My interests lie in the evolution of extreme and bizarre morphology...
Broadly speaking, I am interested in the evolution of "extreme" and "bizarre" morphology. I'm fascinated by structures that look like they should not exist. Whether that's because they seem too big for the animal to hold without tipping over, or because they don't really match our preconceived notion of what a useful trait might be. Either way they fascinate me and I really want to know how and why they evolve. I want to know why these bizarre traits are favored by selection - why they're good for an animal. I also want to know if they can get too big, or too weird, and actually hurt the animal instead of helping it. Basically, I am interested in the costs and benefits of extreme and bizarre morphology.
Broadly speaking, I am interested in the evolution of "extreme" and "bizarre" morphology. I'm fascinated by structures that look like they should not exist. Whether that's because they seem too big for the animal to hold without tipping over, or because they don't really match our preconceived notion of what a useful trait might be. Either way they fascinate me and I really want to know how and why they evolve. I want to know why these bizarre traits are favored by selection - why they're good for an animal. I also want to know if they can get too big, or too weird, and actually hurt the animal instead of helping it. Basically, I am interested in the costs and benefits of extreme and bizarre morphology.
Animal weapons - the most bizarre morphology out there!
The bulk of my work is focused on the evolution of sexually selected weapons. Sexually selected weapons are some the most extreme and diverse morphologies in the animal word. Most are massive in size and grow drastically out of proportion with the body and other, more typically proportioned straits. My PhD work focused on the costs and benefits of sexually selected weapons, using the frog legged leaf beetle (Sagra femorata; featured above) as my primary study system. I combined classic, natural observations with modern laboratory techniques to construct a near-complete understanding of how and why these weapons evolved and what happens when they grow too large for animals to bear the strain. For more, check out my recent publication in Evolution!
The bulk of my work is focused on the evolution of sexually selected weapons. Sexually selected weapons are some the most extreme and diverse morphologies in the animal word. Most are massive in size and grow drastically out of proportion with the body and other, more typically proportioned straits. My PhD work focused on the costs and benefits of sexually selected weapons, using the frog legged leaf beetle (Sagra femorata; featured above) as my primary study system. I combined classic, natural observations with modern laboratory techniques to construct a near-complete understanding of how and why these weapons evolved and what happens when they grow too large for animals to bear the strain. For more, check out my recent publication in Evolution!
Image: Judy Gallagher (CC BY 2.0)
Wing polyphenisms - a different kind of bizarre
I currently work as a postdoctoral researcher with Dave Angelini at Colby College. Here, I study the evolution and development of red shoulder soapberry bugs (Jadera haematoloma). These bugs have a very interesting (and rather bizarre) developmental mechanism called a wing polyphenism. Depending on what's best for the animal, soap berry bugs develop into one of two "morphs". If a bug develops in a low-quality environment, it becomes a "long-wing morph" (right), and invests in large wings to better search for new habitat. If it develops in a high quality environments, on the other-hand, there is no reason to search for new habitat. Instead, it becomes a "short-wing morph" and invests in large reproductive structures to maximize reproductive output. I am currently investigating how the "developmental switch" between these morphs evolved and how this may change in the future.
I currently work as a postdoctoral researcher with Dave Angelini at Colby College. Here, I study the evolution and development of red shoulder soapberry bugs (Jadera haematoloma). These bugs have a very interesting (and rather bizarre) developmental mechanism called a wing polyphenism. Depending on what's best for the animal, soap berry bugs develop into one of two "morphs". If a bug develops in a low-quality environment, it becomes a "long-wing morph" (right), and invests in large wings to better search for new habitat. If it develops in a high quality environments, on the other-hand, there is no reason to search for new habitat. Instead, it becomes a "short-wing morph" and invests in large reproductive structures to maximize reproductive output. I am currently investigating how the "developmental switch" between these morphs evolved and how this may change in the future.
Image: Luis Miguel Bugallo Sánchez (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Bizarre Morphology in the Fossil Record
Who doesn't love dinosaurs!? In addition to the work above, I am very interested in uncovering new ways to apply our knowledge of bizarre morphology to extinct, fossil organisms. Through recent collaboration with paleontologists at Queen Mary College in London, I've been able to apply my recent findings to some of history's most fascinating animals (including protoceratops, right). For more, stay tuned for our recently accepted publication in Animal Behaviour!
Who doesn't love dinosaurs!? In addition to the work above, I am very interested in uncovering new ways to apply our knowledge of bizarre morphology to extinct, fossil organisms. Through recent collaboration with paleontologists at Queen Mary College in London, I've been able to apply my recent findings to some of history's most fascinating animals (including protoceratops, right). For more, stay tuned for our recently accepted publication in Animal Behaviour!
