Dr Charlotte Davies

Research Highlights

1. Davies, C., Bass, D., Ward, G., Batista, F., Malkin, S., Thomas, J., Bateman, K., Feist, S., Coates, C., & Rowley, A. (2020). Diagnosis and prevalence of two new species of haplosporidians infecting shore crabs Carcinus maenas: Haplosporidium carcini n. sp., and H. cranc n. sp.. Parasitology, 147(11), 1229-1237.

   https://doi.org/10.1017/s0031182020000980, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa54427
2. Davies, C., Malkin, S., Thomas, J., Batista, F., Rowley, A., & Coates, C. (2020). Mycosis Is a Disease State Encountered Rarely in Shore Crabs, Carcinus maenas. Pathogens, 9(6), 462

   https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens9060462, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa54422
3. Rowley, A., Davies, C., Malkin, S., Bryan, C., Bevan, J., Batista, F., & Coates, C. (2020). Prevalence and histopathology of the parasitic barnacle, Sacculina carcini in shore crabs, Carcinus maenas. Journal of Invertebrate Pathology, 171, 107338

   https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jip.2020.107338, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa53465
4. Davies, C., Briones-Fourzán, P., Barradas-Ortiz, C., Negrete-Soto, F., Moo-Cocom, G., & Lozano-Álvarez, E. (2020). Do ecological characteristics drive the prevalence of Panulirus argus virus 1 (PaV1) in juvenile Caribbean spiny lobsters in a tropical reef lagoon?. PLOS ONE, 15(2), e0229827

   https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0229827, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa53708
5. Davies, C., Batista, F., Malkin, S., Bevan, J., Bryan, C., Crocombe, P., Coates, C., & Rowley, A. (2019). Spatial and temporal disease dynamics of the parasite Hematodinium sp. in shore crabs, Carcinus maenas. Parasites & Vectors, 12(1)

   https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-019-3727-x, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa52056
6. Davies, C., Briones-Fourzán, P., & Lozano-Álvarez, E. (2019). Untangling the effects of size, habitat and invertebrate biodiversity on parasite prevalence in the Caribbean spiny lobster. Marine Biology, 166(9)

   https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-019-3563-8, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa51316
7. Davies, C. & Wootton, E. (2018). Current and emerging diseases of the European lobster (Homarus gammarus): a review. Bulletin of Marine Science, 94(3), 959-978.

   https://doi.org/10.5343/bms.2017.1142, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa43707
8. Davies, C. & Wootton, E. (2018). Current and emerging diseases of the European lobster (Homarus gammarus): a review. Bulletin of Marine Science, 94(3), 959-978.

   https://doi.org/10.5343/bms.2017.1142, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa43750
9. Rowley, A., Smith, A., & Davies, C. (2015). How Does the Dinoflagellate Parasite Hematodinium Outsmart the Immune System of Its Crustacean Hosts?. PLOS Pathogens, 11(5), e1004724

   https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.ppat.1004724, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa22063
10. Davies, C. & Rowley, A. (2015). Are European lobsters (Homarus gammarus) susceptible to infection by a temperate Hematodinium sp.?. Journal of Invertebrate Pathology, 127, 6-10.

    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jip.2015.02.004, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa20288
11. Davies, C., Johnson, A., Wootton, E., Greenwood, S., Clark, K., Vogan, C., Rowley, A., Rowley, A., McCabe, C., & Davies, C. (2014). Effects of population density and body size on disease ecology of the European lobster in a temperate marine conservation zone. ICES Journal of Marine Science

    https://doi.org/10.1093/icesjms/fsu237, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa20218
12. Davies, C., Thomas, G., Maffeis, T., Wootton, E., Penny, M., & Rowley, A. (2014). Detailed surface morphology of the 'lobster louse' copepod, Nicothoe astaci, a haematophagous gill parasite of the European lobster, Homarus americanus. Journal of Invertebrate Pathology, 122, 48-51.

    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jip.2014.08.006, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa19189
13. Whitten, M., Davies, C., Kim, A., Tlusty, M., Wootton, E., Chistoserdov, A., Rowley, A., & Walker, M. (2014). Cuticles of European and American lobsters harbor diverse bacterial species and differ in disease susceptibility. MicrobiologyOpen, 3(3), 395-409.

    https://doi.org/10.1002/mbo3.174, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa19184
14. Davies, C., Whitten, M., Kim, A., Wootton, E., Maffeis, T., Tlusty, M., Vogan, C., Rowley, A., Walker, M., & McCabe, C. (2014). A comparison of the structure of American (Homarus americanus) and European (Homarus gammarus) lobster cuticle with particular reference to shell disease susceptibility. Journal of Invertebrate Pathology, 117, 33-41.

    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jip.2014.01.001, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa17946
15. WOOTTON, E., POPE, E., McCabe, C., ROBERTS, E., Davies, C., & Rowley, A. (2011). Morphology and pathology of the ectoparasitic copepod, Nicothoë astaci (‘lobster louse’) in the European lobster, Homarus gammarus. Parasitology, 138(10), 1285-1295.

    https://doi.org/10.1017/S003118201100093X, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa10646

All Research

• BIO236 Cells and Immunity

  This module consists of the following lectures and practicals: Lecture Topics: 1. Advances in microscopy (2) 2. Cell, tissue and organ culture - bioengineering and stem cells (3) 3. Immunology (15) Practicals: 1. Poster presentation (1) 2. Lysoplate analysis of lysozyme (2) 3. Spectrophotometric analysis of changes in lysozyme (2)

• BIO260 Marine Biology Field Course

  This residential field course comprises practical work employing shore-based techniques to sample littoral and benthic marine habitats. Students will learn techniques for the identification of marine organisms and gain experience in the analysis and presentation of ecological data.

• BIO327 Tropical marine ecology field course

  This field based module will provide students with an introduction to the ecology of tropical marine systems and teach students the key practical skills required by tropical marine biologists. Students will obtain training in how to design, implement and report scientifically robust marine research. The module will complement the level three marine field course and help develop key skills in field based marine biology. Students will learn skills in marine ecology and taxonomy, in-water marine sampling and surveys, and impact assessment. This module will be mostly practical based but will also include theory lectures, workshops and feedback sessions. It would be structured around seven days of directed practical activities and a three day small group based mini-project. The field course will utilise snorkeling and intertidal walking as the major means of sampling throughout directed practicals.

• BIO330 Tropical marine ecology and conservation

  This module will provide a holistic overview of the ecology and conservation of important marine ecosystems, and will place this information within the context of ecosystem services, and their value to humanity. This module will consist of up to 12 lectures/seminars on the following topics: ¿ Diversity and biology of coral reef communities ¿ Structure and function of seagrass meadows (temperate and tropical) ¿ Mangrove forest ecology ¿ Connectivity across the tropical marine seascape ¿ The ecosystem services of tropical marine systems ¿ Response of coral reef systems to climate change and ocean acidification ¿ Degradation of tropical marine systems ¿ Resilience thinking and the management of tropical marine systems The module also contains a workshop session and additional direct contact with the module lead lecturer.

• BIO346 Professional Skills in Marine Biology

  This module will introduce students to the professional techniques utilised to monitor and study marine life in a variety of marine and coastal habitats and in relation to conservation management and biodiversity monitoring in the United Kingdom. The course places a strong emphasis on marine ecological census techniques. Students will learn key skills relevant to the marine ecology sector including protected and economically-important species (especially marine mammals, fish, shellfish, coastal birds) and Phase 1 habitat surveys. Students will also learn about the biotic and abiotic factors that define different UK habitats and relevant regulations that protect them. The module provides an introduction to the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process and a range of impacts on the marine environment including energy generation and coastal development. Participants in this module will work in groups to discuss case study surveys and EIAs, including a presentation reporting findings from rapid ecological surveys for a case study EIA. The class will be responsible for collecting key survey data for a Preliminary Environmental Appraisal Report (PEAR) for a proposed commercial development in Carmarthen Bay. During a field course, small groups will work as marine environmental consultancy companies responding to an Invitation to Tender with survey design, planning, cost estimation, data collection and analysis. A focus of the module is on developing key transferable skills that enhance employability such as survey design and planning, problem solving, data analysis, report writing, evaluation, communication and teamwork. This will be a residential field course.

• BlueFish Scientific Officer, Swansea University

  April 2018 - Present

• Postdoctoral Researcher, National Autonomous University of Mexico

  February 2016 - April 2018

• Teaching Assistant, Swansea University

  October 2014 - January 2016

• CHARTCymru - Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Catch and Release Tagging Programme 2022 2022

• DAERA – AFBI – Herring Stock Identification 2022

  Tender to investigate to assess the genetic identity of the herring in the Irish Sea.

• European Maritime and Fisheries Fund 2014-2020 (EMFF) 'Atlantic Herring Studies in the Bristol Channel and Wales' 2021 - 2023

• BLUEFISH – Building resilience into blue growth of the Irish Sea: adaptation to climate change in aquaculture and fisheries. 2017 - 2020

  An ERDF, INTERREG Ireland-Wales project, WP 4.3 Disease Connectivity

• National Autonomous University of Mexico Postdoctoral Scholarship - “Parasites and disease of the Caribbean spiny lobster (Panulirus argus): The role of habitat.” 2016 - 2018

• CONACYT National System of Investigators economic stimulus. 2016 - 2018

• "Health survey of Lundy Island crustaceans - Integration of scientists and fishermen.” 2016 Jointly funded by Seafish and SUSFISH (European Regional Development Fund through the Ireland Wales Programme) 2007 - 2013

• “Importation of live lobsters into the U.K. - An assessment of disease transfer to European lobsters.” 2015

  Marine Management Organisation Fisheries Challenge Fund Grant, in collaboration with the New England Aquarium, Boston, USA

• Contributor to The Conversation
• “Is climate change making our oceans sick?” Super Science Sunday, March 2019
• “Is climate change making our oceans sick?” Swansea Science Festival, November 2018

Comparative Immunology and Pathobiology Lab

Our mission is to unravel the biological mechanisms that enable invertebrates (e.g., crustaceans and insects) to combat disease-causing agents and tolerate environmental disturbances. Our research can be categorised broadly into two main areas, (1) immunobiology and pathobiology of commercially important shellfish and (2) prospecting insect larvae as alternative models of disease.