My dissertation research combined ecological, physiological, and genomic data to answer questions about adaptive evolution. The model system for this research is the predator-prey interaction between toxic, Pacific newts (Taricha) and resistant, predatory garter snakes (Thamnophis). Pacific newts are defended by one of the most lethal toxins ever discovered, tetrodotoxin (TTX). Multiple garter snakes species have evolved resistance to TTX, and prey on sympatric newt species. My research focused on TTX resistance within a single species, the Sierra Garter Snake (Thamnophis couchii). 

My projects included:

Chacterizing the geographic mosaic of coevolution between Th. couchii and sympatric Taricha species

Quantifying TTX resistance of skeletal muscle (targeted by TTX) in various Th. couchii populations 

Examing the genetic mechanisms of the TTX resistance by quantifying expression of adaptive genes using RNA sequencing techniques

 

I hope that the findings in these projects will contribute to a growing body of research working to answer fundamental questions about possible molecular processes in adaptive evolution.

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FIGURE 1 from Reimche et al. 2020 

Geographic distribution of newt toxcity (a) and snake toxin resistance (b) in California, as well as hotspots and coldspots of trait matching (c). Note that predator and prey traits are well matched in the northern part of their range, but less so in this south. This may be indicating that snakes are "winning" the arms race in these southern populations.

Photos: J. Vindum, G. Nafis, A. Pool. 

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Past projects inlcude:

Translocation and monitoring of the threatened, flat-tail horned lizard on the Marine Corp Air Range in Yuma, Arizona

Ectoparasite preference and dispersal across Gekkonid species in Moorea, French Polynesia

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