Research Interests
I am an evolutionary biologist broadly interested in tetrapod biodiversity. The central goal of evolutionary biology is to understand the history of life on Earth. One critical aspect is revealing how various biological processes have interacted to shape organismal diversity through time. More specifically, how do abiotic and biotic properties of the environment and its constituent species interact to drive diversification? Key in this process is determining how organisms of interest are related. My research program focuses on understanding the evolutionary history of both extant and extinct terrestrial tetrapod lineages. I integrate neontological (genomic) and paleontological (fossil) datasets to build comprehensive, robust time-calibrated phylogenies that reveal relationships as well as the tempo and mode of diversification. From there, my research continues along three main tracks:
By examining adaptive changes in genotype, phenotype and biogeography at multiple taxonomic scales within a macroevolutionary framework, I work to understand how biodiversity is generated, maintained and lost through time. Currently, my research focuses on two tetrapod orders: (1) Primates, with a focus on the platyrrhine family Cebidae (capuchin monkeys and relatives) and (2) Anseriformes (waterfowl).
- Understanding the evolution of functional traits
- Evaluating the evolution of adaptive genetic loci in the context of evolutionary ecology
- Testing for correlations between historical biogeography and coincident physical changes to the environment
By examining adaptive changes in genotype, phenotype and biogeography at multiple taxonomic scales within a macroevolutionary framework, I work to understand how biodiversity is generated, maintained and lost through time. Currently, my research focuses on two tetrapod orders: (1) Primates, with a focus on the platyrrhine family Cebidae (capuchin monkeys and relatives) and (2) Anseriformes (waterfowl).
Current Projects
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Anseriform Macroevolution, Project gUCE (pronounced "goose")
In collaboration with the OpenWings project, I am using phylogenomics to investigate the relationships among most species of the Anseriformes, or waterfowl (ducks, geese, swans and screamers). The members of this order are among the most distinct and readily recognizable birds and there are over 150 species worldwide. Waterfowl occur on all continents, except Antarctica, and occupy habitat ranging from the tropics to the tundra. One of the most interesting aspects of this work is my attempt to include DNA from recently extinct species in our analyses. This is part of my larger effort to examine diversification dynamics in this group integrating molecular and morphological datasets from both living and extinct anseriform lineages. |
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Phylogenetics and Biogeography of the Cracidae
I am also using phylogenomics to investigate the biogeographic history of the the family, Cracidae (chachalacas, currasows and guans). There are approximately 50 species of these birds and they occur primarily in the Neotropics. The range extends from the extreme southern tip of Texas, down to Argentina. These are medium to large size birds and are members of the order Galliformes which also includes birds like chickens and turkeys. There are some endangered species in this group resulting from a combination of hunting and habitat disturbance. One species has been declared extinct and Cracidae are considered one of the most endangered bird groups in the world. |
The Alagoas Currasow (Mitu mitu), now declared extinct in the wild.
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Polymorphism in the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) in Cebinae
This project looks at the DNA sequence and corresponding amino acid diversity of specific exons from three MHC genes (DRB, DQA and DQB). The MHC is involved in the adaptive immune system function in vertebrates. We primarily focus on one population of Cebus imitator and include a modest sampling of additional populations as well as several other species from the subfamily Cebinae (capuchin monkeys). With the results of this study, we can begin to characterize this important gene complex for capuchins in the context of evolutionary ecology and investigate its relationship to immunity, life history traits and behavior. Specifically, we are analyzing data to determine if MHC genotypes correlate with reproductive success in Cebus imitator.
This project looks at the DNA sequence and corresponding amino acid diversity of specific exons from three MHC genes (DRB, DQA and DQB). The MHC is involved in the adaptive immune system function in vertebrates. We primarily focus on one population of Cebus imitator and include a modest sampling of additional populations as well as several other species from the subfamily Cebinae (capuchin monkeys). With the results of this study, we can begin to characterize this important gene complex for capuchins in the context of evolutionary ecology and investigate its relationship to immunity, life history traits and behavior. Specifically, we are analyzing data to determine if MHC genotypes correlate with reproductive success in Cebus imitator.
Publications
Buckner, J.C., Jack, K.M., Melin, A.D., Schoof, V.A.M., Gutiérrez-Espeleta, G.A., Lima, M.G.M., Lynch, J.W. (2021) Major histocompatibility complex class II DR and DQ evolution and variation in wild capuchin monkey species (Cebinae). PLOS ONE 16(8):e0254604.
Buckner, J.C., Sanders, R.C., Faircloth, B.C., Chakrabarty, P. (2021) The critical importance of vouchers in genomics. eLife DOI:10.7554/eLife.68264.
Jones, T.L., Brenner Coltrain J., Jacobs, D.K., Porcasi, J., Brewer, S.C., Buckner, J.C., Perrine, J.D., Codding, B.F. (2021) Causes and Consequences of the late Holocene extinction of the marine flightless duck (Chendytes lawi) in the northeastern Pacific. Quaternary Science Reviews 260, 106914.
Buckner, J.C, Ellingson, R., Gold, D.A., Jones, T.L., Jacobs, D.K. (2018) Mitogenomics supports a novel taxonomic relationship for the extinct diving duck Chendytes lawi. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 122, 102-109.
Lima, M.G.M, Silva-Júnior, J.S, Cerny, D, Buckner, J.C, Aleixo, A, et. al. (2018) A phylogenomic perspective on the robust capuchin monkey (Sapajus) radiation: First evidence for extensive population admixture across South America. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 124, 137-150.
Lima, M.G.M, Buckner, J.C, et. al. (2017) Capuchin monkey biogeography: understanding Sapajus Pleistocene range expansion and the current sympatry between Cebus and Sapajus. Journal of Biogeography 44, 810-820. doi:10.1111/jbi.12945
Rylands, A., Heymann, E., Lynch Alfaro, J., Buckner, J., Roos, C., Matauschek, C., Boubli, J., Sampaio, R., Mittermeier, R. (2016) Taxonomic review of the New World tamarins (Primates: Callitrichidae). Zoological Journal of the Linnaean Society 177, 1003-1028.
Buckner, J. C., Alfaro, J. W. L., Rylands, A. B., & Alfaro, M. E. (2015). Biogeography of the marmosets and tamarins (Callitrichidae). Molecular phylogenetics and evolution, 82, 413-425.
Blumstein, D., Buckner, J., Shah, S., Patel, S., Alfaro, M. E., Natterson-Horowitz, B. (2015) A clinical research pathway towards developing new insights into cardiomyopathy. Evolution, Medicine, and Public Health 2015(1), 280. DOI: 10.1093/emph/eov024
Blumstein, D., Buckner, J., Shah, S., Patel, S., Alfaro, M. E., Natterson-Horowitz, B. (2015). The evolution of capture myopathy in hooved mammals: a model for human stress cardiomyopathy? Evolution, Medicine, and Public Health 2015 (1), 195-203. DOI:10.1093/emph/eov015
Buckner, J., Welsh, A.B., Sime, K.R. (2014). Evidence for population differentiation in the bog buckmoth of New York State. Northeastern Naturalist 21, 506-514.
Buckner, J.C., Sanders, R.C., Faircloth, B.C., Chakrabarty, P. (2021) The critical importance of vouchers in genomics. eLife DOI:10.7554/eLife.68264.
Jones, T.L., Brenner Coltrain J., Jacobs, D.K., Porcasi, J., Brewer, S.C., Buckner, J.C., Perrine, J.D., Codding, B.F. (2021) Causes and Consequences of the late Holocene extinction of the marine flightless duck (Chendytes lawi) in the northeastern Pacific. Quaternary Science Reviews 260, 106914.
Buckner, J.C, Ellingson, R., Gold, D.A., Jones, T.L., Jacobs, D.K. (2018) Mitogenomics supports a novel taxonomic relationship for the extinct diving duck Chendytes lawi. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 122, 102-109.
Lima, M.G.M, Silva-Júnior, J.S, Cerny, D, Buckner, J.C, Aleixo, A, et. al. (2018) A phylogenomic perspective on the robust capuchin monkey (Sapajus) radiation: First evidence for extensive population admixture across South America. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 124, 137-150.
Lima, M.G.M, Buckner, J.C, et. al. (2017) Capuchin monkey biogeography: understanding Sapajus Pleistocene range expansion and the current sympatry between Cebus and Sapajus. Journal of Biogeography 44, 810-820. doi:10.1111/jbi.12945
Rylands, A., Heymann, E., Lynch Alfaro, J., Buckner, J., Roos, C., Matauschek, C., Boubli, J., Sampaio, R., Mittermeier, R. (2016) Taxonomic review of the New World tamarins (Primates: Callitrichidae). Zoological Journal of the Linnaean Society 177, 1003-1028.
Buckner, J. C., Alfaro, J. W. L., Rylands, A. B., & Alfaro, M. E. (2015). Biogeography of the marmosets and tamarins (Callitrichidae). Molecular phylogenetics and evolution, 82, 413-425.
Blumstein, D., Buckner, J., Shah, S., Patel, S., Alfaro, M. E., Natterson-Horowitz, B. (2015) A clinical research pathway towards developing new insights into cardiomyopathy. Evolution, Medicine, and Public Health 2015(1), 280. DOI: 10.1093/emph/eov024
Blumstein, D., Buckner, J., Shah, S., Patel, S., Alfaro, M. E., Natterson-Horowitz, B. (2015). The evolution of capture myopathy in hooved mammals: a model for human stress cardiomyopathy? Evolution, Medicine, and Public Health 2015 (1), 195-203. DOI:10.1093/emph/eov015
Buckner, J., Welsh, A.B., Sime, K.R. (2014). Evidence for population differentiation in the bog buckmoth of New York State. Northeastern Naturalist 21, 506-514.
