Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology

Research Focus

Current research in the Harrison laboratory focuses on using genetic, genomic, proteomic, and phylogenetic approaches to gain insights into population structure, evolutionary relationships and the origin of species. We are interested both in how DNA and protein sequences change over time and in using these changes as markers for understanding pattern and process in evolution. Much of the research in the Harrison lab is directed toward understanding the origin of species, the evolution of barriers to gene exchange, and the history and current dynamics of natural hybrid zones. The lab currently focuses on two model systems: (1) a well-characterized mosaic hybrid zone between two species of field crickets and (2) two "strains" of European Corn Borer which differ in pheromone communication system.

Recent Courses Taught

• BioEE 1780 Evolutionary Biology and Diversity
  
• BioEE 4530 Speciation
  

Selected Publications

Walters, J. R. and R. G. Harrison. 2010. Combined EST and proteomic analysis identifies rapidly evolving seminal fluid proteins in Heliconium butterflies.  Molecular Biology and Evolution 27:2000-2013.

Harrison, R. G. 2010. Understanding the origin of species; Where have we been? Where are we going?  In: Evolution Since Darwin (Bell, M., D. Futuyma, W. Eanes, and J. Levinton, eds.).  Sinauer Associates, Sunderland, MA.

Carter, M. E., M. T. Smith, and R. G. Harrison. 2010. Genetic analysis of the Asian longhorned beetle (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae, Anoplophora glabripennis), in North America, Europe and Asia.  Biol. Invasions 12:1165-1182.

Maroja, L. S., J. A. Andres, and R. G. Harrison. 2009. Genealogical discordance and patterns of introgression and selection across a cricket hybrid zone.  Evolution 63:2999-3015.

Andres, J. A., L. S. Maroja, and R. G. Harrison. 2008. Searching for candidate speciation genes using a proteomic approach: seminal proteins in field crickets.  Proceedings of the Royal Society B - Biological Sciences 275:1975-1983.

Mullen, S. P., E. B. Dopman, and R. G. Harrison. 2008. Hybrid zone origins, species boundaries, and the evolution of wing-pattern diversity in a polytypic species complex of North American admiral butterflies (Nymphalidae: Limenitis).  Evolution 62:1400-1417.

Lovejoy, N. R., S. P. Mullen, G. A. Sword, R. F. Chapman, and R. G. Harrison. 2006. Ancient trans-Atlantic flight explains locust biogeography: Molecular phylogenetics of Schistocerca.  Proceedings of the Royal Society B 273(1588):767-774.

Dopman, E. B., L. Perez, S. M. Bogdanowicz, and R. G. Harrison. 2005. Consequences of reproductive barriers for genealogical discordance in the European corn borer.  Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, USA 102(41):14706-14711.