Prof Matthew Gage
| Job Title | Contact | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Professor of Evolutionary Ecology |
M dot Gage at uea dot ac dot uk
Tel: +44 (0)1603 59 2183 |
Biology 01.26 |
Career
- Professor of Evolutionary Ecology, University of East Anglia (2010-)
- Reader in Biology, University of East Anglia (2004-2010)
- Royal Society University Research Fellow, University of East Anglia (2001-2004)
- Royal Society University Research Fellow, University of Liverpool (1995-2001)
- University of Western Australia Fellow, U.W.A. Perth (1995)
- NERC Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Liverpool (1992-1995)
- Ph.D. - University of Manchester (1992)
- B.Sc. - Zoology, University of Manchester (1989)
Key Research Interests
Current Research Projects
- Sperm competition dynamics, heritability of reproductive traits, and evolution of reproductive isolation
- Fertilization dynamics and sperm function in salmon in relation to: hybridization with farm salmon, hybridization with trout, inter-population genetic variation
- Inbreeding influences on spermatozoal and other reproductive traits in insects
- Comparative tests of the evolution of sperm morphology
- Thermal stress on male fertility
Life in our research group
Our projects currently focus on two research models: salmon and flour beetles. Both allow us to perform controlled experiments that explore the evolution of mechanisms that drive differential fertilization success, male:female reproductive compatibility, and the evolution of sperm form and function. The salmon work proceeds in collaboration with Sigurd Einum (http://www.bio.ntnu.no/users/sigurdei/) and the Norwegian Institute for Nature Research’s fish ecology field station in Southern Norway (http://www.nina.no/archive/nina/PppBasePdf/NINAInfomateriell/2006/Sandlund_IMS_brosjyre_eng.pdf). Here, we have access to some of the best fieldwork and experimental facilities for salmon in Europe. Our current projects examine fertilization compatibility between farmed and wild salmon and trout, and the fitness of their hybrids. The Tribolium beetle work is based at UEA, and we have established a number of replicated lines that are now being tested for the evolution of reproductive isolation and differential fertilization compatibility, the dynamics of sexual conflict, the consequences of inbreeding, and testing for genetic rescue via mating pattern. Across the group, we employ a broad range of research techniques, from electric-fishing to assess survivorship of salmonid hybrids in the wild, to sequencing variation in the mitochondrial D-loop to determine evolutionary relationships between Tribolium strains. Group members are all involved in publication of their work, presentation at international conferences, and attending skills training events.PhD Positions
Please email me to discuss PhD opportunities and projects within the School of Biological Sciences.Postdocs & Fellows
I am keen to host Postdoctoral Fellows in my group, and we have strong links with other groups across the Theme. I would be happy to assist in the preparation of relevant applications to organizations such as NERC, Royal Society, EU etc.
Teaching Activities
- Evolution, Behaviour and Ecology (1A04)
- Environmental Biology (ENV1A82)
- Evolutionary Biology (2B10)
- Behavioural Ecology (2B18)
- Evolutionary Biology and Conservation Genetics (3C24)
- Ecology (1A00)
- M.Sc. in Applied Ecology and Conservation
Article
Bretman, A, Westmancoat, JD, Gage, MJG and Chapman, T (2012) Individual plastic responses by males to rivals reveal mismatches between behaviour and fitness outcomes. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 279 (1739). pp. 2868-2876. ISSN 0962-8452
Michalczyk, L, Millard, AL, Martin, OY, Lumley, AJ, Emerson, BC and Gage, MJG (2011) Experimental Evolution Exposes Female and Male Responses to Sexual Selection and Conflict inTribolium Castaneum. Evolution, 65 (3). pp. 713-724. ISSN 00143820
Michalczyk, L, Millard, AL, Martin, OY, Lumley, AJ, Emerson, BC, Chapman, T and Gage, MJG (2011) Inbreeding Promotes Female Promiscuity. Science, 333 (6050). pp. 1739-1742. ISSN 0036-8075
Bretman, A, Gage, MJG and Chapman, T (2011) Quick-change artists: male plastic behavioural responses to rivals. Trends in Ecology & Evolution, 26 (9). pp. 467-473. ISSN 01695347
Bretman, A, Westmancoat, JD, Gage, MJG and Chapman, T (2011) Males Use Multiple, Redundant Cues to Detect Mating Rivals. Current Biology, 21 (7). pp. 617-622. ISSN 09609822
Molloy, PP, Paddack, MJ, Reynolds, JD, Gage, MJG and Côté, IM (2011) Relative size-at-sex-change in parrotfishes across the Caribbean: is there variance in a supposed life-history invariant? Evolutionary Ecology, 25 (2). pp. 429-446. ISSN 0269-7653
Michalczyk, L, Martin, OY, Millard, AL, Emerson, BC and Gage, MJG (2010) Inbreeding depresses sperm competitiveness, but not fertilization or mating success in male Tribolium castaneum. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 277 (1699). pp. 3483-3491. ISSN 0962-8452
Michalczyk, L, Millard, AL, Martin, OY, Lumley, AJ, Emerson, BC and Gage, MJG (2010) Experiment Evolution Exposes Female and Male Responses to Sexual Selection and Conflict in Tribolium Castaneum. Evolution, 65 (3). pp. 713-724. ISSN 00143820
Lopez-Fernandez, C, Gage, MJG, Arroyo, F, Gosalbez, A, Larran, AM, Fernandez, JL and Gosalvez, J (2009) Rapid rates of sperm DNA damage after activation in tench (Tinca tinca: Teleostei, Cyprinidae) measured using a sperm chromatin dispersion test. Reproduction, 138 (2). pp. 257-266. ISSN 1470-1626
Macfarlane, C.P., Hoysak, D.J., Liley, N.R. and Gage, M.J.G. (2009) In vitro fertilization experiments using sockeye salmon reveal that bigger eggs are more fertilizable under sperm limitation. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London B, 276. pp. 2503-2507.
Molloy, PP, Reynolds, JD, Gage, MJG and Côté, IM (2009) Effects of an artisanal fishery on non-spawning grouper populations. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 392. pp. 253-262. ISSN 0171-8630
Yeates, S.E., Einum, S., Fleming, I.A., Megens, H-J., Stet, R.J.M., Hindar, K., Holt, W.V., Van Look, K.J.W. and Gage, M.J.G. (2009) Atlantic salmon eggs favour sperm in competition that have similar major histocompatibility alleles. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London B, 276. pp. 559-566.
Holt, B.G., Emerson, B.C., Newton, J., Gage, M.J.G and Cote, I.M. (2008) Stable isotope analysis of the Hypoplectrus marine species flock. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 357. pp. 283-289.
Molloy, P.P., Reynolds, J.D., Gage, M.J.G., Mosqueirac, L. and Cote, I.M. (2008) Links between sex change and fish densities in marine protected areas. Biological Conservation, 141. pp. 187-197.
Martin, O.Y. and Gage, M.J.G. (2007) Evolutionary conflicts: Rapid suppression of a male-killer. Current Biology, 17. pp. 849-851.
Molloy, P.P., Goodwin, N.B., Cote, I.M., Gage, M.J.G. and Reynolds, J.D. (2007) Predicting the effects of exploitation on male-first sex-changing fish. Animal Conservation, 10. pp. 30-38.
Molloy, P.R., Goodwin, N.B., Cote, I.M., Reynolds, J.D. and Gage, M.J.G. (2007) Sperm competition and sex change: A comparative analysis across fishes. Evolution, 61. pp. 640-652.
Ridley, J., Kolm, N., Freckelton, R.P. and Gage, M.J.G. (2007) An unexpected influence of widely used significance thresholds on the distribution of reported P-values. Journal of Evolutionary Biology, 20. pp. 1082-1089.
Whiteman, E.A. and Gage, M.J.G. (2007) No barriers to fertilization between sympatric colour morphs in the marine species flock. Journal of Zoology, 272. pp. 305-310.
Yeates, S., Searle, J., Ward, R.G. and Gage, M.J.G. (2007) A two-second delay confers first-male fertilization precedence within in vitro sperm competition experiments in Atlantic salmon. Journal of Fish Biology, 70. pp. 318-322.
Gage, MJG, Surridge, AK, Tomkins, JL, Green, E, Wiskin, L, Bell, DJ and Hewitt, GM (2006) Reduced heterozygosity depresses sperm quality in wild rabbits, Oryctolagus cuniculus. Current Biology, 16 (6). pp. 612-617. ISSN 0960-9822
Gage, M.J. (2006) Does reduced heterozygosity depress sperm quality in wild rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus)? Current Biology, 16. pp. 791-792.
Arnaud, L., Haubruge, E. and Gage, M.J.G. (2005) The malation-specific resistance gene confers a sperm competition advantage in Tribolium castaneum. Functional Ecology, 19. pp. 1032-1039.
Gage, M.J.G. (2005) Reproductive biology: Direct delivery of costly sex peptides. Current Biology, 15. pp. 124-126.
Gage, M.J.G. (2005) Evolution: Sex and cannibalism in redback spiders. Current Biology, 15. pp. 630-632.
Gage, M. (2004) Evolution: Sexual arms races. Current Biology, 14. pp. 378-380.
Gage, M.J.G., Macfarlane, C.P., Yeates, S., Ward, R.G., Searle, J.B. and Parker, G.A. (2004) Spermatozoal traits and sperm competition in Atlantic salmon: Relative sperm velocity is the primary determinant of fertilization success. Current Biology, 14 (1). pp. 44-47. ISSN 0960-9822
Pound, N. and Gage, M.J.G. (2004) Prudent sperm allocation in Norway rats, Rattus norvegicus: a mammalian model of adaptive ejaculate adjustment. Animal Behaviour, 68. pp. 819-823.
Gage, M.J.G. (2003) Evolutionary biology - Scramble for the eggs. Nature, 426. pp. 22-23.
Gage, M.J.G. and Freckleton, R.P. (2003) Relative testis size and sperm morphometry across mammals: no evidence for an association between sperm competition and sperm length. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London B - Biological Sciences, 270. pp. 625-632.
Gage, M.J.G. and Morrow, E.H. (2003) Experimental evidence for the evolution of numerous, tiny sperm via sperm competition. Current Biology, 13 (9). pp. 754-757. ISSN 0960-9822
Gage, M.J.G., MacFarlane, C., Yeates, S., Shackleton, R. and Parker, G.A. (2002) Relationships between sperm morphometry and sperm motility in the Atlantic salmon. Journal of Fish Biology, 61. pp. 1528-1539.
Gage, M.J.G., Parker, G.A., Nylin, S. and Wiklund, C. (2002) Sexual selection and speciation in mammals, butterflies and spiders. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London B, 269 (1507). pp. 2309-2316. ISSN 0962-8452
Wedell, N., Gage, M.J.G. and Parker, G.A. (2002) Sperm competition, male prudence and sperm-limited females. Trends in Ecology and Evolution, 17. pp. 313-320.
Arnaud, L., Gage, M.J.G. and Haubruge, E. (2001) The dynamics of second- and third-male fertilization precedence in Tribolium castaneum. Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata, 99. pp. 55-64.
Arnaud, L., Haubruge, E. and Gage, M.J.G. (2001) Morphology of Tribolium castaneum male genitalia and its possible role in sperm competition and cryptic female choice. Belgian Journal of Zoology, 131. pp. 111-115.
Arnaud, L., Haubruge, E. and Gage, M.J.G. (2001) Sperm size and number variation in the red flour beetle. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society-London, 133. pp. 369-375.
Morrow, E.H. and Gage, M.J.G. (2001) Sperm competition experiments between lines of crickets producing different sperm lengths. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London B, 268. pp. 2281-2286.
Morrow, E.H. and Gage, M.J.G. (2001) Artificial selection and heritability of sperm length in Gryllus bimaculatus. Heredity, 87. pp. 356-362.
Morrow, E.H. and Gage, M.J.G. (2001) Consistent significant variation between individual males in spermatozoal morphometry. Journal of Zoology, 254. pp. 147-153.
Book Section
Reynolds, J.D. and Gage, M.J.G. (2002) Animal mating systems. In: Encyclopedia of Evolution. Oxford University Press, New York., pp. 696-699.
Monograph
Molloy, P.P. and Gage, M.J.G. (2006) Evolution: Vertebrate reproductive strategies get mixed up. Editorial. UNSPECIFIED.
External Activities and Indicators of Esteem
- Editorial Board of Proceedings of the Royal Society Series B (2001-2009)
- Editorial Advisor for Animal Behaviour (2002-)
- NERC Peer Review College and Panel Member (2007-2010)
- External examiner, University of Exeter – Biological sciences degree programmes
Administrative Posts/Responsibilities
- Deputy Head of School
- Module Organiser of Behavioural Ecology (2B18)
