California Conservation Genomics Project

CCGP aims at building the most comprehensive genomic dataset ever assembled for conservation science. Our lab is involved with studying four marine fish species, Black Surfperch, Woolly sculpin, California Shephead (in collaboration with Michael Dawson) and Monkeyface prickleback (in collaboration with Donovan German).

Speciation of fishes

We address this question using a variety of approaches: genomics of local adaptation, population genetics, phylogeography, phylogenetics, life history and ecological studies.  For a review of the topic you can read this paper.

Long Term Ecological Research

For a number of years we have been involved with the Moorea Coral Reef Long Term Ecological Research program.  We are working on long term monitoring of fish assemblages (e.g. this paper) and on the recruitment dynamics of fishes, primarily clownfishes and three-spot dascyllus (e.g. this paper).  Check out the MCR-LTER website for more info.

The genetics of Lessepsian Bioinvasions

With the opening of the Suez Canal, in 1869, there was an opportunity for Red Sea fishes to invade the Mediterranean Sea, these are called Lessepsian bioinvasions.  Global climate change is increasing the rate of such invasions and we are trying to understand the genetics underlying such processes.  Here is a paper that summarizes our findings.