Evolutionary Genetics of Fishes

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My research program focuses on understanding the genetic basis of evolutionary change in fishes. In particular I am concentrating on two major components of the evolutionary process. Firstly, I study how genetic differences among individuals lead to variation in their appearance (phenotype) and numbers and survival of their offspring (fitness). Secondly, I determine how those genetic differences can become partitioned between populations when they begin to diverge genetically into different species. I examine different forms (morphs) of Arctic charr from Iceland that differ in size, appearance, feeding habits and ecology, and live together in different lakes. In particular I am determining the way in which these different forms might have arisen, and also investigating the role of such forms in the origin of new species. Arctic charr continue to be models for this work because of their remarkable phenotypic and genetic diversity and the ability to produce experimental families.