Dr Matthew Tinsley

Senior Lecturer

Biological and Environmental Sciences University of Stirling, Stirling, FK9 4LA

Contact details

Email matthew.tinsley@stir.ac.uk
Telephone+44 (0)1786 467773

ORCID 0000-0002-7715-1259

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About me

Senior Lecturer in Evolutionary Ecology studying host-parasite systems.

Now Recruiting for a PhD studentship in host-parasite interactions

Biography:

PhD - University of Cambridge (2003)

BA - University of Cambridge (1999)

Research

My research focuses predominantly on host-parasite evolutionary ecology, it spans controlled laboratory systems, through to natural field ecology. Most of my work studies insects, but I also investigate other invertebrates , as well as amphibians.

Key topics:

Immune system evolution, Drosophila, entomopathogenic fungi, genetic variation in pathogen defence, host-parasite coevolution, senescence, bumblebee ecology, insect sex ratios, ladybirds, invasive species, ecological impacts of ionizing radiation, sustainable crop pest control with biopesticides.

Now Recruiting for a PhD studentship in host-parasite interactions. See here for details:

https://www.iapetus2.ac.uk/studentships/the-evolution-of-pathogen-defence-in-insect-hosts-whitefly-resistance-to-biocontrol-agents-in-horticulture/

You can find out more about our biopesticide work here: https://enhancingdiversity.wixsite.com/endorse.

And our horticultural whitefly work here: https://enhancingdiversity.wixsite.com/endorse/tomato

In 2020 we will be recruiting for a BBSRC-funded PDRA to work on a GWAS project investigating the genomic determinats of fungal pathogen resistance. Please get in touch if you are interested.

Lab members:

Jess Burrows is a PhD student studying the effects of ionizing radiation on immune defence in bumblebees.

Rosie Mangan is a Post-doc funded by BBSRC investingating novel methods of pest control using entomopathogenic fungi to combat insecticide resistance evolution.

Mia Graham is a technician funded by our BBSRC project "Assessing the market potential of a novel resistance management framework for fungal biopesticides in UK glasshouse horticulture"

Alumni

Kat Raines finished her PhD in 2018 studying the impact of radiological contamination on bumblebees, work that is centred on the Chernobyl nuclear reactor. Kat is now a NERC Knowledge Exchange Fellow based at Stirling.

Katie Murray finished her PhD in 2018. She studied the ecology of parasitism in the invasive harlequin ladybird. She is now a Scottish Government statistician.

Craig Anderson was a post-doc investigating the impact of chronic radiation exposure in the Chernobyl exclusion zone on the evolution of Drosophila melanogaster. He is now a research fellow at the MRC Human Gentics Unit, University of Edinburgh.

Marco Kubiak finished his MPhil thesis in 2017 studying immune senescence in Drosophila.

Jess Scriven finished her PhD in 2016 investigating the comparative ecology of closely related cryptic bumblebee species, she is now a statistician for the Scottish Government.

Sumayia Bashir finished her PhD in 2014. She used Drosophila to study interactions between immune defence, metabolism and mitochondrial function.

Danielle Mackenzie finished her Phd in 2014 investigating the mechanisms of immune senescence in Drosophila.

Penelope Whitehorn finished her PhD in 2011, which focused on the impact of inbreeding on bumblebees and which I co-supervised. Penelope spent some time as a post doc fellow at Stirling investigating the negative effects of insecticides on non-target insects and is now carrying on this work at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology in Germany.

Andy Dobson is a post-doc who was worked alongside my group for a number of years as an independent research fellow. Amongst other topics, he researches the ecology of tick populations as vectors for Lyme disease and other infections of humans and wildlife; he is now based at Edinburgh University.

Outputs

Article

Towards solving a scientific controversy - The effects of ionising radiation on the environment

Beresford NA, Horemans N, Copplestone D, Raines KE, Orizaola G, Wood MD, Laanen P, Whitehead HC, Burrows JE, Tinsley MC, Smith JT, Bonzom J, Gagnaire B, Adam-Guillermin C & Gashchak S (2020) Towards solving a scientific controversy - The effects of ionising radiation on the environment. Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, 211, Art. No.: 106033. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvrad.2019.106033

Article

Sex-specific routes to immune senescence in Drosophila melanogaster

Kubiak M & Tinsley MC (2017) Sex-specific routes to immune senescence in Drosophila melanogaster. Scientific Reports, 7, Art. No.: 10417. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-11021-6

Article

Tracing ancient evolutionary divergence in parasites

Tinsley RC & Tinsley MC (2016) Tracing ancient evolutionary divergence in parasites. Parasitology, 143 (14), pp. 1902-1916. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0031182016001347

Article

Sex as a strategy against rapidly evolving parasites

Auld SKJR, Tinkler SK & Tinsley MC (2016) Sex as a strategy against rapidly evolving parasites [Sex as a weapon against parasitism]. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 283 (1845), Art. No.: 20162226. https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2016.2226

Article

Bergmann’s Body Size Rule Operates in Facultatively Endothermic Insects: Evidence from a Complex of Cryptic Bumblebee Species

Scriven JJ, Whitehorn PR, Goulson D & Tinsley MC (2016) Bergmann’s Body Size Rule Operates in Facultatively Endothermic Insects: Evidence from a Complex of Cryptic Bumblebee Species. PLoS ONE, 11 (10), Art. No.: e0163307. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0163307

Article

The harlequin ladybird, Harmonia axyridis: global perspectives on invasion history and ecology

Murray KM, Brown PMJ, Adriaens T, Berkvens N, Borges I, Clusella-Trullas S, Comont RF, De Clercq P, Eschen R, Estoup A, Evans EW, Facon B, Gardiner MM, Roy HE & Tinsley MC (2016) The harlequin ladybird, Harmonia axyridis: global perspectives on invasion history and ecology. Biological Invasions, 18 (4), pp. 977-1044. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-016-1077-6

Article

Niche partitioning in a sympatric cryptic species complex

Scriven JJ, Whitehorn PR, Goulson D & Tinsley MC (2016) Niche partitioning in a sympatric cryptic species complex. Ecology and Evolution, 6 (5), pp. 1328-1339. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.1965

Article

Extinction of an introduced warm-climate alien species, Xenopus laevis, by extreme weather events

Tinsley RC, Stott LC, Viney M, Mabel B & Tinsley MC (2015) Extinction of an introduced warm-climate alien species, Xenopus laevis, by extreme weather events. Biological Invasions, 17 (11), pp. 3183-3195. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-015-0944-x

Commentary

Insufficient evidence of infection-induced phototactic behaviour in Spodoptera exigua: a comment on van Houte et al. (2014)

Dobson A, Auld S & Tinsley MC (2015) Insufficient evidence of infection-induced phototactic behaviour in Spodoptera exigua: a comment on van Houte et al. (2014). Commentary on: van Houte S, van Oers MM, Han Y, Vlak JM, Ros VID. 2014 Baculovirus infection triggers a positive phototactic response in caterpillars to induce ‘treetop’ disease. Biol. Lett. 10, 20140680. (doi:10.1098/rsbl.2014.0680). Biology Letters, 11, Art. No.: 20150132. http://rsbl.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/11/10/20150132; https://doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2015.0132

Article

Sex differences in the effects of juvenile and adult diet on age-dependent reproductive effort

Houslay T, Hunt J, Tinsley MC & Bussiere L (2015) Sex differences in the effects of juvenile and adult diet on age-dependent reproductive effort. Journal of Evolutionary Biology, 28 (5), pp. 1067-1079. https://doi.org/10.1111/jeb.12630

Article

Chytrid fungus infections in laboratory and introduced Xenopus laevis populations: assessing the risks for U.K. native amphibians

Tinsley RC, Coxhead PG, Stott LC, Tinsley MC, Piccinni MZ & Guille MJ (2015) Chytrid fungus infections in laboratory and introduced Xenopus laevis populations: assessing the risks for U.K. native amphibians. Biological Conservation, 184, pp. 380-388. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2015.01.034

Article

Revealing the hidden niches of cryptic bumblebees in Great Britain: implications for conservation

Scriven JJ, Woodall L, Tinsley MC, Knight ME, Williams PH, Carolan J, Brown MJF & Goulson D (2015) Revealing the hidden niches of cryptic bumblebees in Great Britain: implications for conservation. Biological Conservation, 182, pp. 126-133. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2014.11.027

Article

The evolutionary ecology of complex lifecycle parasites: linking phenomena with mechanisms

Auld S & Tinsley MC (2015) The evolutionary ecology of complex lifecycle parasites: linking phenomena with mechanisms. Heredity, 114 (2), pp. 125-132. https://doi.org/10.1038/hdy.2014.84

Article

Vector competence of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes for filarial nematodes is affected by age and nutrient limitation

Ariani C, Juneja P, Smith S, Tinsley MC & Jiggins FM (2015) Vector competence of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes for filarial nematodes is affected by age and nutrient limitation. Experimental Gerontology, 61, pp. 47-53. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.exger.2014.11.001

Article

Genetic diversity and parasite prevalence in two species of bumblebee

Whitehorn PR, Tinsley MC, Brown MJF, Darvill B & Goulson D (2014) Genetic diversity and parasite prevalence in two species of bumblebee. Journal of Insect Conservation, 18 (4), pp. 667-673. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10841-014-9673-1

Article

Immune response costs are associated with changes in resource acquisition and not resource reallocation

Bashir-Tanoli S & Tinsley MC (2014) Immune response costs are associated with changes in resource acquisition and not resource reallocation. Functional Ecology, 28 (4), pp. 1011-1019. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2435.12236

Article

Investigating the impact of deploying commercial Bombus terrestris for crop pollination on pathogen dynamics in wild bumble bees

Whitehorn PR, Tinsley MC, Brown MJF & Goulson D (2013) Investigating the impact of deploying commercial Bombus terrestris for crop pollination on pathogen dynamics in wild bumble bees. Journal of Apicultural Research, 52 (3), pp. 149-157. https://doi.org/10.3896/IBRA.1.52.3.06

Article

Social learning drives handedness in nectar-robbing bumblebees

Goulson D, Park K, Tinsley MC, Bussiere L & Vallejo-Marin M (2013) Social learning drives handedness in nectar-robbing bumblebees. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, 67 (7), pp. 1141-1150. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00265-013-1539-0

Commentary

Female preferences for facial masculinity are probably not adaptations for securing good immunocompetence genes

Bussiere L, Tinsley MC & Laugen A (2013) Female preferences for facial masculinity are probably not adaptations for securing good immunocompetence genes. Commentary on: Scott IML, Clark AP, Boothroyd LG, Penton-Voak IS. 2012. Do men’s faces really signal heritable immunocompetence? Behav Ecol. 24:579–589.. Behavioral Ecology, 24 (3), pp. 593-594. https://doi.org/10.1093/beheco/ars097

Article

Acquired immunity protects against helminth infection in a natural host population: Long-term field and laboratory evidence

Tinsley RC, Stott LC, York JE, Everard ALE, Chapple SJ, Jackson J, Viney M & Tinsley MC (2012) Acquired immunity protects against helminth infection in a natural host population: Long-term field and laboratory evidence. International Journal for Parasitology, 42 (10), pp. 931-938. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpara.2012.07.006

Article

Senescence of the cellular immune response in Drosophila melanogaster

Mackenzie DK, Bussiere L & Tinsley MC (2011) Senescence of the cellular immune response in Drosophila melanogaster. Experimental Gerontology, 46 (11), pp. 853-859. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/05315565; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.exger.2011.07.004

Article

Environmental constraints influencing survival of an African parasite in a north temperate habitat: effects of temperature on egg development

Tinsley RC, York JE, Everard ALE, Stott LC, Chapple SJ & Tinsley MC (2011) Environmental constraints influencing survival of an African parasite in a north temperate habitat: effects of temperature on egg development. Parasitology, 138 (8), pp. 1029-1038. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0031182011000461

Article

Environmental constraints influencing survival of an African parasite in a north temperate habitat: effects of temperature on development within the host

Tinsley RC, York JE, Stott LC, Everard ALE, Chapple SJ & Tinsley MC (2011) Environmental constraints influencing survival of an African parasite in a north temperate habitat: effects of temperature on development within the host. Parasitology, 138 (8), pp. 1039-1052. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0031182011000424

Article

Genetic diversity, parasite prevalence and immunity in wild bumblebees

Whitehorn PR, Tinsley MC, Brown MJF, Darvill B & Goulson D (2011) Genetic diversity, parasite prevalence and immunity in wild bumblebees. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 278 (1709), pp. 1195-1202. https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2010.1550

Article

Kin recognition and inbreeding reluctance in bumblebees

Whitehorn PR, Tinsley MC & Goulson D (2009) Kin recognition and inbreeding reluctance in bumblebees [Reconnaissance de la parentèle et mécanismes pour éviter la consanguinité chez les bourdons; Verwandtschaftserkennung und Inzuchtvermeidung bei Hummeln]. Apidologie, 40 (6), pp. 627-633. https://doi.org/10.1051/apido/2009050

Article

Functional significance of the dark central floret of Daucus carota (Apiaceae) L.; is it an insect mimic?

Goulson D, McGuire K, Munro EE, Adamson S, Colliar L, Park K, Tinsley MC & Gilburn A (2009) Functional significance of the dark central floret of Daucus carota (Apiaceae) L.; is it an insect mimic?. Plant Species Biology, 24 (2), pp. 77-82. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1442-1984.2009.00240.x

Article

Impacts of inbreeding on bumblebee colony fitness under field conditions

Whitehorn PR, Tinsley MC, Brown MJF, Darvill B & Goulson D (2009) Impacts of inbreeding on bumblebee colony fitness under field conditions. BMC Evolutionary Biology, 9 (1), p. 152. http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2148/9/152; https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2148-9-152

Article

Are we underestimating the diversity and incidence of insect bacterial symbionts? A case study in ladybird beetles

Weinert LA, Tinsley MC, Temperley M & Jiggins FM (2007) Are we underestimating the diversity and incidence of insect bacterial symbionts? A case study in ladybird beetles. Biology Letters, 3 (6), pp. 678-681. https://doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2007.0373

Article

Small steps or giant leaps for male-killers? Phylogenetic constraints to male-killer host shifts

Tinsley MC & Majerus MEN (2007) Small steps or giant leaps for male-killers? Phylogenetic constraints to male-killer host shifts. BMC Evolutionary Biology, 7 (1), p. 238. http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2148/7/238; https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2148-7-238

Article

Choosing rewarding flowers; perceptual limitations and innate preferences influence decision making in bumblebees and honeybees

Goulson D, Cruise JL, Sparrow KR, Harris AJ, Park K, Tinsley MC & Gilburn A (2007) Choosing rewarding flowers; perceptual limitations and innate preferences influence decision making in bumblebees and honeybees. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, 61 (10), pp. 1523-1529. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00265-007-0384-4

Article

Spatial variation in the incidence of a sexually transmitted parasite of the ladybird beetle Adalia bipunctata (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)

Webberley M, Tinsley MC, Sloggett J, Majerus MEN & Hurst G (2006) Spatial variation in the incidence of a sexually transmitted parasite of the ladybird beetle Adalia bipunctata (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae). European Journal of Entomology, 103 (4), pp. 793-797. https://doi.org/10.14411/eje.2006.108

Article

A new male-killing parasitism: Spiroplasma bacteria infect the ladybird beetle Anisosticta novemdecimpunctata (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)

Tinsley MC & Majerus MEN (2006) A new male-killing parasitism: Spiroplasma bacteria infect the ladybird beetle Anisosticta novemdecimpunctata (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae). Parasitology, 132 (6), pp. 757-765. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0031182005009789

Article

Genetic variation in Drosophila melanogaster pathogen susceptibility

Tinsley MC, Blanford S & Jiggins FM (2006) Genetic variation in Drosophila melanogaster pathogen susceptibility. Parasitology, 132 (6), pp. 767-773. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0031182006009929

Article

An ancient mitochondrial polymorphism in Adalia bipunctata linked to a sex-ratio-distorting bacterium

Jiggins FM & Tinsley MC (2005) An ancient mitochondrial polymorphism in Adalia bipunctata linked to a sex-ratio-distorting bacterium. Genetics, 171 (3), pp. 1115-1124. https://doi.org/10.1534/genetics.105.046342

Article

Pollen deposition in moss polsters from Northeast Greenland

Linskens HF & Tinsley MC (2002) Pollen deposition in moss polsters from Northeast Greenland [Linskens, H. F. and Tinsley, M.C.]. Circumpolar Journal, 17, pp. 17-24.

Article

Reproductive ecology of the saltmarsh-dwelling marine ectoparasite Paragnathia formica (Crustacea : Isopoda)

Tinsley MC & Reilly S (2002) Reproductive ecology of the saltmarsh-dwelling marine ectoparasite Paragnathia formica (Crustacea : Isopoda). Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, 82 (1), pp. 79-84. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0025315402005192

Dr Matthew Tinsley

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