Evolution and Anatomy of Fossil Tetrapods Research Group

Rafał PIECHOWSKI, Ph.D.

Evolution of locomotion and food preference, effects of environment and body size on locomotor abilities, relationships of anatomy and functions among dinosaurs (including birds), crocodilians, turtles, synapsids, early tetrapods and other animal groups (based on skeletal and musculature reconstruction)

ORCID ID: 0000-0003-2779-6929

 

Contact

Rafał Piechowski
Institute of Paleobiology, Polish Academy of Sciences
ul. Twarda 51/55
00-818 Warsaw, POLAND
e-mail: rdpiechowski@twarda.pan.pl
phone: (+48 22) 697-88-54, room: 632

CV

Academic degrees

  • 2021 Ph.D. (Hons) in Biological sciences: “Functional anatomy of Silesaurus opolensis”, Institute of Evolutionary Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw (scientific supervisor: Jerzy Dzik, Ph.D., D.Sc., Professor)
  • 2006 M.Sc. in biology, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń

Post-graduate studies and courses

  • 2019 postgraduate studies Teaching Biology and Science in Primary and Secondary Schools, Higher School of Health Sciences in Bydgoszcz
  • 2019 Marine Ichthyology Summer Course, The Hel Marine Station, Faculty of Oceanography, University of Gdańsk


Employment

  • Since 2023 research assistant in the Institute of Paleobiology PAS in Warsaw
  • 2007 - 2023 biology/science teacher at primary and secondary schools, tutor, educator


Research grants

  • Since 2023 co-investigator (post-doc) in the National Science Center Poland, OPUS grant “Locomotory and stance evolution in Triassic dicynodonts”, Institute of Paleobiology PAS in Warsaw (Principal investigator: Tomasz Szczygielski, Ph.D.)
  • Since 2023 colaborator in the National Science Center Poland, POLONEZ grant “Turtles from Czechia and Poland: An overview of common evolution in Central Europe since the Triassic until Recent”, Institute of Paleobiology PAS in Warsaw, (Principal investigator: Milan Chroust, Ph.D.)
  • Since 2021 colaborator in the National Science Center Poland, OPUS grant “Functional anatomy of Tarbosaurus bataar from the Nemegt Formation of Mongolia”, Institute of Paleobiology PAS in Warsaw (Principal investigator: Tomasz Szczygielski, Ph.D.)
  • Since 2021 colaborator in the National Science Center Poland, OPUS grant “The enigma of Chelonipus ispp.: Middle Triassic turtles or locomotory convergence?”, Institute of Paleobiology PAS in Warsaw (Principal investigator: Tomasz Szczygielski, Ph.D.)
  • 2017 - 2020 colaborator in the National Science Center Poland, PRELUDIUM grant “Evolutionary roots of dermal ossifications in the shell of ancestral Late Triassic turtles”, Institute of Paleobiology PAS in Warsaw (Principal investigator: Tomasz Szczygielski, Ph.D.)
  • 2014 - 2017 Principal Investigator in the National Science Center Poland, PRELUDIUM grant “The origin of locomotor musculature of Silesauridae with respect to dinosaurs evolution”, Institute of Paleobiology PAS in Warsaw

 

Research trips

  • Since 2021 participant/co-organizer of fieldwork/excavations at the site of Mesozoic vertebrates Wyszyna Rudzka
  • Since 2019 participant in entomofauna field research in Poland and Europe
  • Since 2014 leader of fieldwork/excavations at the site of Mesozoic vertebrates Zawiercie-Kierszula
  • Since 2014 co-organizer of fieldwork/excavations at the site of Mesozoic vertebrates Poręba
  • 2014 - 2017 co-organizer of excavations at the site of Mesozoic vertebrates Woźniki
  • 2008 - 2011 co-organizer of excavations at the site of Mesozoic vertebrates Krasiejów
  • Since 2008 participant/co-organizer/leader field trips to paleontological sites in Poland

 

Academic teaching

  • 2008 - 2011 co-teacher of the practical classes “Field Paleobiology”, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw
  • 2008 - 2009 co-teacher of the practical classes “History of Life”, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw
  • 2007 - 2010 co-teacher of the practical classes “Zoology”, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw
Publications

Scientific papers

Szczygielski T., Piechowski R. 2023. Limb anatomy of the Triassic turtle Proterochersis (Testudinata, Proterochersidae). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 199: 771-831.

Piechowski R., Tałanda M. 2020 The locomotor musculature and posture of the early dinosauriform Silesaurus opolensis provides a new look into the evolution of Dinosauromorpha. Journal of Anatomy DOI: 10.1111/joa.13155

Qvarnström M., Wernström J. V., Piechowski R., Tałanda M., Ahlberg P. E., Niedźwiedzki G. 2019. Beetle-bearing coprolites possibly reveal the diet of the Late Triassic dinosauriform. Royal Society Open Science 6: 181042. http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rsos.181042

Piechowski R., Tałanda M., Niedźwiedzki G. 2018. Unexpected bird-like features and high intraspecific variation in the braincase of the Triassic relative to dinosaurs. Historical Biology https://doi.org/10.1080/08912963.2017.1418339

Piechowski R., Tałanda M., Dzik J. 2014. Skeletal variation and ontogeny of the Late Triassic dinosauriform Silesaurus opolensis. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology,34(6):1383-1393.

Piechowski R., Dzik J. 2010. The axial skeleton of Silesaurus opolensis. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 30, 1127-1141.

Niedźwiedzki G., Piechowski R., Sulej T. 2009. New data on the anatomy and phylogenetic position of Silesaurus opolensis from the late Carnian of Poland. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, 29 (3), 155A.


Conference abstracts

Szczygielski T., Piechowski R. 2021. The limb musculature of the Triassic turtle Proterochersis (Testudinata, Proterochersidae) suggests changes in habitat adaptation in the ontogeny of early Testudinates. Turlte Evolution Symposium, Abstract Book, R110

Piechowski R,. Tałanda M. 2018. The hindlimb musculature of the Triassic dinosauriform Silesaurus opolensis. 16th Annual Meeting of the European Association of Vertebrate Palaeontologists, Abstract Book, 154.

Piechowski R. 2015. Nowe, wpółotwarte okno na trias w Zawierciu. V sesja popularnonaukowa pt. „Śląskie dinozaury (nie tylko) z Krasiejowa. Instytut Nauk Geologicznych PAN i Studenckie Koło Naukowe Paleontologów Uniwersytetu Śląskiego Paradoxies. Abstract Book, 143.

Piechowski R., Niedźwiedzki G., Tałanda M. 2015. New data on skull anatomy of Silesaurus opolensis. 13th Annual Meeting of the European Association of Vertebrate Palaeontologists, Abstract Book, 16.