Molecular systematics, taxonomy, and functional morpohology of the hemichordates

三个主要的后口动物类群之间的关系模式，后口动物祖先的性质，以及脊索动物的进化起源只能通过参考一个强大的后口动物的进化来理解。后口动物由三个主要门组成：棘皮动物、半脊索动物和脊索动物。 从我的实验室的研究包括i）分子系统发育分析的后口动物，重点是半索动物，ii）的分类和动物地理学的29个新物种的enteropneust，iii）的形式和功能意义的鳃缝在enteropneusta，和iv）的组成和功能的上皮颗粒细胞在Enteropneusta。需要进行这些研究，以解决我们所属的生命之树上的分支-后口动物的进化问题，而且这些研究对于认识和保护我们海洋中的生物多样性至关重要。

The pattern of relationships among the three major deuterostome taxa, the nature of the deuterostome ancestor, and the evolutionary origin of the chordates can only be understood with reference to a robust deuterostome phylogeny. Deuterostomes consist of three major phyla: the echinoderms, hemichordates and chordates.  Research from my lab include i) molecular phylogenetic analysis of the deuterostomes with emphasis on the hemichordates, ii) the taxonomy and zoogeography of 29 new species of enteropneust, iii) the form and functional significance of gill slits in Enteropneusta, and iv) the composition and function of epithelial granular cells in the Enteropneusta. These studies are needed to resolve the evolution of the deuterostomes, the branch on the tree of life to which we belong, and they are crucial to appreciating and preserving the diversity of life in our oceans.