Investigate population-level epigenetic differences of tiger snakes

Posted on Jan 1 2019 by Sam Le Gallou

This bioinformatics project investigates the population-level epigenetic differences of tiger snakes involved in adaptation to island environments.

Tiger snake zoo — ^{Tiger snake at Australia Zoo - Sheba_Also 43,000 photos [CC BY-SA 2.0]}

Researcher Vicki Thomson's research focuses on the evolution and adaptation of tiger snakes, with special emphasis on how island populations have diverged from the mainland over both long and short timeframes.

Current research includes:

population genomic approaches to understanding the spatial genetic diversity of tiger snakes;
evolution of venom to different suites of prey species;
development of gigantism and dwarfism in body size on islands;
head size and shape differences at the population level;
evolution and adaptation of skin pigment between populations and in response to UV light exposure; and
epigenetic regulation of phenotypic plasticity.