A5075812424- Genetic diversity and population structure
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Animal Ecology and Behavior Studies
- Environmental DNA in Biodiversity Studies
- Genetic and phenotypic traits in livestock
- Bat Biology and Ecology Studies
- Isotope Analysis in Ecology
- Yersinia bacterium, plague, ectoparasites research
- Mosquito-borne diseases and control
- Plant and fungal interactions
- Identification and Quantification in Food
- Gut microbiota and health
- Human-Animal Interaction Studies
- Mycorrhizal Fungi and Plant Interactions
- Rangeland and Wildlife Management
- Malaria Research and Control
- Viral Infections and Vectors
- Animal Disease Management and Epidemiology
- Avian ecology and behavior
- Fish Ecology and Management Studies
- Agriculture and Farm Safety
- Ecology and biodiversity studies
- Genetic Mapping and Diversity in Plants and Animals
- Lipid metabolism and biosynthesis
South East Technological University
2022-2025
Munster Technological University
2025
Waterford Institute of Technology
2012-2023
University College Cork
2012
Abstract Invasive non‐native species are now considered to be one of the greatest threats biodiversity worldwide. Therefore, efficient and cost‐effective management invasions requires robust knowledge their demography, ecology impacts, genetic‐based techniques becoming more widely adopted in acquiring such knowledge. We focus on use genetic tools applied mammalian globally, as well inherent advantages disadvantages. cover that used in: 1) detecting monitoring invaders; 2) identifying origins...
The colonization of Ireland by mammals has been the subject extensive study using genetic methods and forms a central problem in understanding phylogeography European after Last Glacial Maximum. exhibits depauperate mammal fauna relative to Great Britain continental Europe, range natural anthropogenic processes have given rise its modern fauna. Previous Europe-wide surveys badger (Meles meles) found conflicting microsatellite mitochondrial DNA evidence Irish populations, suggesting badgers...
Abstract Our understanding of trophic interactions small insectivorous mammals has been drastically improved with the advent DNA metabarcoding. The technique continued to be optimised over years, primer choice repeatedly being a vital factor for dietary inferences. However, majority studies examining effect often rely on in silico analyses or comparing between species that occupy an identical niche type. Here, we apply metabarcoding empirically compare prey detection capabilities two widely...
Background: Biting midges in the genus Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) act as vectors for several arboviruses, including Bluetongue virus (BTV) and Schmallenberg (SBV), which affect livestock health productivity. In Ireland, limited genetic data are available regarding diversity of species. This study represents first attempt to characterise this region using molecular techniques. Methods: Adult samples were captured Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute (OVI) traps across six locations...
ABSTRACT: Global arthropod populations are changing due to the combined impacts of climate change, land-use transformation, globalisation and trade. These changes can potentially result in decline extinction some native and/or endemic species, while other species that pose threats human animal may increase. Such dynamics lead weakened ecosystem resilience, which facilitate establishment spread with vector capacities, such as mosquitoes. While many mosquito present Ireland possess have not...
Abstract Background Biting midges of the genus Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) act as vectors for several arboviruses, including bluetongue virus (BTV) and Schmallenberg (SBV), which affect livestock health productivity. In Ireland, limited genetic data are available regarding diversity species. This study represents first attempt to characterise in this region using molecular techniques. Methods Adult samples were captured Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute (OVI) traps across six...
Interactions between hosts and their resident microbial communities are a fundamental component of fitness for both agents. Though recent research has highlighted the importance interactions animals bacterial communities, comparative evidence fungi is lacking, especially in natural populations. Using data from 49 species, we present novel strong covariation fungal across host phylogeny, indicative recruitment by specific suites microbes. co-occurrence networks, demonstrate marked variation...
Abstract Invasive mammals are responsible for the majority of native species extinctions on islands. While most these extinction events will be due to novel interactions between (e.g. exotic predators and naive prey), it is more unusual find incidences where a newly invasive causes decline/extinction an island when they normally coexist elsewhere in their overlapping mainland ranges. We investigated if resource competition two insectivorous small was playing significant role rapid...
Abstract Effective monitoring of wildlife populations forms the foundation modern‐day conservation biology. Without reliable estimates population size, it is not possible to determine trends, a key requirement in determining species status under international legislation. Carnivores are one more difficult taxonomic groups monitor due low densities and elusive behavior. Here, we compare conventional live trapping two modern, noninvasive field methods estimation: genetic fingerprinting from...
The present study examined the contemporary genetic composition of Eurasian badger, Meles meles, in Ireland, Britain and Western Europe, using six nuclear microsatellite loci a 215-bp fragment mitochondrial DNA control region.Significant population structure was evident within Europe (global multilocus FST = 0.205, P < 0.001; global region 0.399, 0.001).Microsatellite-based cluster analyses detected one whereas badgers from could be subdivided into several populations.Excluding island...
Abstract The population genetic structure of free‐ranging species is expected to reflect landscape‐level effects. Quantifying the role these factors and their relative contribution often has important implications for wildlife management. genetics European badger ( Meles meles ) have received considerable attention, not least because acts as a potential reservoir bovine tuberculosis (bTB) in Britain Ireland. Herein, we detail most comprehensive landscape study Ireland date—comprised 454...
Abstract Developing strategies to maintain biodiversity requires baseline information on the current status of each individual species. The development genetic techniques and their application noninvasively collected samples have potential yield structure elusive animal populations so are important tools in conservation management. Using DNA isolated from faecal can be challenging owing low quantity quality. This study, however, presents novel real‐time polymerase chain reaction assays using...
Abstract Knowledge of stock structure is a priority for effective assessment commercially-fished cephalopods. Loligo forbesii squid are thought to migrate inshore breeding and offshore feeding long-range movements implied from past studies showing genetic homogeneity in the entire neritic population. Only populations (Faroe Rockall Bank) were considered distinct. The present study applied mitchondrial microsatellite markers (nine loci) samples Bank, north Scotland, North Sea, various shelf...
Abstract Nitrilase enzymes (EC 3.5.5.1) are responsible for the direct hydration of nitriles to their corresponding carboxylic acids and ammonia. The utilization nitrilase in biocatalysis toward bio‐pharmaceuticals industrial applications facilitates move towards green chemistry. body research presented describes a novel clade‐specific touchdown PCR protocol detection genes. study identified partial sequences 15 genes across 7 genera, with DNA sequence homology (%) displayed an additional 16...
ABSTRACT Interactions between hosts and their resident microbial communities are a fundamental component of fitness for both agents. Though recent research has highlighted the importance interactions animals bacterial communities, comparative evidence fungi is lacking, especially in natural populations. Using data from 49 species, we present novel strong covariation fungal across host phylogeny, indicative recruitment by specific suites microbes. co-occurrence networks, demonstrate that form...
Abstract In this study, the history of pine marten (Martes martes) in Ireland is reviewed, revealing that population has undergone several retractions and expansions over last few hundred years. Here, we consider genetic legacy flux fortunes its likely impacts upon conservation future recovery species. Using nuclear DNA markers (microsatellites), found diversity present today like other Irish carnivores, but there evidence a bottleneck low effective size might result further reductions...
<title>Abstract</title> We investigated the genetic diversity of contemporary Scottish pine marten population using neutral microsatellite markers, sampling 206 individuals across an area almost 32,000 km<sup>2</sup>. Our results revealed that in is modest with levels observed and expected heterozygosity ranging from Highlands (H<sub>o</sub> 0.52, H<sub>e</sub> 0.55) to Cairngorms 0.44, 0.42), number alleles ranged 3.3 Central 2.3 Dumfries Galloway, but there were high admixture country,...