Education

Research Interests

Morphology is the study of form, or more broadly, the phenotype. My research focuses on both how the phenotype is produced (developmental morphology and morphogenesis) and how patterns of morphology change over time (evolutionary morphology and morphogenesis). What factors influence the shape or structure that an animal has, why is there so much variation within and between groups of animals, and how is that variation both produced and maintained?

Current research projects include: 1) the development and evolution of pipid frogs, with special emphasis on the skeletal system; 2) the development of Hymenochirus (the Dwarf African Clawed Frog) as a model system; and 3) the effects of simulated microgravity on cranial neural crest cell migration (with Darrell Wiens). Side interests include analysis of the re-emerging field of evolutionary developmental biology, as well as study of the philosophy and history of biology.

Professional Accomplishments

Vickaryous, M.K. and W.M. Olson. 2007. Sesamoids, lunulae, and other appendicular ossicles. In: Fins into Limbs. B.K. Hall, ed. University of Chicago Press. pp. 323-341. 

Hall, B.K. and W.M. Olson, editors. 2003. Keywords & Concepts in Evolutionary Developmental Biology. Harvard University Press.

Deban, S.M. and W.M. Olson. 2002. Suction feeding by a tiny predatory tadpole. Nature 420: 41-42.

Robert, J.S., B.K. Hall, and W.M. Olson. 2001. Bridging the gap between developmental systems theory and evolutionary developmental biology. BioEssays 23: 954-962.

Olson, W.M. 2000. Phylogeny, ontogeny, and function: extraskeletal bones in the tendons and joints of Hymenochirus boettgeri (Amphibia: Anura: Pipidae). Zoology: Analysis of Complex Systems 103: 15-24.

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