Dr Michael Morrissey

Reader

Phone: +44 (0)1334 46 3738
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

Open access

Classical tests, linear models, and their extensions for the analysis of 2x2 contingency tables
Nagel, R., Ruxton, G. D. & Morrissey, M. B., 1 Apr 2024, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Methods in Ecology and Evolution. Early View, 13 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
A synthesis of senescence predictions for indeterminate growth, and support from multiple tests in wild lake trout
Purchase, C. F., Rooke, A. C., Gaudry, M. J., Treberg, J. R., Mittell, E. A., Morrissey, M. B. & Rennie, M. D., 12 Jan 2022, In: Proceedings. Biological sciences. 289, 1966, 10 p., 20212146.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open access

Analytical results for directional and quadratic selection gradients for log-linear models of fitness functions
Morrissey, M. B. & Goudie, I. B. J., Jul 2022, In: Evolution. 76, 7, 28 p., 14486.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open access

Causation, not collinearity: identifying sources of bias when modelling the evolution of brain size and other allometric traits
Froman Walmsley, S. & Morrissey, M., Jun 2022, In: Evolution Letters. 6, 3, p. 234-244 11 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open access

Genetic variance in fitness indicates rapid contemporary adaptive evolution in wild animals
Bonnet, T., Morrissey, M. B., de Villemereuil, P., Alberts, S. C., Arcese, P., Bailey, L. D., Boutin, S., Brekke, P., Brent, L. J. N., Camenisch, G., Charmantier, A., Clutton-Brock, T. H., Cockburn, A., Coltman, D. W., Courtiol, A., Davidian, E., Evans, S. R., Ewen, J. G., Festa-Bianchet, M., de Franceschi, C., & 20 others Gustafsson, L., Höner, O. P., Houslay, T. M., Keller, L. F., Manser, M., McAdam, A. G., McLean, E., Nietlisbach, P., Osmond, H. L., Pemberton, J. M., Postma, E., Reid, J. M., Rutschmann, A., Santure, A. W., Sheldon, B. C., Slate, J., Teplitsky, C., Visser, M. E., Wachter, B. & Kruuk, L. E. B., 27 May 2022, In: Science. 376, 6596, p. 1012-1016 5 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Animal personality adds complexity to the processes of divergence between sympatric morphs of Arctic charr
Horta-Lacueva, Q. J-B., Benhaïm, D., Morrissey, M. B., Snorrason, S. S. & Kapralova, K. H., 1 May 2021, In: Animal Behaviour. 175, p. 57-73 17 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open access

Horn growth appears to decline under intense trophy hunting, but biases in hunt data challenge the interpretation of the evolutionary basis of trends
Morrissey, M. B., Hubbs, A. & Festa‐Bianchet, M., 5 May 2021, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Evolutionary Applications. Early View
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open access

Multivariate analysis of morphology, behaviour, growth and developmental timing in hybrids brings new insights into the divergence of sympatric Arctic charr morphs
Horta-Lacueva, Q. J-B., Snorrason, S. S., Morrissey, M. B., Leblanc, C. A-L. & Kapralova, K. H., 7 Sept 2021, In: BMC Ecology and Evolution. 21, 15 p., 170.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open access

Re-identification of individuals from images using spot constellations: a case study in Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus)
Debicki, I. T., Mittell, E. A., Kristjánsson, B. K., Leblanc, C. A., Morrissey, M. B. & Terzić, K., Jul 2021, In: Royal Society Open Science. 8, 7, 19 p., 201768.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
The distinction between repeatability and correlation in studies of animal behaviour
Barbosa, M. & Morrissey, M. B., 1 May 2021, In: Animal Behaviour. 175, p. 201-217 17 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

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