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Genetics Program |
Robert C. Fleischer, Ph. D.As head of the laboratory I direct lab personnel and conduct research in a broad range of projects in population and conservation genetics, systematics and behavioral and molecular ecology.
Some of my primary research interests are in the evolutionary and conservation biology of Hawaiian birds. I have studied systematic relationships of a number of extant and extinct endemic Hawaiian bird lineages, including Hawaiian drepanidines (honeycreepers) and flightless waterfowl known only from fossils. Other projects on which my students and I have worked include assessments of genetic variation and structure of a number of Hawaiian taxa, including nene, amakihi, palila and Laysan finch. Some of these have involved using museum specimens and subfossil bones to look at genetic variation in the past, even as far back as 2-3000 years ago in the study of the nene. In addition, I developed a major research program to examine genetic aspects of the interactions of threatened endemic birds, introduced and virulent avian malaria (Plasmodium relictum), and an invasive mosquito vector (Culex quinquefasciatus). These collaborative studies include analyses of Mhc variation in honeycreepers in relation to resistance to malaria, genetic structure of the vector using mtDNA and microsatellites, and, more recently, assessments of genetic structure in Plasmodium itself. These latter projects are conducted in collaboration with a number of other researchers from the Smithsonian, the USGS and the University of Hawaii. We are combining information from a diversity of biological fields in hopes that we can model and gain an understanding of the dynamics of this complex system and of the future impacts of this parasite on native, endangered host species.
I also have interests in using phylogeographic and systematic analyses in conservation biology, and genetic markers, such as microsatellites, in evaluating individual identity (for non-invasive censusing, for example) relatedness and mating system.
A list of projects in the lab is included in this website, as is a list of lab publications since its inception in 1991. Below are some of my publications from before 1991 and my tenure at the Smithsonian:
Below are some of my publications from before 1991 and my tenure at the Smithsonian (for later publications see NMNH Genetics Program publication list):
Fleischer, R. C. and R. F. Johnston. 1982. Natural selection on
body size and proportions in house sparrows. Nature, 298:747-749.
Fleischer, R. C. 1983. Relationships between tidal oscillations and ruddy turnstone
flocking, foraging and vigilance behavior. Condor, 85:22-29.
Fleischer, R. C. 1983. A comparison of theoretical and electrophoretic assessments
of genetic structure in populations of the house sparrow (Passer domesticus)
Evolution, 37:1001-1009.
Fleischer, R. C., R. F. Johnston, and W. B. Klitz. 1983. Allozymic heterozygosity
and morphological variance in house sparrows. Nature, 304:628-630.
Fleischer, R. C. 1985. A new technique to identify and assess the dispersion
of eggs of individual brood parasites. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology,
17:91-99.
Rothstein, S. I. and R. C. Fleischer. 1987. Vocal dialects and their possible
relation to honest status signalling in the brown-headed cowbird. Condor,
89:1-23.
Keys, G. C., R. C. Fleischer, and S. I. Rothstein. 1986. Relationships between
elevation, reproduction and the hematocrit level of brown-headed cowbirds. Comparative
Biochemistry and Physiology, 83A:765-769.
Fleischer, R. C. and S. I. Rothstein. 1988. Known secondary contact and rapid
gene flow among subspecies and dialects in the brown-headed cowbird. Evolution,
42:1146-1158.
Williams, R. N. and R. C. Fleischer. 1989. Distributions and habitat associations
of birds in Waikiki, Hawaii. Pacific Science, 43:152-160.
Fleischer, R. C., S. I. Rothstein and L. Miller. 1991. Mitochondrial-DNA variation
indicates gene flow between subspecies of the brown-headed cowbird. Condor,
93:185-189.
Revision: October 2001