Dr. Robert Feranec

Director of Research and Collections, Curator of Pleistocene Vertebrate Paleontology
robert.feranec@nysed.gov
518-474-5819

While my interests encompass a broad scope of topics including influences on biogeography, causes of speciation and adaptive radiation, and triggers of extinction, my research has been focused at describing the evolution of ecology in mammals.  My research concentrates on examining ecology in mammals from short time scales (seasons) to very long time scales (millions of years). 

In order to understand ecology of fossil mammals, the modern quantitative and analytical techniques I employ include stable isotope geochemistry, utilization of bioinformatics databases, and computer-based imaging of fossils which permits quantitative analysis of various morphological features.  Fieldwork is also an important aspect of my research program, and I have conducted or participated in excavations in the U.S. and Spain. 

Typical questions addressed in my research include:

How does climate change effect ecology?
Does ecology change during development?
Does immigration/dispersal of new species affect ecology?
Does extinction/extirpation of species affect ecology?

I am interested and open to collaboration within and beyond North America.  Potential collaborators, including current or potential graduate students, are encouraged to email me.

Publications

2024

B. Dale, J. Cardinal, D. Mazeau, H. Clark 2024, Cultural Resource Site Examination Report: Nesting Osprey Precontact Site, Gill Site, and Cayuga and Seneca Canal Site, PIN 3076.23.121, New York State Route 5 and United States Route 20 over Seneca River, Town of Montezuma, Cayuga County, New York. Cultural Resource Survey Program. Presented at the ,New York State Museum, Albany, New York
B. Dale 2024, Archaeological Monitoring Plan, PIN 0810.38, Meadowbrook State Parkway and Merrick Road Interchange, Village of Freeport, Town of Hempstead, Nassau County, New York. Cultural Resource Survey Program. Presented at the 05/2024,New York State Museum, Albany, New York
B. Dale, J. Dubuque 2024, Archaeological Monitoring Plan, PIN 3043.65, United States Route 11 Bridge over Oneida River, Towns of Cicero and Hastings, Onondaga and Oswego Counties, New York. Cultural Resource Survey Program. Presented at the 04/2024,New York State Museum, Albany, New York
B. Dale 2024, Phase 1 Archaeological Survey Report, New Sidewalk and Reinterment Area, Lake George Battlefield Park, Village of Lake George, Warren County, New York.. Cultural Resource Survey Program. Presented at the ,New York State Museum, Albany, New York

2022

B. Dale 2022, Addendum Cultural Resources Reconnaissance Survey, PIN 1089.73.101, US Route 4 Over the Hudson River Bridge Replacement Project, Town of Northumberland, Saratoga County, New York. Cultural Resource Survey Program. Presented at the ,New York State Museum, Albany, New York
B. Dale 2022, Archaeological Site Examination of the Wild Parsnip 2 Site (USN 01103.000092), PIN 3314.34.101 Bridge Replacement NYS Route 34 over Erie Barge Canal, Town of Cato, Cayuga County, New York. Cultural Resource Survey Program. Presented at the ,New York State Museum, Albany, New York
A. Gore, B. Dale 2022, Site Examination of the Alvinza Finney Site (USN 09114.000080) and Northumberland Carriage Shop Site (09114.000079), PIN 1089.73.101, United States Route 4 over the Hudson River, Town of Northumberland, Saratoga County, New York. Cultural Resource Survey Program. Presented at the ,New York State Museum, Albany, New York
B. Dale, A. Lynch, R. Dean 2022, Cultural Resource Archaeological Site Examination Investigations, Clizbe Site and DeGraff Site, PIN 2806.38.121, NY 67 Intersection Improvements, Clizbe Road at Widow Susan Road, Town of Amsterdam, Montgomery County, New York. Cultural Resource Survey Program. Presented at the ,New York State Museum, Albany, New York

2021

B. Dale 2021, Archaeological Data Recovery Report, PIN 2134.41.321, NY Routes 5, 8, \& 12, North-South Arterial Reconstruction, The N.A. White and Sons Pottery Site, City of Utica, Oneida County, New York. Cultural Resource Survey Program. Presented at the ,New York State Museum, Albany, New York
B. Dale, J. Dubuque 2021, Cultural Resource Reconnaissance Survey, Addendum, PIN 3314.34.101 NY Route 34 over Barge Canal, Towns of Brutus and Cato, Cayuga County, New York. Cultural Resource Survey Program. Presented at the ,New York State Museum, Albany, New York