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Funds from the National Science Foundation are supporting the
study of the evolution of venoms and feeding specializations of a set of closely
related Conus species.
We are specifically comparing venom compositions and diets of
several populations of three Conus species from the Indo-Pacific. The work to be
conducted includes characterization of Conus diets through examination of DNA
sequences obtained from snail feces and characterization of Conus venoms through
analyses of venom duct mRNA sequences. Fieldwork at American Samoa and Hawaii took place during 2009 and we are continuing to analyze diets and venoms of populations from these two sites. See Publications for recent papers on these themes.
A study of ecological release is supported from funds from the National Geographic
Committee on Research and Exploration.
Conus miliaris is essentially the only Conus
to occur at Easter Island. Based on Alan J. Kohn's work on this species, the population at
Easter Island exhibits a much greater dietary breadth than do populations of this species
elsewhere. We are examining the diets of individual snails at Easter Island to first
determine whether the greater dietary breadth is inherent within all individuals of this
population or if individuals exhibit individual-level resource specialization. We are also
comparing venoms of individuals from the Easter Island population to those of individuals from
elsewhere in the Indo-Pacific to determine whether wider diets are associated in changes
in venom compositions. See Publications for recent papers on the Easter Island studies.
Graduate student Dan Chang is working on her characterization of conotoxin gene families study -- the diversity of conotoxin sequences she's uncovering is mind-boggling! A paper should be coming soon!
Postdoctoral research associate Gang Chen is characterizing geographic variation in venom composition of Conus chaldaeus -- the patterns of venom diversification appears to be distinct from those observed in relatives.
Undergraduate Amy Olenzek is examining the distribution of conotoxin alleles of several conotoxin loci among populations of Conus ebraeus.
Undergraduate Brittany Lewis is examining Conus feces to identify feeding preferences of several Conus species.