W. Randolph Hoeh

Education

• 1991 Ph.D, University of Michigan

Research Interests

Research interests are centered on the evolution of bivalved mollusk morphology, mating systems,and gender-associated mitochondrial DNA genomes. The evolution of these systems is studied in the context of phylogenetic hypotheses generated from analyses of morphological and molecular data sets and by the use of population genetic and morphometric tools to evaluate within- and among-population mating system variation. Specific questions that are being addressed include the following: (1) What the directionality and taxonomic distribution of - and F-genome role-reversal events in bivalve lineages with gender-associated mitochondrial DNA genomes?, (2) How frequently did simultaneous hermaphroditism evolve in the predominantly dioecious freshwater mussels (Bivalvia: Unionoida)?, (3) How often and under what conditions did self-fertilization evolve in the freshwater mussel genus Utterbackia?, (4) What is the evolutionary history of brooding system transitions in unionoid bivalves? The answers to these questions will further document the historical aspects of bivalved mollusk character evolution and facilitate an increased understanding of the evolutionary processes involved in character state transitions.