A5066876014- Genetic diversity and population structure
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Amphibian and Reptile Biology
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Animal Behavior and Reproduction
- Plant and animal studies
- Evolution and Paleontology Studies
- Genomics and Phylogenetic Studies
- Evolution and Genetic Dynamics
- Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies
- Animal Ecology and Behavior Studies
- Bat Biology and Ecology Studies
- Parasite Biology and Host Interactions
- Animal and Plant Science Education
- Genetic and phenotypic traits in livestock
- Physiological and biochemical adaptations
- Identification and Quantification in Food
- Simulation Techniques and Applications
- Venomous Animal Envenomation and Studies
- Environmental and Biological Research in Conflict Zones
- Vector-borne infectious diseases
- Fish Biology and Ecology Studies
- Chromosomal and Genetic Variations
- Isotope Analysis in Ecology
- Turtle Biology and Conservation
Miami University
2018-2024
Texas Christian University
2022
University of Arizona
2015-2019
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
2007-2016
Google (United States)
2016
University of Nevada, Reno
2007
Climate change may soon threaten much of global biodiversity. A critical question is: can species undergo niche shifts sufficient speed and magnitude to persist within their current geographic ranges? Here, we analyse among populations 56 plant animal using time-calibrated trees from phylogeographic studies. Across 266 groups analysed, rates were slower than projected climate (mean difference > 200 000-fold for temperature variables). Furthermore, the absolute divergence was typically lower...
Animal phyla vary dramatically in species richness (from one to >1.2 million), but the causes of this variation remain largely unknown. Animals have also evolved striking morphology and ecology, including sessile marine taxa lacking heads, eyes, limbs, complex organs (e.g., sponges), parasitic worms nematodes, platyhelminths), with skeletons, that dominate terrestrial ecosystems (arthropods, chordates). Relating remarkable traits diversification animal is a fundamental yet unresolved problem...
Abstract Around the world, many species are confined to “Sky Islands,” with different populations in isolated patches of montane habitat. How does this pattern arise? One scenario is that were widespread lowlands when climates cooler, and by local extinction caused warming conditions. This implies may be highly susceptible anthropogenic warming. Here, we test a lizard ( Sceloporus jarrovii ) from Madrean Sky Islands southeastern Arizona. We combined data field surveys, climate, population...
During Pleistocene glacial-interglacial cycles, the geographic range is often assumed to have shifted as a species tracks its climatic niche. Alternatively, would not necessarily shift if can adapt in situ changing environment. The potential for persist place might increase with diversity of habitat types that exploits. We evaluate evidence either or stability between last glacial maximum (LGM) and present time chisel-toothed kangaroo rat (Dipodomys microps), an endemic Great Basin Mojave...
Strong spatial sorting of genetic variation in contiguous populations is often explained by local adaptation or secondary contact following allopatric divergence. A third explanation, stochastic effects range expansion, has been considered less though theoretical models suggest it should be widespread, if ephemeral. In a study designed to delimit species within clade venomous coralsnakes, we identified an unusual pattern the Texas coral snake (Micrurus tener): strong divergent mitochondrial...
Abstract Aims As global temperatures rise, the survival of many species may hinge on whether they can shift their climatic niches quickly enough to avoid extinction. Previous analyses among and populations suggest that species’ change far slower than rates projected climate change. However, it is unclear how over timeframe most relevant warming (decades instead thousands or millions years). Here, we use data from introduced assess decadal timescales. Location Global. Methods We analyse 76...
The desert pocket mouse (Chaetodipus penicillatus) comprises 6 nominate subspecies that occupy warm, sandy desert-scrub habitats across the Mojave and Sonoran deserts. most thorough morphological assessment within species noted variable levels of distinctiveness, leading to uncertainty regarding geographic distributions subspecies. Subsequent genetic assessments using chromosomal, allozymic, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequence data detected a general east–west divergence centered on Colorado...
How does range expansion affect genetic diversity in species with different ecologies, and do types of markers lead to conclusions? We addressed these questions by assessing the consequences postglacial using mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) nuclear restriction site-associated (RAD) sequencing two congeneric codistributed rodents ecological characteristics: desert kangaroo rat (Dipodomys deserti), a sand specialist, Merriam's merriami), substrate generalist. For each species, we compared variation...
Climate may play important roles in speciation, such as causing the range fragmentation that underlies allopatric speciation (through niche conservatism) or driving divergence of parapatric populations along climatic gradients divergence). Here, we developed new methods to test frequency climate conservatism and applied it species pairs squamate reptiles (lizards snakes). We used a large-scale phylogeny identify 242 sister for analysis. From these, selected all terrestrial with sufficient...
Abstract The opposing forces of gene flow and isolation are two major processes shaping genetic diversity. Understanding how these vary across space time is necessary to identify the environmental features that promote diversification. detection considerable geographic structure in taxa from arid Nearctic has prompted research into drivers region. Several have been proposed as barriers flow, including Colorado River, Western Continental Divide (WCD), a hypothetical Mid-Peninsular Seaway Baja...
Documenting variation in organismal traits is essential to understanding the ecology of natural populations. We relied on stomach contents preserved specimens and literature records assess ontogenetic, intersexual, temporal, geographic variations feeding North American Great Basin Rattlesnake ( Crotalus lutosus Klauber, 1930). Snakes preyed mainly rodents, occasionally lizards, less frequently birds; squamate eggs frogs were rarely eaten. There was a positive relationship between predator...
Abstract Investigating secondary contact of historically isolated lineages can provide insight into how selection and drift influence genomic divergence admixture. Here, we studied the landscape introgression following between Western Diamondback Rattlesnake ( Crotalus atrox ) to determine whether regions under in allopatry also contribute reproductive isolation during introgression. We used thousands nuclear loci study differentiation two that have experienced recent isolation, incorporated...
Invasive species provide powerful in situ experimental systems for studying evolution response to selective pressures novel habitats. While research has shown that phenotypic can occur rapidly nature, few examples exist of genomewide adaptation on short "ecological" timescales. Burmese pythons (Python molurus bivittatus) have become a successful and impactful invasive Florida over the last 30 years despite major freeze events caused high python mortality. We sampled before after event 2010...
During climate change, species are often assumed to shift their geographic distributions (geographic ranges) in order track environmental conditions - niches which they adapted. Recent work, however, suggests that the do not always remain conserved during change but instead, allowing populations persist place or expand into new areas. We assessed extent of range and niche shifts response warming after Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) desert horned lizard (Phrynosoma platyrhinos), a occupying...
Abstract The study of recently diverged lineages whose geographical ranges come into contact can provide insight the early stages speciation and potential roles reproductive isolation in generating maintaining species. Such also be important for understanding strategies challenges delimiting species within complexes. Here, we use mitochondrial nuclear genetic data to population structure, gene flow demographic history across a geographically widespread rattlesnake clade, western complex...
Abstract Ecological niche differentiation is a process that accompanies lineage diversification and community assembly. Traditionally, the degree of estimated by contrasting hypervolumes two taxa, reconstructed using ecologically relevant variables. These methods disregard fact niches can shift in different ways directions. Without means discriminating between types differentiation, important evolutionary ecological patterns may go unrecognized. Herein, we introduce new conceptual...
Abstract Background The increasing number of chromosome-level genome assemblies has advanced our knowledge and understanding macroevolutionary processes. Here, we introduce the desert horned lizard, Phrynosoma platyrhinos, an iguanid lizard occupying extreme conditions American southwest. We conduct analysis chromosomal structure composition this species compare these features across genomes 12 other reptiles (5 lizards, 3 snakes, turtles, 1 bird). Findings was sequenced using Illumina...
Two factors that can lead to geographic structuring in conspecific populations are barriers dispersal and climatic stability. Populations occur different physiographic regions may be restricted those areas by physical and/or ecological barriers, which facilitate the formation of phylogeographic clades. Long-term stability also promote genetic diversification, because new clades more likely evolve experience lesser shifts. We conducted a study Puerto Rican lizard Anolis krugi assess whether...
Reptiles in desert environments depend on habitat thermal quality to regulate their body temperature and perform biological activities. Understanding thermoregulation with respect is critical for accurate predictions of species responses climate change. We evaluated Goode’s horned lizard, Phrynosoma goodei , measured at the Reserva de la Biosfera El Pinacate y Gran Desierto Altar, Sonora, Mexico, during hottest season year. found that field-active averaged 38.1 ± 0.38°C, preferred laboratory...
Reconstructing the assembly of local ecological communities requires insight from a wide range disciplines including biogeography, paleontology, ecology, and evolutionary biology. Community depends on availability species in regional pool (a “biota”), which itself is assembled through history diversification, geographic shifting, adaptive responses to environmental change. The Great Basin contains diverse mammal biota sorted into along elevational, latitudinal, structural habitat gradients....