Tinashe Muteveri

Research Orientation:

I have a passion for population genetics of aquatic animals as it relates to their conservation and management. I have had this interest since my undergraduate studies when I took Population Genetics and Applied Genetics modules. I was further stimulated when I did Conservation Genetics at Masters level which culminated in a dissertation on a study of the population genetic structure of Clarias gariepinus using allozymes. My research is focused on the phylogeography of three marine gastropod mollusks (Bullia rhodostoma, Turbo sarmaticus, Oxytele sinensis)  in southern Africa as well as resolving cryptic species in the Bullia species complex. To achieve the objectives of this study we will use mitochondrial DNA markers (cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 and 16S rRNA), and nuclear introns. In addition to these, I will use morphometric analysis for the species delimitation work.

Academic Background:

I completed my Honours Degree in Biological Sciences in 2000 from the University of Zimbabwe with majors in Genetics, Ecology and Botany. I then worked as a research assistant in the Belgian-funded Fisheries Project in the Biological Sciences Dept, University of Zimbabwe from 2002 to 2002. I co-authored a paper titled The impact of fish and drought on frog breeding in temporary waters in Zimbabwe which was published in African Zoology (April 2007) based on the research I did during this period. I went on to do a Masters degree in Aquatic Health at the University of Johannesburg where I specialized in Conservation Genetics and Freshwater & Estuarine Ecology. After completing my MSc in 2003 I went back to Zimbabwe and worked as a lecturer at the Midlands State University.

Publications:

Muteveri, T. and Marshall, B.E. (2007) The impact of fish and drought on frog breeding in temporary waters in Zimbabwe. African Zoology 42 (1): 124 – 130.

Department of Botany and Zoology University of Stellenbosch Private Bag X1 Matieland 7602 South Africa

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