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Scott Steppan

Scott Steppan

Principal Investigator

My fundamental goal is to understand the evolutionary processes that promote biological diversity. My research attempts to bridge the micro- and macroevolutionary scales and apply process based models to understand and explain large-scale patterns. To address this long term goal, my research program involves studying highly diversified groups of mammals at a range of hierarchical levels. Currently, my focus is on molecular phylogenetics and quantitative genetics. The techniques include phylogenetic analyses of morphological and DNA sequence data, comparative analyses of multivariate patterns of covariation, developing the comparative tools to test these multivariate patterns, analysis of geographic variation, and alpha level systematics of living and fossil material.

My fundamental goal is to understand the evolutionary processes that promote biological diversity. My research attempts to bridge the micro- and macroevolutionary scales and apply process based models to understand and explain large-scale patterns. To address this long term goal, my research program involves studying highly diversified groups of mammals at a range of hierarchical levels. Currently, my focus is on molecular phylogenetics and quantitative genetics. The techniques include phylogenetic analyses of morphological and DNA sequence data, comparative analyses of multivariate patterns of covariation, developing the comparative tools to test these multivariate patterns, analysis of geographic variation, and alpha level systematics of living and fossil material.

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Max Bangs

Max Bangs

Postdoctoral Researcher

I am interested in understanding the patterns that shape biodiversity, especially in the regards of phylogenetics, species delineation, and hybridization. My current research will use next generation sequencing to resolve the phylogeny of Sigmodontinae, a diverse group of muroid rodents. The focus of this work will be on Oryzomyalia, a group of South American Sigmodontine rodents that represent one of the most recent adaptive radiations in mammals. Adaptive radiations represent a rapid increase in species diversity driven by divergent natural selection and is often considered being a major driver of biodiversity. The results of my postdoc research will provide a basis for studying trait evolution during adaptive radiations in muroid rodents.

I am interested in understanding the patterns that shape biodiversity, especially in the regards of phylogenetics, species delineation, and hybridization. My current research will use next generation sequencing to resolve the phylogeny of Sigmodontinae, a diverse group of muroid rodents. The focus of this work will be on Oryzomyalia, a group of South American Sigmodontine rodents that represent one of the most recent adaptive radiations in mammals. Adaptive radiations represent a rapid increase in species diversity driven by divergent natural selection and is often considered being a major driver of biodiversity. The results of my postdoc research will provide a basis for studying trait evolution during adaptive radiations in muroid rodents.

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Bárbara Costa

Bárbara Costa

Postdoctoral Researcher

I am an evolutionary biologist interested in how traits covariation interacts with evolutionary process over time and influence the phenotypic evolution. Particularly, my research model group is one of the most impressive rodent radiations from Neotropical world: the subfamily Sigmodotinae.

I am an evolutionary biologist interested in how traits covariation interacts with evolutionary process over time and influence the phenotypic evolution. Particularly, my research model group is one of the most impressive rodent radiations from Neotropical world: the subfamily Sigmodotinae.

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Kathleen Torrence

Kathleen Torrence

Graduate - PhD Candidate

My research includes studying speciation and the evolution of species with cryptic morphologies. Specifically, I use genetic data to answer questions about genetic diversity, population structures, gene flow patterns, and the derivation of traits associated with reproduction within various echinoderms. Much of the world’s undiscovered species richness will be found in marine environments, where studying in situ behavior is very difficult. Overall, I consider myself a conservation geneticist, utilizing genetic information to gain a greater understanding of taxonomic groups that are problematic to study.

My research includes studying speciation and the evolution of species with cryptic morphologies. Specifically, I use genetic data to answer questions about genetic diversity, population structures, gene flow patterns, and the derivation of traits associated with reproduction within various echinoderms. Much of the world’s undiscovered species richness will be found in marine environments, where studying in situ behavior is very difficult. Overall, I consider myself a conservation geneticist, utilizing genetic information to gain a greater understanding of taxonomic groups that are problematic to study.

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Nicholas Johnson

Nick Johnson

Lab Technician

My interests pertain to morphological variation influenced by ecological variables on the evolution of Sigmodontine rodents. My previous research was focused on comparative skeletal morphology of the pelvis and femur across the order Rodentia for an independent honors thesis project. In that study, I analyzed morphological changes in these hindlimb elements that were indicative of swimming, gliding, and quadrupedal terrestrial rodents. Currently, my main role is to photograph elements of the appendicular skeleton being the scapula, humerus, ulna, metacarpals, phalanges 1 and 3 and their hindlimb equivalents. Most of this collection work comes from traveling to natural history museums to utilize their collection of rodent skeletal material. I then obtain linear descriptive measurements by digitizing the photographs of the appendicular skeleton that are then used for comparative quantitative genetic research.

My interests pertain to morphological variation influenced by ecological variables on the evolution of Sigmodontine rodents. My previous research was focused on comparative skeletal morphology of the pelvis and femur across the order Rodentia for an independent honors thesis project. In that study, I analyzed morphological changes in these hindlimb elements that were indicative of swimming, gliding, and quadrupedal terrestrial rodents. Currently, my main role is to photograph elements of the appendicular skeleton being the scapula, humerus, ulna, metacarpals, phalanges 1 and 3 and their hindlimb equivalents. Most of this collection work comes from traveling to natural history museums to utilize their collection of rodent skeletal material. I then obtain linear descriptive measurements by digitizing the photographs of the appendicular skeleton that are then used for comparative quantitative genetic research.

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Scott Steppan

Jared Osland

Graduate - PhD Student

My research interests are in the underlying genetics of regulatory control and development, and how these relate to evolution and population dynamics. I hope to study the levels of genetic diversity within and between closely related species, and how these can be mapped to morphological differences. I am also interested in modern sequencing techniques, and the broad range of applications they have to all aspects of biological research.

My research interests are in the underlying genetics of regulatory control and development, and how these relate to evolution and population dynamics. I hope to study the levels of genetic diversity within and between closely related species, and how these can be mapped to morphological differences. I am also interested in modern sequencing techniques, and the broad range of applications they have to all aspects of biological research.

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Joseph Horacek

Joseph Horacek

Graduate - PhD Student

I am primarily interested in the ecology and evolution of marine meiofauna (particularly metazoan meiofauna) and marine meiofaunal nematodes. My research involves genetic connectivity between populations of marine meiofaunal nematodes and identifying cryptic species of these nematodes. I study both deep-sea and coastal meiofauna. My research also focuses on community composition of meiofaunal communities in the deep sea and also species diversity for deep sea free-living nematodes. Meiofauna are an important yet often under-studied component of the benthic environment. I hope my research will help elucidate the role of meiofauna in marine ecosystems and also how meiofaunal nematodes have evolved to become as ubiquitous as they are in marine ecosystems all over the planet.

I am primarily interested in the ecology and evolution of marine meiofauna (particularly metazoan meiofauna) and marine meiofaunal nematodes. My research involves genetic connectivity between populations of marine meiofaunal nematodes and identifying cryptic species of these nematodes. I study both deep-sea and coastal meiofauna. My research also focuses on community composition of meiofaunal communities in the deep sea and also species diversity for deep sea free-living nematodes. Meiofauna are an important yet often under-studied component of the benthic environment. I hope my research will help elucidate the role of meiofauna in marine ecosystems and also how meiofaunal nematodes have evolved to become as ubiquitous as they are in marine ecosystems all over the planet.

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Address

Florida State University
Department of Biological Science
King Life Science, Room 4066
Tallahassee, FL 32306-4295

Contact

Office: (850) 644-6536
Lab: (850) 644-6045
Fax: (850) 645-8447
Email: steppan @ bio.fsu.edu

Links

Florida State University
Ecology and Evolution