Diversification of South American Opossums
The history of mammals in South America includes textbook examples of how a few ancestral species can evolve into ecologically complex faunas. It also illustrates how biological diversity is affected by geological events - including climatic fluctuations - and how isolated faunas respond to invading species that evolved elsewhere. To understand the diversification of South American opossums, we are using molecular and morphological data to delimit species and reconstruct their evolutionary history. These results are being used test current hypotheses about when and how ancient geographic events and biological invasions impacted mammalian evolution in tropical South America. This is a collaborative project with Robert Voss (American Museum of Natural History). |
Evolution and Diversification of Madagascar's Rodents
Only four groups of mammals exist on Madagascar; each colonized a single time and then diversified to exhibit spectacular morphological and ecological variation. We are focusing on the native rodents of Madagascar to investigate the history of their diversification. We combine molecular phylogenies with morphological traits and distributional data to understand how this radiation unfolded over the past several million years.
Only four groups of mammals exist on Madagascar; each colonized a single time and then diversified to exhibit spectacular morphological and ecological variation. We are focusing on the native rodents of Madagascar to investigate the history of their diversification. We combine molecular phylogenies with morphological traits and distributional data to understand how this radiation unfolded over the past several million years.
Philippine Rodent Biogeography
Together with Larry Heaney (Field Museum of Natural History) and Eric Rickart (University of Utah), we are also investigating the biogeographic history of rodents in the Philippines. This complex archipelago provides an ideal system in which to investigate the role earth history plays in influencing diversification.
Together with Larry Heaney (Field Museum of Natural History) and Eric Rickart (University of Utah), we are also investigating the biogeographic history of rodents in the Philippines. This complex archipelago provides an ideal system in which to investigate the role earth history plays in influencing diversification.
The Evolution of Venom Resistance in Mammals
We are also interested in the evolution of snake-venom resistance in mammals, and how mammals and the venomous species they interact with have co-evolved.
We are also interested in the evolution of snake-venom resistance in mammals, and how mammals and the venomous species they interact with have co-evolved.