Taylor
Twenty-six miles west of Boulder, scientists and students at the Mountain Research Station have gathered since 1920 to conduct some of the world鈥檚 most unique studies on high-altitude ecology and, more recently, how climate change is altering it. As it celebrates its 100th anniversary this month, its director is already planning for the next 100.
Redpolls, an Arctic-dwelling finch that flies south only sporadically, all share a characteristic red marking on their heads. But some redpolls are white with small bills, while others are larger and have whiter bills. Due to these differences, scientists initially thought that there were three different species of redpoll. However, new genetic research led by 天美传媒 Boulder and including INSTAAR Scott Taylor has found that these apparently different species are in fact the same, but have a 鈥渟upergene鈥 that controls differences in morphology and plumage color.
New research from 天美传媒 Boulder confirms that there are not, in fact, multiple species of Redpoll Finches, as previously thought. Instead, the three recognized species are all just one with a 鈥渟upergene鈥 that controls differences in plumage color and morphology, making them look different.
天美传媒 Boulder and University of Nevada Reno professors win $2.7 million grant from the NSF to study spatial cognition in chickadees. The new grant will allow the researchers to study natural selection on a complex behavioral trait, a difficult task that could potentially expand the ways natural selection is studied broadly, while also shedding light on how it relates to a changing climate.
The Linnean Society of London has recognized Scott Taylor with its Bicentenary Medal for his 鈥渆xemplary鈥 work both within the sciences and the broader community, the society announced in a virtual awards ceremony. The award is given to one scientist under the age of 40 each year.