University of Michigan
Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology

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Why are there so many Galeommatoidean clams in the sea? Speciation of a group of marine clams

Mentor: Professor Diarmaid Ó Foighil

Galeommatoidea is a superfamily of hyper-diverse marine clams. Those animals often exhibit exotic morphological features and reproductive behaviors. In addition, many species in this group have commensal life styles with other marine invertebrates (i.e. they live on or inside other marine animals but do not harm them). In this project, we will investigate speciation processes within this group and test various hypotheses regarding mechanisms that may lead to their unusual diversity. We will especially look at how commensalism may affect their speciation rate and diversification patterns. We will mainly use molecular phylogenetic approaches to address above questions; however morphological studies are also used to accompany the analysis.

 
A typical workflow will include: field trips to various coastal sites or marine stations for collecting specimens; lab work for extracting DNA from the specimens and obtaining sequence data; and computer work for analyzing the data. Dissecting and anatomical studies might also be included. An REU student is welcome to join any part of the process, but it is preferred that the student participate in the project from its beginning. This will enable the student to generate his or her own data for analysis and eventually carry on certain sub-projects independently. Field sites vary based on the progress of the project and lab work would be done on the Ann Arbor campus in the Ó Foighil Lab.

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