The birth of a new species, much like the birth of an organism, occurs at a specific location at a discrete time within a particular lineage. Therefore, it is important to consider biogeography, ecology, and phylogenetic history together for a full understanding of how biodiversity is produced. Our work focuses on clarifying the role of geographic drivers on speciation mode and frequency.
Representative publications:
Stigall, A.L. In press (Spring 2016). Invasive species and speciation. In Allmon, W. and Yaccobucci, M.M., Species in the Fossil Record. Chicago University Press.
Stigall, A.L. 2015. Expanding the role of biogeography and niche evolution in macroevolutionary theory, 301-327. InSerrelli, E. & Gontier, N. (eds), Macroevolution: Explanation, Interpretation, and Evidence. Springer: Interdisciplinary Evolution Research series. Online
Gavin, D.G., Fitzpatrick, M.C., Gugger, P.F., Heath, K.D., Rodriguez-Sanchez, F., Dobrowski, S.Z., Hampte, A., Hu, F.S., Ashcroft, M.B., Bartlein, P.J., Blois, J.L., Cartstens, B.C., Davis, E.B., de Lafontaine, G., Edwards, M.E., Fernandez, M., Henne, P.D., Herring, E.M., Holden, Z.A., Kong, W-S., Liu, J., Magri, D., Matzke, N.J., McGlone, M.S., Saltré, F., Stigall, A.L., Tsai, Y-H.E. & Williams, J.W. 2014. Climate refugia: Using fossils, genetics, and spatial modeling to explain the past and project the future of biodiversity. New Phytologist, 204: 37-54. Open Access
Stigall, A.L. 2013. Analyzing links between biogeography, niche stability, and speciation: The impact of complex feedbacks on macroevolutionary patterns. Palaeontology, 56(6): 1225-1238. Online
Stigall, A.L. 2012. Speciation collapse and invasive species dynamics during the Late Devonian “Mass Extinction” GSA Today, 22(1): 4-10. Online
Maguire, K.C. & Stigall, A.L. 2008. Paleobiogeography of Miocene Equinae of North America: A phylogenetic biogeographic analysis of the relative roles of climate, vicariance, and dispersal. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 267: 175-184. Online
Hendricks, J.R., Lieberman, B.S. & Stigall, A.L. 2008. Using GIS to study the paleobiogeographic and macroevolutionary patterns in soft-bodied Cambrian arthropods. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 264:163-175. Online
This research has been supported by grants from the National Science Foundation, American Chemical Society’s Petroleum Research Fund, and Ohio University.
