Anansi Brigade
Research Field
I am a behavioral ecologist and evolutionary biologist specializing in the study of spiders. My primary research focuses on their behavior evolution, including mating behaviors, web-building activities, and the underlying mechanisms of these behaviors. In addition, I am also actively involved in turtle conservation.
Anansi brigade, which is a group of people who want to explore the natural history, focus on the systematics, biogeography, behavior ecology and evolutionary biology of animals, especially, spiders and turtles
- Evolutionary and Comparative Biology: Character evolution; Correlation among different characters and ecological factors; Relative roles of sexual vs. natural selection.
- Biodiversity: Environmental influence on spider community structure, Faunistics, DNA barcoding
- Systematics: Phylogenetics and phylogenomics; Taxonomy of the spider families Nephilidae, Deinopidae, Araneidae, Liphistiidae, Salticidae
- Biogeography: Global and island biogeography; Phylogeography; Intermediate dispersal model.
- Behavioral Ecology: Sexual biology; Visual ecology; Predator-prey interaction; Mimicry
- Conservation Biology: Cuora flavomarginata
- Excellent Mentor Award of Manual Training from NCHU.
- The recruitment of special outstanding talents by universities and colleges with subsidies from MOST. (2018–2020, 540,000 NTD)
- Ministry of Science and Technology, 2017, the grant for attending International Conference (55,000 NTD)
- Smithsonian Institution, 2014, Short term visitor award (4,000 USD)
- First Prize of Oral presentation, 26th European congress of Arachnology, Israel. 2011/Sep
- Best Poster Presentation, Animal Behavior and Ecology Symposium, Taiwan. 2011/Feb
- Best Poster Presentation, Animal Behavior and Ecology Symposium, Taiwan. 2006/Mar
- The Prize of Excellent Award at the 2004 Research Paper Competition of Department of Biology, Tung-Hai University, Taiwan. 2004/May
University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
PhD, Biology, 2016/Feb.
Dissertation: “Evolutionary patterns and processes resulting in extreme sexual dimorphism in the spider group Argiopinae”
Advisor: Dr. Matjaž Kuntner
2 Vacancies
Job Description
The intern will focus on the following:
- Spider Specimen Handling: Specimen Labeling, Species identification, Specimen Photographing, Specimen measuring
- Molecular Work: DNA Extraction, PCR, ddRAD Library Preparation, Phylogenetic Analysis, Molecular Identification
Preferred Intern Education Level
Undergraduate/Graduate student who is currently pursuing a degree in Biology, Entomology, Molecular Biology, or a related field.
Skill sets or Qualities
- Basic understanding of genetic concepts and laboratory techniques
- Attention to detail and ability to work with delicate specimens
- Proficiency in using laboratory equipment and data analysis software