We are pleased to welcome Matt Barbour, University of Zurich, Isabella Capellini, University Belfast, James Kitson, University of Newcastle and Ben Longdon, University of Exeter who have joined the Journal of Animal Ecology Associate Editor Board today!

Matt Barbour

Matt is an evolutionary community ecologist. He uses experiments and theory to study the dynamic interplay between genes, phenotypes, and species that emerge in interaction networks, and how these dynamics will be altered by environmental change.

Isabella Capellini

Isabella uses life history theory and phylogenetic comparative methods to test hypotheses on the evolution of phenotypic diversity across species, and the implications of life history evolution for population growth. Her research focusses on understanding why some alien vertebrate species are more successful invaders than others; how ecology and sociality affect the evolution of vertebrate reproductive traits, such as parental care and placental morphology; and how sleep in mammals relates to the tradeoff between self maintenance and reproduction.

James Kitson

James is a molecular ecologist who develops and uses DNA/RNA sequencing tools to investigate species interactions and the formation of insect communities across evolutionary time with a particular interest in insect communities on tropical islands. He has worked on host-parasitoid interactions, trophic interactions in herbivorous insects and birds and pollen transport interactions in insects.

Ben Longdon

Research in Ben’s lab focuses on host-parasite ecology and evolution. Current work focuses on how parasites switch between host species, what factors affect the ability of parasites to successfully host shift and how these may be important for the emergence of novel pathogens. Other interests include the evolution and ecology of vertically transmitted parasites and how they spread through new host species or populations. We use insects and their natural viruses to examine these questions, although have just moved over to the dark side and have set up a phage-bacteria model to ask general questions about pathogen host shifts.