Evolutionary biology and ecology facilities

Our faculty are studying the ecological, behavioral, and genetic mechanisms and processes of evolution in natural plant and animal populations. The greatest strength of this program is the integration of current evolutionary theory with modern molecular genetic techniques, and with rigorous behavioral and ecological experimentation. Research systems are diverse, and they offer the opportunity to pursue questions in systems ranging from natural montane and prairie plant populations, spiders and beetle communities, polyploid treefrogs, paedomorphic salamanders, hybrid mice, and neotropical migrant birds.

Research groups have access to all the MU Core Facilities as well as state-of-the-art laboratories for the analysis of genetic samples, chemical toxins of insects, acoustic properties of animal calls, and neurophysiology of sound pattern recognition. Walk-in acoustic chambers, climate-controlled chambers, and greenhouses are available for large-scale experiments. An artificial pond facility is available which allows semi-natural experiments on aquatic systems. The Division maintains a research herbarium (UMO) containing over 250,000 plant specimens. Close contact with the Missouri Department of Conservation Research Unit and the National Biological Service's Midwest Science Center in Columbia provide special opportunities for collaboration in the area of conservation biology and the use of additional facilities for research.

Research on plant and animal natural systems is being done at a number of protected field sites near Columbia (e.g. Tucker Prairie and Ashland Wildlife Research Area) and elsewhere in Missouri. A number of faculty and students are involved in long-term field studies at the Archbold Biological Station in Florida, Savannah River Ecology Laboratory in South Carolina, Guanica Forest in Puerto Rico, and the Mosquito Mountain Range in Colorado. Additional field studies are being conducted in California, Florida, Texas, and Wisconsin.

The Life Sciences Center and Sears Plant Growth Facilities provide state-of-the-art workspace for MU plant research under controlled conditions. Each facility contains individual greenhouse units and walk-in growth chambers. The Sears Facility alone spans nearly one-half acre with precise control over the environment.

Collaborative research at the international level is also facilitated by faculty contacts with government conservation organizations or universities in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Cuba, Ecuador, Germany, Mexico, Peru, Puerto Rico, and Switzerland. We are a member of the Organization for Tropical Studies (OTS) and successfully place several graduate students each year in their intensive ecological field courses.