Research

Community Genetics

Marine ecology has revealed a great deal about how organisms interact with their environments, but we still know much less about how benthic communities formed, how they have responded to past environmental change, and how they persist over long timescales. Research in the Marko lab addresses these questions using molecular phylogeographic approaches. Our genetic results show that species often responded in their own ways rather than through large, coordinated range shifts. This suggests that future climate change is also likely to rearrange communities unevenly.

We are now using environmental DNA to study whole communities and to monitor marine ecosystems. This rapidly growing field has greatly expanded what can now be considered molecular ecology.

Dispersal and gene flow

Understanding gene flow among populations is central to explaining local adaptation, speciation, and connectivity in marine systems. Research in the Marko lab investigates gene flow as one of several forces shaping genetic differentiation by using mitochondrial and genomic datasets to assess how dispersal, isolation, and drift contribute to divergence, particularly across the tropical Pacific. Current work uses a variety of demographic modeling approaches to test alternative explanations for the causes of population differentiation and to reconstruct the timing and magnitude of genetic exchange among populations.

Seafood Forensics

The decline and collapse of many fisheries has increased concern about seafood labeling and supply-chain transparency. Research in the Marko lab uses molecular genetics to detect species substitutions and mislabeling in commercial seafood, especially in high-value fisheries where accurate identification supports consumer choice. By sequencing mitochondrial markers and comparing them with curated reference databases, we determine whether products sold under market names match their legally recognized species. Mislabeling can hide overfishing, weaken sustainability programs, and give the false impression that threatened species are still common. Ongoing work applies genomic tools and environmental DNA to improve traceability and strengthen monitoring of seafood authenticity in global markets.

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