Sulidae Genomics
What we study:
We are analyzing several whole genome sequences of each species. We intend to confirm the hypothesized phylogenetic relationships, identify regions of the genome that are under positive selection, as well as highly differentiated regions, and explore the gene ontology terms associated with these regions. We will also be looking for patterns of incomplete lineage sorting between these species, several of which are known to hybridize. From this, we hope to hypothesize as to which genes are of evolutionary importance to some of these species, and to design field and lab experiments to further explore these differences.
This represents an expansion of Scott’s dissertation work studying population genetics and hybridization between blue-footed and Peruvian boobies.
Publications
2013
Taylor SA, Morris-Pocock JA, Tershy BR, Castillo-Guerrero JA, Friesen, VL. 2013. Genetic evidence for hybridization between brown (Sula leucogaster) and blue-footed (S. nebouxii) boobies in the Gulf of Mexico. Marine Ornithology 41: 113 - 119.
Taylor SA, Anderson DJ, Friesen VL. 2013. Evidence for asymmetrical gene flow of nuclear loci, but not mitochondrial loci, between a seabird species pair. PLoS ONE. 8(4): e62256.
2012
Taylor SA, Friesen VL. 2012. Evidence for strong assortative mating, limited gene flow, and strong differentiation across the blue-footed / Peruvian booby hybrid zone in northern Peru. Journal of Avian Biology 43: 311-324.
Taylor SA, Friesen V L. 2012. Potential uses of molecular genetics for understanding seabird evolution, ecology and conservation. Marine Ecology Progress Series. 451: 285-304.
2011
Taylor SA, Zavalaga CB, Luna –Jorquera G, Simeone A, Anderson DJ, Friesen VL. 2011. Panmixia and high genetic diversity in a Humboldt Current endemic, the Peruvian Booby (Sula variegata). Journal of Ornithology. 152: 623-630.
Taylor SA, *Maclagan L, Anderson DJ, Friesen VL. 2011. Could specialization to cold water upwelling systems influence genetic diversity and gene flow in marine organisms? A case study using the blue-footed booby, Sula nebouxii. Journal of Biogeography. 38: 883-893. *Undergraduate honors student
2010
Taylor SA, Zavalaga CB, Friesen VL. 2010. Hybridization between blue-footed (Sula nebouxii) and Peruvian (S. variegata) boobies in northern Peru. Waterbirds 33: 251-257.
Zavalaga CB, Halls JN, Mori GP, Taylor SA, Dell’Omo G. 2010. At-sea movement patterns and diving behavior of Peruvian boobies Sula variegata : sexual segregation by foraging habitat in a rich marine environment? Marine Ornithological Progress Series 404: 259-274.
Morris-Pocock JA, Taylor SA, Birt T, Friesen VL. 2010. Concerted evolution of duplicated mitochondrial control regions in three related seabird species. BMC Evolutionary Biology 10: 14.
Morris-Pocock J A, Taylor SA, Sun Z, Friesen VL. 2010. Isolation and characterization of 15 microsatellite loci for red-footed (Sula sula), blue-footed (S. nebouxii) and Peruvian (S. variegata) boobies. Molecular Ecology Resources 10: 404-408.
Taylor SA, Morris-Pocock JA, Sun Z, Friesen VL. 2010. Isolation and characterization of 10 microsatellite loci in blue-footed (Sula nebouxii) and Peruvian boobies (Sula variegata). Journal of Ornithology 151: 525-528.
2009
Zavalaga CB, Taylor SA, Dell’Omo G, Anderson DJ, Friesen VL. 2009. Male/female classification of the Peruvian booby. Wilson Journal of Ornithology 121: 739-744.