Graduate Student, Genetics
Clare College
Thesis Title: Evolution and genetics of colour polymorphism in three ladybird species
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Frank Jiggins
Mike Majerus |
About
I have recently completed my PhD, which is a study of polymorphism in three species of ladybird, including the invasive harlequin ladybird, Harmonia axyridis. As ladybirds are aposematic (brightly coloured in order to advertise a chemical defence), the presence of conspicuously different colour patterns seems contradictory. My work aims to elucidate the selective forces responsible for the maintenance of polymorphism in each species.
