Research
General Interests: “We Study Weird”
Work in the Diaz Lab is truly integrative, collaborative and framed around appreciating and studying the evolution of biodiversity, primarily from the perspective of morphological change. While the lab is rooted in herpetology (the study of amphibians and reptiles), current projects are the following: origin and diversification of the mammalian skull, evolution of avian flight, EvoDevo of the dermatocranial skeleton across all bony ‘fishes’ (actinopterygians + sarcopterygians) and diversification across tetrapods, the genetics and morphogenesis of coloration/patterning in reptile skin along with conservation and field work of various species in the state of California. Our work has also taken us to study the embryonic development of our own species, Homo sapiens. We have an active breeding group of reptiles that provide embryos for various EvoDevo projects (>10 species across various families) while also working with data from fossil taxa to study the evolution of extinct lineages. We find that working with atypical ‘model’ organisms provides both a challenge to study but also provides unique insights into body plan evolution when compared with the clawed frog, axolotl, chick, mouse and zebrafish (with these model systems also utilized by our lab). We also frame our studies within the context of how some features may appear as pathologies in humans yet be adaptive in nature, such as the cleft in the hands/feet of chameleons. Below are some areas of current investigation:
General Comparative Embryonic Development Across Reptiles
To understand how body plans diversify across reptiles, we must first document morphogenesis of embryos for various groups. Currently we are putting together a collaborative book on Reptile embryonic development spanning all major reptile groups. From this data we can then examine at which point during development species either share the most similarities or present major lineage specific changes. Thus, giving us time points during development at which we can examine the genetic and cellular basis of morphological divergence. to add paragraph to your block, write your own text and edit me.
To understand how body plans diversify across reptiles, we must first document morphogenesis of embryos for various groups. Currently we are putting together a collaborative book on Reptile embryonic development spanning all major reptile groups. From this data we can then examine at which point during development species either share the most similarities or present major lineage specific changes. Thus, giving us time points during development at which we can examine the genetic and cellular basis of morphological divergence. to add paragraph to your block, write your own text and edit me.
Skull Development and Evolution
We take a broad approach at examinging the development of the vertebrate skull. In fact, the lab has projects utilizing the “classic” alizarin/alcian staining method to look at the formation of the cranioskeleton in amphibians and amniotes. Our focus the last several years has been to better understand the formation of individual elements in the squamate skull and use this speciose clade as a model for how the craniofacial complex evolves in both shape and number of cranial bones. Additionally, we hope to begin examining cranial neural crest cells across squamates with an examination of skull suture biology at various scales.Drag me to add paragraph to your block, write your own text and edit me.
We take a broad approach at examinging the development of the vertebrate skull. In fact, the lab has projects utilizing the “classic” alizarin/alcian staining method to look at the formation of the cranioskeleton in amphibians and amniotes. Our focus the last several years has been to better understand the formation of individual elements in the squamate skull and use this speciose clade as a model for how the craniofacial complex evolves in both shape and number of cranial bones. Additionally, we hope to begin examining cranial neural crest cells across squamates with an examination of skull suture biology at various scales.Drag me to add paragraph to your block, write your own text and edit me.
We love skulls <click image>
Limb Development and Interdigital webbing
Limbs are crucial for locomotion (along with axial anatomy). We have studied chameleon limb morphogenesis with respect to general growth and differentiation of the skeleton, with particular interest in the number of carpal and tarsal elements through ontogeny. Additionally, we plan to further examine the maintenance and loss of interdigital tissue in limbed reptiles at cellular and genomic levels while also examining what affects the number of skeletal elements in the autopodium.
Musculoskeletal and soft tissue development in the reptilian limbs
Muscular anatomy is a classic field in comparative morphology. In the lab we are using antibody staining to examine the formation and differentiation of limb musculature across ontogeny while also using in situ hybridization to study the formation and differentiation of tendons and ligaments. Reptiles have received little attention in this field. We have examined muscular architecture in a select group of chameleons and outgroup lizards and will be examining a finer scale series of questions ranging from muscle cell differentiation to myoblast fusion to what determines the patterning of muscles in lizards and snakes.rite your own text and edit me.
Limbs are crucial for locomotion (along with axial anatomy). We have studied chameleon limb morphogenesis with respect to general growth and differentiation of the skeleton, with particular interest in the number of carpal and tarsal elements through ontogeny. Additionally, we plan to further examine the maintenance and loss of interdigital tissue in limbed reptiles at cellular and genomic levels while also examining what affects the number of skeletal elements in the autopodium.
Musculoskeletal and soft tissue development in the reptilian limbs
Muscular anatomy is a classic field in comparative morphology. In the lab we are using antibody staining to examine the formation and differentiation of limb musculature across ontogeny while also using in situ hybridization to study the formation and differentiation of tendons and ligaments. Reptiles have received little attention in this field. We have examined muscular architecture in a select group of chameleons and outgroup lizards and will be examining a finer scale series of questions ranging from muscle cell differentiation to myoblast fusion to what determines the patterning of muscles in lizards and snakes.rite your own text and edit me.
