The aims of my dissertation are to understand diversification in the genus Penstemon at three taxonomic scales: across the entire genus, where I use phylogenetic comparative methods to assess diversification rate variation and trait (phenotype and niche) lability; across species…
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Ascochyta blight, caused by Ascochyta rabiei (syn. Phoma rabiei ), is one of the two most destructive diseases of chickpea, resulting in complete loss of yield in some cases. We isolated a fungal strain from diseased chickpea in Ethiopia, with symptoms diagnosed as Ascochyta bli…
The solute carrier (SLC) SLC16 gene family comprises 14 members and encodes for monocarboxylate transporters (MCTs), which mediate the absorption and distribution of monocarboxylic compounds across plasma membranes. As the knowledge about their physiological function, activity, …
Sea anemones produce pore-forming toxins, actinoporins, which are interesting as tools for cytoplasmic membranes study, as well as being potential therapeutic agents for cancer therapy. This investigation is devoted to structural and functional study of the Heteractis crispa act…
The purpose of this dissertation is to reconstruct phylogenies using statistical methods. The focus herein is on rare and/or puzzling placental mammal species – namely Elephantulus revoilii (order Macroscelidea), Zenkerella insignis (order Rodentia), and Plesiopithecus teras & P…
Group II introns are a class of large, versatile ribozymes that interrupt genetic loci in bacteria, archaea and the organelles of certain eukaryotes. Following transcription, these ribozymes autocatalytically excise themselves through self-splicing. The Ll.LtrB group II intron w…
Phylogenetic trees are key objects for understanding evolutionary history, first used to describe relationships between groups of species. Phylogenies help us to fill out the tree of life and to describe the dynamics that have given rise to the diversity of life on Earth. As we …
The interrelationships and phylogenetics of extinct Paleozoic and Early Mesozoic ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii) are obscured by a low-quality fossil record and understudy of Late Paleozoic (Permo-Carboniferous) actinopterygians. To help address this issue, I describe a new s…
The Pacific Islands were settled via two major waves of migration - first in Near Oceania ~40-60 KYA and second in both Near and Remote Oceania ~3.5 KYA. These migrations are associated with non-Austronesian and Austronesian speakers, respectively. Previous studies of mitochondr…
La cooperación en animales ha sido uno de los temas centrales en ecología y evolución durante las últimas décadas. Para explicar su origen y mantenimiento, se han propuesto una serie de mecanismos evolutivos dentro de los que destaca la selección de parentesco. Una predicción ce…
Sirenids are enigmatic in their biology, behavior, and phylogenetic relationships. These eel-like salamanders are morphologically unique, with slender bodies and absent lower extremities. Species in the genus Siren all maintain this body plan, with some slight variation in pheno…
The research presented here lies at the intersection of phylogeography, phylogenetics, and community ecology and aims to understand how evolutionary processes have contributed to the diversity seen around the world. This diversity is investigated at the population, species, and …
Cultural evolution, or change in the socially learned behavior of a population over time, is a fascinating phenomenon that is widespread in humans and present in some non-human animals. In this dissertation, I present an array of cultural evolutionary studies that bridge pattern…
Hybridization has traditionally been viewed as a happenstance that negatively impacts populations, but is now recognized as an important evolutionary mechanism that can substantially impact the evolutionary trajectories of gene pools, influence adaptive capacity, and contravene …
The creation and evaluation of known evolutionary histories and the implementation of student investigatory experiences on evolution are difficult endeavors that have only recently been feasible. The research presented in this dissertation is related in their shared use of digit…
Phyllotis xanthopygus is currently understood to be a widespread species, inhabiting regions of Peru, Bolivia, Chile and Argentina. This vast geographic distribution is complemented by an extensive altitudinal gradient, occupying areas at sea level up to 5570m in the central And…
Tarsiers are a bizarre lineage of primates that occupy a key position in the primate phylogeny. Historically, they have been at the center of debates on the fundamental taxonomy within primates. Now firmly understood as the sister group to anthropoids to form a monophyletic Hapl…
The evolution of resistance in response to herbicides is a striking example of repeated, human-induced evolution. While much is known about the effects of particular point mutations that confer resistance, the extent to which they arise repeatedly de novo, draw from standing var…
African dwarf toads of the genus Poyntonophrynus are an interesting group of frogs found across southern Africa in arid and semi-arid environments. While these toads are unique, relatively little detail is known about their ecology and life history. This genus is surrounded by t…