We just got our new dual Intel Xeon 8-core computer (= 16 cores, 32 threads). The Tesla GPU is beating the CPUs in the 1 billion generation *BEAST race with our Agama data. This isn’t the case with the Tamiasciurus data that Andreas brought in – the CPUs crush the GPU with his data. When using nucleotide substitution models, the GPU is only beneficial when there is a large number of distinct site patterns.
Check it out! Ready to run 32 CPU cores!
Our lab landed some new funding!
1. NSF grant to study rapid speciation in North American spiny lizards.
2. Seattle City Lights grant to study population genetics of frogs in the North Cascades.
It was a great follow-up to a successful field trip where we found lots of horned lizards…
Pygmy short-horned lizards. Photo: Sharon Birks
Meet Astylosternus laticephalus, a new addition to the frog fauna of West Africa. The new species looks like a strange frog-toad hybrid. It’s body shape is typical for frogs of the genus Astylosternus, but it has an exceptionally broad head. The color pattern is also unique – it has distinct red dots and a bicolored iris that is tipped with orange and red.
Rödel, M-O., M. F. Barej, A. Hillers, A. D. Leaché, N.G. Kouamé, C. Ofori-Boateng, N. E. Assemian, B. Tohé, J. Penner, M. Hirschfeld, J. Doumbia, L. N. Gonwouo, J. Nopper, C. Brede, R. Diaz, M. K. Fujita, M. Gil, G. H. Segniagbeto, R. Ernst, and L. Sandberger. 2012. The genus Astylosternus in the Upper Guinea rainforsts, West Africa, with the description of a new species (Amphibia: Anura: Arthroleptidae). Zootaxa, 3245:1-29.
The UW Daily posted a photo gallery highlighting our recent Introductory Biology (BIOL180) field trip to Camp Long: “Salamander Love Night”. The trip was a success! The students found all four species of salamanders that occur in the area. We thank Stewart Wechsler for offering this stewardship adventure into nature, and BIOL180 field trip coordinator Celese Spencer for organizing the trip.
“With 641 students currently enrolled in Biology 180, there are 641 different ways to interpret a lecture, finish a pre-lab, take a weekly practice exam, and simply get lost in the shuffle. But the course’s required field trip helps size down the class while introducing students to concepts from lecture in locations across Washington state. Last week, 20 students visited Camp Long in West Seattle to search for salamanders and learn about salamander morphology, habitat, and courtship.”
Students inspect a Northwestern Salamander after finding the amphibian under a log along a hiking trail.
Our lab is now keeping time with a new Phrynosoma Time wall clock. Those are ants walking down the hands.
