OEB Seminar Series: Molly Womack
Date and Time
Location
Assistant Professor
Department of Biology
Utah State University
The skin and bones of frog evolution
Abstract: Our lab's research uses field- and lab-work to compare trait morphology and function among frog species to better understand how biodiversity develops, how biodiversity evolves, and why it matters. Specifically, we investigate how selection pressures and developmental bias shape traits at the macroevolutionary scale. Frog skeletons and "ear loss" provide evidence that early development not only matters for an individual’s life, but also for a species’ evolutionary trajectory. Frog skin displays previously unappreciated morphological diversity and provides opportunities to test physiological adaptations that have allowed frogs to colonize diverse habitats while navigating the trade-off between respiration and water loss.
Host: OEB Postdoctoral Fellows
Live stream: https://bit.ly/3YkOO21