Fitzpatrick Lab Ben Fitzpatrick  Assistant Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Population Genetics, Conservation Biology, Vertebrate Biology   My major interests are in the genetics and biogeography of speciation, the importance of local adaptation for both evolution and conservation management, and invasion biology. I encourage graduate students to develop their own research questions, which may involve my primary study organisms (salamanders) or not. Dept. of EEB        My Publications Stesha Pasachnik  PhD Student Genetics and Conservation of Ctenosaura in Mesoamerica   My dissertation research focuses on conservation genetics and the Ctenosaura palearis complex. The four main components of this research include: an evaluation of species boundaries within the complex, an investigation of a possible hybridization threat, gaining an understanding of colonization patterns within this complex, and creating a thorough management strategy for one species within the complex, Ctenosaura melanosterna. My Webpage Matt Niemiller  PhD Student Systematics, Phylogeography, and Population Genetics of the Plethodontid Salamander Genus Gyrinophilus and the Southern Cave Fish (Typhlichthys subterraneus). My Web Site        My Publications R. Graham Reynolds  PhD Student Conservation Genetics, Biogeography, and Phylogeography of tropical and subtropical reptiles and amphibians, especially insular populations.   I am currently investigating the effects of island physical geography on population level genetic structuring of the insular genus Leiocephalus. I am also interested in studying basic biology and spatial ecology of the Bahamian Boas ( Epicrates ), with an eye towards conservation and local community involvement in management. My current work is with L. psammodromus and E. chrysogaster in the Turks and Caicos Islands, British West Indies. My Web Site       My C.V. Dylan Dittrich-Reed  PhD Student Comparative Phylogenetics, Conservation, and Salamanders. Megan Todd-Thompson  Masters Student Disease Ecology and Population Genetics   My current research aims to better understand Ranavirus in salamanders. I plan to examine genetic variation of ranavirus strains across watersheds to understand how the virus is moving through populations. Nell Koneczny  Maryville High School   Nell is studying molecular divergence between two species of dwarf geckoes (Sphaerodactylus) from the Turks and Caicos Islands Affiliated Lab Members Fordyce Lab Plant-animal interactions, evolutionary ecology, population / community ecology, chemical ecology, and biogeography James Fordyce  Assistant Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Plant-animal interactions, evolutionary ecology, population / community ecology, chemical ecology, and biogeography My Web Site C. Darrin Hulsey  Assistant Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Evolution of complex phenotypes, functional morphology, evolution of development, trophic evolution, phylogenetics, and ichthyology My Web Site Phillip Hollingsworth   PhD Student Premal Shah  PhD Student Molecular Evolution, Memetics, RNA Thermometers, Stability vs. Complexity, Social Networks.    I am currently building and using models of translation to understand the impact of selection and drift on the evolution of DNA sequences. I am also working on a neutral model of cultural evolution to understand how ideas spread, compete and then eventually become memories of the past generation (i.e., die off). My Web Site Sarah Duncan  M.S. May 2009   The major focus of my research is a molecular genetic investigation into variation in social behavior phenotypes, particularly in the social spider, Anelosimus studiosus. Jason Robinson  PhD Student Past Lab Members   J.R. Jones  M.S. May 2009 Phenotypic polymorphism, resource partitioning, trophic/dietary ecology, behavioral ecology, chemical cues in vertebrates, sexual selection, thermal ecology, population genetics, effects of invasive species on local communities.   My current research involves investigation of the widespread phenomenon of similar color polymorphism in salamanders of the genus Plethodon. I am examining spatial and temporal trends in morph frequencies in two species (P. serratus and P. ventralis) to either support or refute Highton’s claim of character displacement between these two species in eastern Tennessee. I am also exploring the possibility of resource partitioning (through examination of dietary composition) and differences in territorial behavior in both sympatric and allopatric populations of the two. Kim Shook  Pre-collegiate Research Scholar, Farragut High School Reuben Izally  Pre-collegiate Research Scholar, Farragut High School John Placyk  Post-Doc 2006-07- now Assistant Professor of Biology at University of Texas at Tyler    My most recent research has focused on the molecular phylogeography of organisms, especially in the Great Lakes region, and on conservation genetics. We are focusing on differences between populations of Butler's gartersnake (T. butleri)using mtDNA, nuclear DNA, and morphological and behavioral data, to help us better understand relationships between populations, and relationships between T. butleri and the plains gartersnake (T. radix) with which it is known to hybridize.     In the Fitzpatrick lab, I worked on understanding relationships between the endangered California tiger salamander (Ambystoma californiense) and the invasive barred tiger salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum mavortium) that is hybridizing with it in an attempt to help conservation efforts and to better understand hybrid fitness. My Webpage Tze Ping Heah  Undergraduate 2006-2007 Andrea Moodhart  Undergraduate Amphibian demographics at Kyker Bottoms Wildlife Management Area, Blount County, TN.   I worked on a project monitoring amphibian populations weekly among three habitat types using pitfall traps and breeding call surveys. I will compare results from my study among these habitat types and with an identical concurrent study at Seven Islands Wildlife Refuge (Knox County).    My Web Site

2007 All images are the property of R. Graham Reynolds and Matt Niemiller