Past Post-doctoral fellows:
RAJA KULLAYI SWAMY
I am working on the taxonomy and phylogeny of genus Phyllanthus s.l. from India. The genus belongs to Phyllanthaceae (previously it was in family Euphorbiaceae – subfamily Phyllanthoideae – tribe Phyllantheae and Porantheae). Phyllanthus s.l. covers nine genera which are Breynia, Flueggea, Glochidion, Margaritaria, Phyllanthus s.s. and Sauropus under tribe Phyllantheae and Andrachne, Meineckia, Leptopus under tribe Porantheae. All these nine genera are distributed in India however the number of species in India varies. Genus Andrachne consists of 23 species globally (G) out of which 1 species is distributed in India (I), Breynia 25
(G) 3 (I), Flueggea 15 (G) 2 (I), Glochidion 320 (G) 23 (I), Margaritaria 14 (G) 1 (I), Meineckia 28 (G) 4 (I), Leptopus.12 (G) 4 (I) Sauropus 80 (G) 12 (I). Whereas Phyllathus s.s. is a large and diverse genus with 850 species; 52 species in India; Overall India has 102 species of Phyllanthus s.l. out of which 46 are endemic to
India (Br-0; Fl-0; Gl-15; Ma-0; Me-4; Sa-2; Ph-25).
The focus of my research is to resolve the taxonomy of this group using morphology and molecular data. The molecular phylogeny will be generated using one plastidial gene, Maturase K (matK) and one nuclear gene, Phytochrome C (PHYC). Furthermore the phylogeny will be used to better understand the biogeography of this group in India.
I am working on the taxonomy and phylogeny of genus Phyllanthus s.l. from India. The genus belongs to Phyllanthaceae (previously it was in family Euphorbiaceae – subfamily Phyllanthoideae – tribe Phyllantheae and Porantheae). Phyllanthus s.l. covers nine genera which are Breynia, Flueggea, Glochidion, Margaritaria, Phyllanthus s.s. and Sauropus under tribe Phyllantheae and Andrachne, Meineckia, Leptopus under tribe Porantheae. All these nine genera are distributed in India however the number of species in India varies. Genus Andrachne consists of 23 species globally (G) out of which 1 species is distributed in India (I), Breynia 25
(G) 3 (I), Flueggea 15 (G) 2 (I), Glochidion 320 (G) 23 (I), Margaritaria 14 (G) 1 (I), Meineckia 28 (G) 4 (I), Leptopus.12 (G) 4 (I) Sauropus 80 (G) 12 (I). Whereas Phyllathus s.s. is a large and diverse genus with 850 species; 52 species in India; Overall India has 102 species of Phyllanthus s.l. out of which 46 are endemic to
India (Br-0; Fl-0; Gl-15; Ma-0; Me-4; Sa-2; Ph-25).
The focus of my research is to resolve the taxonomy of this group using morphology and molecular data. The molecular phylogeny will be generated using one plastidial gene, Maturase K (matK) and one nuclear gene, Phytochrome C (PHYC). Furthermore the phylogeny will be used to better understand the biogeography of this group in India.
ANIRUDDHA DATTA ROY
I am interested in the evolutionary history of the endemic fauna of Western Ghats. Lizards of the Family Scincidae (Skinks) are an ancient group of squamates and an amazing model system to understand evolution in action. Not only are they diverse in terms of numbers, but they are also diverse in terms of a variety of phenotypic traits. I use molecular phylogenetic tools to answer interesting questions pertaining to the Systematics and Biogeogeography of Indian skinks. Through my research, I attempt to understand why there are so many endemic species of skinks in India and where they came from. When and how did these species come about? In addition, why are they restricted to where they live in terms of their habitat?
I am interested in the evolutionary history of the endemic fauna of Western Ghats. Lizards of the Family Scincidae (Skinks) are an ancient group of squamates and an amazing model system to understand evolution in action. Not only are they diverse in terms of numbers, but they are also diverse in terms of a variety of phenotypic traits. I use molecular phylogenetic tools to answer interesting questions pertaining to the Systematics and Biogeogeography of Indian skinks. Through my research, I attempt to understand why there are so many endemic species of skinks in India and where they came from. When and how did these species come about? In addition, why are they restricted to where they live in terms of their habitat?
JYOTSANA DIXIT
I worked on the population structure and demographic history of An. minimus which is one of the primary malaria vector species of North east India, to pursue my PhD from National Institute of Malaria Research, Delhi. I also studied the Phylogenetic status of six different Indian malaria vector species using multilocus nuclear markers.
I joined Karanth lab at Indian Institute of Sciences in January 2014. Here I got the opportunity to go beyond population genetics and learn details about species phylogeny. My interest here is to study different malaria parasite species (Genus: Plasmodium) in Non-Human Primates. Malaria parasite has not been considered a threat for zoonoses until recently where reports documenting routine infections of humans by one of the Plasmodium species found in wild macaque populations in South East Asia (SEA) have come. Moreover, since then a lot has been studied about monkey malaria in SEA and reports show cases of natural transmissions of non-human Plasmodium species to humans. Malaria is endemic to many regions of India and considering the fact that here macaque populations live in close association with Human populations, one should not discourage consideration and investigation of Indian macaque Plasmodium species as possible cause of zoonosis. There are very few studies (done way back in 1960s) investigating the occurrence of Plasmodium species in wild populations of macaques in India, thus my main aim is to investigate what species of Plasmodium are circulating in the wild macaque populations of India. Another important aspect of Human Plasmodium species is its origin. There are still many postulates about the origin of Human malaria parasites (P. vivax and P. falciparum) with recent reports showing their origin from African Ape Plasmodium species, however these reports lack evidences from Plasmodium species from wild Indian macaque populations, which might be interesting to explore and might throw some light on this issue. Thus my aim is to revisit the Phylogenetic status of Non-Human Plasmodium species with relation to Human Plasmodium species.
I worked on the population structure and demographic history of An. minimus which is one of the primary malaria vector species of North east India, to pursue my PhD from National Institute of Malaria Research, Delhi. I also studied the Phylogenetic status of six different Indian malaria vector species using multilocus nuclear markers.
I joined Karanth lab at Indian Institute of Sciences in January 2014. Here I got the opportunity to go beyond population genetics and learn details about species phylogeny. My interest here is to study different malaria parasite species (Genus: Plasmodium) in Non-Human Primates. Malaria parasite has not been considered a threat for zoonoses until recently where reports documenting routine infections of humans by one of the Plasmodium species found in wild macaque populations in South East Asia (SEA) have come. Moreover, since then a lot has been studied about monkey malaria in SEA and reports show cases of natural transmissions of non-human Plasmodium species to humans. Malaria is endemic to many regions of India and considering the fact that here macaque populations live in close association with Human populations, one should not discourage consideration and investigation of Indian macaque Plasmodium species as possible cause of zoonosis. There are very few studies (done way back in 1960s) investigating the occurrence of Plasmodium species in wild populations of macaques in India, thus my main aim is to investigate what species of Plasmodium are circulating in the wild macaque populations of India. Another important aspect of Human Plasmodium species is its origin. There are still many postulates about the origin of Human malaria parasites (P. vivax and P. falciparum) with recent reports showing their origin from African Ape Plasmodium species, however these reports lack evidences from Plasmodium species from wild Indian macaque populations, which might be interesting to explore and might throw some light on this issue. Thus my aim is to revisit the Phylogenetic status of Non-Human Plasmodium species with relation to Human Plasmodium species.
DEEPAK VEERAPPAN
I am working on the phylogeography and molecular systematics of a widespread terrestrial lizard in the Indian subcontinent. The lizards of the genus Sitana (Fan-throated lizards) are found throughout the dry zones of the subcontinent. The taxonomy of this group of lizards was overlooked in the past and still unresolved. I am trying to address three broad questions in this project -(1) How many species are in the Sitana ponticeriana complex?, (2) How are they related to each other? and (3) What are the factors limiting their distribution?
Research Interests include Systematics, Ecology and Evolution of Reptiles.
I am working on the phylogeography and molecular systematics of a widespread terrestrial lizard in the Indian subcontinent. The lizards of the genus Sitana (Fan-throated lizards) are found throughout the dry zones of the subcontinent. The taxonomy of this group of lizards was overlooked in the past and still unresolved. I am trying to address three broad questions in this project -(1) How many species are in the Sitana ponticeriana complex?, (2) How are they related to each other? and (3) What are the factors limiting their distribution?
Research Interests include Systematics, Ecology and Evolution of Reptiles.
SIDDHARTHAN SURVESWARAN
My research focusses on the molecular phylogenetics of the subfamily Ascelpiadoideae (Family: Apocynaceae). Within Asclepiadoideae, Ceropegia (lantern flowers) has about 50 species, the largest genus in India. Earlier work by me showed the Indian Ceropegias to be a separate radiation in the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot. A closely related genus Brachystelma was found nested within the Indian radiation rendering these genera to be polyphyletic. Work from other labs also showed African Brachystelma to be nested within African Ceropegia lineage. This clearly shows that the apparent morphological characters that separate Brachystelma and Ceropegia are phylogenetically incongruent and the group shows phenotypic plasticity.
Currently I am working on the tribe Ceropegeiae (Asclepiadoideae). India is home to some leafy genera such as Heterostemma and Leptadenia which are putative ancestors of the tribe. I am looking for the probable origin of this tribe using DNA sequences. I am also interested in the biogeography of genus Ceropegia. To this goal I am working on extensive sampling of this genus in the Andamans and Northeast India which represent the IndoMalayan and Asian elements of this genus. I also study some monotypic genera and Asian representatives of another tribe, Asclepiadeae, and resolve the phylogeny and classification at the subtribal level.
My research focusses on the molecular phylogenetics of the subfamily Ascelpiadoideae (Family: Apocynaceae). Within Asclepiadoideae, Ceropegia (lantern flowers) has about 50 species, the largest genus in India. Earlier work by me showed the Indian Ceropegias to be a separate radiation in the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot. A closely related genus Brachystelma was found nested within the Indian radiation rendering these genera to be polyphyletic. Work from other labs also showed African Brachystelma to be nested within African Ceropegia lineage. This clearly shows that the apparent morphological characters that separate Brachystelma and Ceropegia are phylogenetically incongruent and the group shows phenotypic plasticity.
Currently I am working on the tribe Ceropegeiae (Asclepiadoideae). India is home to some leafy genera such as Heterostemma and Leptadenia which are putative ancestors of the tribe. I am looking for the probable origin of this tribe using DNA sequences. I am also interested in the biogeography of genus Ceropegia. To this goal I am working on extensive sampling of this genus in the Andamans and Northeast India which represent the IndoMalayan and Asian elements of this genus. I also study some monotypic genera and Asian representatives of another tribe, Asclepiadeae, and resolve the phylogeny and classification at the subtribal level.
K. A. SUBRAMANIYAN
After completing my Master’s I got an opportunity to work at the Centre for Ecological Sciences, IISc, Bangalore. During this time, I completed my doctoral thesis on stream insect communities of the Western Ghats from Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai. I was awarded DBT-postdoctoral fellowship at NCBS, TIFR Bangalore to work on development of olfactory system in a polymorphic ant species. Recently, I was awarded the DST-SERC Young Scientist Fast Track Fellowship to work on molecular phylogeny of endemic damselflies of the Western Ghats.
I am interested in evolution and diversification of biological communities. I addressed this question by studying stream insect communities as a model system. I studied this system by combining methods in systematics, community ecology and molecular phylogeny. Results from this research are important to identify and prioritize areas for freshwater biodiversity conservation.
I was working on the ecology and molecular phylogeny of dragonflies and damselflies (Insecta:Odonata) of the Western Ghats. I also studied the community ecology of stream insects, focusing on the impact of riparian land use on stream insect communities.
After completing my Master’s I got an opportunity to work at the Centre for Ecological Sciences, IISc, Bangalore. During this time, I completed my doctoral thesis on stream insect communities of the Western Ghats from Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai. I was awarded DBT-postdoctoral fellowship at NCBS, TIFR Bangalore to work on development of olfactory system in a polymorphic ant species. Recently, I was awarded the DST-SERC Young Scientist Fast Track Fellowship to work on molecular phylogeny of endemic damselflies of the Western Ghats.
I am interested in evolution and diversification of biological communities. I addressed this question by studying stream insect communities as a model system. I studied this system by combining methods in systematics, community ecology and molecular phylogeny. Results from this research are important to identify and prioritize areas for freshwater biodiversity conservation.
I was working on the ecology and molecular phylogeny of dragonflies and damselflies (Insecta:Odonata) of the Western Ghats. I also studied the community ecology of stream insects, focusing on the impact of riparian land use on stream insect communities.
N. P. I. DAS
I was working as a Post-doctoral Fellow on DST-SERC Fast Track project for young Scientists. My work focused on evolution and diversification of tarantulas of India. I addressed this question by studying the large burrowing spiders as a model system. The large Indian burrowing tarantulas (Thrigmopoeinae) show a disjunct distribution, being reported only from North-East India and Western Ghats. The puzzles of genesis of such distribution can be resolved with a Molecular Phylogenetic approach. The study combined methods in systematics, ecology and molecular phylogeny. Results from this research are important to explain the disjunct distribution among tarantulas and interrelationship among different Indian tarantula groups.
I have done my PhD from University of Pune at Zoological Survey of India on Systematic study of Phalangids (harvestman) of India
Other research interests include systematic study of different Arachnid groups of India such as, Spiders, Uropygids, Amblipygids, Opilioacarids, etc.
I was working as a Post-doctoral Fellow on DST-SERC Fast Track project for young Scientists. My work focused on evolution and diversification of tarantulas of India. I addressed this question by studying the large burrowing spiders as a model system. The large Indian burrowing tarantulas (Thrigmopoeinae) show a disjunct distribution, being reported only from North-East India and Western Ghats. The puzzles of genesis of such distribution can be resolved with a Molecular Phylogenetic approach. The study combined methods in systematics, ecology and molecular phylogeny. Results from this research are important to explain the disjunct distribution among tarantulas and interrelationship among different Indian tarantula groups.
I have done my PhD from University of Pune at Zoological Survey of India on Systematic study of Phalangids (harvestman) of India
Other research interests include systematic study of different Arachnid groups of India such as, Spiders, Uropygids, Amblipygids, Opilioacarids, etc.