Vertebrate molecular ecology and conservation biology

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My research integrates modern genetic approaches with traditional ecological studies of vertebrate populations in two areas of 'molecular ecology'. The first area uses variable DNA markers to examine the 'microsystematics' of morphologically divergent vertebrate populations. Using mtDNA and nuclear DNA, we showed that morphologically diverse Darwin's ground finches are not genetically differentiated, calling into question the designation of so many distinct ground finch species. More recently we used similar approaches to look at genetic versus morphological divergence in Galapagos mockingbirds and threatened North American frog and falcon populations. My second research area uses DNA profiling to detect extra-pair fertilization (EPF) in vertebrates, with several successful ongoing collaborative studies. My next Discovery grant will continue these long term parentage studies, in particular testing why female passerines seek EPF, often with multiple males. Microsatellite and MHC markers can be used to assess 'genetic quality' in birds, and with the accumulating data on lifetime reproductive success we can test competing explanations for passerine EPF. Parentage studies will also be used to describe cryptic mating systems and the predictors of individual reproductive success for polar bears and black rhinos. I also plan to maintain my interest in 'microsystematics', focusing on vertebrate conservation issues. We have produced several new microsatellite libraries and will use them to compare historical and contemporary populations in 4 species of rhinos in Africa and Asia. My program has been consistently successful at producing high impact publications and well-trained personnel now making their own contributions in a wide variety of areas. The proposed work will maintain my program at the forefront of research in molecular ecology in Canada and abroad.