DISSERTATION RESEARCH: Gene Trees vs. Species Trees:Deciphering Species Limits in a Contact Zone Between Fence Lizards in the Sceloporus undulatus Species Complex

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The objective of this dissertation research is to decipher species limits in a contact zone between two putative species of fence lizards in Arizona. This project combines powerful new genomic-scale approaches with traditional morphological and chromosomal techniques to resolve discordant patterns of variation between genotypes and phenotypes. This research integrates multiple data sets and crosses the disciplines of systematic biology, population genetics, and phylogenetics to determine the source of discordance between morphology and molecules, and which factors are sufficient to maintain distinct lineages at varying levels of genetic divergence.This approach enhances the utility of preexisting natural history collections for scientific research and contributes to the training and education of the junior PI in systematic biology, molecular and morphological techniques in ecology and evolution, and data analysis.