Dr Tom Rhys Bishop
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I am a Lecturer in Ecology and Zoology at Cardiff University and the principal investigator of the lab.
I try to use basic ecological and evolutionary principles to explain the broad spatial and temporal patterns of biodiversity that have relevance for the continued existence of Life on Earth. Throughout my career, I have focussed on how the traits of ants dictate their responses to thermal changes. Much of this work has taken place along elevational gradients. I am passionate about combining lab, field, and computational approaches in ecology and evolution. I think ants are the best, but my research interests encompass termites and a range of other ectothermic animals too. I completed my PhD in Liverpool before undertaking research fellowships in Pretoria and Liverpool. I then returned to my hometown of Cardiff to take up a lectureship. Email: BishopTR[at]cardiff[dot]ac[dot]uk |
Sophie Mallett
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I am a PhD student at Cardiff University studying the thermal ecology of ants across continental scales. This work is using new technological approaches to gather high resolution physiological data across many species and populations at speed.
One of my primary goals is to develop novel approaches in examining the impact of climate change on small, cold-blooded organisms such as ants. I am also passionate about engaging youth and working-class demographics with ecology through my work in the Wales Ecology and Evolution Network, and Socioeconomic Equality and Diversity Network of the British Ecological Society. I completed a BSc in Biological Sciences at Imperial College London in 2021. During my degree I worked on the mutualism between fungus and leaf-cutter ants in Copenhagen and Panama. Then I gained commercial experience in eDNA metabarcoding at biomonitoring lab Surrey, after which I moved to Cardiff to join Tom at the Traits Lab Email: MallettSL[at]cardiff[dot]ac[dot]uk |
Sian Davies
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I am a PhD student at Cardiff University using multidisciplinary approaches to leverage understanding of freshwater invertebrate responses to multiple environmental stressors. My project will involve the investigation of both thermal stress and anthropogenic pollutants.
I completed a BSc in Zoology at the University of Reading, with research projects focused on oak gall wasp and hoverfly diversity. Following this, I graduated from Cardiff University with an MSc in Global Ecology and Conservation, where I investigated factors affecting the abundance and concentrations of microplastics in freshwater macroinvertebrates. I then gained fieldwork and spatial modelling skills working as an ecologist. I am passionate about conservation and tackling biodiversity loss. I look forward to combining laboratory, field and modelling approaches as a part of the Traits Lab. |
Dr Phil Hoenle
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I am a postdoctoral researcher working at Cardiff University, UK.
I am primarily a tropical ant ecologist, but I have strived to be broad in interest and scope. Every aspect of the ant life is fascinating to me, and deserves scientific exploration. I enjoy fieldwork, and I have gained years of experience working in challenging areas around the world. I am originally from Germany, and I’ve completed my PhD at the Technical University in Darmstadt, focussing on ant community regeneration in the highly threatened Choco rainforest of Ecuador. Afterwards, I completed my a postdoc in Czechia with Petr Klimes' ant lab on the ecology of arboreal ants in Papua New Guinea. In brief, my main interests include: (1) Taxonomy, Conservation & Natural History of Ants (2) Ant diversity under human disturbance regimes (3) Predation networks of Army Ants (4) Myrmecophiles and their integration strategies My most recent focus is the thermal ecology of ants in species diverse environments like the South African fynbos. More specifically, in our newest project we study the role of microclimate in ant competition and coexistence. |
Dr Brit Trew
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My research has primarily focused on applying ecological modelling to inform conservation strategies and mitigate biodiversity loss. During my PhD, I refined predictive ecological models for climate change by incorporating innovative microclimate modelling techniques. My thesis explored the multidimensional nature of microclimatic variation, emphasizing the often-neglected importance of temporal and vertical spatial factors in influencing climate change impacts on biodiversity. Most recently, as a conservation scientist for the International Science Team at the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, I used machine-learning to build dynamic models of deforestation-risk in West Africa.
My work at Cardiff University as a Postdoctoral Associate for the Human Science Frontier Program - in collaboration with Harvard University - is focused on using mechanistic microclimate modelling methods to generate high-resolution, 4D maps of microclimate in the Cederberg region of the Western Cape, South Africa. We aim to understand how microclimatic variation in space and time contributes to the coexistence of competing ant species, whereby climatic variability at the micro-scale effectively isolates individuals and species from each other within a landscape. |
Robyn Clews
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I am currently in my final year at Cardiff University, studying an Integrated Master’s in Biological Sciences. I have recently joined the Traits lab team to study ant foraging behaviour in South Africa, as part of the wider MicroMaze project. My primary aim is to investigate the relationship between ant foraging distance and thermal tolerance within the Cederberg Wilderness Area.
I have an interest in all things ecology related, having participated in marine and seagrass conservation this summer in Greece, with Wildlife Sense. I am very excited to undertake my Master’s project and develop my field and lab skills, in hopes to pursue a future career in ecology and conservation. |
Alex Redmond
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I am a current Global Ecology and Conservation MSc student completing my project with the Traits Lab team. I will be investigating the thermal tolerances of different ant species in South Wales and comparing the effectiveness of a novel infrared detection method to the traditional dry bath technique.
I have previous experience working with ants, as I investigated the effect of rain on the foraging of leaf cutter ants in a small lab-based colony at the University of Gloucestershire. My particular interest is in behavioural ecology. I’m looking forward to working with ants again, as their division of labour and cooperative behaviour make them ideal organisms for studying animal behaviour. |
Patricia the Plectroctena
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Patricia is the lab mascot. She is an inanimate, but anatomically accurate(ish), bead sculpture of a Plectroctena mandibularis ant from southern Africa. She was crafted in Pretoria and is now at home in the colder climates of Cardiff.
The distinctive head and mandible silhouette of Plectroctena inspired our lab logo. Plectroctena are specialist millepede hunters and they use their large jaws to carry captured millipedes under their bodies and back to their nests. |
Past Lab Members:
2024/2025:
Ella Palmer
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I am a student at Cardiff University working towards completing my Master's degree in Global Ecology and Conservation. I have joined the Traits Lab for my summer MSc project where I will be investigating how temperature and humidity stress affect invertebrate survival. A key focus of the project will be refining the methodology used to test these responses. I am looking forward to gaining experience in lab-based ecological research.
I am particularly interested in how climate change and human activity impact biodiversity. I have really enjoyed working with organisations such as The Wildlife Trust, where I've gained an understanding of how research can inform practical conservation work. |
Emily Denham
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I am currently in my final year of studying an Integrated Master in Biological Sciences at Cardiff University. I have recently joined the Traits Lab with Tom and my project this year will be looking into how we can use cameras and computers to analyse ant behaviour at bait sites in South Africa. I am really looking forward to beginning this project and being a part of the Trait Labs group!
I have a particular interest in animal behaviour, as well as how changing environments, such as climate change and human interference, can impact species. In the future I would love to work in conservation and to study animal behaviours and their interactions with the changing environment. |
2023/2024:
Icaro Wilker
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I am a PhD student in Applied Ecology from Brazil, studying at the Federal University of Lavras (UFLA). In Brazil, I am a member of Carla Ribas' lab, specifically the Laboratório de Ecologia de Formigas (Laboratory of Ant Ecology). Currently, I am staying at Cardiff University for six months as part of my PhD thesis with Tom at the Bishop Traits Lab. My research focuses on the effects of land use change and microclimate changes on ants in two tropical biomes.
I completed my BSc in Biological Sciences at UFLA in 2018. During my master’s degree in Applied Ecology, I studied the impacts of land use change on ant diversity and insect predation by ants in the Amazon. Additionally, I have been involved in a meta-analysis on the effects of land use change on ants in Brazil, collaborating with the Formigas do Brasil project (Ants of Brazil). I am passionate about conservation and ecology, particularly exploring the anthropogenic impacts on biodiversity, especially in relation to ant diversity and ant ecosystem functions. |
Erin Lightbody
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I have studied zoology at Cardiff University for three years and am now working on my Integrated Masters degree. I have recently joined the Traits Lab with Tom and will be working on testing some underlying assumptions of trait-ecology relationships. Specifically, I will be using a dataset collected from southern Africa on ant morphology, thermal tolerance, diet and daily activity to determine which of these traits reliably correlate with which others. I am looking forward to being part of this group and can't wait to see what this year brings!
I am passionate about conservational work and have previously had experience in the field at the Danau Girang Field Centre, Borneo and have volunteered with Wildlife Sense working with Hawksbill sea turtles in Greece. I aspire to continue working with conservation organisations to develop my understanding of the efforts we can make to help protect the world we live in. |
Kester Leyshon
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I completed my undergraduate degree here at Cardiff University, splitting my time between Neuroscience and Ecology. I completed my dissertation looking at the importance of different traits that lead to the invasive nature of the Lionfish in the Caribbean and Brazil. I am now working on achieving my Master's degree in Global Ecology and Conservation.
I recently joined Tom in the Traits Lab, and I am looking at testing theories of niche space expansion and packing across gradients of species richness of ants using global datasets. I am currently working towards advancing my career in academia and obtaining as much experience as I can this upcoming year. I am passionate about conservation, particularly in exploring the effects of climate change on species and in the real-world application of research within this. |
Lucy Wheatley
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I am a master’s student at Cardiff University studying Global Ecology and Conservation. As part of this, I have joined the Traits Lab to investigate ant community data collected across an elevational gradient at the Sani Pass, Maloti-Drakensburg mountains in South Africa. I will analyse these data with the aim to determine whether changes in these communities through time and space are completely random or explained by changes in other factors, such as other species or thermal conditions. I would like to be able to use these findings to predict likely impacts of climate change on such communities.
I am looking forward to developing my statistical analysis and practical skills with the Traits Lab group and am really interested how such findings could contribute to conservation management planning in a changing climate. I aspire to pursue a career in research and hope to further progress in academia on completion of this degree! |
Shane King
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Whilst completing my BSc Environmental Science degree at the University of Plymouth, I developed a strong passion for the natural world and conservation. This eventually led me to work with the Wildfowl & Wetland Trust (WWT) before pursuing the MSc Global Ecology & Conservation programme I am currently studying at Cardiff University.
I have joined the Bishop Traits Lab group to expand my skills and gain diverse academic experiences. My main research focus is on assessing how thermal variation affects species behaviour and distribution. Whilst a part of this lab group, I will be using a mechanistic niche modelling technique to analyse the impact of predicted temperature rise on ectotherm activity and distribution. My goal is to pursue a career in research focused on conservation, hopefully advancing within academia after completing my current MSc programme. |