Ronald M. Bonett

Assistant ProfessorOH 326
918-631-3328
ron-bonett@utulsa.edu

My research focuses on the evolution of alternate developmental patterns in vertebrates, particularly amphibians. Most amphibians have a biphasic life cycle with an aquatic larval stage followed by metamorphosis into a more terrestrial adult form, but several lineages have independently evolved alternate developmental pathways resulting in both strictly aquatic and strictly terrestrial species. Using a variety of behavioral, ecological, endocrinological, genomic, and phylogenetic approaches, I seek to understand how deviations in developmental patterns have influenced the evolution of vertebrate diversity.

Education and Degrees Earned

  • Ph.D. Quantitative Biology, University of Texas at Arlington, TX, 2004
  • M.S. Biological Sciences, East Stroudsburg University, PA, 2000
  • B.S. Biological Sciences, East Stroudsburg University, PA, 1998

Areas of Research Focus

  • Biogeography, behavior, development, ecology, and evolution of amphibians
    Methods include: bioinformatics, DNA and RNA sequence collection, gene expression, behavioral and hormonal experiments, morphological analyses, and a variety of phylogenetic methods.

Previous Relevant Work Experience

  • Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Michigan, 2006 – 2007
  • Postdoctoral Scholar, University of California, Berkeley, 2004 - 2006

Courses Taught at TU

  • Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy (BIOL 3204)
  • Introduction to Organismal and Evolutionary Biology (BIOL 1603)
  • Selected Topics in Vertebrate Zoology, Herpetology (BIOL 3613/6613)

Publications


  • Bonett, R. M. 2002. Analysis of the contact zone between the dusky salamanders Desmognathus fuscus fuscus and Desmognathus fuscus conanti (Caudata: Plethodontidae). Copeia 2002: 344-355.

  • Vences, M., M. Thomas, R. M. Bonett, and D. R. Vieites. 2005 Deciphering amphibian diversity through DNA barcoding: chances and challenges. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B 360: 1859-1868.

  • Min, M. S., S.Y. Yang, R. M. Bonett, D. R. Vieites, R. A Brandon, and D. B. Wake. 2005. Discovery of the first Asian plethodontid salamander. Nature 435: 87-90.

  • Noonan, B. P. and R. M. Bonett. 2003. A new species of Hyalinobatrachium from the Highlands of Guyana. Journal of Herpetology 37: 91-97.

  • Bonett, R. M., Kozak, K. H., Vieites, D. R., Bare, A., Wooten, J. A., and S. E. Trauth. 2007. The importance of comparative phylogeography in diagnosing introduced species: a lesson from the seal salamander, Desmognathus monticola. BMC Ecology 7:7

  • Zelditch, M. L., Wood, A. R., Bonett, R. M., and D. L. Swiderski. 2008. Modularity of the rodent mandible: Integrating bones, muscles and teeth. Evolution and Development 10: 756-768.

  • Köhler, J., D. R. Vieites, R. M. Bonett, F. Hita García, F. Glaw, D. Steinke, and M. Vences. 2005. New amphibians and global conservation: A boost in species discoveries in a highly endangered vertebrate group. BioScience 55: 693-696.

  • Wiens, J. J., R. M. Bonett, and P. T. Chippindale. 2005. Ontogeny discombobulates phylogeny: paedomorphosis and higher-level salamander relationships. Systematic Biology 54: 91-110.

  • Kozak, K. H., A. Larson, R. M. Bonett, and L. Harmon. 2005. Phylogenetic analysis of ecomorphological divergence, species coexistance and diversification rates in dusky salamanders (Plethodontidae: Desmognathinae). Evolution 59: 2000-2016.

  • Chippindale P. T., R. M. Bonett, A. S. Baldwin, and J. J. Wiens. 2004 Phylogenetic evidence for a major reversal of life-history evolution in plethodontid salamanders. Evolution 58: 2809-2822.