BERKE, S.K.*; WOODIN, S.A.; Univ. of South Carolina; Univ. of South Carolina: Do energy-mortality tradeoffs drive sexual dimorphism in a crab�s decoration? (Oregonia gracilis, Brachyura: Majidae) Decorator crabs camouflage themselves by attaching sessile organisms to their carapace and legs. This behavior reduces predation risk, but incurs significant energetic costs. We asked whether this energy-mortality tradeoff […]

DAVIS, M.C.*; DAHN, R.D.; SHUBIN, N.H.; University of Chicago; University of Chicago; University of Chicago: Gene expression and function in the paired fins of basal actinopterygians Comparative studies of fins and limbs reveal a high degree of conservation in the genetic pathways present. However, there are significant differences in the patterns of gene expression observed […]

ANGELINI, David R.*; JOCKUSCH, Elizabeth L.; University of Connecticut, Storrs; University of Connecticut, Storrs: Developmental mechanisms underlying divergent morphology in the antennae of Tribolium flour beetles (Coleoptera) Describing the mechanisms through which animal morphology evolves is a fundamental goal of modern biology, unifying developmental and evolutionary disciplines. We have chosen to examine this issue in […]

DAHN, Randall D.*; DAVIS, Marcus C.; SHUBIN, Neil H.; University of Chicago: Conserved Shh function and regulation in gnathostome appendage patterning The developmental mechanisms patterning the gnathostome appendage endoskeleton exhibit surprising molecular conservation considering the diverse spectrum of anatomical variation achieved. However, phylogenetic differences fundamental signaling pathways have been reported, rendering construction of a general […]

ROLIAN, C; Harvard University: Comparative growth plate kinetics in rodents: insights into the evolution and development of limb length allometry. The primate appendicular skeleton shows significant diversity in the proportions of fore- and hindlimbs. Humans have proportionately longer hindlimbs (intermembral index = 0.70), quadrupeds have limbs approximately equal in length (IMI=0.95), and brachiating apes have […]

WARREN, D.L.*; YOUNG, C.; IGLESIAS, T.; University of California, Davis; University of California, Davis; University of California, Davis: Reevaluating Claims of Ecological Speciation in Halichoeres bivittatus Rocha et al. (2005) hypothesize cryptic speciation across an ecological gradient in the Slippery Dick wrasse (Halichoeres bivittatus), a widely distributed marine fish that occurs from Brazil to the […]

LEE, T.*; � FOIGHIL, D.; Univ. of Michigan; Univ. of Michigan: Placing the Floridian Marine Genetic Disjunction into a Regional Evolutionary Context Using the Scorched Mussel, Brachidontes exustus, Species Complex The well-documented Floridian Gulf/Atlantic genetic disjunction provides an influential example of presumed vicariant cladogenesis along a continental coastline for major elements of a diverse nearshore […]

BELCHER, R.L.; HALANYCH, K.M.*; Auburn University; Auburn University: Phylogeography of ophiuroids from South American and Antarctic waters using mtDNA The isolation of the Antarctic continent has been a driving evolutionary force for Antarctic fauna for ~25 million years. The separation of the Antarctic and South American continents and the onset of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current […]

ZARDUS, J.D.*; ETTER, R.J.; CHASE, M.R.; REX., M.A.; BOYLE, E.E.; The Citadel; Univ. Massachusetts, Boston; Univ. Massachusetts, Boston; Univ. Massachusetts, Boston; Univ. Massachusetts, Boston: Genetic Divergence with Depth and Distance in a Deep-Sea Bivalve, Deminucula atacellana Evolutionary origins are obscure for the diverse and highly endemic fauna of deep-sea soft-sediment environments. Current knowledge of geographic […]

HART, M.W.*; SUNDAY, J.; KEEVER, C.C.; Simon Fraser Univ.; Simon Fraser Univ.; Simon Fraser Univ.: Dispersal and climate history in sea star population genetic structure The NE Pacific bat star Patiria miniata is widespread and abundant in southern and central California, the outer coasts of British Columbia, and southeast Alaska, but is rare or absent […]