Dr Miengah Abrahams
Senior Lecturer
Research
Research interest: Continental ichnology, Stratigraphy, Sedimentology
My research interest is embedded in the niche field of continental ichnology, the study of trace fossils, the lesser-known sister science to the more established field palaeontology. Within ichnology, my research interests are focused on vertebrate tracks, specifically those attributed to theropod dinosaurs across the Triassic – Jurassic, and invertebrate nest structures, attributed to termite and ant activity during the Quaternary. My expertise lies in the quantitative analysis of trace morphology, utilising geometric morphometrics and statistical methods to define and compare shape.
Selected Publications
More on Research Gate and Google Scolar
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Abrahams, M., Bordy, E.M. 2023. The oldest bird-like footprints from the Late Triassic of southern Africa. Plos One. 18: e0293021. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0293021
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Abrahams, M., Rampersadh, A., Mpangala, L. 2023. Riches of the Roma valley: theropod and ornithischian tracks from the Early Jurassic southern Africa. Historical Biology, DOI: 10.1080/08912963.2023.2221306
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Abrahams, M., Bordy, E.M., Knoll, F., Farlow, J.O. 2022. Theropod tridactyl tracks across the Triassic–Jurassic boundary in Southern Africa: implications for pedal morphology evolution. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, 10, p.925313. https://doi.org/10.3389/fevo.2022.925313
Courses Lectured
GEO1008F Introduction to Geology for Civil Engineers
- Origin of the Earth, minerals and crystals, the rock cycle, structure of the Earth
GEO2004S Physical Geology
- Introduction to sedimentology and ichnology
GEO2005X Field Geology and Geological Mapping
- Laingsburg field school
GEO3001S Stratigraphy and Economic Geology
- Phanerozoic stratigraphy of South Africa
GEO400W Geology Honours
- Applied Palaeontology
Graduated Students
1. Loyce Mpangala, MSc (2023) with a distinction (co-supervised with Prof Emese) | 2. Rabia Jacobs BSc Hons. 2022 (co-supervised with Prof Chris Harris) |
3. Nkazimulo Zuma BSc. Hons. 2022 (co-supervised with Prof Emese) | 4. Gcinamahlubi Hadebe BSc. Hons. 2021 (co-supervised with Dr Robert Muir) |
Biography
Degrees
2020 – PhD in Geology University of Cape Town (upgraded from an MSc)
Title: Evaluation of tridactyl theropod tracks in southern Africa: quantitative morphometric analysis across the Triassic–Jurassic boundary
2015 – BSc(Hons) in Geology University of Cape Town
2014 – BSc in Geology and Ocean & Atmospheric Science University of Cape Town
Employment
2019 – present Lecturer University of Cape Town
Professional Associations
2022 – present Vice president of Palaentological Society of southern Africa