UCD School of Biology & Environmental Science

Research Interests

I'm primarily interested in using molecular techniques to study colonization and micro/macro-evolutionary processes, essentially trying to understand how populations and species are structured both spatially and temporally. Genomics of invasive/expanding species: Species that have been introduced recently represent ideal models to study and understand the genetics of invasive and/or expanding populations and how these species become adapted to new environments over relatively short periods of time in terms of both genotype and phenotype. We are working with collaborators on genomic and phenotypic changes at different points of the greater white-toothed shrew (Crocidura russula) invasion in Ireland. Colonization history of Irish fauna: As an island, Ireland is composed of a fascinating mixture of natural and introduced species. To understand the roles of the ice ages and ancient peoples in the history of Irish fauna and flora, we utilize molecular markers on modern and ancient specimens in phylogeographic analyses, in combination with data from fossil material and archaeology. Our work has focused on iconic species which tell us most about the Irish colonization process (e.g. the pygmy shrew Sorex minutus and red deer Cervus elaphus). We are also conducting work on unique Irish species, such as the Killarney shad (Alosa fallax killarnensis) to understand non-terrestrial systems. Finally, we are establishing the origins of our 21st century arrivals, including the greater white-toothed shrew and the great spotted woodpecker (Dendrocopos major). Landscape genetics and spatial ecology: Landscape genetics has changed the way we think about how gene flow occurs in complex landscape and environments. We are investigating how habitat selection and dispersal behaviour in large herbivores in the Rocky Mountains of western Canada (elk Cervus elaphus and caribou Rangifer tarandus) and small mammals in Poland (weasels Mustela nivalis and voles Microtus sp.) influences gene flow. Phylogeography: Phylogeography has revealed much of how species responded to past environments over the millenia. While we certainly know a lot about the effects of past climate fluctuations, what is less certain is what effects these have had in determining the current distribution of species and genetic lineages. We are investigating the roles of more northern refugia and potential adaptation stemming from isolation in certain refugia in multiple European and North American mammals.

     

 

Book Chapters

McDevitt, A.D. and Zachos, F.E. (2012) 'Genetic analyses of natural and anthropogenic movements in deer' In: Sykes, N., Baker, K. and Carden, R.F (eds). Deer and People: Past, Present and Future. Oxford: Windgather Press. [Details]

McDevitt AD, Yannic G, Rambau RV, Hayden TJ, Searle JB; (2010) 'Postglacial recolonization of continental Europe by the pygmy shrew (Sorex minutus) inferred from mitochondrial and Y chromosomal DNA sequences' In: Habel JC, Assmann T (eds). Relict Species ¿ Phylogeography and Conservation Biology. Heidelberg: Springer-Verlag. [Details]

 

Peer Reviewed Journals

Zachos FE, Apollonio M, Barmann EV, Festa-Bianchet M, Gohlich U, Habel JC, Haring E, Kruckenhauser L, Lovari S, McDevitt AD, Pertoldi C, Rossner GE, Sanchez-Villagra MR, Scandura M, Suchentrunk F (2012) 'Species inflation and taxanomic artefacts - a critical comment on recent trends in mammalian classification'. Mammalian Biology, . [Details]

Ciuti S, Muhly TB, Patton DG, McDevitt AD, Musiani M, Boyce MS (2012) 'Human selection of elk behavioural traits in a landscape of fear'. Proceedings of the Royal Society B - Biological Sciences, 279 :4407-4416. [Details]

Weckworth BV, Musiani M, McDevitt AD, Hebblewhite M, Mariani S (2012) 'Reconstruction of caribou evolutionary history in Western North America and its implications for conservation'. Molecular Ecology, . [Details]

McDevitt AD, Oliver MK, Piertney SB, Szafrańska PA, Konarzewski M, Zub K (2012) 'Individual variation in dispersal associated with phenotype influences fine-scale genetic structure in weasels'. Conservation Genetics, . [Details]

McDevitt AD, Zub K, Kawałko A, Oliver MK, Herman JS, Wójcik JM (2012) 'Climate and refugial origin influence the mitochondrial lineage distribution of weasels (Mustela nivalis) in a phylogeographic suture zone'. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 106 :57-69. [Details]

Other Journals

McDevitt AD, Carden RF (2012) 'Ireland's ancient deer' Deer 16 :23-26. [Details]

                                                                                                             

Internal Collaborators

Dr Jon Yearsley, University College Dublin

External Collaborators

Prof. Jeremy Searle, Cornell University Dr Tom White, Cornell University Dr Stefano Mariani, University of Salford Dr Ruth Carden, National Museum of Ireland Prof. Ian Montgomery, Queens University Belfast Dr Marco Musiani, University of Calgary Dr Ilaria Coscia, Aberystwyth University Dr Ceiridwen Edwards, University of Oxford Dr Mark Hebblewhite, University of Montana Dr Tyler Muhly, University of Calgary Byron Weckworth, University of Calgary Dr Simone Ciuti, University of Alberta Dr Karol Zub, Mammal Research Institute Prof. Jan Wojcik, Mammal Research Institute Dr Jerry Herman, National Museums of Scotland Dr Alain Frantz, University of Greifswald Dr Anne Tresset, Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle