Area of research

My main interest is in the phylogeny and evolution of Coleoptera (beetles), arguably the largest radiation of animal species on Earth. I use DNA sequences and phylogenetic analysis to study a wide range of questions to explain the great diversity of beetles, at all hierarchical levels, from populations to basal relationships of the order. In addition, I develop DNA-based approaches as short-cut for taxonomy, in particular in poorly known tropical groups. This permits novel analysis of entire insect communities for surveys of total diversity or for monitoring the response to environmental disturbance. I have a joint appointment with the Natural History Museum (NHM) London where I conduct most of my research.

Selected publications

Timmermans, M. J. T. N., S. Dodsworth, C. L. Culverwell, L. Bocak, D. Ahrens, D. T. J. Littlewood, J. Pons and A. P. Vogler. 2010. Why barcode? High-throughput multiplex sequencing of mitochondrial genomes for molecular systematics. Nucleic Acids Research, doi: 10.1093/nar/gkq807

Monaghan, M. T., R. Wild, M. Elliot, T. Fujisawa, M. Balke, D. J. G. Inward, D. C. Lees, R. Ranaivosolo, P. Eggleton, T. G. Barraclough and A. P. Vogler. 2009. Accelerated species inventory on Madagascar using coalescent-based models of species delineation. Systematic Biology, 58:298-311

Papadopoulou, A, Anastasiou, I, Keskin, B, Vogler, AP. Comparative phylogeography of tenebrionid beetles in the Aegean archipelago: the effect of dispersal ability and habitat preference. Mol Ecol, 2009, Vol: 18, Pages: 2503 - 2517

Hunt, T, Bergsten, J, Levkanicova, Z, Papadopoulou, A, John, OS, Wild, R, Hammond, PM, Ahrens, D, Balke, M, Caterino, MS, G?mez-Zurita, J, Ribera, I, Barraclough, TG, Bocakova, M, Bocak, L, Vogler, AP. A comprehensive phylogeny of beetles reveals the evolutionary origins of a superradiation. Science, 2007, Vol: 318, Pages: 1913 - 1916