Students in my lab examine aspects of speciation from the perspective of geographic variation in behavior in vertebrate systems. Most of our research focuses on a unisexual-bisexual species complex of mollies consisting of the Amazon molly (Poecilia formosa), an all female gynogentic fish that arose from a mating event between a sailfin molly (Poecilia latipinna) and an Atlantic molly (Poecilia mexicana) about 100,000 years ago. We examine aspects of species and mate-quality recognition. Additionally, students in my lab examine aspects of the behavior of the San Marcos Salamander, a threatened species endemic to the San Marcos River. Behavioral data on this species will provide important insights into conservation decisions for this and other threatened species of Hill Country salamanders.

 

Lab News 2009:

Texas Poeciliid Biologist Conference - December 14, 2009 Freeman Aquatic Building

1.Kristen Epp (Phd Student) received Runner Up for the Best Graduate Talk and an Animal Behavior Society grant.

2. Michelle Parmley (undergrad) received the Best Undergraduate Talk at the annual Texas State Biology Colloquium and the Turner Award to attend Animal Behavior Society conference this summer.

3. Laura Alberici da Barbiano won the ALA Vern Parish Award.

Courses I teach: Organismal Biology (1431) , Behavioral Ecology (Bio 5367/7367), and Evolutionary Ecology (7336).

Personal pages- for Family and Friends