Nikos Andreakis - CV - Australian Institute of Marine Science

Role

NERP Marine Biodiversity Hub Postdoctoral Fellow at the Australian Institute of Marine Science

Background

Having acquired a solid background in molecular phylogenetics and population genetics of invasive seaweeds during my PhD studies, I have developed a strong interest in exploring and understanding biological diversity by means of genetics at several taxonomical and biological levels of organization, independently of the model system considered. Therefore, exploring demographic, geological and climatic processes responsible for the diversification and dispersal of evolutionarily significant units in space and time represents the core of my research. I am a convinced supporter of multidisciplinary approaches to archive the aforementioned and I believe that understanding the mechanisms related to processes such as population expansion, adaptation and cryptic speciation is essential for appreciating and preserving marine ecosystems functioning.

Education

2000 - Biological Sciences, University of Naples 'Federico II', Italy.

2006 - PhD in Life Sciences, OPEN University of UK; sponsoring establishment: Stazione Zoologica 'A. Dohrn' - Naples, Italy.

Current Research Activities

I make use of molecular phylogenetics, morphology, gene expression patterning and bioinformatics to explore levels and patterns of diversification, adaptation and evolution in a series of model organisms such as: reef building corals, sponges, deep sea invertebrate crustaceans, tropical fishes, sharks and rays. My research addresses multiple scientific questions aimed to explain the influence of recent environmental changes, paleoclimatic and geological events responsible for the origins, evolution and distribution of selected marine biota along the Australian coast-line and the Indo-Pacific.

Publications

Klueter A, Andreakis N (2013) Assessing genetic diversity in the scleractinian coral Stylophora pistillata (Esper 1797) from the Central Great Barrier Reef and the Coral Sea. Systematics and Biodiversity. DOI: 10.1080/14772000.2013.770419.

Webster N, Pantile R, Botté E, Abdo D, Andreakis N, Whalan S (2013) A complex life cycle in a warming planet: gene expression in thermally stressed sponges. Molecular Ecology DOI: 10.1111/mec.12213.

Puckridge M, Last PR, White WT, Andreakis N (2013) Phylogeography of the Indo-West Pacific maskrays (Dasyatidae, Neotrygon): a complex example of chondrichthyan radiation in the Cenozoic. Ecology and Evolution DOI: 10.1002/ece3.448.

Andreakis N, Luter HM, Webster NS (2012) Cryptic speciation and phylogeographic relationships in the elephant ear sponge Ianthella basta (Porifera, Ianthellidae) from northern Australia. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 166: 225¿235

Schmidt-Roach S, Lundgren P, Miller K, Gerlach G, Noreen A, Andreakis A (2013) Assessing hidden species diversity in the coral Pocillopora damicornis from Eastern Australia. Coral Reefs DOI 10.1007/s00338-012-0959-z

Freckelton ML, Luter HM, Andreakis N, Webster NS, Motti CA (2012) Qualitative variation in colour morphotypes of Ianthella basta (Porifera: Verongida). Hydrobiologia. 687: 191-203.

Siboni N, Abrego D, Seneca F, Motti CA, Andreakis N, Tebben J, Blackall LL et al. (2012) Using Bacterial Extract along with Differential Gene Expression in Acropora millepora Larvae to Decouple the Processes of Attachment and Metamorphosis. PLoS One 7(5): e37774.

Puckridge M, Andreakis N, Appleyard SA and Ward RD (2012) Cryptic diversity in flathead fishes (Scorpaeniformes: Platycephalidae) across the Indo-West Pacific uncovered by DNA barcoding. Molecular Ecology Resources. DOI: 10.1111/1755-0998.12022

Poore GCB and Andreakis N (2012) The Agononida incerta species complex unravelled (Crustacea: Decapoda: Anomura: Munididae). Zootaxa. 3492: 1-29.

Andreakis N and Schaffelke B (2012) Invasive Marine Seaweeds: Pest or Prize? In: Seaweed Biology, novel insights into Ecophysiology, Ecology and Utilization. C Wiencke & K Bischof Eds. Vol 219, part 2: 235-262.