Chelsea Skojec
I am an evolutionary biologist interested in how species traits evolve and respond to environmental change. My research integrates evolutionary and ecological approaches to understand adaptation, biodiversity, and conservation in a changing world, with a particular focus on moths and other Lepidoptera.
About
I am an evolutionary biologist with broad interests in how organisms evolve, adapt, and respond to changes in their environment. Much of my research focuses on moths and butterflies, which I use to address questions about trait evolution, species interactions, biodiversity, and conservation. My work combines approaches from evolutionary biology and ecology with genomic, phylogenetic, and computational methods. I am particularly interested in using these approaches together to study complex traits and understand how both evolutionary history and the environment contribute to the patterns of biodiversity we see today.
I received my Ph.D. in evolutionary biology from the University of Florida, where my dissertation research focused on the evolution of eyespots in Automeris moths, including their mimcry to the eyes of sympatric owls. Since then, my research has expanded to broader questions about Lepidoptera biodiversity, environmental change, and conservation. My research aims to better understand how biodiversity evolves and how species respond to a rapidly changing world.
Publications
Skojec, C., Godfrey, R. K., Adams, B., Nazrul, N., Earl, C., McTammany, A., Kawahara, A. Y., Shirey, V., & Umbers, K. D. L. (2026). Eyespots in Automeris Moths Mimic Sympatric Owl Species (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae). Ecology and Evolution, 16(8), e74144. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.74144
Skojec, C., Earl, C., Couch, C. D., Masonick, P., & Kawahara, A. Y. 2024. Phylogeny and divergence time estimation of Io moths and relatives (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae: Automeris) PeerJ. https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.17365
Skojec, C., Godfrey, R.K., Kawahara, A.Y. 2024. Long read genome assembly of Automeris io (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae) an emerging model for the evolution of deimatic displays. G3 Genes|Genomes|Genetics. :jkad292. doi:10.1093/g3journal/jkad292
Boyes, D., Skojec, C., Kawahara, AY. 2023. The genome sequence of the Buff Footman. Welcome Open Research. https://wellcomeopenresearch.org/articles/8-342/v1
Boyes, D., Crowley, ML., Skojec, C., Plotkin, D., Kawahara, AY. 2022. The genome sequence of the 6-spot burnet. Welcome Open Research. https://wellcomeopenresearch.org/articles/7-197/v1
Drinkwater, E., Allen, W.L., Endler, J.A., Holmes, G., Homziak, N.T., Kang, C.,Leavell, B.C., Lehtonen, J., Loeffler-Henry, J.K., Ratcliffe, J., Rowe, C., Ruxton, G.D., Sherratt, T.N., Skelhorn, J., Skojec, C., Smart, H.R., White, T.E., Yack, J.E., Young, C.M., Umbers, K.D. 2022. A synthesis of deimatic behavior. Biological Reviews https://doi.org/10.1111/brv.12891
Emberts, Z., St. Mary, C.M., Skojec, C., Miller, C.W. 2020. Leaf-footed bugs possess multiple hidden contrasting color signals, but only one is associated with increased body size. Ecology and Evolution, 10(16): https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.6468
Contact
I am always interested in discussing new research ideas and opportunities for collaboration. If you are interested in my research, potential collaborations, or opportunities to work together, please feel free to get in touch.