotor habits.

Representative Publications:

McAfee, Robert K. 2009. Reassessment of the cranial characters of Glossotherium and Paramylodon (Mammalia: Xenarthra: Mylodontidae). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 155(4): 885-903

Department of Pathology & Anatomical Sciences | School of Medicine | University of Missouri