January 14, 2026

12:00pm – 1:00pm Hershey Hall 158

Dr. Sonal Singhal - CSU Dominguez Hills
CSU Dominguez Hills

" "Why are there more types of some species than others? An exploration in lizards and snakes" "

Abstract: One of the most compelling patterns in biodiversity is the uneven distribution of species across clades and geography. In this talk, I explore possible reasons for this pattern in squamates (lizards and snakes), integrating phylogenomic and trait data to understand diversification patterns. Ultimately, we find that diversification in squamates is explained by a one-off macroevolutionary event: the origin of snakes.


Host: Stepfanie Aguillon

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The UCLA Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology acknowledges the Gabrielino/Tongva peoples as the traditional land caretakers of Tovaangar (the Los Angeles basin and So. Channel Islands). As part of a California land grant institution, we pay our respects to the Honuukvetam (Ancestors), ‘Ahiihirom (Elders) and ‘Eyoohiinkem (our relatives/relations) past, present and emerging.