Many traits, including genetic markers and body size, vary systematically with latitude among the ancestral European populations. Previous studies show that the North American flies have evolved similar latitudinal patterns in less than 20 years. We currently are investigating the South American, North American and European populations. This is a unique opportunity to observe evolutionary change as it occurs over a broad geographic range. Species introductions are currently reshaping much of Earth s biological diversity.
Many studies assess the impact of introduced species on native populations.
Evolutionary changes in the introduced species, however, have generally been neglected even though such changes ultimately determine the ecological impact of the invasion. She earned her M.S. in Botanty at the University of Calgary. George W. Gilchrist is the head of the lab. He earned his Ph.D. in Zoology from the University of Washington.