
The Division of Evolutionary Ecology is focused on the genetic and molecular mechanisms that underlie ecological and evolutionary processes. Our main model system is a small fish called the threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus). These fish have adapted to a variety of marine and freshwater habitats across the Northern hemisphere and consequently evolved incredible diversity in their behaviors, morphologies and life histories in a relatively short evolutionary time scale. The development of genetic and genomic tools for these fish has allowed us to identify specific genetic and molecular changes that underlie phenotypic diversity.
Current research in the Division of Evolutionary Ecology is focused on the genetic and genomic basis of adaptation and speciation, the genetic and neural basis of behavioral evolution, and the evolution of sex chromosomes.