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Brian Hayden

Dr. Brian Hayden

NB: Brian has now moved to the University of Helsinki. His email is brian.hayden(at)helsinki.fi

We wish Brian all the best in his new position.


 

Postdoctoral Research Fellow

National Otter Survey 2010

See more about Brian at Academia.edu

Research Interests

My research to date has focussed on the response of freshwater biota to anthropogenically-introduced stresses. Within this I focus on the ecology of freshwater fish, employing a multi disciplinary approach to determine the trophic and behavioural consequences of species introductions and eutrophication on fish communities. My principal study species have been cyprinid fish with the majority of my research concerning bream (Abramis brama) and roach (Rutilus rutilus).

Hybridisation

Hybridisation represents an area of keen interest in evolutionary biology at present as its role in gene exchange and speciation comes to the fore. Following the establishment of invasive populations of roach in systems containing resident bream hybridisation was observed at an unprecedented rate in Irish freshwaters, with hybrids the now most common fish in many systems.  I employ a novel approach combining molecular genetics and geometric morphometrics to assess the levels of hybridisation and introgression within the hybrid zone. I am also interested in the trophic conditions which are conducive to the success of hybrids and use stable isotope and gut content analyses to determine trophic relationships in Irish freshwater systems.

The National Otter Survey 2010

More recently my research has focussed on resource use of aquatic mammals. Otter (Lutra lutra) populations are threatened across Europe and alterations in diet and population size following habitat modification is of key concern. Consequently, in conjunction with population estimate aspect of the National Otter Survey I am determining the diet of otters in a variety of habitats to assess the effect of changing prey composition or diminishing water quality on diet and population size. The results of these analyses will be compared with archive data to determine the response of otters to changing prey community structure.

 

Publications

Hayden B., Pulcini D., Kelly Quinn M., O’Grady M., Caffrey J., McGrath A. & Mariani S. 2010. Hybridisation between two cyprinid species in a novel habitat: genetics, morphology and life history traits. BMC Evolutionary Biology (10:169)

Toscano B., Pulcini D., Hayden B., Russo T., Kelly-Quinn M. & Mariani S. 2010. Ecological interactions among two cyprinid fish and their hybrids in a novel environment. Biological Journal of the Linnaean Society. (99 768-783)

Hayden B. & Caffrey J. First recording of the Asian Clam (Corbiculla fluminea (Müller 1774)) from the River Shannon, with preliminary notes on population size and size class distribution. Irish Naturalists Journal. (In press)

Hayden B., Coscia I. & Mariani S. Low cytochrome b variation in bream (Abramis brama L.). Journal of Fish Biology (In review)

 

Selected Conference Presentations

Hayden B., Massa-Gallucci A., Kelly-Quinn M. & Mariani S. (2009) Oral presentation. Trophic and behavioural interactions in hybrid dominated fish communities – Natures response to anthropogenic ecosystem modification? Evolutionary Ecology of Fishes Diversification, Adaptation and Speciation. Berlin.

Hayden B., Massa-Gallucci A., Kelly-Quinn M. & Mariani S. (2008) Oral Presentation. Trophic Interactions of Cyprinid Fish in Irish Lakes. ISOECOL VI. Hawaii.

Hayden B., Massa-Gallucci A., Caffrey J., O’Grady M., Mariani S. & Kelly-Quinn M. (2007) Feeding interactions of Cyprinid taxa in Eutrophic lakes. Fisheries Society of The British Isles – Annual Conference. Exeter.

Hayden B., Toscano B., Kelly-Quinn M. & Mariani S. (2007) Poster Presentation. A Molecular Investigation into Hybridisation in Cyprinid Fishes in Ireland. European Ichthyological Society Congress XII. Croatia - Awarded second place in student presentation awards.

Hayden B., Walsh T. & Caffrey J. (2003) Oral presentation. The Spread of Dace – An Invasive Fish Species In Ireland. 13th International Conference on Aquatic Invasive Species.  Ennis, Co. Clare.