A5061624221- Genetic diversity and population structure
- Cephalopods and Marine Biology
- Identification and Quantification in Food
- Fish Ecology and Management Studies
- Fish Biology and Ecology Studies
- Marine and fisheries research
- Animal Behavior and Reproduction
- Insect Pheromone Research and Control
- Ichthyology and Marine Biology
- Insect-Plant Interactions and Control
- Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior
- Parasite Biology and Host Interactions
- Isotope Analysis in Ecology
- Marine Biology and Ecology Research
- Coral and Marine Ecosystems Studies
- Crustacean biology and ecology
- Forest Insect Ecology and Management
- Marine and coastal plant biology
- Aquatic life and conservation
- Aquatic Ecosystems and Biodiversity
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Malaria Research and Control
- Genetic and phenotypic traits in livestock
- Avian ecology and behavior
- Mosquito-borne diseases and control
Aberystwyth University
2016-2025
Rhodes University
2014-2025
Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences
2015-2024
Plant & Food Research
1995-2017
Genomics (United Kingdom)
2016
Universidad de Londres
2003-2015
Royal Holloway University of London
2004-2014
University of the West Indies
2013
Planta
2011
Natural History Museum
2011
Timing divergence events allow us to infer the conditions under which biodiversity has evolved and gain important insights into mechanisms driving evolution. Cichlid fishes are a model system for studying speciation adaptive radiation, yet, we have lacked reliable timescales their Phylogenetic reconstructions consistent with cichlid origins prior Gondwanan landmass fragmentation 121–165 MYA, considerably earlier than first known fossil cichlids (Eocene). We examined timing of evolution using...
Microsatellite DNA markers were applied for the first time in a population genetic study of cephalopod and compared with previous estimates differentiation obtained using allozyme mitochondrial (mtDNA) markers. Levels variation detected microsatellites much higher than found (mean number alleles per locus=10.6, mean expected heterozygosity ( H E )=0.79; =0.08; mtDNA restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) =0.16). In agreement studies, demonstrated uniformity across occupying European...
Abstract The environmental and/or life history factors affecting genetic exchange in marine species with potential for high dispersal are of great interest, not only from an evolutionary standpoint but also regard to effective management. Previous studies have demonstrated substantial differentiation among populations the Patagonian toothfish around Southern Ocean, indicating breakdown gene flow across large distances between inhabited shelf areas. present study examined structuring through...
Abstract To date, few studies have investigated the effects of inbreeding on sexually selected traits, although depression such traits can play an important role in evolution and ecology wild populations. Sexually as ornamentation courtship behaviour may not be primary fitness characters, but selection dominance coefficients their mutations will resemble those under natural selection. Strong directional selection, for instance, through female mate-choice, purges all most recessive...
Abstract Population structuring in species inhabiting marine environments such as the Northeast Atlantic Ocean (NEA) and Mediterranean Sea (MS) has usually been explained based on past present physical barriers to gene flow isolation by distance (IBD). Here, we examined relative importance of these factors population common cuttlefish Sepia officinalis using methods phylogenetic inference hypothesis testing coupled with coalescent classical genetic parameter estimation. Individuals from 10...
Despite increasing awareness of large-scale climate-driven distribution shifts in the marine environment, no study has linked rapid ocean warming to a shift and consequent hybridization fish species. This describes (0.8 °C per decade) coastal waters Angola-Benguela Frontal Zone over last three decades concomitant by temperature sensitive species (Argyrosomus coronus) southward from Angola into Namibia. In this context, across Economic Exclusive Zones will complicate management fishes,...
Contemporary patterns of genetic diversity and population connectivity within species can be influenced by both historical contemporary barriers to gene flow. In the marine environment, present day oceanographic features such as currents, fronts upwelling systems influence dispersal eggs/larvae and/juveniles/adults, shaping substructuring. The Benguela Current system in southeastern Atlantic is one oldest world, provides a unique opportunity investigate relative mechanisms evolutionary...
Sperm cells are the target of strong sexual selection that may drive changes in sperm structure and function to maximize fertilisation success. evolution is regarded be one major consequences competition polyandrous species, however it can also driven by adaptation environmental conditions at site fertilization. Strong stabilizing limits intra-specific variation, therefore polymorphism, among fertile (eusperm). Here we analyzed reproductive morphology differences males employing...
Ocean acidification is predicted to have detrimental effects on many marine organisms and ecological processes. Despite growing evidence for direct impacts specific species, few studies simultaneously considered the of ocean individuals (e.g. consequences energy budgets resource partitioning) population level demographic Here we show that increases energetic demands gastropods resulting in altered allocation, i.e. reduced shell size but increased body mass. When scaled up level, long-term...
Accurate taxonomy, population demography, and habitat descriptors inform species threat assessments the design of effective conservation measures. Here we combine published studies with new genetic, morphological data that were collected from seahorse populations located along European North African coastlines to help management decisions for seahorses. This study confirms presence only two native (Hippocampus guttulatus H. hippocampus) across Europe, sporadic occurrence non-native in...
Abstract The South African (SAF) yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) fishery represents a potential example of misalignment between management units and biological processes. SAF spans an operational stock with boundary at 20°E, either side which fish are considered part Atlantic or Indian Ocean regional stocks. However, the actual recruitment from spawning populations into waters is unknown. To address this knowledge gap, genomic analysis (11 101 SNPs) was performed on samples sites,...
Brood reduction is common in a population of Blue‐eyed Shags on Signy Island, South Orkney Islands. This paper describes possible adaptations which may reduce the brood. In clutches three, last egg was smaller, and hatched 2.4 days later than its siblings. Whilst 78–84% first second (‘A’ & ‘B’) chicks fledged, only 11 % ‘C’ did. sample artificially synchronized broods chick survival as high normal asynchronously hatching broods, but there were more cases total brood loss. The age at C...
The effects on oocyte viability of varying the duration exposure to cryoprotectants before rapid cooling -196 degrees C were examined, using vitrification protocol Nakagata. A very short (15 sec) was found be optimal, resulting in an overall rate development from vitrified oocytes hatching blastocysts 31.8%. Very high rates survival (77-89%) exposed cryoprotectant media, but without vitrification, together with extreme variability results between straws groups, suggest that losses during may...
Abstract The last glaciation was a dynamic period with strong impact on the demography of many species and populations. In recent years, mitochondrial DNA sequences retrieved from radiocarbon‐dated remains have provided novel insights into history Late Pleistocene However, genotyping loci nuclear genome may provide enhanced resolution population‐level changes. Here, we use four autosomal microsatellite markers to investigate demographic woolly mammoths ( Mammuthus primigenius ) in...
Polyandry is widespread and influences patterns of sexual selection, with implications for conflict over mating. Assessing sperm precedence a first step towards understanding competition within female elucidating the roles male- female-controlled factors. In this study behavioural field data genetic were combined to investigate polyandry in chokka squid Loligo reynaudii. Microsatellite DNA-based paternity analysis revealed multiple be norm, 79% broods sired by at least two males. Genetic...
ABSTRACT Oceanic islands are among the most unique and vulnerable ecosystems in world. Biodiversity monitoring is crucial for sustainable management of resources; however, isolation many makes routine assessment challenging. Environmental DNA (eDNA) provides a promising approach to enhance traditional marine biodiversity assessments, reducing logistical financial challenges monitoring. This study employed eDNA characterize vertebrate at world's remote inhabited Tristan da Cunha. Two 12 s...