FAS Center for Systems Biology






Welcome to the Kronforst lab at Harvard University’s FAS Center for Systems Biology.
We study the evolution and genetics of adaptation and speciation, using butterflies as our primary model system.

Natural biological systems are exceptionally diverse in terms of species richness, phenotypic form and function, and ecological interactions. Our research seeks to explain the origin and maintenance of this diversity across multiple levels of organization, from individual nucleotides to entire communities. As a tool to understanding the dynamics of biological diversity, much of our work focuses on adaptive phenotypic diversification and speciation in tropical butterflies, such as the genus Heliconius.

Please see our recent paper in PNAS

Please see our recent paper in Science

Please see our recent paper in PLoS Genetics

Peter Forbes' article in the May issue of Scientific American highlights our work on mimicry and mate choice in Heliconius butterflies. Read article.

Evolution's Continuing Creativity
Researchers glimpse speciation in action: One species of butterfly that may soon diverge into two. Video

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