Larval dispersal and population connectivity
Much of my research centers around the ecological process of larval dispersal. I use an integrative approach to study the patterns, causes, and consequences of larval dispersal and population connectivity using the Caribbean reef fish Elacatinus lori as a study organism. So far, this work has revealed (1) remarkably short dispersal distances, despite a 26-day larval phase and (2) consistency between the scales of demographic and genetic connectivity within the metapopulation. Future collaborative work will focus on validating the dispersal kernel using alternative genetic methods and biophysical models.
Much of my research centers around the ecological process of larval dispersal. I use an integrative approach to study the patterns, causes, and consequences of larval dispersal and population connectivity using the Caribbean reef fish Elacatinus lori as a study organism. So far, this work has revealed (1) remarkably short dispersal distances, despite a 26-day larval phase and (2) consistency between the scales of demographic and genetic connectivity within the metapopulation. Future collaborative work will focus on validating the dispersal kernel using alternative genetic methods and biophysical models.
Seascape genetics
The field of seascape genetics is generating new insights into how demographic processes, selection, local ecology, and seascape features shape the spatio-temporal distribution of genetic variation within marine metapopulations. My current empirical work uses a comparative population genomic approach to resolve fine-scale patterns of spatial genetic structure and relate these patterns to seascape drivers.
The field of seascape genetics is generating new insights into how demographic processes, selection, local ecology, and seascape features shape the spatio-temporal distribution of genetic variation within marine metapopulations. My current empirical work uses a comparative population genomic approach to resolve fine-scale patterns of spatial genetic structure and relate these patterns to seascape drivers.
Species traits & marine reserve network design
A major goal of marine reserve network design is to ensure the persistence of species with diverse life histories. With collaborators, I developed a framework to incorporate multiple species traits across life stages into reserve network optimization. We applied this framework to empirical fish and invertebrate data from the coast of British Columbia, showing that tractable movement traits serve as proxies for broader functional diversity. By considering movement traits across life stages, we designed a portfolio of potential reserves to bolster the persistence of diverse species.
A major goal of marine reserve network design is to ensure the persistence of species with diverse life histories. With collaborators, I developed a framework to incorporate multiple species traits across life stages into reserve network optimization. We applied this framework to empirical fish and invertebrate data from the coast of British Columbia, showing that tractable movement traits serve as proxies for broader functional diversity. By considering movement traits across life stages, we designed a portfolio of potential reserves to bolster the persistence of diverse species.
Cryptic genetic diversity in the sea
In the sea, barriers to gene flow are generally assumed to be much more permeable than those on land; yet, there is growing evidence of cryptic genetic lineages across marine taxa. I am using targeted amplicon sequencing to uncover spatial patterns of admixture and hybridization across a marine hybrid zone in the southern Mesoamerican reef. Future work will (1) integrate behavioral and morphological data to explore the co-occurrence of phenotypic divergence and (2) test for local adaptation to unique reef environments.
In the sea, barriers to gene flow are generally assumed to be much more permeable than those on land; yet, there is growing evidence of cryptic genetic lineages across marine taxa. I am using targeted amplicon sequencing to uncover spatial patterns of admixture and hybridization across a marine hybrid zone in the southern Mesoamerican reef. Future work will (1) integrate behavioral and morphological data to explore the co-occurrence of phenotypic divergence and (2) test for local adaptation to unique reef environments.
Spatial patterns of genetic relatedness
The distribution of kin within populations can impact processes such as kin competition, inbreeding, and kin selection. To date, evidence for within-population kin aggregations has been mixed for species with a dispersive larval phase. I am combining genetic relatedness estimates with spatial statistics and network analyses to understand how kin are distributed across small-scale seascapes, and how networks of relatives arise in dispersal-limited species.
The distribution of kin within populations can impact processes such as kin competition, inbreeding, and kin selection. To date, evidence for within-population kin aggregations has been mixed for species with a dispersive larval phase. I am combining genetic relatedness estimates with spatial statistics and network analyses to understand how kin are distributed across small-scale seascapes, and how networks of relatives arise in dispersal-limited species.
Sea lamprey population dynamics
The sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) is the target of a population control program in Lake Champlain, due to a parasitic phase during which it feeds on salmonids. With colleagues from Middlebury College and the US Fish & Wildlife Service, we used Bayesian coalescent models to estimate historical sea lamprey population fluctuations in Lake Champlain since the end of the Pleistocene.
The sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) is the target of a population control program in Lake Champlain, due to a parasitic phase during which it feeds on salmonids. With colleagues from Middlebury College and the US Fish & Wildlife Service, we used Bayesian coalescent models to estimate historical sea lamprey population fluctuations in Lake Champlain since the end of the Pleistocene.
