Abdullah Gohar

@medicine.okstate.edu

Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences
Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences

Abdullah Gohar


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https://researchid.co/abdullah.gohar
PhD student at Oklahoma State University (Anatomy and Vertebrate Paleontology), OK, USA, and a member of the Egyptian team (Sallam Lab) at Mansoura University, Egypt. My research focus is on the evolution and paleontology of marine mammals, especially the earliest cetaceans and sirenians.

RESEARCH, TEACHING, or OTHER INTERESTS

Paleontology, Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics, Animal Science and Zoology, Anatomy
8

Scopus Publications

43

Scholar Citations

4

Scholar h-index

2

Scholar i10-index

Scopus Publications

  • An Early Miocene ape from the biogeographic crossroads of African and Eurasian Hominoidea
    Shorouq F. Al-Ashqar, Erik R. Seiffert, Sanaa El-Sayed, Belal S. Salem, Abdullah S. Gohar, Hossam El-Saka, Mohamed Amin, Hesham M. Sallam
    Science, 2026
    The Early Miocene fossil record documenting hominoid evolution has long been restricted primarily to sites in East Africa, whereas contemporaneous North African sites have only yielded remains of cercopithecoid monkeys. Here, we describe a fossil ape from North Africa, a new genus ( Masripithecus ) from the Early Miocene (~17 million to 18 million years) of northern Egypt, on the basis of mandibular remains. A combined molecular-morphological Bayesian tip-dating analysis positions Masripithecus closer to crown hominoids than coeval fossil apes from East Africa, thereby filling a phylogenetic and biogeographic gap in the evolution of stem hominoids. This evidence suggests that crown Hominoidea might have originated during the Early Miocene in the underexplored northeastern part of Afro-Arabia, rather than in eastern Africa or Eurasia.
  • Bone histology reveals life history and regional remodeling in black bears
    Abdullah S. Gohar, Holly N. Woodward, Hesham M. Sallam
    Journal of Anatomy, 2026
    Black bears ( Ursus americanus ) undergo prolonged inactivity during hibernation without the cortical bone loss typical of other mammals, yet the response of axial bones to this process remains understudied. This study compares midshaft femoral and rib histology in four individuals—three wild and one captive—to assess skeletal responses to hibernation, growth, and stress. Femora exhibit a laminar‐plexiform woven–parallel complex (WPC), with parallel‐fibered annuli bounded by lines of arrested growth (LAGs). The captive bear displayed an outer circumferential layer (OCL) after the seventh LAG, indicating skeletal maturity. One wild female with mange showed thick annuli and extensive remodeling, suggesting chronic physiological stress. Despite likely not hibernating, the captive bear's femoral histology closely resembled that of wild hibernators, suggesting conserved growth dynamics. Relative Cortical Area was consistently higher in femora than ribs, reflecting greater structural demands. Femoral remodeling was localized around the linea aspera, while ribs were heavily remodeled with enlarged resorption cavities and expanded trabecular networks. These results are consistent with region‐specific skeletal responses and possible calcium mobilization during hibernation. Overall, bears appear to employ a region‐specific skeletal strategy, maintaining cortical integrity in weight‐bearing limbs while remodeling axial elements for calcium mobilization. This dual pattern highlights key insights into mammalian bone plasticity under seasonal metabolic stress.
  • An early dyrosaurid (Wadisuchus kassabi gen. et sp. nov.) from the Campanian of Egypt sheds light on the origin and biogeography of Dyrosauridae
    Sara Saber, Belal S Salem, Khaled Ouda, Abdullah S Gohar, Sanaa El-Sayed, Patrick M O’Connor, Hesham M Sallam
    Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2025
    Dyrosauridae are a clade of crocodyliforms characterized by diverse cranial morphologies and a broad palaeogeographic distribution from the Late Cretaceous to the Palaeogene. However, their early evolutionary history remains poorly understood due to a significant fossil gap during the Campanian. Here, we describe Wadisuchus kassabi gen. et sp. nov., an early-diverging dyrosaurid from the middle Campanian Quseir Formation of Egypt, based on two partial skulls and three partial mandibles. This new taxon displays transitional cranial features—including reduced premaxillary alveoli, modified occlusion patterns, and dorsally positioned external nares—that clarify aspects of cranial evolution related to longirostry in early dyrosaurids. Phylogenetic analyses consistently recover Wadisuchus as the earliest-diverging dyrosaurid, closely related to Chenanisuchus and distinct from Elosuchus, supporting a transition from dyrosauroids to dyrosaurids. Its Campanian age extends the temporal range of the clade and suggests that transatlantic dispersal from Africa to South America occurred earlier than previously recognized. Alongside Brachiosuchus kababishensis from Sudan, the new Egyptian taxon also implies that reverse dispersal into Africa preceded the Maastrichtian. Wadisuchus provides critical insights into the early diversification, palaeobiogeography, and cranial evolution of Dyrosauridae, confirming longirostry as an early-acquired trait and highlighting North Africa as a key region in their origin.
  • The endocranial anatomy of protocetids and its implications for early whale evolution
    Elena Berger, Eli Amson, Emanuele Peri, Abdullah S Gohar, Hesham M Sallam, Gabriel S Ferreira, Ranasish Roy Chowdhury, Quentin Martinez
    Evolution, 2025
    Extant whales, dolphins, and porpoises result from a major macroevolutionary lifestyle transition that transformed land-dwelling cetaceans into fully aquatic species. This involved significant changes in sensory systems. The increase in brain size relative to body size (encephalization quotient) is an outstanding feature of modern cetaceans, especially toothed whales. Conversely, olfactory capabilities are assumed to have diminished along this transition, with airborne olfaction becoming less relevant. The extent and timing of olfactory reduction remain obscure due to challenges in accessing well-preserved fossil endocranial anatomy. This study shows that early cetaceans had already evolved an increased encephalization quotient, and that their olfactory apparatus was likely not yet under selective pressure leading to its reduction. We demonstrate this through an analysis of the extinct whale, Protocetus atavus, a member of the middle Eocene semiaquatic cetacean group Protocetidae. We provide the first documentation of its endocranial anatomy using high-resolution computed tomography and compare it to other early cetaceans as well as extant mammals. We conclude that cetaceans increased their brain size earlier than previously thought, while relying on a well-developed olfactory system at a time when they were still partly terrestrial.
  • A long-snouted dyrosaurid (Crocodyliformes, Mesoeucrocodylia) from the Campanian Quseir Formation of Egypt
    Sara Saber, Belal S. Salem, Khaled Ouda, Abdullah S. Gohar, Sanaa El-Sayed, Hesham M. Sallam
    Cretaceous Research, 2025
  • A diminutive new basilosaurid whale reveals the trajectory of the cetacean life histories during the Eocene
    Mohammed S. Antar, Abdullah S. Gohar, Heba El-Desouky, Erik R. Seiffert, Sanaa El-Sayed, Alexander G. Claxton, Hesham M. Sallam
    Communications Biology, 2023
    Soon after whales originated from small terrestrial artiodactyl ancestors, basal stem forms (archaeocetes) came to inhabit more specialized aquatic ecologies and underwent a tremendous adaptive radiation that culminated in the adoption of a fully aquatic lifestyle. This adaptive strategy is first documented by the geographically widespread extinct family Basilosauridae. Here we report a new basilosaurid genus and species, Tutcetus rayanensis, from the middle Eocene of Fayum, Egypt. This new whale is not only the smallest known basilosaurid, but it is also one of the oldest records of this family from Africa. Tutcetus allows us to further test hypotheses regarding basilosaurids’ early success in the aquatic ecosystem, which lasted into the latest Eocene, and their ability to outcompete amphibious stem whales and opportunistically adapt to new niches after they completely severed their ties to the land. Tutcetus also significantly expands the size range of the basilosaurids and reveals new details about their life histories, phylogeny, and paleobiogeography.
  • A new protocetid whale offers clues to biogeography and feeding ecology in early cetacean evolution
    Abdullah S. Gohar, Mohammed S. Antar, Robert W. Boessenecker, Dalia A. Sabry, Sanaa El-Sayed, Erik R. Seiffert, Iyad S. Zalmout, Hesham M. Sallam
    Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, 2021
    Over about 10 million years, the ancestors of whales transformed from herbivorous, deer-like, terrestrial mammals into carnivorous and fully aquatic cetaceans. Protocetids are Eocene whales that represent a unique semiaquatic stage in that dramatic evolutionary transformation. Here, we report on a new medium-sized protocetid, Phiomicetus anubis gen. et sp. nov., consisting of a partial skeleton from the middle Eocene (Lutetian) of the Fayum Depression in Egypt. The new species differs from other protocetids in having large, elongated temporal fossae, anteriorly placed pterygoids, elongated parietals, an unfused mandibular symphysis that terminates at the level of P 3 , and a relatively enlarged I 3 . Unique features of the skull and mandible suggest a capacity for more efficient oral mechanical processing than the typical protocetid condition, thereby allowing for a strong raptorial feeding style. Phylogenetic analysis nests Phiomicetus within the paraphyletic Protocetidae, as the most basal protocetid known from Africa. Recovery of Phiomicetus from the same bed that yielded the remingtonocetid Rayanistes afer provides the first clear evidence for the co-occurrence of the basal cetacean families Remingtonocetidae and Protocetidae in Africa. The discovery of Phiomicetus further augments our understanding of the biogeography and feeding ecology of early whales.
  • Palaeobiological assessment of some basilosauridarchaeocetes (mammalia, cetacea) and its affinity with recent odontocetes: new insights from Wadi El-Hitan, Fayoum, Egypt
    A. Mahdy, G. Abu El-Kheir, Abdullah S. Gohar, Maher I. El-Soughier
    Historical Biology, 2021
    Basilosauridae are aquatic Archaeoceti whales, included larger Basilosaurus isis and smaller Dorudon atrox in the middle to upper Eocene Gehannam and Birket Qaroun formations (38–36.5 Ma) of Wadi El-Hitan, Fayoum, Egypt. In this study, 123 specimens of Basilosauridae are discovered from Gehannam and Birket Qaroun formations. B. isis and D. atrox are represented by 116 and 7 specimens, respectively. Gehannam Fm is more productive than Birket Qaroun Fm (86 vs 37 specimens). Preservation and taphonomy of specimens recorded from Birket Qaroun are better than those of Gehannam according to their articulation, completeness, abrasion, and weathering. Comparison between D. atrox and recent odontocetes whales’ Orcinus orca reveals several similarities, for example aquatic habitat, Basilosauridae predatory behaviour, and skull bones arrangement in a usual mammalian pattern. However, D. atrox lacks the cranial telescoping of skull and echolocation capability of O. orca. D. atrox has a fluke like O. orca, but lacks a caudal peduncle like this seen in O. orca. O. orca lacks the hindlimb that occurs in D. atrox. D. atrox was smaller than O. orca; both of them inhabit shallow water and feed on fish and squid but with different mechanisms.

RECENT SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS

  • An Early Miocene ape from the biogeographic crossroads of African and Eurasian Hominoidea
    SF Al-Ashqar, ER Seiffert, S El-Sayed, BS Salem, AS Gohar, H El-Saka, ...
    Science 391 (6792), 1383-1386 , 2026
    2026
    Citations: 1
  • Bone histology reveals life history and regional remodeling in black bears
    AS Gohar, HN Woodward, HM Sallam
    Journal of Anatomy, 1-11 , 2026
    2026
  • An early dyrosaurid ( Wadisuchus kassabi gen. et sp. nov.) from the Campanian of Egypt sheds light on the origin and biogeography of Dyrosauridae
    S Saber, BS Salem, K Ouda, AS Gohar, S El-Sayed, PM O’Connor, ...
    Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 205 (2), zlaf134 , 2025
    2025
    Citations: 1
  • The endocranial anatomy of protocetids and its implications for early whale evolution
    E Berger, E Amson, E Peri, AS Gohar, HM Sallam, GS Ferreira, ...
    Evolution 79 (10), 2306-2314 , 2025
    2025
    Citations: 3
  • Osteohistology of wild and captive black bears (Ursus americanus) reveals life history and regional bone remodeling
    Gohar, A. S., Woodward, H. N., & Sallam, H. M.
    Journal of Morphology 286 (S1), 14 , 2025
    2025
  • A middle Campanian dyrosaurid skull from Egypt illuminates the origin and early biogeography of the clade
    BS Salem, S Saber, K Ouda, A Gohar, S El-Sayed, PM O’Connor, ...
    Society of Vertebrate Paleontology Annual Meeting 2025 , 2025
    2025
  • The endocranial anatomy of protocetids: Implications for early whale bone mass increase and paleoneurology
    E Amson, A Alfsen, E Berger, E Peri, A Gohar, HM Sallam
    Society of Vertebrate Paleontology Annual Meeting 2025 , 2025
    2025
  • New giant protocetid pelves from the middle Eocene of Egypt: Implications for hindlimb evolution in early whales
    A Gohar, MS Antar, S El-Sayed, HM Sallam
    Society of Vertebrate Paleontology Annual Meeting 2025 , 2025
    2025
  • 3D models related to the publication: The endocranial anatomy of Protocetids and its implications for early whale evolution
    E Berger, E Amson, E Peri, A Gohar, HM Sallam, GS Ferreira, ...
    MorphoMuseuM 11 (2), e264 , 2025
    2025
    Citations: 1
  • A long-snouted dyrosaurid (Crocodyliformes, Mesoeucrocodylia) from the Campanian Quseir Formation of Egypt
    S Saber, BS Salem, K Ouda, AS Gohar, S El-Sayed, HM Sallam
    Cretaceous Research 165, 105982 , 2025
    2025
    Citations: 5
  • A long-snouted dyrosaurid (Crocodyliformes, Mesoeucrocodylia) from the Campanian Quseir Formation of Egypt
    Salem, B., Saber, S., Ouda, K., Gohar, A. S., El-Sayed, S., Sallam, H. M.
    Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, Program and Abstracts, 2024, 476-477 , 2024
    2024
  • New Material of the Family Palaeophiidae (Order Squamata) from the Eocene of Fayum Depression, Egypt
    El-Saka, H., Gohar, A. S., Antar, M. S., El-Sayed, S., Sallam, H. M.
    Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, Program and Abstracts, 2024, 186 , 2024
    2024
  • Chewing the data: Insights into the archaeocete whales tooth histology and feeding biomechanics
    Gohar, A. S., Woodward, H. N., Antar, M. S., El-Sayed, S., & Sallam, H. M.
    Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, Program and Abstracts, 2024, 224-225 , 2024
    2024
  • Egyptian Eocene cetaceans revealing insights into whale evolution
    A Gohar
    PaleoFest 2024 , 2024
    2024
  • Chewing the data: Insights into the archaeocete whales tooth histology and feeding biomechanics
    A Gohar, H Ballard, MS Antar, S El-Sayed, HM Sallam
    Society of Vertebrate Paleontology Annual Meeting 2024 , 2024
    2024
  • New Material of the Family Palaeophildae (Order Squamata) from the Eocene of Fayum Depression, Egypt
    H El-Saka, MS Antar, A Gohar, S El-Sayed, HM Sallam
    Society of Vertebrate Paleontology Annual Meeting 2024 , 2024
    2024
  • Advancements in Egyptian vertebrate paleontology: MUVP’s contributions and future perspectives
    S El-Sayed, S Saber Sara, Al-Ashqar, A Gohar, B Salem, M Amin, ...
    12th North American Paleontological Convention University of Michigan 17-21 … , 2024
    2024
  • A new Eocene protocetid whale material from Egypt sheds new light on the early dispersal of cetaceans.
    A Gohar, M Antar, S El-Sayed, H Sallam
    12th North American Paleontological Convention University of Michigan 17-21 … , 2024
    2024
  • New juvenile basilosaurid whale materials from the Late Eocene of Egypt provide clues on developmental patterns in stem Cetacea
    A Gohar, M Antar, S El-Sayed, H Sallam
    Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, Program and Abstracts, 184-185 , 2023
    2023
  • A diminutive new basilosaurid whale reveals the trajectory of the cetacean life histories during the Eocene
    M Antar, A Gohar, H El-Desouky, E Seiffert, S El-Sayed, A Claxton, ...
    Communications Biology 6 (1) , 2023
    2023
    Citations: 12

MOST CITED SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS

  • A new protocetid whale offers clues to biogeography and feeding ecology in early cetacean evolution
    HMS Abdullah S Gohar, Mohammed S Antar, Robert W Boessenecker, Dalia A Sabry ...
    Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences 288 (1957) , 2021
    2021
    Citations: 14
  • A diminutive new basilosaurid whale reveals the trajectory of the cetacean life histories during the Eocene
    M Antar, A Gohar, H El-Desouky, E Seiffert, S El-Sayed, A Claxton, ...
    Communications Biology 6 (1) , 2023
    2023
    Citations: 12
  • Palaeobiological assessment of some basilosauridarchaeocetes (mammalia, cetacea) and its affinity with recent odontocetes: new insights from Wadi El-Hitan, Fayoum, Egypt
    A Mahdy, GA El-Kheir, AS Gohar, MI El-Soughier
    Historical Biology , 2021
    2021
    Citations: 6
  • A long-snouted dyrosaurid (Crocodyliformes, Mesoeucrocodylia) from the Campanian Quseir Formation of Egypt
    S Saber, BS Salem, K Ouda, AS Gohar, S El-Sayed, HM Sallam
    Cretaceous Research 165, 105982 , 2025
    2025
    Citations: 5
  • The endocranial anatomy of protocetids and its implications for early whale evolution
    E Berger, E Amson, E Peri, AS Gohar, HM Sallam, GS Ferreira, ...
    Evolution 79 (10), 2306-2314 , 2025
    2025
    Citations: 3
  • An Early Miocene ape from the biogeographic crossroads of African and Eurasian Hominoidea
    SF Al-Ashqar, ER Seiffert, S El-Sayed, BS Salem, AS Gohar, H El-Saka, ...
    Science 391 (6792), 1383-1386 , 2026
    2026
    Citations: 1
  • An early dyrosaurid ( Wadisuchus kassabi gen. et sp. nov.) from the Campanian of Egypt sheds light on the origin and biogeography of Dyrosauridae
    S Saber, BS Salem, K Ouda, AS Gohar, S El-Sayed, PM O’Connor, ...
    Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 205 (2), zlaf134 , 2025
    2025
    Citations: 1
  • 3D models related to the publication: The endocranial anatomy of Protocetids and its implications for early whale evolution
    E Berger, E Amson, E Peri, A Gohar, HM Sallam, GS Ferreira, ...
    MorphoMuseuM 11 (2), e264 , 2025
    2025
    Citations: 1
  • Bone histology reveals life history and regional remodeling in black bears
    AS Gohar, HN Woodward, HM Sallam
    Journal of Anatomy, 1-11 , 2026
    2026
  • Osteohistology of wild and captive black bears (Ursus americanus) reveals life history and regional bone remodeling
    Gohar, A. S., Woodward, H. N., & Sallam, H. M.
    Journal of Morphology 286 (S1), 14 , 2025
    2025
  • A middle Campanian dyrosaurid skull from Egypt illuminates the origin and early biogeography of the clade
    BS Salem, S Saber, K Ouda, A Gohar, S El-Sayed, PM O’Connor, ...
    Society of Vertebrate Paleontology Annual Meeting 2025 , 2025
    2025
  • The endocranial anatomy of protocetids: Implications for early whale bone mass increase and paleoneurology
    E Amson, A Alfsen, E Berger, E Peri, A Gohar, HM Sallam
    Society of Vertebrate Paleontology Annual Meeting 2025 , 2025
    2025
  • New giant protocetid pelves from the middle Eocene of Egypt: Implications for hindlimb evolution in early whales
    A Gohar, MS Antar, S El-Sayed, HM Sallam
    Society of Vertebrate Paleontology Annual Meeting 2025 , 2025
    2025
  • A long-snouted dyrosaurid (Crocodyliformes, Mesoeucrocodylia) from the Campanian Quseir Formation of Egypt
    Salem, B., Saber, S., Ouda, K., Gohar, A. S., El-Sayed, S., Sallam, H. M.
    Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, Program and Abstracts, 2024, 476-477 , 2024
    2024
  • New Material of the Family Palaeophiidae (Order Squamata) from the Eocene of Fayum Depression, Egypt
    El-Saka, H., Gohar, A. S., Antar, M. S., El-Sayed, S., Sallam, H. M.
    Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, Program and Abstracts, 2024, 186 , 2024
    2024
  • Chewing the data: Insights into the archaeocete whales tooth histology and feeding biomechanics
    Gohar, A. S., Woodward, H. N., Antar, M. S., El-Sayed, S., & Sallam, H. M.
    Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, Program and Abstracts, 2024, 224-225 , 2024
    2024
  • Egyptian Eocene cetaceans revealing insights into whale evolution
    A Gohar
    PaleoFest 2024 , 2024
    2024
  • Chewing the data: Insights into the archaeocete whales tooth histology and feeding biomechanics
    A Gohar, H Ballard, MS Antar, S El-Sayed, HM Sallam
    Society of Vertebrate Paleontology Annual Meeting 2024 , 2024
    2024
  • New Material of the Family Palaeophildae (Order Squamata) from the Eocene of Fayum Depression, Egypt
    H El-Saka, MS Antar, A Gohar, S El-Sayed, HM Sallam
    Society of Vertebrate Paleontology Annual Meeting 2024 , 2024
    2024
  • Advancements in Egyptian vertebrate paleontology: MUVP’s contributions and future perspectives
    S El-Sayed, S Saber Sara, Al-Ashqar, A Gohar, B Salem, M Amin, ...
    12th North American Paleontological Convention University of Michigan 17-21 … , 2024
    2024