The role of ecology, historical climate change and tectonic events on the evolution and diversification of extant rocky-shore marine species

In this project we use Smaragdinella snails as a model group to understand historical processes of speciation and biogeography in the marine realm and ecological adaptation to rocky-shore environments. We aim to generate a systematic revision of Smaragdinella, and understand the time, mode (dispersal vs vicariance), and geography (allopatric vs sympatric) of speciation. Specifically, we want to answer the following questions: How many species and what are their phylogenetic relationships and distributions? How did major historical tectonic and climatic events impact the diversification of Smaragdinella? How did vicariance, dispersal, and ecology contribute to patterns of regional diversity and the geography of speciation? Could diet specialization be the driver behind the unique adaptation of Smaragdinella to rocky-shores?