Brady Porter

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.