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Research

Postdoctoral Fellow:

Name: Rory Mc Donnell BSc (Hons) PhD

Contact Details:

Email: rory.mcdonnellnuigalway.ie

Office Telephone: 00 -353 -(0)91-493863

Address: Applied Ecology Unit, Centre for Environmental Science, National University of Ireland - Galway, Galway, Ireland

Website: http://www.nuigalway.ie/applied_ecology_unit/

Profile & Research Interests:

Research Interests

On a broad scale, my research interests fall into the categories of invasive species management, biological control, taxonomy, insect ecology, invertebrate genetics and endangered species. More specifically, the biology and behaviour of Sciomyzidae (Diptera); taxonomy and biogeography of gastropods of economic importance; biological control of nuisance Mollusca; population genetics of invasive gastropods, the use of invertebrates as biological indicators of habitat quality and the populations dynamics of endangered species.

Education:

Ph.D. 2004, National University of Ireland, Galway.

Certificate Tropical Ecology 1998, Tropical Biology Association, University of Cambridge, UK

B.Sc. (Hons) 1998, Environmental Science Degree, First Class Honors.

National University of Ireland, Galway.

I am currently employed as a Postdoctoral Fellow at NUI, Galway.

Professional Associations:

1. Entomological Society of America - FULL MEMBER

2. Pacific Coast Entomological Society (California Academy of Science) – FULL MEMBER

3. Conchological Society of Great Britain and Ireland – FULL MEMBER

4. American Malacological Society – FULL MEMBER

5. Tropical Biology Association – FULL MEMBER

6. Marie Curie Fellow Association - FULL MEMBER

7. International Society for Pest Information – FULL MEMBER

Current Activities:

(1) Research

I am currently working on the population dynamics of Geomalacus maculosus which is an Annex II and Annex IV species under the EU Habitats Directive. The global distribution of this protected gastropod is Ireland, Spain and Portugal. In Ireland, the slug is restricted to oak dominated woodland and unimproved oligotrophic open moor or blanket bog on sandstone in Kerry and west Cork. During the course of the project, a resurvey of suitable areas in the southwest of the country including those locations where the last known records are pre-1950 and pre-1980 will take place with the aim of providing up-to-date distribution maps. My research is also concerned with designing a suitable live trapping method with the aim of using mark-capture-recapture to estimate population sizes over a range of sites of varying quality. The results will then be used to provide management recommendations to maintain and enhance Irish populations of this internationally important invertebrate. The research is funded by the National Parks and Wildlife Service.

(2) Teaching

(A) Temporary Lecturer in the Environmental Science B.Sc. Honours degree program (NUI, Galway). This class and field module provides a detailed introduction to ecological methodologies including plant survey techniques, methods for estimating the size of animal populations, sampling techniques for terrestrial invertebrates and the use of freshwater invertebrates as biological indicators of habitat quality. The course includes a three day field visit to the Burren where students are introduced to the unique plant and insect communities of the region.

(B) Guest Lecture for fourth year honours degree program in Environmental Science (NUI, Galway). Subjects covered include invasive species and biological control.

(C) Guest Lecture for second year diploma program in Forestry Management (Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology). This one day course introduces student to entomology in the class followed by a field visit.

(3) Other information

I am an active referee for the international peer-reviewed journals, Biological Control; Biology and the Environment; Agricultural and Forest Entomology; and African Invertebrates.

Previous Research:


Project Title	Distribution, ecology and population genetics of invasive gastropods in California and Ireland
Institution	University of California, Riverside and National University of Ireland, Galway
Summary	Invasive slugs are among the most important pests of agricultural and horticultural production in temperate regions of the world but there is a dearth of information on their distribution, taxonomy and ecology. This research resulted in the publication of the first guidebook to the slug fauna of California (Mc Donnell et al., 2009a) and in the discovery of two new invasive species to the state (Mc Donnell et al., 2008). Gastropods are notoriously difficult to identify using morphological characters alone (including genital structure) and consequently this project has resulted in the development of a DNA-based identification key for invasive species within the genus Arion in California. This is the first time that such an approach has been used to identify taxonomically problematic gastropods. The final deliverable from this research was information on the source location in Europe of Californian populations of the severe pest, Deroceras reticulatum, using COI gene sequences and microsatellites. Results showed that there is a single invasive population of this species persisting in the state and it appears as if it has originated from the British Isles.
Funding Agency	European Union (Marie Curie Outgoing International Fellowship)
Dates	January 2006 – January 2009

Project Title	Distribution and ecology of invasive and native slugs in Kentucky
Institution	University of Kentucky, Lexington, University of California, Riverside and National University of Ireland, Galway
Summary	This project involved carrying out the first comprehensive survey of the slug fauna of Kentucky. It resulted in the discovery of two new species for the state (Mc Donnell et al, 2009b). The first guide to the slug fauna of Kentucky is now being prepared.
Funding Agency	New Crop Opportunities Center at the University of Kentucky and European Union (Marie Curie Outgoing International Fellowship)
Dates	April 2007 – ongoing

Project Title	Biology, ecology and behaviour of selected marsh fly species (Diptera: Sciomyzidae), potential biological control agents of liver fluke disease in Ireland
Institution	National University of Ireland, Galway
Summary	Sciomyzid flies are unique among invertebrates in that the vast majority of species feed exclusively on molluscs and hence they have potential as biological control agents of pest gastropods and bivalves. This research aimed to investigate the potential of using selected Irish species as biological control agents of the snail intermediate hosts ( Galba truncatula) of liver fluke disease. The results showed that the larvae of species such as Sepedon spinipes spinipes were voracious snail predators, they located their prey using snail-mucus trails and they could be easily reared at laboratory temperatures. Life cycle duration could also be significantly reduced by modifying temperature and this facilitated mass rearing of the species. Finally, a biological control strategy utilising a suite of native sciomyzids was proposed as a potential option for liver fluke control in Ireland. This research has resulted in the publication of six international and national peer-reviewed papers.
Funding Agency	National University of Ireland, Galway and Westmeath Co. Co.
Dates	September 1999 – September 2003

Project Title	Sciomyzids as bioindicators of wetland habitats on farms in the west of Ireland
Institution	National University of Ireland, Galway
Summary	The Sciomyzidae are a predominantly hygrophilous insect group which are sensitive to disturbance and have been highlighted as potentially important biological indicators of environmental quality. This research investigated the sciomyzid communities on a variety of wetland farm habitats in the west of Ireland with the aim of highlighting indicator species. The results showed that species such as Pherbellia nana were restricted to heavily grazed areas while others such as the rare Renocera stroblii were restricted to areas which had not been grazed or fertilised for 40 years. The research also highlighted the limitations of using only plant species composition in selecting wetland habitats for conservation and suggested that invertebrate taxa such as sciomyzids should also be utilised in such undertakings.
Funding Agency	Heritage Council
Dates	February 2000 – December 2000

Other research:

(a) Elucidation of the invasive Arion subfuscus complex (Gastropoda: Pulmonata) in California using mitochondrial DNA.

(b) The Sciomyzidae of Kibale Forest National Park, Uganda, East Africa.

(d) Biology, behaviour and biological control potential of the Nearctic sciomyzid (Diptera) Dictya montana

(e) An assessment of the key pollinating agents of the critically endangered Acacia aprica , A. cochlocarpa and A. dandarigan in western Australia.

(f) The distribution and diversity of tetrigids (Orthoptera: Caelifera) in Kibale Forest National Park, Uganda, East Africa.

(g) The flora and carabid beetles of grazed and ungrazed Atlantic blanket bog in Connemara, Co. Galway

Publications:

Peer-Reviewed Books and Booklets

1. Thomas, A., Mc Donnell. R.J., Paine, T.D. and Harwood, J.D. (in press) A Field Guide to the Slugs of Kentucky. University of Kentucky Press.

2. Mc Donnell, R.J., Paine, T.D. and Gormally, M.J. (2009) Slugs: A Guide to the Invasive and Native Fauna of California. University of California Press. http://anrcatalog.ucdavis.edu/Items/8336.aspx

A1 Published Peer Reviewed Papers

1. Mc Donnell, R.J., Rugman-Jones, P., Backeljau, T., Breugelmans, K., Jordaens, K., Stouthamer, R., Paine, T.D. and Gormally, M.J. (in press) Molecular identification of the exotic slug Arion subfuscus sensu lato (Gastropoda: Pulmonata) in California, with comments on the source location of introduced populations. Biological Invasions. http://www.springerlink.com/content/jt4455237hj662qv/

2. Mc Donnell. R.J. and Gormally, M.J. (in press) A live trapping method for the protected European slug, G eomalacus maculosus Allman, 1843 (Arionidae). Journal of Conchology

3. Mc Donnell. R.J., Williams, C.D., Shine, O., Knutson, L. and Gormally, M.J. (in press) Faunistics data and distribution maps for Sciomyzidae (Diptera) in the west of Ireland. Bulletin of the Irish Biogeography Society

4. Mc Donnell, R.J., Paine, T.D., Stouthmaner, R., Gormally, M.J. and Harwood, J.D. (2009) Molecular and morphological evidence for the occurrence of two new species of invasive slugs in Kentucky, Arion intermedius Normand, 1852, and Arion hortensis d’Audebard de Férussac, 1819 (Arionidae: Stylommatophora). Journal of the Kentucky Academy of Science 69(2):117–123. http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.3101/1098-7096-69.2.117

5. Williams, C.D., Moran, J., Doherty O., Mc Donnell, R.J., Gormally, M.J., Knutson, L.V. and Vala, J-C. (2009) Factors affecting Sciomyzidae (Diptera) across a transect at Skealoghan Turlough (Co. Mayo, Ireland). Aquatic Ecology 43: 117-133. http://www.springerlink.com/content/ew8874257832580p/

6. Mc Donnell, R.J., Hansen, A., Paine, T.D. and Gormally, M.J. (2008) A record of the invasive slug Veronicella cubensis (Pfeiffer, 1840) in California. The Veliger 50 (2): 81-82.

7. Staunton, J., Williams, C.D., Mc Donnell, R.J., Maher, C., Knutson, L. and Gormally, M.J. (2008) Pherbellia (Oxytaenia) stackelbergi Elberg: a sciomyzid (Dip.: Sciomyzidae) new to the British Isles, with comments on generic and subgeneric placement. Entomologist’s Record and Journal of Variation 120 (5): 173-177. http://www.entrecord.com/abstracts08.html

8. Williams, C.D., Mc Donnell, R.J., Maher, C., Mulkeen, C.J. and M.J. Gormally (2007) Faunistic data for the genus Tetanocera (Diptera: Sciomyzidae) in the west of Ireland. Bulletin of the Irish Biogeography Society 31: 268-295. http://www.irishbiogeographicalsociety.com/listings.htm

9 . Mc Donnell, R.J., Paine, T.D.and Gormally, M.J. (2007) Trail-following behaviour in the malacophagous larvae of the aquatic sciomyzid flies Sepedon spinipes spinipes and Dictya montana. Journal of Insect Behavior 23 (3): 367-376. http://www.springerlink.com/content/e55772p815630206/

10. Mc Donnell, R.J., Paine, T.D., Orth, R.E. and Gormally, M.J. (2007) Life history and biocontrol potential of Dictya montana Steyskal, 1954 (Sciomyzidae), a snail-killing fly. Pan-Pacific Entomologist 83 (2): 101-109. http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.3956/0031-0603-83.2.101

11. Mc Donnell, R.J. and Gormally, M.J. (2007) Thermal effects on the egg stage of four sciomyzids with reference to phenology and biocontrol potential. Journal of Applied Entomology 131 (2): 65-70. http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/118521804/abstract?CRETRY="1&SRETRY="0 "

12. Mc Donnell, R.J., Mulkeen, C.J. and Gormally, M.J. (2005) Sexual dimorphism and the impact of temperature on the pupal and adult stages of Sepedon spinipes spinipes (Scopoli) (Diptera: Sciomyzidae), a potential biological control agent of liver fluke disease. Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata 115: 291-301. http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/118684935/abstract

13. Mc Donnell, R.J., Knutson, L., Vala, J.C., Abercrombie, J., Henry, P.Y. and Gormally (2005) Direct evidence of predation by aquatic, predatory Sciomyzidae (Diptera: Acalyptrata) on freshwater snails from natural populations. Entomologists Monthly Magazine 141: 49-56. http://www.cababstractsplus.org/google/abstract.asp?AcNo=20053033825

14. Ryder, C., Moran, J., Mc Donnell, R.J. and Gormally, M.J. (2005) Conservation implications of grazing practices on the plant and dipteran communities of a turlough in Co. Mayo. Biodiversity and Conservation 14: 187-204. http://www.springerlink.com/content/g21113qj03247v48/

15. Mc Donnell, R.J., Gormally, M.J. and Knutson, L. (2003) A second record of Renocera stroblii Hendel (Diptera: Sciomyzidae) in Ireland with a key to the Irish species of the genus. Irish Naturalists Journal 27 (6): 232 – 233.

16. Mc Donnell, R.J., Gormally, M.J. and Knutson, L. (2003) Galba truncatula (Müller), the liver fluke snail: confirmed as alternate host of Pherbellia schoenherri schoenherri (Fallén) in the wild (Diptera: Sciomyzidae). Dipterists Digest 10: 69-71.

17. Ryder, C., Mc Donnell, R.J., Gormally, M.J. and Knutson, L. (2003) Colobaea distincta (Meigen): a sciomyzid (Diptera) new to Ireland with a key to the Irish species of the genus. Irish Naturalists Journal 27 (5): 184 – 186.

18. Mc Donnell, R.J., Fahy, O.L. and Gormally, M.J. (2002) Ground beetle (Coleoptera: Carabidae) and plant communities of Atlantic blanket bog in Connemara. Bulletin of the Irish Biogeography Society 26: 83 – 105. http://www.irishbiogeographicalsociety.com/listings.htm

Research Reports

1. Mc Donnell, R.J., Paine, T.D. and Gormally, M.J. (in press) The Cuban Slug arrives in California. Landscape Notes.

2. Mc Donnell, R.J. and Williams, C.D. (2008) An Ecological Assessment of the Invertebrate Fauna of Barna Woods with Management Recommendations based on the Findings. Scientific Report for Galway City Council.

3. Mc Donnell, R.J. and Williams, C.D. (2008) An Ecological Assessment of the Small Mammals in Barna woods with Management Recommendations based on the Findings. Scientific Report for Galway City Council.

4. Mc Donnell, R.J., Paine, T.D. and Gormally, M.J. (2007) The invasive slug fauna of California, species composition and origin of populations. Annual Scientific Report to European Union.

5. Mc Donnell, R.J. (2004) The biology and behaviour of selected marsh fly species (Diptera: Sciomyzidae), potential biological control agents of liver fluke disease in Ireland. PhD dissertation. National University of Ireland, Galway.

6. Mc Donnell, R.J. (2003) A report on the Sciomyzidae (Diptera) of Clare Island, Co. Mayo. Royal Irish Academy, Dublin.

7. Mc Donnell, R.J. (2001) A report on the biology, behaviour and biocontrol potential of the Nearctic sciomyzid Dictya montana. Technical Report for Education Abroad Programme, National University of Ireland, Galway.

8. Mc Donnell, R.J. and Gormally, M.J. (2000) An investigation of marsh flies (Diptera: Sciomyzidae) as bioindicators of wetland habitats on farms in the west of Ireland. Technical Report for the Heritage Council.

9. Mc Donnell, R.J., van der Laan, R. and Vahed, K. (1998) The distribution and diversity of the Tetrigidae (Orthoptera: Caelifera) in Kibale Forest National Park, Uganda, East Africa. Tropical Biology Association, Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, UK.

10. Mc Donnell, R.J. (1998) A comparison of the flora and carabid beetles of grazed and ungrazed Atlantic blanket bog in Connemara, Co. Galway. B.Sc. Honours Thesis (Environmental Science). National University of Ireland, Galway.

11. Mc Donnell, R.J. (1997) The impact of trampling on the carabid communities of Connemara National Park, Co. Galway. Connemara National Park, Co. Galway.

Conference Papers

Invited Conference Proceedings

1. Mc Donnell, R.J., Stouthamer, R. Paine, T.D. and Gormally, M.J. (2009) A molecular-based approach to slug identification. The 6 ^th International Integrated Pest Management Symposium, Portland, Oregon, March 2009.

2. Mc Donnell, R.J., Harwood, J.D., Bernon, G., Paine, T.D. and Gormally, M.J. (2008) Invasive slugs: Global status and options for biological control. Annual Meeting of the Entomological Society of America, Reno, Nevada, November, 2008.

3. Mc Donnell, R.J. and Paine, T.D. (2007) Biological control of insect pests in urban landscapes. Annual Meeting of the Turf and Landscape Institute, Rancho Cucamonga, California, December, 2007.

Voluntary Conference Proceedings

1. Mc Donnell, R.J., Paine, T.D. and Gormally, M.J. (2008) Prey location behaviour in the snail-killing flies, Dictya montana and Sepedon spinipes spinipes (Diptera: Sciomyzidae). 23 ^rd International Congress of Entomology, Durban, South Africa, 6 ^th-12 ^th July, 2008.

2. Thomas, A.K., Mc Donnell, R.J., Obrycki, J.J. and Harwood, J.D. (2007) Comprehensive faunistic evaluation of native and invasive slugs in Kentucky. Annual Meeting of the Entomological Society of America, San Diego, December, 2007.

3. Mc Donnell, R.J., Paine, T.D., Orth, R.E. and Gormally, M.J. (2007) Life history and biocontrol potential of Dictya montana Steyskal, 1954 (Sciomyzidae), a snail-killing fly. Pacific Branch Meeting of the Entomological Society of America, Portland, Oregon, March 25-28, 2007.

4. Williams C.D. Moran J., Mc Donnell R.J. and Gormally M.J. (2005) Sciomyzidae across a transect at Skealoughan turlough (Co. Mayo). Proceedings of ENVIRON 2005: The 15 ^th Environmental Researchers Colloquium, Sligo Institute of Technology , Sligo, Ireland 15.

5. Williams C.D, Moran J, Mc Donnell R.J. and Gormally M.J. (2005) Variation in sciomyzid (Diptera) communities within and between turloughs (temporary water bodies) in the west of Ireland. Specialist session: Conservation in the agri-ecosystem, International Symposium on Insect Conservation Biology, Royal Entomological Society, University of Sussex, U.K. September 2005.

6. Williams, C., Mc Donnell, R.J., Moran, J. and Gormally, M.J. (2004) The environmental requirements of Sciomyzidae (Diptera) on turloughs in the west of Ireland. Proceedings of ENVIRON 2004: The 14 ^th Environmental Researchers Colloquium, National University of Ireland, Limerick, Ireland 14: 42.

7. Williams C.D., Mc Donnell R.J., Moran J., Regan E. and Gormally M.J. (2004) The environmental requirements of Sciomyzidae (Diptera) on turloughs in the west of Ireland. 5 ^th International symposium on the Fauna and Flora of Atlantic Islands, University of College Dublin, Ireland.

8. Mc Donnell, R.J. and Gormally, M.J. (2003) The potential use of Sepedon spinipes spinipes (Diptera: Sciomyzidae) as a biocontrol agent of liver fluke disease within sustainable farming systems in Ireland. Proceedings of Pathways to a Sustainable Future. Environmental Protection Agency, Ireland 1: 95.

9. Gormally, M.J., Mc Donnell, R.J. and Mulkeen, C.J. (2003) Laboratory investigations of marsh flies (Diptera: Sciomyzidae) as potential biocontrol agents of liver fluke disease in organic agricultural systems in Ireland. Primer Taller Internacional Educación Alimentaria Para La Sustentabilidad, Havana, Cuba 1: 128.

10. Mc Donnell, R.J. and Gormally, M.J. (2003) The biology and behaviour of Sepedon spinipes spinipes (Diptera: Sciomyzidae) with reference to its potential as a biological control agent of liver fluke in Ireland. Proceedings of ENVIRON 2003: The 13 ^th Environmental Researchers Colloquium, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland 13: 29.

11. Mc Donnell, R.J., Gormally, M.J. and Paine, T.D. (2002) Predation and trail-following behaviour in selected marsh fly species (Diptera: Sciomyzidae). Proceedings of the 5 ^th International Congress in Dipterology, Brisbane, Australia 5: 148.

12. Mc Donnell, R.J. and Gormally, M.J. (2001) An investigation of marsh flies as bioindicators of wetland habitats on farms in the west of Ireland. Heritage Council of Ireland 2001 Seminar Series.

Popular Press articles

Irish Examiner (5 ^th August 2010 - Farming Supplement, Pg. 17-18)
Irish Daily Mail (6 ^th August 2010 Pg. 21)
Sunday Independent (20 ^th April 2003 – Section 4, Pg. 8)
Farmers Journal (5 ^th April 2003, Section 3, Pg. 7)
Galway County Advertiser (3 ^rd April 2003, Pg. 3)
Connaught Sentinel (1 ^st April 2003, Pg. 10)

Television Documentaries

Wild Journeys (RTE 1, April 4 ^th, 2010) - Natural History programme dealing with insect migration.

Applied Ecology Unit
National University of Ireland, Galway, University Road, Galway, Ireland.
National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland
Phone: +353 (0)91 493334
This page was last updated Wednesday, November 03, 2010