A5036479817- Plant and animal studies
- Animal Behavior and Reproduction
- Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior
- Lepidoptera: Biology and Taxonomy
- Genetic diversity and population structure
- Evolution and Genetic Dynamics
- Chromosomal and Genetic Variations
- Insect Resistance and Genetics
- Entomopathogenic Microorganisms in Pest Control
- Avian ecology and behavior
- Forensic Entomology and Diptera Studies
- Microtubule and mitosis dynamics
University of Chicago
2014-2025
University of Michigan–Ann Arbor
2022-2023
The evolutionary importance of hybridization and introgression has long been debated. Hybrids are usually rare unfit, but even infrequent can aid adaptation by transferring beneficial traits between species. Here we use genomic tools to investigate in Heliconius, a rapidly radiating genus neotropical butterflies widely used studies ecology, behaviour, mimicry speciation. We sequenced the genome Heliconius melpomene compared it with other taxa chromosomal evolution Lepidoptera gene flow among...
The order Diptera (true flies) holds promise as a model taxon in evolutionary developmental biology due to the inclusion of organism, Drosophila melanogaster, and ability cost-effectively rear many species laboratories. One them, scuttle fly Megaselia abdita (Phoridae) has been used field for 30 years is an excellent phylogenetic intermediate between fruit flies mosquitoes but remains underdeveloped genomic resources. Here, we present de novo chromosome-level assembly annotation M....
The annual migration of the monarch butterfly Danaus plexippus is in peril. In an effort to aid population recovery, enthusiasts across North America participate a variety conservation efforts, including captive rearing and release butterflies throughout summer autumn. However, impact breeding on monarchs remains open question. Here, we show that breeding, both commercially by summertime hobbyists, causes migratory behavior be lost. Monarchs acquired failed orient south when reared outdoors...
Establishing the anterior-posterior body axis is a fundamental process during embryogenesis, and fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster , provides one of best-known case studies this process. In Drosophila, localized mRNA bicoid serves as anterior determinant (AD). Bicoid engages in concentration-dependent competition with nucleosomes initiates symmetry-breaking along AP by promoting chromatin accessibility at loci transcription factor (TF) genes that are expressed embryo. However, ADs other fly...
Abstract Environmental heterogeneity in temperate latitudes is expected to maintain seasonally plastic life‐history strategies that include the tuning of morphologies and metabolism support overwintering. For species have expanded their ranges into tropical latitudes, it unclear extent which capacity for plasticity will be maintained or erode with disuse. The migratory generations North American (NA) monarch butterfly Danaus plexippus lead distinctly different lives from summer generation NA...
Captive rearing of monarch butterflies is a commercial and personal pursuit enjoyed by many different groups individuals. However, the practice remains controversial, especially after new evidence showed that both group commercially derived monarchs reared outdoors wild-derived but indoor-reared failed to orient south, unlike outdoors. To more fully characterize mechanisms responsible for loss orientation in monarchs, we performed flight simulator experiments determine (i) whether any...
Abstract Environmental heterogeneity in temperate latitudes is expected to maintain seasonally plastic life-history strategies that include the tuning of morphologies and metabolism support overwintering. For species have expanded their ranges into tropical latitudes, it unclear extent which capacity for plasticity will be maintained or erode with disuse. The migratory generations North American (NA) monarch butterfly Danaus plexippus lead distinctly different lives from summer generation NA...