Dr. Alexandra Houssaye
Postdoctorial Research Associate
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Research interests:
Tooth virtual histology (to get life history traits), Bone microanatomy and histology (for paleoecological studies), Squamate evolution.
Past research:
My research focused on bone microanatomy and histology of squamates and on its morphofunctional, paleoenvironmental and phylogenetic significance. I analyzed both extant and fossil taxa as extant material was particularly useful for inferences on fossils. I have also anatomically described or re-described fossil specimens.
Current research:
I have now started, in association with Drs. Tanya Smith and Paul Tafforeau, to study hominid tooth virtual histology. The aim is to obtain data about the evolution of the life history of these taxa, and notably via the analysis of the temporal record of their dental development.
Publications:
- Houssaye, A., Xu, F., Helfen, L., Buffrénil, V. de, and Tafforeau, P. In press. Three dimensional pelvis and limb anatomy of the Cenomanian Lebanese hind-limbed snake Eupodophis descouensi (Squamata, Ophidia) revealed by synchrotron-radiation computed laminography. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology.
- Houssaye, A., Bardet, N., Rage, J.-C., Pereda Suberbiola, X., Bouya, B., Amaghzaz, M. and Amalik, M. In press. A review of Pachyvaranus crassispondylus Arambourg, 1952, a pachyostotic marine squamate from the latest Cretaceous Phosphates of the margin of the Southern Tethys. Geological Magazine.
- Houssaye, A., Mazurier, A., Herrel, A., Volpato, V., Tafforeau, P., Boistel, R. and Buffrénil, V. de. In press. Vertebral microanatomy in squamates: structure, growth and ecological correlates. Journal of Anatomy 217:715-727.
- Bardet, N., Pereda Suberbiolab, X., Jouve, S., Bourdon, E., Vincent, P. Houssaye, A., Rage, J.-C., Jalil, N.-E., Bouya, B., and Amaghzaz, M. 2010. Reptilian assemblages from the latest Cretaceous - Palaeogene phosphates of Morocco: from Arambourg to present time. Historical Biology 22(1-3):186-199.
- Houssaye, A. 2010. Rediscovery and description of the second specimen of the hind-limbed snake Pachyophis woodwardi Nopcsa, 1923 (Squamata, Ophidia) from the Cenomanian of Bosnia Herzegovina. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 30(1):1-4.
- Houssaye, A. 2010. A new aquatic pythonomorph (Reptilia, Squamata) from the Turonian (Late Cretaceous) of France. Comptes Rendus Palevol 9:39-45.
- Houssaye, A. 2009. "Pachyostosis" in aquatic amniotes: a review. Integrative Zoology 4:325-340.
- Bardet, N., Houssaye, A., Pereda Suberbiola, X., and Rage, J.-C. 2008. The Cenomanian-Turonian (Late Cretaceous) radiation of marine squamates (Reptilia): the role of the Mediterranean Tethys. Bulletin de la Société Géologique de France 179(6):605-622.
- Buffrénil, V. de, Houssaye, A., and Böhme, W. 2008. Bone vascular supply in monitor lizards (Squamata: Varanidae): Influence of size, growth, and phylogeny. Journal of Morphology 269:533-543.
- Houssaye, A., Buffrénil, V. de, Rage, J.-C., and Bardet, N. 2008. An analysis of vertebral "pachyostosis" in Carentonosaurus mineaui (Mosasauroidea, Squamata) from the Cenomanian (early Late Cretaceous) of France, with comments on its phylogenetic and functional significance. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 28(3):685-691.
Proceedings
- Houssaye, A. 2008. A preliminary report on the evolution of the vertebral microanatomy within mosasauroids (Reptilia, Squamata). In: Everhart M.J., ed. Proceedings of the Second Mosasaur Meeting.Fort Hays State University, Hays, Ka, 81-89.*
Abstracts
- Houssaye, A., and Bardet, B. 2009. Vertebral microanatomy and histology within juvenile "mosasaurs". Where did they live? Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 29(3):117A.
- Bardet, N., Houssaye, A., Pereda Suberbiola, X., and Rage, J.-C. 2007. The marine squamates (reptiles) from the Cenomanian-Turonian of the Tethys: a noteworthy radiation. In: Bulot L.G., Ferry S. & Grosheny D., eds. Relations between the northern and southern margins of the Tethys ocean during the Cretaceous period.- Notebooks on Geology, Brest, Memoir 2007/02, Abstract 05 (CG2007_M02/05), 26-28.
- Buffrénil, V. de, and Houssaye, A. 2007. Bone vascular supply in monitor lizards: Functional and phylogenetic considerations. Journal of Morphology 268(12):1064.
- Houssaye, A., and Buffrénil, V. de. 2007. Vertebral growth pattern in squamates. Journal of Morphology 268(12):1087.