I have long-standing interest in evolution and genetics in natural populations. In particular, I am interested in describing patterns of diversity displayed in the level of genes, populations and species, and potential mechanisms that shape such diversity. I have broad experience with the development and application of various genetic markers in non-model species (Štovícek et al. 2011, Wang et al. 2009), as well as using of statistical tools in phylogenetics (Crottini et al. 2010, Liang et al. 2010) and population genetics (Liu, 2011, PhD thesis). Birds are most frequently investigated in my studies (Liu et al. 2006,Chen et al. 2009, Liu et al. 2009), but I have experience in studying other organisms, such as insects, fish, reptiles and mammals.
Brief CV
Nationality: China
Birth date: 1980-10-04
Education
Ph.D. Ecology and Evolution. Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Bern, Switzerland. March, 2008 – May, 2011.
M.Sc. Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. Evolutionary Biology Center, Uppsala University. Sweden. August, 2006 – November, 2007.
M.Sc. Zoology. Institute of Ecology, Beijing Normal University, China. September 2003 – June, 2006.
B.A. Biology. College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University. China. September, 1999- June,2003.
Abstract: Ten polymorphic microsatellites for the common pochard were isolated from microsatellite enriched libraries. Seven microsatellites were obtained based on cross-species amplification. These 17 microsatellites exhibited polymorphism within a population sample, with numbers of alleles per locus ranging from 2 to 17 and expected heterozygosities from 0.053 to 0.916. These markers will be helpful for studying reproductive strategies in the pochard, as well as in addressing population genetic questions. Four of the microsatellite loci showed significant departures from HardyâWeinberg equilibrium and/or high estimates of null allele frequencies in our study population. Hence, they should be used with caution.
Abstract: The Relict Gull (Larus relictus) is considered vulnerable due to its declining world population. Non-breeding season ecology of this species is poorly understood. Recent observations on wintering Relict Gulls indicated that Bohai Bay, Tianjin municipality, China, is important for this species. From 2003-2005, surveys were carried out there in order to provide data on distributions, numbers and population structure of the gulls during the non-breeding season. The results show that Bohai Bay is of international importance for Relict Gulls based on the 1% Ramsar criterion. The maximum wintering flock was composed of 3,362 individuals, which is nearly one third of the world population. Proportions of the three age groups (first-year, second-year and adult) changed through the migration season. Loss of intertidal flats and human disturbance are regarded as the main threats to the gulls. Further surveys on population size, distribution and age structure should be conducted along the coasts of southern Bohai Bay and the Yellow Sea during the winter in the near future