Lab Members : Brendan Hodkinson

Department of Biology
Box 90338
Duke University
Durham, NC 27708

Cell: 443-340-0917
Work: 919-660-7285
Fax: 919-660-7293

Research Interests
Microbial Ecology and Evolution: The Lichen as a Microcosm
As a member of the Lutzoni lab, I am researching lichen-associated (non-photobiont) bacteria. So far, I have detected at least one new lineage of bacteria that has been found exclusively in association with green-algal lichens. My preliminary evidence indicates that there are patterns of association between certain lineages of bacteria and specific types of lichens. As part of my research, I am continuing to develop molecular tools that can be widely applied for the study of microbial ecology and evolution in environmental settings.

Botanical Systematics: Evolution, Taxonomy, and Floristics of Lichens and Lichenicolous Fungi
Over the past several years, I have assembled the first checklist of lichens and lichenicolous fungi for Virginia, USA, containing ~600 taxa. All reports are specimen-based and are carefully evaluated and verified. This ongoing project is exciting and dynamic, involving lichenologists and casual collectors from around the world. Taxonomic issues associated with this project are investigated using molecular phylogenetics, and all taxonomic changes are verified using traditional analytical methods. This work has provided much insight into which outward characteristics are best for revealing evolutionary relationships. Through this type of research, we have been able to gain a much better understanding of the evolution and diversity of lichens and lichenicolous fungi.

Education
BS Biology with Honors, College of William and Mary, 2005
Thesis: The lichen flora of the Williamsburg, Virginia, area

Fellowships & Grants
MSA Graduate Fellowship, 2009 ($2,000)
James B. Duke Fellowship for Graduate Study, 2005-2009 ($4,000/year)
NSF Graduate Research Fellowship, 2005-2008 ($30,000/year)
Lewis and Clark Fund for Exploration and Field Research, 2008 ($1,500)
Keever Endowment Grant-In-Aid, 2008 ($1,000)
Christiane and Christopher Tyson OTS Research Fellowship, 2008 ($1,256)
Sally Hughes-Schrader Travel Grant, 2008 ($1,250)
Sigma Xi Grant-In-Aid of Research, 2007 ($855)
American Society for Microbiology Student Travel Grant, 2007 ($500)
Keever Endowment Grant-in-Aid, 2006 ($1,000)
William and Mary Student Research Grant, 2004-2005 ($300)
James Monroe Research Scholarship, 2004 ($3,000)
Community of Scholars Fellowship, 2004 ($1,000)
Howard Hughes Medical Institute Student Research Grant, 2003-2004 ($325)
William and Mary Minor Grant, 2003-2004 ($300)

Honors, Prizes, & Awards
Student Presentation Award, 2008 (MSA best student conference paper, $200)
C. J. Alexopoulos Mentor Student Travel Award, 2008 ($500)
Explorers Club Diversa Award, 2008 ($1,200)
ABLS / IAL Student Travel Award, 2008 ($800)
BLS Member Travel Award, 2008 ($600)
A. J. Sharp Award, 2007 (ABLS best student conference paper, $500)
Explorers Club Diversa Award, 2007 ($1,200) [Final Report]
Duke Graduate International Research Travel Award, 2007 ($2,200)
American Bryological & Lichenological Society Travel Award, 2007 ($500)
Adkins Arboretum Botanical Research Award, 2006 ($1,500)
Berkeley Fellowship for Graduate Study, 2005 (declined)
Charlotte P. Mangum Prize, 2005 (best undergraduate Honors research)
Baldwin-Speece Plant Conservation Award, 2005 ($1,000)

Publications
Hodkinson, B. P., and F. Lutzoni. 2009. A new lineage of bacteria from the Rhizobiales associated with lichens. Symbiosis 47: in revision.

Schoch, C. L., G.-H. Sung, F. López-Giráldez, J. P. Townsend, J. Miadlikowska, V. Hofstetter, B. Robbertse, P. B. Matheny, F. Kauff, Z. Wang, C. Gueidan, R. M. Andrie, K. Trippe, L. M. Ciufetti, A. Wynns, E. Fraker, B. P. Hodkinson, G. Bonito, R. Yahr, J. Z. Groenewald, M. Arzanlou, G. S. de Hoog, P. W. Crous, D. Hewitt, D. H. Pfister, K. Peterson, M. Gryzenhout, M. J. Wingfield, A. Aptroot, S.-O. Suh, M. Blackwell, D. M. Hillis, G. W. Griffith, L. A. Castlebury, A. Y. Rossman, H. T. Lumbsch, R. Lücking, B. Büdel, A. Rauhut, P. Diederich, D. Ertz, D. M. Geiser, K. Hosaka, P. Inderbitzin, J. Kohlmeyer, B. Volkmann-Kohlmeyer, L. Mostert, K. O’Donnell, H. Sipman, J. D. Rogers, R. A. Shoemaker, J. Sugiyama, R. C. Summerbell, W. Untereiner, P. Johnston, S. Stenroos, A. Zuccaro, P. Dyer, P. Crittenden, M. S. Cole, K. Hansen, J. M. Trappe, F. Lutzoni, and J. W. Spatafora. 2009. The Ascomycota Tree of Life: A Phylum Wide Phylogeny Clarifies the Origin and Evolution of Fundamental Reproductive and Ecological Traits. Systematic Biology DOI:10.1093/sysbio/syp020 (published online ahead of press).
Download publication (PDF file)
Download supplementary phylogenies (PDF file)
Download nucleotide alignment (zipped NEXUS file)
Download character states table (PDF file)
Download sequence data table (PDF file)

Hodkinson, B. P., R. C. Harris, and M. A. Case. 2009. A Checklist of Virginia Lichens. Evansia 26(2): 63-88.
Download proofs (PDF file)
View authors' updated checklist (website)
View NYBG dynamic checklist (website)

Hodkinson, B. P., and M. A. Case. 2008. A lichen survey of Williamsburg, Virginia. Banisteria 31: 24-30.
Download publication (PDF file)

Miadlikowska, J., F. Kauff, V. Hofstetter, E. Fraker, M. Grube, J. Hafellner, V. Reeb, B. P. Hodkinson, M. Kukwa, R. Lücking, G. Hestmark, M. Garcia Otalora, A. Rauhut, B. Büdel, C. Scheidegger, E. Timdal, S. Stenroos, I. Brodo, G. Perlmutter, D. Ertz, P. Diederich, J. C. Lendemer, P. May, C. L. Schoch, A. E. Arnold, C. Gueidan, E. Tripp, R. Yahr, C. Robertson, and F. Lutzoni. 2007 ["2006"]. New insights into classification and evolution of the Lecanoromycetes (Pezizomycotina, Ascomycota) from phylogenetic analyses of three ribosomal RNA- and two protein-coding genes. Mycologia 98: 1088-1103.
Download publication (PDF file)
Download supplement (PDF file)

McCormick, M. K., D. F. Whigham, D. Sloan, K. O'Malley, and B. Hodkinson. 2006. Orchid-fungus fidelity: a marriage meant to last? Ecology 87: 903-911.
Download publication (PDF file)
Download supplement (PDF file)

Swaddle, J. P., M. G. Cathey, M. Correll, and B. P. Hodkinson. 2005. Socially transmitted mate preferences in a monogamous bird: a non-genetic mechanism of sexual selection. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London B: Biological Sciences 272: 1053-8.
Download publication (PDF file)

Articles cited ahead of print:
Hodkinson, B. P. In review. A First Assessment of Lichen Diversity in One of North America's 'Biodiversity Hotspots' in the Mountains of Virginia. Castanea.
Download draft (PDF file)

Lendemer, J. C., and B. P. Hodkinson. 2009. Stretching the boundaries: A range extension for Buellia wheeleri R.C. Harris. Evansia 26(4): in press.
Download draft (Word file)

Lendemer, J. C., and B. P. Hodkinson. In review. A new perspective on Punctelia subrudecta in North America: previously-rejected morphological characters corroborate molecular phylogenetic evidence and provide insight into an old problem. Lichenologist.

Hodkinson, B. P., and J. C. Lendemer. In review. A Tale of Two Lichens: Molecular data reveals cryptic species in Xanthoparmelia (Parmeliaceae, Lecanoromycetes). Bibliotheca Lichenologica.

Conference Abstracts:
Hodkinson, B.P., and F. Lutzoni. 2009. Secret alliances: Patterns of association between lichens and non-photobiont bacteria. Botany and Mycology 2009, Snowbird, Utah.
Download abstract (PDF file)

Hodkinson, B. P., T. M. Loveless, P. E. Bishop, and F. Lutzoni. 2008. Alternative nitrogen fixation and its role in nutrient cycling. Joint Meeting: Celebrating the International Year of Planet Earth, Houston, Texas.
View abstract (website)

Hodkinson, B. P., and F. Lutzoni. 2008. Lichen-associated non-photobiont bacteria: the third symbiont? Mycological Society of America Annual Meeting, State College, Pennsylvania. (Student Presentation Award: best student conference paper)
Download abstract (PDF file)

Hodkinson, B. P., T. M. Loveless, P. E. Bishop, and F. Lutzoni. 2008. Nitrogen-fixing non-photobiont bacteria and lichens: an alternative lifestyle? 6th International Association for Lichenology Symposium, Monterey, California.
Download abstract (PDF file)

Hodkinson, B. P., and F. Lutzoni. 2007. Non-photosynthetic bacteria and the lichen symbiosis. American Bryological and Lichenological Society Annual Meeting, Xalapa, Mexico. (A. J. Sharp Award: best student conference paper)
View abstract (website)

Hodkinson, B. P., and M. A. Case. 2007. Lichen ecology in coastal ravines. American Bryological and Lichenological Society Annual Meeting, Xalapa, Mexico.
View abstract (website)

Hodkinson, B., and F. Lutzoni. 2007. A culture-independent, PCR-based approach for examining bacterial communities associated with photosynthetic organisms: a case study using lichen thalli. American Society for Microbiology 107th General Meeting, Toronto, ON.
View abstract (website)

Hodkinson, B. P., F. M. Lutzoni, T. M. Loveless, and P. E. Bishop. 2006. Non-photosynthetic bacteria and the lichen symbiosis. 5th International Symbiosis Society Congress, Vienna, Austria.
Download abstract (PDF file)

"Little progress can be made if new techniques are used only
to replace, rather than complement, the old" (E.S. Luttrell, 1989).

Please contact me if you would like to collaborate on a paper with this title.