Liberal Arts and Sciences
DeLeon Lab
Led by Valerie DeLeon · Anthropology
What we study
The DeLeon Lab studies primate skull growth and evolution using 3D imaging, histology, and morphometric analysis to explore bone and soft tissue interactions. They focus on biological variation in primates, combining advanced imaging techniques with detailed anatomical studies.
What working here is like
- Wet lab
- Computational
- Wild animals
- Coding helps
- Project
- 1
- Papers
- 5
Current projects
Project Comparative Analysis of Aye-aye Incisor Curvature and Morphology in Relation to Rodents and Lagomorphs
The lab compares the incisor shape of the aye‑aye lemur to rodents and lagomorphs using 3D geometric morphometrics. Students will place landmarks on incisor edges, perform Procrustes analysis, and plot the results with principal components analysis.
From the Spring 2025 UF Undergraduate Research Symposium · abstract book, p. 516
Summaries are written by AI in plain language from public symposium abstracts and may be imperfect.
Recent papers, explained
- Evolutionary Signal and Development of the Foramen Dorsum Sellae (Nov.) Across Primates
2026 · Journal of Morphology
Studies a small hole in primate skulls, finding it varies by species.
- Developmental insights and dental formula of the Coquerel's Sifaka Propithecus coquereli (Indriidae, primates)
2026 · The Anatomical Record
Looks at tooth development in Coquerel's Sifaka monkeys.
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- Some nonhuman primates have the capacity for head molding at birth
2026 · The Anatomical Record
Finds newborn nonhuman primates can reshape their skulls during birth.
- Development of the Jaws and Teeth in Mouse Lemurs
2026 · American Journal of Primatology
Compares jaw and tooth development in mouse lemurs to humans and mice.
- Functional microanatomy of nasal turbinals in bats
2025 · The Anatomical Record
Examines nasal bone structure in bats, linking it to echolocation and diet.
Plain-language summaries are AI-written and reviewed by us; check the paper for details.
How to reach out
Valerie DeLeon hasn't set up this page yet. Their UF Scholars profile lists their publications.