Fujita Lab

Biodiversity Genomics     Genome Structure     Parthenogenesis     Sensory Systems

Fujita Lab overviewOur research embraces an integrative approach to study the evolutionary history of reptiles and amphibians. Largely relying on genomic data for phylogeography, species delimitation, and phylogeny, we are increasingly incorporating ecological data, including the use of microbiomes, to understand the diversity and distributions of our focal taxa. Current projects in the lab include genome dynamics in parthenogenetic lizards, genome structure evolution in reptilesbiodiversity genomics, and the evolution of sensory systems in frogs and lizards.

The lab is housed in the Engineering Research Building on the north end of the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA). Herpetology has been a strength in the Biology Department, particularly with the Amphibian and Reptile Diversity Research Center, a research museum with particularly strong collections from Central America. Our genomic resources are increasing, and the capabilities of the university continue its pace with a fast-growing urban university.

Recent Posts

Tiger Salamander Landscape Genetics

Photo: Dr. Dennis Ferraro Congratulations to Dr. Kyle O’Connell, Kathleen Currie, and Jose Maldonado on the publication of their study on Ambystoma mavortium landscape genetics! This project was concieved, funded, and accomplished by the collaboration of graduate students in my lab. You can read all about it in the journal Ecology and Evolution.

Alyson’s Summer Research Experience

Our star undergrad Alyson Emory made a video of her experience in the lab during Summer 2018 for her iEngage project. iEngage is a great program that allowed Alyson to conduct field work and learn a ton of lab protocols, as you can see in her fun video. She will now embark on her own … Continue reading Alyson’s Summer Research Experience

Summer 2018 Successes!

Summer has barely started and the lab is already celebrating many successes! First, Kathleen Currie received a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship! This will allow Kathleen to focus on her research with the three years of support from the NSF. Congratulations Kathleen! TJ Firneno was awarded the ASIH Gaige Award that will support his research … Continue reading Summer 2018 Successes!

A few more publications from the Fujita Lab!

We have a few more publications that recently came online. The first is from Fujita Lab alumnus Kyle O’Connell. His paper, Synchronous diversification of parachuting frogs (Genus Rhacophorus) on Sumatra and Java, uses a comparative phylogeographic approach to examine diversification in Indonesia. The second paper is a collaboration with Dr. Corey Roelke, where we used whole mitochondrial … Continue reading A few more publications from the Fujita Lab!

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