ir. Robin van Velzen
Evolution of insect-host plant interactions, phylogenetics, DNA barcoding
Radix building. Room number WwAa095
robin.vanvelzen@wur.nl
Tel +31 (0)317 483425
Fax +31 (0)317 484917
Career summary
2007-present: PhD student, Wageningen University
2006-2007: Junior Researcher, National Herbarium Netherlands
1999-2006: Biology, Wageningen University
1998-1999: VWO pre-university education, Drenthe College, Emmen
1992-1998: Vrije School VO secondary education, Groningen
Research
Evolution of insect-host plant interactions.
Identifying factors driving patterns of association between phytophagous insects and their host plants is one of the main themes in the field of insect-plant interactions. I am working as a PhD student on a project that considers evolution of host plant associations of Cymothoe butterflies feeding on Rinorea (Violaceae). This strictly Afrotropical phytophagous system is unique within current knowledge of Nymphalidae host plant relationships because of its high level of specificity and the large number of congeneric species involved. The research aims at testing for co-phylogeny of associated Cymothoe and Rinorea, using a comparative phylogenetic, experimental approach by combining insect and host-plant phylogenetic trees with data from host-plant phytochemistry and behavioural experiments.
DNA barcoding
Quick and reliable identification of eggs and caterpillars is imperative for my work. Because DNA barcoding can replace the time consuming practice of breeding immature stages for identification based on adult morphology, this technique is an important part of the project. Currently, a Cymothoe DNA barcode library is being built in collaboration with the Canadian Centre for DNA Barcoding CCDB) and a network of specialist collectors of African butterflies. In addition to providing an efficient tool for identification, the DNA barcode library can also facilitate in tackling taxonomic problems and the discovery of cryptic species (see publications). Besides using DNA barcoding as a practical tool, I am also interested in new methodologies for analysing DNA barcode data.
Teaching
Flora of the Netherlands (BIS-10306)
Evolution and Systematics (GEN-11306)
Fieldcourse European Flora and Fauna (BIS-20803)
Committee memberships
Organising committee Wageningen Evolution and Ecology Seminars (2009–present)
National Herbarium Netherlands Science and Education Committee (2009–present)
Organising committee PhD Day Research School Biodiversity (2009)
Selected publications
Velzen, R. van; Larsen, T.B.; Bakker, F.T. (2009)
A new hidden species of the Cymothoe caenis–complex (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) from western Africa
Zootaxa 2197 . pp. 53 – 63.
McBride, L.C.; Velzen, R. van; Larsen, T.B. (2009)
Allopatric origin of cryptic butterfly species that were discovered feeding on distinct host plants in sympatry
Molecular Ecology 18 (17). pp. 3639 – 3651.
Velzen, R. van; Bakker, F.T.; Loon, J.J.A. van (2007)
DNA barcoding reveals hidden species diversity in Cymothoe (Nymphalidae)
In: Proceedings of the Netherlands Entomological Society Meeting vol.18, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. pp. 95 – 103.
All Publications Robin van Velzen