In the Everson Lab, we study how life on Earth evolves: What patterns and processes underly novel adaptations, new species, and entire radiations?

Projects and Collaborations

Current project:
Hybridization in brown lemurs

In 2022, collaborator Dr. David Weisrock (University of Kentucky) and I were awarded an NSF grant titled “The role of hybridization in generating biodiversity: insights from genomics of Madagascar’s true lemurs (Eulemur)” (DEB 2207198). This project is ongoing and explores how new species form in the face of hybridization and gene flow, and exposes the genomic signatures of these processes across a diversifying radiation (the genus Eulemur).

Publications under review

Everson, Kathryn M; Pozzi, Luca; Barrett, Meredith A; Blair, Mary E; Donohue, Mariah E; Kappeler, Peter M; Kitchener, Andrew C; Lemmon, Alan R; Lemmon, Emily M; Pavon-Vazquez, Carlos J; Radespiel, Ute; Randrianambinina, Blanchard; Rasoloarison, Rodin M ; Rasoloharijaona, Solofonirina; Roos, Christian; Salmona, Jordi; Yoder, Anne D; Zenil-Ferguson, Rosana; Zinner, Dietmar; & Weisrock, David W (2023). "Not one, but multiple radiations underlie the biodiversity of Madagascar's endangered lemurs." bioRxiv. https://doi.org/10.1101/2023.04.26.537867

Herrig, Danielle K; Vertacnik, Kim L; Ridenbaugh, Ryan D; Everson, Kathryn M; Sim, Sheina B; Geib, Scott M; Weisrock, David; & Linnen, Catherine R (2023). "Whole Genomes Reveal Evolutionary Relationships and Mechanisms Underlying Gene-Tree Discordance in Neodiprion Sawflies." bioRxiv. https://doi.org/10.1101/2023.01.05.522922

Current project:
Mitochondrial capture in woodrats

In an ongoing collaboration with Dr. Marjorie Matocq (University of Nevada Reno), this project explores how the mitochondrial and nuclear genomes must co-evolve in a North American system where two species (woodrats Neotoma bryanti and N. lepida) are hybridizing.

Past Publications

Mills, Kendall K; Everson, Kathryn M; Hildebrandt, Kyndall BP; Brandler, Oleg V; Steppan, Scott J; & Olson, Link E (2023). "Ultraconserved elements improve resolution of marmot phylogeny and offer insights into biogeographic history." Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ympev.2023.107785

Donohue, Mariah E; Hert, Zoe L; Karrick, Carly E; Rowe, Amanda K; Wright, Patricia C; Randriamanandaza, Lovasoa J; Zakamanana, François; Nomenjanahary, Eva Stela; Everson, Kathryn M; & Weisrock, David W (2023). "Lemur gut microeukaryotic community variation is not associated with host phylogeny, diet, or habitat." Microbial Ecology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00248-023-02233-7

Everson, Kathryn M; McGinnis, Robert C; Burdine, Olivia P; Huddleston, Taniece R; Hylick, Tyler M; Keith, Audrey L; Moore, Savannah C; O’Brien, Aidan E; Vilardo, Ava L; & Krupa, James J (2023). "Disentangling morphology and genetics in two voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus and M. ochrogaster) in a region of sympatry." Journal of Mammalogy, 104, 532-545. https://doi.org/10.1093/jmammal/gyac119

Everson, Kathryn M; Donohue, Mariah E; & Weisrock, David W (2023). "A Pervasive History of Gene Flow in Madagascar’s True Lemurs (Genus Eulemur)." Genes, 14, 1130. https://doi.org/10.3390/genes14061130

Davis, Jeremy S; Glover, Ashleigh N; Everson, Kathryn M; Coyle, David R; & Linnen, Catherine R (2023). "Identification, biology, and management of conifer sawflies (Hymenoptera: Diprioninae) in eastern North America." Journal of Integrated Pest Management, 14, 13. https://doi.org/10.1093/jipm/pmad011

Donohue, Mariah E; Rowe, Amanda K; Kowalewski, Eric; Hert, Zoe L; Karrick, Carly E; Randriamanandaza, Lovasoa J; Zakamanana, Francois; Nomenjanahary, Stela; Andriamalala, Rostant Y; Everson, Kathryn M; Law, Audrey D; Moe, Luke; Wright, Patricia C; & Weisrock, David W (2022). "Significant effects of host dietary guild and phylogeny in wild lemur gut microbiomes." ISME Communications, 2, 33. https://doi.org/10.1038/s43705-022-00115-6

Stephenson, Peter J; Soarimalala, Voahangy; Goodman, Steven M; Nicoll, Martin E; Andrianjakarivelo, Vonjy; Everson, Kathryn M; Hoffmann, Michael; Jenkins, Paulina D; Olson, Link E; Raheriarisena, Martin;  Rakotondraparany, Felix; Rakotondravony, Daniel; Randrianjafy, Vololomboahangy; Ratsifandrihamanana, Nanie; & Taylor, Andrew (2021). "Review of the status and conservation of tenrecs (Mammalia: Afrotheria: Tenrecidae)." Oryx, 55, 13-22. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0030605318001205

Everson, Kathryn M; Gray, Levi N; Jones, Angela G; Lawrence, Nicolette M; Foley, Mary E; Sovacool, Kelly L; Kratovil, Justin D; Hotaling, Scott; Hime, Paul M; Storfer, Andrew; Parra-Olea, Gabriela; Percino-Daniel, Ruth; Aguilar-Miguel, X; O’Neill, Eric M; Zambrano, Luis; Shaffer, H Bradley; & Weisrock, David W (2021). "Geography is more important than life history in the recent diversification of the tiger salamander complex." Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 118, e2014719118. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2014719118

Everson, Kathryn M; Goodman, Steven M; & Olson, Link E (2020). "Speciation and gene flow in two sympatric small mammals from Madagascar, Microgale fotsifotsy and M. soricoides (Mammalia: Tenrecidae)." Molecular Ecology, 29, 1717-1729. https://doi.org/10.1111/mec.15433

Everson, Kathryn M; Jansa, Sharon A; Goodman, Steven M; & Olson, Link E (2020). "Montane regions shape patterns of diversification in small mammals and reptiles from Madagascar’s moist evergreen forest." Journal of Biogeography, 47, 2059-2072. https://doi.org/10.1111/jbi.13945

Everson, Kathryn M; McLaughlin, Jessica F; Cato, Iris A; Evans, Maryanne M; Gastaldi, Angela R; Mills, Kendall K; Shink, Katie G; Wilbur, Sara M; & Winker, Kevin (2019). "Speciation, gene flow, and seasonal migration in Catharus thrushes (Aves: Turdidae)." Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 139, 106564. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ympev.2019.106564

Everson, Kathryn M; Hildebrandt, Kyndall BP; Goodman, Steven M; & Olson, Link E (2018). "Caught in the act: incipient speciation across a latitudinal gradient in a semifossorial mammal from Madagascar, the mole tenrec Oryzorictes hova (Tenrecidae)." Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 126, 74-84. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ympev.2018.02.024

Everson, Kathryn M; Soarimalala, Voahangy; Goodman, Steven M; & Olson, Link E (2016). "Multiple loci and complete taxonomic sampling resolve the phylogeny and biogeographic history of tenrecs (Mammalia: Tenrecidae) and reveal higher speciation rates in Madagascar's humid forests." Systematic Biology, 65, 890-909. https://doi.org/10.1093/sysbio/syw034