The wildflower genus Mimulus (monkeyflowers) has been widely recognized as a classic ecological and evolutionary model system in studying local adaptation, speciation, plant-pollinator interactions, and species range limits. What is less known, however, is that this system also holds great promise for detailed molecular dissections of the genetic bases and developmental mechanisms of pattern formation, phenotypic diversification, and the origin of novel phenotypes.

Consumer-resource interactions play a fundamental role in all communities, be they natural or agricultural.  I will talk about how intrinsically-generated oscillations,Consumer-resource interactions play a fundamental role in all communities, be they natural or agricultural.  I will talk about how intrinsically-generated oscillations, arising from the conflict of interest between resource and consumer species influence the evolution of the functional response, and how extrinsic perturbations such as climate warming influence the dynamics and persistence of consumer-resource intera