Molecular Systematics Laboratories

Robert Schelly :

(Extension: 3664, E-mail: schelly@amnh.org)

History:

Ph.D. --Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Biology, Columbia University, May 2006. Thesis title: The Phylogenetics of the Lamprologini (Perciformes: Cichlidae) based on morphology and DNA sequence data.
 M.Phil., Columbia University, May 2003, awarded en route.
 B.A. --Environmental, Population, and Organismic Biology, University of Colorado at Boulder, December 1999.
I am broadly interested in the systematics, biogeography, and evolution of fishes, particularly the freshwater ichthyofauna of Africa. My work on African fishes focuses on the evolution of African cichlids, the inter- and intrarelationships and biogeography of the cichlid tribe Lamprologini, and the processes driving speciation in lacustrine and large river systems, using Lake Tanganyika and the Congo River as exemplars.

Publications:

In press. Schelly, R.C. Lamprologine phylogenetics: Insights from morphology. Journal of Afrotropical Zoology.
In press. Schelly, R.C., and M.L.J. Stiassny. Cichlidae. In: Fishes of the Eastern Central Atlantic. FAO, Rome.
2006 Lamboj, A., and R.C. Schelly. Nanochromis teugelsi, a new cichlid species (Teleostei, Cichlidae) from the Kasai Region and central Congo Basin. Ichthyological Exploration of Freshwaters 17(3): 247-254.
2006 Stiassny, M.L.J., Schelly, R.C., and U.K. Schliewen. A new species of Raiamas (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) from the Lower Congo River, with a Phylogenetic Assessment of the Generic Limits of the Predatory Cyprinid Genera Opsaridium, Raiamas, and Leptocypris. Copeia 2006(3): 370-377.
2006 Tshibwabwa, S.M., Stiassny, M.L.J., and R.C. Schelly. Description of a new species of Labeo (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) from the lower Congo River. Zootaxa 1224: 33-44.
2006 Schelly, R.C., Salzburger, W., Koblmüller, S., Duftner, N., and C. Sturmbauer. Phylogenetic relationships of the lamprologine cichlid genus Lepidiolamprologus (Teleostei: Perciformes) based on mtDNA and nuclear sequences, suggesting introgressive hybridization. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 38: 426-438.
2005 Carvalho, M.R. de, Bockmann, F.A., Amorim, D.S., Vivo, M. de, Toledo-Piza, M. de, Menezes, N.A., Figueiredo, J.L., Castro, R.M.C., Gill, A.C., McEachran, J.D., Compagno, L.J.V., Schelly, R.C., Britz, R., Lundberg, J.G., Vari, R.P., and G. Nelson. Revisiting the taxonomic impediment. Science 307: 353.
2004 Schelly, R.C., M.L.J. Stiassny. Revision of the Congo River Lamprologus Schilthuis, 1891 (Teleostei: Cichlidae), with descriptions of two new species. American Museum Novitates 3451: 1-40.
2003 Schelly, R.C., M.L.J. Stiassny, and L. Seegers. Neolamprologus devosi sp. n., a new riverine lamprologine cichlid (Teleostei, Cichlidae) from the lower Malagarasi River, Tanzania. Zootaxa 373: 1-11.
2003 Schelly, R.C. Atheriniformes: rainbowfishes and silversides. Pages 67-77 in: Grzimek's Animal Life Encyclopedia, Volume 5, Fishes II. Schlager, N. (ed.).
2003 Schelly, R.C. Beloniformes: needlefishes and relatives. Pages 79-87 in: Grzimek's Animal Life Encyclopedia, Volume 5, Fishes II. Schlager, N. (ed.).
2003 Schelly, R.C. Labroidei I: cichlids and surfperches. Pages 275-291 in: Grzimek's Animal Life Encyclopedia, Volume 5, Fishes II. Schlager, N. (ed.).
2003 Carvalho, M.R. de, and R.C. Schelly. Polypteriformes: bichirs. Pages 209-212 in: Grzimek's Animal Life Encyclopedia, Volume 4, Fishes I. Schlager, N. (ed.).