T. H. Oakley

Collective synchrony of mating signals modulated by ecological cues and social signals in bioluminescent sea fireflies

The paper studies synchronous bioluminescent signals in marine ostracods, showing they use ecological and social cues similar to fireflies.

Similar enzymatic functions in distinct bioluminescence systems: Evolutionary recruitment of sulfotransferases in ostracod light organs

The paper shows sulfotransferases in ostracod light organs independently evolved to sulfonate luciferin, highlighting convergent evolution of similar enzymatic functions across distantly related species.

A morphological basis for path dependent evolution of visual systems

The paper demonstrates path-dependent evolution of visual systems in chitons, showing that the number of optic nerve openings constrains the type of visual system that evolves.

Sexual signals persist over deep time: ancient co-option of bioluminescence for courtship displays in cypridinid ostracods

The paper estimates the longevity of bioluminescent courtship in cypridinid ostracods, finding it persisted for over 151 million years, suggesting sexual selection may reduce extinction risk.

Molecular evolution of luciferase diversified bioluminescent signals in sea fireflies

This study identifies a single gene, cypridinid-luciferase, as a key driver of bioluminescent signal diversification in sea fireflies, showing how selection, drift, and constraint shaped phenotypic variation across species.

The genome sizes of ostracod crustaceans correlate with body size and phylogeny

The paper finds a positive correlation between genome size and body size in ostracod crustaceans, with phylogenetic correction and evidence of sex determination mechanisms.

Novelty by Furcation and Fusion: How tree-like is evolution?

The paper argues that evolution is not typically tree-like, but often involves fusion of distantly related parts and challenges to individuation, requiring new metaphors and methods for evolutionary study.