Ecology and Evolution | Biological Sciences

Ecology and Evolution

Faculty research interests in the area of ecology and evolution include conservation and evolutionary genetics (Aguilar Lab), bryophyte ecology and evolution (Fisher Lab), ontogeny and evolution of vetebrate locomotion (Heers Lab), evolutionary ecology of marine invertebrates (Krug Lab), Plant Physiology, Anatomy, Ecology, and Evoution (Scoffoni Lab), evolutionary history of marine organisms (Torres Lab), avian ecology and applied conservation (Wood Lab), and Plant Community Ecology and Ecophysiology (Wright Lab). An asterisk following a name in a publication citation indicates a student coauthor.

Evolutionary and Conservation Genomics

Contact:  Andres Aguilar, Ph.D.
Office:  ASCR 323E, ext: 3-2078
Laboratory:  ASCB 346
E-mail:  [email protected]
Web:  http://andresaguilar.weebly.com

Research Summary

Our current work studies evolutionary, ecological and conservation based questions. We employ a variety of genomic, computational and field approaches. Major areas of study include the evolution and conservation of southern California's  marine ichthyofauna and evolutionary genomic studies of diverse group of marine fishes (rockfish). 

Bryophyte Ecology and Evolution

		Contact:  Kirsten Fisher, Ph.D. Office:  ASCL 393, ext: 3-2089 Laboratory:  ASCL 351, ext: 3-2085 E-mail:  [email protected] Web:  http://instructional1.calstatela.edu/kfisher2
		Tropical moss, Calymperes tenerum, with asexual propagules.

Research Summary
Our research interests include plant molecular systematics, phylogeography, and the use of phylogenetic trees for exploring evolutionary questions in general. In particular, we apply molecular phylogenetic methods to understanding cryptic diversity in mosses. We are investigating the potential link between physiological specialization and cryptic diversification in this group of plants, focusing on the desiccation tolerant model moss Syntrichia ruralis.

Ontogeny and Evolution of Vertebrate Locomotion

Research Summary

Using birds and their non-avian dinosaur ancestors as a focal group, my research integrates biological, paleontological, and engineering disciplines to explore how developmental and evolutionary transformations in morphology influence(d) locomotor strategies during the invasion of new environments. The aim of this work is to elucidate the functional and ecological significance of rudimentary precursors to specialized locomotor structures — a long-standing challenge crucial to understanding major evolutionary transitions. I use an arsenal of experimental, 3D visualization, and biomechanical modeling tools to achieve these goals.

Evolutionary Ecology of Marine Invertebrates

Contact:  Patrick Krug, Ph.D.
Office:  ASCL 314, ext: 3-2076
Laboratory:  ASCL 325, ext: 3-2098
E-mail:  [email protected]
Web:  https://patkrug70.wixsite.com/website

Research Summary

Our lab studies marine ecology and evolution to understand how species interact at different time scales. We are investigating how chemicals in abundant sea slugs alter food webs by deterring predators, and change ecosystem function through indirect effects on the mudflat community. With genomic techniques, we are building a phylogeny of sea slugs and related groups, and studying how animals evolve to be photosynthetic. Tropical biodiversity is badly underestimated, so we also engage in species discovery; we have named over 50 new species using DNA sequencing, anatomical and ecological data, including one of the Top 10 new marine species of 2019, and a new genus of algae-mimics recently profiled in National Geographic.

Plant Physiology, Anatomy, Ecology, and Evolution

		Contact:  Christine Scoffoni, Ph.D. Office:  ASCB 323A, ext: 3-2070 Laboratory:  ASCB 341 E-mail:  [email protected] Web:  https://christinescoffoni.wordpress.com/
		The puzzling fact about leaf veins is that even though they serve similar functions across all plant species (water and sugar transport, leaf mechanical support), they have evolved widely different architectures and anatomies, even within closely related species such as these three Proteaceae. We are investigating the function behind this surprising diversity.

Research Summary

Our research uses experimental and comparative approaches in plant physiology, ecology and evolution to answer fundamental questions regarding the function of plant diversity with an emphasis on plant’s adaptation to environmental stresses such as drought. More specifically, why do species exhibit such diversity in leaf size, shape and venation architecture? What are the physiological and anatomical traits that drive species’ resistance to drought? We work on a broad range of questions relating to plant hydraulics and leaf venation architecture, species adaptation to drought, and to the evolution of plant traits.

Taxonomy & Evolution of Marine Ostracods

		Contact:  Elizabeth Torres, Ph.D. Office:  ASCL 313, ext: 3-2179 Laboratory:  ASCL 311, ext: 3-5856 E-mail:  [email protected]
		Vargula tsujii is a cypridinid ostracod crustacean that lives off of the Pacific Coast of North America. It secretes a bright blue luminescence produced in the light organ (yellow vertical bar just below the compound eye).

Research Summary
We use molecular methods and classic taxonomic approaches to understand phylogeny, diversity, and speciation in Caribbean cypridinid ostracode crustaceans. We are especially interested in the evolution of bioluminescence in cypridinids. Our genetic data have revealed several new species in the Caribbean, which we are in the process of describing. Students in our lab have also worked on other taxa, such as butterflies, Channel Island foxes, fox squirrels, marine snails, and bioluminescent fish.

Avian Ecology and Conservation

		Contact:  Eric Wood, Ph.D. Office:  ASCL 312, ext: 3-2055 Laboratory:  ASCB 310 E-mail:  [email protected] Web:  http://www.ericmwood.org
		The Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata) is a migratory songbird that uses lowland areas throughout the Los Angeles region during the wintering period and migration. Yellow-rumped Warblers are an excellent study species for understanding the impacts of urbanization on biodiversity as well as the effects of climate change and extreme weather on phenological relationships between birds and their seasonal food resources.

Research Summary
We work to understand the impacts of global and environmental change on biodiversity with a focus on applied conservation. Our research is centered on terrestrial ecosystems and avian communities, and we use field and citizen science data, spatial analyses, and quantitative approaches to explore processes and patterns for pressing conservation issues. We strive to work with a wide range of partners; including government agencies, NGOs, and community members to link scientific outcomes with conservation applications.

Plant Community Ecology, Ecophysiology

Research Summary
Our lab focuses on the relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem function.  Higher biodiversity plant communities tend to be more productive and more stable than lower diversity plant communities. This can mean increased yield in an agricultural context, and increased stability in the face of a rapidly changing climate.  We explore the mechanisms that help explain positive biodiversity effects: why/how do plants sometimes benefit their neighbors? We also explore how these effects change at different spatial scales and in different types of environments (urban, arid, heavily managed agricultural environments, etc).

Note: ADM = Administration Building, ASCL = Wallis Annenberg Integrated Science Complex-Wing A (La Kretz Hall), ASCB = Wallis Annenberg Integrated Science Complex-Wing B. When calling from off-campus, the area code and prefix for all telephone extensions is (323) 34X-XXXX