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Evolution - Systematics

Meg Daly

Assistant Professor

1512 Museum of Biological Diversity

1315 Kinnear Rd.
Columbus, OH 43210

Phone: 614-247-8412

Fax: 614-292-2030

E-mail: daly.66@osu.edu

Lab Web Page: http://eeob.osu.edu/~eeob/daly/

Education: B.S. George Washington University (1995) Ph.D George Washington University (2000)

Brief Description of Research Interests

Animal Systematics and Ecology

Detailed Research Interests

My research program encompasses three interrelated topics: 1) describing the anatomical, taxonomic, and geographic diversity of actiniarian sea anemones, 2) testing hypotheses about the causes and effects of this diversity, and 3) exploring the data and methods used to describe and explain diversity. I have an active field program, and employ both molecular and morphological data to solve evolutionary questions. Sea anemones are a fascinating system in which to study evolution because they are morphologically constrained by their relatively simple organization. Although there is anatomical specialization at the level of cells, tissues, or regions of the diploblastic body, sea anemones are most diverse in terms of life history and biology. Reproductive mode, fertility pattern, symbiotic relationships, and microhabitat use vary among apparently closely related species. Because they manifest both extreme morphological simplicity and great biological complexity, actiniarians provide an opportunity to investigate common evolutionary questions like how changes in development affect morphology or how symbiont acquisition facilitates adaptive radiation, and a means of addressing interesting theoretical problems like constraint and convergence in morphology.

Key Citations

Daly, M., Chaudhuri, A., Gusmão, L.C., and Rodriguez, E. 2008. Phylogenetic relationships among sea anemones (Cnidaria: Anthozoa: Actiniaria). Mol. Phylo. Evol. 48: 292-301..

Daly, M., Brugler, M., Cartwright, P., Collins, A.G., Dawson, M.N., France S.C., Fautin., D.G., McFadden, C.S., Opresko, D.M., Rodriguez, E., Romano, S.L., and Stake, J.L. 2007. The phylum Cnidaria: A review of phylogenetic patterns and diversity three hundred years after Linnaeus. Zootaxa 1668: 127-186.

Magie, C.R., Daly, M., and M. Q. Martindale, M.Q. 2007. Gastrulation in the cnidarian Nematostella vectensis occurs via invagination not ingression. Dev. Biol. 305: 483-497.

Daly, M., D.L. Lipscomb, and M.W. Allard. 2002. A simple test: evaluating explanations for the relative simplicity for the Edwardsiidae. Evolution 56: 502-510.

Courses

EEOB 400 Evolution
EEOB 405 Organismal Diversity and Systematics
EEOB 505 Marine Biology

Lab Group

Post-docs:

Rodriguez, Estefania. Ph.D. University of Sevilla, Spain--Systematics and evolution of Actinostolid sea anemones (Cnidaria: Actiniaria: Actinostolidae).

Graduate Students:

D'Orazio, Anthony Ph.D. Program B.S. Biology, Duke University--Evolution of division of labor in Anthopleura (Cnidaria: Actiniaria: Actiiidae).

Gusmão, Luciana Ph.D. Program B.S. Biology, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil--Taxonomy and evolution of sea anemones (Cnidaria: Actiniaria: Hormathiidae) symbiotic with hermit crabs.

Heestand, Esprit M.S. Program B.A. Zoology, The Ohio State University--Molecular Systematics of Anthopleura.

Larson, Paul Ph.D. Program B.S. Biology, University of Minnesota--Systematics and reproductive ecology of sea anemones in the genus Epiactis.

Reft, Abby Ph.D. Program B.S. Biology, University of Chicago; M.S., University of Kansas--Ultrastructure and evolution of nematocysts.

Wollschlager, Jenny M.S. Program B.S. Biology, Eckerd College--Nematocysts of the invasive hydrozoan Cordylophora.

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