Island Syndrome and the Evolution of Extremes
Island populations of vertebrates often evolve extreme body sizes, with small-bodied animals tending to get bigger and large-bodied animals tending to shrink. Island populations also evolve unusual behaviors, including reduced anxiety. Using comprehensive phenotyping, genetic mapping, transcriptomic profiling, and population genomics, members of the lab are uncovering mechanisms responsible for the island syndrome.
Evolution of Recombination
Recombination safeguards chromosomal segregation and shuffles genomes during meiosis. Using cytogenetics, genetic mapping, and population genomics, studies in the lab are revealing the extent and causes of differences in recombination rate among individuals.
Origin of Species
The world is full of species, but elucidating their origins is a persistent challenge. A powerful approach to understanding how new species arise is to examine the genetics of reproductive barriers between diverging lineages. By identifying genetic determinants of reproductive isolation in nascent species, our science is unveiling mechanisms of speciation.