Dolph Schluter facts for kids

Dolph Schluter (born May 22, 1955) is a Canadian professor. He teaches Evolutionary Biology at the University of British Columbia. He is a top researcher in how animals change over time. He studies how new species form, especially in a fish called the three-spined stickleback.

Schluter earned his first degree in Biology from the University of Guelph in 1977. He then got his PhD in Zoology from the University of Michigan in 1983. Both of his degrees were in Ecology and Evolution.

Discovering New Species

Dolph Schluter is a leading scientist who studies how living things change and adapt. He focuses on how new species appear over time. This process is called speciation.

Darwin's Finches

Early in his career, Schluter studied Darwin's finches. These are special birds found on the Galapagos Islands. Their different beak shapes helped Charles Darwin understand evolution. Schluter looked at how their bodies changed. He also studied how they lived in their environment. His work was even featured in a popular science book.

The Stickleback Fish

Schluter also does important research on a small fish. It is called the three-spined stickleback. He wants to understand how different types of these fish develop. He studies how they adapt to new places. This helps us learn about how new species form.

Adaptive Radiation

His research shows how animals change to fit their surroundings. This process is called adaptive radiation. It means one group of animals can quickly form many new species. They adapt to different environments or food sources. Schluter's work helps us see this in action.

He has written books about his research. One important book is called The Ecology of Adaptive Radiation.

Awards and Recognition

Dolph Schluter has received many important awards for his work. These awards recognize his big contributions to science.

• In 1999, he became a member of the Royal Society of London. This is a very old and respected scientific group.
• In 2001, he joined the Royal Society of Canada.
• In 2017, he became a Foreign Fellow of the US National Academy of Sciences.
• In 2021, he was made a Member of the Order of British Columbia. This is a high honor in his home province.
• In 2023, Schluter won the Crafoord Prize. This is a very prestigious international science award. The prize recognized his "revolutionary studies" on finches and sticklebacks. His work has greatly helped us understand how new species arise. It shows that Darwin's ideas about natural selection are true.