Ecology &
Evolutionary Biology

Professor Murphy’s research focuses on the application of molecular methods to the reconstruction of evolutionary relationships and conservation genetics, and includes methods of phylogenetic evaluation of molecular data. His current studies emphasize the use of gene sequence and protein electrophoresis data in (1) the phylogenetic relationships of rattlesnakes, (2) conservation genetics of Chinese giant salamanders, (3) the evolutionary relationships of Caucasus Mountain unisexual and bisexual lizards, and (4) biodiversity and conservation genetics of Vietnamese amphibians and reptiles.