Contact Information
Education
Ph.D. Zoology, The Ohio State University, 1999
Postdoctoral Fellow, Departments of Genetics and Institute of Ecology, University of Georgia 1999-2003
Research and Publications
Genetics of Natural Populations, Evolution, Molecular Ecology of Fishes
Research in the Porter Lab combines natural history with molecular markers to study phylogenetic relationships, phylogeography, hybridization, conservation genetics, evolution of mating systems and alternate reproductive tactics (ARTs) in natural populations of fishes and other aquatic organisms. Projects typically involve both field and laboratory studies from freshwater ecosystems in the Eastern United States. Phylogenetic analyses are conducted at the species or population level using morphological and/or molecular methods including meristic, morphometric, osteology, pigment biochemistry, DNA sequence and mutation detection techniques. Phylogenetic trees are combined with biogeographic information to reveal historic hydrologic changes that have shaped the evolution and current distributions of aquatic organisms. Molecular markers and principals of population genetics are applied to the recovery efforts of threatened and endangered fishes. Genetic parentage analyses using microsatellite markers provide a wealth of information on the evolution of fish mating systems, ARTs, introgression and hybridization.
1. Fiumera, A.C., B.A. Porter, G. Looney, M.A. Asmussen, and J.C. Avise. 2004. Maximizing
offspring production while maintaining genetic diversity in supplemental breeding
of highly fecund managed species. Conservation Biology 18(1):1-8.
2. Fletcher, D.E., E.E. Dakin, B.A. Porter, and J.C. Avise. 2004. Spawning behavior
and genetic Parentage in the pirate perch (Aphredoderus sayanus), a fish with and
enigmatic reproductive morphology. Copeia 2004(1):1-10.
3. Suttkus, R.D., B.A. Porter, and B.J. Freeman. 2003. The status and infraspecific
variation of Notripis stonei Fowler. Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society
148(4):354-376.
4. Porter, B.A., A.C. Fiumera, and J.C. Avise. 2002. Egg mimicry and allopaternal
care: two mate attracting tactics by which nesting striped darter (Etheostoma virgatum)
males enhance reproductive success. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology 51:350-359.
5. Porter, B.A., T.M. Cavender, and P.A. Fuerst. 2002. Molecular phylogeny of the
snubnose darters, subgenus Ulocentra (genus Etheostoma, family Percidae). Molecular
Phylogenetics and Evolution 22(3):364-374.
6. Walker, D., B.A. Porter, J.C. Avise. 2002. Genetic parentage assessment in the
crayfish Orconectes placidus, a high-fecundity invertebrate with extended maternal
brood care. Molecular Ecology 11(10):2115-2122.
7. Fiumera, A.C., B.A. Porter, G.D. Grossman, and J.C. Avise. 2002. Intensive genetic
assessment of the mating system and reproductive success in a semi-closed population
of the mottled sculpin, Cottus bairdi. Molecular Ecology 11(11):2367-2378.