UT Tyler Office of Marketing and Communications

In the Spotlight: Jon Seal, assistant professor of biology

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May 22, 2015

Media Contact:  Hannah Buchanan
Editor/Writer–Strategic Communications & Media Relations
Marketing and Communications
The University of Texas at Tyler
903.539.7196 (cell)

May 22, 2015

Dr. Jon Seal has published a paper in The Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, a widely respected journal of evolutionary biology. Seal is an assistant professor within the UT Tyler Department of Biology, and his research focuses on fungus-gardening Leafcutter ant populations.

Co-authors include UT Tyler graduate student Larrimy Brown of Avinger.

“In this paper, we compared the genetic diversity of two ant species found in the Southeast and found very low diversity in Texas, which suggests they are relative new arrivals to the area,” Seal said.

Seal was recently invited to submit a full grant proposal by the National Geographic Society for follow-up studies using more powerful genetic markers and also examine the population genetics of the ants’ symbiotic fungus.

For more information, contact Seal, 903.565.9531 or jseal@uttyler.edu.

The Department of Biology, housed within the College of Arts and Sciences, offers diverse undergraduate and graduate studies in life sciences for a wide range of career paths – from biology, biotechnology and medical technology to medicine, dentistry and education.

Equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, the UT Tyler biology department integrates research as an important component of the learning experience.

Contact: 903.566.7402 or biology@uttyler.edu.