Dr Andrea Waeschenbach
Principal Researcher, Molecular Systematics
ORCID: 0000-0001-8571-9345
Department: Research
Division: Research
Specialisms: Phylogenetics, Bryozoa, Platyhelminthes, mitogenomics, invasive species, molecular systematics, bird strike identification
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 58, 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 44, 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 62, 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 63, 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 108, 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 52, 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 58, 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 44, 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 62, 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 63, 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 108, 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 52, 241 - 251. doi: 10.1016/j.ympev.2009.02.002