Durrell-IoZ Conservation Research Fellow
Brief CV:
- 2018-present: Durrell-IoZ Conservation Research Fellow, Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust and Institute of Zoology, ZSL.
- 2016-2017: Conservation Scientist, Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust
- 2013-2016: PhD entitled "Conservation Management of the Mountian Chicken Frog" – Institute of Zoology (ZSL), Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology (University of Kent) and Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust.
- 2013-present: Visiting Lecturer, Royal Veterinary College, UK
- 2011-2012: Conservation Science Intern, Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust.
- 2010-2011: MSc Conservation Science (Distinction), Imperial College London.
- 2007-2010: BSc Hons, Biology (First Class), University of Bath.
Links to online presence:
Google Scholar | Researchgate | Twitter
Research interests:
Whilst retaining an interest in broad conservation issues, my work is primarily focussed on Chytridiomycosis, a fungal disease caused by the fungal pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), which is thought to have caused the decline or extinction of over 200 species of frogs worldwide. Specially, my study system centres on the mountain chicken, a giant frog endemic to only two islands in the Eastern Caribbean, Dominica and Montserrat. Chytridiomycosis caused the near-extinction of the mountain chicken in one of the fastest observed vertebrate declines of all time.
In response, the mountain chicken recovery programme was established, a multi-institutional conservation project consisting of several European Zoos and the governments of Montserrat and the Commonwealth of Dominica (see www.mountainchicken.org for more info). The responses coordinated by this group include world first field-based anti-fungal treatment and experimental reintroductions of captive bred animals.
My research focusses on how to mitigate the impacts of this disease in the wild, using the mountain chicken as a model for the conservation of the hundreds of species worldwide impacted by this disease.
I also provide technical support to Durrell WIldlife Conservation Trust's field programmes as a member of the Conservation Knowledge department.
Recent papers:
- Tapley, B. et al. 2017. Zoological Society of London: contributions towards advancing the field of herpetology through conservation, research, captive management and education. The Herpetological bulletin 139: 1 - 6.
- Daniel, B.M. et al. 2017. A bat on the brink: a range wide survey of the critically endangered Livingstone’s fruitbat Pteropus livingstonii. Oryx 51: 742 - 751.
- Hudson, M.A. et al. 2016. Dynamics and genetics of a disease driven decline to near extinction: lessons for conservation. Scientific Reports 6: 30772 DOI:10.1038/srep30772
- Hudson, M.A. et al. 2016. In-situ itraconazole treatment improves survival rate during an amphibian chytridiomycosis epidemic. Biological Conservation 195: 37 - 45.
- Young, R.P. et al. 2014. Accounting for conservation: using the IUCN red list to evaluate the impact of a conservation organization. Biological Conservation 180: 84 - 96.
- Tapley, B. et al. 2014. An overview of current efforts to conserve the critically endangered mountain chicken (Leptodactylus fallax) on Dominica. The Herpetological Bulletin 128: 9 - 11.
- Williamson, L. et al. 2013. Areas of high diversity for the world’s inland-breeding waterbirds. Biodiversity and Conservation. 22: 1501 - 1512.
