Lydia McGill

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PhD researcher  

lydia.mcgill.ic@uhi.ac.uk  Supervisor: Dr Victoria Pritchard

Lydia is a PhD student working in the field of population genetics. She has a Bachelors degree in Zoology and a Masters by Research, both from which she worked on population genetics based projects. These projects ranged from the use of genetic microsatellites in red deer (Cervus elaphus) to genomic single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in deep sea fish (the common ling Molva molva, and the blue ling Molva dypterygia).   

 Her PhD continues to focus on population genetics, with the use of SNPs to investigate connectivity in the flame shell (Limaria hians). This work also explores the development of genomic SNP markers. Flame shells are a species of great ecological importance in Scotland and this project should help to inform the management of this keystone species.  

 Additionally, this project investigates population connectivity of the razor clam (Ensis sp.), again, using SNPs. This species is more economically valuable, targeted by fisheries in Scotland. Alternative DNA collection methods were tested on this species, to explore their potential to provide a less intrusive solution to bivalve DNA collection.   

Research interests:

  • Populations genetics  
  • Molecular ecology  
  • Evolutionary biology  
  • Genomics  

Research project highlights:

  • Flame shell population genetics project: The PhD incorporates the use of genomic techniques to investigate population connectivity in marine bivalve species. This work is intended to inform management and conservation. The project is co-supervised by NatureScot and funded by the SUPER doctoral training programme.  
  • New Genetic Tools for species detection and management. 
  • Threatened bivalves, population genomics for conservation of marine and freshwater bivalves.  

PUBLICATIONS:  

Population structure and connectivity in the genus Molva in the Northeast Atlantic - https://academic.oup.com/icesjms/article/80/4/1079/7079686