Dynastes Population

Population genomics of Dynastes grantii across Sky Island mountain ranges (AZ/NM/UT). Sean Chien lead, with Jen-Pan Huang. Target: Evolutionary Applications.

Status: active

Current hypothesis:

Sky Island populations of Dynastes grantii show a stepping-stone colonization pattern from a southern refugium, with the Utah peripheral population exhibiting the strongest genetic differentiation and lowest Ne — reflecting recent colonization or a historical bottleneck rather than long-term isolation. Gene flow among southern Sky Islands (Mogollon Rim, Portal, Mt. Lemmon) is detectable but structured by elevation and intervening lowland desert.

Next action:

Sean to review tracked changes and finalize manuscript; write abstract