2258 TAMU
College Station, TX 77843-2258

Office:
Old Heep Building
Room 320B
979-847-9426

Lab:
979-847-9463

Fax: 979-845-3786
Email: rhoneycutt@tamu.edu

Rodney L. Honeycutt received a B.A. in Zoology from the University of Texas at Austin, an M.S. in Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences from Texas A&M University, and a Ph.D. in Biology from Texas Tech University. He was a research fellow at the Australian National University and CSIRO from 1981-1983, a postdoctoral fellow in Cell and Molecular Biology at the University of Michigan from 1983-1984, associate professor of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology and curator of mammals at the Museum of Comparative Zoology at Harvard University from 1984-1988, and program director of Population and Systematic Biology for the National Science Foundation from 1992-1993. He joined the faculty at Texas A&M in 1988, and is currently a Professor of Biology, Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences and Genetics.

Department of Wildlife & Fisheries

This research program has three primary foci. First, processes of molecular evolution related to the selection/neutrality paradigm are being investigated using nucleotide sequence variation in both mitochondrial and nuclear genes. This research involves studies of evolution in primarily mammalian systems. Specific research topics include: (1) the use of phylogenetic framework to test for deviations from rate homogeneity; (2) tests for evidence of a molecular clock and the application of a molecular clock for estimating divergence time in groups without a robust fossil record; (3) the examination of covariation between either interacting gene products (mitochondrial and nuclear) or regions of a gene responsible for secondary structure (e.g. rRNAs and tRNAs); (4) detailed studies of rates of molecular evolution within and between groups of mammals, especially mammalian families and orders.

Second, amino acid and nucleotide sequence data derived from both the nuclear and mitochondrial genomes are being used to investigate the phylogenetic relationships among vertebrate groups. Most recent molecular phylogenetic studies pertain to either birds (grouse) or mammals (order Artiodactyla, Chiroptera, Primates, and Rodentia). We are currently interested in the molecular phylogenetics of rodent families, especially those in the suborder hystricognathi. The order Rodentia contains over 50% of all mammalian species and is represented by 32 extant families. They show diversity in morphology, ecology, behavior, and life history strategies, and provide man examples of convergent and parallel evolution in morphology. Families of hystrricognath rodents occur primarily in Africa (phiomorph rodents) and South America (caviomorph rodents), and relationships among these families and the biogeographic history of the group are unresolved. Molecular markers are being used to test hypotheses related to the origin of South American cabiomorph families and the timing of the exchange between Africa and South America.

Finally, molecular data are being used in several genetic studies of endangered species. We are involved in an ongoing study of the Iberian Iynx, the most endangered cat species. Molecular phylogenetic techniques have been used to determine the taxonomic status of the Iberian Iynx in comparison to related species found in Europe and North America. A combination of nuclear DNA markers (microsatellites) and mitochondrial DNA nucleotide sequences is being used to investigate geographic patterns of genetic variation within and among fragmented populations of Iberian Iynx in Spain. Other conservation genetics studies include: (1) a genetic study of the endangered Florida Key deer; (2) population genetic studies of ocelot populations in South Texas and northern Mexico; (3) an investigation of genetic variation in the endangered Colombian white-tailed deer; (4) genetic studies of prairie grouse, especially Attwater's prairie chicken.

Vilas, C., P. Savolainen, J.E. Maldonado, I.R. Amorim, J.E. Rice, R.L. Honeycutt, K.A. Crandall, J. Lundeberg, and R.K. Wayne. 1997. Multiple and ancient origins of the domestic dog. Science, 276:1687-1689.

Ward, T., R.L. Honeycutt, and J. Derr. 1997. Nucleotide sequence evolution at the kappa- casein locus: Evidence for positive selection within the family Bovidae. Genetics, 147: in press.

Beltran, J.F., J.E. Rice, and R.L. Honeycutt. 1996. Taxonomic status of the endangered Iberian lynx. Nature, 379:407-408.

Nedbal, M.A., R.L. Honeycutt, and D.A. Schlitter. 1996. Higher level systematics of rodents (Mammalia, Rodentia): Evidence from the mitochondrial 12S rRNA gene. Journal of Mammalian Evolution, 3:201-237.