Comparative Biogeography of Sulawesi - Phylogenetic and Coalescent Analyses of Diversification in Frogs, Lizards, and Monkeys
This project represents a team effort with Ben Evans (McMasters University, Canada), Jim McGuire (University of California, Berkeley), Jatna Supriatna, Noviar Andayani (University of Indobnesia, Depok), Djoko Iskandar (Bandung Institute of Technology, and many additional students and collaborators. The current work stems directly from our previous BS&I grant for surveys of Sulawesi herpetofauna
We will investigate species diversification and biogeography of Sulawesi fauna by applying phylogenetic and biogeographic methodologies, along with recently developed coalescent-based population genetic approaches.
The taxonomic focus will be six vertebrate taxa comprising endemic Sulawesi radiations of macaque monkeys (Macaca), flying lizards (Draco), tree skinks (Lamprolepis), fanged frogs (Limnonectes), toads (Bufo celebensis), bent-toed geckos (Cyrtodactylus), swamp frogs (Rana celebensis) and stream frogs (Rana mocquardi).
A novel aspect of this study is the development of 20 unlinked nuclear loci for each focal taxon obtained by screening genomic libraries constructed for each group.These loci will be analyzed using phylogenetic and coalescent methods to investigate gene flow at species boundaries, and to estimate divergence times for speciation events on Sulawesi.
Results will be directly applicable to Indonesian agencies tasked with protecting biodiversity to target underprotected areas of endemism in this Global Conservation hotspot.
http://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward.do?AwardNumber=0640737
