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 environmental change
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
Macroevolutionary Dynamics of Galloanserae
In collaboration with the OpenWings project, I am using phylogenomics to investigate the relationships among most species of the order Anseriformes (waterfowl), and a more modest sampling of their sister group Galliformes (landfowl). Together, these two orders form "Galloanserae", the outgroup to the remaining Neognathae (all living birds except the ratites and relatives). Neognathae contains the overwhelming majority of living avian diversity with more than 10,000 living species. Given the phylogenetic placement of Galloanserae and its fossil record (several of the oldest known bird fossils have been assigned to the crown and stem of this group), understanding the evolution of this clade is key to understanding early bird diversification more generally. Below are two current sub-projects related to Galloanserae macroevolution.
In collaboration with the OpenWings project, I am using phylogenomics to investigate the relationships among most species of the order Anseriformes (waterfowl), and a more modest sampling of their sister group Galliformes (landfowl). Together, these two orders form "Galloanserae", the outgroup to the remaining Neognathae (all living birds except the ratites and relatives). Neognathae contains the overwhelming majority of living avian diversity with more than 10,000 living species. Given the phylogenetic placement of Galloanserae and its fossil record (several of the oldest known bird fossils have been assigned to the crown and stem of this group), understanding the evolution of this clade is key to understanding early bird diversification more generally. Below are two current sub-projects related to Galloanserae macroevolution.
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Project gUCE (pronounced "goose")
Anseriformes, or waterfowl, are the approximately 180 species of ducks, geese, swans and screamers. The birds occur globally, except Antarctica. In my current research, I am building the most comprehensive phylogenomic tree to date for this group. One of the most interesting aspects of this work is my attempt to use ancient DNA approaches to incorporate molecular sequence data from recently extinct species in our analyses. This is part of my larger effort to examine diversification dynamics in this group by integrating molecular and morphological datasets from both living and extinct anseriform lineages. With this time-calibrated phylogenetic framework complete, I am interested in looking at the evolutionary context of ecomorphologies, migration and flight, biogeography and disease ecology in this group. |
Fossil moa-nalo species from the Smithsonian NMNH collection.
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Phylogenetics and Biogeography of the Cracidae
I am also using phylogenomics to investigate the biogeographic history of the the galliform family, Cracidae (chachalacas, currasows and guans). There are approximately 50 species of these birds and they occur primarily in the Neotropics. As non-migratory species, they are an interesting group for evaluating the influence of abiotic processes (climate/geology) on biological diversification in the biomes where they occur in the Atlantic Forest, Cerrado, Caatinga, Amazon basin, Andes and various regions of North and Central America. This project includes reassessments of current taxonomic delimitations in addition to analyses at phylogeographic and biogeographic scales. |
The Alagoas Currasow (Mitu mitu), now declared extinct in the wild.
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Evolutionary Ecology and the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC)
The MHC is a genomic region critically involved in the adaptive immune response of vertebrates. My lab looks at the evolution and variation of MHC genes across populations, species and larger groups of organisms. The goal is to understand what selective pressures drive and maintain sequence diversity in this group of genes. Our published and ongoing work focuses on characterizing the diversity and structure of the MHC region across Platyrrhini, in addition to evaluating sexual selection as a mechanism for maintaining population genetic diversity in specific species. Relatedly, we want to understand how genotypes are evaluated by potential mates (e.g., via odor or sexual ornamentation). I am most interested in understanding the evolutionary context of immune genes and their function, including the possible correlations of MHC genotypes to life history traits, ecology (e.g., parasite loads) and behavior (sexual selection, sociality) in primates and other tetrapods.
The MHC is a genomic region critically involved in the adaptive immune response of vertebrates. My lab looks at the evolution and variation of MHC genes across populations, species and larger groups of organisms. The goal is to understand what selective pressures drive and maintain sequence diversity in this group of genes. Our published and ongoing work focuses on characterizing the diversity and structure of the MHC region across Platyrrhini, in addition to evaluating sexual selection as a mechanism for maintaining population genetic diversity in specific species. Relatedly, we want to understand how genotypes are evaluated by potential mates (e.g., via odor or sexual ornamentation). I am most interested in understanding the evolutionary context of immune genes and their function, including the possible correlations of MHC genotypes to life history traits, ecology (e.g., parasite loads) and behavior (sexual selection, sociality) in primates and other tetrapods.
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.
