Active Projects
BRC-BIO Marajó: The Origin and Evolution of Vertebrate Diversity in the Planet's Largest Fluvial Island
Information on evolutionary history and the dynamics of species occupation in different environments is necessary to understanding how groups of species are responding to global change, facilitating the management of biodiversity and conservation strategies. However, basic information on species composition, distribution, and evolutionary history remains fragmentary on vast portions of the planet, including Amazonia, the planet’s largest and most diverse rainforest. This BRC-BIO project takes a field- and laboratory-based approach to advance knowledge on the origin and evolution of the vertebrate biota inhabiting different landscapes at the Marajó island in eastern Amazonia.
Students Involved
Rachel Longoria (Undergraduate)
Katelyn Bartlett (MSc)
Bethany Chapman (MSc)
Duration
2024—Current
Funded by:
Evolution of the Nasal Cavity: Variation in the Turbinal Skeleton of North American Tree Squirrels (Sciuridae, Sciurini)
The turbinal bones of the nasal cavity are among the most anatomically complex structures in mammals, yet they remain one of the least studied regions of the tetrapod skull. Turbinals play key roles in olfaction, heat and moisture conservation, and respiratory tract protection. Their form and complexity therefore vary widely across taxa in response to ecological adaptations. In this project, we will generate mCT images of the nasal cavities of North American tree squirrels and use 3D segmentations to (i) characterize morphological variation in turbinal bones across species, and (ii) test for correlations between turbinal shape and surface area and environmental conditions, such as aridity and temperature, across species’ ranges.
Students Involved
Marcos A. Alves (MSc)
Duration
2025—Current
Funded by:
Survey of Mammalian Communities Across Different Land Uses in Central Texas Using Camera Traps
This study proposes a long-term camera-trap survey to compare mammalian communities across central Texas. In the semi-arid Edwards Plateau, where Chihuahuan Desert elements intersect with widespread North American species, the project evaluates how protection status versus active management (including grazing, prescribed fire, brush control, and selective hunting) shapes species richness, composition, abundance, and behavior. The hypotheses predict higher richness and evenness in a protected park, contrasted with a community skewed toward larger ungulates and reduced small-mammal diversity under active management. The results will clarify the complementary conservation roles of protected and managed lands, informing hybrid strategies for biodiversity and game species in semi-arid landscapes facing climate and land-use pressures.
Students Involved
Ross Vlcek (MSc)
Duration
2025—Current
Funded by:
Funded by:
Development of Mitochondrial Genome Reference Database for Amazonian Rodents
Amazonia is home to exceptional biodiversity, yet much of its small-mammal diversity remains undercharacterized. Within the rodent family Cricetidae, the genus Oecomys presents particular taxonomic challenges due to widespread cryptic diversity. DNA barcoding can provide reliable molecular species identification, but its utility is limited by the scarcity of reference sequences in public databases. This project addresses these gaps by using Oxford Nanopore MinION adaptive sequencing to assemble complete mitochondrial genome reference libraries for Oecomys specimens collected across Amazonia. These mitogenomes will also be used to test the riverine barrier hypothesis along the Içá, Japurá, and Purus rivers using population genetic metrics. By applying modern genomic methods to improve species identification, this research will also evaluate whether Amazonian waterways drive population isolation and divergence, thereby improving our understanding of evolutionary diversity in the region.
Students Involved
Margaret Daun (BSc)
Duration
2025—Current