My research program investigates phenotypic variation of animals by examining their morphology, performance, behavior, & ecology. My current research focuses on individual variation in populations, intraspecific variation across clades, and interspecific variation across broad marcoevolutionary time scales.
Individuals within a single sex and age class exhibit phenotypic variation that can alter ecological dynamics within a single community. But whether this variation influences individual fitness has rarely been demonstrated. My research program investigate how variation in skull morphology, biting performance, and tool use behavior leads to different foraging success (biomechanically and energetically) and health among individual sea otters.
NSF GRFP. Anvil or jaws: linking feeding performance & energetics to intraspecific dietary specialization
Weaned otters must transition from milk to processing hard-shelled prey. When does the skulls reached sufficient maturity for feeding?
Sea otters eat a variety of hard-shelled sea food. What adaptations enable them to break open these different hard prey items?
Some sea otters use tools to break hard-shelled seafood, but others don't. Does this variation influence individual foraging success?
Variation in ecology and phenotypes is not always uniform between the sexes, and ignoring these differences between the sexes may lead to underestimations of phenotypic diversification. Nevertheless, most macroevolutionary studies do not incorporate the effects of sexual dimorphism or other forms of intraspecific variation in tests of evolutionary relationships between ecological variation and phenotypic diversity. My research program investigates the underlying evolutionary processes of sexual dimorphism and its influence on the evolution and ecomorphological diversification of phenotypes.
NSF DEB-2447166. Investigating the ecomorphology and evolution of sexual dimorphism in mammalian skulls
NSF DEB-1700989. DISSERTATION RESEARCH: The effects of sexual dimorphism on morphological diversification of Musteloidea
Sexual dimorphism is widespread across animals. How does this phenomenon influence the ecomorphological diversification?
Do sexually dimorphic skulls translate to intersexual differences in the structural mechanics,
performances, & biomechanics?
How does sexual selection, niche divergence, and other factors influence the evolution of sexual dimorphism?
The diversity of animal forms is one of the most salient patterns across the tree of life. In mammals, morphological innovations in the skull, appendicular skeleton and vertebral column facilitate the incredible diversity found today, ranging from bats with winged forelimbs to the biggest animals to have ever lived on Earth. My research program examines the diversity and evolution of the skull, vertebral column, appendicular skeleton, and overall body plan across broad macroevolutionary time scales.
NSF DBI-2128146. IntBIO: Disentangling the genetic, biomechanical, and deep-time factors underlying mammalian skeletal diversity
NSF DBI-1906248. POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP IN BIOLOGY: Evolution of body shape in carnivoran mammals
Do evolutionary changes in skull size and shape lead to enhanced bite force?
Mammals vary in a magnitude of body shapes from robust tank-like elephants to elongate weasels. What influences these patterns?
How does heritability, biomechanics, & paleoclimatic changes influence the evolution of the mammalian skeleton?
Do individuals living in cooler environments exhibit more elongate bodies than individuals living in warmer climates?
Mammals exhibit different locomotor ecologies & mechanics. How are the external & internal morphologies of limb bones adapted?
There are over 56 described mustelids but only 14 raccoons, 12 skunks, and 1 red panda. What led to this incredible species disparity?
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