Morgan Ellis

PhD Candidate

With our increasing reliance on global shipping the marine environment is at particular threat to invasive species. Morgan’s PhD is investigating the ecology of the invasive Northern Pacific Seastar (Asterias amurensis). Morgan will be using a range of molecular genetic techniques including DNA metabarcoding to determine the diets; and eDNA teamed with qPCR to improve the accuracy of monitoring and detection of this invasive species. Further to this he will also be investigating the anti-predatory responses to determine if native gastropods are able to detect and to respond appropriately to this invasive threat, or if they are sitting ducks.