Research

The field of evolutionary ecology encompasses the fields of ecology, evolution and genetics. Our work involves both field and laboratory research, often utilizing molecular analyses of mitochondrial DNA and protein allozymes.   Specific areas of current interest are:

Conservation Genetics. We assay genetic diversity of isolated populations that are often rare/endangered. Current projects include research on small mammals (mice, voles, shrews and flying squirrels) and salamanders which are found in the spruce-fir forests crowning the Southern Appalachians, and work on Galápagos cacti and bird populations.

Life-history and Reproductive Strategies. We are interested in how organisms adapt to their environment and the trade-offs that often occur in reproduction and lifespan. The majority of this work has occurred using the brine shrimp Artemia as the model organism and has involved laboratory and field work, especially in the Mediterranean region where parthenogenetic (all-female) populations of Artemia occur.

Selected Publications

Browne, R.A., E.I. Collins and D.J. Anderson. 2008. Genetic variation among Galapagos populations of the Yellow Warbler, Dendroica petechia. Condor, in press

Helsen, P., R.A. Browne, P. Verdyk, P. Van Drogen and D. Anderson. 2008. Galapagos Opuntia (Prickly Pear) cacti: Extensive morphological diversity, low genetic variability. Biological Journal of the Linnaean Society, in press

Browne, R.A. and P.M. Ferree. 2007. Genetic structure of southern Appalachian spruce-fir “sky-island” populations of the red backed vole. Journal of Mammalogy 88: 104-112

Browne, R.A. and J. LaVoie. 2005. Arboreal species richness in Piedmont North Carolina, 1764-1996. Castanea.

Arbogast, B.S., R.A. Browne, P.D. Weigl, and G.J. Kanagy. 2005. Conservation genetics of andangered flying squirrels from the Appalachian mountains of eastern North Carolina. Animal Conservation 8:1-11.

Sipe, T. W. and R. A. Browne. 2004. Intra-specific phylogeography of the masked shrew (Sorex cinereus) and smoky shrew (S. fumeus) in the southern Appalachians. Journal of Mammalogy 84:161-175.

Crespi, E.J., L. J. Rissler, and R.A. Browne. 2003. Testing Pleistocene refugia theory: phylogeographic analysis of Desmognathus wrighti; a high-elevation salamander in the southern Appalachians. Molecular Ecology 12:969-984.

Browne, R.A.,D. Anderson, M.D. White and M. Johnson. 2003. Evidence for low genetic divergence among Galápagos Opuntia cactus species. Noticias de Galapágos 62:11-15.

Browne, R.A., V. Moller, V.E. Forbes, and M.H. Depledge. 2002.  Genetic and environmental components of variance in response to environmental stress in sexual and parthenogenetic Artemia.  Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 267:107-119.

Arbogast, B.S., R.A. Browne, and P.D. Weigl.  2001.  Evolutionary genetics and Pleistocene biogeography of North American tree squirrels (Tamiasciurus).  Journal of Mammalogy 82:302-319.

Wanigasekera, G. and R.A. Browne.  2000.   Combined effects of salinity and temperature on survival and reproduction of five species of Artemia.  Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 244:29-44.

Browne, R.A., M. Steele, P. Weigl, J. Kelly and E. Eagleson. 1999.  Mountaintops as islands. I. Genetic variation in northern flying squirrel populations.  Pages 205-214 in Proceedings of the Appalachian Biogeography Symposium. R.P. Eckerlin, ed.  Virginia Museum of Natural History Special Publication, Martinsville, Va.

Barata, C., F. Hontoria, F. Amat, and R.A. Browne.   1996.  Competition between sexual and parthenogenetic Artemia: temperature and strain effects.  Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 196:313-328.

Browne, R.A., D.J. Anderson, J.N. Houser, F. Cruz, K.J. Glasgow, C.N. Hodges, and G. Massey.  1997.  Genetic diversity and divergence of endangered Galápagos and Hawaiian petrel populations.  Condor 99:812-815.