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), theoretical population biology (Desharnais 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.

Conservation and Evolutionary Genetics

		Contact:  Andres Aguilar, Ph.D. Office:  ASCL 215, ext: 3-2078 Laboratory:  ASCB 346 E-mail:  [email protected] Web:  http://andresaguilar.weebly.com
		Prickly sculpin (Cottus asper) are a native freshwater fish species in California. Genetic evidence suggests isolation of coastal and inland forms may represent the early stages of speciation.

Research Summary
Our current work studies evolutionary, ecological and conservation based questions. We employ a variety of molecular genetic, genomic, computational and field approaches. Major areas of study include the evolution and conservation of California's native freshwater ichthyofauna and evolutionary genomic studies of diverse group of marine fishes (rockfish). We also work on endangered vernal pool crustaceans, amphibians, and sea birds.

Theoretical Population Biology

		Contact:  Robert A. Desharnais, Ph.D. Office:  ASCB 323D, ext: 3-2056 Laboratory:  ASCB 342, ext: 3-2033 E-mail:  [email protected] Web:  http://caldera.calstatela.edu/rdeshar
		Ventral view of an adult flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum. Populations of these insects are used as a laboratory model for testing ecological theory.

Research Summary
Our research interests are in the area of theoretical and experimental population biology. We use of insect populations to test predictions of nonlinear population models, including phenomena such as chaos, the effects of stochasticity, and metapopulation synchrony. We are also working with the Robles laboratory on models of the dynamics of marine mussel beds. Our methods involve mathematical models, computer simulations, and laboratory population experiments with flour beetles.

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
		The Caribbean sea slug Elysia crispata stores chloroplasts from the algae it eats and can go months between meals, living off of photosynthesis performed by the hijacked plastids.

Research Summary
Our lab studies the evolution of dispersal and habitat colonization by planktonic larvae of marine animals, aiming to identify factors that limit gene flow, set range limits, and promote local adaptation. We use herbivorous sea slugs as a model system to investigate the evolution of alternative larval strategies, and to study ecological speciation in the sea. Field studies focus on a dynamic range boundary in San Francisco Bay, examining physical and biological forces that allow two species to cyclically displace each other every year. We are also building a molecular phylogeny, or family tree, of algae-eating sea slugs to study the evolution of traits such as larval type and host use.

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 Ostracodes

		Contact:  Elizabeth Torres, Ph.D. Office:  ASCL 313, ext: 3-2179 Laboratory:  ASCL 311, ext: 3-5856 E-mail:  [email protected] Web:  http://www.calstatela.edu/faculty/etorre11/etorre11.htm
		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