Yr Athro William O.C. Symondson
Professor
- symondson@cardiff.ac.uk
- +44 (0)29 2087 5151
- Fax:
- +44 (0)29 2087 4116
- Cardiff School of Biosciences, The Sir Martin Evans Building, Museum Avenue, Cardiff, CF10 3AX, Adeilad Syr Martin Evans, Rhodfa'r Amgueddfa, Caerdydd, CF10 3AX
Trosolwg
Research overview
I am interested in the dynamics of predator-prey interactions and how predators make choices between competing prey species. Most of our work has been on invertebrates in arable crops centred upon two trophic interactions: carabid beetles vs. slugs, and linyphiid spiders vs. aphids. A major interest has been in how non-pest prey affect predator-target prey interactions. Current work uses a combination of network analyses, SADIE and Monte Carlo simulations to examine the temporal and spatial interactions between predators and many different prey simultaneously. This work has been facilitated by the development of PCR-based system for detecting prey DNA in predators. Most recently we have been using next generation sequencing to look at complete dietary ranges of invertebrates and vertebrates in both temperate and tropical habitats. Related work includes phlogenetics (earthworms, molluscs, planthoppers), intraguild predation, scavenging, vertebrate diets (reptiles, birds, mammals), microarthropods predating nematodes and spider responses to insect vibrational communication signals.
Research division
Cyhoeddiadau
2021
- Cuff, J. P.et al. 2021. Money spider dietary choice in pre- and post-harvest cereal crops using metabarcoding. Ecological Entomology 46(2), pp. 249-261. (10.1111/een.12957)
- Tercel, M. P., Symondson, W. O. and Cuff, J. P. 2021. The problem of omnivory: a synthesis on omnivory and DNA metabarcoding. Molecular Ecology (10.1111/mec.15903)
- Cuff, J. P.et al. 2021. MEDI: Macronutrient Extraction and Determination from Invertebrates, a rapid, cheap and streamlined protocol. Methods in Ecology and Evolution (10.1111/2041-210X.13551)
2020
- Redihough, J.et al. 2020. Species separation within, and preliminary phylogeny for, the leafhopper genus Anoscopus with particular reference to the putative British endemic Anoscopus duffieldi (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae). Insects 11(11), article number: 799. (10.3390/insects11110799)
- Ammann, L.et al. 2020. Insights into aphid prey consumption by ladybirds: Optimising field sampling methods and primer design for high throughput sequencing. PLoS ONE 15(7), article number: e0235054. (10.1371/journal.pone.0235054)
- Dušátková, L. P.et al. 2020. Estimation of trophic niches in myrmecophagous spider predators. Scientific Reports 10(1), article number: 8683. (10.1038/s41598-020-65623-8)
2019
- Kleinschmidt, B.et al. 2019. The diet of red-throated divers (Gavia stellata) overwintering in the German Bight (North Sea) analysed using molecular diagnostics. Marine Biology 166(6), article number: 77. (10.1007/s00227-019-3523-3)
- Michálek, O.et al. 2019. Silk versus venom: alternative capture strategies employed by closely related myrmecophagous spiders. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society 126(3), pp. 545-554. (10.1093/biolinnean/bly181)
- Roslin, T.et al. 2019. Introduction: Special issue on species interactions, ecological networks and community dynamics - Untangling the entangled bank using molecular techniques. Molecular Ecology 28(2), pp. 157-164. (10.1111/mec.14974)
- Pinol, J., Senar, M. A. and Symondson, W. O. C. 2019. The choice of universal primers and the characteristics of the species mixture determine when DNA metabarcoding can be quantitative. Molecular Ecology 28(2), pp. 407-419. (10.1111/mec.14776)
2018
- Moorhouse-Gann, R.et al. 2018. New universal ITS2 primers for high-resolution herbivory analyses using DNA metabarcoding in both tropical and temperate zones. Scientific Reports 8, article number: 8542. (10.1038/s41598-018-26648-2)
- Dunn, J. C.et al. 2018. The decline of the Turtle Dove: dietary associations with body condition and competition with other columbids analysed using high-throughput sequencing. Molecular Ecology 27(16), pp. 3386-3407. (10.1111/mec.14766)
- Vaughan, I.et al. 2018. econullnetr: an R package using null models to analyse the structure of 1 ecological networks and identify resource selection. Methods in Ecology and Evolution 9(3), pp. 728-733. (10.1111/2041-210X.12907)
- Pearson, C. E.et al. 2018. The effects of pastoral intensification on the feeding interactions of generalist predators in streams. Molecular Ecology 27(2), pp. 590-602. (10.1111/mec.14459)
2017
- Waap, S.et al. 2017. The diet of a nocturnal pelagic predator, the Bulwer's petrel, across the lunar cycle. Scientific Reports 7(1), article number: 1384. (10.1038/s41598-017-01312-3)
2016
- Seric Jelaska, L. and Symondson, W. O. C. 2016. Predation on epigeic, endogeic and anecic earthworms by carabids active in spring and autumn. Periodicum Biologorum 118(3), pp. 281-289. (10.18054/pb.2016.118.3.4709)
- Dupont, L.et al. 2016. Hybridization relics complicate barcode-based dentification of species in earthworms. Molecular Ecology Resources 16(4), pp. 883-894. (10.1111/1755-0998.12517)
- Dunn, J. C.et al. 2016. Non-cultured faecal and gastrointestinal seed samples fail to detect Trichomonad infection in clinically and sub-clinically infected columbid birds. Conservation Genetics Resources 8(2), pp. 97-99. (10.1007/s12686-016-0518-y)
- Pearson, C. E.et al. 2016. Resolving large-scale pressures on species and ecosystems: propensity modelling identifies agricultural effects on streams. Journal of applied ecology 53(2), pp. 408-417. (10.1111/1365-2664.12586)
- Nyffeler, M., Olson, E. J. and Symondson, W. O. C. 2016. Plant-eating by spiders. Journal of Arachnology 44(1), pp. 15-27. (10.1636/P15-45.1)
2015
- Novcic, I.et al. 2015. Molecular analysis of the value of Horseshoe Crab eggs to migrating shorebirds. Avian Biology Research 8(4), pp. 210-220. (10.3184/175815515X14455290976316)
- Petráková, L.et al. 2015. Discovery of a monophagous true predator, a specialist termite-eating spider (Araneae: Ammoxenidae). Scientific Reports 5, article number: 14013. (10.1038/srep14013)
- King, R. A., Symondson, W. O. C. and Thomas, R. J. 2015. Molecular analysis of faecal samples from birds to identify potential crop pests and useful biocontrol agents in natural areas. Bulletin of Entomological Research 105(3), pp. 261-272. (10.1017/S0007485314000935)
- Symondson, W. O. C.et al. 2015. Bornean caterpillar (Lepidoptera) constructs cocoon fromVatica rassak(Dipterocarpaceae) resin containing multiple deterrent compounds. Journal of Natural History 49(9-10), pp. 553-560. (10.1080/00222933.2014.939731)
2014
- Seric Jelaska, L.et al. 2014. Prey detection in carabid beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) in woodland ecosystems by PCR analysis of gut contents. European Journal of Entomology 111(5), pp. 631-638. (10.14411/eje.2014.079)
- Derlink, M.et al. 2014. Characterization of eleven polymorphic microsatellite markers for leafhoppers of the genus Aphrodes (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae). Conservation Genetics Resources 6(4), pp. 933-935. (10.1007/s12686-014-0245-1)
- Seric Jelaska, L.et al. 2014. Molecular field analysis of trophic relationships in soil-dwelling invertebrates to identify mercury, lead and cadmium transmission through forest ecosystems. Molecular Ecology 23(15), pp. 3755-3766. (10.1111/mec.12566)
- Brown, D. S.et al. 2014. Dietary competition between the alien Asian Musk Shrew (Suncus murinus) and a re-introduced population of Telfair's Skink (Leiolopisma telfairii). Molecular Ecology 23(15), pp. 3695-3705. (10.1111/mec.12445)
- Emrich, M. A.et al. 2014. Resource partitioning by insectivorous bats in Jamaica. Molecular Ecology 23(15), pp. 3648-3656. (10.1111/mec.12504)
- Alonso, H.et al. 2014. An holistic ecological analysis of the diet of Cory's shearwaters using prey morphological characters and DNA barcoding. Molecular Ecology 23(15), pp. 3719-3733. (10.1111/mec.12785)
- Clare, E. L.et al. 2014. The diet of Myotis lucifugus across Canada: assessing foraging quality and diet variability. Molecular Ecology 23(15), pp. 3618-3632. (10.1111/mec.12542)
- Krüger, F.et al. 2014. Diet of the insectivorous bat 'Pipistrellus nathusii' during autumn migration and summer residence. Molecular Ecology 23(15), pp. 3672-3683. (10.1111/mec.12547)
- Clare, E. L., Symondson, W. O. C. and Brockett Fenton, M. 2014. An inordinate fondness for beetles? variation in seasonal dietary preferences of night-roosting big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus). Molecular Ecology 23(15), pp. 3633-3647. (10.1111/mec.12519)
- Brown, D. S., Ebenezer, K. L. and Symondson, W. O. C. 2014. Molecular analysis of the diets of snakes: changes in prey exploitation during development of the rare smooth snake Coronella austriaca. Molecular Ecology 23(15), pp. 3734-3743. (10.1111/mec.12475)
- Symondson, W. O. C. and Harwood, J. D. 2014. Special issue on molecular detection of trophic interactions: Unpicking the tangled bank. Molecular Ecology 23(15), pp. 3601-3604. (10.1111/mec.12831)
- Brown, D. S. and Symondson, W. O. C. 2014. Sex and age-biased nematode prevalence in reptiles. Molecular Ecology 23(15), pp. 3890-3899. (10.1111/mec.12688)
- Krüger, F.et al. 2014. An integrative approach to detect subtle trophic niche differentiation in the sympatric trawling bat species Myotis dasycneme and Myotis daubentonii. Molecular Ecology 23(15), pp. 3657-3671. (10.1111/mec.12512)
- Rowson, B.et al. 2014. The slugs of Britain and Ireland: undetected and undescribed species increase a well-studied, economically important fauna by more than 20%. PLoS ONE 9(4), article number: e91907. (10.1371/journal.pone.0091907)
- Bluemel, J. K.et al. 2014. Integrating vibrational signals, mitochondrial DNA and morphology for species determination in the genus Aphrodes(Hemiptera: Cicadellidae). Systematic Entomology 39(2), pp. 304-324. (10.1111/syen.12056)
- Moreno-Ripoll, R.et al. 2014. Do the interactions among natural enemies compromise the biological control of the whitefly Bemisia tabaci?. Journal of Pest Science 87(1), pp. 133-141. (10.1007/s10340-013-0522-x)
- Pinol, J.et al. 2014. A pragmatic approach to the analysis of diets of generalist predators: the use of next-generation sequencing with no blocking probes. Molecular Ecology Resources 14(1), pp. 18-26. (10.1111/1755-0998.12156)
2013
- Boreau de Roincé, C.et al. 2013. Early-season predation on aphids by winter-active spiders in apple orchards revealed by diagnostic PCR [Erratum]. Bulletin of Entomological Research 103(4), pp. 495. (10.1017/S0007485313000205)
- Boreau de Roincé, C.et al. 2013. Early-season predation on aphids by winter-active spiders in apple orchards revealed by diagnostic PCR. Bulletin of Entomological Research 103(2), pp. 148-154. (10.1017/S0007485312000636)
- Davey, J.et al. 2013. Intraguild predation in winter wheat: prey choice by a common epigeal carabid consuming spiders. Journal of Applied Ecology 50(1), pp. 271-279. (10.1111/1365-2664.12008)
- Hatteland, B. A.et al. 2013. Spatiotemporal analysis of predation by carabid beetles (carabidae) on nematode infected and uninfected slugs in the field. PLoS ONE 8(12), pp. e82142. (10.1371/journal.pone.0082142)
2012
- Medeiros Mirra, R.et al. 2012. Molecular evidence for gender differences in the migratory behaviour of a small seabird. PLoS ONE 7(9), article number: e46330. (10.1371/journal.pone.0046330)
- Moreno-Ripoll, R.et al. 2012. Trophic relationships between predators, whiteflies and their parasitoids in tomato greenhouses: a molecular approach. Bulletin of Entomological Research 102(4), pp. 415-423. (10.1017/S0007485311000836)
- King, R. A.et al. 2012. Suction sampling as a significant source of error in molecular analysis of predator diets. Bulletin of Entomological Research 102(3), pp. 261-266. (10.1017/S0007485311000575)
- Pompanon, F.et al. 2012. Who is eating what: diet assessment using next generation sequencing. Molecular Ecology 21(8), pp. 1931-1950. (10.1111/j.1365-294X.2011.05403.x)
- Traugott, M.et al. 2012. Generalist predators disrupt parasitoid aphid control by direct and coincidental intraguild predation. Bulletin of Entomological Research 102(2), pp. 239-247. (10.1017/S0007485311000551)
- Jones, R.et al. 2012. First record of Neoxysomatium brevicaudatum through the non-invasive sampling of Anguis fragilis: complementary morphological and molecular detection. Journal of Helminthology 86(1), pp. 125-129. (10.1017/S0022149X11000174)
- Brown, D. S., Jarman, S. N. and Symondson, W. O. C. 2012. Pyrosequencing of prey DNA in reptile faeces: analysis of earthworm consumption by slow worms. Molecular Ecology Resources 12(2), pp. 259-266. (10.1111/j.1755-0998.2011.03098.x)
- de Roince, C. B.et al. 2012. Predation by generalist predators on the codling moth versus a closely-related emerging pest the oriental fruit moth: a molecular analysis. Agricultural and Forest Entomology 14(3), pp. 260-269. (10.1111/j.1461-9563.2011.00564.x)
2011
- Hatteland, B.et al. 2011. Molecular analysis of predation by carabid beetles (Carabidae) on the invasive Iberian slug Arion lusitanicus. Bulletin of Entomological Research 101(6), pp. 675-686. (10.1017/S0007485311000034)
- Bluemel, J. K.et al. 2011. Primers for identification of type and other archived specimens of Aphrodes leafhoppers (Hemiptera, Cicadellidae). Molecular Ecology Resources 11(5), pp. 770-774. (10.1111/j.1755-0998.2011.03008.x)
- Dupont, L.et al. 2011. New insight into the genetic structure of the Allolobophora chlorotica aggregate in Europe using microsatellite and mitochondrial data. Pedobiologia 54(4), pp. 217-224. (10.1016/j.pedobi.2011.03.004)
- Virant Doberlet, M.et al. 2011. Molecular diagnostics reveal spiders that exploit prey vibrational signals used in sexual communication. Molecular Ecology 20(10), pp. 2204-2216. (10.1111/j.1365-294X.2011.05038.x)
- King, R. A.et al. 2011. Multiplex reactions for the molecular detection of predation on pest and nonpest invertebrates in agroecosystems. Molecular Ecology Resources 11(2), pp. 370-373. (10.1111/j.1755-0998.2010.02913.x)
- Macfadyen, S.et al. 2011. Landscape structure influences modularity patterns in farm food webs: consequences for pest control. Ecological Applications 21(2), pp. 516-524. (10.1890/09-2111.1)
- Rowson, B., Tattersfield, P. and Symondson, W. O. C. 2011. Phylogeny and biogeography of tropical carnivorous land-snails (Pulmonata: Streptaxoidea) with particular reference to East Africa and the Indian Ocean. Zoologica Scripta 40(1), pp. 85-98. (10.1111/j.1463-6409.2010.00456.x)
2010
- King, R. A.et al. 2010. Prey choice by carabid beetles feeding on an earthworm community analysed using species- and lineage-specific PCR primers. Molecular Ecology 19(8), pp. 1721-1732. (10.1111/j.1365-294X.2010.04602.x)
- Bell, J. R.et al. 2010. Spatial co-occurrence networks coupled with molecular analysis of trophic links reveal the spatial dynamics and feeding histories of polyphagous predators. Ecography 33(1), pp. 64-72. (10.1111/j.1600-0587.2009.06046.x)
- Hatteland, B.et al. 2010. Predation by beetles (Carabidae, Staphylinidae) on eggs and juveniles of the Iberian slug Arion lusitanicus in the laboratory. Bulletin of Entomological Research 100(5), pp. 559-567. (10.1017/S0007485309990629)
2009
- MacFadyen, S.et al. 2009. Do differences in food web structure between organic and conventional farms affect the ecosystem service of pest control?. Ecology Letters 12(3), pp. 229-238. (10.1111/j.1461-0248.2008.01279.x)
- Thomas, R. S.et al. 2009. Tracking predator density dependence and subterranean predation by carabid larvae on slugs using monoclonal antibodies. Ecological Entomology 34(5), pp. 569-579. (10.1111/j.1365-2311.2009.01104.x)
- Harwood, J. D.et al. 2009. Invertebrate biodiversity affects predator fitness and hence potential to control pests in crops. Biological Control 51(3), pp. 499-506. (10.1016/j.biocontrol.2009.09.007)
- Fountain, M. T.et al. 2009. Effects of nutrient and insecticide treatments on invertebrate numbers and predation on slugs in an upland grassland: A monoclonal antibody-based approach. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment 131(3-4), pp. 145-153. (10.1016/j.agee.2009.01.005)
2008
- King, R. A., Tibble, A. L. and Symondson, W. O. C. 2008. Opening a can of worms: Unprecedented sympatric cryptic diversity within British lumbricid earthworms. Molecular Ecology 17(21), pp. 4684-4698. (10.1111/j.1365-294X.2008.03931.x)
- Traugott, M.et al. 2008. Endoparasitism in cereal aphids: molecular analysis of a whole parasitoid community. Molecular Ecology 17(17), pp. 3928-3938. (10.1111/j.1365-294X.2008.03878.x)
- Traugott, M., Juen, A. and Symondson, W. O. C. 2008. Editorial. Bulletin of Entomological Research 98(3), pp. 215. (10.1017/S0007485308006068)
- Thomas, R. S., Glen, D. M. and Symondson, W. O. C. 2008. Prey detection through olfaction by the soil-dwelling larvae of the carabid predator Pterostichus melanarius. Soil Biology & Biochemistry 40(1), pp. 207-216. (10.1016/j.soilbio.2007.08.002)
- Traugott, M., Juen, A. and Symondson, W. O. C. 2008. Molecular approaches to study trophic interactions: current progress and future directions [Editorial]. Bulletin of Entomological Research 98:(3), pp. 215. (10.1017/S0007485308006068)
- Traugott, M. and Symondson, W. O. C. 2008. Molecular analysis of predation on parasitized hosts. Bulletin of Entomological Research 98(3), pp. 223-31. (10.1017/S0007485308005968)
- King, R. A.et al. 2008. Molecular analysis of predation: a review of best practice for DNA-based approaches. Molecular Ecology 17(4), pp. 947-963. (10.1111/j.1365-294X.2007.03613.x)
- Von Berg, K.et al. 2008. The effects of temperature on detection of prey DNA in two species of carabid beetle. Bulletin of Entomological Research 98(3), pp. 263-9. (10.1017/S0007485308006020)
- Bell, J. R.et al. 2008. Beneficial links for the control of aphids: the effects of compost applications on predators and prey?. Journal of Applied Ecology 45(4), pp. 1266-1273. (10.1111/j.1365-2664.2008.01479.x)
- Rowson, B. and Symondson, W. O. C. 2008. Selenochlamys ysbryda sp nov from Wales, UK: A Testacella-like slug new to Western Europe (Stylommatophora : Trigonochlamydidae). Journal of Conchology 39(5), pp. 537-552.
- Fountain, M. T.et al. 2008. Multitrophic effects of nutrient addition in upland grassland. Bulletin of Entomological Research 98(3), pp. 283-92. (10.1017/S000748530700555X)
- Griffiths, G. J. K.et al. 2008. Monoclonal antibodies reveal changes in predator efficiency with prey spatial pattern. Molecular Ecology 17(7), pp. 1828-1839. (10.1111/j.1365-294X.2007.03682.x)
- Berg, K.et al. 2008. Impact of abiotic factors on predator-prey interactions: DNA-based gut content analysis in a microcosm experiment. Bulletin of Entomological Research 98(3), pp. 257-61. (10.1017/S0007485308006007)
- Bell, J. R.et al. 2008. Do functional traits improve prediction of predation rates for a disparate group of aphid predators?. Bulletin of Entomological Research 98(6), pp. 587-97. (10.1017/S0007485308005919)
2007
- McKemey, A. R., Glen, D. M. and Symondson, W. O. C. 2007. How does a carabid predator find aggregations of slugs in the field? Electroantennograms and behavioural assays suggest chemical cues. Bulletin of Entomological Research 94(3), pp. 235-244. (10.1079/BER2004294)
- Fountain, M. T.et al. 2007. The effects of the insecticide chlorpyrifos on spider and Collembola communities. Pedobiologia 51(2), pp. 147-158. (10.1016/j.pedobi.2007.03.001)
- Calder, C. R., Harwood, J. D. and Symondson, W. O. C. 2007. Detection of scavenged material in the guts of predators using monoclonal antibodies: a significant source of error in measurement of predation?. Bulletin of Entomological Research 95(1), pp. 57-62. (10.1079/BER2004339)
- Gibson, R. H.et al. 2007. Plant diversity and land use under organic and conventional agriculture: a whole-farm approach. Journal of applied ecology 44(4), pp. 792-803. (10.1111/j.1365-2664.2007.01292.x)
2006
- Symondson, W. O. C.et al. 2006. Biodiversity vs. biocontrol: positive and negative effects of alternative prey on control of slugs by carabid beetles. Bulletin of Entomological Research 96(6), pp. 637-645. (10.1079/BER2006467)
- Harper, G. L.et al. 2006. Evaluation of temperature gradient gel electrophoresis for the analysis of prey DNA within the guts of invertebrate predators. Bulletin of Entomological Research 96(3), pp. 295-304. (10.1079/BER2006426)
- Read, D. S.et al. 2006. Molecular detection of predation by soil micro-arthropods on nematodes. Molecular Ecology 15(7), pp. 1963-1972. (10.1111/j.1365-294X.2006.02901.x)
- McKemey, A. R.et al. 2006. Molecular quantification of slug density in the soil using monoclonal antibodies. Soil Biology & Biochemistry 38(9), pp. 2903-2909. (10.1016/j.soilbio.2006.04.050)
2005
- Winder, L.et al. 2005. Predatory activity and spatial pattern: the response of generalist carabids to their aphid prey. Journal of Animal Ecology 74(3), pp. 443-454. (10.1111/j.1365-2656.2005.00939.x)
- Armsworth, C. G.et al. 2005. Behavioural responses by slugs to chemicals from a generalist predator. Animal Behaviour 69(4), pp. 805-811. (10.1016/j.anbehav.2004.07.009)
- Harper, G. L.et al. 2005. Rapid screening of invertebrate predators for multiple prey DNA targets. Molecular Ecology 14(3), pp. 819-827. (10.1111/j.1365-294X.2005.02442.x)
- Foltan, P.et al. 2005. The significance of facultative scavenging in generalist predator nutrition: detecting decayed prey in the guts of predators using PCR. Molecular Ecology 14(13), pp. 4147-4158. (10.1111/j.1365-294X.2005.02732.x)
- Sheppard, S. K.et al. 2005. Detection of secondary predation by PCR analyses of the gut contents of invertebrate generalist predators. Molecular Ecology 14(14), pp. 4461-4468. (10.1111/j.1365-294X.2005.02742.x)
- Harwood, J. D., Sunderland, K. D. and Symondson, W. O. C. 2005. Monoclonal antibodies reveal the potential of the tetragnathid spider Pachygnatha degeeri (Araneae: Tetragnathidae) as an aphid predator. Bulletin of Entomological Research 95(2), pp. 161-167. (10.1079/BER2004346)
2004
- Sheppard, S. K.et al. 2004. Infiltration by alien predators into invertebrate food webs in Hawaii: a molecular approach. Molecular Ecology 13(7), pp. 2077-2088. (10.1111/j.1365-294X.2004.02216.x)
- Harwood, J. D., Sunderland, K. D. and Symondson, W. O. C. 2004. Prey selection by linyphiid spiders: molecular tracking of the effects of alternative prey on rates of aphid consumption in the field. Molecular Ecology 13(11), pp. 3549-3560. (10.1111/j.1365-294X.2004.02331.x)
2003
- Agusti, N.et al. 2003. Collembola as alternative prey sustaining spiders in arable ecosystems: prey detection within predators using molecular markers. Molecular Ecology 12(12), pp. 3467-3475. (10.1046/j.1365-294X.2003.02014.x)
- Harwood, J. D., Sunderland, K. D. and Symondson, W. O. C. 2003. Web-location by linyphiid spiders: prey-specific aggregation and foraging strategies. Journal of Animal Ecology 72(5), pp. 745-756. (10.1046/j.1365-2656.2003.00746.x)
- McKemey, A. R., Symondson, W. O. C. and Glen, D. M. 2003. Predation and prey size choice by the carabid beetle Pterostichus melanarius (Coleoptera: Carabidae): the dangers of extrapolating from laboratory to field. Bulletin of Entomological Research 93(3), pp. 227-234. (10.1079/BER2003240)
2002
- Symondson, W. O. C.et al. 2002. Dynamics of the relationship between a generalist predator and slugs over five years. Ecology 83(1), pp. 137-147. (10.1890/0012-9658(2002)083[0137:DOTRBA]2.0.CO;2)
- Morris, T. I.et al. 2002. The effect of different ant species on the olive moth, Prays oleae (Bern.), in Spanish olive orchard. Journal of Applied Entomology 126(5), pp. 224-230. (10.1046/j.1439-0418.2002.00647.x)
My interest is in the dynamics of predator-prey interactions involving generalist predators (and recently) herbivores. The choices made by such predators are complex and the result of interactions between a range of spatial and temporal biotic and abiotic factors. Given the limitations of laboratory-based prey choice experiments we concentrate instead on developing techniques for measuring the strengths of trophic interactions directly in the field. We were amongst the first to realise the potential of PCR to amplify prey DNA from field-caught predators and are at the forefront of developments in this field. Initially we developed multiplex systems to analyse each predator for multiple prey targets in a single PCR step. More recently we have been using next generation sequencing (NGS - 454 and Ion Torrent) to look at complete diets.
Current and recent projects
- A phylogenetic analysis of common earthworm species revealing extraordinary levels of cryptic diversity, plus development of molecular markers for different lineages/species of earthworm to track predation on them by invertebrate and vertebrate predators.
- Analysis of interception by predators of vibrational sexual communication signals between planthoppers and confirmation of predation in the field using molecular diagnostics (with the National Institute of Biology, Ljubljana).Analysis of intraguild predation in arable crops, including a range of predators feeding or parasitoids, carabids feeding of spiders and spider-spider interaction.
- Analysis of intraguild predation in arable crops, including a range of predators feeding or parasitoids, carabids feeding of spiders and spider-spider interaction.
- Competition between the alien Asian Musk Shrew and the rare Telfair's Skink on a Mauritian island analysed using NGS (with Durrell Wildlife and the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation).
- Analysis of herbivory by giant tortoises introduced as an analogue species to restore ecosystem function on a Mauritian island.
- Analysis of the diets of seabirds during migration and nesting (petrels and albatross).
- Analysis of the diets of bats in European and tropical habitats using NGS (e.g. comparing diets of bats in rainforest vs. oil palm plantations).
- Analysis of food webs in farmland: a) in rivers running through intensive vs. extensive farming systems; b) exploitation of patchy landscapes by farmland birds (with BTO).
- Analysis of the diets of British reptiles.
I have a particular interest in slugs and their natural enemies. Advice on slug control in the garden.
Current staff
Postdoctoral researchers
- Dr Victoria San Andres (Spanish Government Fellowship, working on intraguild predation - she has left but still writing papers)
- Dr Meta Virant-Doberlet (from the National Institute of Biology, Ljubljana, working on interception and exploitation of intraspecific vibrational communication between insects by generalist predators and on possible hybrid speciation in Aphrodes leafhoppers)
- Prof Josep Pinol (on sabbatical from the University of Barcelona, working here on analysis of predation by spiders and carabids in cereal fields using next generation sequencing - recently left but papers being completed)
- Dr Elizabeth Clare now at Queen Mary College, a visitor to my lab while developing next generation sequencing of prey DNA in bat faeces.
PhD students
- Ms Azniza Mahyudin ("Analysis of the population genetics and diets of cave-roosting bats in Sabah")
- Ms Caitlin Pearson ("Impacts of agricultural land use or river ecosystem functioning, as mediated through trophic interactions")
- Ms Silke Waap ("DNA barcoding in a remote marine environment", analysing the diets of sea birds using next generation sequencing)
- Ms Jennifer Stockdale (Using environmental genomics to track habitat use by birds exploiting heterogeneous landscapes)
- Ms Lenka Petrakova (Czech student visitor developing NGS to analyse the diets of termite-eating spiders)
Grant awarding bodies
Current funding
- Natural Environment Research Council
- Malaysian Government
- Portuguese Government
- British Trust for Ornithology
- Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust
Funding for other recent research
- Croatian Government
- Environment Agency
- Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
- Countryside Council for Wales
Current and recent collaborations
- Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust
- Mauritian Wildlife Foundation
- Bristol Zoological Gardens
- Centre for Genomics Research, Liverpool University
- National Institute of Biology, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- University of Bergen, Norway
- University of Barcelona, Spain
- University of Kentucky
- United States Department of Agriculture
- National Museum of Wales, Cardiff
- University of Bristol
- Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust
- Institute of Arable Crops Research, Rothamsted
- Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic