Muhammad Tahir WaseemPakistan Science Foundation · International Liaison Wing
Muhammad Tahir Waseem
PhD Zoology
Currently working on Stable Isotope Ecology and Palaeoecology of Large Mammals
About
41
Publications
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Introduction
The current area of my research includes the replication of ecological change in faunal elements. I am using Stable Isotopes of Carbon (d13C) and Oxygen (d16O and d18O) to interpret ecological, environmental, seasonal and dietary change in subtropical regions of Pakistan. Furthermore, I am working on the Craniometrical Analysis and Morphometry of Mammals.
Additional affiliations
March 2016 - January 2017
Education
September 2017 - September 2020
Publications
Publications (41)
Stable isotopes analysis of carbon and oxygen have the potential to explore the diet and climate of past communities. The end of Miocene in the Siwaliks of Pakistan marks faunal turnover due to climatic change with higher rates of aridity and an expansion of C 4 grasslands. But after the Miocene, the studies regarding diet and climate of herbivore...
Dental materials of three hipparionine species from Dhok Pathan Formation (late Miocene) has been utilized in this study to reconstruct the palaeodiet and palaeoecology by using stable isotope analyses of carbon and oxygen of tooth enamel carbonate. A gradual increase in hypsodonty and complexity in plications indicate the drier environments with h...
Paleoclimatic archives preserved in bioapatite provide long-term temporal records of climatic change and allow us to explore how climate may have affected faunal and floral changes through time. Among the most comprehensively debated research questions is the question of C4 grassland expansion and its effects on community structure and dynamics. He...
Stable isotope analysis is pivotal for investigating the paleodiet and paleoecology of past mammals. In this paper, we analyzed thirty fossil enamel samples belonging to the families Suidae, Rhinocerotidae, and Deinotheriidae for δ13Cenamel and δ18Oenamel composition to investigate paleodiet and paleoecology of middle Miocene mammals of the Siwalik...
trophic level, whereas niche size and trophic diversity of common carp was greater compared to both of the native species which indicated that this alien fish is a highly opportunistic feeder on different food items with multiple basal resources having a wide range of δ 13 C values. Mahseer occupied a very small trophic niche within the niche space...
Stable isotope analysis (SIA) is an evolving method for determining diet, understanding food web and resolving biogeochemical issues in the ecosystem. This study aims to trace out ecological niche preferences/partitioning and competition among the lagomorphs, including two different breeds of European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus), New Zealand rab...
Fossil tooth enamel archives the isotopic variability during its formation, an essential tool to reconstruct the paleoseasonal changes during an animal’s life. Stable isotopes of carbon and oxygen from enamel (δ13Cenamel and δ18Oenamel) reveal an animal’s dietary and drinking preferences and are helpful in the reconstruction of paleoclimate and sea...
Some new mammalian remains have been discovered in the new localities (Kangar, Dhilomora, Rasool pur, Nikki Rawal Wali) of the late Pliocene (3.5–2.58 Ma) of the Siwalik sub-group, Pakistan. This work describes the comprehensive systematic and taxonomic investigations of new fossils comprising molars and nasal horns belonging to three families incl...
Stable isotopes of carbon and oxygen (δ13C and δ18O) archived in fossil tooth enamel are essential tools to reconstruct the palaeoecology and palaeohabitat of mega-herbivores. Among the mega-herbivores, hippopotamus (Hippos) are the third-largest existing artiodactyls. The family Hippopotamidae consists of semi-aquatic, mostly herbivorous non-rumin...
The regional climate models are developed to assess the future trends of the climatic regimes and provide fine-scale information which is applied to check the vulnerability, impacts and adaptation in regard to climate change. The sub-tropical regions worldwide and specifically in Pakistan house a considerable diversity of faunal elements which is s...
An assessment of heavy metals (lead, titanium, aluminum, barium, calcium, chromium, copper, iron, potassium, magnesium, manganese, sodium, phosphorus, sulphur, silicon, and zinc) in the organs (kidney, liver and muscle) of two fish species (Channa punctatus and Oreochromis aureus) was carried out from the sampling sites of Chenab River near Head Tr...
New fossil mandible as well as isolated upper and lower dentitions of the late Miocene Hipparionine species, have been discovered from a locality of Chakwal, Punjab, Pakistan. By using morphometric and morphologic analysis, we have deduced that these specimens belong to Sivalhippus theobaldi. The body size of this species was intermediate between S...
Biogeochemistry is crucial to reconstruct the climate, diet, and habitats of extinct animals. The Siwalik sediments of Pakistan exhibit an excellent record of faunal elements, providing an opportunity to explore palaeohabitats of diverse mammalian communities that existed in the Siwaliks. This study is the first to investigate the dietary niche and...
Among the three main divergent lineages of gray wolf (Canis lupus), the Holarctic lineage is the most widespread and best-studied, particularly in North America and Europe. Less is known about Tibetan (also called Himalayan) and Indian wolf lineages in southern Asia, especially in areas surrounding Pakistan where all three lineages are thought to m...
The contents of trace elements (Al, Fe, S, Si, Cu, Cr, Sr, Mn and Zn) and macro-elements (Na, K, Ca, Mg, and P) in the muscle, liver and kidney of four freshwater fish species; (Bagarius bagarius, Channa marulius, Mastacembelus armatus, and Notopterus notopterus) from Head Trimmu (river Chenab) in Pakistan were examined through wet digestion method...
The Rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta) is a significant non-human primate species found in Pakistan's northern areas. Macaca mulatta has evolved to survive in a wide range of environmental conditions, depending upon the variety of food items, and is considered to be the most scattered primate on the earth. Craniometry, the fundamental morphometric appr...
ABSTRACT Ninety-five amateur cricketers of age, 15-35 years with confirmed acute or chronic ankle sprain, selected from four different cities of Punjab, Pakistan were evaluated through the Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT), Single Leg Balance test (SLB) and subject to a set of progressively increasing exercises on ground and in water as well known...
Biogeochemistry is crucial to reconstruct climate, diet, and habitats of extinct animals. The Siwalik sediments of Pakistan exhibit an excellent record of faunal elements, providing an opportunity to explore palaeohabitats of diverse mam-malian communities that existed in the Siwaliks. This study is the first to investigate the dietary niche and cl...
The availability of clean water is one of the pivotal objectives toward sustainable growth of any country. Pakistan, as a developing country, is facing the problem of bad water quality for decades and purification of groundwater has always been a problem. Thus, the present study aims to give a realistic picture of microbial contamination of groundw...
Arsenic contamination of groundwater has become a serious health issue, globally. The presence of arsenic has been reported from many regions including southeast Asia, specifically the problem which has risen in developing countries and Pakistan is no exception. Since now, no cost-effective treatment of arsenic (As)-contaminated water has been advi...
Abstract Pakistan is the country with mega freshwater fish diversity of native and alien species. In the presence of enormous native fishes varies species of exotic fishes have been introduced into the freshwater bodies of Pakistan which are competing with native freshwater fish fauna and making them deprive of food and habitat as well. Intentional...
The gray wolf (Canis lupus) is a less studied wide-ranging endangered carnivore in
Pakistan. The current investigation is the first to report their body morphometrics
and chemical immobilization in Pakistan. Body morphometrics was examined for
12 wolves by measuring 15 variables. The majority of the 12 wolves had body
weights that were more similar...
An imminent threat to indigenous freshwater ichthyofauna is the introduction of alien fishes that can alter the behavior, population dynamics and native community structure. Thus, it is necessary to understand their feeding behaviour to avoid any unwanted incalculable loss. At sampling site, Head Baloki feeding habits both of native (L. calbasu, C....
New remains of Propotamochoerus hysudricus are described from localities of the Dhok Pathan and Nagri formations of the
Middle Siwaliks of Pakistan. Propotamochoerus hysudricus is a moderate-sized extinct suid with comparatively larger cheek
teeth, elongated first molar, and basal pillars. The Propotamochoerus hysudricus material described in this...
New remains of Propotamochoerus hysudricus are described from localities of the Dhok Pathan and Nagri formations of the Middle Siwaliks of Pakistan. Propotamochoerus hysudricus is a moderate-sized extinct suid with comparatively larger cheek teeth, elongated first molar, and basal pillars. The Propotamochoerus hysudricus material described in this...
The present paper reports the first record of Eotragus noyei from the late Miocene deposits of Dhok Pathan Formation, Chakwal, Pakistan. The sample comprises maxillary and mandibular fragments along with isolated upper and lower teeth. The morphometric analysis of the dental specimens led us to recognize the sample as belonging to Eotragus noyei, w...
An imminent threat to indigenous freshwater ichthyofauna is the introduction of alien fishes
that can alter the behavior, population dynamics and native community structure. Thus, it is
necessary to understand their feeding behaviour to avoid any unwanted incalculable loss. At
sampling site, Head Baloki feeding habits both of native (L. calbasu,...
Gomphotheres existed in the Siwaliks from the middle Miocene (14.2Ma) to the middle Pleistocene (0.8Ma) and became extinct later on. In this paper, we tried to discuss the reasons of such extinction of gomphotheres in the lower Pleistocene time span by considering Linear Enamel Hypoplasia (LEH) among 114 isolated tooth samples to assess whether eco...
Authors' Contribution MTW has helped in preparation and interpretation of results. Samples have also been prepared by him. AMK helped in preparation of manuscript. AG helped in samples analysis, manuscript writing and practical information about Hipparion. AI identified Hipparion species. RMA statistically analysed the data. Dental materials of thr...
Authors' Contribution MTW has helped in preparation and interpretation of results. Samples have also been prepared by him. AMK helped in preparation of manuscript. AG helped in samples analysis, manuscript writing and practical information about Hipparion. AI identified Hipparion species. RMA statistically analysed the data. Dental materials of thr...
The current study reports the cranial morphology of Sus scrofa, with detailed comparison of different features of skull. The cranial morphology has been utilized as a tool to discriminate between the different species of wild and domesticated suids. The studied material comprises of the three skulls. The straighter snouts and slenderer crania manif...
Current study deals with the systematic investigations of Boselaphine
specimens belonging to genera Pachyportax and Selenoportax. The available information on both taxa is scanty and only few specimens are known for both genera especially Pachyportax. The members of both genera have medium to large sized body with strong hypsodonty of teeth represe...
Stable isotope analysis has become a leading tool to investigate palaeodiet and palaeoecology of past mammalian communities over the last three decades. In this paper we have utilized thirty fossil dental samples belonging to three families (viz. Deinotheridae, Rhinocerotidae and Suidae) for δ13C and δ18O analyses to investigate palaeodiet and pala...
The present paper is the first ever report on occurrence of enamel hypoplasia in extinct tragulids. The dental defect, enamel hypoplasia is caused by suppressed function of enamel forming cells called ameloblasts. It is used as a reliable stress marker in different extinct mammalian taxa to trace out the level of ecological stress faced by these an...
The present paper describes the development of cost effective water purification system which may be used in remote or desert areas and evaluates its efficacy by estimating the heavy metals like Arsenic, Lead, Chromium and Cobalt before and after treatment. We found that the results for the heavy metals are significantly different before and after...
A mandible and several isolated upper and lower teeth of a hipparionine horse were discovered and described from late Miocene localities of district Chakwal, Punjab, Pakistan. The morphometric analysis of the samples led to identify the genus Sivalhippus. Sivalhippus lived in the Siwaliks from 10.7 to 5.8 Ma. The stable isotope analysis of the carb...
New fossil remains of the Suid species, Propotamochoerus hysudricus are described in this paper on the basis of their morphometric characters. This is perhaps the only known species of the genus Propotamochoerus in the Siwaliks. The specimens are collected from the outcrops of Hasnot type locality, Punjab, Pakistan. The present findings will streng...
Five dental specimens are investigated as the member of Boselaphini (Bovidae) which belong to an extinct genus Selenoportax. All the samples are collected from well exposed strata of Late Miocene of Hasnot, district Jehlum, Pakistan. All The specimens are identified and characterized on the basis of morphometric comparison and morphological similar...
Questions
Question (1)
I am currently working on the effects of climatic and vegetational change on mammals for past 15 Ma. I want to ask that how the data of oxygen and carbon stable isotopes can be interpreted in the graphical form. Kindly give your input regarding new software. PS. I have worked on Excel and SPSS but I need an input regarding modern graphical representation trends in Stable Isotope Biology.
