We are beginning a study of the physiological and ecological basis for range limits in marine organisms, using the sea slugs Alderia spp. as a model system. Two species of Alderia have ranges that overlap only in San Francisco Bay, where the species seasonally alternate in abundance. By identifying factors that control population dynamics in the Bay, we will determine what sets the range limits in these taxa. Experiments will focus on differences in heat and salinity tolerance, density-dependent interactions, and larval supply over the year. These data will help predict how the ranges of estuarine animals may shift in response to ongoing climate change. Artificial selection experiments will elucidate the genetic constraints on adaptability that prevent Alderia spp. from expanding their ranges, a fundamental issue in evolutionary biology.
Another project is studying larval supply and population genetics of invasive species that have spread from San Francisco Bay along the coast, developing molecular probes to identify larvae and recent recruits, and identifying regions that experience limited gene flow.
I am looking for masters students interested to work on this project starting in Fall 2007.