Phylogeography

Phylogeography is a research field that investigates the principles and processes that govern the geographic distributions of genealogical lineages, especially those within and among closely related species. One crucial task of phylogeographic studies is to attempt untangling the contribution of historical vs. contemporary ecological processes in shaping present day species' distributions. Such studies have great potential to provide substantially new insights into the processes responsible for shaping the spatial patterns of genetic variation within and among populations as well as their distributions, contributing significantly to our understanding of speciation. Phylogeographic studies can also contribute significantly to conservation issues by identifying historically isolated lineages and geographical areas in need of special protection.

We are primarily interested a) in understanding the influence of "deep-time" processes, such as geotectonics, with resulting changes in oceanographic conditions, on the phylogeographic structure of invertebrate faunas, and b) how processes on the shallow "ecological" time scale, such as different life histories and dispersal patterns, combined with ocean currents and their changed patterns during/after sea level low stands, contribute to the genetic cohesiveness (or lack thereof) of sympatric and allopatric populations, as well as c) how such processes influence genetic diversification and speciation. We are also interested in how we can utilise phylogeographic studies to conserve marine biodiversity.