Director, University Museum of Zoology

Professor, Department of Zoology

University of Cambridge

Email: pb499@cam.ac.uk

Tel: +44 (0) 1223 336650

Paul Brakefield came to butterfly biology through breeding them as a boy and then reading books by E. B. Ford entitled Butterflies (1945) and Ecological Genetics (1964). He first worked with eyespots in an undergraduate project on the meadow brown butterfly with Ford at the University of Oxford, UK. He continued to work on ecological genetics in his Ph.D. research with Philip Sheppard and Jim Bishop at the University of Liverpool before embarking on a series of postdoctoral studies in The Netherlands and the United Kingdom. His time in Utrecht with Wim Scharloo introduced him to the power of the evolutionary genetics approach. He returned to The Netherlands to take up a Chair in Evolutionary Biology at the University of Leiden in the late 1980s. This move coincided with the establishment of the Bicyclus anynana butterfly system in the laboratory after periods of fieldwork in East Africa. The awakening of an interest in developmental biology began through working on eyespot formation with Vernon French, and later with Sean Carroll. This is now contributing to the burgeoning field of evo–devo. He recently moved to Cambridge to become Director of the University Museum of Zoology, and Professor in the Department of Zoology. The new research team being established in Cambridge using an ERC grant, EMARES, is designed to apply our knowledge of the biology of our model species, B. anynana, to understand pattern and process in the extensive radiations of the tribe of Old World butterflies to which this species belongs.

  He is a Past President on the European Society of Evolutionary Biology and President of the Tropical Biology Association, and a member of the Board of Reviewing Editors of Science. He is an Honorary Professor at the University of Sheffield and holds an ERC Advanced Grant. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society, and of Trinity College, Cambridge.



Click here to download his CURRICULUM VITAE.


PUBLICATIONS (since 2005)

SCI Journals:

Baldal, E.A., van der Linde, K., van Alphen, J.J.M., Brakefield, P.M., and Zwaan, B.J. (2005) The effects of larval density on adult life-history traits in three species of Drosophila. Mechanisms of Ageing and Development, 126: 407-416

Brakefield, P.M. and French, V. (2005) How and why to spot fly wings. Nature, 433: 466-467 (News and Views)

Brakefield, P.M., Gems, D., Cowen, T., Christensen, K., Grubeck-Loebenstein, B., Keller, L., Oeppen, J., Rodriguez-Pena, A., Stazi, M.A., Tatar, M., Westendorp, R.G. (2005) What are the effects of maternal and pre-adult environments on aging in humans, and are there lessons from animal models? Mechanisms of Ageing and Development, 126: 431-438

Frankino, W.A., Zwaan, B.J., Stern, D. L, and Brakefield, P.M. (2005) Natural selection and developmental constraints in the evolution of allometries. Science, 307: 718-720

Saccheri, I.J., Lloyd, H.D., Heylar, S.J., and Brakefield, P.M. (2005) Inbreeding uncovers fundamental differences in the genetic load affecting male and female fertility in a butterfly. Proc. R. Soc. Lond. B., 272: 39-46

Steigenga, M. J., Zwaan, B. J., Brakefield, P. M. & Fischer, K. (2005) The evolutionary genetics of egg size plasticity in a butterfly. J. Evol. Biol., 18: 281-89

Eldredge N., Thompson, J.N., Brakefield, P.M., Gavrilets, S., Jablonski, D., Jackson, J.B.C., Lenski, R.E., Lieberman, B.S., McPeek, M.A., & Miller, W. (2005) The dynamics of evolutionary stasis. Paleobiology, 31: 133-145

Pannebakker, B. A., Schidlo, N. S., Boskamp, G. J. F., Dekker, L., van Dooren, T. J. M., Beukeboom, L. W., Zwaan, B. J., Brakefield, P. M. & Van Alphen, J. J. M. (2005) Sexual functionality of Leptopilina clavipes (Hymenoptera: Figitidae) after reversing Wolbachia-induced parthenogenesis. J. Evol. Biol., 18: 1019-1028.

Beldade, P., Brakefield, P.M., and Long, A.D. (2005) Generating phenotypic variation: prospects from “evo-devo” research on Bicyclus anynana wing patterns. Evolution & Development, 7: 101-107.

Van 't Hof A.E., Zwaan, B.J., Saccheri, I.J., Daly, D., Bot, A.N.M., and Brakefield, P.M. (2005) Characterization of 28 microsatellite loci for the butterfly Bicyclus anynana Molecular Ecology Notes, 5:169-172.

Lommen, S.T.E., de Jong, P.W., and Brakefield, P.M. (2005) Phenotypic plasticity of elytron length in wingless two-spot ladybird beetles, Adalia bipunctata (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae). Eur. J. Entomol., 102: 553-556.

Molleman, F., Krenn, H.W., van Alphen, M., Brakefield, P.M., de Vries P.J., and Zwaan, B.J. (2005) Food intake of fruit-feeding butterflies: evidence for adaptive variation in proboscis morphology. Biol. J. Linn. Soc. Lond., 86:333-343

Molleman, F., van Alphen, M., Brakefield, P.M. and Zwaan, B.J. (2005) The preferences and food quality for fruit-feeding butterflies in Kibale Forest, Uganda. Biotropica, 37:657-663

Molleman, F., van Grunsven, R., Liefting, M., Brakefield, P.M. and Zwaan, B.J. (2005) Is male puddling behaviour of tropical butterflies targeted at sodium for nuptial gifts or for activity? Biol. J. Linn. Soc. Lond., 86: 345-361

Brakefield, P.M. (2005) Bringing evo devo to life. PloS Biol. 3(10): e340 (Book Review)

Breuker C.J., Victoir K., De Jong P.W., Van der Meijden E., Brakefield P.M., and Vrieling K. (2005) AFLP markers for the R-gene in the flea beetle, Phyllotreta nemorum, conferring resistance to defences in Barbarea vulgaris. Journal of Insect Science, 5: Art. No. 38, available online: insectscience.org/5.38.

Brakefield, P.M. (2006) Evo-devo and constraints on selection Trends in Ecol. & Evol. 21: 362-368 (invited review for Anniversary Issue)

Pijpe, J., Fischer K., Brakefield, P.M., and Zwaan, B.J. (2006) Consequences of artificial selection on pre-adult development for adult lifespan under benign conditions in the butterfly Bicyclus anynana. Mechanisms of Ageing and Development, 127: 802-807.

Fischer, K., Bot, A.N., Brakefield, P.M., and Zwaan, B.J. (2006) Do mothers producing large offspring have to sacrifice fecundity? J. Evol. Biol. 19: 380-391.

Saccheri, I.J., Nichols, R.A., and Brakefield, P.M. (2006) Morphological differentiation following experimental bottlenecks in the butterfly Bicyclus anynana (Nymphalidae). Biol J Linn Soc 89: 107-115

Brakefield, P.M. and French, V. (2006) Evo-devo focus issue. Heredity 97: 137-138.

Baldal, E.A., Brakefield, P.M., and Zwaan, B.J. (2006) Multitrait evolution in lines of Drosophila melanogaster selected for increased starvation resistance: the role of metabolic rate and implications for the evolution of longevity. Evolution 60: 1435-1444.

Brakefield, P.M. and Roskam J.C. (2006) Exploring evolutionary constraints is a task for an integrative evolutionary biology Am Nat 168: S4-S13

Baldal, E. A., Baktawar, W., Brakefield, P. M. & Zwaan, B. J. (2006) Methuselah life history in a variety of conditions, implications for the use of mutants in longevity research. Exp Gerontol 41: 1126-1135.

Fischer, K., Zwaan, B.J., and Brakefield, P.M. (2007) Realized correlated responses to artificial selection on life-history traits in a butterfly. Heredity 98: 157-164.

Breuker, C.J., De Jong, P.W., Victoir, K., Vrieling, K., and Brakefield P.M. (2007) Pleiotropic effects associated with an allele enabling the flea beetle Phyllotreta nemorum to use Barbarea vulgaris as a host plant. Evolutionary Ecology 21(1):13-26

Pijpe J, Brakefield P.M., and Zwaan B.J. (2007) Phenotypic plasticity of starvation resistance in the butterfly Bicyclus anynana. Evolutionary Ecology 21: 589-600

Molleman, F., Zwaan, B.J., Brakefield, P.M., and Carey, J.R. (2007) Extraordinary long life spans in fruit-feeding butterflies can provide window on evolution of life span and aging. Experimental Gerontology 42: 472-482

Monteiro, A., Chen, B., Scott, L.C., Vedder L., Prijs, H.J., Belicha-Villanueva, A., and Brakefield, P.M. (2007) The combined effect of two mutations that alter serially homologous pattern elements on the fore and hindwings of a butterfly. BMC Genetics 8: Art. No. 22 (10 pages)

Brakefield, P.M., Pijpe, J., and Zwaan, B.J. (2007) Developmental plasticity and acclimation both contribute to adaptive responses to alternating seasons of plenty and of stress in Bicyclus butterflies. J Biosci. 32(3): 465-75

Van’t Hof, A.E., Brakefield, P.M., Saccheri, I.J., and Zwaan, B.J. (2007) Evolutionary dynamics of multilocus microsatellite arrangements in the genome of the butterfly Bicyclus anynana, with implications for other Lepidoptera. Heredity 98(5): 320-328

Beldade, P., French, V., and Brakefield, P.M. (2007) Developmental and genetic mechanisms for evolutionary diversification of serial repeats: eyespot size in Bicyclus anynana butterflies. JEZ Part B: Molecular and Developmental Evolution 308B: 11pp DOI 10.1002/jez.b

Frankino, W.A., Zwaan, B.J., Stern, D.L., and Brakefield, P.M. (2007) Internal and external constraints in the evolution of morphological allometries in a butterfly. Evolution 61-12: 2958-2970

Pijpe, J., Brakefield, P.M., and Zwaan, B.J. (2008) Increased lifespan in a polyphenic butterfly artificially selected for starvation resistance. Am Nat 171: 81-90

Allen, C., Beldade, P., Zwaan, B.J., Brakefield, P.M. (2008) Differences in the selection response of serially repeated color pattern characters: Standing variation, development, and evolution. BMC Evolutionary Biology 2008, 8:94 doi:10.1186/1471-2148-8-94 (13pp)

Nieberding, C.M., de Vos, H., Schneider, M.V., Lassance J.-M, Estramil, N., Andersson, J., Bång, J., Hedenström, E., Löfstedt, C., Brakefield, P.M. (2008) The male sex pheromone of the butterfly Bicyclus anynana: Towards an evolutionary analysis. PLoS ONE 3: e2751 (12 pp)

Saccheri, I.J., Rousset, F., Watts, P.C., Brakefield, P.M. and Cook L.M. (2008) Selection and gene flow on a diminishing cline of melanic peppered moths. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 105:16212-16217

Beldade P, French V., and Brakefield P.M. (2008) Developmental and genetic mechanisms for evolutionary diversification of serial repeats: eyespot size in Bicyclus anynana butterflies. Journal of Experimental Zoology Part B: Molecular and Developmental Evolution 310B, 191-201

Lommen S.T.E., Middendorp C.W., Luijten C.A., van Schelt J., Brakefield P.M. and de Jong P.W. (2008). Can natural flightless ladybirds imnprove biocontrol of aphids? IOBC/wprs Bulletin 32, 127-130.

Saenko S.V., French, V., Brakefield P.M., and Beldade, P. (2008) Conserved developmental processes and the formation of evolutionary novelties: examples from butterfly wings. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B 363, 1549-1555.

Molleman, F., Ding, J., Wang, J-L., Brakefield, P.M., Carey, J.R., and Zwaan, B.J. (2008) Amino acid sources in the adult diet do not affect life span and fecundity in the fruit-feeding butterfly Bicyclus anynana. Ecological Entomology 33:429-438.

Molleman, F., Ding, J., Wang, J-L., Zwaan, B.J., Carey, J.R., and Brakefield, P.M., (2008) Adult diet affects lifespan and reproduction of the fruit/feeding butterfly Charaxes fulvescens. Entomologia Experimentalis et Applicata 129:54-65.

Molleman, F., Ding, J., Wang, J.L., Brakefield, P.M., Carey, J.R., Zwaan, B.J. (2008). Amino acid sources in adult diet do not affect life span and fecundity in the fruit-feeding butterfly Bicyclus anynana. Ecological Entomology 33:429-438.

Lommen, S.T.E., Saenko, S.V., Tomoyasu, Y., and Brakefield, P.M. (2009). Development of a wingless morph in the ladybird beetle, Adalia bipunctata. Evolution & Development. 11: 278-289.

Lewis, Z., Brakefield, P.M., and Wedell, N., (2010) Speed or sperm: a potential trade-off between development and reproduction in the butterfly, Bicyclus anynana (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae). European Journal of Entomology 107: 55-59

de Jong P.W., Breuker C.J., de Vos H., Vermeer K.A., Oku K., Verbaarschot P., Nielsen J., and Brakefield P.M. (2009) Genetic differentiation between resistance phenotypes in the phytophagous flea beetle, Phyllotreta nemorum. 8pp. Journal of Insect Science 9:69, available online: insectscience.org/9.69

de Jong, M.A., Kesbeke, F.M.N.H., Brakefield, P.M., and Zwaan, B.J. (2010) Geographic variation in thermal plasticity of life history and wing pattern in Bicyclus anynana. Climate Research 43: 91-102

Saastamoinen, M., van der Sterren, D., Vastenhout, N., Zwaan, B.J. , and Brakefield, P.M. (2010). Predictive adaptive responses: Condition-dependent impact of adult nutrition and flight in the tropical butterfly, Bicyclus anynana. American Naturalist 176: 686-698

Brakefield, P.M. (2010). Radiations of mycalesine butterflies and opening up their exploration of morphospace American Naturalist 176: S77-87

Oostra, V., de Jong, M.A., Invergo, B.M., Kesbeke, F.H.N., Wende, F., Brakefield, P.M., and Zwaan, B.J. (2010). Translating environmental gradients into discontinuous reaction norms via hormone signalling in a polyphenic butterfly. Proc. R Soc. B doi:10.1098/rspb.2010.1560

Saenko, S.V., Brakefield, P.M., and Beldade, P. (2010) Single locus affects embryonic segment polarity and multiple aspects of an adult evolutionary novelty. BMC Biology 8: 111

Allen, C.E., Zwaan, B.J. and Brakefield, P.M. (2011). Evolution of sexual dimorphism in the Lepidoptera. Ann Rev Entomol 56: 445-464

Brakefield, P.M and de Jong, P.W. (2011) A steep cline in ladybird melanisms has decayed over 25 years: a genetic response to climate change? Heredity (in press)

Brakefield, P.M. (2011). Evo devo and accounting for Darwin’s endless forms. Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B. (in press) doi:10.1098/rstb.2011.0007

Book Chapters:

Brakefield, P.M. (2006). Physiology, development, genetics and the evolution of phenotypic plasticity: studies with butterfly eyespots. In S.J. Warburton, W.W. Burggren, B. Pelster, C.L. Reiber and J. Spicer (Eds), Comparative Developmental Physiology. Contributions, Tools, and Trends, pp 58-70. Oxford University Press

Brakefield, P.M. (2007). Butterfly eyespot patterns and how evolutionary tinkering yields diversity. In D.E. Lieberman and B.K. Hall (Eds) Tinkering: The microevolution of Development, pp. 90-109. John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Novartis Foundation Symposium 284

Brakefield, P.M. (2008) Prospects of Evo-Devo for Linking Pattern and Process in the Evolution of Morphospace. In A. Minelli and G. Fusco (Eds) Evolving Pathways: Key Themes in Evolutionary Developmental Biology, pp. 62-79. CUP, Cambridge.

Brakefield, P.M., and Frankino, W.A. (2009) Polyphenisms in Lepidoptera: Multidisciplinary approaches to studies of evolution. In Whitman, D. W. and T. N. Ananthakrishnan (Eds.). Phenotypic Plasticity in Insects. Mechanisms and Consequences, pp. 281-312. Science Publishers, Inc., Plymouth, UK.

Brakefield, P.M. (2009) A focus on both form and function in examining constraint versus selection. In M.D. Laubishler and J. Maienschein (Eds) Form and Function in Developmental Evolution, pp. 112-129, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.

Brakefield, P.M., Beldade, P., and Zwaan, B.J. (2009) The African butterfly Bicyclus anynana: evolutionary genetics and evo-devo. In R.R. Behringer, A.D. Johnson, and R.E.

Krumlauf (Eds) Emerging Model Organisms: A Laboratory Manual, Vol 1, pp. 291-329. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press (www.cshprotocols.org/emo)

Brakefield, P.M. & Joron, M. (2010) The flexibility of butterfly wing color patterns and evolution in morphospace. Pp 93-114 in P.R. Grant and B.R. Grant (Eds) In Search of the Causes of Evolution: From Field Observations to Mechanisms, Princeton University Press, Princeton NJ

Brakefield, P.M. and Zwaan, B.J. (2011) Seasonal polyphenisms and environmentally-induced plasticity in the Lepidoptera – the coordinated evolution of many traits on multiple levels. Ch 10 in T. Flatt and A. Heyland (Eds) Mechanisms of Life History Evolution. Oxford University Press, Oxford. (in press)