Dissertation Research: Comparative Phylogeography and Speciation of Phrynosomatid Lizards of the Baja California Peninsula

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Baja California is one of North America?s last biological frontiers. Over the past six million years, this peninsula rifted apart from mainland Mexico along the San Andreas Fault system. Due to this complex geological history, Baja California is an ideal location to study the evolution of new species. However, the chief difficulty lies in disentangling the complex interactions of geology and ecology, and their effect on speciation. We are taking an integrative approach to this problem by studying a diverse family of lizards that is widely distributed throughout the peninsula. By analyzing genomic data, we will shed new light on the origin of species in this unique region.As a high-biodiversity wilderness area, Baja California is a top priority for global conservation efforts. Our research will shed light on patterns of genetic diversity of lizard species in Baja California and southern California. These patterns are an important tool for government land managers interested in documenting and conserving as much biodiversity as possible with limited resources. This research also necessitates meaningful international collaboration involving researchers from San Diego State University, University of California, Riverside, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, San Diego Natural History Museum, and the U.S. Geological Survey.