Clifford Cunningham, Biology

My research program uses the tools of molecular systematics and population genetics to investigate the evolution and biogeography of marine invertebrates. As part of our evolutionary work, we have discovered a series of nested mitochondrial gene rearrangements that characterize the repeated evolution of the crab-like form in hermit crabs and their relatives.

We are also actively pursuing the systematics and evolution of the wonderfully complex but greatly understudied hydrozoans. Our biogeographic work uses genetic information to infer recent population history. We have discovered that most invertebrates on the American side of the North Atlantic have recently immigrated for Europe, most likely since the last ice age.