Tobias_VE
Tobias van Elst © Tobias van Elst

Doctoral student

Project: Comparative phylogeography of nocturnal lemurs (Avahi spp., Lepilemur spp. and Microcebus spp.) in a center of biodiversity in eastern Madagascar

In my project, I will use three lemur radiations in northeastern Madagascar (genera Avahi, Lepilemur and Microcebus) as a model to study the relative importance and interactions of various factors driving the diversification and distribution of species. These genera show biogeographic patterns that cannot be explained by existing models and suggest the importance of rivers, altitude, and species-specific colonization potential as drivers of speciation. In addition, genetic patterns of Microcebus mouse lemur species indicate ongoing diversification. I will use restriction site associated DNA sequencing (RADSeq) together with population genomic and phylogenomic inference to reconstruct the phylogeographic histories of species in the three model genera in the study region. More specifically, I will reveal population structure, infer colonization routes, detect connectivity and hybridization between populations and species separated by rivers and mountain ranges, and infer the spatial and temporal setting of speciation events. These findings will shed light on the general principles underlying Malagasy adaptive radiations and will help to inform conservation priorities.

Professional and scientific career

since 2020

Doctoral student at the Institute of Zoology of the University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover

Supervision: Apl. Prof. Dr. Ute Radespiel, Dr. Ariel Rodríguez, Prof. Dr. Klaus Jung, Dr. Lounès Chikhi

2020

Scientific assistant at the German Institute for Food Technology (2 months)

2017-2020

Study of Biosciences at the University of Münster, Germany (Master of Science)

Master thesis: “Reconstructing the evolutionary history of the honey ant genus Myrmecocystus

Supervision: Prof. Dr. Jürgen Gadau and Prof. Dr. Marek Borowiec

2014 – 2017

Study of Biosciences at the University of Münster, Germany (Bachelor of Science)

Bachelor Thesis:  "Sociogenetic Structure in Lasius fuliginosus"

Supervision: Prof. Dr. Jürgen Gadau

Publications

I. Articles in peer reviewed journals

van Elst, T., Eriksson, T., Gadau, J., Johnson, B., Taylor, J., Rabeling, C. & M. Borowiec (2021) “Comprehensive phylogeny of Myrmecocystus honey ants highlights cryptic diversity and infers evolution during aridification of the American Southwest” Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 155. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ympev.2020.107036

van Elst, T., & J. Gadau (2018) “Temporal variation in social structure and worker reproduction in the temporary social parasite Lasius fuliginosus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)” Myrmecological News 27: 75-85. DOI: https://doi.org/10.25849/myrmecol.news_027:075

II. Abstracts of international conferences

2019

Ultraconserved elements help to resolve evolutionary relationships across several time scales in the honey ant genus Myrmecocystus” (Talk) 112th Annual Meeting of the German Zoological Society, Jena, Germany, and 6th Central European IUSSI Meeting, Vienna, Austria

2018

Facultative polyandry, polygyny, and worker reproduction in Lasius fuliginosus” (Poster) 18th IUSSI Congress, Guarujá, Brazil

Awards & Grants

2018

Travel Grant provided by the IUSSI Northwest-European section

Student scholarship provided by the ERASMUS+ program of the European Commission

2016

RISE worldwide scholarship provided by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)