2015 · Lizards
Sarada superba
Evolutionary biology · Molecular phylogenetics
Reading the deep history of life in the genome.
We use molecular phylogenies to answer fundamental questions in evolutionary biology, reconstructing how the biodiversity of the Indian subcontinent came to be, and how it continues to change.
91+
Peer-reviewed publications
18
New species described
20+
Years of research
40+
Members trained
About the lab
We study genetic variation within and between species to answer questions in ecology, evolution, and conservation.
Using phylogenetic tools, we explore species boundaries, biogeography, diversification, and the effects of ecological and anthropogenic change. Our work spans diverse plant and animal groups, revealing the evolutionary forces that shape biodiversity in the Indian subcontinent and beyond.
Research programmes
Five interlocking lines of enquiry01 / SYSTEMATICS
Molecular systematics
Phylogenetic methods to clarify taxonomy and delimit species, combining molecular, morphological, behavioural and ecological data to reveal cryptic species and evolutionarily significant units.
02 / BIOGEOGRAPHYPhylogenetics & biogeography
How past climatic and geological events shaped species distributions across the Indian subcontinent, and the biogeographic barriers that drive divergence and speciation.
03 / DIVERSIFICATIONDiversification & trait evolution
The ecological and evolutionary drivers of diversification, and how key morphological, behavioural and physiological traits promote adaptive radiations and niche expansion.
04 / POPULATION GENETICSPopulation & conservation genetics
How habitat fragmentation and anthropogenic pressures impact genetic diversity, combining population genomics with molecular evolution to assess gene flow, selection and demographic change.
05 / MOLECULAR EVOLUTIONMolecular evolution and genomics
The genomic basis of potentially adaptive traits, integrating comparative genomics, phylogenetic analyses and tests of natural selection to uncover the genes and pathways behind ecological adaptation and evolutionary innovation.
Recent work
All publications →Species discoveries
New to science, described by the lab2013 · Caecilians
Gegeneophis orientalis
2013 · Centipedes
Digitipes periyarensis
2014 · Plants
Friesodielsia sahyadrica
Connect
Curious about evolution, phylogenetics and the biodiversity of South Asia?
We welcome prospective PhD students, Master's students, interns and postdocs. Reach out with your interests and a short note on what you'd like to work on.