Darwin suggested that evolution was very slow, and this view prevailed until very recently. Now, however, we recognize that ecological changes are causing evolution all around us all the time. Following this change in perception, researchers have become interested in the consequences of contemporary evolution for ecological dynamics; i.e., changes in populations, communities, and ecosystems.
Eco-evolutionary dynamics broadly considers ongoing interactions between ecology and evolution. Most work in our lab has thus far focused on one direction of causality in these dynamics – how ecological changes influence evolutionary dynamics (eco-to-evo). More recently, we have started to explore the reciprocal arrow of causality: how evolutionary changes influence ecological dynamics (evo-to-eco).
Learn more about Eco-Evolutionary Dynamics HERE.
Eco-evolutionary dynamics broadly considers ongoing interactions between ecology and evolution. Most work in our lab has thus far focused on one direction of causality in these dynamics – how ecological changes influence evolutionary dynamics (eco-to-evo). More recently, we have started to explore the reciprocal arrow of causality: how evolutionary changes influence ecological dynamics (evo-to-eco).
Learn more about Eco-Evolutionary Dynamics HERE.
We conduct work on both arrows of causality in multiple natural systems, most frequently in threespine stickleback, Trinidadian guppies, and Darwin’s finches.
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CLICK ON THE IMAGES TO LEARN MORE ABOUT EACH SYSTEM
OTHER STUDY SYSTEMS
Also, particular students in the lab work on other specific systems, including African fishes (David Hunt), bluegill sunfish (Chelsea Bishop), dolphins (Betzi Perez), howler monkeys (Lotte Skovmand), Galapagos plants (Sofia Carvajal-Endara, Daniel Reyes, Ella Martin), and more. Previous students have variously worked on Chilean fishes (Cristian Correa), lemon sharks (Joey DiBattista), snails and parasites (Victor Frankel), and more.
