K. Christopher Christopher Beard


K Beard
  • Senior Curator, Biodiversity Institute
  • Distinguished Foundation Professor

Contact Info

Office Phone:
Dyche Hall, room #321B

Selected Publications

Coster, Pauline M, Aung Naing Soe, K. C. Beard, Yaowalak Chaimanee, Chit Sein, Vincent Lazzari, and Jean-Jacques Jaeger. 2019. “Astragalus of Pondaungimys (Rodentia, Anomaluroidea) from the Late Middle Eocene Pondaung Formation, Central Myanmar.” Journal Articles. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, February, e1552156. https://doi.org/10.1080/02724634.2018.1552156.Me´tais, Gre´goire, Pauline Coster, John R. Kappelman, Alexis Licht, Faruk Ocakoğlu, Michael H. Taylor, and K.  C. Beard. 2018. “Eocene Metatherians from Anatolia Illuminate the Assembly of an Island Fauna during Deep Time.” Journal Articles. PLoS ONE 13 (11): e0206181. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0206181.Jones, Matthew F., Pauline M. C. Coster, Alexis Licht, Gr├⌐goire M├⌐tais, Faruk Ocako─ƒlu, Michael H. Taylor, and K. C. Beard. 2018. “A Stem Bat (Chiroptera: Palaeochiropterygidae) from the Late Middle Eocene of Northern Anatolia: Implications for the Dispersal and Palaeobiology of Early Bats.” Journal Articles. Palaeobiodiversity and Palaeoenvironments 99 (June): 261–69. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12549-018-0338-z.Rossie, James B., Timothy D. Smith, K. C. Beard, Marc Godinot, and Timothy B. Rowe. 2017. “Nasolacrimal Anatomy and Haplorhine Origins.” Journal Articles. Journal of Human Evolution 114 (November): 176–83. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhevol.2017.11.004.Gebo, Daniel L., Marian Dagosto, Xijun Ni, and K. C. Beard. 2017. “Phalangeal Morphology of Shanghuang Fossil Primates.” Journal Articles. Journal of Human Evolution 113 (August): 38–82. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhevol.2017.08.001.Mattingly, Spencer G., Oscar Sanisidro, and K. C. Beard. 2017. “A New Species of Carpolestes (Mammalia, Plesiadapoidea) from the Late Paleocene of Southern Wyoming: Assessing Changes in Size and Shape during the Evolution of a Key Anatomical Feature.” Journal Articles. Historical Biology 30 (8): 1031–42. https://doi.org/10.1080/08912963.2017.1328509.Beard, K. C., Pauline Coster, Mustafa J. Salem, Yaowalak Chaimanee, and Jean-Jacques Jaeger. 2017. “Biogeographic Provincialism Shown by Afro-Arabian Mammals during the Middle Cenozoic: Climate Change, Red Sea Rifting and Global Eustasy.” Book Chapters. In Human Interaction with the Environment in the Red Sea , edited by Dionisius A. Agius, Emad Khalil, Eleanor Scerri, and Alun Williams, 48–68. Leiden, The Netherlands: Brill. https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004330825_005.Licht, A., P. Coster, F. Ocakoglu, C. Campbell, G. Metais, A. Mulch, M. Taylor, John Kappelman, and K. C. Beard. 2017. “Tectono-Stratigraphy of the Orhaniye Basin, Turkey: Implications for Collision Chronology and Paleogene Biogeography of Central Anatolia.” Journal Articles. Journal of Asian Earth Sciences 143 (March): 45–58. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jseaes.2017.03.033.M├⌐tais, Gr├⌐goire, Ozan Erdal, Korhan Ertura├o, and K. C. Beard. 2016. “Tarsal Morphology of the Pleuraspidotheriid Mammal Hilalia from the Middle Eocene of Turkey.” Journal Articles. Acta Palaeontologica Polonica 62 (November): 173–79. https://doi.org/10.4202/app.00314.2016.Gebo, Daniel L, Marian Dagosto, K.  C. Beard, and Xijun Ni. 2016. “Cuboid Morphology of a Basal Anthropoid from the Eocene of China.” Journal Articles. Journal of Human Evolution 102 (October): 72–74. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhevol.2016.10.003.Beard, K. C., Xijun Ni, Yuanqing Wang, Jin Meng, and Daniel L Gebo. 2016. “Dentition of Subengius Mengi (Mammalia: Plesiadapoidea) and a Reassessment of the Phylogenetic Relationships of Asian Carpolestidae.” Journal Articles. Vertebrata PalAsiatica 54 (3): 181–211.Beard, K. C. 2016. “Out of Asia: Anthropoid Origins and the Colonization of Africa.” Journal Articles. Annual Review of Anthropology 45 (June): 199–213. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-anthro-102215-100019.Ni, Xijun, Qiang Li, Lu╠êzhou Li, and K. C. Beard. 2016. “Oligocene Primates from China Reveal Divergence between African and Asian Primate Evolution.” Journal Articles. Science 352: 673–77. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.aaf2107.Beard, K. C., and Pauline M. C. Coster. 2015. “Upper Molar Morphology of the Early Oligocene Egyptian Anthropoid Qatrania Wingi.” Journal Articles. American Journal of Physical Anthropology 159 (November): 714–21. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajpa.22913.Beard, K. C., Pauline M. C. Coster, Mustafa J. Salem, Yaowalak Chaimanee, and Jean-Jacques Jaeger. 2015. “A New Species of Apidium (Anthropoidea, Parapithecidae) from the Sirt Basin, Central Libya: First Record of Oligocene Primates from Libya.” Journal Articles. Journal of Human Evolution 90 (October): 29–37. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhevol.2015.08.010.Coster, Pauline M. C., K. C. Beard, Mustafa J. Salem, Yaowalak Chaimanee, and Jean-Jacques Jaeger. 2015. “New Fossils from the Paleogene of Central Libya Illuminate the Evolutionary History of Endemic African Anomaluroid Rodents.” Journal Articles. Frontiers in Earth Science 3 (56). https://doi.org/10.3389/feart.2015.00056.Gebo, Daniel L, K.  C. Beard, Xi-Jun Ni, and Marian Dagosto. 2015. “Distal Phalanges of Eosimias and Hoanghonius.” Journal Articles. Journal of Human Evolution 86 (June): 92–98. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhevol.2015.05.014.Coster, P. M. C., K. C. Beard, M. J. Salem, Y. Chaimanee, M. Brunet, and J.-J. Jaeger. 2015. “A New Early Oligocene Mammal Fauna from the Sirt Basin, Central Libya: Biostratigraphic and Paleobiogeographic Implications.” Journal Articles. Journal of African Earth Sciences 104 (January): 43–55. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2015.01.006.Beard, K. C., and M. R. Dawson. 2014. “Northernmost Global Record for Multituberculata from the Eocene of Ellesmere Island, Arctic Canada.” Journal Articles. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 34 (6): 1476–80. https://doi.org/10.1080/02724634.2014.875032.Ravel, A., L. Marivaux, T. Qi, Y.-Q. Wang, and K. C. Beard. 2014. “New Chiropterans from the Middle Eocene of Shanghuang (Jiangsu Province, Coastal China): New Insight into the Dawn Horseshoe Bats (Rhinolophidae) in Asia.” Journal Articles. Zoologica Scripta 43 (1): 1–23. https://doi.org/10.1111/zsc.12027.Ni, X.-J., D. L. Gebo, M. Dagosto, J. Meng, P. Tafforeau, J. J. Flynn, and K. C. Beard. 2013. “The Oldest Known Primate Skeleton and Early Haplorhine Evolution.” Journal Articles. Nature 498 (May): 60–64. https://doi.org/10.1038/nature12200.Beard, K. C. 2013. “Anthropoid Origins.” Book Chapters. In A Companion to Paleoanthropology, edited by D. R. Begun, 358–75. Chichester, United Kingdom: Wiley- Blackwell.Coster, P., K. C. Beard, Aung Naing Soe, Chit Sein, Y. Chaimanee, V. Lazzari, X. Valentin, and J.-J. Jaeger. 2013. “Uniquely Derived Upper Molar Morphology of Eocene Amphipithecidae (Primates: Anthropoidea): Homology and Phylogeny.” Journal Articles. Journal of Human Evolution 65: 143–55. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhevol.2013.04.009.Chaimanee, Y., O. Chavasseau, K. C. Beard, Aung Aung Kyaw, Aung Naing Soe, Chit Sein, V. Lazzari, et al. 2012. “Late Middle Eocene Primate from Myanmar and the Initial Anthropoid Colonization of Africa.” Journal Articles. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 109 (May): 10293–97. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1200644109.Ni, X.-J., J. Meng, K. C. Beard, D. L. Gebo, Y.-Q. Wang, and C.-K. Li. 2010. “A New Tarkadectine Primate from the Eocene of Inner Mongolia, China: Phylogenetic and Biogeographic Implications.” Journal Articles. Proceedings of the Royal Society B 277: 247–56. https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2009.0173.Jaeger, J.-J., K. C. Beard, Y. Chaimanee, M. Salem, M. Benammi, O. A. Hlal, P. Coster, et al. 2010. “Late Middle Eocene Epoch of Libya Yields Earliest Known Radiation of African Anthropoids.” Journal Articles. Nature 467: 1095–98. https://doi.org/10.1038/nature09425.Beard, K. C., L. Marivaux, Y. Chaimanee, J.-J. Jaeger, B. Marandat, P. Tafforeau, Aung Naing Soe, Soe Thura Tun, and Aung Aung Kyaw. 2009. “A New Primate from the Eocene Pondaung Formation of Myanmar and the Monophyly of Burmese Amphipithecids.” Journal Articles. Proceedings of the Royal Society B 276: 3285–94. https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2009.0836.Beard, K. C. 2008. “The Oldest North American Primate and Mammalian Biogeography during the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum.” Journal Articles. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 105 (March): 3815–18. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0710180105.Dawson, M. R., L. Marivaux, C.-K. Li, K. C. Beard, and G. M├⌐tais. 2006. “Laonastes and the ‘Lazarus Effect’ in Recent Mammals.” Journal Articles. Science 311 (March): 1456–58. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1124187.Rossie, J. B., X. Ni, and K. C. Beard. 2006. “Cranial Remains of an Eocene Tarsier.” Journal Articles. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 103 (March): 4381–85. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0509424103.Beard, K. C. 2004. The Hunt for the Dawn Monkey: Unearthing the Origins of Monkeys, Apes, and Humans. Books. University of California Press, Berkeley.Gebo, D. L., M. Dagosto, K. C. Beard, T. Qi, and J. Wang. 2000. “The Oldest Known Anthropoid Postcranial Fossils and the Early Evolution of Higher Primates.” Journal Articles. Nature 404: 276–78.Beard, K. C., Y. Tong, M. R. Dawson, J. Wang, and X. Huang. 1996. “Earliest Complete Dentition of an Anthropoid Primate from the Late Middle Eocene of Shanxi Province, China.” Journal Articles. Science 272: 82–85.Beard, K. C., T. Qi, M. R. Dawson, B.-Y. Wang, and C.-K. Li. 1994. “A Diverse New Primate Fauna from Middle Eocene Fissure-Fillings in Southeastern China.” Journal Articles. Nature 368: 604–9.Beard, K. C., L. Krishtalka, and R. K. Stucky. 1991. “First Skulls of the Early Eocene Primate Shoshonius Cooperi and the Anthropoid-Tarsier Dichotomy.” Journal Articles. Nature 349: 64–67.Beard, K. C. 1990. “Gliding Behaviour and Palaeoecology of the Alleged Primate Family Paromomyidae (Mammalia, Dermoptera).” Journal Articles. Nature 345: 340–41.Krishtalka, L., R. K. Stucky, and K. C. Beard. 1990. “The Earliest Fossil Evidence for Sexual Dimorphism in Primates.” Journal Articles. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 87: 5223–26.Beard, K. C., M. Dagosto, D. L. Gebo, and M. Godinot. 1988. “Interrelationships among Primate Higher Taxa.” Journal Articles. Nature 331: 712–14.

Grants & Other Funded Activity

INSPIRE: Forging new connections among mammalian evolution, climate change, and tectonics during the Eocene of Turkey, the biogeographic nexus linking Africa, Europe and Asia. National Science Foundation. $580965.00. Submitted 4/20/2015 (6/15/2015 - 5/31/2021). Federal. Status: FundedInto Africa: The Initial Colonization of Africa by Early Cenozoic Anthropoids. BCS 1441585. National Science Foundation. $219111.00. (4/1/2014 - 4/30/2017). Federal. Status: FundedInto Africa: The Initial Colonization of Africa by Early Cenozoic Anthropoids. BCS 1157142. National Science Foundation. $175000.00. (1/1/2012 - 12/31/2014). Foundation. Status: FundedAcquisition of a Variable Pressure SEM to enable Research, Education, and Services at Carnegie Museum of Natural History. DBI 0821644. National Science Foundation. $280000.00. (12/31/2008). Foundation. Status: FundedCollaborative Research: Paleontological Investigation of Early Primate Evolution in Asia. BCS 0820602. National Science Foundation. $173212.00. (12/31/2008). Foundation. Status: FundedVertebrate Paleontology Collection of the Carnegie Museum of Natural History. United States Department of the Interior: Save AmericaΓÇÖs Treasures Program. $450000.00. (12/31/2005). Federal. Status: FundedInvestigating the Origin and Early Evolution of Primates in Asia. BCS 0309800. National Science Foundation. $267002.00. (12/31/2003). Foundation. Status: FundedSGER: Salvaging a Unique Early Eocene Biota from the Gulf Coastal Plain of Mississippi. DEB 0073414. National Science Foundation. $60001.00. (12/31/2000). Foundation. Status: FundedPaleoanthropological Survey for Early Anthropoids and Hominoids in Tibet. The Leakey Foundation. $12000.00. (12/31/1999). Foundation. Status: FundedPaleontological Field Work and Research on Eocene Anthropoids and other Primates from the PeopleΓÇÖs Republic of China. SBR 9615557. National Science Foundation. $269275.00. (12/31/1997). Foundation. Status: FundedEarly Anthropoid Primates of the Yuanqu Basin, central China: A Paleoanthropological Rescue Mission. The Leakey Foundation. $10000.00. (12/31/1995). Foundation. Status: FundedRenovation of the Vertebrate Paleontology Collections at Carnegie Museum of Natural History. DEB 9222284. National Science Foundation. $618259.00. (12/31/1993). Foundation. Status: FundedRescue of Late Eocene Vertebrates, Yuanqu Basin, China. DEB 9310509. National Science Foundation. $34520.00. (12/31/1993). Foundation. Status: FundedPaleontological Investigation of Middle Eocene Primate-Bearing Fissure-Fillings in Southeastern China. DBS 9221231. National Science Foundation. $204000.00. (12/31/1992). Foundation. Status: FundedPaleontological Exploration of the Eocene Melawi Formation in Western Kalimantan (Indonesia). 4665-91. National Geographic Society. $24250.00. (12/31/1991). Not-for-Profit (not Foundation). Status: FundedMammalian Paleontology of the Early Cenozoic Tuscahoma Formation, Eastern Mississippi. 4299-90. National Geographic Society. $9000.00. (12/31/1990). Not-for-Profit (not Foundation). Status: FundedPaleocene and Eocene Faunas of the Wind River Basin, Wyoming: Excavation, Preparation and Research. BSR 9020276. National Science Foundation. $148946.00. (12/31/1990). Foundation. Status: FundedMammalian Paleontology of the Early Eocene San Jose Formation, San Juan Basin, New Mexico. Sigma Xi grant-in-aid of research. (12/31/1988). Not-for-Profit (not Foundation). Status: FundedNew Species of the Diminutive Primates Micromomys and Tinimomys from the Early Eocene of Wyoming. Sigma Xi grant-in-aid of research. (12/31/1988). Not-for-Profit (not Foundation). Status: FundedSkeletal Anatomy and Locomotor Adaptations of the Early Tertiary Plesiadapiformes (Mammalia, Primates). BSR 8801037. Doctoral Dissertation Improvement Grant, National Science Foundation. $9809.00. (12/31/1988). Foundation. Status: Funded