Summary
I'm a molecular systematist with a particular interest in Bryozoa and Platyhelminthes. I am interested in how we can use phylogenies to study patterns of diversification and their underlying triggers. As such, my research aims to identify the, often repeated, innovation of key morphological and life history traits and the evolutionary importance of host-parasite interactions. In order to build well-resolved phylogenies, I frequently use complete mitochondrial genome data, generated using next-generation sequencing technology. A further part of my work involves the molecular identification of aviation bird strike victims.
Qualifications
Degrees
- PhD, Swansea University, United Kingdom, 1999 - 2003
- BSc Marine Biology, Swansea University, United Kingdom, 1996 - 1999
Highlighted publications
- Taylor PD, Waeschenbach A (2015) Phylogeny and diversification of bryozoans. Smith A (Eds).Palaeontology, (4) Wiley : 585 - 599. doi: 10.1111/pala.12170
- Caira JN, Jensen K, Waeschenbach A, Olson PD, Littlewood DTJ (2014) Orders out of chaos – molecular phylogenetics reveals the complexity of shark and stingray tapeworm relationships. International Journal for Parasitology, (1) Elsevier BV : 55 - 73. doi: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2013.10.004
- Waeschenbach A, Taylor PD, Littlewood DTJ (2012) A molecular phylogeny of bryozoans. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, (2) Elsevier BV : 718 - 735. doi: 10.1016/j.ympev.2011.11.011
- Waeschenbach A, Webster BL, Littlewood DTJ (2012) Adding resolution to ordinal level relationships of tapeworms (Platyhelminthes: Cestoda) with large fragments of mtDNA. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, (3) Elsevier BV : 834 - 847. doi: 10.1016/j.ympev.2012.02.020
- Schärer L, Littlewood DTJ, Waeschenbach A, Yoshida W, Vizoso DB (2011) Mating behavior and the evolution of sperm design. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, (4) Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences : 1490 - 1495. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1013892108
- Waeschenbach A, Cox CJ, Littlewood DTJ, Porter JS, Taylor PD (2009) First molecular estimate of cyclostome bryozoan phylogeny confirms extensive homoplasy among skeletal characters used in traditional taxonomy. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, (1) Elsevier BV : 241 - 251. doi: 10.1016/j.ympev.2009.02.002
Highlighted publications
- Taylor PD, Waeschenbach A (2015) Phylogeny and diversification of bryozoans. Smith A (Eds).Palaeontology, (4) Wiley : 585 - 599. doi: 10.1111/pala.12170
- Caira JN, Jensen K, Waeschenbach A, Olson PD, Littlewood DTJ (2014) Orders out of chaos – molecular phylogenetics reveals the complexity of shark and stingray tapeworm relationships. International Journal for Parasitology, (1) Elsevier BV : 55 - 73. doi: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2013.10.004
- Waeschenbach A, Taylor PD, Littlewood DTJ (2012) A molecular phylogeny of bryozoans. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, (2) Elsevier BV : 718 - 735. doi: 10.1016/j.ympev.2011.11.011
- Waeschenbach A, Webster BL, Littlewood DTJ (2012) Adding resolution to ordinal level relationships of tapeworms (Platyhelminthes: Cestoda) with large fragments of mtDNA. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, (3) Elsevier BV : 834 - 847. doi: 10.1016/j.ympev.2012.02.020
- Schärer L, Littlewood DTJ, Waeschenbach A, Yoshida W, Vizoso DB (2011) Mating behavior and the evolution of sperm design. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, (4) Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences : 1490 - 1495. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1013892108
- Waeschenbach A, Cox CJ, Littlewood DTJ, Porter JS, Taylor PD (2009) First molecular estimate of cyclostome bryozoan phylogeny confirms extensive homoplasy among skeletal characters used in traditional taxonomy. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, (1) Elsevier BV : 241 - 251. doi: 10.1016/j.ympev.2009.02.002