UC Research Profile - University of Canterbury

Professor Tammy Steeves

Contact

Department: School of Biological Sciences

Email: tammy.steeves@canterbury.ac.nz

Office: Julius von Haast 533

Language: English

About

Research / Creative works

Fields of Research

Conservation genetics | Conservation genomics
Population genetics, phylogeography, phylogenetics
Evolutionary genetics | Evolutionary genomics

Researcher Summary

My research interests focus on the ecological and evolutionary processes that contribute to the formation and maintenance of species boundaries, and the application of this knowledge to enhance the recovery of species at risk. I co-lead the Conservation, Systematics and Evolution Research Team (ConSERT) at Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha/University of Canterbury. In partnership with relevant Māori (Indigenous peoples of Aotearoa New Zealand) tribes (iwi or hapū) and in collaboration with conservation practitioners, we use genomic and non-genomic data to co-develop conservation genetic management strategies for some of Aotearoa New Zealand’s rarest taonga (treasured) species.

Subject Area: Disciplines

Biology: Ecology, Evolution and Behaviour: Biodiversity/Conservation ; Evolution ; Systematics
Biology: Molecular, Cellular and Whole Organism Biology: Genetics ; Genomics/Bioinformatics

Resources

Conservation, Systematics and Evolution Research Team (ConSERT)

Research/Scholarly/Creative Works

Journal Articles

Digby A., Eason D., Catalina A., Lierz M., Galla S., Urban L., Le Lec MF., Guhlin J., Steeves TE. and Dearden PK. (2023) Hidden impacts of conservation management on fertility of the critically endangered kākāpō. PeerJ 11 http://dx.doi.org/10.7717/peerj.14675.

Wold JR., Guhlin JG., Dearden PK., Santure AW. and Steeves TE. (2023) The promise and challenges of characterizing genome-wide structural variants: A case study in a critically endangered parrot. Molecular Ecology Resources http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/1755-0998.13783.

Forsdick N., Adams C., Alexander A., Clark A., Collier-Robinson L., Cubrinovska I., Croll Dowgray M., Dowle E., Duntsch L. and Galla S. (2022) Current applications and future promise of genetic/genomic data for conservation in an Aotearoa New Zealand context. Science for conservation (Wellington).

Galla SJ., Brown L., Couch-Lewis Ngāi Tahu Te Hapū O Ngāti Wheke Ngāti Waewae Y., Cubrinovska I., Eason D., Gooley RM., Hamilton JA., Heath JA., Hauser SS. and Latch EK. (2022) The relevance of pedigrees in the conservation genomics era. Molecular ecology 31(1): 41-54. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/mec.16192.

Hauser SS., Galla SJ., Putnam AS., Steeves TE. and Latch EK. (2022) Comparing genome-based estimates of relatedness for use in pedigree-based conservation management. Molecular Ecology Resources 22(7): 2546-2558. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/1755-0998.13630.

Magid M., Wold JR., Moraga R., Cubrinovska I., Houston DM., Gartrell BD. and Steeves TE. (2022) Leveraging an existing whole-genome resequencing population data set to characterize toll-like receptor gene diversity in a threatened bird. Molecular Ecology Resources 22(7): 2810-2825. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/1755-0998.13656.

Rayne A., Blair S., Dale M., Flack B., Hollows J., Moraga R., Parata RN., Rupene M., Tamati-Elliffe P. and Wehi PM. (2022) Weaving place-based knowledge for culturally significant species in the age of genomics: Looking to the past to navigate the future. Evolutionary Applications 15(5): 751-772. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/eva.13367.

Forsdick NJ., Martini D., Brown L., Cross HB., Maloney RF., Steeves TE. and Knapp M. (2021) Genomic sequencing confirms absence of introgression despite past hybridisation between a critically endangered bird and its common congener. Global Ecology and Conservation 28 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2021.e01681.

Obico JJA., Alburo H., Barcelona JF., Hale M., Paguntalan L., Steeves T. and Pelser PB. (2021) No Evidence of Low Genetic Diversity Despite High Levels of Inbreeding and Poor Genetic Connectivity AmongTetrastigma loheri(Vitaceae) Populations in Remaining Forest Areas in Cebu, Philippines. Systematic Botany 46(4): 951-961. http://dx.doi.org/10.1600/036364421x16370109698614.

Wold J., Koepfli KP., Galla SJ., Eccles D., Hogg CJ., Le Lec MF., Guhlin J., Santure AW. and Steeves TE. (2021) Expanding the conservation genomics toolbox: Incorporating structural variants to enhance genomic studies for species of conservation concern. Molecular Ecology 30(23): 5949-5965. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/mec.16141.

Galla SJ., Moraga R., Brown L., Cleland S., Hoeppner MP., Maloney RF., Richardson A., Slater L., Santure AW. and Steeves TE. (2020) A comparison of pedigree, genetic and genomic estimates of relatedness for informing pairing decisions in two critically endangered birds: Implications for conservation breeding programmes worldwide. Evolutionary Applications 13(5): 991-1008. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/eva.12916.

Inwood SN., McLaughlin GM., Buckley TR., Cox MP., Handley KM., Steeves TE., Strabala TJ., McDougal R. and Dearden PK. (2020) Opportunities for modern genetic technologies to maintain and enhance aotearoa New Zealand’s bioheritage. New Zealand Journal of Ecology 44(2): 1-13. http://dx.doi.org/10.20417/nzjecol.44.22.

Kingsley MR., Lavers JL., Steeves TE. and Burridge CP. (2020) Genetic distinctiveness of Masked Booby (Sula dactylatra) on Bedout Island, Western Australia. Emu 120(2): 150-155. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/01584197.2019.1663125.

Overbeek A., Galla S., Brown L., Cleland S., Thyne C., Maloney R. and Steeves T. (2020) Pedigree validation using genetic markers in an intensively- managed taonga species, the critically endangered kakī (Himantopus novaezelandiae). Notornis 67: 709-709.

Rayne A., Byrnes G., Collier-Robinson L., Hollows J., McIntosh A., Ramsden M., Rupene M., Tamati-Elliffe P., Thoms C. and Steeves T. (2020) Centring Indigenous knowledge systems to re-imagine conservation translocations. People and Nature 00: 1-15. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/pan3.10126.

Rayner M., van Loenen A., Shepherd L., Cubrinovska I., Scofield P., Tennyson A., Bunce M. and Steeves T. (2020) Comprehensive evidence for subspecies designations in Cook’s petrel (Pterodroma cookii) with implications for conservation management. Bird Conservation International Early View http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0959270920000350.

Schori J., Steeves T. and Murray T. (2020) Informing the design of a long-term population density monitoring protocol for a Nationally Endangered grasshopper: Removal sampling as a basis for estimating individual detection probabilities. Journal of Insect Conservation 24: 841-851. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10841-020-00256-w.

Schori JC., Steeves TE. and Murray TJ. (2020) Designing monitoring protocols to measure population trends of threatened insects: A case study of the cryptic, flightless grasshopper Brachaspis robustus. PLoS ONE 15(9 September 2020) http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0238636.

Collier-Robinson L., Rayne A., Rupene M., Thoms C. and Steeves T. (2019) Embedding indigenous principles in genomic research of culturally significant species: a conservation genomics case study. New Zealand Journal of Ecology 43(3) 3389 http://dx.doi.org/10.20417/nzjecol.43.36.

Galla SJ., Forsdick NJ., Brown L., Hoeppner MP., Knapp M., Maloney RF., Moraga R., Santure AW. and Steeves TE. (2019) Reference genomes from distantly related species can be used for discovery of single nucleotide polymorphisms to inform conservation management. Genes 10(1) http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/genes10010009.

Schori JC., Maloney RF., Steeves TE. and Murray TJ. (2019) Evidence that reducing mammalian predators is beneficial for threatened and declining New Zealand grasshoppers. New Zealand Journal of Zoology 46(2): 149-164. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/03014223.2018.1523201.

Bartlett MJ., Steeves TE., Gemmell NJ. and Rosengrave PC. (2017) Sperm competition risk drives rapid ejaculate adjustments mediated by seminal fluid. eLife 6 http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.28811.

Bennett JR., Maloney RF., Steeves TE., Brazill-Boast J., Possingham HP. and Seddon PJ. (2017) Spending limited resources on de-extinction could lead to net biodiversity loss. Nature Ecology & Evolution 1 0053 http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41559-016-0053.

Overbeek AL., Hauber ME., Brown E., Cleland S., Maloney RF. and Steeves TE. (2017) Evidence for brood parasitism in a critically endangered Charadriiform with implications for conservation. Journal of Ornithology 158(1): 333-337. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10336-016-1375-x.

Steeves TE., Johnson JA. and Hale ME. (2017) Maximising evolutionary potential in functional proxies for extinct species: a conservation genetic perspective on de-extinction. Functional Ecology 31(5): 1032-1040. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/1365-2435.12843.

Galla SJ., Buckley TR., Elshire R., Hale ML., Knapp M., McCallum J., Moraga R., Santure AW., Wilcox P. and Steeves TE. (2016) Building strong relationships between conservation genetics and primary industry leads to mutually beneficial genomic advances.. Molecular Ecology 25(21): 5267-5281. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/mec.13837.

Gardner PP., Fasold M., Burge SW., Ninova M., Hertel J., Kehr S., Steeves TE., Griffiths-Jones S. and Stadler PF. (2015) Conservation and losses of non-coding RNAs in avian genomes. PLOS ONE 10(3) e0121797 http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0121797.

Kearvell JC. and Steeves TE. (2015) Evidence for assortative mating in sympatric populations of orange-fronted (Cyanoramphus malherbi) and yellow-crowned (C. auriceps) kakariki. Notornis 62(2): 71-75.

Schmid M., Smith J., Burt DW., Aken BL., Antin PB., Archibald AL., Ashwell C., Blackshear PJ., Boschiero C. and Brown CT. (2015) Third Report on Chicken Genes and Chromosomes 2015. Cytogenetic and Genome Research 145(2): 78-179. http://dx.doi.org/10.1159/000430927.

Zhang G., Li C., Li Q., Li B., Larkin DM., Lee C., Storz JF., Antunes A., Greenwold MJ. and Meredith RW. (2014) Comparative genomics reveals insights into avian genome evolution and adaptation. Science 346(6215): 1311-1320. http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.1251385.

Zhang., G., Li., B., Li., C., Gilbert., P MT., Jarvis. and D E. (2014) Comparative genomic data of the Avian Phylogenomics Projects. GigaScience 3: 26-26. http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/2047-217X-3-26.

Andrews BJ., Hale ML. and Steeves TE. (2013) Characterisation of microsatellite loci in the critically endangered orange-fronted kākāriki (Cyanoramphus malherbi) isolated using genomic next generation sequencing. Conservation Genetics Resources 5(1): 235-237. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12686-012-9777-4.

Hale ML., Burg TM. and Steeves TE. (2012) Sampling for microsatellite-based population genetic studies: 25 to 30 individuals per population is enough to accurately estimate allele frequencies. PLoS ONE 7(9) e45170 http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0045170.

Massaro M., Ortiz-Catedral L., Julian L., Galbraith JA., Kurenbach B., Kearvell J., Kemp K., van Hal J., Elkington E. and Taylor G. (2012) Molecular characterisation of beak and feather disease virus (BFDV) in New Zealand and its implications for managing an infectious disease. Archives of Virology 157(9): 1651-1663. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00705-012-1336-5.

Hagen EN., Hale ML., Maloney RF. and Steeves TE. (2011) Conservation genetic management of a critically endangered New Zealand endemic bird: minimizing inbreeding in the Black Stilt Himantopus novaezelandiae. Ibis 153(3): 556-561. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1474-919X.2011.01137.x.

Rayner MJ., Hauber ME., Steeves TE., Lawrence HA., Thompson DR., Sagar PM., Bury SJ., Landers TJ., Phillips RA. and Ranjard L. (2011) Contemporary and historical separation of transequatorial migration between genetically distinct seabird populations. Nature Communications 2: 332. http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/ncomms1330.

Morris-Pocock JA., Steeves TE., Estela FA., Anderson DJ. and Friesen VL. (2010) Comparative phylogeography of brown (Sula leucogaster) and red-footed boobies (S. sula): The inﬂuence of physical barriers and habitat preference on gene ﬂow in pelagic seabirds. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 54(3): 883-896. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ympev.2009.11.013.

Steeves TE., Holdaway RN., Hale ML., McLay E., McAllan IAW., Christian M., Hauber ME. and Bunce M. (2010) Merging ancient and modern DNA: Extinct seabird taxon rediscovered in the North Tasman Sea. Biology Letters 6(1): 94-97. http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2009.0478.

Steeves TE., Maloney RF., Hale ML., Tylianakis JM. and Gemmell NJ. (2010) Genetic analyses reveal hybridization but no hybrid swarm in one of the world's rarest birds. Molecular Ecology 19(23): 5090-5100. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-294X.2010.04895.x.

Steeves TE., Hale ML. and Gemmell NJ. (2008) Development of polymorphic microsatellite markers for the New Zealand black stilt (Himantopus novaezelandiae) and cross-amplification in the pied stilt (Himantopus himantopus leucocephalus). Molecular Ecology Resources 8: 1105-1107. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1755-0998.2008.02170.x.

Robertson BC., Steeves TE., McBride KP., Goldstien SJ., Williams M. and Gemmell NJ. (2007) Phylogeography of the New Zealand blue duck (Hymenolaimus malacorhynchos): implications for translocation and species recovery. Conservation Genetics 8(6): 1431-1440. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10592-007-9294-2.

Steeves TE., Anderson DJ. and Friesen VL. (2005) A role for nonphysical barriers to gene flow in the diversification of a highly vagile seabird, the masked booby (Sula dactylatra). Molecular Ecology 14(12): 3877-3887. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-294X.2005.02713.x.

Steeves TE., Anderson DJ. and Friesen VL. (2005) The Isthmus of Panama: a major physical barrier to gene flow in a highly mobile tropical seabird. Journal of Evolutionary Biology 18(4): 1000-1008. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1420-9101.2005.00906.x.

Steeves TE., Anderson DJ., McNally H., Kim MH. and Friesen VL. (2003) Phylogeography of Sula: the role of physical barriers to gene flow in the diversification of tropical seabirds. Journal of Avian Biology 34(2): 217-223. http://dx.doi.org/10.1034/j.1600-048X.2003.03086.x.

Friesen VL., Anderson DJ., Steeves TE., Jones H. and Schreiber EA. (2002) Molecular Support for Species Status of the Nazca Booby (Sula granti). The Auk 119(3): 820-826. http://dx.doi.org/10.1642/0004-8038(2002)119[0820:MSFSSO]2.0.CO;2.

Steeves TE., Darling JD., Rosel PE., Schaeff CM. and Fleischer RC. (2001) Preliminary analysis of mitochondrial DNA variation in a southern feeding group of eastern North Pacific gray whales. Conservation Genetics 2(4): 379-384. http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/A:1012590315579.

Darling JD., Keogh KE. and Steeves TE. (1998) Gray whale (Eschrichtius robustus) habitat utilization and prey species off Vancouver Island, B.C. Marine Mammal Science 14(4): 692-720. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1748-7692.1998.tb00757.x.

Chapters

Moehrenschlager A., Soorae P. and Steeves T. (2022) From genes to ecosystems and beyond: Addressing eleven contentious issues to advance the future of conservation translocations. In Gaywood M; Ewen J; Hollingsworth P; Moehrenschlager A (Ed.), Conservation Translocations Cambridge University Press: Cambridge University Press.

Wehi PM., Whaanga H., Watene K. and Steeves TE. (2020) Mātauranga as knowledge, process and practice in Aotearoa New Zealand. In Thornton T; Bhagwat S (Ed.), Handbook of Indigenous Environmental Knowledge: Global Themes and PracticeRoutledge. http://dx.doi.org/10.31235/osf.io/4ba6f.

Research Groups

Conservation, Systematics and Evolution Research Team (ConSERT)

Equipment

Canterbury Sequencing and Genotyping