Dr Michelle Taylor
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Email
michelle.taylor@essex.ac.uk -
Location
3SW.3.22, Colchester Campus
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Academic support hours
BS257
Profile
Biography
My research interests span the molecular to the ocean-level and have included studies on shallow and deep-water coral reefs, mangroves, and seagrass. My main focus is the deep-sea and its many and varied benthic habitats. The deep-sea is the largest habitat on the planet and arguably the least well known. Broadly I am interested in deep-sea ecosystems, exploring them, what drives their biodiversity, and how we can limit human impacts in vulnerable habitats such as coral reefs, hydrothermal vents, and seamounts etc. So far my work has centred on deep-sea corals; which was a natural progression from my years spent studying shallow water coral reefs. However, recent work also includes hydrothermal vent organisms, polychaetes (scale worms), brittlestars (ophiuroids) and sea cucumbers (holothurians). Genetics are my tool of choice for targeting questions about evolution and speciation. My work so far has involved phylogenetics and barcoding and current work involves population genomics and phylogenomics using next-generation sequencing (RAD-seq, RNA-seq and UCEs).
Qualifications
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PhD Imperial College, London, (2011)
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MRes Imperial College London, (2008)
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BSc (Hons) in Zoology University of Leeds, (2001)
Research and professional activities
Research interests
Deep-sea / marine connectivity
There are huge gaps in our understanding about how well deep-sea populations are connected, something crucial to any impact assessments undertaken on deep-sea ecosystems and, given expanding interests in deep-sea mining, and fisheries that increasingly focus on deep-sea areas, it is information both industry and conservationists/managers require.
Speciation
How speciation occurs, where it occurs and the mechanisms driving it. The basic processes that ultimately create diversity. The deep-sea is a highly diverse ecosystem and we have little to no understanding of why. The dawn of next generation sequencing means it is possible to study the genomics of speciation in the deep sea for the first time.
Population genomics
Phylogenomics
Teaching and supervision
Current teaching responsibilities
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Marine Ecology (BS112)
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Marine Vertebrates (BS254)
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Professional skills for Ecological and Marine Scientists (BS257)
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Marine Resources (BS705)
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Professional Skills in Tropical Marine Biology (BS708)
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Research Project in Life Sciences (BS832)
Current supervision
Previous supervision
Degree subject: Biological Sciences
Degree type: Doctor of Philosophy
Awarded date: 23/9/2024
Degree subject: Marine Biology
Degree type: Master of Science (by Dissertation)
Awarded date: 5/9/2023
Degree subject: Biological Sciences
Degree type: Doctor of Philosophy
Awarded date: 26/7/2023
Degree subject: Biological Sciences
Degree type: Doctor of Philosophy
Awarded date: 4/7/2023
Publications
Journal articles (47)
Morrissey, D., Gordon, JD., Saso, E., Bilewitch, JP., Taylor, ML., Hayes, V., McFadden, CS., Quattrini, AM. and Louise Allcock, A., (2024). Corrigendum to 鈥淏amboozled! Resolving deep evolutionary nodes within the phylogeny of bamboo corals (Octocorallia: Scleralcyonacea: Keratoisididae)鈥� [Mol. Phylogen. Evolut. 188 (2023) 107910]. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 195, 108044-108044
Kaikkonen, L., Amaro, T., Auster, PJ., Bailey, DM., Bell, JB., Brandt, A., Clark, MR., Drazen, JC., Du Preez, C., Escobar-Briones, E., Giacomello, E., Gianni, M., Johnson, AF., Levin, LA., Milligan, RJ., Oduware, S., Pearman, TRR., Pham, CK., Ramalho, SP., Rowden, AA., Sutton, TT., Taylor, ML., Watling, L. and Victorero, L., (2024). Improving impact assessments to reduce impacts of deep-sea fisheries on vulnerable marine ecosystems. Marine Policy. 167, 106281-106281
Blanchard, C., Harrould-Kolieb, E., Jones, E. and Taylor, M., (2023). . Marine Policy. 147, 105396-105396
Swanborn, DJB., Huvenne, VAI., Pittman, SJ., Rogers, AD., Taylor, ML. and Woodall, LC., (2023). . Landscape Ecology. 38 (1), 185-203
Swanborn, DJB., Huvenne, VAI., Malpas, T., Pittman, SJ., Rogers, AD., Taylor, ML. and Woodall, LC., (2023). . Deep Sea Research Part I: Oceanographic Research Papers. 191, 103921-103921
Eskuche-Keith, P., Hill, SL., Hollyman, P., Taylor, ML. and O'Gorman, EJ., (2023). . Frontiers in Marine Science. 9
Morrissey, D., Gordon, JD., Saso, E., Bilewitch, JP., Taylor, ML., Hayes, V., McFadden, CS., Quattrini, AM. and Allcock, AL., (2023). . Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 188, 107910-107910
Baco, AR., Ross, R., Althaus, F., Amon, D., Bridges, AEH., Brix, S., Buhl-Mortensen, P., Colaco, A., Carreiro-Silva, M., Clark, MR., Du Preez, C., Franken, M-L., Gianni, M., Gonzalez-Mirelis, G., Hourigan, T., Howell, K., Levin, LA., Lindsay, DJ., Molodtsova, TN., Morgan, N., Morato, T., Mejia-Mercado, BE., O鈥橲ullivan, D., Pearman, T., Price, D., Robert, K., Robson, L., Rowden, AA., Taylor, J., Taylor, M., Victorero, L., Watling, L., Williams, A., Xavier, JR. and Yesson, C., (2023). Towards a scientific community consensus on designating Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems from imagery. PeerJ. 11, e16024-e16024
Laffoley, D., Baxter, JM., Amon, DJ., Claudet, J., Downs, CA., Earle, SA., Gjerde, KM., Hall鈥怱pencer, JM., Koldewey, HJ., Levin, LA., Reid, CP., Roberts, CM., Sumaila, RU., Taylor, ML., Thiele, T. and Woodall, LC., (2022). . Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems. 32 (1), 217-228
Maxwell, J., Taboada, S. and Taylor, ML., (2022). . Deep Sea Research Part I: Oceanographic Research Papers. 185, 103804-103804
Morrissey, D., Goodall, J., Castilho, R., Cameron, TC. and Taylor, ML., (2022). . Fisheries Research. 254, 106418-106418
Sing Wong, A., Vrontos, S. and Taylor, M., (2022). . Global Change Biology. 28 (23), 7139-7153
Frinault, BAV., Christie, FDW., Fawcett, SE., Flynn, RF., Hutchinson, KA., Montes Strevens, CMJ., Taylor, ML., Woodall, LC. and Barnes, DKA., (2022). Antarctic Seabed Assemblages in an Ice-Shelf-Adjacent Polynya, Western Weddell Sea. Biology. 11 (12), 1705-1705
Ellis, SL., Taylor, ML., Schiele, M. and Letissier, TB., (2021). . Remote Sensing in Ecology and Conservation. 7 (1), 50-63
Ingels, J., Aronson, RB., Smith, CR., Baco, A., Bik, HM., Blake, JA., Brandt, A., Cape, M., Demaster, D., Dolan, E., Domack, E., Fire, S., Geisz, H., Gigliotti, M., Griffiths, H., Halanych, KM., Havermans, C., Huettmann, F., Ishman, S., Kranz, SA., Leventer, A., Mahon, AR., McClintock, J., McCormick, ML., Mitchell, BG., Murray, AE., Peck, L., Rogers, A., Shoplock, B., Smith, KE., Steffel, B., Stukel, MR., Sweetman, AK., Taylor, M., Thurber, AR., Truffer, M., Putte, A., Vanreusel, A. and Zamora鈥怐uran, MA., (2021). . Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: WIREs Climate Change. 12 (1)
Howell, KL., Hil谩rio, A., Allcock, AL., Bailey, D., Baker, M., Clark, MR., Cola莽o, A., Copley, J., Cordes, EE., Danovaro, R., Dissanayake, A., Escobar, E., Esquete, P., Gallagher, AJ., Gates, AR., Gaudron, SM., German, CR., Gjerde, KM., Higgs, ND., Le Bris, N., Levin, LA., Manea, E., McClain, C., Menot, L., Mestre, NC., Metaxas, A., Milligan, R., Muthumbi, AWN., Narayanaswamy, BE., Ramalho, SP., Ramirez-Llodra, E., Robson, LM., Rogers, AD., Sellanes, J., Sigwart, JD., Sink, K., Snelgrove, PVR., Stefanoudis, PV., Sumida, PY., Taylor, ML., Thurber, AR., Vieira, R., Watanabe, HK., Woodall, LC. and Xavier, JR., (2021). . Nature Ecology and Evolution. 5 (3), 265-267
Laffoley, D., Baxter, JM., Amon, DJ., Claudet, J., Hall鈥怱pencer, JM., Grorud鈥怌olvert, K., Levin, LA., Reid, PC., Rogers, AD., Taylor, ML., Woodall, LC. and Andersen, NF., (2021). . Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems. 31 (6), 1512-1534
Stolarski, J., Coronado, I., Murphy, JG., Kitahara, MV., Janiszewska, K., Mazur, M., Gothmann, AM., Bouvier, A-S., Marin-Carbonne, J., Taylor, ML., Quattrini, AM., McFadden, CS., Higgins, JA., Robinson, LF. and Meibom, A., (2021). . Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 118 (3), e2013316117-
O鈥橞rien, DA., Taylor, ML., Masonjones, HD., Boersch-Supan, PH. and O鈥橲hea, OR., (2021). . Marine Biology. 168 (5)
Rogers, AD., Baco, A., Escobar-Briones, E., Gjerde, K., Gobin, J., Jaspars, M., Levin, L., Linse, K., Rabone, M., Ramirez-Llodra, E., Sellanes, J., Shank, TM., Sink, K., Snelgrove, PVR., Taylor, ML., Wagner, D. and Harden-Davies, H., (2021). . Frontiers in Marine Science. 8
Rogers, AD., Baco, A., Escobar-Briones, E., Currie, D., Gjerde, K., Gobin, J., Jaspars, M., Levin, L., Linse, K., Rabone, M., Ramirez-Llodra, E., Sellanes, J., Shank, TM., Sink, K., Snelgrove, PVR., Taylor, ML., Wagner, D. and Harden-Davies, H., (2021). Corrigendum: Marine Genetic Resources in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction: Promoting Marine Scientific Research and Enabling Equitable Benefit Sharing. Frontiers in Marine Science. 8
Sartori, G., Taylor, ML., Sebastian, P. and Prasetyo, R., (2021). Coral reef carnivorous fish biomass relates to oceanographic features depending on habitat and prey preference. Marine Environmental Research. 172, 105504-105504
Laffoley, D., Baxter, JM., Amon, DJ., Claudet, J., Hall鈥怱pencer, JM., Grorud鈥怌olvert, K., Levin, LA., Reid, PC., Rogers, AD., Taylor, ML., Woodall, LC. and Andersen, NF., (2021). Response to Ota, Allison and Fabinyi on 鈥楨volving the narrative for protecting a rapidly changing ocean, post COVID鈥�19鈥�. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems. 31 (8), 2302-2303
O'Brien, DA., Taylor, ML., Masonjones, HD., Boersch-Supan, PH. and O'Shea, OR., (2020). . Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology. 528, 151377-151377
Howell, KL., Hil谩rio, A., Allcock, AL., Bailey, DM., Baker, M., Clark, MR., Cola莽o, A., Copley, J., Cordes, EE., Danovaro, R., Dissanayake, A., Escobar, E., Esquete, P., Gallagher, AJ., Gates, AR., Gaudron, SM., German, CR., Gjerde, KM., Higgs, ND., Le Bris, N., Levin, LA., Manea, E., McClain, C., Menot, L., Mestre, NC., Metaxas, A., Milligan, RJ., Muthumbi, AWN., Narayanaswamy, BE., Ramalho, SP., Ramirez-Llodra, E., Robson, LM., Rogers, AD., Sellanes, J., Sigwart, JD., Sink, K., Snelgrove, PVR., Stefanoudis, PV., Sumida, PY., Taylor, ML., Thurber, AR., Vieira, RP., Watanabe, HK., Woodall, LC. and Xavier, JR., (2020). . Frontiers in Marine Science. 7
Hendry, KR., Annett, A., Bhatia, R., Damerell, GM., Fielding, S., Firing, YL., Frajka-Williams, E., Hartman, S., Henley, SF., Heywood, KJ., Holliday, P., Huvenne, VAI., Mills, RA., Rabe, B., Robinson, C., Sanchez-Franks, A., Smythe-Wright, D., Taylor, ML. and Yelland, M., (2020). . Ocean Challenge. 24 (2), 19-30
Cairns, SD. and Taylor, ML., (2019). . ZooKeys. 822 (822), 1-15
Pratt, N., Chen, T., Li, T., Wilson, DJ., van de Flierdt, T., Little, SH., Taylor, ML., Robinson, LF., Rogers, AD. and Santodomingo, N., (2019). . Deep Sea Research Part I: Oceanographic Research Papers. 149, 103049-103049
Hendry, KR., Huvenne, VAI., Robinson, LF., Annett, A., Badger, M., Jacobel, AW., Chin Ng, H., Opher, J., Pickering, RA., Taylor, ML., Bates, SL., Cooper, A., Cushman, GG., Goodwin, C., Hoy, S., Rowland, G., Samperiz, A., Williams, JA., Achterberg, EP., Arrowsmith, C., Alexander Brearley, J., Henley, SF., Krause, JW., Leng, MJ., Li, T., McManus, JF., Meredith, MP., Perkins, R. and Malcolm S. Woodward, E., (2019). . Progress in Oceanography. 176, 102126-102126
Victorero, L., Robert, K., Robinson, L., Taylor, ML. and Huvenne, VAI., (2018). . Scientific Reports. 8 (1), 4152-
Head, CEI., Koldewey, H., Pavoine, S., Pratchett, MS., Rogers, AD., Taylor, ML. and Bonsall, MB., (2018). . Ecology and Evolution. 8 (8), 4098-4107
Woodall, LC., Andradi-Brown, DA., Brierley, AS., Clark, MR., Connelly, D., Hall, RA., Howell, KL., Huvenne, VAI., Linse, K., Ross, RE., Snelgrove, P., Stefanoudis, PV., Sutton, TT., Taylor, ML., Thornton, TF. and Rogers, AD., (2018). . Oceanography. 31 (3), 76-89
Brasier, MJ., Grant, SM., Trathan, PN., Allcock, L., Ashford, O., Blagbrough, H., Brandt, A., Danis, B., Downey, R., El茅aume, MP., Enderlein, P., Ghiglione, C., Hogg, O., Linse, K., Mackenzie, M., Moreau, C., Robinson, LF., Rodriguez, E., Spiridonov, V., Tate, A., Taylor, M., Waller, C., Wiklund, H. and Griffiths, HJ., (2018). Benthic biodiversity in the South Orkney Islands Southern Shelf Marine Protected Area. Biodiversity. 19 (1-2), 1-15
Cowburn, B., Musembi, PM., Sindorf, V., Kohlmeier, D., Raker, C., Nussbaumer, A., Hereward, HFR., Van Baelenberghe, B., Goebbels, D., Kamire, J., Horions, M., Sluka, RD., Taylor, ML. and Rogers, AD., (2018). . Atoll Research Bulletin. 2018 (618), 1-45
Head, CEI., Bonsall, MB., Jenkins, TL., Koldewey, H., Pratchett, MS., Taylor, ML. and Rogers, AD., (2018). . Marine Pollution Bulletin. 135, 636-647
Taylor, ML. and Roterman, CN., (2017). . Molecular Ecology. 26 (19), 4872-4896
Serpetti, N., Taylor, ML., Brennan, D., Green, DH., Rogers, AD., Paterson, GLJ. and Narayanaswamy, BE., (2017). . Deep Sea Research Part II: Topical Studies in Oceanography. 137, 273-281
Yesson, C., Bedford, F., Rogers, AD. and Taylor, ML., (2017). . Deep Sea Research Part II: Topical Studies in Oceanography. 145, 79-86
Taylor, ML. and Rogers, AD., (2017). . Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. 181 (1), 70-97
Taylor, ML., Gwinnett, C., Robinson, LF. and Woodall, LC., (2016). . Scientific Reports. 6 (1), 33997-
Curnick, DJ., Head, CEI., Huang, D., Crabbe, MJC., Gollock, M., Hoeksema, BW., Johnson, KG., Jones, R., Koldewey, HJ., Obura, DO., Rosen, BR., Smith, DJ., Taylor, ML., Turner, JR., Wren, S. and Redding, DW., (2015). . Animal Conservation. 18 (4), 303-312
Redding, DW., Curnick, DJ., Head, CEI., Huang, D., Crabbe, MJC., Gollock, M., Hoeksema, BW., Johnson, KG., Jones, R., Koldewey, HJ., Obura, DO., Rosen, BR., Smith, DJ., Taylor, ML., Turner, JR. and Wren, S., (2015). . Animal Conservation. 18 (4), 320-321
Taylor, ML. and Rogers, AD., (2015). . Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 84, 185-204
Taylor, ML., Yesson, C., Agnew, DJ., Mitchell, RE. and Rogers, AD., (2013). . Journal of Biogeography. 40 (9), 1688-1701
Taylor, ML., Cairns, SD., Agnew, DJ. and Rogers, AD., (2013). . Zootaxa. 3602 (1), 1-105
Yesson, C., Taylor, ML., Tittensor, DP., Davies, AJ., Guinotte, J., Baco, A., Black, J., Hall-Spencer, JM. and Rogers, AD., (2012). . Journal of Biogeography. 39 (7), 1278-1292
Yesson, C., Clark, MR., Taylor, ML. and Rogers, AD., (2011). . Deep Sea Research Part I: Oceanographic Research Papers. 58 (4), 442-453
Book chapters (4)
Bridges, AEH., Howell, KL., Amaro, T., Atkinson, L., Barnes, DKA., Bax, N., Bell, JB., Bernardino, AF., Beuck, L., Braga-Henriques, A., Brandt, A., Bravo, ME., Brix, S., Butt, S., Carranza, A., Doti, BL., Elegbede, IO., Esquete, P., Freiwald, A., Gaudron, SM., Guilhon, M., Hebbeln, D., Horton, T., Kainge, P., Kaiser, S., Lauretta, D., Limongi, P., McQuaid, KA., Milligan, RJ., Miloslavich, P., Narayanaswamy, BE., Orejas, C., Paulus, S., Pearman, TRR., Perez, JAA., Ross, RE., Saeedi, H., Shimabukuro, M., Sink, K., Stevenson, A., Taylor, M., Titschack, J., Vieira, RP., Vinha, B. and Wienberg, C., (2023). Review of the Central and South Atlantic Shelf and Deep-Sea Benthos: Science, Policy, and Management. In: Oceanography and Marine Biology. CRC Press. 127- 218. 9781032426969
Turner, JA., Andradi-Brown, DA., Gori, A., Bongaerts, P., Burdett, HL., Ferrier-Pag猫s, C., Voolstra, CR., Weinstein, DK., Bridge, TCL., Costantini, F., Gress, E., Laverick, J., Loya, Y., Goodbody-Gringley, G., Rossi, S., Taylor, ML., Viladrich, N., Voss, JD., Williams, J., Woodall, LC. and Eyal, G., (2019). Key Questions for Research and Conservation of Mesophotic Coral Ecosystems and Temperate Mesophotic Ecosystems. In: Coral Reefs of the World. Springer International Publishing. 989- 1003. 9783319927343
Rogers, AD., Kemp, KM., Davies, AJ. and Taylor, ML., (2015). . In: Diseases of Coral. Editors: Woodley, CM., Downs, CA., Bruckner, AW., Porter, JW. and Galloway, SB., . John Wiley & Sons. 416- 441. 0813824117. 9780813824116
Spalding, M., Taylor, ML., Ravilious, C., Short, F. and Green, E., (2003). Global overview: The Distribution and Status of Seagrasses.. In: World Atlas of Seagrasses. Editors: Green, E. and Short, F., . 13- 34
Conferences (1)
Hardman, E., Meunier, MS., Turner, J., Lynch, T., Taylor, ML. and Klaus, R., (2004). The extent of coral bleaching in Rodrigues, 2002
Reports and Papers (3)
Taylor, M., (2024). Conservation and Restoration of Cold-Water Corals CORDAP R&D Technology Roadmap
Taylor, ML., Ravilious, C. and Green, EP., (2003).
Wabnitz, CCC., Taylor, ML., Green, E. and Rakak, T., (2003). From Ocean to Aquaria: The Global Trade in Live Marine Ornamentals
Grants and funding
2024
WAYFARE: Where Are Your Fish From? Aquatic Research & Engagement at 糖心Vlog
UOE Participatory Research Fund
2023
PhD Studentship Seahorse eDNA
Natural England
2022
Developing a bass tissue bank for the study of connectivity between European coastal nursery habitats
Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs
A deep-sea perspective on coral resilience in a changing world
Natural Environment Research Council
2021
Testing larval dispersal models in the deep sea with genetic connectivity data: Seascape genomics of deep-sea coral
Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science
2019
Integrating genetic approaches into Sub-Antarctic deep sea research and management
Darwin Initiative
2018
Marine Protection - Challenge Lab Natural Environment
糖心Vlog
Contact
Academic support hours:
BS257
