David Woodruff Professor of Biology, UCSD Section of Ecology, Behavior & Evolution Section e-mail: dwoodruff@ucsd.edu

I am interested in phylogeography and conservation genetics: the role of population genetics and ecology in determining the past and future evolution of animal species. Until the 1990's I focused on such topics as the genodynamics of hybrid zones (using Australian frogs, Pseudophryne), the role of gene flow and parapatric divergence in speciation (using Bahamian land snails, Cerion), and the co-evolution of host-parasite compatibility (using human schistosomes and their freshwater snail intermediate hosts). Although these retrospective studies of species evolution continue in my laboratory, most attention is now devoted to helping biologists meet their greatest challenge: that of ensuring the future evolution of animal species. To this end we have contributed to the development of molecular genetic methods of noninvasive genotyping, of defining evolutionarily significant units (ESUs) for conservation management purposes, and of detecting and monitoring genetic erosion in isolated populations. Admission to the Division.s graduate program has become very competitive and opportunities for research in my laboratory are limited by the availability of funds. Recent projects have focused on:

PRIMATES - Using DNA sequences and microsatellite (MSAT) markers we have conducted studies of diverse free-ranging primate populations. We have studied phylogeny and phylogeography of chimpanzees and gibbons. We have characterized the population structure and mating systems of some marmosets and lemurs. Research continues on gibbons only.

BIRDS - Having developed noninvasive methods of genotyping hornbills, we conducted a conservation genetics study of the endangered San Clemente loggerhead shrike. We established the genetic uniqueness of this island endemic and showed how founder effect and genetic erosion affect its evolution. Research completed.

POPULATION VIABILITY AND GENETIC EROSION FOLLOWING RAINFOREST FRAGMENTATION - We initiated population viability analyses of small mammals in rainforest patches that were isolated as islands when the filling of a reservoir flooded a forested valley in Thailand. We documented the onset of genetic erosion using MSAT variation in the first few generations post-fragmentation. This genetic monitoring method can now be applied to wildlife of greater conservation concern. Funds are being sought to conduct a 20-year follow-up study of the impact of genetic erosion.

ELEPHANTS - Using DNA amplified from dung, we have discovered that three different types of elephants inhabit Africa today. With a panel of microsatellite markers we have also demonstrated a method of genetic censusing of elusive forest elephants without ever seeing them. Former student, Dr. Lori Eggert, is continuing this research at the University of Missouri.

BIOGEOGRAPHIC TRANSITION AT THE ISTHMUS OF KRA - We have initiated a study of the history and dynamics of the interaction of the Indochinese and Sundaic biotas which meet today on the Thai-Malay peninsula. Funds are being sought to up-scale this project and conduct comparative ecological and phylogeographic studies.

• Gagneux, P., C. Wills, U. Gerloff, D. Tautz, P.A. Morin, C.B.B. Fruth, G. Hohmann, O. Ryder and D.S. Woodruff. (1999). Mitochondrial sequences show diverse evolutionary histories of African hominoids. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, USA 96:5077-5082.
• Srikwan, S. and D.S. Woodruff. (2000). Genetic erosion in isolated small mammal populations following rain forest fragmentation. In: Genetics, Demography and Viability of Fragmented Populations. Young, A. & G. Clarke, eds. Cambridge Univ. Press, Cambridge. Pp. 149-172.
• Woodruff, D.S. (2001). Declines of biomes and biotas and the future of evolution. Proceeding of the National Academy of Sciences, USA, 98: 5471-5476.
• Eggert, S., Rasner, C. A. & Woodruff, D. S. (2002). The evolution and phylogeography of the African elephant (Loxodonta africana) inferred from mitochondrial DNA sequence and nuclear microsatellite markers. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London B, 269: 1993-2006.
• Woodruff, D.S. Neogene marine transgressions, paleogeography and biogeographic transitions on the Thai Malay Penisula. (2003a). Journal of Biogeography, 30:551-567.
• Hughes, J.B., P.D. Round and D.S. Woodruff. (2003b). The Indochinese-Sundaic faunal transition at the Isthmus of Kra: an analysis of resident forest bird species distributions. Journal of Biogeography 30:569-580.
• Woodruff, D.S. (2003c). Non-invasive genotyping and field studies of free-ranging non-human primates. In: Kinship and Behavior in Primates. Chapais, B. and C. Berman, eds. Oxford University Press, Oxford, pp.46-68.
• Eggert, L.S., N.I. Mundy and D.S. Woodruff. (2004b). Population structure of loggerhead shrikes in the California Channel Islands. Molecular Ecology 13:2121-2133.
• Monda, K., R.E. Simmons, P. Kressirer, B. Su and D.S. Woodruff. (2007b). Mitochondrial DNA sequence variation and phylogeny of the concolor gibbons, Nomascus. American Journal of Primatology 69: 1285.1306.
• Woodruff, D.S. and Leslie M. Turner. (2008). The Indochinese.Sundaic zoogeographic transition: a description and analysis of terrestrial mammal species distributions. Journal of Biogeography in review