Jordan Karubian

Associate Researcher and Latin America Director of the Center for Tropical Research

Department: Institute of the Environment and Sustainability

Center for Tropical Research
UCLA Institute of the Environment
La Kretz Hall, Suite 300 Box 951456
Los Angeles, CA 900954-1496
Tel: (310) 206-6234
jordank@ucla.edu
Personal Website

Keywords: Biodiversity, Evolution

Research Interests

I am a behavioral ecologist who tackles basic and applied questions in avian ecology and conservation from an evolutionary perspective. In Australia, I have investigated the evolutionary causes and consequences of male polymorphism in the Red-backed Fairy-wren, a small passerine. In Ecuador, I have researched how social biology affects ecological processes like seed dispersal in the endangered Long-wattled Umbrellabird. In addition to research, my work in Ecuador has a strong applied component including training, education, and involvement of local residents and young biologists at local, national, and international levels.In both projects, I have adopted a blend of observational and experimental techniques that range from morphological and demographic studies to molecular and phylogenetic analyses. This combined approach has helped to elucidate general evolutionary principles of behavioral ecology.