Anne D. Yoder, Braxton Craven Distinguished Professor of Evolutionary Biology  

Anne D. Yoder

My work integrates field inventory activities with molecular phylogenetic techniques and geospatial analysis to investigate Madagascar, an area of the world that is biologically complex, poorly understood, and urgently threatened. Madagascar has been designated as one of the most critical geographic priorities for conservation action, retaining less than 10% of the natural habitats that existed before human colonization. It is critical that information be obtained as quickly as possible to document the biota that occurs in the remaining and highly threatened forested areas of western Madagascar, to gain an understanding of the evolutionary processes and associated distributional patterns that have shaped this diversity, and to use this information to help set conservation priorities. Phylogenetic and biogeographic analysis of Malagasy vertebrates, each with unique life-history and dispersal characteristics, are conducted to identify areas of high endemism potentially associated with underlying geological features, and also to test for the role that geographic features have played in generating patterns of vertebrate diversity and distribution. My lab also has a significant focus on capacity-building through the education and training of both American and Malagasy students. Research opportunities for American graduate students are enhanced by the formation of Malagasy/American partnerships.

Education:
Ph.D., Duke University, 1992

Office Location: 128 Biol Sciences Bldg, Durham, NC 27708
Email Address:
Web Page: http://www.biology.duke.edu/yoderlab/
Additional Web Page: http://yoderlab.org/

Specialties:
Evolution
Systematics
Genomics
Organismal Biology and Behavior

Research Categories: Phylogeny and evolution of mammals, ; conservation genetics; historical biogeography and biodiversity of Madagascar

Research Description: My work integrates field inventory activities with molecular phylogenetic techniques and geospatial analysis to investigate Madagascar, an area of the world that is biologically complex, poorly understood, and urgently threatened. Madagascar has been designated as one of the most critical geographic priorities for conservation action, retaining less than 10% of the natural habitats that existed before human colonization. It is critical that information be obtained as quickly as possible to document the biota that occurs in the remaining and highly threatened forested areas of western Madagascar, to gain an understanding of the evolutionary processes and associated distributional patterns that have shaped this diversity, and to use this information to help set conservation priorities. Phylogenetic and biogeographic analysis of Malagasy vertebrates, each with unique life-history and dispersal characteristics, are conducted to identify areas of high endemism potentially associated with underlying geological features, and also to test for the role that geographic features have played in generating patterns of vertebrate diversity and distribution. My lab also has a significant focus on capacity-building through the education and training of both American and Malagasy students. Research opportunities for American graduate students are enhanced by the formation of Malagasy/American partnerships.

Areas of Interest:
Conservation
Biodiversity
Speciation
Biogeography

Recent Publications   (More Publications)   (search)

  1. Paietta, EN; Lefkowitz, EJ; Van Der Pol, WJ; Hendrickson, RC; Johnston, RA; Randrianarisoa, SF; Kraberger, S; Razanamahenina, TT; Ramboninarimalala, A; Raherinirina, TG; Raveloson, L; Finley, NL; Scotch, M; Baitchman, E; Yoder, AD; Varsani, A, Divergent poxvirus identified in a non-native black rat from Madagascar., Virology, vol. 623 (June, 2026), pp. 111021 [doi]  [abs].
  2. Trivedi, M; Gianfrate, F; de Gennaro, L; Ayllon, M; Munson, KM; Hoekzema, K; Yoo, D; Ehmke, EE; Yoder, AD; Chang, S; Lalgudi, C; Krasnow, M; Ventura, M; Eichler, EE, Rapid centromere turnover and the adaptive radiation of lemurs., bioRxiv (May, 2026) [doi]  [abs].
  3. Paietta, EN; Johnston, RA; Kraberger, S; Randrianarisoa, SF; Razanamahenina, TT; Ramboninarimalala, A; Velontsara, J-B; Raherinirina, TG; Raveloson, L; Finley, NL; Baitchman, E; McAdoo, BG; Yoder, AD; Varsani, A, Mammal-infecting DNA viruses identified in lemurs and rodents in Madagascar mirror the evolutionary history of their hosts., Microbial genomics, vol. 12 no. 5 (May, 2026) [doi]  [abs].
  4. Paietta, EN; Johnston, RA; Randrianarisoa, SF; DeSisto, CMM; Kraberger, S; Martin, D; Razanamahenina, TT; Ramboninarimalala, A; Velontsara, J-B; Raherinirina, TG; Rasendrinirina, V; Raveloson, L; Luo, Y; Finley, NL; Baitchman, E; Yoder, AD; Varsani, A, Host-anellovirus interactions in an island ecosystem: non-human primates and rodents in Madagascar harbour diverse, rich anellovirus populations., Microbial genomics, vol. 12 no. 4 (April, 2026) [doi]  [abs].
  5. Blanco, MB; Greene, LK; Randriahaingo, HNT; Randriamanantsaina, NH; Tsavohitra, B; Yoder, AD; Dausmann, KH, Greater ecological flexibility in furry-eared dwarf lemurs versus sympatric Sibree's dwarf lemurs: Insights from activity budgets, spatial distribution, and foraging behavior., Folia primatologica; international journal of primatology (March, 2026), pp. 1-16 [doi]  [abs].