Dr. Emanuel A. Fronhofer

CNRS researcher at the Institut des Sciences de l'Evolution de Montpellier
(ISEM; UMR5554; University of Montpellier, France)
Camila González Alonso de Linaje
Coevolution of virulence, dispersal & resistance in spatially explicit parasite-host metapopulations
MEME M2, 2024. Univ. Montpellier, France (co-supervised with Jhelam Deshpande).
Camila studies the joint evolution of virulence, dispersal and resistance in spatially complex host-parasite metapopulations.
She used theoretical approaches, including individual-based simulations, for her work.
Yannick Huyet
Local transmission vs. dispersal: evolutionary epidemiology of host-parasite metapopulations.
PhD Thesis. Univ. Montpellier, France (co-supervised with O. Kaltz).
Yannick studied evolutionary dynamics of host-parasite systems in complexly structured metapopulations.
He uses experimental evolution in protist microcosms to answer his questions.
Peter Kamal
Eco-evolutionary dynamics of foodwebs in complex space
PhD Thesis. Univ. Montpellier, France.
Peter studies how metacommunities react evolutionarily to global changes and how this impacts biodiversity.
He works theoretically and uses experimental evolution in protist microcosms to address his research questions.
Nicolina Muruzuc
Understanding metacommunity dynamics in Mediterranean vernal pools.
IDIL MSc. Univ. Montpellier, France.
NIcolina studies the mechanisms determining the distribution of biodiversity in metacommunities.
She uses eDNA and Mediterranean vernal pool communities for her research.
Saismit H. Naik
Eco-evolutionary dynamics of host-parasite systems in metafoodwebs
PhD Thesis. Univ. Montpellier, France.
Saismit studies how host-parasite dynamics taking into account spatial and biotic complexity.
She works theoretically and uses spatially explicit simulation approaches to address her research questions.
How does the complexity of environmental challenges affect the rate of adaptation.
PostDoc. Univ. Montpellier, France (co-mentored with L.-M. Chevin & G. Martin)
Giacomo is based at CEFE and is responsible for coordinating and analysing phenotypic data obtained in the ComplexAdapt - ExpEvolOcc project. We aim at understanding adaptation to multiple stressors using a meta-experimental evolution approach.
alumni
Dr. Jhelam N. Deshpande: Eco-evolutionary feedbacks and networks : from genes to landscapes
PhD thesis 2021 - 2024. Univ. Montpellier, France (co-supervision with O. Kaltz & V. Dakos)
Jhelam studied the evolution of dispersal and other life-history traits in host-parasite metapopulations.
She worked theoretically on this topic using a mathematical and simulation models.
Dr. Laura Zamorano: The dynamics of eco-evolutionary systems.
PhD thesis 2019 - 2023. Univ. Montpellier, France (main advisor: P. Nosil, co-supervision with M. Joron)
Laura studied eco-evolutionary feedbacks in the wild with a focus on integrating space and the community context.
She used the Timema stick insect system in California for her research. Her thesis is part of P. Nosil's EEDynamics ERC project.
Ruthvik Pallagatti: How does spatial structure impact evolution in host-parasite metapopulations?
MEME M1, 2023. Univ. Montpellier, France (co-supervised with Jhelam Deshpande).
Ruthvik studied the joint evolution of virulence and dispersal in spatially complex host-parasite metapopulations.
He used theoretical approaches, including individual-based simulations, for his work.
João Gabriel Colares Silveira: Understanding evolutionary adaptation to multiple stressors
MEME M1, 2023. Univ. Montpellier, France.
João studied adaptation to multiple stressors experimentally.
For his work, he used experimental evolution and protist microcosms.
Sibylle Vautravers: Patterns of biodiversity in Mediterranean vernal pools.
BSc thesis, 2022 - 2023. ETH Zürich, Switzerland (co-supervision with K. Deiner)
Sibylle studied the mechanisms determining the distribution of biodiversity in metacommunities.
She used eDNA and Mediterranean vernal pool communities for her thesis work.
Saismit H. Naik: Eco-evolutionary dynamics of temperature adaptation during range expansions.
MSc thesis, 2022. Univ. Montpellier, France & IISER Pune, India.
Saismit studied evolution of temperature niches and range expansions in multispecies systems.
She used theoretical approaches, including individual-based simulations, for her work.
Justina Givens: Testing the evolutionary species interactions - abiotic stress hypothesis.
IE CNRS, 2021-2022. Univ. Montpellier, France.
Justina studied evolution of temperature niches and range expansions.
She used experimental evolution and microbial model communities for her work.
Dr. Sarthak P. Malusare: Evolutionary effects on temperature niches and experimental range expansions.
PhD Thesis, 2022. Univ. Montpellier, France.
Sarthak studied the effects of temperature on range dynamics.
He used experimental evolution and protist microcosms for his research.
Dr. Camille Saade: Dynamics and stability of spatially structured ecosystems.
PhD Thesis, 2022. Univ. Montpellier, France (co-supervision with S. Kéfi).
Camille explored how catastrophic shifts spread in spatial networks.
He used theory and especially mathematical approaches for his work.
Fanny Gonguet: Abiotic vs. biotic factors: what is more important in determining species' ranges?
MSc thesis, 2022 (DARWIN M2). Univ. Montpellier, France.
Fanny studied evolution of temperature niches and range expansions in multispecies systems.
She used experimental evolution and microbial model communities for her work.
Jhelam N. Deshpande: Gene regulatory networks and the evolution of dispersal plasticity.
MSc Thesis, 2021. Univ. Montpellier, France & IISER Pune, India.
Jhelam studied the evolution of information use and dispersal plasticity.
She worked theoretically on this topic using a systems biology approach.
Natalie Lewis: Dispersal evolution during climate change induced range shifts.
MEME M1 Thesis, 2021. Univ. Montpellier, France.
Natalie studies the evolution of dispersal in communities experiencing climate change.
She works theoretically on this topic using individual-based simulations.
Iain Moodie: Experimental evolution of the temperature niche.
MEME M1 Thesis, 2021. Univ. Montpellier, France.
Iain studied the evolution of temperature niches in experimental ciliate communities.
He worked empirically on this topic using microcosm experiments.
Benoît Pichon: Catastrophic transitions in spatially explicit metapopulations.
M1 Thesis, 2021. Univ. Montpellier, France (co-supervision with S. Kéfi and C. Saade).
Benoît explored catastrophic transitions in patch networks.
He developed mathematical models for his research.
Dr. Felix Moerman: From the genetic basis to the ecological dynamics of spreading populations.
PhD Thesis, 2017-2021. Eawag & Univ. Zurich, Switzerland (co-supervision with F. Altermatt & A. Wagner).
Felix studied the genetic and genomic basis of range expansions in the protist model organism Tetrahymena thermophila.
He used experimental evolution, numerical analyses and genomic data for his investigations.
Mellina Sidous: Eco-evolutionary metapopulation dynamics.
MSc Thesis (M1), 2020. Univ. Montpellier, France.
Mellina aimed at understanding the eco-evolutionary dynamics of metapopulations under various patch extinction regimes.
She used theoretical approaches such as agent-based simulations for her research.
Shrinath Narayanan: Coevolution of dispersal and foraging in a consumer-resource metapopulation.
MSc Thesis (MEME M1), 2020. Univ. Montpellier, France.
Shrinath was interested in understanding eco-evolutionary consumer-resource dynamics.
He used evolutionary individual-based models his investigations.
Louise S. Nørgaard: The evolution of costly resistance at the edge - host-pathogen interactions in space.
ESEB Godfrey Hewitt Mobility Award visiting doctoral researcher, 2019
(co-supervised with O. Kaltz; based in M. Hall's Lab, Monash University)
Louise studied the evolution of host-parasite interactions during range expansions.
She worked experimentally with the Paramecium-Holospora model system.
Camille Saade: How do spatial perturbations affect the ecological dynamics of metafoodwebs?
MSc Thesis (M2), 2019. ENS & Univ. Montpellier, France (co-supervision with S. Kéfi).
Camille explored metafoodweb dynamics in response to spatially autocorrelated disturbance events.
He combined laboratory work using protist microcosm landscapes and theory.
Nathalie Zeballos: Eco-evolutionary consequences of life-history trade-offs in spatial host-parasite systems.
MSc Thesis (M2), 2019. Univ. Montpellier, France (co-supervision with O. Kaltz).
Nathalie explored life-history trade-offs in the model host-parasite system Paramecium caudatum - Holospora undulata.
She used experimental evolution and simulation modelling to study host-parasite metapopulation dynamics.
Jhelam N. Deshpande: Dispersal evolution in host-parasite metapopulations.
Internship, 2018 and 2019. Univ. Montpellier, France & IISER Pune, India (co-supervision with O. Kaltz).
Jhelam studied the evolution of context-dependent dispersal in host-parasite metapopulations.
She worked theoretically on this topic and used individual-based, eco-evolutionary modelling.
Dr. Lynn Govaert: Evolution of dispersal in metacommunities.
ESEB Godfrey Hewitt Mobility Award visiting PostDoc, 2018.
Lynn was interested in the evolution of dispersal and resulting eco-evolutionary dynamics in metacommunities
She worked theoretically using individual-based simulations.
Lilia Galvez: Eco-evolutionary dynamics of range expanding communities.
MSc Thesis (MEME M1), 2018. Univ. Montpellier, France (co-supervision with O. Kaltz).
Lilia studied the ecological and evolutionary dynamics of range expanding communities.
She used experimental evolution and protist microcosms for her investigations.
Martina Ramel: ​Evolution of dispersal during range expansions in multi-species systems.
MSc Thesis, 2016. Eawag & Univ. Zurich, Switzerland (co-supervision with F. Altermatt).
Martina studied the eco-evolutionary dynamics of multi-species range expansions.
She used experimental evolution and numerical analyses for her investigations.
Ludwig Leidinger: ​Intraguild predation in a spatial context: the impact of landscape heterogeneity.
MSc Thesis, 2016. Eawag & Univ. Würzburg, Germany (co-supervision with E. Martin & O. Mitesser).
Ludwig studied the ecological dynamics of an intraguild predation foodweb module in a spatially explicit context.
He used individual-based models for his work.
Nicolai Nitsche: Non-random dispersal and the eco-evolutionary dynamics of invasions.
MSc Thesis, 2014. Eawag & Univ. Constance, Switzerland (co-supervision with F. Altermatt & M. van Kleunen).
Nicolai studied the impact of information use on the eco-evolutionary dynamics of range expansions.
He did both experimental evolution using protist microcosms and theoretical work.
Fronhofer E. A., Nitsche N. & Altermatt F. (2017) Information use shapes the dynamics of range expansions into environmental gradients. Global Ecology and Biogeography 26: 400-411.
Jonas Stelz: Experimental evolution of dispersal distance in the spider mite Tetranychus urticae.
BSc Thesis, 2013. Univ. Würzburg, Germany (co-supervision with H. J. Poethke).
Jonas was interested in how dispersal distances (the dispersal kernel) evolve depending on the spatial autocorrelation of patch extinctions.
He studied the experimental evolution of dispersal kernel using spider mites as model organisms.
Fronhofer E. A., Stelz J. M., Lutz E., Poethke H. J. & Bonte D. (2014) Spatially correlated extinctions select for less emigration but larger dispersal distances in the spider mite Tetranychus urticae. Evolution 68: 1838-1844.
Lisa Teckentrup: Bayesian foraging and the emergence of home ranges.
BSc Thesis, 2013. Univ. Würzburg, Germany (co-supervision with H. J. Poethke).
Lisa wanted to know whether stable home ranges can emerge from intelligent movement rules.
She investigated informed, non-random movement strategies using individual-based simulations.
Anna-Marie Winter: Range border elasticity under strong Allee effects.
BSc Thesis, 2013. Univ. Würzburg, Germany (co-supervision with A. Kubisch and H. J. Poethke).
Anna-Marie wanted to know under what conditions species ranges show 'elastic' behaviour, i.e. a range contraction after an initial expansion.
She studied range border dynamics and the evolution of dispersal using individual-based simulations.
Kubisch A., Winter A.-M. & Fronhofer E. A. (2016) The downward spiral: eco-evolutionary feedback loops lead to the emergence of 'elastic' ranges. Ecography 39: 261-269.
Anna Kreis: Olfactory cues mediate vector choice in a phoretic flower mite.
MSc F1 Thesis, 2012. Univ. Würzburg & Univ. Ulm, Germany (co-supervision with M. Tschapka and H. J. Poethke).
Anna was interested in the use of chemical cues for informed emigration and immigration decisions.
She studied the chemical ecology of phoretic flower mites in a lowland tropical rainforest in Costa Rica (La Selva Biological Station, OTS).
Fronhofer E. A., Sperr E. B., Kreis A., Ayasse M., Poethke H. J. & Tschapka M. (2013) Picky hitch-hikers: vector choice leads to directed dispersal and fat-tailed kernels in a passively dispersing mite. Oikos 122: 1254-1264.
Hanna Märkle: Optimal despotism - group sizes and dispersal in spatially structured populations.
BSc Thesis, 2011. Univ. Würzburg, Germany (co-supervision with H. J. Poethke).
Hanna was interested in the evolution of optimal group sizes and the coexistence of eusocial and solitary strategies.
She used individual-based simulations to explore the evolution of eusociality in metapopulations.