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): 

• 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. Molecular Ecology Accepted 10 March 2011.
• Row*, J.R., G. Blouin-Demers & S.C. Lougheed. 2010. Habitat distribution influences dispersal and fine‐scale genetic population structure of eastern foxsnakes (Mintonius gloydi) across a fragmented landscape. Molecular Ecology. 19: 5157-5171.
• Benites, P. M. Eaton, D. Lijtmaer, S.C. Lougheed & P.L. Tubaro. 2010. An avian visual perspective on plumage color differences among females of Sporophila seedeaters (Aves, Passeriformes). J. Avian Biol. 41: 597-602.
• Köhler, J., D. Koscinski*, J.M. Padial, J.C. Chaparro, P. Handford, S.C. Lougheed & I. de la Riva. 2010. Systematics of Andean gladiator frogs of the Hypsiboas pulchellus species group (Anura, Hylidae). Zoologica Scripta. Article first published online: 10 SEP 2010 DOI: 10.1111/j.1463-6409.2010.00448.x
• LeMoine, C.M.R., S.C. Lougheed & C.D. Moyes. 2010. Modular evolution of PGC-1a in vertebrates. J. Mol. Evol. 70: 492-505.
• Little*, A.G., C.D. Moyes & S.C. Lougheed. 2010. Evolutionary affinity of billfishes (Xiphiidae and Istiophoridae) and flatfishes (Plueronectiformes): independent and trans-subordinal origins of endothermy in teleost fishes. Mol. Phylogenet. Evol 56: 897-904.
• Little*, A.G. Kocha. S.C. Lougheed, C.D. Moyes. 2010. Evolution of the nuclear-encoded cytochrome oxidase subunits in vertebrates. Physiol. Genomics In press.
  DiLeo*, M.F., J.R. Row* & S.C. Lougheed. 2010. Discordant patterns of population structure for two co-distributed snake species across a fragmented Ontario landscape. Div. Distr. In press.
• Martin, P.R., R.D. Montgomerie & S.C. Lougheed. 2010. Divergent selection in sympatry causes rapid plumage evolution in high latitude birds. Evolution 64: 336-347.
• Campagna*, L., D.A. Lijtmaer,* K.C.R. Kerr, A.S. Barreira*, P.D.N. Hebert, S.C. Lougheed & P.L. Tubaro. 2009. DNA barcodes provide new evidence of a recent radiation in the genus Sporophila (Aves: Passeriformes) Mol. Ecol. Res. 10: 449-458.
• Koscinski*, D. A.G. Yates, P. Handford & S.C. Lougheed. 2009. Effects of landscape and history on diversification of a montane, stream-breeding amphibian. J. Biogeogr. 36: 255-265.
• Graham, L.A., K.V. Ewart, S.C. Lougheed, P.L. Davies. 2008. Sporadic distribution of a lectin-like antifreeze protein gene in fishes. PlosOne. 3(7): e2616. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0002616
• Koscinski*, D., S. Sharp*, P.L. Tubaro, P.T. Handford & S.C. Lougheed. 2008. The importance of Pleistocene climatic cycling on diversification in the Andean treefrog, Hypsiboas andinus. Mol. Ecol. 17: 2012-2025.
• Eckert, C.G., K. Samis & S.C. Lougheed. 2008. Genetic variation across species’ geographic ranges: The central-marginal hypothesis and beyond. Mol. Ecol. 17: 1170-1188.