Duur K. Aanen 

Former assistant research professor  (KU)

My general research interest is the evolution of conflict and co-operation between biological entities, using filamentous fungi as model organisnms. I am studying this research theme at two different levels of biological organisations: first, in the mutualistic symbiosis between termites and fungi and second, within fungi between different genetic elements, such as nuclei and mitochondria.

Theme: [T6]
Organism: [Fungus-growing termites], [Symbiotic fungi]

As of February 2006 moved to Wageningen University and Research Center, The Netherlands.

Sophie Armitage

Former EU Marie Curie Postdoctoral fellow (KU)

Leafcutters have a variety of ‘social' immune defences against pathogens. These include:(i) a unique mutualistic actinomycete bacteria that the ants grow on their bodies to produce antibiotic targeted at a chronic disease of their gardens; (ii) glandular secretions with general antimicrobial properties. However, the innate immune system (cellular and humoral immunity that they share with all other insects) of leafcutters has remained relatively unstudied, and it is this research area and its relationship to the more specialised ‘social' defence traits that I am currently working on.

Tema: [T4]
Organisme: [Fungus-growing ants], [Pathogenic fungi]

As of June 2008 moved to University of Münster, Germany.

Elisa Bresciani

Former Cirius fellow (CODICES, KU)

In many animals, individuals of one or both sexes actively select among potential mates during the breeding season in an effort to optimize their reproductive success. Individuals often discriminate among potential mates based on variation in the expression of a particular phenotypic trait, morphology and behaviour. I have worked on chemical communication in Lemur catta and on sex-pheromones and trailing behaviour in European whip snake. The first aim of my fellow-project in CODICES is to investigate the behavioural response to sexual pheromones of a Danish population of sand lizard, to know whether the possible individual variation in pheromone composition is an indicator of mate quality and to understand if males to identify females or other males in order to mate.

Theme: [T2]
Organism: [Lacerta agilis agilis], [Podarcis sicula campestris]

Sylvia Cremer

Former EU Marie Curie Postdoctoral fellow (KU)

I study the evolution of the ‘invasive garden ant', Lasius neglectus, a new invading species in Europe . Did the invasive characteristics evolve de novo during/after the introduction (e.g. by genetic bottleneck or release of parasites), or are pre-adaptations for invasiveness already existing in the non-invasive sister species L. turcicus?  I thus compare the genetic and behavioural population structure of the two species, their parasite load and immune defence mechanisms. I also analyse whether the absence of territorial aggression in invasive populations is caused by a loss of information content in the chemical recognition cues, or by an altered behavioural response.

Theme: [T5]
Organism: [Garden ants]

As of April 2006 moved to University of Regensburg, Germany, now working on the Immune System of Ants.

Michiel (Mischa) Dijkstra

Former postdoctoral fellow and PhD student (KU)

Queens of the leafcutter ant Acromyrmex echinatior from Panama typically mate with over 10 males. This means that many colonies contain some diploid male larvae, but the workers rarely raise these to adulthood. Normally, >95% of the adult males produced in the colony are haploid queen sons. However, under special conditions, many diploid males are raised. During my post-doc, I try to answer the following questions: 1. How are diploid male larvae normally eliminated? 2. Under what conditions are diploid males produced? 3. Are these diploid males capable of reproduction? 4. If so, what kind of offspring results from the mating of a queen and a diploid male?

Theme: [T6]
Organism: [Fungus-growing ants]

As of April 2006 moved to Abouheif Lab, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

Fernando Guerrieri

Former postdoctoral fellow (CODICES, KU)

During my undergraduate Biology studies I discovered my interests for arthropods, especially, for the social insects. Once graduated, I did my PhD and have since worked on olfactory perception and learning in honey bees, which let me acquire cognitive and neurobiological backgrounds. As part of the CODICES project, I expect to complement what I learnt, with a social evolutionary approach. For that purpose, my post-doctoral work focuses on socially active compounds, mainly cuticular hydrocarbons that are involved in inter-individual recognition in social insects. In order to achieve my studies I shall perform both behavioural and physiological experiments, which will include imaging techniques.

Theme: [T2]
Organisms: [Carpenter ants], [Honey bees], [Wood ants]

David Hughes

Former EU Marie Curie Postdoctoral fellow (KU)

I work on the diversity and effect of parasites in colonies of social insects. The major parasitic taxa I am concerned with are: Strepsiptera, Wolbachia bacteria, various mites and Cordyceps fungi. However, I have also sampled many other diverse taxa from colonies. As well as diversity I am interested in how eusociality affects the evolution and expression of parasite virulence. Throughout my approach I attempt to integrate descriptive natural history and behavioral ecology with molecular genetics and empirical evolutionary biology.

Theme: [T4]
Organism: [Pathogenic fungi]

As of November 2008 moved to Naomi E. Pierce lab, Harvard University, Cambridge, USA.

Daniel Kronauer

Former postdoctoral fellow and PhD student (KU)

My present research focuses on the evolution of mating systems in army ants. I have developed microsatellite loci for several army ant species to study genetic colony composition and first results show that army ant queens mate with many males, a phenomenon which is very rare in social insects and needs to be explained. To get a better understanding of army ant reproduction I also investigate several aspects of their physiology and anatomy. Furthermore, I am using DNA sequence data to reconstruct the phylogenetic and biogeographic history of African Dorylus army ants.

Theme: [T1]
Organism: [Army ants]

As of April 2008 moved to the Keller Group, University of Lausanne, Switzerland.

Bo Vest Pedersen 

Former associate professor (KU)

I have research interests in the phylogeny and population genetics of social bees. In particular, I study bumblebees and their Psithyrus social parasites and genetic variation at mitochondrial genes among the different subspecies of honeybees.

I am co-responsible for the research theme Disease Defences, and for the establishment of a research program to investigate the disease susceptibility of native honeybees (Apis mellifera mellifera) relative to other subspecies.

Theme: [T4]
Organism: [Honey bees]

Now retired

Caspar Schöning

Former postdoctoral fellow (KU)

Dorylus army ants are keystone species for many tropical ecosystems in Africa, yet their lower-level phylogeny is unresolved and their taxonomy in disarray. My project has two aims. The first is to establish a phylogeny of the genus based on molecular and morphological data in order to clarify whether the currently recognized subgenera represent monophyletic groups, to allow insights into the biogeography of this group and to clarify the evolution of complex morphological, behavioural, and reproductive characters. The second is to revise and develop a key to the subgenus Anomma.

Theme: [T1]
Organism: [Army ants]

Jelle van Zweden

Former post doc and PhD student (CODICES, KU)

Social insects can change their behaviour according to the colony kin structure (e.g. the sex ratio of the sexual offspring of a colony varies according to the mating frequency of the queen). My focus is on the information encoded in the chemical profile of ants and wasps, and how this is used by workers to assess the mating frequency of their queen-mom. Is there enough information available for workers to recognize full sisters from half sister? Throughout my research I attempt to connect genetic, chemical and behavioural experiments to get a full understanding of how natural selection shapes communication.

Pernille S. V. Olsen 

Former laboratory technician (KU)

For my share in the Centre, I provide technical laboratory assistance with DNA-analyses of honeybees and other social insects. I also have management duties for the practical running of the DNA laboratories and for the field stations on the island of Læsø.

Sandra B. Andersen

Former MSc student (KU)

I’m doing my master thesis at CSE working with the entomopathogenic fungi Cordyceps infecting ants. Symbionts can be found in the range from parasites to mutualists depending on the environment. I’m interested in how the life history traits of the host affect the evolution of parasite virulence. The fungal pathogen Cordyceps is a very virulent parasite of Camponotus leonardii ants while it is found as an apparently avirulent symbiont in the leafcutter ants. The two species differ in colony structure and efficiency of immune system. I’m screening Acromyrmex octospinus ants for Cordyceps and will do stress experiments to see how changes in host fitness affect the virulence of Cordyceps. My supervisors are David Hughes and Koos Boomsma.

Theme: [T4]
Organism: [Pathogenic fungi]

As of December 2008 PhD student at CSE, University of Copenhagen, Denmark

Jens F. Broch

Former MSc student (KU)

The leaf-cutting ant, Acromyrmex echinatior, is one of the few ant species that multiply mates. We can use this variation in offspring relatedness to examine the effects of both genetics (patriline) and the environment upon a life history trait: the innate immune system. I am performing a cross-fostering experiment: a few weeks after workers have emerged in their foster- or own colony they are assayed for their individual innate immune capability. I also examine a ‘group level’ defence: the presence of a mutalistic actinomycete bacteria that suppresses growth of a parasite of their fungus garden.
This work is supervised by Sophie Armitage.

Theme: [T4]
Organisms: [Fungus-growing ants], [Pathogenic fungi]

Nabila Devos

Former MSc student (KU)

One part of my study is to optimize and determine whether AFLP markers can be used to elucidate the invasion history of the invasive garden ant, Lasius neglectus. The second part of my study is focus on an introduced population of L. neglectus in Gif sur Yvette (France). Several microsatellites markers will be applied to detect whether queens, unlike workers, represent a spatial genetic structure within the entire supercolony and to determine from sperm in the queens’ spermathecae whether males have restricted dispersal. This master’s project is supervised by Jes S. Pedersen.

Theme: [T5]
Organism: [Garden ants]

Stephanie Dreier 

Former PhD student (CODICES, KU)

Hydrocarbons from the cuticle of individual ants vary according to species, colony and castes, and are considered to play a key role in communication. My project aims to identify the active chemical compounds involved in this signaling system and investigates how they are detected by the insect antennae. A part of my study focuses on how individual recognition stabilizes relationships between individuals in small societies. For example, in species with a nest-founding strategy, multiple foundress queens establish a dominance hierarchy with a division of tasks. Complex associations of this kind require that queens are able to accurately recognize individuals to cooperate peacefully. Another part of my work focuses on individual recognition and long term memory in ant queens.

Theme: [T2]
Organisms: [Carpenter ants], [Pachycondyla ants], [Wood ants]

Jon R. Ebsen

Former MSc student (KU)

I study genetic differentiation and phylogeography of ecotypes of the ant Myrmica scabrinodis (Hymenopera: Formicidae). M. scabrinodis is one of the most important host ants for Maculinea butterflies in Europe. However, there are inconsistencies in both its behavour and interaction with Maculinea butterflies across Europe that suggest that not be a single species. My project is aimed at resolving the status of M. scabrinodis from different parts of Europe, using DNA sequencing, and reconstructing the phylogeny of this species suite and its nearest neighbours.

Theme: [T3]
Organism: [Myrmica ants]

Sylvia Gerritsma

Former MSc student (KU)

As part of my M.Sc. in the Netherlands I am doing a 6 month project on host specificity and phylogeography of the fungus Cordyceps that parasitize ants. My main interests are to learn about the wonderful way Cordyceps takes over its ant host’s behaviour and to learn how I can use molecular techniques as a tool in research. By sequencing the ITS region of the Cordyceps species parasitizing the same species of ants in different regions of Thailand (phylogeography) and Cordyceps unilateralis parasitizing different species of ants in a particular region of Thailand (host specificity) I hope to detect whether they are the same species we are looking at or whether they can be treated as different species or subspecies.

Theme: [T4]
Organism: [Pathogenic fungi]

Aniek Ivens

Tidligere ERASMUS udvekslingsstuderende (KU)

As part of my M.Sc. in the Netherlands , I do a six months project on leaf-cutter ants Acromyrmex echiniator and Acromyrmex octospinosus. My main interests are social insects and stability of symbiosis, two topics that are combined in this project. The ants grow fungus in their nest and this fungus is particular to one line of ants and transmitted from generation to generation. Previous studies showed strong incompatibility responses between colonies and fungi from other colonies. During my project I zoom in on these incompatibility responses and test whether they differ with age of fungus or caste of ant workers.

Theme: [T6]
Organism: [Fungus-growing ants]

Now PhD student at University of Groningen, the Netherlands and CSE, University of Copenhagen, Denmark

Anders Kofoed

Former MSc student (KU)

Theme: [T6]
Organism: [Fungus-growing termites]

Anette J. Lauritzen 

Former PhD student (Faculty of Life Sciences, KU)

My general interests are biological control, insect pathogenic fungi, integrated pest control, population ecology, insect-plant interactions and social insects. My present research focuses on the infection process of insect pathogenic fungi in aphids. I am looking at the enzymes produced during infection and using different microscopy techniques to visualize the adhesion, germination and penetration of the fungal spore on/in the aphids. I will compare the infection process of insect pathogenic fungi belonging to two different orders Hypocreales and Entomophthorales.

Theme: [T4]
Organism: [Pathogenic fungi]

Henrik H. de Fine Licht

Former MSc student (KU)

My main interests are the evolution and functional aspects of mutualistic associations and how potential conflicts between symbiotic partners are resolved. I am especially interested in the symbiosis between social insects and fungi cultivated inside their nests. During my masters thesis I study symbiont transmission, antagonistic behaviour between symbionts and interaction specificity in South African fungus-growing termites. Fungus-growing termites culture the fungus Termitomyces inside the nest. The fungus aids the termites in plant material degradation and are fed and protected by the termites. The best strategy for either the fungus or the termites does not always coincide, and thus raise the potential for conflicts.

Theme: [T6]
Organisms: [Fungus-growing termites], [Symbiotic fungi]

As of September 2006 PhD student at CSE, University of Copenhagen, Denmark

Andreas E. Lomborg

Former MSc student (KU)

The two species of Maculinea butterflies that are found in Denmark both parasitizes ant nests of the genus Myrmica. Their strategies are different, which have important implications for the conservation and reintroduction efforts, and in part may explain the current difference in conservation status of the two species in Denmark and North-Western Europe. However, more research is needed for a proper foundation of long-term conservation measures for these species, and my study therefore aims to clarify the detailed population genetic structure and genetic diversity of Maculinea alcon and M. arion in Denmark and Sweden using microsatellite markers.

Theme: [T3]
Organism: [Large blue butterflies]

Maj-Britt Pontoppidan

Former MSc student (KU)

In tropical forests the greatest majority of entomogenous fungi belong in the genus Cordyceps. Ants infected by Cordyceps unilatelis are reported to exhibit abnormal behaviours thought to be caused by the fungi. The ants move away from the nest and climb herbs and grass, grasping them with their mandibles and legs before dying. The resulting distribution of dead ants has important consequences for the evolutionary ecology of Cordyceps. The development and subsequent dispersal of spores will depend on the ant dying in a place with favourable conditions. Clusters of dead Cordyceps infected ants may be beneficial for the fungi because a high spore density in the environment is a necessity for infections of new hosts.
In my master thesis I will study the extended phenotype of the fungus by describing and analysing the occurrence and spatial pattern of dead Cordyceps-infected ant within a primary tropical forest.

Theme: [T4]
Organism: [Pathogenic fungi]

Tatyana Semenova

Former ERASMUS exchange PhD student

I'm staying here as a participant of ERASMUS exchange program. I graduated from the Biological faculty of Moscow State University in Russia and started my PhD studies in 2007. Moscow State University is the leading University in Russia and its biological faculty has the 25-th position in the world according to the latest ranking.
I'm mostly interested in proteinases and proteinase inhibitors produced by entomopathogenic fungi, their role in pathogenesis and possible practical application.
My projects here deal with proteinase activity in the fungal garden of leaf-cutting ants. In addition, I'm getting training in molecular techniques.

Theme: [T4]
Organism: [Pathogenic fungi]

Anna M. Schmidt

Former MSc student (KU)

I am doing my master's thesis on the local and global spread of the pharaoh ant (Monomorium pharaonis), which is an invasive ant species. M. pharaonis is considered almost ubiquitous within its current distributional range, but its geographical origin, as well as the precise mechanisms underlying its ecological success are still unclear. In this project I will use a combination of genetic, behavioral and chemical analyses to elucidate the geographical origin and dispersal abilities of M. pharaonis.

Theme: [T5]
Organism: [Pharaoh ants]

As of May 2007 PhD student at CSE, University of Copenhagen, Denmark

Nathalie Stroeymeyt

Former MSc student (KU)

My field of interest is Evolutionary Biology in general, with a particular focus on social insects, especially ants. Among the many subjects related to social insects that I find fascinating are the evolution of altruism, the organization of cooperation in a colony, the mechanisms of communication between individuals, the origin and resolution of kin conflicts in a colony. I am presently working on chemical communication in ants in the context of a Master’s project supervised by Patrizia D’Ettorre.

Theme: [T2]
Organisms: [Carpenter ants], [Fungus-growing ants]

As of September 2007 PhD student at University of Bristol, UK and Université Paul Sabatier, France.

Line V. Ugelvig 

Former MSc student (KU)

The social structure found in all invasive ants is unicolonial, e.g. there is no territorial aggression between different nests of the same population. It is still unclear how this extraodinary social structure has evolved. In my master thesis I have studied the social structure of invasive and non-invasive garden ants, Lasius neglectus and Lasius turcicus respectively. Interestingly we see pre-adaptations for unicoloniality and other invasive characters in some populations of the non-invasive sister species L. turcicus. The study was approached by population genetic analysis and behavioural assays.

Theme: [T5]
Organism: [Garden ants]

As of June 2007 PhD student at CSE, University of Copenhagen, Denmark