Current Research

My research interests are focused on coevolutionary interactions, particularly host-parasite interactions. I’m interested in the effect of dispersal (or migration) on coevolutionary interactions. I am also interested in how the local patterns of interaction between host and parasite (e.g. local adaptation) can scale up and lead to patterns of host specificity. My thesis research is divided into two main areas: empirical work on Potamopyrgus antipodarum and theory work on the evolution of migration.

Theory

The focus of my theory work is on the evolution of migration in a coevolutionary system. I have focused on host-parasite interactions and am interested in how this type of interaction can shape the migration rate of one player in the interaction. Many authors have investigated the role of migration (as a fixed parameter) in determining the outcome of a coevolutionary interaction. One major result that has some consensus (both from theory and empirical verification) is that the player with the greatest amount of migration should “win” in the interaction. Most often this has been expressed as the player will show local adaptation and the “loser” will be maladapted. Migration in this setting serves as a creative force introducing novel alleles that selection can act upon. I have been using a using a variety of techniques (individual based simulations, analytical solutions and QLE approximations) to understand the evolution of migration in an antagonistic interaction.

Empirical

For my empirical work, I am investigating the interaction of Potamopyrgus antipodarum (New Zealand Mud Snails) and a commonly infecting trematode worm (Microphallus sp.). I have begun by collecting data to construct a detailed phylogeography of both players of the interaction across all of New Zealand. I am using this data to look for patterns across the interaction. Next, I will use this data to construct local adaptation experiments to test the scale of interactions. I am using this system to explore how local patterns of adaptation may scale up from populations to species.

New Zealand Mud Snails are also an invasive species world wide. We have seen a rapid spread from initial points of introduction in the Western United States. I am interested in comparing patterns of dispersal between native and introduced ranges. Montana State University has an excellent set of resources on the web detailing NZMS spread across the Western United States.

Research Blog

A blog based on the papers and discussions of the Coevolvers (a Palouse Coevolution Discussion Group). We meet weekly to discuss papers and current research in coevolution. We are interested in both empirical research and theory work. The group of regular attendees includes faculty, post-docs, and graduate students from Washington State University and the University of Idaho. After most week's discussion, I make a short post describing some of the topics that came up regarding the details of the paper.

Previous Research

Boston University

At Boston University I worked on several projects. My main focus was analyzing nearly 6000 larval fish from a reef on former US base at Johnston Atoll. My supervisors, Phil Lobel and Paul Barber, were interested in the physiological impacts on the marine fish of various contaminants (e.g. PCBs) present on the reef. Collections of larvae from a damsel fish (Abudefduf sordidus) from nests were made during two breeding seasons and I used newly developed microsatellite markers to infer parentage.

I also worked on two substantial side projects while at Boston University. In collaboration with Paul Barber and Elizabeth Jones, we made a comparison of selective mortality and genetic identity (Meekan et al 2007). In collaboration with Jason Philibotte and Paul Barber we conducted a study of the population structure of the reef fish Plectroglyphidodon imparipennis.

University of Utah

At the University of Utah my thesis project focused on the host specificity of feather feeding lice on their North American Dove hosts. North American Doves are host to two genera of feather feeding lice (Columbicola or “Wing lice” and Physconelloides or “Body lice”). Based on previous research they differed in their host specificity with body lice being more host specific (usually one host per species). I spent three years collecting preliminary data for my thesis project, getting real estimates of host specificity and abundance records of the different lice on the hosts of interest (Moyer et al 2002). The work was a combination of lab studies and field work. Most of the field work was conducted in Southern Texas (Weslaco) or in Southern Arizona (Tucson) where I spent my time mist netting doves and collecting lice. A major project that I worked on was comparing methods of quantifying lice on avian hosts (Clayton and Drown 2001) where I was able to use the ultimate tool in removing lice from deceased birds, a paint shaker!

I also worked with Kevin Johnson during my time at Utah. We started several projects in theoretical phylogenetics eventually working on a new method of cophylogenetic analysis (data based, rather than tree based) (Johnson et al 2001). It was during this time, that I became very interested in theoretical work and computer simulations. I also started to change the focus of my research interests to the population level (Johnson et al 2002).

Grinnell College

At Grinnell College I conducted a year long independent project on the molecular phylogenetics of North American oak galling Cynipid Wasps. For the project I collected mtDNA sequence data from COI via manual sequencing (no fancy capillary machines then, just lots of gels and autorads) and used this to infer the phylogenetic relationships of several genera within a family. I was also interested in testing the monophyly of these genera as they were being using in a ecological study of host specificity. This work was a collaborative project between Jackie Brown and Warren Abrahamson. This was an excellent experience for me as an undergrad. Through this project, I went to my first Evolution Society meeting and was able to attend several other meetings in the course of the year. I presented the final work at the 2nd International Symposium on the Biology of Gall-Inducing Arthropods in Hungary.