Phylogenetics, biogeography, and evolution of fishes

我的研究计划的中心焦点是调查鱼类生物多样性的进化模式和过程。我使用系统发育树作为宝贵的工具来理解分类学和物种多样性，地理和古地理对谱系多样性的影响，栖息地类型之间变化的宏观进化后果，以及新的解剖系统的适应性进化变化。在这里提出的工作中，我的研究小组将推断两组鱼类的系统发育关系：鼓鱼（Sciaenidae）和新热带电刀鱼（Gymnotiformes）。这些类群的系统发育树将为理解水生生境转变的进化和电作为一种感觉形态的进化奠定基础。

The central focus of my research program is to investigate evolutionary patterns and processes of biodiversity in fishes. I use phylogenetic trees as invaluable tools for understanding taxonomy and species diversity, the effects of geography and paleogeography on lineage diversity, macroevolutionary consequences of shifts between habitat types, and adaptive evolutionary change in novel anatomical systems. In the work proposed here, my research group will infer phylogenetic relationships for two groups of fishes: the drum (Sciaenidae) and the Neotropical electric knifefishes (Gymnotiformes). Phylogenetic trees for these groups will form a basis for understanding the evolution of aquatic habitat transitions, and the evolution of electricity as a sensory modality.