A5013611331- Genetic diversity and population structure
- Avian ecology and behavior
- Animal Behavior and Reproduction
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Genetic and phenotypic traits in livestock
- Genomics and Phylogenetic Studies
- Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies
- Plant and animal studies
- Rangeland and Wildlife Management
- Animal Vocal Communication and Behavior
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Primate Behavior and Ecology
- Genetic Mapping and Diversity in Plants and Animals
- Genetic and Environmental Crop Studies
- Amphibian and Reptile Biology
- Animal Ecology and Behavior Studies
- Identification and Quantification in Food
- Chromosomal and Genetic Variations
- Marine animal studies overview
- Isotope Analysis in Ecology
- Circadian rhythm and melatonin
- Hemispheric Asymmetry in Neuroscience
- Evolution and Paleontology Studies
- Neurobiology and Insect Physiology Research
- Bat Biology and Ecology Studies
Texas A&M University
2019-2025
Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology
2016-2025
Columbia University
2025
Texas A&M University System
2024
Texas College
2024
University of Alaska Fairbanks
2023
College Station Medical Center
2023
Mitchell Institute
2023
Genomics (United Kingdom)
2020
Minnesota Project
2019
Migratory divides are contact zones between breeding populations that use divergent migratory routes and have been described in a variety of species. These major importance to evolution, ecology conservation but identified using limited band recovery data and/or indirect methods. Data from recoveries mitochondrial haplotypes suggested inland coastal Swainson's thrushes ( Catharus ustulatus ) form divide western North America. We attached light-level geolocators birds at the edges this zone...
Abstract Adaptation to new environments often occurs in the face of gene flow. Under these conditions, flow and recombination can impede adaptation by breaking down linkage disequilibrium between locally adapted alleles. Theory predicts that this decay be halted or slowed if adaptive alleles are tightly linked regions low recombination, potentially favouring divergence evolution over others. Here, we compiled a global genomic data set 1,300 individual threespine stickleback from 52...
Abstract Migratory divides are contact zones between populations that use different routes to navigate around unsuitable areas on seasonal migration. Hybrids in have been predicted employ intermediate and potentially inferior routes. We provide the first direct test of this hypothesis, using light‐level geolocators track birds breeding a hybrid zone Swainson's thrushes western Canada. Compared parental forms, hybrids exhibited increased variability their migratory routes, with some crossed...
Abstract Differential gene flow, reductions in diversity following linked selection and/or features of the genome can structure patterns genomic differentiation during process speciation. Possible sources reproductive isolation are well studied between coastal and inland subspecies groups Swainson's thrushes, with differences seasonal migratory behaviour likely playing a key role reducing hybrid fitness. We assembled annotated draft reference for this species generated whole‐genome shotgun...
Abstract Detailed evaluations of genomic variation between sister species often reveal distinct chromosomal regions high relative differentiation (i.e., “islands differentiation” in F ST ), but there is much debate regarding the causes this pattern. We briefly review prominent models islands and compare patterns three closely related pairs New World warblers with goal evaluating support for four models. Each pair (MacGillivray's/mourning warblers; Townsend's/black‐throated green...
Recent technological developments allow investigation of the repeatability evolution at genomic level. Such is particularly powerful when applied to a ring species, in which spatial variation represents changes during two species from one. We examined among three subspecies greenish warbler using genotypes 13 013 950 nucleotide sites along new consensus genome assembly. Genomic regions low within-group are remarkably consistent between populations. These show high relative differentiation...
Seasonal migration is a taxonomically widespread behaviour that integrates across many traits. The European blackcap exhibits enormous variation in and renowned for research on its evolution genetic basis. We assembled reference genome blackcaps obtained whole resequencing data from individuals breeding range. Analyses of population structure demography suggested divergence began ~30,000 ya, with evidence one admixture event between migrant resident continent birds ~5000 ya. propensity to...
ABSTRACT Partial migration is a phenomenon where migratory and resident individuals of the same species co‐exist within population, has been linked to both intrinsic (e.g., genetic) as well environmental factors. Here we investigated genomic architecture partial in common blackbird, songbird that comprises populations southern distribution range, central Europe, exclusively northern eastern Europe. We generated whole‐genome sequencing data for 60 individuals, each which was phenotyped...
Heterogeneous patterns of genomic differentiation are commonly documented between closely related populations and there is considerable interest in identifying factors that contribute to their formation. These could include features (e.g., areas low recombination) promote processes like linked selection (positive or purifying affects neutral sites) at specific regions. Examinations repeatable across population pairs can provide insight into the role these factors. Birds well suited for this...
Behavioral variation abounds in nature. This is important for adaptation and speciation, but its molecular basis remains elusive. Here, we use a hybrid zone between two subspecies of songbirds that differ migration - an ecologically taxonomically widespread behavior---to gain insight into this topic. We measure gene expression five brain regions. Differential migratory states was dominated by circadian genes all The remaining patterns were largely brain-region specific. For example,...
Abstract Migratory divides, hybrid zones between populations that use different seasonal migration routes, are hypothesised to contribute speciation. Specifically, relative parental species, hybrids at divides predicted exhibit (1) intermediate migratory behaviour and (2) reduced fitness as a result. We provide the first direct test of second prediction here with one largest existing avian tracking datasets, leveraging divide Swainson's thrushes where is supported. Using detection rates...
Abstract Hybrid zones are particularly valuable for understanding the evolution of partial reproductive isolation between differentiated populations. An increasing number hybrid have been inferred to move over time, but in most such cases zone movement has not tested with long‐term genomic data. The Townsend's Warblers ( Setophaga townsendi ) and Hermit S. occidentalis Washington Cascades was previously be moving from northern southwards towards , based on plumage behavioural patterns as...
Seasonal migration is a widespread behavior relevant for adaptation and speciation, yet knowledge of its genetic basis limited. We leveraged advances in tracking sequencing technologies to bridge this gap well-characterized hybrid zone between songbirds that differ migratory behavior. Migration requires the coordinated action many traits, including orientation, timing, wing morphology. used mapping show these traits are highly heritable genetically correlated, explaining how has evolved so...
Seasonal migration is a complex and variable behaviour with the potential to promote reproductive isolation. In Eurasian blackcaps ( Sylvia atricapilla ), migratory divide in central Europe separating populations southwest (SW) southeast (SE) autumn routes may facilitate isolation, individuals using new wintering areas Britain show divergence from Mediterranean winterers. We tracked 100 wild characterize these strategies. Blackcaps west east of used predominantly SW SE directions,...
ABSTRACT The application of high‐throughput sequencing to phylogenetic analyses is allowing authors reconstruct the true evolutionary history species. This work can illuminate specific mechanisms underlying divergence when combined with gene flow, recombination and selection. We conducted a phylogenomic analysis Catharus , songbird genus considerable potential for variation in migratory behaviour genomic resources. documented discordance among trees constructed mitochondrial, autosomal sex...
Modern genomic methods enable estimation of a lineage’s long-term effective population sizes back to its origins. This ability allows unprecedented opportunities determine how adoption major life-history trait affects lineages’ populations relative those without the trait. We used this novel approach study effects seasonal migration across evolutionary time. Seasonal is common strategy, but on lineages that don’t migrate are largely unknown. Using whole-genome data, we estimated over...
Abstract Hybrid zones create natural tests of genetic incompatibilities by combining loci from two species in the same background wild, making them useful for identifying involved both intrinsic and ecological (extrinsic) isolation. Two Swainson’s thrush subspecies form a hybrid zone western North America. These coastal inland exhibit dramatic differences migration routes; their hybrids poor migratory survival, suggesting that maintain this zone. We used panel ancestry informative markers to...
Abstract The impact of climate change on spring phenology poses risks to migratory birds, as migration timing is controlled predominantly by endogenous mechanisms. Despite recent advances in our understanding the underlying genetic basis timing, ways that phenotypes wild individuals may map specific genomic regions requires further investigation. We examined architecture a long-distance songbird (purple martin, Progne subis ) integrating data with an extensive dataset direct tracks. A...
Structural variants (SVs) are a major source of genetic variation; and descriptions in natural populations connections with phenotypic traits beginning to accumulate the literature. We integrated advances genomic sequencing animal tracking begin filling this knowledge gap Eurasian blackcap. Specifically, we (a) characterized genome-wide distribution, frequency, overall fitness effects SVs using haplotype-resolved assemblies for 79 birds, (b) used these study genetics seasonal migration....
Ecosystems services are threatened by the rapid degradation of tropical rainforests. In light these threats, questions remain about how societies on forest fringe who depend provisioning affect plant functional traits. This study assessed relationship between traits, forest-dependent and ecosystem along a forest–agriculture matrix gradient in humid forests Madagascar. Data were collected for six traits services. We evaluated diversity (FD) utilitarian (FD services) disturbance gradients....