Research: We are interested in understanding the origins of biodiversity from the level of local adaptation and limiting gene flow in single landscapes, through the genetics of entire species' ranges, to understanding the causes of diversification of entire clades. Our research spans the Americas, with particular emphasis on phylogeography and phylogenetics of select frogs, squamates and birds. We also use a suite of molecular tools, radiotelemetry and habitat characterization to study species of conservation concern in Canada. We increasingly collaborate with personnel of various Canadian resource agencies, both to help translate our scientific findings into meaningful policy focused on endangered and threatened species, and to work with multiple stakeholders to encourage habitat recovery and stewardship.

 »» Lab Website »« email: steve.lougheed@queensu.ca »« telephone: 613-533-6128 ««

Some Recent Publications (students indicated by asterisks): 

• Chabot*, A.A., K.A. Hobson, S.L. Van Wilgenburg, G.J. McQuat & S.C. Lougheed. 2012. Advances in linking wintering migrant birds to their breeding-ground origins using combined analyses of genetic and stable isotope markers. PLoSONE.7(8): e43627. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0043627
• Little*, A.G. Kocha. S.C. Lougheed & C.D. Moyes. 2012. Evolution of mitochondrial-encoded cytochrome oxidase subunits in endothermic fish: the importance of taxon-sampling in codon-based models. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 63: 679-684.
• Campagna*, L., J.J.H. Clair, S.C. Lougheed, R.W. Woods, S. Imberti & P.L. Tubaro. 2012. Divergence between passerine populations from the Malvinas - Falkland Islands and continental counterparts: a comparative phylogeographic study. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society 106: 865-879.
• Row*, J.R., G. Blouin-Demers & S.C. Lougheed. Movements and habitat use of Eastern Foxsnakes (Pantherophis gloydi) in two areas varying in size and fragmentation. J. Herp. 46: 94-99.
• Campagna*, L., P. Benites*, S.C. Lougheed, D.A. Lijtmaer*, A.S. DiGiacomo, M.D. Eaton and P.L. Tubaro. 2012. Rapid phenotypic evolution during incipient speciation in a continental avian radiation. 2012. Proc. Roy. Soc. Series B. 279: 1847-1856
• Xuereb*, A. J.R. Row*, R.J. Brooks, C. MacKinnon & S.C. Lougheed. 2012. Relation between parasitism, stress, and fitness correlates of the Eastern Foxsnake (Pantherophis gloydi) in Ontario.  J. Herp. In Press.
• Calderón*, L., W.S. Svagelj, F. Quintana, S.C. Lougheed & P.L. Tubaro. 2012. No evidence of extra-pair paternity or intraspecific brood parasitism in the Imperial Shag Phalacrocorax atriceps. J. Avian Biol. 153: 399–404.
• Campagna*, L., K. Geale*, P. Handford, D.A. Lijtmaer, P.L. Tubaro & S.C. Lougheed. 2011. A molecular phylogeny of the Sierra-Finches (Phrygilus, Passeriformes): extreme polyphyly in a group of Andean specialists. Mol. Phylogenet. Evol. 61: 521–533.
• Row*, J.R., R.J. Brooks, C. MacKinnon, A. Lawson, B.I. Crother, M. White & S.C. Lougheed. 2011. Approximate Bayesian computation reveals the origins of genetic diversity and population structure of foxsnakes. J. Evol. Biol. 24: 2364–2377.
• Ferrero*, M.E., J.A. Blanco-Aguiar, S.C. Lougheed, I. Sánchez-Barbudo, P.J.G. de Nova, R. Villafuerte & J.A. Dávila. 2011. Phylogeography and genetic structure of the Red-legged Partridge (Alectoris rufa): more evidence for refugia within the Iberian glacial refugium. Mol. Ecol. 20: 2628–2642.