# positions[].organizations[].parent[].label
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

# overview
I am an ornithologist/evolutionary biologist, and my lab focuses primarily on developing molecular phylogenies of avian lineages (and now a few mammals), and using these phylogenies to address questions posed by relationships within those lineages. To date, this research has focused on genera that are distributed on two or more continents (Anthus (pipits), Motacilla (wagtails), Cinclus (dippers) and Turdus (thrushes)).  In addition to resolving species relationships and revising taxonomy, work in my lab has has dealt with reconstructing historical biogeography and examining the relative roles that dispersal and vicariance (e.g., mountain uplift) may have played in the development of modern day species distributions and assemblages.

# keywords[]
Reptilia, Holbrookia Lacerata, Holbrookia Subcaudalis, Texas, Balcones Escarpment, Nd2, Rag-1, Morphology, Environmental Niche

# keywords[]
4101 Climate Change Impacts And Adaptation

# keywords[]
2.2 Factors Relating To The Physical Environment

# educationAndTraining[].organization.label
University of Washington - (Seattle, Washington, United States)

# publications[].label
Pliocene forest dynamics as a primary driver of African bird speciation

# publications[].label
A New Species of Boubou (Malaconotidae: Laniarius) from the Albertine Rift

# publications[].label
MOLECULAR SYSTEMATICS AND HISTORICAL BIOGEOGRAPHY OF THE ROCK-THRUSHES (MUSCICAPIDAE: MONTICOLA)

# publications[].label
Niche dynamics modulate population connectivity between disjunct ranges of the Cape Robin-chat (Cossypha caffra) supporting an aridlands species pump

# publications[].label
New genetic resources and a preliminary multi-locus assessment of species boundaries in the Batis capensis species complex (Passeriformes: Platysteridae)

# publications[].label
Phylogeography of Lanius senator in its breeding range: conflicts between alpha taxonomy, subspecies distribution and genetics

# publications[].label
EFFECTS OF SIZE AND MIGRATORY BEHAVIOR ON THE EVOLUTION OF WING MOLT IN TERNS (STERNAE): A PHYLOGENETIC-COMPARATIVE STUDY

# publications[].label
The molt cycle of the Arctic Tern, with comments on aging criteria

# publications[].label
Phylogenetic structure of Holbrookia lacerata (Cope 1880) (Squamata: Phrynosomatidae): one species or two?

# publications[].label
Microsatellite markers for the Cape Robin-Chat (Cossypha caffra) and the Red-capped Robin-Chat (Cossypha natalensis) for use in demographic and landscape genetics analyses

# publications[].label
Molecular systematics and biogeographic history of the African climbing-mouse complex (Dendromus).

# publications[].label
Diversification in an Afro-Asian songbird clade (Erythropygia-Copsychus) reveals founder-event speciation via trans-oceanic dispersals and a southern to northern colonization pattern in Africa.

# publications[].label
A tale of the nearly tail-less: the effects of Plio-Pleistocene climate change on the diversification of the African avian genus Sylvietta

# publications[].label
A test of the European Pleistocene refugial paradigm, using a Western Palaearctic endemic bird species.

# publications[].label
Does the niche breadth or trade-off hypothesis explain the abundance-occupancy relationship in avian Haemosporidia?

# publications[].label
Gene trees, species trees and Earth history combine to shed light on the evolution of migration in a model avian system.

# publications[].label
Corrigendum to A molecular phylogenetic analysis of the true thrushes (Aves: Turdinae) [Mol. Phylogenet. Evol. 34 (2005) 486500]

# publications[].label
CAN MIGRANTS DO IT FASTER? ACCELERATED MOLT OF BAIRD'S SPARROWS AND FURTHER INSIGHTS INTO SOUTHWESTERN MOLTING GROUNDS

# publications[].label
A molecular phylogenetic analysis of the "true thrushes" (Aves: Turdinae).

# publications[].label
Climate cycling did not affect haplotype distribution in an abundant Southern African avian habitat generalist species, the familiar chat (Oenanthe familiaris).

# publications[].label
Population level genetic divergence and phylogenetic placement of Mexican shortfin mollies (Mollienesia: Poecilia: Poeciliidae)

# publications[].label
Underestimated and cryptic diversification patterns across Afro-tropical lowland forests

# publications[].label
Contrasts in Scheduling of Molt and Migration in Eastern and Western Warbling-Vireos

# publications[].label
Scientific collecting in Malawi, a response to Dowsett-Lemaire et al.

# publications[].label
Environmental filtering improves ecological niche models across multiple scales

# publications[].label
So similar and yet so different: taxonomic status of Pallid Swift Apus pallidus and Common Swift Apus apus

# publications[].label
Shall we chat? Evolutionary relationships in the genus Cercomela (Muscicapidae) and its relation to Oenanthe reveals extensive polyphyly among chats distributed in Africa, India and the Palearctic.

# publications[].label
Phylogenetic analyses of the subgenus Mollienesia (Poecilia, Poeciliidae, Teleostei) reveal taxonomic inconsistencies, cryptic biodiversity, and spatio-temporal aspects of diversification in Middle America.

# publications[].label
Genetic structure is inconsistent with subspecies designations in the Western Massasauga (Sistrurus tergeminus)

# publications[].label
Phylogeography of Lanius senator reveals conflicts between alpha taxonomy, subspecies ranges and genetics

# publications[].label
DISPERSAL, VICARIANCE, AND CLOCKS: HISTORICAL BIOGEOGRAPHY AND SPECIATION IN A COSMOPOLITAN PASSERINE GENUS (ANTHUS: MOTACILLIDAE).

# publications[].label
A need for continued collecting of avian voucher specimens in Africa: why blood is not enough

# publications[].label
Geographic patterns of mtDNA and Z-linked sequence variation in the Common Chiffchaff and the 'chiffchaff complex'.

# publications[].label
Molecular systematics of a speciose, cosmopolitan songbird genus: defining the limits of, and relationships among, the Turdus thrushes.

# publications[].label
Nuclear and mitochondrial DNA evidence of polyphyly in the avian superfamily Muscicapoidea.

# publications[].label
Development and characterization of thirteen microsatellite markers for the Fiscal Flycatcher (Sigelus silens) for use in phylogeographic and landscape genetics research

# publications[].label
MOLT PATTERNS AND MOLTING GROUNDS OF LUCY'S AND VIRGINIA'S WARBLERS: SIMILAR YET DIFFERENT

# publications[].label
Cryptic diversity in Afro-tropical lowland forests: The systematics and biogeography of the avian genus Bleda.

# publications[].label
Three new species of Stiphrornis (Aves: Muscicapidae) from the Afro-tropics, with a molecular phylogenetic assessment of the genus

# publications[].label
The rediscovery of a long described species reveals additional complexity in speciation patterns of poeciliid fishes in sulfide springs.

# publications[].label
A Gulf of Guinea island endemic is a member of a Mediterraneancentred bird genus

# publications[].label
Systematics of the olive thrush Turdus olivaceus species complex with reference to the taxonomic status of the endangered Taita thrush T. helleri

# publications[].label
Molecular investigation on infection by haemosporidians in three Western Palearctic species of swift (Apodidae) and their ectoparasitic louse flies.

# publications[].label
Palaeoclimatic events, dispersal and migratory losses along the Afro-European axis as drivers of biogeographic distribution in Sylvia warblers.

# publications[].label
Evolution of Long-Distance Migration in and Historical Biogeography of Catharus Thrushes: A Molecular Phylogenetic Approach

# publications[].label
Assessing Passeriformes health in South Texas via select venous analytes.

# publications[].label
Phylogenetic relationships of tropical western Atlantic snappers in subfamily Lutjaninae (Lutjanidae: Perciformes) inferred from mitochondrial DNA sequences

# publications[].label
Systematics of Zoothera thrushes, and a synthesis of true thrush molecular systematic relationships.

# publications[].label
Phylogenetic relationships of tropical eastern Pacific snappers (Lutjanidae) inferred from mitochondrial DNA sequences

# publications[].label
Sexual size dimorphism in birds from Southern Veracruz, Mexico. II. Thryothorus maculipectus and Henicorhina [leucosticta] prostheleuca

# publications[].label
Diversity and distribution of avian haemosporidians in sub-Saharan Africa: an inter-regional biogeographic overview.

# publications[].label
Host associations and climate influence avian haemosporidian distributions in Benin.

# publications[].label
Phylogenetic Tests of Hypotheses for the Evolution of Avian Migration: A Case Study Using the Motacillidae

# publications[].label
Repeated vicariance of Eurasian songbird lineages since the Late Miocene

# publications[].label
Molecular evolutionary relationships in the avian genus Anthus (Pipits: Motacillidae).

# publications[].label
EFFECTS OF SIZE AND MIGRATORY BEHAVIOR ON THE EVOLUTION OF WING MOLT IN TERNS (STERNAE) sic: A PHYLOGENETIC-COMPARATIVE STUDY

# publications[].label
Completing the genetic puzzle of the reed warbler complex: insights from Italy

# publications[].label
A multilocus phylogeny of a major New World avian radiation: the Vireonidae.

# publications[].label
Resolving the Identity of Texas Desmognathus

# publications[].label
River barriers and cryptic biodiversity in an evolutionary museum.

# publications[].label
Resolving taxonomic uncertainty and historical biogeographic patterns in Muscicapa flycatchers and their allies.

# publications[].label
Geographic mode of speciation in a mountain specialist Avian family endemic to the Palearctic.

# publications[].label
Remarkable levels of avian louse (Insecta: Phthiraptera) diversity in the Congo Basin

# publications[].label
Phylogeny of magpierobins and shamas (Aves: Turdidae: Copsychus and Trichixos): implications for island biogeography in Southeast Asia

# publications[].label
Pliocene climatic change in insular Southeast Asia as an engine of diversification in Ficedula flycatchers

# publications[].label
SYSTEMATICS AND HISTORICAL BIOGEOGRAPHY OF WAGTAILS: DISPERSAL VERSUS VICARIANCE REVISITED

# publications[].label
Geographically structured plumage variation among populations of White-headed Black Chat (Myrmecocichla arnotti) in Tanzania confirms the race collaris to be a valid taxon

# publications[].label
The systematics and biogeography of the Bearded Greenbuls (Ayes: Criniger) reveals the impact of Plio-Pleistocene forest fragmentation on Afro-tropical avian diversity

# publications[].label
Repeated transAtlantic dispersal catalysed a global songbird radiation

# publications[].label
Systematics of Ficedula flycatchers (Muscicapidae): a molecular reassessment of a taxonomic enigma.

# publications[].label
Molecular phylogeny and novel host associations of avian chewing lice (Insecta: Phthiraptera) from South Africa

# publications[].label
A multi-locus phylogeny reveals a complex pattern of diversification related to climate and habitat heterogeneity in southern African white-eyes.

# publications[].label
Multi-locus reassessment of a striking discord between mtDNA gene trees and taxonomy across two congeneric species complexes.

# publications[].label
RATES VERSUS COUNTS: FALL MOLTS OF LUCY'S WARBLERS (VERMIVORA LUCIAE)

# publications[].label
Parasite AbundanceOccupancy Relationships Across Biogeographic Regions: Joint Effects of Niche Breadth, Host Availability and Climate

# publications[].label
The biogeographic history of Phoenicurus redstarts reveals an allopatric mode of speciation and an out-of-Himalayas colonization pattern

# publications[].label
Phylogenetic relationships and speciation patterns in an African savanna dwelling bird genus (Myrmecocichla)

# publications[].label
The African warbler genus Hyliota as a lost lineage in the Oscine songbird tree: molecular support for an African origin of the Passerida.

# publications[].label
Morphological correlates of migratory distance and flight display in the avian genus Anthus

# publications[].label
An Hypothesis for Seasonal Color Change in the Genus Sterna

# publications[].label
Can weighting improve bushy trees? Models of cytochrome b evolution and the molecular systematics of pipits and wagtails (Aves: Motacillidae).

# publications[].label
Biome stability predicts population structure of a southern African aridland bird species.

# publications[].label
Multiple lines of evidence support the recognition of a very rare bird species: the Prncipe thrush

# publications[].label
Development of twelve tetranucleotide microsatellite loci for White-eyes (Zosterops spp.) for use in phylogeographic and hybridization studies

# publications[].label
Replacement names for Chapinia and Ripleyia(Aves: Passeriformes: Muscicapidae).

# publications[].label
An Assessment of Host Associations, Geographic Distributions, and Genetic Diversity of Avian Chewing Lice (Insecta: Phthiraptera) from Benin.

# publications[].label
Molecular phylogenetics and the historical biogeography of dippers (Cinclus)

# publications[].label
Establishing a perimeter position: speciation around the Indian Ocean Basin.

# publications[].label
Avian haemosporidian detection across source materials: prevalence and genetic diversity.

# researcherOn[].label
Assessing the tempo and mode of avian speciation, and the distribution and associations of avian parasites at inter- and intra-continental scales

# researcherOn[].awardedBy.label
National Institute of Food and Agriculture - (Washington D.C., District of Columbia, United States)

# researcherOn[].label
Collaborative Research: Unraveling Evolutionary Processes In Avian Species Distributed Across the Southern African

# researcherOn[].awardedBy.label
National Science Foundation - (Arlington, Virginia, United States)

# streetAddress
Texas A&M University; Wildlife & Fisheries Sciences; 2258 TAMU

# organizations[]
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

# schools[]
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

# etdChairOf[].label
Palacios Mejia, Maura Evelyn (2017-05). Phylogenetics and Diversification of Sailfin and Shortfin Mollies (Mollienesia, Poecilia, Poeciliidae). Doctoral Dissertation.

# etdChairOf[].label
Welborn, Sarah (2012-10). Population Genetic Analyses of the Baird's Pocket Gopher, Geomys breviceps. Master's Thesis.

# etdChairOf[].label
Hutchinson, Mark Ryan (2016-07). Completing the Annual Cycle: Investigating the Non-breeding Ecology of Two Neotropical Migrants. Doctoral Dissertation.

# etdChairOf[].label
Pistone, John Paul (2016-12). Evaluation of Blood Gas Analytes and Ectoparasites from South Texas Birds. Master's Thesis.

# etdChairOf[].label
Huntley, Jerry Wallace (2017-06). Insights from Avian Diversification Patterns in the Guineo-Congolian Tropical Lowland Forests. Doctoral Dissertation.