Research in the Townsend Lab emphasizes the inherent connections between systematic biology and conservation, integrating field-based sampling and laboratory analyses into a framework that uses taxonomic inventory and monitoring to generate evolutionary and ecological questions, while promoting education and extension in support of broader conservation goals. A principle theme of the lab is elucidating the patterns and processes that generate taxonomic diversity, often resulting in taxonomic descriptions of new species and revisions of existing taxa. We apply quantitative species delimitation methods and integrate a variety of lines of evidence to address research questions, including phylogenetics and phylogenomics, microCT-based comparative osteology, bioacoustic analysis of vocalizations, species distribution modeling, and traditional comparative morphology.
While most of our research is focused in northern Central America, we maintain a dual geographic scope for our research efforts, with ongoing projects locally in Pennsylvania and broader Appalachia. Research in both regions centers on at-risk, fragmented ecosystems that are home to conservation-priority species, particularly amphibians and reptiles.
Click on one of the topics below to read more about our lab's research.
While most of our research is focused in northern Central America, we maintain a dual geographic scope for our research efforts, with ongoing projects locally in Pennsylvania and broader Appalachia. Research in both regions centers on at-risk, fragmented ecosystems that are home to conservation-priority species, particularly amphibians and reptiles.
Click on one of the topics below to read more about our lab's research.
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