Patrick J. Krug

Patrick J. Krug is a Professor of Biological Sciences at California State University, Los Angeles, specializing in marine biodiversity, evolutionary processes, and systematics of sea slugs. His research focuses on the ecological and evolutionary consequences of larval dispersal, host specialization, and photosynthesis in animals. He leads a lab studying Sacoglossa, a diverse group of sea slugs, particularly their kleptoplastic abilities and speciation patterns. His work integrates molecular, morphological, and ecological data to understand marine diversity and biogeography.

Key research areas include the genetic and ecological drivers of speciation, the role of larval strategies in population connectivity, and the evolution of symbiotic relationships in marine invertebrates. He has published extensively on sea slug phylogeny, biogeography, and chemical defense mechanisms. Collaborative projects include studies on polyketide biosynthesis and the impact of Pleistocene glacial cycles on species distribution.

Dr. Krug has secured grants such as the NSF RUI funding for projects on keystone molecules in estuaries and the evolutionary origins of air-breathing in gastropods. His lab emphasizes integrative approaches, combining fieldwork, molecular techniques, and computational analyses. He is actively involved in global taxonomic revisions of sea slugs and has contributed to biodiversity surveys in regions like Bocas del Toro, Panama, and the Caribbean.