Natural biological systems are exceptionally diverse in terms of species richness, phenotypic form and function, and ecological interactions. Our research seeks to explain the origin and maintenance of this diversity across multiple levels of organization, from individual nucleotides to entire communities. As a tool to understanding the dynamics of biological diversity, much of our work focuses on adaptive phenotypic diversification and speciation in tropical butterflies, such as the genus Heliconius.

Please see our new paper about hybrid speciation in swallowtail butterflies in PLoS Genetics

Please see our recent paper about the role of optix in Heliconius color patterning in Science

Please see our recent paper characterizing the mimetic radiations of Heliconius butterflies in PNAS

Peter Forbes' article in the May issue of Scientific American highlights our work on mimicry and mate choice in Heliconius butterflies. Read article.