Dr Michael Morrissey

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Researcher profile

Phone

+44 (0)1334 463738

Email

mbm5@st-andrews.ac.uk

Research areas

lab webpage: Evolutionary Quantitative Genetics

Evolutionary statistical quantitative genetics, or, analysis of longitudinal data from populations of unmanipulated animals

Some of the most valuable data for understanding how evolution works in natural populations is individual-based longitudinal data from pedigreed populations.  Longitudinal data on individuals provides possibilities to link aspects of phenotype to life histories and fitness.  Pedigree data allows inference of the genetic basis of variation in phenotypic traits, based on patterns of similarity of relatives.

With collaborators at the University of Edinburgh and elsewhere, a portion of my research revolves around the study of the selection and genetics of a range of traits in Soay sheep from St Kilda (pictured) and other long-term animal datasets from around the world.

Evolutionary genetic theory

I use analytical and computational approaches to understanding what patterns of genetic variation are expected in nature, and also of how to interpret observed patterns in microevolutionary parameters, including both aspects of genetics and selection.  I have an ongoing interest in the patterns of genetic variation that are generated by complex landscape arrangements, especially in dendritic systems, which characterize all freshwater landscapes.  I have recently been working on the interpretation of relationships between phenotypic traits and fitness mean in terms ?chains of causation? in the context of characterizing the form of natural selection.

Software for empirical microevolutionary studies in nature

Analysis of data from natural populations is often very challenging.  Datasets are often incomplete due to practical realities such as limited molecular information to resolve pedigrees, and/or imperfect detection of individuals for recording of life history information.  I work on developing statistical tools to link fundamental evolutionary genetic theory to real data from the field.  R packages include pedantics, and gsg.

PhD supervision

• Vivienne Litzke

Selected publications

• Herbivore-mediated negative frequency-dependent selection underlies a trichome dimorphism in nature

  Goldberg, J. K., Lively, C. M., Sternlieb, S. R., Pintel, G., Hare, J. D., Morrissey, M. B. & Delph, L. F., 9 Jan 2020, In : Evolution Letters. Early View, 8 p.

  Research output: Contribution to journal ? Article

• Revisiting advice on the analysis of count data

  Morrissey, M. B. & Ruxton, G. D., 26 Jul 2020, In : Methods in Ecology and Evolution. Early View, 8 p.

  Research output: Contribution to journal ? Article

• A note on simulating null distributions for G matrix comparisons

  Morrissey, M. B., Hangartner, S. & Monro, K., 22 Oct 2019, In : Evolution. Early View

  Research output: Contribution to journal ? Article

• No evidence that warmer temperatures are associated with selection for smaller body sizes

  Siepielski, A. M., Morrissey, M. B., Carlson, S. M., Francis, C. D., Kingsolver, J. G., Whitney, K. D. & Kruuk, L. E. B., 24 Jul 2019, In : Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences. 286, 1907, 10 p., 20191332.

  Research output: Contribution to journal ? Article

• The role of selection and evolution in changing parturition date in a red deer population

  Bonnet, T., Morrissey, M. B., Morris, A., Morris, S., Clutton-Brock, T. H., Pemberton, J. M. & Kruuk, L. E. B., 5 Nov 2019, In : PLoS Biology. 17, 11, 23 p., e3000493.

  Research output: Contribution to journal ? Article

• Fixed-effect variance and the estimation of repeatabilities and heritabilities: issues and solutions

  de Villemereuil, P., Morrissey, M. B., Nakagawa, S. & Schielzeth, H., Apr 2018, In : Journal of Evolutionary Biology. 31, 4, p. 621-632

  Research output: Contribution to journal ? Article

• Individual variation in reproductive behaviour is linked to temporal heterogeneity in predation risk

  Barbosa, M., Deacon, A. E., Janeiro Silva, M. J., Ramnarine, I., Morrissey, M. B. & Magurran, A. E., 10 Jan 2018, In : Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences. 285, 1870, 9 p., 20171499.

  Research output: Contribution to journal ? Article

• Multiple regressions: the meaning of multiple regression and the non-problem of collinearity

  Morrissey, M. B. & Ruxton, G. D., 2018, In : Philosophy, Theory and Practice in Biology. 10, 24 p., 3.

  Research output: Contribution to journal ? Article

• Natural selection for body shape in resource polymorphic Icelandic Arctic charr

  Franklin, O. D., Skúlason, S., Morrissey, M. B. & Ferguson, M. M., 16 Aug 2018, In : Journal of Evolutionary Biology. Early View, 15 p.

  Research output: Contribution to journal ? Article

• Quantification and decomposition of environment-selection relationships

  Hunter, D. C., Pemberton, J., Pilkington, J. & Morrissey, M. B., Apr 2018, In : Evolution. 72, 4, p. 851-866

  Research output: Contribution to journal ? Article

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