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Zhe-Xi Luo

TitleProfessor
InstitutionUniversity of Chicago
DepartmentOrganismal Biology and Anatomy
AddressChicago IL 60637
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    Collapse Overview 
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    Research in Luo Lab in the University of Chicago is devoted to the understanding of the origins and earliest evolution of mammals.

    Our endeavor is to study how mammals arose in their early history, as documented in a rich and rapidly growing fossil record. We seek to understand the origins of key mammalian adaptations, evolutionary changes in their development patterns, phylogenetic relationship of the major lineages of Mesozoic mammals, as well as their ecological and morphological diversification.

    The understanding of early mammalian evolution can provide a useful case study on the diversification of major organismal groups, on the patterns and processes of macroevolution, on the geological history of vertebrate faunas, and on their paleobiogeography.

    Collapse Biography 
    Collapse education and training
    Harvard University, Museum of Comparative Zoology, Cambridge, MA, USPostdoctoral fellowship07/1991Mammalian Evolutionary Morphology
    University of California at Berkeley, Museum of Paleontology, Berkeley, CA, USPhD06/1989Paleontology
    Nanjing University, Department of Geology, Nanjing, ChinaBS01/1982Geology, Stratigraphy and Paleontology

    Collapse Bibliographic 
    Collapse selected publications
    Publications listed below are automatically derived from MEDLINE/PubMed and other sources, which might result in incorrect or missing publications. Faculty can login to make corrections and additions.
    Newest   |   Oldest   |   Most Cited   |   Most Discussed   |   Timeline   |   Field Summary   |   Plain Text
    PMC Citations indicate the number of times the publication was cited by articles in PubMed Central, and the Altmetric score represents citations in news articles and social media. (Note that publications are often cited in additional ways that are not shown here.) Fields are based on how the National Library of Medicine (NLM) classifies the publication's journal and might not represent the specific topic of the publication. Translation tags are based on the publication type and the MeSH terms NLM assigns to the publication. Some publications (especially newer ones and publications not in PubMed) might not yet be assigned Field or Translation tags.) Click a Field or Translation tag to filter the publications.
    1. David R, Benoit J, Lungmus JK, Stoessel A, Barrett PM, Maisano JA, Ekdale E, Luo ZX, Hoffman EA, Sidor CA, Spoor F, Angielczyk KD, Araújo R, Orliac M, Martinelli AG, Martins RMS. Author Correction: Inner ear biomechanics reveals a Late Triassic origin for mammalian endothermy. Nature. 2023 Jan 09. PMID: 36624295.
      Citations:    Fields:    
    2. Kammerer CF, Luo ZX, Smith RMH, Bendel EM, Fröbisch J. The earliest segmental sternum in a Permian synapsid and its implications for the evolution of mammalian locomotion and ventilation. Sci Rep. 2022 08 05; 12(1):13472. PMID: 35931742; PMCID: PMC9356055.
      Citations: 2     Fields:    
    3. David R, Benoit J, Lungmus JK, Stoessel A, Barrett PM, Maisano JA, Ekdale E, Luo ZX, Hoffman EA, Sidor CA, Spoor F, Angielczyk KD, Araújo R, Orliac M, Martinelli AG, Martins RMS. Inner ear biomechanics reveals a Late Triassic origin for mammalian endothermy. Nature. 2022 07; 607(7920):726-731. PMID: 35859179.
      Citations: 8     Fields:    Translation:Animals
    4. Luo Z-X, Bhullar B-AS, Crompton AW, Neander AI, Rowe TB. Reexamination of the mandibular and dental morphology of the Early Jurassic mammaliaform Hadrocodium wui. Acta Palaeontologica Polonica. 2022; 67(1):95-113. View Publication.
    5. Sulser RB, Patterson BD, Urban DJ, Neander AI, Luo ZX. Evolution of inner ear neuroanatomy of bats and implications for echolocation. Nature. 2022 02; 602(7897):449-454. PMID: 35082447.
      Citations: 7     Fields:    Translation:Animals
    6. Pevsner SK, Grossnickle GM, Luo ZX. The functional diversity of marsupial limbs is influenced by both ecology and developmental constraint. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society. 2021; 135(5):569-585. View Publication.
    7. Li P, Ross CF, Luo ZX. Morphological disparity and evolutionary transformations in the primate hyoid apparatus. J Hum Evol. 2022 01; 162:103094. PMID: 34808474.
      Citations: 3     Fields:    Translation:Animals
    8. Grossnickle DM, Chen M, Wauer JGA, Pevsner SK, Weaver LN, Meng QJ, Liu D, Zhang YG, Luo ZX. Incomplete convergence of gliding mammal skeletons. Evolution. 2020 12; 74(12):2662-2680. PMID: 32886353.
      Citations: 12     Fields:    Translation:Animals
    9. Luo ZX, Manley GA. The Senses – A Comprehensive Reference (Volume 2) (Fritzsch B, Grothe B editors). Origins and Evolution of Mammalian Ears and Hearing Function. 2020; 2:207-252. View Publication.
    10. Grossnickle DM, Chen M, Wauer JGA, Pevsner SK, Weaver LN, Meng QJ, Liu D, Zhang YG, Luo ZX. Incomplete convergence of gliding-mammal skeletons. Evolution. 2020; 74:2662-2680. View Publication.
    11. . The mandible and dentition of Borealestes serendipitus (Docodonta) from the Middle Jurassic of Skye, Scotland. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. 2019; 39:e1621884-17.
    12. Zhou CF, Bhullar BS, Neander AI, Luo ZX, Martin T. New Jurassic mammaliaform sheds light on early evolution of mammal-like hyoid bones. Science. 2019 Jul 19; 365(6450):276-279. PMID: 31320539.
      Citations: 19     Fields:    Translation:Animals
    13. . The mandible and dentition of Borealestes serendipitus (Docodonta) from the Middle Jurassic of Skye, Scotland. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. 2019; 39:e1621884 - 17. View Publication.
    14. Huttenlocker AK, Grossnickle DM, Kirkland JI, Schultz JA, Luo ZX. Publisher Correction: Late-surviving stem mammal links the lowermost Cretaceous of North America and Gondwana. Nature. 2018 10; 562(7728):E27. PMID: 30108361.
      Citations:    Fields:    
    15. Lautenschlager S, Gill PG, Luo ZX, Fagan MJ, Rayfield EJ. The role of miniaturization in the evolution of the mammalian jaw and middle ear. Nature. 2018 09; 561(7724):533-537. PMID: 30224748.
      Citations: 26     Fields:    Translation:Animals
    16. Huttenlocker AK, Grossnickle DM, Kirkland JI, Schultz JA, Luo ZX. Late-surviving stem mammal links the lowermost Cretaceous of North America and Gondwana. Nature. 2018 06; 558(7708):108-112. PMID: 29795343.
      Citations: 19     Fields:    Translation:Animals
    17. Lautenschlager S, Gill PG, Luo ZX, Fagan MJ, Rayfield EJ. Morphological evolution of the mammalian jaw adductor complex. Biological Reviews. 2017; 92(4):1910-1940.
    18. Luo ZX, Meng QJ, Grossnickle DM, Liu D, Neander AI, Zhang YG, Ji Q. New evidence for mammaliaform ear evolution and feeding adaptation in a Jurassic ecosystem. Nature. 2017 08 17; 548(7667):326-329. PMID: 28792934.
      Citations: 26     Fields:    Translation:Animals
    19. Meng QJ, Grossnickle DM, Liu D, Zhang YG, Neander AI, Ji Q, Luo ZX. New gliding mammaliaforms from the Jurassic. Nature. 2017 08 17; 548(7667):291-296. PMID: 28792929.
      Citations: 24     Fields:    Translation:Animals
    20. Chen M, Luo ZX, Wilson GP. The postcranial skeleton of Yanoconodon allini from the Early Cretaceous of Hebei, China and its implications for locomotor adaptation in eutriconodontan mammals. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. 2017; (e1315425):23. View Publication.
    21. Anthwal N, Urban DJ, Luo ZX, Sears KE, Tucker AS. Meckel's cartilage breakdown offers clues to mammalian middle ear evolution. Nat Ecol Evol. 2017 03 06; 1(4):93. PMID: 28459103; PMCID: PMC5405799.
      Citations: 18     Fields:    
    22. Urban DJ, Anthwal N, Luo ZX, Maier JA, Sadier A, Tucker AS, Sears KE. A new developmental mechanism for the separation of the mammalian middle ear ossicles from the jaw. Proc Biol Sci. 2017 02 08; 284(1848). PMID: 28179517; PMCID: PMC5310609.
      Citations: 20     Fields:    Translation:Animals
    23. Schultz JA, Bhullar B-A S, Luo ZX. Re-examination of the Jurassic mammaliaform Docodon victor by computed tomography and occlusal functional analysis. Journal of Mammalian Evolution. 2017. View Publication.
    24. Schultz JA, Luo ZX, Zeller U. Inner ear labyrinth anatomy of monotremes and implications for mammalian inner ear evolution. J Morphol. 2017 02; 278(2):236-263. PMID: 27889918.
      Citations: 15     Fields:    Translation:Animals
    25. Lautenschlager S, Gill P, Luo ZX, Fagan MJ, Rayfield EJ. Morphological evolution of the mammalian jaw adductor complex. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc. 2017 Nov; 92(4):1910-1940. PMID: 27878942; PMCID: PMC6849872.
      Citations: 21     Fields:    Translation:Animals
    26. Girard R, Zeineddine HA, Orsbon C, Tan H, Moore T, Hobson N, Shenkar R, Lightle R, Shi C, Fam MD, Cao Y, Shen L, Neander AI, Rorrer A, Gallione C, Tang AT, Kahn ML, Marchuk DA, Luo ZX, Awad IA. Micro-computed tomography in murine models of cerebral cavernous malformations as a paradigm for brain disease. J Neurosci Methods. 2016 09 15; 271:14-24. PMID: 27345427; PMCID: PMC5003657.
      Citations: 17     Fields:    Translation:Animals
    27. Rowe TB, Luo ZX, Ketcham RA, Maisano JA, Colbert MW. X-ray computed tomography datasets for forensic analysis of vertebrate fossils. Sci Data. 2016 Jun 07; 3:160040. PMID: 27272251; PMCID: PMC4896130.
      Citations: 4     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimals
    28. Brusatte S, Luo ZX. Ascent of the Mammals. Sci Am. 2016 Jun; 314(6):28-35. PMID: 27196839.
      Citations: 1     Fields:    Translation:Animals
    29. Luo ZX, Gatesy SM, Jenkins FA, Amaral WW, Shubin NH. Mandibular and dental characteristics of Late Triassic mammaliaform Haramiyavia and their ramifications for basal mammal evolution. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2015 Dec 22; 112(51):E7101-9. PMID: 26630008; PMCID: PMC4697399.
      Citations: 33     Fields:    Translation:Animals
    30. Luo ZX, Martin T, Marugán-Lobón J, Vullo R, Martín-Abad H, Buscalioni AD. A Cretaceous eutriconodont and integument evolution in early mammals. Nature. 2015 Oct 15; 526(7573):380-4. PMID: 26469049.
      Citations: 23     Fields:    Translation:Animals
    31. Luo ZX, Meng QJ, Ji Q, Liu D, Zhang YG, Neander AI. Mammalian evolution. Evolutionary development in basal mammaliaforms as revealed by a docodontan. Science. 2015 Feb 13; 347(6223):760-4. PMID: 25678660.
      Citations: 17     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimals
    32. Meng QJ, Ji Q, Zhang YG, Liu D, Grossnickle DM, Luo ZX. Mammalian evolution. An arboreal docodont from the Jurassic and mammaliaform ecological diversification. Science. 2015 Feb 13; 347(6223):764-8. PMID: 25678661.
      Citations: 22     Fields:    Translation:Animals
    33. Luo ZX. Evolution: Tooth structure re-engineered. Nature. 2014 Aug 07; 512(7512):36-7. PMID: 25079312.
      Citations: 1     Fields:    Translation:Animals
    34. Yuan CX, Ji Q, Meng QJ, Tabrum AR, Luo ZX. Earliest evolution of multituberculate mammals revealed by a new Jurassic fossil. Science. 2013 Aug 16; 341(6147):779-83. PMID: 23950536.
      Citations: 14     Fields:    Translation:Animals
    35. O'Leary MA, Bloch JI, Flynn JJ, Gaudin TJ, Giallombardo A, Giannini NP, Goldberg SL, Kraatz BP, Luo ZX, Meng J, Ni X, Novacek MJ, Perini FA, Randall Z, Rougier GW, Sargis EJ, Silcox MT, Simmons NB, Spaulding M, Weksler M, Wible JR, Cirranello AL, Velazco PM. Response to comment on "The placental mammal ancestor and the post-K-Pg radiation of placentals". Science. 2013 Aug 09; 341(6146):613. PMID: 23929968.
      Citations: 7     Fields:    Translation:Animals
    36. Zhou CF, Wu S, Martin T, Luo ZX. A Jurassic mammaliaform and the earliest mammalian evolutionary adaptations. Nature. 2013 Aug 08; 500(7461):163-7. PMID: 23925238.
      Citations: 42     Fields:    Translation:Animals
    37. O'Leary MA, Bloch JI, Flynn JJ, Gaudin TJ, Giallombardo A, Giannini NP, Goldberg SL, Kraatz BP, Luo ZX, Meng J, Ni X, Novacek MJ, Perini FA, Randall ZS, Rougier GW, Sargis EJ, Silcox MT, Simmons NB, Spaulding M, Weksler M, Wible JR, Cirranello AL, Velazco PM. The placental mammal ancestor and the post-K-Pg radiation of placentals. Science. 2013 Feb 08; 339(6120):662-7. PMID: 23393258.
      Citations: 310     Fields:    Translation:AnimalsCells
    38. Luo ZX, Yuan CX, Meng QJ, Ji Q. A Jurassic eutherian mammal and divergence of marsupials and placentals. Nature. 2011 Aug 24; 476(7361):442-5. PMID: 21866158.
      Citations: 154     Fields:    Translation:Animals
    39. Rowe TB, Macrini TE, Luo ZX. Fossil evidence on origin of the mammalian brain. Science. 2011 May 20; 332(6032):955-7. PMID: 21596988.
      Citations: 97     Fields:    Translation:AnimalsCells
    40. Luo ZX, Ruf I, Schultz JA, Martin T. Fossil evidence on evolution of inner ear cochlea in Jurassic mammals. Proc Biol Sci. 2011 Jan 07; 278(1702):28-34. PMID: 20667879; PMCID: PMC2992725.
      Citations: 39     Fields:    Translation:Animals
    41. Luo ZX. Journal club. A palaeontologist ponders how genes and fossils can illuminate mammalian evolution. Nature. 2010 Jun 10; 465(7299):669. PMID: 20535164.
      Citations:    Fields:    
    42. Ji Q, Luo ZX, Zhang X, Yuan CX, Xu L. Evolutionary development of the middle ear in Mesozoic therian mammals. Science. 2009 Oct 09; 326(5950):278-81. PMID: 19815774.
      Citations: 26     Fields:    Translation:AnimalsCells
    43. Xu X, Luo ZX, Rong JY. Recent advances in Chinese palaeontology. Proc Biol Sci. 2010 Jan 22; 277(1679):161-4. PMID: 19812080; PMCID: PMC2842678.
      Citations: 3     Fields:    Translation:HumansAnimals
    44. Gao CL, Wilson GP, Luo ZX, Maga AM, Meng Q, Wang X. A new mammal skull from the Lower Cretaceous of China with implications for the evolution of obtuse-angled molars and 'amphilestid' eutriconodonts. Proc Biol Sci. 2010 Jan 22; 277(1679):237-46. PMID: 19726475; PMCID: PMC2842676.
      Citations: 4     Fields:    Translation:Animals
    45. Luo ZX, Wible JR, Martin T, Ruf I. Petrosal anatomy and inner ear structures of the Late Jurassic Henkelotherium (Mammalia, Cladotheria, Dryolestoidea): insight into the early evolution of the ear region in cladotherian mammals. J Anat. 2009 May; 214(5):679-93. PMID: 19438763; PMCID: PMC2707092.
      Citations: 23     Fields:    Translation:Animals
    46. Luo ZX. Transformation and diversification in early mammal evolution. Nature. 2007 Dec 13; 450(7172):1011-9. PMID: 18075580.
      Citations: 146     Fields:    Translation:Animals
    47. Luo ZX, Ji Q, Yuan CX. Convergent dental adaptations in pseudo-tribosphenic and tribosphenic mammals. Nature. 2007 Nov 01; 450(7166):93-7. PMID: 17972884.
      Citations: 21     Fields:    Translation:Animals
    48. Luo ZX, Chen P, Li G, Chen M. A new eutriconodont mammal and evolutionary development in early mammals. Nature. 2007 Mar 15; 446(7133):288-93. PMID: 17361176.
      Citations: 32     Fields:    Translation:Animals
    49. Ji Q, Luo ZX, Yuan CX, Tabrum AR. A swimming mammaliaform from the Middle Jurassic and ecomorphological diversification of early mammals. Science. 2006 Feb 24; 311(5764):1123-7. PMID: 16497926.
      Citations: 57     Fields:    Translation:Animals
    50. Li G, Luo ZX. A Cretaceous symmetrodont therian with some monotreme-like postcranial features. Nature. 2006 Jan 12; 439(7073):195-200. PMID: 16407951.
      Citations: 10     Fields:    Translation:Animals
    51. Luo ZX, Wible JR. A Late Jurassic digging mammal and early mammalian diversification. Science. 2005 Apr 01; 308(5718):103-7. PMID: 15802602.
      Citations: 34     Fields:    Translation:Animals
    52. Martin T, Luo ZX. PALEONTOLOGY: Homoplasy in the Mammalian Ear. Science. 2005 Feb 11; 307(5711):861-862. PMID: 15708843.
      Citations: 10     Fields:    
    53. Luo ZX, Ji Q, Wible JR, Yuan CX. An Early Cretaceous tribosphenic mammal and metatherian evolution. Science. 2003 Dec 12; 302(5652):1934-40. PMID: 14671295.
      Citations: 67     Fields:    Translation:Animals
    54. Ji Q, Luo ZX, Yuan CX, Wible JR, Zhang JP, Georgi JA, Ji Q, Luo ZX, Yuan CX, Wible JR, Zhang JP, Georgi JA. The earliest known eutherian mammal. Nature. 2002 Apr 25; 416(6883):816-22. PMID: 11976675.
      Citations: 73     Fields:    Translation:Animals
    55. Luo ZX, Crompton AW, Sun AL. A new mammaliaform from the early Jurassic and evolution of mammalian characteristics. Science. 2001 May 25; 292(5521):1535-40. PMID: 11375489.
      Citations: 36     Fields:    Translation:Animals
    56. Luo ZX, Cifelli RL, Kielan-Jaworowska Z. Dual origin of tribosphenic mammals. Nature. 2001 Jan 04; 409(6816):53-7. PMID: 11343108.
      Citations: 35     Fields:    Translation:Animals
    57. Ji Q, Luo ZX, Ji SA, Luo Z. A Chinese triconodont mammal and mosaic evolution of the mammalian skeleton. Nature. 1999 Mar 25; 398(6725):326-30. PMID: 10192332.
      Citations: 18     Fields:    Translation:Animals
    58. Hu Y, Wang Y, Luo Z, Li C. A new symmetrodont mammal from China and its implications for mammalian evolution. Nature. 1997 Nov 13; 390(6656):137-42. PMID: 9367151.
      Citations: 19     Fields:    Translation:Animals
    59. Luo ZX, Crompton, AW Lucas, SG. Evolutionary origins of the mammalian promontorium and cochlea. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. 1995; 15:113-121.
    60. Luo ZX, Crompton AW. Transformations of the quadrate (incus) through the transition from non-mammalian cynodonts to mammals. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. 1994; 14:341-374.
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