Our lab pursues research in evolutionary ecology. We see the field of evolutionary ecology as the integrated science of evolution, ecology, genomics, and animal behavior. Overall, our research seeks to understand patterns and mechanisms in the evolution of biological diversity. Specifically, we are interested in how ecological and evolutionary processes lead to (i) genetic and phenotypic variation within and among populations, (ii) adaptation to complex selective environments, and (iii) reproductive isolation and the formation of new species.

Our approach to these problems is necessarily integrative and relies on a comparative analysis among closely related species or populations. Conceptually and methodologically, our projects are rooted in various disciplines including ecology, evolution, morphology, behavior, molecular genetics and genomics, and geochemistry. We attach great importance to combining field-based studies with analytical and experimental approaches in the laboratory. Members of our lab currently work on a wide variety of projects focusing predominantly on fish and other aquatic organisms.

Current research projects

• Environmental gradients, complex phenotypes, and underlying genomes: speciation in extreme environments
• Multi-trait diversification: evolutionary ecology of the cave molly
• Mechanistic links in ecological and evolutionary analysis: extromophile fish and elemental biology
• Ecology, evolution, and conservation of Oklahoma stream fishes
• Ecology and evolution of North American crayfish
• Hybridization and phenotypic diversification in Cuatro Ciénegas pupfish
• The evolutionary potential of asexual organisms and the stability of gynogenetic complexes
• Phenotypic differentiation and local adaptation along river gradients

Measuring tolerances to adverse environmental factors  in the lab...	... as well as in reciprocal transplant experiments in the field.