Ph.D. Biology (Ecology and Systematics) 2001, University of Alabama
M.S. Applied Molecular Biology 1997, University of Wisconsin-Parkside
B.S. Biology 1994, University of Wisconsin-Parkside

Research Interests:

Molecular systematics of mollusks, especially marine bivalves and freshwater gastropods.

Current Research:

My research at FMNH deals with the molecular systematics of mollusks, focusing on marine bivalves and the freshwater gastropod families Pleuroceridae and Pachychilidae.  The bivalve research is part of a PEET funded project with AMNH concentrating on the Veneridae, a group of bivalves with more than 500 living species that form a key component in the world's clam fisheries.  Little is known about the systematics of this commercially important group, and we will be using 18S rDNA sequences to study not only relationships among the venerids, but also the placement of the family within the heterodont bivalves.  Pleurocerids and pachychilids are two of the largest freshwater families in the Americas.  My research has focused mainly on the pleurocerid genera Lithasia and Leptoxis, using morphological and molecular data in phylogenetic analyses, resulting in the discovery of at least 4 new species and subsequent monographic treatments.  Pachychilids have historically been considered endemic to South America, but recent studies indicate a tie with certain Pacific island taxa.  Molecular analyses indicate the need for further study of this group, as no consistent resolution of pleurocerids, pachychilids, thiarids, and melanopsids has been attained, and evidence exists that the family represents a unique evolutionary radiation.  I am commencing in a joint project with the Illinois Natural History Survey and the University of Alabama to study this family and determine its placement among the cerithioideans, as well as to begin to understand its species and generic composition.

Selected Publications:

Minton, R.L. and C. Lydeard. 2003. Phylogeny, taxonomy, genetics and global heritage ranks of an imperiled, freshwater snail genus Lithasia (Pleuroceridae). Molecular Ecology, in press.

Minton, R.L. and A.E. Bogan. 2003. Case 3249. Lithasia Haldeman, 1840: proposed conservation. Bulletin of Zoological Nomenclature, in press.

Minton, R.L. 2002. A cladistic analysis of the genus Lithasia (Caenogastropoda: Pleuroceridae) using morphological characters. The Nautilus 116:39-49.

Minton, R.L. and R.W. Gundersen. 2001. Puperita tristis is an ecotype of Puperita pupa. American Malacological Bulletin 16:13-20.

Lydeard, C., R.L. Minton, and J.D. Williams. 2000. Prodigious polyphyly in imperiled freshwater pearly-mussels: a phylogenetic test of species and generic designations. In: The Evolutionary Biology of the Bivalvia (Harper, E.M., J.D. Taylor & J.A. Crame, eds.). Geological Society of London, Special Publications 177:145-158.

Gundersen, R.W. and R.L. Minton. 1997. Do spots equal stripes? American Conchologist 25:22-23.