217 - Convergent Evolution in Fish Skull Morphology with Dr. Kassandra Ford

This week Kadie chats with Dr. Kassandra Ford, an evolutionary biologist who will be starting as an Assistant Professor in the Fisheries, Wildlife, & Conservation Biology Department at the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities in Fall 2023. Kassandra's work examines how head and skull shape relates to diet and habitat occupancy, and how these patterns have evolved over time. Her PhD and postdoctoral work largely focused on tropical freshwater fishes, but she is looking forward to expanding her research to the native fishes in the Midwest and Great Lakes! She will also be overseeing the Ichthyology Collection at the Bell Museum and assisting with outreach events to connect scientists with the public.

In this episode, we cover how Kassandra became interested in skull morphology, some recent projects on convergent evolution in freshwater electric fish, and Kassandra's plans for her new lab and work as the curator of the Ichthyology Collection at the Bell Museum.

Main point: evolution is not linear

If you'd like to reach Dr. Ford or learn more about her work, you can check out her website at kassandraford.com, find her on twitter @kassthefish, or send her an email at kassthefish@gmail.com.

Also, read Dr. Ford's 2022 paper on convergent evolution in freshwater electric fish craniofacial morphology here!

 

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Thanks as always to Andrew Gialanella for the fantastic intro/outro music.

The Fisheries Podcast is a completely independent podcast, not affiliated with a larger organization or entity. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by the podcast. The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by the hosts are those of that individual and do not necessarily reflect the view of any entity with those individuals are affiliated in other capacities (such as employers).