My research interests focus on the role of natural selection in population adaptation and divergence, to which I apply a wide range of methods including multivariate morphometrics, statistical hypothesis-testing, innovative field experiments and genome analysis. I have two main areas of research on disparate organisms in different geographical regions (Anolis lizards in the Caribbean and Asian pit vipers), which are unified by being essentially focussed on the interface between evolution and ecology, and with an emphasis on the integration of genetic and phenetic data. More recently, my research has moved into the field of ecological and evolutionary genomics to evaluate the evolution of genes affecting complex traits directly and relies on the availability of a well-supported and complete organismal phylogeny of Asian pitvipers generated by my students and myself. Drawing on numerous collaborations to bring together disparate strands of organismal biology and ecology, evolutionary theory, comparative genomics, bioinformatics and proteomics, I aim to develop an integrated picture of the evolution of snake venom components.

Another strand to this research on venomous snakes involves snakebite mitigation, and I am currently involved in several projects in India, dubbed the "snakebite capital of the world", where c. 50,000 people die from snakebite every year and many more suffer permanent disability. Together with partners in India, our work ranges from mapping the distribution and genetic and venom variation present in venomous species across the country, to undertaking rescuer training and education and awareness programs. We are particularly focussing on the Himalayan and northeastern region, which belong to biodiversity "hotspots" but are relatively understudied. The venomous species in these regions are diferent to the rest of the country, and are not covered by the currently available polyvalent antivenom.

I am also involved in research on the genetic health of honeybees and other pollinators, together with colleague Dr Paul Cross. We are part of the recently formed research network on British dark bee conservation that includes researchers from Plymouth University, National University of Ireland (Galway), and the University of Edinburgh. 

  • PhD: What causes geographic variation? A case study of Anolis oculatus
    University of Aberdeen, 1988–1992
  • Zoology (with supplementary Anthropology)
    Oxford University, 1985–1988
Investigation of the functional genomic basis of environmental niche adaptation Venom evolution: understanding the origin and evolution of venoms; evolutionary drivers of venom composition and underlying genetic mechanisms, relevance to snakebite treatment Speciation, natural selection, phylogeny, hybridization and other aspects of evolution in squamates, particularly island lizards, including both natural and invasive species Biogeography and systematics of venomous snakes and other reptiles, species delimitation Invasion genetics Honeybee health and population genetics

2023

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2015

2013

  • PublishedPredicting function from sequence in a large multifunctional toxin family
    Malhotra, A., Creer, S., Harris, J. B., Stöcklin, R., Favereau, P. & Thorpe, R. S., 3 Jul 2013, In: Toxicon. 72, p. 113-125
    Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
  • PublishedThe conservation status of the world’s reptiles
    Böhm, M., Collen, B., Baillie, J. E., Bowles, P., Chanson, J., Cox, N., Hammerson, G., Hoffmann, M., Livingstone, S. R., Ram, M., Rhodin, A. G., Stuart, S. N., van Dijk, P. P., Young, B. E., Afuang, L. E., Aghasyan, A., García, A., Aguilar, C., Ajtic, R., Akarsu, F., Alencar, L. R., Allison, A., Ananjeva, N., Anderson, S., Andrén, C., Ariano-Sánchez, D., Arredondo, J. C., Auliya, M., Austin, C. C., Avci, A., Baker, P. J., Barreto-Lima, A. F., Barrio-Amorós, C. L., Basu, D., Bates, M. F., Batistella, A., Bauer, A., Bennett, D., Böhme, W., Broadley, D., Brown, R., Burgess, J., Captain, A., Carreira, S., del Rosario Castañeda, M., Castro, F., Catenazzi, A., Cedeño-Vázquez, J. R., Chapple, D. G., Cheylan, M., Cisneros-Heredia, D. F., Cogalniceanu, D., Cogger, H., Corti, C., Costa, G. C., Couper, P. J., Courtney, T., Crnobrnja-Isailovic, J., Crochet, P. A., Crother, B., Cruz, F., Daltry, J. C., Daniels, R. J., Das, A., de Silva, A., Diesmos, A. C., Dirksen, L., Doan, T. M., Dodd Jr., C. K., Doody, J. S., Dorcas, M. E., de Barros Filho, J. D., Egan, V. T., El Mouden, E. H., Embert, D., Espinoza, R. E., Fallabrino, A., Feng, X., Feng, S. J., Fitzgerald, L., Flores-Villela, O., França, F. G., Frost, D., Gadsden, H., Gamble, T., Ganesh, S. R., Garcia, M. A., García-Pérez, J. E., Gatuscm, J., Gaulke, M., Geniez, P., Georges, A., Gerlach, J., Goldberg, S., Gonzale, J. C., Gower, D. J., Grant, T., Greenbaum, E., Grieco, C., Guo, P., Hamilton, A. M., Hare, K., Hedges, S. B., Heideman, N., Hilton-Taylor, C., Hitchmough, R., Hollingsworth, B., Hutchinson, M., Ineich, I., Iverson, J., Jaksic, F. M., Jenkins, R., Joger, U., Jose, R., Kaska, Y., Kaya, U., Keogh, J. S., Köhler, G., Kuchling, G., Kumlutaş, Y., Kwet, A., La Marca, E., Lamar, W., Lane, A., Lardner, B., Latta, C., Latta, G., Lau, M., Lavin, P., Lawson, D., LeBreton, M., Lehr, E., Limpus, D., Malhotra, A. & et al., N. V., 1 Jan 2013, In: Biological Conservation. 157, p. 372-385
    Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

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2010

2009

2008

2006

2005

2004

2003

2002

2001

2000

2022

  • An integrative taxonomic approach to determining species boundaries in Asian pitvipers.

    While substantial advances have been made in recent years in elucidating the phylogeny and systematics of pitvipers, phylogenies of the Asian representatives are still predominantly based on mitochondrial loci, and many species have been described on the basis of a very limited geographic sampling and an emphasis on colour pattern differences. This not only leaves their validity open to question but also fails to meet the needs of medical and conservation practitioners for whom the distribution of species is vital information. In this talk I will describe the combined analysis of a geographically comprehensive morphological and molecular data collected over a 30-year period in one of the most wide-ranging and iconic pitviper groups, the white-lipped pitviper (Trimeresurus albolabris) complex, showing how a combination of these data is far more valuable than one data type alone. However, whether to treat resulting units as full species or subspecies is still a matter of interpretation and I will use this talk as an opportunity to seek the views of the attendees.

    14 Jul 2022

    Activity: Invited talk (Keynote speaker)

2021

  • Green Pit Vipers of the Himalayas and North-eastern India: A review of their taxonomy, venom, and clinical effects of snakebite.

    Green pitvipers are responsible for the majority of bites in tropical and sub-tropical Asia. Most are considered low priority species and most bites can be treated without the use of antivenom; however, a few bites produce more serious symptoms. Ongoing taxonomic confusion and uncertainty about distribution of

    species makes these cases difficult to explain. Here, we report on new data from north and northeast India, where the green pitvipers present are more related to SE Asian taxa (Trimeresurus sensu stricto, Viridovipera, Popeia, Himalayophis) than to those in the rest of Peninsular India (Craspedocephalus). We characterised the proteomic content of the venom of representatives of Viridovipera, Popeia and Trimeresurus and performed in-vitro biochemical assays to understand venom composition and their pathophysiological roles. These venoms display diverse PLA2 activity, coagulation activity, thrombin-like activity, haemolytic activity and

    proteolytic activity which correlate with clinical manifestations, with both local symptoms, such as extensive swelling and pain, as well as systemic abnormalities such as long-lasting (5-10 days) coagulopathy. Immuno-reactivity studies with Indian Polyvalent antivenoms showed inefficient neutralizations of venom toxins of the studied venoms, especially of lower molecular weight proteins, while Thai Green Pitviper antivenom was ineffective against venom of Popeia and Viridovipera spp. venom but showed good neutralization of Trimeresurus species venom. As the Thai green pitviper antivenom is raised against the venom of a related

    species, Trimeresurus albolabris, this underlines the utility of taking the recent taxonomic revision of Trimeresurus sensu lato into account.

    25 Aug 2021

    Activity: Invited talk (Invited speaker)

2018

2017

  • SNAKEBITE MITIGATION AND INNOVATIVE WAYS TO DEVELOP EFFECTIVE ANTIVENOM

    Discussion workshop with the objective of reviewing the current situation around underpinning research, clinical management, antivenom manufacturing, epidemiology and education/awareness, and identifying an action-oriented plan for mitigation of snakebite

    Dec 2017

    Activity: Participation in workshop, seminar, course (Organiser)

2015

  • Snakebite risk mapping in Rajasthan, India

    10/08/2021 – 09/09/2023 (Active)

  • KESS II Phd with Bodorgan Est BUK2E024

    01/04/2020 – 31/12/2023 (Curtailed)

  • Biodiversity Informatics and Technology Exchange for Snakebite Management

    15/12/2013 – 01/08/2019 (Finished)

    Description

    India has the globally highest annual death rate from venomous snake bites and in some states it is the largest contributor to mortality, exceeding even AIDS and malaria. Data on snakebite is significantly lacking from the north-eastern and Himalayan belt States, where the “Big Four” medically significant venomous snakes are replaced by different sets of venomous snakes. This has serious consequences for the ability to treat cases of snakebite.

    Clinical management of snakebites requires timely administration of antivenom (referred to in India as anti-snake-venom serum, or ASVS), neutralizing the life-threatening toxins in snake venom. However, venom composition varies both between and within species, and so the design and production of efficient antivenins depends on thorough understanding of venomous snake diversity and distribution. The resulting biological information and standards from this project will contribute to improving the outcome of snakebite and provide a baseline for future work.

    This project is funded by the European Union Seventh Framework Programme under the grant agreement number PIRSES-GA-2013-612131, with additional funding from the Bangor University ESRC Impact Acceleration Account.

    Links:

  • Molecular Systematics And Morph Evolutio

    31/07/2007 – 08/12/2009 (Finished)