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Kelly O'Quin
Visit Kelly's research webpage.
Advisor: Dr. Karen Carleton
Previous Education
B.S. Biology. Louisiana State University
Research Interests
I study the evolution of the cichlid visual system in the context of cichlid speciation. Cichlid fishes found in the east African Great Lakes are the most rapidly speciating organisms known. Mate choice for Interspecific differences in male nuptial color are proposed to drive this rapid radiation, and vision may be an important component of this. Questions I am interested in include: What is the phylogenetic scale at which cichlid visual systems vary? In what aspects of the visual system do closely related cichlid species differ? What selective force is driving the evolution of the cichlid visual system? Is sensory bias driving cichlid speciation?
Location of Research
Lakes Tanganyika and Malawi, Africa
Publications
Hofmann CM, O'Quin KE, Smith AR, Carleton KL. (2010) Plasticiity of opsin gene expression in cichlids from Lake Malawi. Molecular Ecology,
doi: 10.1111/j.1365-294X.2010.04621.x
Derryberry E, Claramunt S, O'Quin KE, Aleixo A, Chesser RT, Remsen Jr. JR, Brumfield RT. (2010) Pseudasthenes, a new genus of ovenbird (Aves: Passeriformes: Furnariidae). Zootaxa, 2416:61-68.
Hofmann CM, O’Quin KE, Marhsall NJ, Carleton KL. (2010) The relationship between lens transmission and opsin gene expression in cichlids from Lake Malawi. Vision Research, doi:10.1016/j.visres.2009.12.004.
Hofmann CM*, O'Quin KE*, Marshall NJ, Cronin, TW, Seehausen O, Carleton KL. (2009) The eyes have it: regulatory and structural changes both underlie cichlid visual pigment diversity. PLoS Biology, 7(12):e10000266.
* These authors contributed equally to this work.
Funding Source
2006-2007 Darwin Fellowship University of Maryland
2008 Cosmos Club Foundation Grant
2008 Sigma Xi Grant in Aid of Research
2008 Guy Jordan Endowment Fund of the American Cichlid Association
2009 Jacob K. Goldhaber Travel Grant
2010 Drs. Wayne T. and Mary T. Hockmeyer Doctoral Fellowship
2010 Ann G. Wylie Dissertation Fellowship
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