Carlos Prada finishing up a dive in southwestern Puerto Rico

I am interested in the ecology and evolution of marine invertebrates. As part of my research I evaluate the morphological variation in natural populations of the gorgonian Plexaura flexuosa, inhabiting reefs spanning different physical gradients. I study up to what extent such phenotypic plasticity is environmentally or genetically induced. I evaluate the fitness of such different forms in dissimilar habitats and the speciation process in gorgonians. As a result of this research I have started to analyze how taxonomic uncertainties can interfere with population genetic studies. I am also interested in the evolution of self/non-self systems in clonal taxa. Some of my current research questions are: Are genes involved in histocompatibility under constant selection? Is the evolution of these genes different in branching than in encrusting forms of clonal taxa, regarding the rate of evolution? Are branching forms more likely to fuse with non-relatives due to a lack of selective force shaping the self-recognition? Clonal reef organisms are highly diverse and broadly distributed yet speciation is uncertain and its mechanisms largely unknown. I am interested in the role of disruptive selection and hybridization in promoting diversity of reef organisms.