My work involves studying the taxonomic and ecological diversity of protocetes in West Africa. This means that I am focusing on fossil remains, mainly cranio-dental, of early togolese cetaceans.
West Africa played a crucial role in the evolutionary history of this group, serving as a link between the Indo-Pakistan region, considered the cradle of cetaceans, and the American continent. These fossils provide pivotal insights into our understanding of the taxonomic and ecological diversity of this group in this part of the world. Studying these fossils is crucial to better understanding their rapid evolutionary success on a global scale.
To carry out this research, I use traditional methods of comparative anatomy combined with X-ray microtomography techniques, which allow me to analyze both internal and external cranio-dental structures. I also use geochemical analyses, with a particular focus on calcium, to explore the trophic relationships and ecological roles of these mammals during the Eocene (56–34 Ma).