Anthropogenic effects on divergence and gene flow in Pacific and welcome swallows
We are studying the origins and evolution of commensal nesting behavior in Pacific and welcome swallows across Southeast Asia and the Pacific as part of our new NSF grant. We are using whole-genome sequencing approaches to examine population structure, patterns of divergence, and evidence for adaptation to human environments across commensal and non-commensal lineages. We are also using species distribution modeling to assess how habitat availability has changed over time as a consequence of human landscape modification. In collaboration with Amanda Hund from the University of Minnesota and researchers in Malaysia, Japan, Fiji, and Sri Lanka, we have sampled broadly across the Pacific swallow range, with more sampling planned in the next years. Stay tuned for updates!

Biodiversity and habitat use in heterogeneous agroecosystems
We are studying the effects of wildlife biodiversity on crop yields in a complex citrus-avocado agroecosystem in the Santa Clara River Valley in Ventura Country, California. This new project is funded by the CSU Agricultural Research Institute with co-PIs Drs. Erin Questad, Eric Wood, and David Still and collaborators at The Nature Conservancy. We are using camera trapping, passive acoustic monitoring, and point counts to assess habitat use by birds and mesocarnivores across a landscape comprised of orchards, protected riparian habitat, urban sprawl, and National Forest land. We are further using vertebrate exclosures, experimental planting of native vegetation, and insect collections to assess ecosystem services rendered by wildlife on Cal Poly Pomona's experimental farm in the SCRV, Pine Tree Ranch. We are recruiting students to work on this project- get in touch if you are interested!

Speciation genomics in barn swallows
A a postdoc Liz worked on a project in Rebecca Safran's lab on the roles of sexual and natural selection in shaping population divergence and reproductive isolation in the barn swallow (Hirundo rustica) complex. In collaboration with many international ornithologists, I used a combination of intensive fieldwork and next-generation sequencing to characterize patterns of phenotypic and genotypic divergence in six globally distributed barn swallow subspecies. Read more about this project here. I continue to collaborate with the Safran lab on questions related to this project. Related papers: Scordato and Safran 2014 Avian Research, Safran et al 2016 Molecular Ecology, Scordato et al 2017 ​Molecular Ecology, Turbek, Scordato and Safran 2018 TREE, ​Wilkins et al 2018 BJLS, Liu et al 2018 J. Ornithology, Smith et al 2018 Molecular Ecology, Scordato et al 2020 Ecology Letters, Liu et al 2020 BJLS​. 

Ecological correlates of divergent sexual selection
The primary focus of my PhD research was identifying causes of divergence in sexually selected traits in the greenish warbler (Phylloscopus trochiloides) ring species complex, with the goal of determining how geographical variation and covariation in these traits leads to the formation of reproductive barriers. Using experimental and observational data, I showed that female choice, male-male competition, and habitat interact in complex but predictable ways to drive divergence in song traits used in mate choice and prezygotic isolation in this incipient species complex. Related papers: Alcaide, Scordato et al 2014 Nature, Scordato and Kardish 2014 Journal of Animal Ecology, Scordato 2017 Animal Behaviour, Scordato 2018, Evolution 
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​The roles of sexual selection and ecology in speciation
I have worked on several large review projects examining both the theoretical and empirical evidence for roles of natural and sexual selection in population divergence. As part of two NESCent working groups, I worked on clarifying predictions for how sexual selection interacts with ecological variation, as well as reviewed the empirical literature to synthesize empirical data on the role of ecological variation in influencing sexually selected traits and associated mate preferences. I also recently worked on a review of the contribution of male competition to speciation, derived from a symposium on this topic at ISBE 2016. Related papers: Scordato et al 2014 Journal of Heredity; Safran et al 2013 TREE; Safran et al 2012 Current Zoology, Kopp, Servedio et al 2018 American Naturalist, Tinghitella, Lackey, Martin et al 2018 Behavioral Ecology 
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Cross-generational effects of climate change on a sexually selected trait
Understanding the relative roles of selection and plasticity in generating temporal variation in phenotypes is critical to predicting how organisms will respond to environmental change. I used a 25-year dataset to examine the factors affecting variation in the size of the plumage wing-bar, a sexually selected trait in Hume's warbler (P. humei). I showed that wing-bar size is heritable, but is also condition-dependent. Wing-bar size in adults is determined by both developmental processes and subsequent feather wear. In years when adults are in good condition (breed early), they have large wing-bars and invest more in offspring, producing chicks with large wing-bars. Related papers: Scordato et al 2012 Current Biology