Thomas E. Dowling
Evolutionary and Conservation Genetics
Dr. Dowling uses a variety of markers (morphology, allozymes, sequence and restriction endonuclease analysis of mitochondrial DNA [mtDNA]) to examine the processes responsible for the origin and maintenance of organismal diversity. He has directed his attention to the evolution of cypriniform fishes, one of the most diverse orders of vertebrates in North America. His studies are specifically focused on the process of speciation and the role of hybridization in evolution. This is being examined at three levels: 1) factors promoting population subdivision and producing incipient species, 2) the evolution of reproductive isolation, and 3) role of biogeography in the evolution of species. Examination of evolutionary pattern and process at these three levels of organization provides a complete picture of speciation in cypriniform fishes.
Dr. Dowling also applies these methods to the study of threatened and endangered fishes of the American Southwest. Quantification of levels of genetic variation within and between populations and species is crucial for preservation and management of this shrinking resource.
Selected Publications
Minckley, W. L., P. C. Marsh, J. E. Deacon, T. E. Dowling, P. W. Hedrick, W. J. Matthews, and G. Mueller. 2003. A conservation plan for lower Colorado River native fishes. BioScience 53:219-234.
Alves, M. J., M. J. Collares-Pereira, T. E. Dowling, and M. M. Coelho. 2002. The genetics of maintenance of an all-male lineage in the Squalius alburnoides complex. J. Fish. Biol. 60: 649-662.
Garrigan, D., P. C. Marsh, and T. E. Dowling. 2002. Long-term effective population size of endangered Colorado River fishes. Animal Conservation 5:95-102.
Gorokhova, E., T. E. Dowling, L. J. Weider, T. J. Crease, and J. J. Elser. 2002. Functional and ecological significance of rDNA IGS variation in a clonal organism under divergent selection for production rate. Proc. R. Soc. Lond. B 269:23732379
Dowling, T. E., D. P. Martasian, and W. R. Jeffery. 2002. Evidence for multiple genetic forms with similar eyeless phenotypes in the blind cavefish, Astyanax mexicanus. Mol. Biol. Evol. 19:446-455.
Dowling, T. E., C. A. Tibbets, W. L. Minckley, and G. R. Smith. 2002. Evolutionary relationships of the plagopterins (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) from cytochrome b sequences. Copeia 2002:665-678.
Gerber, A. S., C. A. Tibbets, and T. E. Dowling. 2001. The role of introgressive hybridization in the evolution of the Gila robusta complex (Teleostei: Cyprinidae). Evolution 55:2028-39.
Tibbets, C. A., A. C. Weibel, and T. E. Dowling. 2001. Population genetics of Lepidomeda vittata, the Little Colorado River spinedace. Copeia 2001:813-819.
Weibel, A. C., T. E. Dowling, and B. J. Turner. 1999. The evolution of sexual reproduction in an hermaphroditic fish (Rivulus marmoratus): A phylogenetic and biogeographic study. Evolution 53:1217-1225.
Smith, G.R., T.E. Dowling, K. Gobalet, T. Lugaski, D. Shiozawa, and P. Evans. 1999. Biogeography and rates of evolution of Great Basin fishes. In The Great Basin: Cenozoic Geology and Biogeography, R. Hershler and D. Curry (eds.), Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC.
Broughton, R. E., G. J. P. Naylor, and T. E. Dowling. 1998. Conflicting phylogenetic patterns caused by molecular mechanisms in mitochondrial DNA sequences. Systematic Biology 47:696-701.
Dowling, T.E., and C.L. Secor. 1997. The role of hybridization in the evolutionary diversification of animals. Ann. Rev. Ecol. Syst. 28:593-619.
Dowling, T.E., and G.J.P. Naylor. 1997. Evolutionary relationships of minnows in the genus Luxilus (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) as determined from cytochrome b sequences. Copeia 1997:758-765.
Dowling, T.E., R.E. Broughton, and B.D. DeMarais. 1997. Significant role for historical effects in the evolution of reproductive isolation: evidence from patterns of introgression between the cyprinid fishes, Luxilus cornutus and Luxilus chrysocephalus. Evolution 51:1574-1583.
Dowling, T.E., and G.J.P. Naylor. 1997. Evolutionary relationships of minnows in the genus Luxilus (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) as determined from cytochrome b sequences. Copeia 1997:758-765.
Dowling, T.E., and C.L. Secor. 1997. The role of hybridization in the evolutionary diversification of animals. Ann. Rev. Ecol. Syst. 28:593-619.
Broughton, R.E., G.J.P. Naylor, and T.E. Dowling. 1998. Conflicting phylogenetic patterns caused by molecular mechanisms in mitochondrial DNA sequences. Systematic Biology.
Smith, G.R., T.E. Dowling, K. Gobalet, T. Lugaski, D. Shiozawa, and P. Evans. 1999. Biogeography and rates of evolution of Great Basin fishes. In The Great Basin: Cenozoic Geology and Biogeography, R. Hershler and D. Curry (eds.), Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC.