Research
Overview
My research has focussed on three separate themes: (1) the maintenance and evolutionary significance of colour polymorphisms in spiders; (2) speciation and hybridisation in spiders; (3) ecology and conservation of the endangered Tansy beetle.
- Many species in the spider family Theridiidae are variable in colour/pattern. I showed that the present of very similar patterns in unrelated species might be a result of an underlying ground plan, which limits possible variation so that different mutations result in almost identical morphs across species. But why so variable? Theoretical work with Dr Dan Franks (University of York) showed that the way in which predators, such as birds, learn to hunt different prey items might hold the clue.
- Using species of Large House spiders (Eratigena spp) I’ve investigated the barriers to hybridisation, the consequences when these break down and the implications for taxonomy.
- Studies of the Tansy beetle (Chrysolina graminis) in its two British strongholds, around York and in the East Anglian Fens, suggests that the populations might have evolved different food-plant preferences and life-cycle characteristics, with lessons for future conservation programmes.
Some colour morphs of the Hawaiian happy-face Theridion grallator
