Gary Wellborn

faculty-staff.ou.edu/W/Gary.A.Wellborn-1/

Associate Professor, The University of Oklahoma, Department of Zoology

Ph.D. 1993, University of Michigan

RESEARCH INTERESTS
Ecology, Animal Behavior, Freshwater Biology and Evolution

RESEARCH STATEMENT

Our research examined evolutionary dynamics in crustacean species complex, with a focus on how ecological processes interact with genetic and biogeographic processes to determine speciation and phenotypic evolution.  Additionally, we investigated the evolution of mating behavior, with an emphasis on the role of ecological setting in shaping costs and benefits of female choice.

Publications 2008:

• Cothran, R. D.  2008.  The mechanistic basis of a large male mating advantage in two freshwater amphipod species.  Ethology 114: 1145-1153.

• Cothran, R. D.  2008.  Direct and indirect fitness consequences of female choice in a crustacean.  Evolution 62: 1666-1675.

• Cothran, R. D.  2008.  Phenotypic manipulation reveals sexual conflict over precopula duration.  Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology 62: 1409-1416.

• Wellborn, G. A., and R. E. Broughton.  2008.  Diversification on an ecologically constrained adaptive landscape.  Molecular Ecology 17: 2927-2936.

Projects/funding:

Mechanisms of constraint in the evolutionary radiation of a crustacean species complex.  National Science Foundation.  9/01/2007 - 8/31/2010.  $300,000.

Research Highlights/activities for 2009

• Worked on the current grant project, and this included molecular phylogenetics, phenotypic analysis, and biogeography.
• Conducted field research locally, and at Montezuma Well National Park, AZ.
• Gave a talk at Evolution meetings in Minneapolis, MN.