An emerging area of research in our laboratory examines how patterns of mortality and reproductive success relate to both organismal morphology and whole-organism performance (i.e., sprint speed, bite force). Understanding the selective basis of performance is acrucial step for evolutionary theory because selection is expected to operatre first on performance, and only secondarily on morphology and behavior. We are utilizing a vareity of genetic tools to understand paternity, and its links to morphology and performance, as well as examining hormone levels. This work will therefore provide a mechanistic link between hormone expression, paternaity, and performance in nature. We are also expanding on typical studies of selection by examining suites of co-existing species, both in the Caribbean and in North American locales. By expanding studies of selection to a community and phylogenetic context, we hope to explicitly provide a link between micro- and macro-evolutionary theory. This work will also test the long-held belief that "good performers" should also enjoy high fitness within animal populations. Stay posted!

Relevant literature:

Irschick DJ, Meyers JJ.  2006.  An analysis of the relative roles of plasticity and natural selection on morphology and performance in a lizard (Urosaurus ornatus).  Oecologia.  153:489-499.

Bailey J, Lindroth R, Schweitzer J, Whitam T, Irschick DJ. 2007. Rapid Shifts in the Chemical Composition of Aspen Forests: An Introduced Herbivore as an Agent of Natural Selection. Biological Invasions (Cover). 9:715-722.

Irschick DJ, Bailey JK, Schweitzer J, Husak J, Meyers J.  2007.  New directions for studying selection in nature; studies of performance and communities.  Physiological and Biochemical Zoology (Cover).  In press.

Calsbeek R, Irschick DJ.  2007.  The quick and the dead: Correlational selection on morphology, performance, and habitat use in island lizards.  Evolution.  In press.