Morranlab
Contact Info
- Levi T. Morran
- lmorran@indiana.edu
Indiana University Jordan Hall room 117 1001 E. 3rd St. Bloomington, IN, USA
I am currently a postdoc in the Lively lab at Indiana University.
Email me if you would like a full version of my CV.
Education
- 2009, PhD, University of Oregon
- 2004, BS, Indiana University
Research interests
I am broadly interested in the factors that either facilitate or constrain adaptive evolution. More specifically, I explore the role that genetic partitioning, within or between lineages, populations, or species, plays in adaptive evolution. I primarily study two components of biology, mating systems and coevolution, that result in genetic partitioning and consequently can shape the evolutionary trajectory of populations.
I utilize experimental evolution to directly test hypotheses relating to these topics and determine the manner in which evolution proceeds by characterizing both the phenotypic and genetic changes that occur in evolving populations.
- Mating System Evolution
Reproduction is a basic requirement in biology. Despite this ubiquitous importance, there are many ways in which organisms reproduce. Even within the category of sexual reproduction, some organisms utilize outcrossing while others are capable of self-fertilization. Although both forms of reproduction may result in the production of genetically variable offspring, each mating system partitions genetic variation differently within and between lineages. I am interested in the selective pressures that favor specific mating systems, the genetic consequences of each mating system, and their overall role in shaping a population or lineage's evolutionary trajectory over time.
- Coevolutionary Dynamics
Coevolution, reciprocal genetic change between interacting species driven by natural selection, accounts for a significant proportion of the evolutionary change that occurs in nature. This is quite reasonable because most, if not all, species live as members of communities composed of many species. As a result of interactions between species in a community, many species utilize not only their own genome, but also the genome of at least one other species to facilitate both survival and reproduction. Although genes are (usually) naturally partitioned by the species barrier, these inter-species genomic interactions exert selective pressure which can alter the composition of the interacting genomes, and therefore profoundly influence the evolutionary trajectories of the interacting species.
The most extreme forms of coevolutionary relationships are parasitism and mutualism. I am currently testing the effects of these extreme relationships on rates of adaptation and determining their role in shaping the genetic architecture of interacting species.
- Coevolutionary Dynamics that Drive Mating System Evolution
The Red Queen Hypothesis predicts that selective pressure from coevolving parasites can select for increased sexual reproduction (or outcrossing) in host populations because sex (or outcrossing) can produce offspring with rare genotypes that may avoid infection. Thus the Red Queen Hypothesis combines my interests (mating systems and coevolution) quite well, and it also happens to be a central component of the research program in the Lively Lab. I am currently using the C. elegans system to experimentally test Red Queen Hypothesis predictions via experimental evolution.
Collaborators
- Jennifer Anderson, University of Oregon, Phillips Lab
- Farrah Bashey-Visser, Indiana University
- Heidi Goodrich-Blair, University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Curt Lively, Indiana University
- Michelle Parmenter, University of Oregon, Phillips Lab
- Patrick Phillips, University of Oregon
Publications
-
Bashey, F., L.T. Morran, and C.M. Lively. 2007. Coinfection, kin selection, and the rate of host exploitation by a parasitic nematode. Evolutionary Ecology Research 9: 947-958.
- Morran LT, Cappy BJ, Anderson JL, and Phillips PC. Sexual partners for the stressed: facultative outcrossing in the self-fertilizing nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. Evolution. 2009 Jun;63(6):1473-82. DOI:10.1111/j.1558-5646.2009.00652.x |
- Morran LT, Parmenter MD, and Phillips PC. Mutation load and rapid adaptation favour outcrossing over self-fertilization. Nature. 2009 Nov 19;462(7271):350-2. DOI:10.1038/nature08496 |
- Anderson JL, Morran LT, and Phillips PC. Outcrossing and the maintenance of males within C. elegans populations. J Hered. 2010 Mar-Apr;101 Suppl 1(Suppl 1):S62-74. DOI:10.1093/jhered/esq003 |
Research in News and Media Coverage
Mutation load and rapid adaptation favour outcrossing over self-fertilization:
News and Views, Agrawal, AF. 2009 Evolutionary biology: Why reproduction often takes two.
University of Oregon news release
The following two links include sexual content that may not be suitable for all individuals:
Science and Faith
I am a Christian evolutionary biologist. I chose evolutionary biology (and specifically experimental evolution) as a field of study to get a firsthand look at the process of evolution. After almost 10 years of research, I am continually fascinated by, and an ardent proponent of, evolution and its comprehensive ability to explain the diversity of life on Earth. Given my faith and my love of science, it is no surprise that I have a keen interest in the creation/evolution debate currently ongoing in the United States. I believe that Intelligent Design and certain forms of Creationism threaten to undermine the scientific integrity of science classrooms across the country, while also marginalizing and sabotaging religious faith. I am particularly interested in making science and the scientific method accessible, comprehendible, and nonthreatening to faith-based groups in an effort to preserve scientific integrity and reconcile the fact of evolution with faith in the supernatural.
I am profoundly interested in the relationship between science and faith. It is one of my favorite discussion points, so please feel free to email me with your thoughts or comments. I truly enjoy civil discussion and hearing different points of view.
Ken Miller and Francis Collins are excellent scientists and scholars that present compelling cases regarding the compatibility of science and faith. I highly recommend their work to anyone exploring this topic.
Organizations I Support
- Team Zachary raises funds for cancer research in memory of my best friend Zach May.
- Smoky Mountain Great Dane Rescue, run by my brother and his wife, fosters, adopts, and advocates for Great Danes in the Southeastern US.
- National Center for Science Education is an organization that advocates for the inclusion of evolution and exclusion of nonscientific "origins" theories in public school science curricula.
- Mama Tina Resource Center is a Kenyan Christian organization that provides care and education for AIDS orphans in Kenya.
- Heifer International combats poverty and social inequity worldwide by providing communities and families with environmentally sound and sustainable resources, and trains them to use those resources responsibly.
Lifetime Collaborators
Fun Stuff
Sports
- Indianapolis Colts I love football!
- Oakland Athletics I like baseball.
- Columbia City High School Football My good friend is the varsity coach, this team is steadily improving and fun to follow.
- Eugene Marathon I'm not a runner, but I enjoy running (I've run the half, not the full).
Music
- WTTS Fm 92.3 From Dylan to Marley to Dave, they play great music.
- Carbon Leaf Great band everyone should check out!
- Mat Kearney Excellent musician and great performer!
- I've been known to listen to some George Strait every now and then too.
Movies
- Star Wars Uncut I'm a Star Wars nerd.
Food
I like cheeseburgers, burritos, and subs more than anyone really should. Here are a few of my favorites:
- Cornucopia- Best burgers in Eugene, OR!
- Opie Taylor's- Best burgers in Bloomington, IN!
- Laughing Planet Cafe - Great burritos in Eugene and Bloomington!
- Dagwood's- Awesome subs in B-Town! I highly recommend the Dagwood Supreme.
