Major Publications
2022
Morris ZS, Vliet, KA, Abzhanov, A, and Pierce, SE. 2022. Developmental origins of the crocodylian skull table and platyrostral face. The Anatomical Record 305: 2838–2853.
2021
Morris, ZS and Abzhanov, A. 2021. Heading for higher ground: Developmental origins and evolutionary diversification of the amniote face. Current Topics in Developmental Biology 141: 241–277.
2019
Morris ZS, Vliet, KA, Abzhanov, A, and Pierce, SE. 2019. Heterochronic shifts and conserved embryonic shape underlie crocodylian craniofacial disparity and convergence. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences 286: 20182389-10.
Collaborative Publications
2020
Tomiya S and Morris, ZS. 2020. Reidentification of Late Middle Eocene “Uintacyon” from the Galisteo Formation (New Mexico, U.S.A) as an early beardog (Mammalia, Carnivora, Amphicyonidae). Breviora 567: 1–13.
2017
Fabbri, M, Koch, NM, Pritchard, AC, Hanson, M, Hoffman, E, Bever, GS, Balanoff, AM, Morris, ZS, Field, DJ, Camacho, J, Rowe, TB, Norell, MA, Smith, RM, Abzhanov, A & Bhullar, BAS. 2017. The skull roof tracks the brain during the evolution and development of reptiles including birds. Nature Ecology & Evolution 1: 1–8.
2015
Bhullar, BAS, Morris, ZS, Sefton, EM, Tok, A, Tokita, M, Namkoong, B, Camacho, J, Burnham, DA & Abzhanov, A. 2015. A molecular mechanism for the origin of a key evolutionary innovation, the bird beak and palate, revealed by an integrative approach to major transitions in vertebrate history. Evolution 69(7):1665–1677.
Conference Presentations
Morris, ZS & Bhullar, BAS. Embryonic origins of amniote palate diversity. 13th International Congress of Vertebrate Morphology.
Morris, ZS & Bhullar, BAS. Evolutionary origins of amniote secondary palates. Society for Integrative & Comparative Biology.
2023
Morris, ZS & Bhullar, BAS. Patterns of amniote palate diversification and convergence. Society of Vertebrate Paleontology.
Morris, ZS & Bhullar, BAS. Patterns of secondary palate convergence across Amniota. Experimental Biology, AAA Best Postdoctoral Poster Award.
2022
2021
Morris, ZS, Abzhanov, A and Pierce, SE. Embryonic origins of the flattened skull table and snout in Crocodylia. Experimental Biology.
2020
Morris, ZS, Vliet, KA, Abzhanov, A & Pierce, SE. Developmental mechanisms shaping crocodylian snouts. Society of Integrative and Comparative Biology Annual Meeting.
Morris, ZS, Vliet, KA, Abzhanov, A & Pierce, SE. Fossil evidence indicates ancient origin of the crocodylian cranial developmental program. Society of Vertebrate Paleontology, Romer Prize Nominee.
2019
Morris, ZS, Pierce, SE & Abzhanov, A. Correlations between developmental, ecological, and evolutionary axes of cranial shape variation in extant crocodylians and the pseudosuchian fossil record. 12th International Congress of Vertebrate Morphology.
Morris, ZS, Pierce, SE & Abzhanov, A. The role of craniofacial growth zones in shaping crocodylian snouts. Society for Integrative & Comparative Biology.
2017
Morris, ZS, Pierce, SE & Abzhanov, A. Craniofacial growth zones and modularity in Amniota: insight from the model crocodylian, Alligator mississippiensis. Society for Integrative & Comparative Biology.
2016
2013
Morris, ZS, Abzhanov, A & Pierce, SE. Developmental trajectories of convergence, recapitulation, and evolutionary novelty in the crocodylian skull. 11th International Congress of Vertebrate Morphology.
Morris, ZS & Abzhanov, A. Embryos reveal novel developmental trajectories in the evolution of crocodylian cranial shape. Society of Vertebrate Paleontology.
2015
2014
Morris, ZS. Variation and variability in developmental studies: An analysis of skeletal ontogeny in Monodelphis domestica. Society for Integrative & Comparative Biology.
Morris, ZS. 2013. Determining the onset of ossification & reconstructing ontogeny in vertebrates: A comparison of clearing & staining, histological & computed tomography methods. Society for Integrative & Comparative Biology.
Morris, ZS, Burroughs, R & Colbert, M. Developmental variation complicates reconstructions of skeletal ontogeny of extinct vertebrates: a lesson from Triceratops and Torosaurus. Society of Vertebrate Paleontology.