Hybridisation, speciation and genetic structure in a woodland specialist
Lead Research Organisation:
University of York
Department Name: Biology
Abstract
Forestry occupies 13% of British land area. Management for timber objectives conflicts with support for biodiversity. The fragmentation of woodlands may lead to genetic isolation, particularly in poor dispersing specialists e.g. wood ants (Formica rufa group). Wood ants are ecologically dominant, have undergone recent speciation, are prone to hybridise and thus offer an ideal system to study the impact of fragmentation on population genetic structure.
At the local level of the North York Moors (NYM), F. lugubris is genetically diverse despite fragmentation, with mitochondrial haplotypes of other F. rufa gp. species nested within the F. lugubris clade: this may indicate cryptic species or hybridisation. This study will clarify the NYM population's conservation status and provide new insights into speciation, genetic isolation and hybridisation.
At the local level of the North York Moors (NYM), F. lugubris is genetically diverse despite fragmentation, with mitochondrial haplotypes of other F. rufa gp. species nested within the F. lugubris clade: this may indicate cryptic species or hybridisation. This study will clarify the NYM population's conservation status and provide new insights into speciation, genetic isolation and hybridisation.
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NE/P00962X/1 | 18/09/2017 | 23/07/2022 | |||
| 1949536 | Studentship | NE/P00962X/1 | 01/10/2017 | 23/07/2022 | Josie Monaghan |
| NE/W503071/1 | 01/04/2021 | 31/03/2022 | |||
| 1949536 | Studentship | NE/W503071/1 | 01/10/2017 | 23/07/2022 | Josie Monaghan |
| Description | NERC Biomolecular Analysis Facility |
| Amount | £15,981 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Natural Environment Research Council |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 04/2020 |
| Description | Sponsorship for Soapbox Science Presentation |
| Amount | £40 (GBP) |
| Organisation | The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour (ASAB) |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 06/2018 |
| End | 06/2018 |
| Description | National Insect Festival (York) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | A stall showcasing Ant Research at University of York at the National Insect Festival indoor section (£1 entry fee for adults, children free), with engagement activities for families and children. The children were really enthusiastic about the activities (including mask making, building a Plasticine ant etc.) and asked lots of questions about ants. Many took activities home to share with family and friends. A number of teachers also took examples to use with their pupils (primary school). Around 2000 attendees. Sponsored by the University of York. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | National Wood Ant Steering Group Meeting (Stirling) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Josie attended the National Wood Ant Steering Group Annual Meeting in Stirling, Scotland, and presented the year's report on Ant Research at the University of York. Attendees included members of BWARS, wood ant researchers from across Britain, and forest management professionals from Forest Research and other groups. We discussed conservation issues, and members also advised on Josie's sample collection plans. c.12 attendees. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | Soapbox Science (York) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Josie gave a 1 hour interactive demonstration of her research as one of four presenters (stood on soapboxes) in York city centre, to an audience largely made up of the general public. Undergraduates, postgraduates and university colleagues also attended based on advertising at the university. The talk generated interest and questions from viewers, especially from interactees (mainly children) but also including some debate with Josie and each other regarding the effects of conservation. An estimated 2400 people interacted or passed by the speaker. Props and materials were funded by a small grant from the Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour (see Further Funding section). |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| URL | http://soapboxscience.org/soapbox-science-2018-york/ |