About

Research in the Kinnison Lab surrounds the evolution and ecology of populations in the wild, or under anthropogenic influences. Most of our work involves fish populations and evolutionary processes observed over contemporary time scales. Evolution occurring over such "rapid" time frames has important implications for both basic and applied issues, including the production, loss and conservation of biological diversity. We believe that evolutionary ecology has the potential to become increasingly applied, a goal that does not mean it must sacrifice theoretical development. Indeed, applied evolutionary ecology stands not only to provide practical conservation tools, but also to focus basic science on more realistic conceptualizations of natural patterns and processes.

Some topics that we investigate include:

• local adaptation and patterns of selection in the wild
• loss of genetic diversity within and among wild and captive populations
• consequences of gene flow in the wild
• rates of microevolution in the wild
• fish population dynamics and community interactions

We take a multifaceted approach to our research, including field, laboratory and theoretical studies that incorporate aspects of population ecology, community ecology, genetics, morphometrics, physiology and behavior. Though many of our studies have dealt with populations of salmonid fishes, species of considerable economic and social concern, we also make use of other study systems (e.g., Trinidadian guppies).

For further details on our research program use the menu (at left).