Dr Anita Malhotra
Reader in Zoology (Molecular Ecology)
Additional Contact Information
My research interests focus on the role of natural selection in population adaptation and divergence, to which I apply a wide range of methods including multivariate morphometrics, statistical hypothesis-testing, innovative field experiments and genome analysis. I have two main areas of research on disparate organisms in different geographical regions (Anolis lizards in the Caribbean and Asian pit vipers), which are unified by being essentially focussed on the interface between evolution and ecology, and with an emphasis on the integration of genetic and phenetic data. More recently, my research has moved into the field of ecological and evolutionary genomics to evaluate the evolution of genes affecting complex traits directly and relies on the availability of a well-supported and complete organismal phylogeny of Asian pitvipers generated by my students and myself. Drawing on numerous collaborations to bring together disparate strands of organismal biology and ecology, evolutionary theory, comparative genomics, bioinformatics and proteomics, I aim to develop an integrated picture of the evolution of snake venom components.
Another strand to this research on venomous snakes involves snakebite mitigation, and I am currently involved in several projects in India, dubbed the "snakebite capital of the world", where c. 50,000 people die from snakebite every year and many more suffer permanent disability. Together with partners in India, our work ranges from mapping the distribution and genetic and venom variation present in venomous species across the country, to undertaking rescuer training and education and awareness programs. We are particularly focussing on the Himalayan and northeastern region, which belong to biodiversity "hotspots" but are relatively understudied. The venomous species in these regions are diferent to the rest of the country, and are not covered by the currently available polyvalent antivenom.
I am also involved in research on the genetic health of honeybees and other pollinators, together with colleague Dr Paul Cross. We are part of the recently formed research network on British dark bee conservation that includes researchers from Plymouth University, National University of Ireland (Galway), and the University of Edinburgh.
Qualifications
- PhD: What causes geographic variation? A case study of Anolis oculatus
University of Aberdeen, 1988–1992 - Zoology (with supplementary Anthropology)
Oxford University, 1985–1988
Postgraduate Project Opportunities
Publications
2023
- PublishedBungarus fasciatus venom from eastern and north-east India: venom variation and immune cross-reactivity with Indian polyvalent antivenoms
Talukdar, A., Malhotra, A., Lalremsanga, H. T., Santra, V. & Doley, R., Mar 2023, In: Journal of Proteins and Proteomics. 14, 1, p. 61-76
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedMolecular phylogeny reveals distinct evolutionary lineages of the banded krait, Bungarus fasciatus (Squamata, Elapidae) in Asia
Biazkula, L., Lalremsanga, H., Santra, V., Dhara, A., Ahmed, M. T., Mallick, Z., Kuttalam, S. R., Amarasinghe, A. A. T. & Malhotra, A., 4 Feb 2023, In: Scientific Reports. 13, 1, 14 p., 2061.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedMultilevel comparison of Indian Naja venoms and their cross-reactivity with Indian polyvalent antivenoms
Deka, A., Bhatia, S., Santra, V., Bharti, O., Lalremsanga, H., Martin, G., Wüster, W., Owens, J. B., Graham, S., Doley, R. & Malhotra, A., 1 Apr 2023, In: Toxins. 15, 4, 24 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedSystematics and biogeography of snakes of the genus Boa in the Lesser Antilles
Thorpe, R. & Malhotra, A., 20 Sept 2023, In: Caribbean Herpetology. 88, 88, p. 1-14 14 p., 88.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedYou are what your ancestors ate: retained bufadienolide resistance in the piscivorous water cobra Naja annulata (Serpentes: Elapidae)
Fletcher, J., Malhotra, A. & Wüster, W., 1 Jul 2023, In: Herpetological Journal. 33, 3, p. 83-87 5 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2022
- PublishedA paper microfluidic device based colorimetric sensor for the detection and discrimination of elapid versus viper envenomation
Ramana, L., Mathapati, S. S., Salvi, N., Khadilkar, M. V., Malhotra, A., Santra, V. & Sharma, T. K., 21 Feb 2022, In: Analyst. 147, 4, p. 685-694
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedConfirmation of Liopeltis rappi (Günther, 1860) in Himachal Pradesh
Kuttalam, S. R., Santra, V., Owens, J. B., Ahmed, M. T., Bharti, O., Selvan, M., Mukherjee, N. & Malhotra, A., Oct 2022, In: Hamadryad. 39, 1-2, p. 85-88
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedPhylogenetic and morphological analysis of Gloydius himalayanus (Serpentes, Viperidae, Crotalinae), with the description of a new species
Kuttalam, S. R., Santra, V., Owens, J. B., Selvan, M., Mukherjee, N., Graham, S., Togridou, A., Bharti, O., Shi, J., Shanker, K. & Malhotra, A., 13 Dec 2022, In: European Journal of Taxanomy. 852, 1, p. 1-30 30 p., 1.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedTackling Snakebite Through Training: an Indian example
Malhotra, A., Graham, S., Owens, J. B., Bharti, O. & Santra, V., 31 Aug 2022, In: Herpetological Conservation and Biology. 17, 2, p. 331–342
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedUnderstanding and tackling snakebite envenoming with transdisciplinary research
Guttierrez, J. M., Borri, J., Giles-Vernick, T., Duda, R., Habib, A. G., Malhotra, A., Martin, G., Pintor, A. F. V., Potet, J., Scott, T., Bolon, I. & de Castaneda, R. R., 17 Nov 2022, In: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases. 16, 11, p. e0010897 e0010897.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedUtilizing Snake Rescue Data For Understanding Snake-Human Conflict
Kuttalam, S. R., Santra, V., Das, B., Koley, A., Dhara, A., Owens, J. B., Barlow, A. & Malhotra, A., 19 Nov 2022.
Research output: Contribution to conference › Poster
2021
- PublishedComplex target SELEX-based identification of DNA aptamers against Bungarus caeruleus venom for the detection of envenomation using a paper-based device
Anand, A., Chatterjee, B., Dhiman, A., Goel, R., Khan, E., Malhotra, A., Santra, V., Salvi, N., Bhatnagar, I., Kumar, A., Asthana, A. & Sharma, T. K., 1 Dec 2021, In: Biosensors and Bioelectronics. 193, 113523.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedMolecular phylogenetic analysis of the genus Gloydius (Squamata, Viperidae, Crotalinae), with description of two new alpine species from Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, China
Shi, J.-S., Liu, J.-C., Giri, R., Owens, J. B., Santra, V., Kuttalam, S. R., Selvan, M., Guo, K.-J. & Malhotra, A., 4 Oct 2021, In: ZooKeys. 1061, 1061, p. 87-108 22 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedPromoting co-existence between humans and venomous snakes through increasing the herpetological knowledge base
Malhotra, A., Wüster, W., Owens, J. B., Hodges, C. W., Jesudasan, A., Ch, G., Kartik, A., Christopher, P., Louies, J., Naik, H., Santra, V., Kuttalam, S. R., Attre, S., Sasa, M., Bravo-Vega, C. & Murray, K. A., 1 Nov 2021, In: Toxicon: X. 12, November 2021, 18 p., 10081.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2019
- PublishedConfirmation of Naja oxiana in Himachal Pradesh, India
Santra, V., Owens, J. B., Graham, S., Wüster, W., Kuttalam, S. R., Bharti, O., Selvan, M., Mukherjee, N. & Malhotra, A., 1 Dec 2019, In: Herpetological Bulletin. 150, p. 26-28
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedMultilocus phylogeography of the brown-spotted pitviper Protobothrops mucrosquamatus (Reptilia: Serpentes: Viperidae) sheds a new light on the diversification pattern in Asia
Guo, P., Liu, Q., Zhu, F., Zhong, G. H., Che, J., Wang, P., Xie, Y. L., Murphy, R. W. & Malhotra, A., Apr 2019, In: Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 133, p. 82-91
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedPrevention is better than cure : snakebite education in India
Trogridou, A., Graham, S., Santra, V., Owens, J. B., Bharti, O. & Malhotra, A., 2019, In: Episthmes Agogis . p. 75-96
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2018
- PublishedCan we solve the snakebite crisis in India?
Malhotra, A. & Vasudevan, K., Apr 2018, 6 p.
Research output: Other contribution - PublishedMultilocus phylogeny, species age and biogeography of the Lesser Antillean anoles
Thorpe, R., Barlow, A., Surget-Groba, Y. & Malhotra, A., Oct 2018, In: Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 127, p. 682-695
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedRational truncation of aptamer for cross-species application to detect krait envenomation
Dhiman, A., Anand, A., Malhotra, A., Khan, E., Santra, V., Kumar, A. & Sharma, T. K., 12 Dec 2018, In: Scientific Reports. 8, 17795.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2015
- PublishedConvergence of multiple markers and analysis methods defines the genetic distinctiveness of cryptic pitvipers
Mrinalini, M., Thorpe, R. S., Creer, S., Lallias, D. S., Dawnay, L., Stuart, B. L. & Malhotra, A., 8 Jul 2015, In: Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 92, p. 266-279
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedThe importance of being genomic: Non-coding and coding sequences suggest different models of toxin multi-gene family evolution
Malhotra, A., Creer, S., Harris, J. B. & Thorpe, R. S., 7 Sept 2015, In: Toxicon. 107, Part B, p. 344-358
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedWidespread parallel population adaptation to climate variation across a radiation: implications for adaptation to climate change
Thorpe, R. S., Barlow, A., Malhotra, A. & Surget-Groba, Y., 16 Feb 2015, In: Molecular Ecology. 24, 5, p. 1019-1030
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2013
- PublishedPredicting function from sequence in a large multifunctional toxin family
Malhotra, A., Creer, S., Harris, J. B., Stöcklin, R., Favereau, P. & Thorpe, R. S., 3 Jul 2013, In: Toxicon. 72, p. 113-125
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedThe conservation status of the world’s reptiles
Böhm, M., Collen, B., Baillie, J. E., Bowles, P., Chanson, J., Cox, N., Hammerson, G., Hoffmann, M., Livingstone, S. R., Ram, M., Rhodin, A. G., Stuart, S. N., van Dijk, P. P., Young, B. E., Afuang, L. E., Aghasyan, A., García, A., Aguilar, C., Ajtic, R., Akarsu, F., Alencar, L. R., Allison, A., Ananjeva, N., Anderson, S., Andrén, C., Ariano-Sánchez, D., Arredondo, J. C., Auliya, M., Austin, C. C., Avci, A., Baker, P. J., Barreto-Lima, A. F., Barrio-Amorós, C. L., Basu, D., Bates, M. F., Batistella, A., Bauer, A., Bennett, D., Böhme, W., Broadley, D., Brown, R., Burgess, J., Captain, A., Carreira, S., del Rosario Castañeda, M., Castro, F., Catenazzi, A., Cedeño-Vázquez, J. R., Chapple, D. G., Cheylan, M., Cisneros-Heredia, D. F., Cogalniceanu, D., Cogger, H., Corti, C., Costa, G. C., Couper, P. J., Courtney, T., Crnobrnja-Isailovic, J., Crochet, P. A., Crother, B., Cruz, F., Daltry, J. C., Daniels, R. J., Das, A., de Silva, A., Diesmos, A. C., Dirksen, L., Doan, T. M., Dodd Jr., C. K., Doody, J. S., Dorcas, M. E., de Barros Filho, J. D., Egan, V. T., El Mouden, E. H., Embert, D., Espinoza, R. E., Fallabrino, A., Feng, X., Feng, S. J., Fitzgerald, L., Flores-Villela, O., França, F. G., Frost, D., Gadsden, H., Gamble, T., Ganesh, S. R., Garcia, M. A., García-Pérez, J. E., Gatuscm, J., Gaulke, M., Geniez, P., Georges, A., Gerlach, J., Goldberg, S., Gonzale, J. C., Gower, D. J., Grant, T., Greenbaum, E., Grieco, C., Guo, P., Hamilton, A. M., Hare, K., Hedges, S. B., Heideman, N., Hilton-Taylor, C., Hitchmough, R., Hollingsworth, B., Hutchinson, M., Ineich, I., Iverson, J., Jaksic, F. M., Jenkins, R., Joger, U., Jose, R., Kaska, Y., Kaya, U., Keogh, J. S., Köhler, G., Kuchling, G., Kumlutaş, Y., Kwet, A., La Marca, E., Lamar, W., Lane, A., Lardner, B., Latta, C., Latta, G., Lau, M., Lavin, P., Lawson, D., LeBreton, M., Lehr, E., Limpus, D., Malhotra, A. & et al., [. V., 1 Jan 2013, In: Biological Conservation. 157, p. 372-385
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2011
- PublishedMolecular phylogeography of Jerdon’s pitviper (Protobothrops jerdonii): importance of the uplift of the Tibetan plateau
Guo, P., Liu, Q., Li, C., Chen, X., Jiang, K., Wang, Y. Z. & Malhotra, A., 1 Dec 2011, In: Journal of Biogeography. 38, 12, p. 2326–2336
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedPhylogenetic structure and species boundaries in the mountain pitviper Ovophis monticola (Serpentes: Viperidae: Crotalinae) in Asia.
Malhotra, A., Dawson, K., Guo, P. & Thorpe, R. S., 1 May 2011, In: Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 59, 2, p. 444-457
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2010
- PublishedColonization history and genetic diversity: adaptive potential in early stage invasions.
Eales, J. F., Thorpe, R. S. & Malhotra, A., 1 Jul 2010, In: Molecular Ecology. 19, 14, p. 2858-2869
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedEstimating genetic variability in non-model taxa: a general procedure for discriminating sequence errors from actual variation.
Dawson, K., Thorpe, R. S. & Malhotra, A., 6 Dec 2010, In: PLoS ONE. 15, 12, p. e15204
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedInclusion of nuclear intron sequence data helps to identify the Asian sister group of New World pitvipers.
Malhotra, A., Creer, S., Pook, C. E. & Thorpe, R. S., 1 Jan 2010, In: Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 54, 1, p. 172-178
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2009
- PublishedAn evaluation of the systematic value of skull morphology in the Trimeresurus radiation (Serpentes: Viperidae: Crotalinae) of Asian pitvipers.
Guo, P., Malhotra, A., Creer, S. & Pook, C. E., 1 Nov 2009, In: Journal of Zoological Systematics and Evolutionary Research. 47, 4, p. 378-384
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedComments on the systematic status of specimens belonging to the genus Viridovipera (Serpentes: Viperidae: Crotalinae) from Sichuan and Yunnan provinces of southwestern China, with a redescription of V. yunnanensis.
Guo, P., Malhotra, A., Thorpe, R. S., Creer, S. & Pook, C. E., 1 Jul 2009, In: Herpetological Journal. 19, 3, p. 151-162
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedSystematics of the Protobothrops jerdonii complex (Serpentes, Viperidae, Crotalinae) inferred from morphometric data and molecular phylogeny.
Guo, P., Malhotra, A., Li, C., Creer, S., Pook, P. E. & Wen, T., 1 Jul 2009, In: Herpetological Journal. 19, 2, p. 85-96
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2008
- PublishedAdaptive radiation in Lesser Antillean lizards: molecular phylogenetics and species recognition in the Lesser Antillean dwarf gecko complex, Sphaerodactylus fantasticus.
Thorpe, R. S., Jones, A. G., Malhotra, A. & Surget-Groba, Y., 1 Mar 2008, In: Molecular Ecology. 17, 6, p. 1489-1504
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedMitochondrial DNA analysis reveals a new member of the Asian pitviper genus Viridovipera (Serpentes: Viperidae: Crotalinae).
Dawson, K., Malhotra, A., Thorpe, R. S., Guo, P., Mrinalini, [. V. & Ziegler, T., 1 Oct 2008, In: Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 49, 1, p. 356-361
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedWeak founder effect signal in a recent introduction of Caribbean Anolis
Eales, J. F., Thorpe, R. & Malhotra, A., 5 Feb 2008, In: Molecular Ecology. 17, 6, p. 1416-1426
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2006
- PublishedCombining molecular, morphological and ecological data to infer species boundaries in a cryptic tropical pitviper.
Sanders, K. L., Malhotra, A. & Thorpe, R. S., 1 Mar 2006, In: Biological Journal of the Linnean Society. 87, 3, p. 343-364
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedEvidence for a Mullerian mimetic radiation in Asian pitvipers
Sanders, K. L., Malhotra, A. & Thorpe, R., 7 May 2006, In: Proceedings of The Royal Society B - Biological Sciences. 273, 1590, p. 1135-1141
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedOptimal intron analyses in the Trimeresurus radiation of Asian pitvipers.
Creer, S., Pook, C. E., Malhotra, A. & Thorpe, R. S., 1 Feb 2006, In: Systematic Biology. 55, 1, p. 57-72
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2005
- PublishedCommon garden and natural selection experiments support ecotypic differentiation in the Dominican anole (Anolis oculatus).
Thorpe, R. S., Reardon, J. T. & Malhotra, A., 1 Apr 2005, In: American Naturalist. 165, 4, p. 495-504
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedTargeting optimal introns for phylogenetic analyses in non-model taxa: experimental results in Asian pitvipers.
Creer, S., Malhotra, A., Thorpe, R. S. & Pook, C. E., 1 Aug 2005, In: Cladistics. 21, 4, p. 390-395
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedThe dynamics of genetic and morphological variation on volcanic islands
Gubitz, T., Thorpe, R. & Malhotra, A., 7 Apr 2005, In: Proceedings of The Royal Society B - Biological Sciences. 272, 1564, p. 751-757
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2004
- PublishedA phylogeny of four mitochondrial gene regions suggests a revised taxonomy for Asian pitvipers (Trimeresurus and Ovophis).
Malhotra, A. & Thorpe, R. S., 1 Jul 2004, In: Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 32, 1, p. 83-100
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedEcological diversification in a group of Indomalayan pitvipers (Trimeresurus): convergence in taxonomically important traits has implications for species identification.
Sanders, K. L., Malhotra, A. & Thorpe, R. S., 1 Jul 2004, In: Journal of Evolutionary Biology. 17, 4, p. 721-731
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedEvolutionary differentiation of bimaculatus group anoles based on analyses of mtDNA and microsatellite data.
Stenson, A. G., Thorpe, R. S. & Malhotra, A., 1 Jul 2004, In: Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 32, 1, p. 1-10
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedMaximizing information in systematic revisions: a combined molecular and morphological analysis of a cryptic green pitviper complex (Trimeresurus stejnegeri).
Malhotra, A. & Thorpe, R. S., 1 Jun 2004, In: Biological Journal of the Linnean Society. 82, 2, p. 219-235
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedMorphometric analysis of Trimeresurus vogeli (David, Vidal and Pauwels, 2001), with new data on diagnostic characteristics, distribution and natural history.
Malhotra, A., Thorpe, R. S. & Stuart, B. L., 1 Apr 2004, In: Herpetological Journal. 14, 2, p. 65-77
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedReassessment of the validity and diagnosis of the pitviper Trimeresurus venustus Vogel, 1991.
Malhotra, A. & Thorpe, R. S., 1 Jan 2004, In: Herpetological Journal. 14, 1, p. 21-33
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedRedescription and systematics of trimeresurus cornutus (Serpentes : Viperidae) based on morphology and molecular data.
Herrmann, H. W., Ziegler, T., Malhotra, A., Thorpe, R. & Parkinson, C. L., 1 May 2004, In: Herpetologica. 60, 2, p. 211-221
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedThe utility of AFLPs for supporting mitochondrial DNA phylogeographical analyses in the Taiwanese bamboo viper, Trimeresurus stejnegeri
Creer, S., Thorpe, R., Malhotra, A., Chou, W. H. & Stenson, A. G., 1 Jan 2004, In: Journal of Evolutionary Biology. 17, 1, p. 100-107
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2003
- PublishedAssessing the phylogenetic utility of four mitochondrial genes and a nuclear intron in the Asian pit viper genus, Trimeresurus: Separate, simultaneous, and conditional data combination analyses
Creer, S., Malhotra, A. & Thorpe, R. S., 1 Aug 2003, In: Molecular Biology and Evolution. 20, 8, p. 1240-1251
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedGenetic and ecological correlates of intraspecific variation in pitviper venom composition detected using matirx-assisted laser desorption time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) and isoelectric focusing
Creer, S., Malhotra, A., Thorpe, R., Stocklin, R. S., Favreau, P. S. & Chou, W. S., 1 Mar 2003, In: Journal of Molecular Evolution. 56, 3, p. 317-329
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2002
- PublishedOffshore insular variation in the diet of the Taiwanese bamboo viper Trimeresurus stejnegeri (Schmidt)
Creer, S., Chou, W. H., Malhotra, A. & Thorpe, R. S., 1 Aug 2002, In: Zoological Science. 19, 8, p. 907-913
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedPopulation differentiation and nuclear gene flow in the Dominican anole (Anolis oculatus).
Stenson, A. G., Malhotra, A. & Thorpe, R. S., 1 Sept 2002, In: Molecular Ecology. 11, 9, p. 1679-1688
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2001
- PublishedMultiple causation of phylogeographical pattern as revealed by nested clade analysis of the bamboo viper (Trimeresurus stejnegeri) within Taiwan.
Creer, S., Malhotra, A., Thorpe, R. S. & Chou, W. H., 1 Aug 2001, In: Molecular Ecology. 10, 8, p. 1967-1981
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedNuclear and mtDNA phylogenies of the Trimeresurus complex: Implications for the gene versus species tree debate.
Giannasi, N., Malhotra, A. & Thorpe, R. S., 1 Apr 2001, In: Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 19, 1, p. 57-66
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedThe use of amplified fragment length polymorphism in determining species trees at fine taxonomic levels: analysis of a medically important snake, Trimeresurus albolabris
Giannasi, N., Thorpe, R. S. & Malhotra, A., 1 Feb 2001, In: Molecular Ecology. 10, 2, p. 419-426
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2000
- PublishedA phylogenetic analysis of body size evolution in the Anolis roquet group (Sauria : Iguanidae): character displacement or size assortment?
Giannasi, N., Thorpe, R. S. & Malhotra, A., 1 Feb 2000, In: Molecular Ecology. 9, 2, p. 193-202
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedA phylogeny of the Trimeresurus group of pit vipers: New evidence from a mitochondrial gene tree.
Malhotra, A. & Thorpe, R. S., 1 Aug 2000, In: Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 16, 2, p. 199-211
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedPhylogeography and natural selection in the Tenerife gecko Tarentola delalandii: testing historical and adaptive hypotheses.
Gubitz, T., Thorpe, R. S. & Malhotra, A., 1 Sept 2000, In: Molecular Ecology. 9, 9, p. 1213-1221
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedThe dynamics of natural selection and vicariance in the Dominican anole: Patterns of within-island molecular and morphological divergence.
Malhotra, A. & Thorpe, R. S., 1 Feb 2000, In: Evolution. 54, 1, p. 245-258
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Activities
2024
- 10th World Congress of Herpetology
5 Aug 2024 – 9 Aug 2024
Activity: Participation in Academic conference (Speaker)
2022
- An integrative taxonomic approach to determining species boundaries in Asian pitvipers.
While substantial advances have been made in recent years in elucidating the phylogeny and systematics of pitvipers, phylogenies of the Asian representatives are still predominantly based on mitochondrial loci, and many species have been described on the basis of a very limited geographic sampling and an emphasis on colour pattern differences. This not only leaves their validity open to question but also fails to meet the needs of medical and conservation practitioners for whom the distribution of species is vital information. In this talk I will describe the combined analysis of a geographically comprehensive morphological and molecular data collected over a 30-year period in one of the most wide-ranging and iconic pitviper groups, the white-lipped pitviper (Trimeresurus albolabris) complex, showing how a combination of these data is far more valuable than one data type alone. However, whether to treat resulting units as full species or subspecies is still a matter of interpretation and I will use this talk as an opportunity to seek the views of the attendees.
14 Jul 2022
Activity: Invited talk (Keynote speaker)
2021
- Green Pit Vipers of the Himalayas and North-eastern India: A review of their taxonomy, venom, and clinical effects of snakebite.
Green pitvipers are responsible for the majority of bites in tropical and sub-tropical Asia. Most are considered low priority species and most bites can be treated without the use of antivenom; however, a few bites produce more serious symptoms. Ongoing taxonomic confusion and uncertainty about distribution of
species makes these cases difficult to explain. Here, we report on new data from north and northeast India, where the green pitvipers present are more related to SE Asian taxa (Trimeresurus sensu stricto, Viridovipera, Popeia, Himalayophis) than to those in the rest of Peninsular India (Craspedocephalus). We characterised the proteomic content of the venom of representatives of Viridovipera, Popeia and Trimeresurus and performed in-vitro biochemical assays to understand venom composition and their pathophysiological roles. These venoms display diverse PLA2 activity, coagulation activity, thrombin-like activity, haemolytic activity and
proteolytic activity which correlate with clinical manifestations, with both local symptoms, such as extensive swelling and pain, as well as systemic abnormalities such as long-lasting (5-10 days) coagulopathy. Immuno-reactivity studies with Indian Polyvalent antivenoms showed inefficient neutralizations of venom toxins of the studied venoms, especially of lower molecular weight proteins, while Thai Green Pitviper antivenom was ineffective against venom of Popeia and Viridovipera spp. venom but showed good neutralization of Trimeresurus species venom. As the Thai green pitviper antivenom is raised against the venom of a related
species, Trimeresurus albolabris, this underlines the utility of taking the recent taxonomic revision of Trimeresurus sensu lato into account.
25 Aug 2021
Activity: Invited talk (Invited speaker)
2018
- American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, Miami, USA
Poster presented as part of Global Snakebite Initiative stand
Nov 2018
Activity: Participation in Academic conference (Participant) - Round Table on Snakebite
7 Aug 2018
Activity: Participation in Academic workshop, seminar, course (Speaker)
2017
- SNAKEBITE MITIGATION AND INNOVATIVE WAYS TO DEVELOP EFFECTIVE ANTIVENOM
Discussion workshop with the objective of reviewing the current situation around underpinning research, clinical management, antivenom manufacturing, epidemiology and education/awareness, and identifying an action-oriented plan for mitigation of snakebite
Dec 2017
Activity: Participation in Academic workshop, seminar, course (Organiser)
2015
- Toxins (Journal)
Editorial Board member
2015 →
Links:
Activity: Editorial activity (Editorial board member)
Projects
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Global Wales – Wales-Telangana Universities Partnerships Project
01/04/2023 – 06/06/2024 (Finished)
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Snakebite risk mapping in Rajasthan, India
10/08/2021 – 30/09/2024 (Finished)
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KESS II Phd with Bodorgan Est BUK2E024
01/04/2020 – 01/08/2022 (Curtailed)
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Biodiversity Informatics and Technology Exchange for Snakebite Management
15/12/2013 – 01/08/2019 (Finished)
Description
India has the globally highest annual death rate from venomous snake bites and in some states it is the largest contributor to mortality, exceeding even AIDS and malaria. Data on snakebite is significantly lacking from the north-eastern and Himalayan belt States, where the “Big Four” medically significant venomous snakes are replaced by different sets of venomous snakes. This has serious consequences for the ability to treat cases of snakebite.
Clinical management of snakebites requires timely administration of antivenom (referred to in India as anti-snake-venom serum, or ASVS), neutralizing the life-threatening toxins in snake venom. However, venom composition varies both between and within species, and so the design and production of efficient antivenins depends on thorough understanding of venomous snake diversity and distribution. The resulting biological information and standards from this project will contribute to improving the outcome of snakebite and provide a baseline for future work.
This project is funded by the European Union Seventh Framework Programme under the grant agreement number PIRSES-GA-2013-612131, with additional funding from the Bangor University ESRC Impact Acceleration Account.
Links:
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Molecular Systematics And Morph Evolutio
31/07/2007 – 08/12/2009 (Finished)