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Richard H. Thomas

Associate Professor
Office: 355C Life Science II
Phone: 618-453-7425
email: rthomas@zoology.siu.edu

Education: Ph.D., University of Arizona

Courses taught: Speciation, Evolution

Areas of interest: Molecular genetics, Molecular evolution

I am interested in the evolution of genetic systems and in the evolution and maintenance of sexual reproduction. We are characterising the genome of a species of a putatively asexual higher taxon of mites to better understand the factors maintaining sexual reproduction in the vast majority of metazoan lineages. I am also interested in the evolution of arthropod body form and particularly of chelicerate arthropods. We are using modern molecular techniques to study the development of mites and tardigrades.

For more information on my research program, please see my lab webpage.

Recent Publications

Webster LMI, Thomas RH, and McCormack GP. 2004. Molecular systematics of Acarus siro s. lat., a complex of stored food pests. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 32: 817-822.

Tautz D, Arctander P, Minelli A, Thomas RH, and Vogler AP. 2003. A plea for DNA taxonomy. Trends in Ecology and Evolution 18:70-74.