We are interested in the biological diversity of primates and other mammals from the molecular to macro scales. We use a wide variety of quantitative techniques, including genomic data analysis, phylogenetic comparative methods, GIS and ecological modeling. Much of our work is interdisciplinary and collaborative. We are currently working with faculty and students from numerous universities including Arizona State U., CUNY, U. Arizona, Tulane, and George Washington U.
Environmental and Evolutionary Effects on Behavior and Life History
We are interested in the factors shaping behavioral, ecological, and life history diversity. Primates are long-lived and highly social animals, yet there is noticeable variation in their behavior and life history within and across species. We use various approaches to examine the effects of local environmental factors, genetics, geography, and evolutionary history on behavior and life history. In addition, some of this research is focused on understanding primate variation in the broader context of other mammals. Some of our ongoing work focuses on the gut-brain axis and the social network of Kinda baboons at Kasanka National Park, Zambia.
Microbiome Diversity in Primates, Bats, and
Other Mammals
We are working on several projects examining the microbiome diversity and microbial transmission in primates, bats, and other mammals. One set of studies is investigating the gut microbiomes of lemurs and baboons in the context of human habitat disturbance, and food and water distribution (funded by NSF and the Leakey Foundation). Another project focuses on microbial transmission between migratory straw-colored fruit bats and Kinda baboons at Kasanka National Park, Zambia. Finally, we are testing the influence of human land use on mammal gut microbiomes through time using natural history collections.
Biogeography and Community Ecology
Understanding the factors affecting the distribution and coexistence of species is a central goal of ecological research. Primates are typically regarded as tropical species, but vary in their distribution within and between continents. Our research examines numerous factors that influence primate biogeography, including past and present climatic conditions, interspecific competition, evolutionary patterns of dispersal and vicariance, and anthropogenic impacts. GIS and spatial statistics play a critical role in this research. Our work has been funded by the National Science Foundation and is collaboration with Kaye Reed and Lydia Beaudrot.
Evolutionary Ecology of Hair and other Morphological Traits
Primates vary in their hair patterns within and across species, yet research explaining this diversity is relatively sparse. We are examining how natural selection, sexual selection, and evolutionary history influences primate hair coloration, density, and length. This research utilizes digital image analysis and reflectance spectroscopy of museum specimens and molecular data from captive and wild primates. One product of our hair evolution work will be the creation of an online database of primate museum skins. This research is being conducted in collaboration with Brenda Bradley at George Washington University and is funded by the Wenner-Gren Foundation and the National Science Foundation.
Our research has been funded by several organizations, including:
