Anthony Metcalf

The broad focus of my research is molecular evolution and molecular ecology. I am interested both in the evolution of genes and the evolutionary history and ecology of the organisms that possess them. My current research is the distribution of mitochondrial DNA sequence variation within and among closely related taxa and correlated nuclear DNA variation. One such group is the kangaroo rats (Dipodomys). For this research, I estimate the pattern and rates of nucleotide substitutions in the D-loop of the mitochondrial genome, and the geographic partitioning of this variation. I am also interested in regional geographic patterns of genetic variation across taxa including local populations of plants, amphibians, reptiles and birds. Interior coastal southern California has a high degree of endemism, generated, in part, by Pleistocene geologic activity. I am interested in how a suite of interrelated changes in landscape has effected the distribution of regional fauna, and how such changes are reflected in the patterns of genetic variation. A third area of interest is that of conservation genetics. The restricted distribution of regional fauna has caused several species to be listed as threatened or endangered. Information on the patterns of genetic variation in such species can be directly applied to conservation strategies.