Rachel L. Moran

Sex chromosome turnover and mitonuclear conflict drive reproductive isolation

The paper identifies sex chromosome turnover and mitonuclear conflict as drivers of reproductive isolation in hybridizing fish species.

The genomic complexity of invasion: cryptic lineages, founder effects, and polygenic sex determination in armored catfish

The paper evaluates biocontrol feasibility in invasive armored catfish by analyzing genomic diversity, population structure, and sex determination mechanisms.

Cave evolution on repeat: reuse of the same genomic regions across lineages but not across traits in Astyanax mexicanus

The paper investigates genetic repeatability in cavefish traits using QTL mapping, finding shared genomic regions for eye loss but less repeatability for sleep and metabolic traits.

Elevated DNA Damage without signs of aging in the short-sleeping Mexican Cavefish

The paper investigates DNA damage and cellular stress in short-sleeping Mexican cavefish, finding elevated DNA damage markers and reduced DNA repair responses compared to surface fish.

Environmental stress amplifies competitive asymmetry and drives divergent hybrid zone outcomes

The paper tests how environmental stress affects competitive asymmetry in two hybrid darter species, showing that stress amplifies competition and leads to different hybrid zone outcomes.

The effect of environmental enrichment on whole-brain gene expression in an imperiled fish

This study examines how abiotic and biotic enrichment in hatchery environments affects whole-brain gene expression in Arkansas darters, finding that abiotic enrichment reduces phenotypic mismatch with wild populations.

Long-term hybridization in a karst window reveals the genetic basis of eye loss in cavefish

The paper identifies a specific SNP in Cx50 linked to eye loss in cavefish using a hybrid population from a karst window.

A chromosome level genome of Astyanax mexicanus surface fish for comparing population-specific genetic differences contributing to trait evolution.

The paper presents a chromosome-level genome of surface fish Astyanax mexicanus and uses it to identify genetic factors contributing to trait evolution in cavefish populations.

Rapture-ready darters: choice of reference genome and genotyping method (whole-genome or sequence capture) influence population genomic inference in Etheostoma

The paper evaluates how reference genome choice and genotyping methods affect population genomic inference in darters, finding that Rapture outperforms whole-genome sequencing in capturing genetic structure and phylogeny.