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Research Interests:
- My research focuses on three interacting elements of systematic studies: geographic patterns in taxonomic and genetic diversity, the evolution and ecology of symbiotic interactions in lichen fungi and their green algal partners, and biodiversity conservation.
- My studies in the molecular ecology of lichen symbioses have indicated that lichen partnerships are both evolutionarily and ecologically finely tuned. This research has fostered my ongoing interest in the evolution of species interactions, especially in relation to environmental variables.
- My work on patterns of diversity contributes towards the effective conservation of plants and lichens; I use population and landscape genetics to study the dynamics and diversity of populations and species under threat.
- Lichens, environmental change and biodiversity conservation - summary
- Systematics of tropical Graphids - summary
- Evolutionary and ecological factors structuring symbiotic diversity in Cladonia - summary
- I am a member of the Editorial Board - The Lichenologist
Publications:
Ellis, C.J., YAHR, R. & Coppins, B.J. (2009) Local extent of old-growth woodland modifies epiphyte response to climate change. Journal of Biogeography, 36: 302-313.
YAHR, R., Vilgalys, R. & DePreist, P.T. (2006) Geographic variation in algal partners of Cladonia subtenuis (Cladoniaceae) highlights the dynamic nature of the lichen symbiosis. New Phytologist, 171: 847-860.
YAHR, R. & DePriest, P.T. (2005) Ecology, life-history, and conservation of the endangered lichen Cladonia perforata. In: Krupnick, G. & Kress, J. (eds) Plant Conservation: A Natural History Approach: 97-102. The University of Chicago Press: Chicago.
Lendemer, J.C. & YAHR, R. (2005) Changes and additions to the checklist of North American lichens - II. Mycotaxon, 93: 277-281.
YAHR, R. Vilgalys, R. & DePriest, P.T. (2004) Strong fungal specificity and selectivity for algal symbionts in Florida scrub Cladonia lichens. Molecular Ecology, 13: 3367-3378.
Dolan, R.W., Menges, E.S. & YAHR, R. (2004) Genetic variation in Nolina brittoniana, a plant endemic to the central ridges of Florida. Southeastern Naturalist, 3: 25-36.
Lendemer, J.C. & YAHR, R. (2004) A checklist of the lichens collected during the Tuckerman Workshop # 12, Outer Banks, North Carolina, U.S.A. Evansia 21-3: 247-256.
Menges, E.S., Dolan, R.W. & YAHR, R. (2001) Comparative genetics of seven plants endemic to Florida's Lake Wales Ridge. Castenea, 66: 98-114.
YAHR, R. (2000) Ecology and post-fire recovery of Cladonia perforata, an endangered Florida-scrub lichen. Forest, Snow and Landscape Research, 75: 339-356.
YAHR, R., Menges, E.S., & Berry, D.M. (2000) Effects of drainage, fire suppression, and time-since-fire on endemic cutthroat communities in Central Florida. Natural Areas Journal, 20: 3-11.
Dolan, R.W., YAHR, R., Menges, E.S., & Halfhill, M.D. (1999) Conservation implications of genetic variation in species endemic to Florida rosemary scrub. American Journal of Botany, 86: 1556-1562.
Menges, E.S., McIntyre, P.J., Finer, M.S., Goss, E. & YAHR, R. (1999) Microhabitat of the narrow Florida scrub endemic, Dicerandra christmanii, with comparisons to its congener D. frutescens. Journal of the Torrey Botanical Club, 126: 24-31.
Schoch, C. L., Sung, G-H., Lopez-Giraldez, F., Townsend, J. P., Miadlikowska, J., Hofstetter, V., Robbertse, B., Matheny, P. B., Kauff, F., Wang, Z., Gueidan, C., Andrie, R. M., Trippe, K., Ciufetti, L. M., Wynns, A., Fraker, E., Hodkinson, B. P., Bonito, G., Groenewald, J. Z., Arzanlou, M., Sybren De Hoog, G., Crous, P. W., Hewitt, D., Pfister, D. H., Peterson, K., Gryzenhout, M., Wingfield, M. J., Aptroot, A., Suh, S-O., Blackwell, M., Hillis, D. M., Griffith, G. W., Castlebury, L. A., Rossman, A. Y., Lumbsch, H. T., Lucking, R., Budel, B., Rauhut, A., Diederich, P., Ertz, D., Geiser, D. M., Hosaka, K., Inderbitzin, P., Kohlmeyer, J., Volkmann-Kohlmeyer, B., Mostert, L., O’Donnell, K., Sipman, H., Rogers, J. D., Shoemaker, R. A., Sugiyama, J., Summerbell, R. C., Untereiner, W., Johnston, P., Stenroos, S., Zuccaro, A., Dyer, P. S., Crittenden, P. D., Cole, M. S., Hansen, K., Trappe, J. M., YAHR, R., Lutzoni, F., & Spatafora J. W. (2009) The Ascomycota Tree of Life: A Phylum-wide Phylogeny Clarifies the Origin and Evolution of Fundamental Reproductive and Ecological Traits. Systematic Biology, in press.
James, T.Y., Kauff, F., Schoch, C., Matheny, P.B., Hofstetter, V., Cox, C.J., Celio, G., Gueidan, C., Fraker, E., Miadlikowska, J., Lumbsch, H. T., Raubut, A., Reeb, V., Arnold, A.E., Amtoft, A., Stajich, J.E., Hosaka, K., Sung, G-S., Johnson, D., O’Rourke, B., Crockett, M., Binder, M., Curtis, J.M., Slot, J.C., Wang, Z., Wilson, A.W., Schüßler, A., Porter, D., Letcher, P.M., Powell, M.J., Taylor, J.W., White, M.M., Griffith, G.W., Davies, D.R., Humber, R.A., Morton, J.B., Sugiyama, J., Rossman, A.Y., Rogers, J.D., Pfister, D.H, Hewitt, D., Hansen, K., Hambleton, S., Shoemaker, R.A., Kohlmeyer, J., Volkmann-Kohlmeyer, B, Spotts, R.A., Serdani, M., Cross, P.W., Hughes, K.W., Matsura, K., Langer, E., Langer, G., Untereiner, W.A., Lücking, R., Büdel, B., Geiser, D.M., Aptroot, A., Diederich, P., Schmitt, I., Schultz, M., YAHR, R., Hibbett, D.S., Lutzoni, F., McLaughlin, D.J., Spatafora, J.W., Vilgalys, R. (2006) Reconstructing the early evolution of Fungi using a six gene phylogeny. Nature, 443: 818-822.
Miadlikowska, J., Kauff, F., Hofstetter, V., Fraker, E., Reeb, V., Grube, M., Hafellner, J., Kukwa, M., Lücking, R., Hestmark, G., Garcia Otalora, M., Rauhut, A., Büdel, B., Scheidegger, C., Timdal, E., Stenroos, S., Brodo, I., Perlmutter, G.B., Ertz, D., Diederich, P., Lendemer, J.C., May, P., Spatafora, J.W., Schoch, C., Arnold, A.E., Hodkinson, B.P., Gueidan, C., Tripp, E., YAHR, R., Robertson, C., Lutzoni, F. (2006) New insights into classification and evolution of the Lecanoromycetes (Pezizomycotina, Ascomycota) from phylogenetic analyses of three ribosomal RNA- and two protein-coding genes. Mycologia, 98: 1088-1103.
Lutzoni, F., Kauff, F., Cox, J. C., McLaughlin, D., Celio, G., Dentinger, B., Padamsee, M., Hibbett, D., James, T. Y., Baloch, E., Grube, M., Reeb, V., Hofstetter, V., Schoch, C., Arnold, A. E., Miadlikowska, J., Spatafora, J., Johnson, D., Hambleton, S., Crockett, M., Shoemaker, R., Sung, G.-H., Lücking, R., Lumbsch, T., O'Donnell, K., Binder, M., Diederich, P., Ertz, D., Gueidan, C., Hansen, K., Harris, R. C., Hosaka, K., Lim, Y.-W., Matheny, B., Nishida, H., Pfister, D., Rogers, J., Rossman, A., Schmitt, I., Sipman, H., Stone, J., Sugiyama, J., YAHR, R., and Vilgalys, R. (2004) Assembling the fungal tree of life: Progress, classification, and evolution of subcellular traits. American Journal of Botany, 91: 1446-1480.
Menges, E.S., Weekley, C.W., YAHR, R., Brand, C. & Mundell, D. (2000) Plants of Archbold Biological Station, Highlands County, Florida. <http://www.archbold-station.org/abs/data/lists/plantsintro.htm>
YAHR, R. & Indoe, K. (1999) Graphidaceae of Central French Guiana. <http://www.nybg.org/bsci/french_guiana/graphidaceae.html>
YAHR, R. (2006) Alectoria ochroleuca : monitoring core populations at Ciste Ridge, An t-Aonach, and Creagan Gorm. Joint Report for the RSPB and RBGE.
YAHR, R. (2006) Status survey of Cladonia botrytes in the Scottish Highlands. Joint Report for the RSPB and RBGE.
YAHR, R. (2002) Macrolichens at Cape St. George, Florida, with special emphasis on the endangered lichen Cladonia perforata. Report for the Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve.
YAHR, R. (2001) In the wake of Hurricane Opal: experimental restoration of the endangered lichen Cladonia perforata at Eglin Air Force Base. Report to the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.
YAHR, R. (2000) Ecology and post-fire recovery of Cladonia perforata, an endangered Florida-scrub lichen. Report to United States Fish and Wildlife Service.
Menges, E. S., R. W. Dolan, R. W., YAHR, R., Gordon, D.R. Pickert, D.R., Weekley, C.W. (1999) Geographic correlates of isozyme variation in Nolina brittoniana. Report to Florida Division of Forestry.
YAHR, R. (1998) Species account for Cladonia perforata. In: Multi-species recovery plan for the threatened and endangered species of South Florida, Volume 1, The Species: 6-99–6-107. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Technical Agency Draft; Vero Beach, Florida.
Menges, E.S., Dolan, R.W., Gordon, D.R., Evans, M.E.K. & YAHR, R. (1998) Demography, ecology, and preserve design for endemic plants of the Lake Wales Ridge, Florida. Report to the Nature Conservancy's Ecosystem Research Program.
Menges E. S. & Yahr, R. (1998) Final report on continued ecological monitoring and experimental research on four Florida scrub endemic plants. Florida Division of Forestry.
YAHR, R. (1997) Recolonization and reintroduction of Cladonia perforata Evans, an endangered lichen at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. Report to Florida’s Division of Forestry.
Menges, E. S., Gordon, D. R., Dolan, R.W., Evans, M.E.K., YAHR, R. & Casado, C. (1996) Demography, breeding system, and genetics of Nolina brittoniana. Report to the Florida Division of Forestry.
Menges, E. S., YAHR, R. & Thomas, K. (1994) Monitoring Report for Warea carteri at Tiger Creek Preserve. The Nature Conservancy, Florida.
Academic Career:
2007- : Research Fellow, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, U.K.
2006-2007 : Scientific Assistant to the Director of Science, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, U.K.
2005-2006: Research Fellow, University of St Andrews, U.K.
1994-1998: Botanical Research Scientist, Archbold Biological Station, Lake Placid, Florida, U.S.A.
1992-1993: Botanist, San Bernardino National Forest, Big Bear Lake, California, U.S.A.
1991-1993: Botanical Research Scientist, California Native Plant Society, Sacramento, California, U.S.A.
Grants & awards:
- AJ Sharp Award, American Bryological and Lichenological Society - 2002
- Young Botanist Award, Botanical Society of America - 1994
- Outstanding Student Award, University of California College of Letters and Science - 1994
2005 - National Science Foundation, $147,000: funded, proposal withdrawn in favour of a University Research Fellowship (St Andrews, U.K.)
2002 - American Bryological and Lichenological Society, $500: 'Patterns of association in lichen fungi and their algal hosts: the structure of symbiosis'
2000 - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, $20,000: 'In the wake of hurricane Opal: experimental restoration of the endangered lichen Cladonia perforata at Eglin Air Force Base'
1996 - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, $15,400: 'Ecology and post-fire recovery of Cladonia perforata Evans, and endangered Florida scrub lichen'
1995 - Division of Forestry, Florida, $4967.59: 'Post-hurricane reintroduction and recolonization of Cladonia perforata at Eglin Air Force base'
Qualifications:
2004: PhD. Biology, Duke University, North Carolina, U.S.A.
1994: BSc. Botany, University of California at Davies, U.S.A.
Affiliations:
- 2005- : British Lichen Society
- 1996- : International Association of Lichenology
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