Landscape Genomics

A central goal of molecular ecology and evolutionary biology is to understand the geographic distribution of genetic variation. Landscape genomics is an emerging and integrative field that combines aspects of next-generation sequencing, landscape ecology, population genomics, and spatial statistics to help improve our understanding of the genetic basis of local adaptation. The Storfer lab has recently been conducting a wide-variety of research in landscape genomics, and PI Storfer co-led a NIMBioS working group  (http://www.nimbios.org/workinggroups/WG_genomics) to advance research in this field. We are also conducting empirical landscape genomics studies on several amphibian species, including cane toads, tiger salamanders, streamside salamanders and Tasmanian devils. Our latest work is on landscape community genomics, and we are investigating how the biotic factor of Tasmanian devil decline affects the genetic structure of other species in the food web via trophic cascades (e.g., mesopredator release).

Small amphibian.
Small amphibians.

Representative Publications

  • Beer, M.A., Proft, K.M., Veillet, A., Kozakiewicz, C.P., Hamilton, D., Hamede, R., McCallum, H., Hohenlohe, P.A., Jones, M.E., Burridge, C., Margres, M.J., Storfer, A.* 2024. Disease-driven top predator decline affects mesopredator genetic structure. Nature Ecology and Evolution. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-023-02265-9
  • Kozakiewicz, C.P., L. Ricci, A.H. Patton, S.A. Hendricks, M.J. Margres†, R .Hamede, M. Ruiz-Aravena, D.G. Hamilton, H. McCallum, M.E. Jones, P.A. Hohenlohe and A. Storfer 2020. Comparative landscape genetics reveals differential effects of environment on host and pathogen gene flow in Tasmanian devils (Sarcophilus harrisii) and a transmissible cancer. Molecular Ecology. 29: 3217-3233; doi:10.1111/mec.15558
  • Storfer, A., A.H. Patton and A. K. Fraik. 2018. Navigating the intersection of landscape genomics and landscape genetics. Frontiers in Genetics. 13, doi.org/10.3389/fgene.2018.00068.
  • Lowry, DB., S Hoban, JL Kelley, KE Lotterhos, LK Reed, MF Antolin and A Storfer. 2016. Breaking RAD: The utility of restriction site-associated DNA sequencing for genome scans of adaptation. Molecular Ecology Resources. 17: 142-152. DOI: 10.1111/1755-0998.12635 ^ISI Highly Cited
  • Trumbo, D.R.**, B. Epstein†, L. Schawazkopf, P.A. Hohenlohe, R. Alford and A. Storfer. 2016. Mixed population genomics support for the central marginal hypothesis across the invasive range of the cane toad (Rhinella marina) in Australia. Molecular Ecology 25: 4161-4176.
  • Hoban, S. JL Kelley, KE Lotterhos, MF Antolin, G. Bradburd, DB Lowry, ML Poss, LK Reed, A. Storfer and MC Whitlock. 2016. Finding the genomic basis of local adaptation in non-model organisms: pitfalls, practical solutions and future directions. American Naturalist 188: 379-397.* recommended by Faculty of 1000; ^ISI Highly Cited; @Hot Paper
  • Storfer, A., M. A. Murphy, J. S. Evans, C. S. Goldberg, S. Robinson, S. F. Spear, R. Dezzani, E. Demelle, L. Vierling, and L. P. Waits. 2007. Putting the “landscape” in landscape genetics. Heredity 98:128-142.