CHRISTOPHER A. BROCHU

 

Department of Geoscience

University of Iowa

Iowa City, IA 52242

 

Phone:  319-353-1808

Fax:  319-335-1821

Email:  christopher-brochu@uiowa.edu

 

 

Educational and Professional History

 

Higher Education

 

1993-1997          Ph.D.    Geological Sciences         University of Texas at Austin

1989-1993          M.A.     Geological Sciences         University of Texas at Austin

1985-1989          B.S.      Geology                         University of Iowa

 

Professional and Academic Positions

 

2001 - present     Assistant Professor, Department of Geoscience, University of Iowa

2001 - present     Research Associate, Vertebrate Paleontology Laboratory, Texas Memorial Museum

2001 - present     Research Associate, Department of Geology, Field Museum

2001 - present     Research Associate, Science Museum of Minnesota

1998 - 2000        Postdoctoral Research Scientist, Department of Geology, Field Museum

 

Honors and Awards

 

2005                 Collegiate Teaching Award, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, University of Iowa

1996                 Romer Prize, Society of Vertebrate Paleontology

1996                 Stoye Award in General Herpetology, American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists

1996                 Best Student Technical Sessions Speaker, Geological Sciences, University of Texas at Austin

1989                 W. A. Tarr Award, Sigma Gamma Epsilon Ð Earth Sciences Honor Society

 

Scholarship

 

Publications (Refereed)

 

Professional Books and Monographs

 

Brochu, C.A.  2003. Osteology of Tyrannosaurus rex: insights from a nearly complete skeleton and high-resolution computed tomographic analysis of the skull. Society of Vertebrate Paleontology Memoir 7:1-138.

 

Brochu, C.A., and R.A. Ketcham.  2003.  Computed tomographic analysis of the Tyrannosaurus rex skull. Society of Vertebrate Paleontology Memoir 7:CD-ROM.

 

Rowe, T., C.A. Brochu, K. Kishi, J. W. Merck, M.W. Colbert, E. Saglamer, and S. Warren (eds.), 1999.  Cranial Morphology of Alligator mississippiensis and Phylogeny of Alligatoroidea.  Society of Vertebrate Paleontology Memoir 6.

 

Rowe, T., C.A. Brochu, K. Kishi, J.W. Merck, Jr., and M.W. Colbert (eds.), 1999.  Alligator:  Digital Atlas of the Skull.  Soceity of Vertebrate Paleontology Memoir 6: CD-ROM.

 

Journal Articles

 

Brochu, C. A.  In press.  Eosuchus (Crocodylia, Gavialoidea) from the Lower Eocene of the Isle of Sheppey, England.  Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology.

 

McAliley, L. R., R. E. Willis, D. A. Ray, P. S. White, C. A. Brochu, and L. D. Densmore. In press. Are crocodiles really monophyletic? Ð Evidence for subdivisions from sequence and morphological data.  Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution.

 

Brochu, C. A.  2006.  Osteology and phylogenetic significance of Eosuchus minor (Marsh 1870), new combination, a longirostrine crocodylian from the Late Paleocene of North America.  Journal of Paleontology, 80:162-186.

 

Brochu, C.A.  2004.  Alligatorine phylogeny and the status of Allognathosuchus Mook, 1921.  Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, 24:856-872.

 

Brochu, C.A.  2004.  A new gavialoid crocodylian from the Late Cretaceous of eastern North America and the phylogenetic relationships of thoracosaurs.  Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, 24:610-633.

 

Erickson, G.M., P.J. Makovicky, P.J. Currie, M. Norell, S. Yerby, and C.A. Brochu.  2004.  Gigantism and comparative life-history parameters of tyrannosaurid dinosaurs.  Nature, 430:772-775.

 

Brochu, C.A.  2004.  Calibration age and quartet divergence date estimation.  Evolution, 58:1375-1382.

 

Brochu, C.A., and A.D. Rincon.  2004.  A gavialoid crocodylian from the Lower Miocene of Venezuela.  Special Papers in Palaeontology, 71:61-78.

 

Brochu, C.A., C.D. Sumrall, and J.M. Theodor.  2004.  When clocks (and communities) collide: estimating divergence time from molecules and the fossil record.  Journal of Paleontology, 78:1-6.

 

Brochu, C.A.  2004.  Patterns of calibration age sensitivity with quartet dating methods.  Journal of Paleontology, 78:7-30.

 

Brochu, C.A.  2003.  Phylogenetic approaches toward crocodylian history.  Annual Review of Earth and Planetary Sciences, 31:357-397.

 

Sumrall, C.D., and C.A. Brochu.  2003.  Resolution, sampling, higher taxa and assumptions in stratocladistic analysis.  Journal of Paleontology, 77:189-194.

 

Brochu, C.A., M.L. BouarŽ, F. Sissoko, E.M. Roberts, and M.A. OÕLeary, 2002.  A dyrosaurid (Crocodyliformes) braincase from Mali.  Journal of Paleontology, 76:1060-1071.

 

Brochu, C.A, 2001. Progress and future directions in archosaur phylogenetics. Journal of Paleontology, 75:1185-1201.

 

Brochu, C.A., and M.A. Norell, 2001.  Time and trees:  A quantitative assessment of temporal congruence in the bird origins debate.  pp. 511-535 in J.A. Gauthier and L.F Gall (eds.), New Perspectives on the Origin and Early Evolution of Birds, Peabody Museum of Natural History, New Haven, CT.

 

Brochu, C.A., 2001.  Congruence between physiology, phylogenetics, and the fossil record on crocodylian historical biogeography.  pp. 9-28 in G. Grigg, F. Seebacher and C.E. Franklin (eds.), Crocodilian Biology and Evolution, Surrey Beatty and Sons, Sydney.

 

Brochu, C.A., and L.D. Densmore, 2001.  Crocodile phylogenetics:  A review of current progress.  pp. 3-8 in G. Grigg, F. Seebacher and C.E. Franklin (eds.), Crocodilian Biology and Evolution, Surrey Beatty and Sons, Sydney.

 

Brochu, C.A.  2001.  Crocodylian snouts in space and time:  phylogenetic approaches toward adaptive radiation.  American Zoologist,  41:564-585.

 

Brochu, C.A., and C.D. Sumrall, 2001.  Phylogenetic nomenclature and paleontology.  Journal of Paleontology, 75:754-757.

 

Sumrall, C.D., C.A. Brochu, and J.W. Merck, 2001.  Global lability, regional resolution, and majority-rule consensus bias.  Paleobiology, 27:254-261.

 

Brochu, C.A., H.N. Bryant, J.M. Theodor, M.A. OÕLeary, J.M. Adrain, and C.D. Sumrall.  2001.  Modern phylogenetics in paleontology:  comments on Vermeij.  Paleobiology, 27:176-178.

 

Brochu, C.A., and P.D. Gingerich, 2000.  New tomistomine crocodylian from the middle Eocene (Bartonian) of Wadi Hitan, Fayum Province, Egypt.  Contributions from the Museum of Paleontology, University of Michigan. 30: 251-268.

 

Sumida, S.S., and C.A. Brochu, 2000.  Phylogenetic context for the origin of feathers.  American Zoologist, 40:486-503.

 

Brochu, C.A., 2000.  Phylogenetic relationships and divergence timing of Crocodylus based on morphology and the fossil record.  Copeia, 2000:657-673.

 

Buckley, G.A., C.A. Brochu, D.W. Krause, and D. Pol, 2000.  A pug-nosed crocodyliform from the Late Cretaceous of Madagascar.  Nature, 405:941Ð944.

 

Brochu, C.A., 2000. A digitally-rendered endocast for Tyrannosaurus rex.  Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, 20:1-6.

 

Brochu, C.A., and M.A. Norell, 2000.  Temporal congruence and the origin of birds.  Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, 20:197-200.

 

Brochu, C.A., 2000.  Fossil crocodylians from the Eocene DevilÕs Graveyard and Canoe Formations, Brewster County, Texas.  Texas Journal of Science, 52:3-12.

 

Brochu, C.A., 2000.  Borealosuchus (Crocodylia) from the Paleocene of Big Bend National Park, Texas.  Journal of Paleontology, 74:181Ð187.

 

Brochu, C.A., 1999. Taxon sampling and reverse successive weighting.  Systematic Biology, 48:808-813.

 

Brochu, C.A., 1999.  Phylogeny, systematics, and historical biogeography of Alligatoroidea.  Society of Vertebrate Paleontology Memoir 6:9-100.

 

Rowe, T., C.A. Brochu, K. Kishi, J. Merck, and M.W. Colbert, 1999.  Introduction to Alligator:  Digital atlas of the skull.  Society of Vertebrate Paleontology Memoir 6:1-8.

 

Erickson, G.M., and C.A. Brochu, 1999.  How the Òterror crocodileÓ grew so big. Nature, 398:205-206.

 

Buckley, G.A., and C.A. Brochu, 1999.  An enigmatic new crocodile from the Upper Cretaceous of Madagascar.  pp. 149-175 in D.M. Unwin (ed.), Special Papers in Palaeontology 60:  Cretaceous Fossil Vertebrates, Palaeontological Association, London.

 

Brochu, C.A., 1997.  A review of "Leidyosuchus" (Crocodyliformes, Eusuchia) from the Cretaceous through Eocene of North America.  Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, 17:679-697.

 

Brochu, C.A., 1997.  Fossils, morphology, divergence timing, and the phylogenetic relationships of Gavialis.  Systematic Biology, 46:479-522.

 

Brochu, C.A., 1997.  Synonymy, redundancy, and the name of the crocodile stem-group.  Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, 17:448-449.

 

Brochu, C.A., 1996.  Closure of neurocentral sutures during crocodylian ontogeny:  implications for maturity assessment in fossil archosaurs.  Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, 16:49-62.

 

Brochu, C.A., 1995.  Heterochrony in the crocodylian scapulocoracoid.  Journal of Herpetology, 29:464-468.

 

 

Book Reviews

 

Brochu, C.A.  2003.  Review of Schwimmer, D. R.  2002.  King of the Crocodylians: The Paleobiology of Deinosuchus.  Palaios, 18:79-82.

 

Publications (Non-Refereed)

 

Brochu, C.A.  2003.  Lessons from a Tyrannosaur:  The ambassadorial role of paleontology.  Palaios, 18:475-476.

 

Brochu, C.A.  2000.  Crocodylians.  Pp. 317-322 in R. Singer (ed.), Encyclopedia of Paleontology, Fitzroy Dearborn Publishers, Chicago.

 

Brochu, C.A.  2000.  Crocodylomorphs.  Pp. 322-328 in R. Singer (ed.), Encyclopedia of Paleontology, Fitzroy Dearborn Publishers, Chicago.

 

Brochu, C.A., J. Long, C. McHenry, J.D. Scanlon, and P.M.A. Willis (managing editor, M.K. Brett-Surman).  2000.  Time-Life Guides:  Dinosaurs.  Time-Life Books/Weldon-Owen Pty Ltd., Sydney.

 

Rieppel, O., and C. Brochu.  1999.  Paleontologists defend dinosaur mount.  In The Field, 70:8.

 

Research Grants (External)

 

2006-2009          Computerization of the University of Iowa Paleontology Repository (NSF DBI Ð Biological Research Collections; PI A.F. Budd; additional co-PIs J.M. Adrain, T. Adrain).

 

2005-2007          Synthetic Approaches Toward Crocodylian Phylogeny (NSF DEB 0444133; co-PI L.D. Densmore)

 

2002-2007          Collaborative Research:  Archosaur Phylogeny - A Total Evidence Approach at Fine Taxonomic Levels (NSF DEB 0228648).

 

1994                 Studies of Fossil and Recent Crocodylians (Paleontological Society Grant).

 

1991                 Studies of Recent Crocodylians (American Museum of Natural History Collections Use Grant).

 

Research Grants (Internal)

 

2004-2005          Carver Scientific Research Initiative Grant: Sequencing of a Bone Structural Protein Gene in Crocodylians

 

2003                 Old Gold Fellowship

 

2002                 Old Gold Fellowship

 

Conference Presentations

 

Invited Symposium Presentations (platform)

 

2005                 Phylogenetic Approaches toward Crocodylian History.  Second Symposium of Graduate Research in Biology, University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras.

 

2004                 Phylogenetic nomenclature for Crocodylia: a success story in the face of phylogenetic uncertainty.  First International Phylogenetic Nomenclature Meeting, Museum National dÕHistoire Naturelle, Paris.

 

2003                 Development of a National Systematics Infrastructure - The View from Paleontology. National Science Foundation Workshop Ð Development of a National Systematics Infrastructure: A Virtual Instrument for the 21st Century, New York Botanical Garden

 

2001                 Phylogenetic revision and fossil divergence estimates:  when is a conflict not a conflict? When Clocks Collide:  Calibrating Lineage Divergences from Fossils and Molecules, North American Paleontological Convention, Berkeley (with J.M. Theodor and C.D. Sumrall).  PaleoBios, 21(supp. to 2):35.

 

2001                 The impact of fossil calibration choice in molecular divergence estimation. When Clocks Collide:  Calibrating Lineage Divergences from Fossils and Molecules, North American Paleontological Convention, Berkeley. PaleoBios, 21(supp. to 2):35.

 

2001                 Tyrannosaurid systematics and the phylogenetic position of Tyrannosauridae within Theropoda.  A. Watson Armour III Symposium:  Paleobiology and Phylogenetics of Large Theropods, Field Museum, Chicago.

 

2001                 The big and the dead.  A. Watson Armour III Symposium:  Paleobiology and Phylogenetics of Large Theropods, Field Museum, Chicago.

 

2001                 Beyond mere morphology: reflections of a computed tomography addict.  Science, Entertainment, and Teaching: Bringing Cutting Edge Biology to the Public Teaching Community, Society of Integrative and Comparative Biology, Chicago. American Zoologist,

 

2000                 The importance of phylogeny in interpreting the crocodylian fossil record.  Beyond Reconstruction:  Using Phylogenies to Test Hypotheses About Vertebrate Evolution, Society of Integrative and Comparative Biology/Society of Vertebrate Paleontology Joint Symposium, Atlanta.  American Zoologist, 39(5):48a.  (With P.M.A. Willis.)

 

1998                 The Visible Alligator:  A digital atlas of alligator craniology based on high-resolution CT imagery.  Three-Dimensional Scanning and Computer Modelling of Vertebrate Fossils, Society of Vertebrate Paleontology Symposium, Snowbird. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, 18(3):29A.  (With T. Rowe, J.W. Merck, M.W. Colbert, and K. Kishi.)

 

1998                 Concordance among physiology, phylogenetics, and the fossil record on crocodylian biogeography.  Crocodilian Biology and Evolution, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.

 

1998                 Differing temporal expectations for crocodylian phylogeny:  molecules versus stratigraphy.  A. Watson Armour III Spring Symposium: Combining Molecular and Paleontological Data - A Twofold Approach for   Documenting Major Evolutionary Patterns, Field Museum, Chicago.

 

Volunteered Presentations (Platform)

 

2005                 Stealth diversity in the cradle of humanity: crocodylid endemism in Africa and the western Indian Ocean during the Neogene. Society of Vertebrate Paleontology, Mesa, AZ. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, 24:39A

 

2004                 Tyrannosaurid life-history parameters and the evolution of gigantism in Tyrannosaurus. Society of Vertebrate Paleontology, Denver.  Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, 24:55A.   (with G. Erickson, P. Makovicky, P. Currie, M. Norell, and S. Yerby)

 

2004                Alligatorine phylogeny, the law of the unspecialized, and the status of Allognathosuchus Mook, 1921.  Society of Vertebrate Paleontology, Denver.  Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, 24:41A-42A.

 

2003             Calibration sensitivity and quartet dating:  systematic under- and overestimation of

                        divergence times from molecular data.  Society of Vertebrate Paleontology, St. Paul,

                        MN.  Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, 23:36A.  (with J. M. Theodor.)

 

2002                Thecachampsoides minor and early gavialoid history: coastal Atlantic origins of longirostrine crocodylians. Society of Vertebrate Paleontology, Norman, OK. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, 22:39A.

 

2002                 Discovery of continental mammals and other vertebrates of biogeographic significance in the Early Miocene of Venezuela. Society of Vertebrate Paleontology, Norman, OK. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, 22:102A. (with M. R. S‡nchez-Villagra [speaker], R.J. Asher, R.H. Madden, A.D. Rincon, and E.M. Weston.)

 

2002                 Discovery of continental mammals and other vertebrates of biogeographic significance in the Early Miocene of Venezuela. 50th Symposium of Vertebrate Palaeontology and Comparative Anatom, Cambridge, UK, September 2002. (with M. R. S‡nchez-Villagra [speaker], R.J. Asher, R.H. Madden, A.D. Rincon, and E.M. Weston.)

 

2002                 Paleopathology in a mature specimen of Tyrannosaurus rex.  First International Palaeontological Congress, Sydney, NSW, Australia, July 2002. Abstracts - Geological Society of Australia, 68:134. (with E.A. Rega, speaker)

 

2001             Phylogenetic perspectives on temporal diversity patterns in crocodylians. Society of Vertebrate Paleontology, Bozeman, MT. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, 21:36A.

 

2001                 Paleopathology of a mature Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton. Society of Vertebrate Paleontology, Bozeman, MT. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, 21:92A. (with E.A. Rega, speaker)

 

2001                 Evidence for thoracic breathing in Tyrannosaurus rex, based on recent anatomical and pathological evidence from ÒSue.Ó  6th International Congress of Vertebrate Morphology, Jena.  Journal of Morphology, 248(3):274.  (with E.A. Rega, speaker)

 

2000                 Crocodylian snouts in space and time:  phylogenetic approaches toward mapping the temporal fates of adaptive radiations.  Geological Society of America/Paleontological Society, Reno (Paleontological Society Theme Session Ð Evolving Biodiversity: From the Field to the Database). Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, 32(7):A-132.

 

2000                 Postcranial axial morphology of a large Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton.  Society of Vertebrate Paleontology, Mexico City. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 20(3):32A.

 

1999                 Majority-rule consensus and bootstrap bias - global lability and regional resolution.  Geological Society of America/Paleontological Society, Denver.  Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, 31(7):A-138. (with C.D.  Sumrall and J.W. Merck)

 

1999                 High-resolution CT analysis of a Tyrannosaurus rex skull.  Society of Vertebrate Paleontology, Denver.  Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, 19(3):34A.

 

1999.                A bizarre crocodyliform from the Late Cretaceous of Madagascar:  Systematics, biogeography, and paleoecology.  Society of Vertebrate Paleontology, Denver.  Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, 19(3):34A.  (with G.A. Buckley [speaker], L.L Randriamiaramanana, and D.W. Krause)

 

1999                 Temporal congruence and the origin of birds - is there a "temporal paradox?" Society of Systematic Biologists/Society for the Study of Evolution, Madison, WI.  No abstract.  with M.A. Norell)

 

1998                 There is no temporal paradox in bird origins.  Society of Vertebrate Paleontology, Snowbird.  Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, 18(3):29A.  (with M.A. Norell)

 

1998                 Heterochronic evolution of gigantism in the Cretaceous alligatoroid Deinosuchus. Society of Vertebrate Paleontology, Snowbird. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, 18(3):40A.  (with G.M.  Erickson, speaker)

 

1997                 Phylogeny, systematics, and historical biogeography of Alligatoroidea.  Society of Vertebrate Paleontology, Chicago.  Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, 17(3):34A.

 

1997                 Hyperdiversity and the paleobiogeographic implications of Late Cretaceous crocodyliforms of Madagascar.  Society of Vertebrate Paleontology, Chicago.  Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, 17(3):35A.  (with G.A. Buckley [speaker] and D. Krause)

 

1997                 The divergence timing and historical biogeography of Crocodylus:  Preliminary insights from phylogenetics and the fossil record.  American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, Seattle.  ASIH Abstracts with Programs, p. 81.

 

1997                 Expected divergence times within Crocodylia from molecules and fossils: conflict and congruence.  Society of Systematic Biologists/Society for the Study of Evolution, Boulder.  No abstract.

 

1997                 Bias introduced into majority rule consensus by labile taxa: Its cause, description, and consequences for bootstrap analysis.  Society of Systematic Biologists/Society for the Study of Evolution, Boulder.  No abstract.  (with C.D. Sumrall and J.W. Merck [speaker])

 

1996                 Fossils as pruning shears:  Branch length and the phylogenetic systematics of Crocodylia.  Society of Vertebrate Paleontology, New York.  Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, 16(3):24A.

 

1996                 Campanian crocodyliforms from Madagascar and their biogeographical implications.  Society of Vertebrate Paleontology, New York.  Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, 16(3):24A.  (with G.A. Buckley, speaker)

 

1996                 Phylogenetic systematics and origin of Gavialoidea:  The contribution from fossils.  Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles, Lawrence. SSAR Program Notes and Abstracts, p. 65.

 

1996                 Phylogenetic systematics and taxonomy of Crocodylia: A morphological perspective.  American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, New Orleans.  ASIH Abstracts with Programs, p. 93.

 

1996                 New eusuchian crocodyliforms from the Paleocene of West Texas: Biogeographic and phylogenetic implications. Geological Society of America South-Central Regional Meeting, Austin.  Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, 28(1):6.

 

1996                 The effects of multiple primitive states and single-taxon outgroups on parsimony-based phylogenetic analyses. Geological Society of America South-Central Regiona Meeting, Austin.  Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, 28(1):65. (with C.D. Sumrall [speaker] and J. W. Merck)

 

1995                 Phylogenetic relationships of basal eusuchians and the origin of Crocodylus.  Society of Vertebrate Paleontology, Pittsburgh.  Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, 15:20A.

 

1992                 Late-stage ontogenetic changes in the postcranium of crocodylians.  Society of Vertebrate Paleontology, Toronto.  Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, 12:19A.

 

Volunteered Presentations (Poster)

 

2005                 Cocodrilos f—siles de Puerto Rico (Fossil crocodiles of Puerto Rico).  XXIV Simposio de Flora y Fauna del Caribe, Casa Roig, PR.  (With J. VŽlez-Juarbe, A. Nieves- Rivera, J. D. Daza-Vaca, and H. Santos)

 

2003                 A new slender-snouted crocodyliform from the Upper Cretaceous Maevarano Formation,

                        Madagascar.  Society of Vertebrate Paleontology, St. Paul, MN.  Journal of Vertebrate