Michael G. Branstetter

Low-Coverage Genome Sequencing Outperforms Target Enrichment Phylogenomics

This study compares low-coverage whole genome sequencing (lcWGS) and target enrichment methods for phylogenomics, finding lcWGS outperforms target enrichment in locus recovery and phylogenetic performance, especially with degraded DNA.

Chromosome-level genome assembly of Protandrena (Anthemurgus) passiflorae (Hymenoptera: Andrenidae), a host-plant specialist bee

This paper presents a chromosome-level genome assembly for the monolectic bee Protandrena passiflorae using long-read and HiC data, providing a high-quality resource for studying pollinator biology.

Repeated shifts in sociality are associated with fine-tuning of highly conserved and lineage-specific enhancers in a socially flexible bee

The paper identifies enhancer activity differences between social and solitary populations of Lasioglossum albipes, linking cis-regulatory variation to social behavior evolution.

Phylogenomic Analysis of Ants, Bees and Stinging Wasps: Improved Taxon Sampling Enhances Understanding of Hymenopteran Evolution

This study improves understanding of Hymenopteran evolution by analyzing a large phylogenomic dataset with enhanced taxon sampling, revealing new relationships and demonstrating the impact of taxon evenness and outgroup choice.

Into the tropics: phylogenomics and evolutionary dynamics of a contrarian clade of ants

This study examines the latitudinal diversity pattern of the ant tribe Stenammini, finding an inverse gradient with a temperate richness peak and identifying factors like time, niche conservatism, and diversification rates as contributors.