Evolutionary Genetics in the
Eckert Lab @ VCU
Our lab works on the evolutionary genetics of conifers addressing four main topics related to the genetic architecture of adaptation within and among species. If you have questions or would like to join the lab, please contact me at: aeckert2@vcu.edu.
(1) Adaptation
Southwestern white pine garden at Dorena Genetic Resource Center
(2) Genetic Architecture
Lind et al. (2018) Tree Genetics & Genomes 14: 29
Adaptation results from the action of natural selection increasing the prevalence of the most fit genotypes within lineages. Our lab focuses mainly on local adaptation, where different populations located in different environments experience different selective pressures and thus diverge genetically and phenotypically.
(3) Evolution of Genetic Architecture
Pines along the York River, Virginia
Genetic architecture refers to the identity, genomic location, diversity patterns within and among populations, and interactions with other loci and environments of causative genetic elements for fitness-related traits. Our lab works on questions related to the identification of genetic architectures of locally adapted populations.
(4) Adaptation & Speciation
Menon et al. (2018) Molecular Ecology 27: 1245 - 1260
Genetic architectures evolve in different fashions dependent upon their characteristics. For example, strong directional selection acting on simple architectures can result in different allele frequency dynamics across populations as compared to when it acts upon complex architectures. Our lab works on questions related to how genetic architectures evolve within and across natural populations.
For many organisms, genetic variation results from not only mutation, but also hybridization and adaptive introgression from other species. Our lab utilizes this framework to address questions about the role of local adaptation in constraining or enhancing the development of reproductive isolation.