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I am interested in historical and evolutionary processes that underlie the rich diversity of tree species in tropical forests. My current research is focused on (1) population genetic structure and comparative phylogeography of widespread neotropical tree species, (2) measuring pollen and seed dispersal at local scales using genetic markers, and (3) using phylogenies and fossil records to understand the biogeographic history of tropical rainforest tree communities. My research is funded by the National Science Foundation (DEB 0640379) and by a collaborative grant from the European Union (SeedSource project).
My molecular ecology lab is active with graduate students doing independent research. Shalene Jha studies the effects of pollinator shifts on the maintenance of genetic diversity in reproductively-specialized native trees in shade coffee farms in Mexico. Jess Peirson is analyzing the post-glacial phylogeography of goldenrods (Solidago simplex species group) across North America. Sandra Yap is examining the comparative phylogeography of rainforest trees in the Philippine archipelago. Roosevelt García studies comparative phylogeography of the fig/fig-wasp mutualism in Peru and Panama. Diego Alvarado studies mechanisms of diversification of mammals in the Ecuadorian Andes. Brian Sedio is using community phylogenies to dissect the roles of ecology and biogeographic history in the assembly of tropical forest tree communities.
I am always interested in talking with prospective graduate students, and sponsor students with interesting project ideas. Prospective students are encouraged to start a dialog prior to applying.
Representative papers:
Dick, C. W., E. Bermingham, M. Lemes, and R. Gribel (2007) Extreme long distance dispersal of the lowland rainforest tree Ceiba pentandra L. (Malvaceae) in Africa and the Neotropics. Molecular Ecology 16: 3039-3049. NSF press release link
Pennington, R. T., C. W. Dick (2004) The role of immigrants in the assembly of the South American rainforest tree flora. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London 359: 1611-1622.
Dick, C.W., K. Abdul-Salim and E. Bermingham (2003a) Molecular systematic analysis reveals cryptic Tertiary diversification of a widespread tropical rainforest tree. American Naturalist 160 (12): 691-703.
Dick, C. W., G. Etchelecu and F. Austerlitz (2003b) Pollen dispersal of tropical trees (Dinizia excelsa: Fabaceae) by native insects and African honeybees in pristine and fragmented Amazonian rainforest. Molecular Ecology 12: 753-764.
Dick, C. W. (2001) Genetic rescue of remnant tropical trees by an alien pollinator. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London B. 268: 2391-2397.
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