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. There is an ever-increasing body of evidence suggesting that lichens exist not simply as dual partnerships, but as microcosms comprised of diverse assemblages of specific microbial lineages. Through my research I have detected an undescribed lineage of bacteria ('LAR1') that has been found almost exclusively in association with lichens. As part of this research I am continuing to develop tools (e.g., primers, protocols, and techniques) that can be widely applied to the study of microbial ecology and evolution in environmental settings.

Systematics of Lichens and Lichenicolous Fungi
Taxonomic problems abound in the realm of lichenology. I use molecular phylogenetic techniques in concert with traditional analytical methods in order to illuminate the evolutionary histories of specific lineages. Taxonomic changes are made only when the current system is found to be untenable for a given set of organisms. This work has provided much insight into which outward characteristics are best for revealing evolutionary relationships. Over the past several years, I have also assembled the first checklist of lichens and lichenicolous fungi for Virginia, USA, containing over 600 taxa. All reports are specimen-based and are carefully evaluated and verified. Through this type of research, we have been able to gain a much better understanding of the overall 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 [Inoculum Excerpt]
Keever Endowment Grants-in-Aid, 2008-2009
James B. Duke Fellowship for Graduate Study, 2005-2009
Lewis and Clark Fund for Exploration and Field Research, 2008-2009
Christiane and Christopher Tyson OTS Research Fellowship, 2008-2009
Sally Hughes-Schrader Travel Grant, 2008-2009
NSF Graduate Research Fellowship, 2005-2008
Sigma Xi Grant-In-Aid of Research, 2007
American Society for Microbiology Student Travel Grant, 2007
Keever Endowment Grant-in-Aid, 2006
William and Mary Student Research Grant, 2004-2005
James Monroe Scholarship, 2004
Community of Scholars Fellowship, 2004
Howard Hughes Medical Institute Student Research Grant, 2003-2004

Honors, Prizes, & Awards
Explorers Club Diversa Awards, 2007-2009 [Reports: 1 & 2]
MSA Student Presentation Award, 2008 (MSA best student conference paper)
C. J. Alexopoulos Mentor Student Travel Award, 2008
ABLS / IAL Student Travel Award, 2008
BLS Member Travel Award, 2008
A. J. Sharp Award, 2007 (ABLS best student conference paper)
Duke Graduate International Research Travel Award, 2007
American Bryological & Lichenological Society Travel Award, 2007
Adkins Arboretum Botanical Research Award, 2006
Berkeley Fellowship for Graduate Study, 2005 (declined)
Charlotte P. Mangum Prize, 2005 (best undergraduate Honors research)
Baldwin-Speece Plant Conservation Award, 2005

Peer-reviewed Publications
Hodkinson, B. P. 2010. A First Assessment of Lichen Diversity for One of North America's 'Biodiversity Hotspots' in the Southern Appalachians of Virginia. Castanea 75(1): in press.
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Lendemer, J. C., and B. P. Hodkinson. 2010. 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 42(4): in press.
Download proofs (PDF file)
Download alignment (NEXUS file)

Hodkinson, B. P., and F. Lutzoni. 2009. A microbiotic survey of lichen-associated bacteria reveals a new lineage from the Rhizobiales. Symbiosis 49: 163-180.
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Download alignment (NEXUS file)

Hodkinson, B. P., R. C. Harris, and M. A. Case. 2009. A Checklist of Virginia Lichens. Evansia 26: 64-88.
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View authors' updated checklist (website)

Lendemer, J. C., and B. P. Hodkinson. 2009. The Wisdom of Fools: new molecular and morphological insights into the North American apodetiate species of Cladonia. Opuscula Philolichenum 7: 79-100.
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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 58: 224-239.
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Download supplementary phylogenies (PDF file)
Download alignment (zipped NEXUS file)
Download character states table (PDF file)
Download sequence data table (PDF file)

Lendemer, J. C., and B. P. Hodkinson. 2009. Stretching the boundaries: A range extension for Buellia wheeleri R.C. Harris. Evansia 26: 172-176.
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Hodkinson, B. P., and M. A. Case. 2008. A lichen survey of Williamsburg, Virginia. Banisteria 31: 24-30.
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Download supplement (Excel 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. 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.
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Download supplement (PDF file)
Download alignment (zipped NEXUS file)

McCormick, M. K., D. F. Whigham, D. Sloan, K. O'Malley, and B.[P.]Hodkinson. 2006. Orchid-fungus fidelity: a marriage meant to last? Ecology 87: 903-911.
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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.
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Additional Cited Works
Hodkinson, B. P., and J. C. Lendemer. 2010. Molecular analyses reveal semi-cryptic species in Xanthoparmelia tasmanica. Bibliotheca Lichenologica: in review.
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Hodkinson, B. P., and F. Lutzoni. 2009. Secret alliances: Patterns of association between lichens and non-photobiont bacteria. In: Botany and Mycology 2009: Abstract Book. Botanical Society of America, Granville, Ohio, pg. 249.
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Hodkinson, B. P., and F. Lutzoni. 2008. Lichen-associated non-photobiont bacteria: the third symbiont? Inoculum 59(4): 34. [Student Presentation Award: best student conference paper]
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Hodkinson, B. P., and F. Lutzoni. 2007. Non-photosynthetic bacteria and the lichen symbiosis. In: ABLS Meeting, 2007, Xalapa, México: Abstracts. E. De Luna (ed.). INECOL, Xalapa, México, abs. 10. [A. J. Sharp Award: best student conference paper]
View abstract (website)

Hodkinson, B. P., F. M. Lutzoni, T. M. Loveless, and P. E. Bishop. 2006. Non-photosynthetic bacteria and the lichen symbiosis. In: 5th International Symbiosis Society Congress: Program, Abstracts, Participants. M. Bright, M. Horn, D. Zook, S. Lücker, and I. Kolar (eds.). Promare, Gdynia, Poland, pg. 95.
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"Little progress can be made if new techniques are used only
to replace, rather than complement, the old" (E.S. Luttrell, 1989).

"Your observations are important to others" (Fortune Cookie, 2009).

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