Dean Adams
Professor
I
am interested in the evolution of the multivariate phenotype. To this
end I examine patterns of phenotypic diversity, and what ecological
and historical processes are responsible it. My work lies at the interface
of micro- and macroevolution, and combines empirical observation with
theoretical and statistical tools to identify morpholgoical patterns
and assess biological processes. My work focuses primarily on plethodontid
salamanders, though I also study other taxonomic systems. A long-term
goal of this research is to use a comparative evolutionary perspective
to examine the relative importance of ecological and historical processes
in the evolution of phenotypic diversification and the regulation of
community structure (see Current
Research Page for more details).
In addition to my empirical work, I develop new theoretical and analytical techniques for quantifying the multiviarate phenotype, and for elucidating patterns of phenotypic evolution and change. Current work involves developing methods for quantifying trajectories of phenotypic evolution in multivariate morphospace. Other work focuses on developing methods for understanding phylogenetic rates of phenotypic evolution (see Current Research Page for more details).
