Laura Buck

Laura Buck

Broadly, I am interested in what determines variation in skeletal shape. In my past research I have focused on skeletal plasticity in non-human primates (MPhil), the adaptive and neutral influences on hominin crania (PhD), and levels and patterns of climatic adaptation in humans and non-human primates (Postdoctoral fellowship at University of Cambridge, UK).

My current postdoctoral research employs a macaque model to investigate the morphological consequences of interbreeding between closely related primate taxa. My results will enable me to make important inferences about the effects of human interbreeding with extinct lineages (e.g., Neanderthals).

The methods I employ include computed tomography, 3D laser scanning, manipulation of digital data (e.g., segmentation and virtual measurement), geometric morphometric methods and traditional morphometrics.

I also continue to be involved in a number of collaborative projects more broadly related to late Pleistocene hominin evolution and ecology. These collaborations include research into Mid-Pleistocene hominin morphology, Neanderthal adaptation, and early African genetic diversity and involve colleagues from the University of Cambridge (UK), University of Tuebingen (Germany), Natural History Museum (UK), the Crick Institute (UK), Australian National University, University of Roehampton (UK) and others.

Publications

  • Buck, L. T., Stringer, C. B., MacLarnon, A. M. & Rae, T. C. Accepted. Variation in paranasal pneumatisation between mid-late Pleistocene hominins. Bulletins et Mémoires de la Société d’Anthropologie de Paris.​
  • Thompson, J. Martín-Vega, D., Buck, L. T., Power, R. K., Stoddart, S., & Malone, C. 2018. Identification of dermestid beetle modification on Neolithic Maltese human bone: implications for funerary practices at the Xemxija tombs. Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports 22:123-131.
  • Buck, L. T., De Groote, I., Hamada, Y. & Stock, J. T. 2018 Humans preserve non-human primate pattern of climatic adaptation. Quaternary Science Reviews 192: 149-166.
  • Groucutt, H.S., Grün, R., Zalmout, I.S.A., Drake, N.A., Armitage, S.J., Candy, I., Clark-Wilson, R., Louys, J., Breeze, P.S., Duval M., Buck, L.T., et al. 2018. Homo sapiens in Arabia 85,000 years ago. Nature Ecology and Evolution 2: 800-809.
  • Balzeau, A., Buck, L. T., Gómez Olivencia, A., Grimaud-Hervé, D., Becam, G, Rae, T. C. & Stringer, C. B. 2017. A new description of the internal morphology of the Middle Pleistocene Broken Hill 1 cranium. Palaeoanthropology: 2017: 107-138.
  • Buck, L. T. & Stringer, C. B. 2016. Homo, Diversification of. Kilman, R. M. (Ed.). Enclycopedia of Evolutionary Biology. Pp. 225-235. Academic Press: Oxford
  • De Groote, I., Flink, L., Abbas, R., Bello, S., Buck, L., Burgio, L., Dean, C., Freyne, A., Higham, T., Krusynski, R., Jones, C., Lister, A., Parfitt, S., Skinner, M., Schindler, K., Stringer, C. 2016. New genetic and morphological evidence suggests a single hoaxer created 'Piltdown Man'.  Royal Society Open Science 3: 160679.
  • Buck, L. T., Berbesque, J. C., Wood, B. M. & Stringer, C. B. 2015. Tropical gastrophagy and its implications for extinct hominin diets. Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports 5: 672-679.
  • Buck, L. T. & Stringer, C. B. 2015. A rich locality in South Kensington: the fossil hominin collection of the Natural History Museum. Geology Journal 50:321-337.
  • Buck, L. T. & Stringer, C. B. 2014. Having the stomach for it: a contribution to Neanderthal diets? Quaternary Science Reviews 96: 161-167.
  • Buck, L. T. & Stringer, C. B. 2014. Homo heidelbergensis. Current Biology 24: R214.
  • Stringer, C. B. & Buck, L. T. 2014. Diagnosing Homo sapiens in the fossil record. Annals of Human Biology 41: 312-322.
  • Bates, M. R., Wenban-Smith, F. F., Bello, S., Bridgland, D. R., Buck, L. T., Collins, M. J., Keen, D. H., Leary, J., Parfitt, S. A., Penkman, K.., Rhodes, E., Ryssaert, C., & Whittaker, J. E. 2014. Late persistence of the Acheulian in southern Britain in an MIS 8 interstadial: evidence from Harnham, Wiltshire. Quaternary Science Reviews 101: 159-176.
  • Stock, J. T. & Buck, L.T. 2010. Canalization and plasticity in humans and primates: implications for interpreting the fossil record.  In: Perote Alejandre, A., & Mateos Cachorro, A. (Eds.). 150 años después de Darwin: evolución, future o crisis? Lecciones sobre evolución humana. Instituto Tomás Pascual Sanz, Centro Nacional de Investigación sobre la Evolución Humana: Madrid, pp. 91-101.​
  • Buck, L.T., Stock, J.T., & Foley, R.A. 2010. Intraspecific variation in the catarrhine skeleton. International Journal of Primatology 31: 779-795.

CV

ResearchGate:
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Laura_Buck2

Academia.edu:
https://ucdavis.academia.edu/LauraBuck

Twitter:
@_LTBuck