Humans have altered the biotic and abiotic environmental conditions of most organisms. In some cases, such as intensive agriculture, an organism’s entire ecosystem is converted to novel conditions. Thus, it is striking that some species continue to thrive under such conditions. The prairie deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus bairdii) is an example of such an organism, and so we sought to understand what role evolutionary adaptation played in the success of this species, with particular interest in adaptations to novel foods. In order to understand the evolutionary history of this species’ masticatory structures, we examined the maxilla, zygomatic plate, and mandible of historic specimens collected prior to 1910 to specimens collected in 2012 and 2013. We found that mandibles, zygomatic plates, and maxilla have all changed significantly since 1910, and that morphological development has shifted significantly. We present compelling evidence that these differences are due to natural selection as a response to a novel and ubiquitous food source, waste grain (corn, Zea mays and soybean, Glycine max).

To restore historical dune vegetation, substantial effort has been made to remove the invasive plant species, European beach grass (Ammophila arenaria), from coastal dunes of California, USA. However, little effort has been made to examine the response of terrestrial arthropod assemblages to coastal dune restoration. We sampled terrestrial arthropods at 6 dune restoration sites to determine the response of the arthropod communities to vegetation restoration along the central and northern coast of California. Using pitfall traps, we examined restored and adjacent unrestored foredunes and collected reference data from dunes that had not been invaded by European beach grass. Both arthropod abundance and richness were significantly higher on restored and uninvaded dunes than on unrestored dunes. However, we detected no difference in arthropod richness and abundance between restored and uninvaded dunes. The species composition of the arthropod community reflected greater similarity of geographically adjacent sites, rather than similarity within treatments. We conclude that restored dunes provide higher quality habitat for terrestrial arthropods than unrestored dunes dominated by European beach grass, but longer-term studies are needed to determine if restoration efforts will be effective at fully restoring historical arthropod assemblages.

Introductory biology for nonmajors provides an opportunity to engage students with the complexity of life. In these courses, instructors also have the opportunity to experiment with course material and delivery, especially with an intent to overcome common misconceptions about biology. Fortunately, frameworks exist that can be integrated into a completely novel classroom framework: the AP biology curriculum and the tree of life. In addition, assessments are available that specifically address common misconceptions. I tested whether such a novel approach, covering the four big ideas in biology equally and structured around an accurate depiction of biodiversity as a branching history of evolution, can improve student comprehension of difficult biological concepts. In the end, I found that students improved significantly in their understanding of biology and were much less likely to have common misconceptions about difficult topics.

This work is dedicated to my wife Kimberly, who has persevered alongside me in this effort, to my daughter Evelyn, whose energy kept me going, and to my unborn child, who helped catalyze my personal transformation. iii

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