A5032282141- Avian ecology and behavior
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Genetic diversity and population structure
- Genomics and Phylogenetic Studies
- Animal Behavior and Reproduction
- melanin and skin pigmentation
- Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies
- Agricultural and Food Production Studies
- Water Resource Management and Quality
- Plant and soil sciences
- Aquaculture disease management and microbiota
- Plant and animal studies
- Identification and Quantification in Food
- Amphibian and Reptile Biology
Houston Museum of Natural Science
2020-2024
Louisiana State University
2020-2024
Harvard University
2020
Birds display a rainbow of eye colours, but this trait has been little studied compared with plumage coloration. Avian colour variation occurs at all phylogenetic scales: it can be conserved throughout whole families or vary within one species, yet the evolutionary importance is under‐studied. Here, we summarize knowledge causes three primary levels: mechanistic, genetic and evolutionary. Mechanistically, show that avian iris pigments include melanin carotenoids, which also play major roles...
South American dry forests have a complex and poorly understood biogeographic history. Based on the fragmented distribution of many Neotropical forest species, it has been suggested that this biome was more widely distributed contiguous under drier climate conditions in Pleistocene. To test scenario, known as Pleistocene Arc Hypothesis, we studied phylogeography Rufous-fronted Thornbird (Phacellodomus rufifrons), widespread bird with disjunct closely matching itself. We sequenced mtDNA used...
The bird life of the central Peruvian Amazon is poorly known. To better characterize diversity and distributions, we conducted 4 expeditions to this lowland area, totaling 114 field days in 2015, 2018, 2019. We focused on sampling under-surveyed habitats, terra firme multiple interfluves, sites around a recent river avulsion, detected 657 species across 22 study sites. Our results include first extensive inventories blackwater wetland systems, Guadua bamboo tracts, riverine islands Peru;...
Abstract North American sunfishes (Family Centrarchidae) are among the most popular sportfish throughout United States and Canada. Despite popularity of sunfishes, their ecological importance, extensive stocking aquacultural history, few molecular studies have examined evolutionary relationships species boundaries members this group, many which known to hybridize. Here, we describe a chromosome-scale genome assembly representing Bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus), one widespread centrarchid...
The bird life of the central Peruvian Amazon is poorly known. To better characterize diversity and distributions, we conducted 4 expeditions to this lowland area, totaling 114 field days in 2015, 2018, 2019. We focused on sampling under-surveyed habitats, terra firme multiple interfluves, sites around a recent river avulsion, detected 657 species across 22 study sites. Our results include first extensive inventories blackwater wetland systems, Guadua bamboo tracts, riverine islands Peru;...
Color anomalies can provide insight into the mechanisms of bird pigmentation. However, records anomalous eye color in species are sparse literature. Here, we report 2 observations Melanerpes carolinus (Red-bellied Woodpecker) Florida with bright white irises. We examine possible explanations for this phenotype and conclude that a genetic mutation affecting pteridine pigmentation is cause. encourage researchers to document birds aberrant coloration, which may lead greater understanding...
Birds display a rainbow of eye colors, but this trait has received relatively little study compared to plumage coloration. Avian color variation occurs at all phylogenetic scales: it can be conserved throughout whole families or vary within single species, yet the evolutionary importance species and across avian phylogeny is also understudied. Here, we provide an overview in birds, summarizing state knowledge about its causes three primary levels: mechanistic, genetic, evolutionary....
The Altillanura is a unique ecosystem within the Colombian Llanos, characterized by well-drained savannas and extensive riparian forests. harbors rich assemblage of species, largely understudied currently under threat large-scale unplanned agribusiness. Moreover, number public protected areas in particularly Altillanura, insufficient to conserve threatened habitats species. Therefore, conservation efforts private reserves are crucial for protection region’s biodiversity. Here we present...