Dr Sébastien Puechmaille

Contact details

School of Biology and Environmental Sciences
University College Dublin (Zoology)
Belfield, D4
Dublin
Ireland

Max Planck Institut for Ornithology
Sensory Ecology Group
Eberhard-Gwinner-Straße
Haus Nr. 11
82319 Seewiesen
Germany

Education/work

My work is focussed on bats with a particular interest in:

• Molecular ecology and genetics (adaptation, population structure, hybridization, speciation and phylogeny),
• Echolocation call variation (causes and consequences),
• Conservation biology

At the moment, I'm working on:

• Echolocation call variation and genetics of Rhinolophus mehelyi and R. euryale, implications for mate choice and speciation (main project)
• Echolocation call variation and genetics of other species, including Craseonycteris thonglongyai,
• Developping non-invasive techniques to study bats (including Coleura seychellensis, Rhinolophus mehelyi, etc.),
• Taxonomy of South-East Asian bats (mainly Rhinolophidae and Hipposideridae families),
• Taxonomy and phylogeography of some European bat species,
• Emerging infectious diseases and particularly White Nose Syndrome and Geomyces destructans ([i] the distribution and phylogeography of Geomyces destructans and [ii] comparative genomics of immune genes in bats)

2010:

• IRCSET-Marie Curie International Mobility Fellowships in Science, Engineering and Technology, €175,150 (2010-2013; UCD / Max Planck Institute)
• UCD seed funding, €2,500 to cover publication costs of Open Access publications

2008:

• UCD seed funding, €1,200 for attendance to SMBE (Society for Molecular Biology and Evolution) conference, Barcelona, Spain
• UCD seed funding, €1,510 for attendance to EBRS (European Bat Research Symposium) conference, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
• The American Genetic Association, $800 for attendance to Congen (Recent Advances in Conservation Genetics) workshop, Gamboa, Panama

2007:

• UCD seed funding, €3,500 for attendance to IBRS (International Bat Research Symposium) & NASBR (North Americam Symposium on Bat Research) conference, Merida, Mexico

2005:

• Science Foundation Ireland grant, €57,150, (2005-2009; competitive, PhD Scholarship)

2013 and in press

26-Phylogeography and postglacial recolonisation of Europe by Rhinolophus hipposideros: evidence from multiple genetic markers
Dool, S, Puechmaille S, Dietz C, Juste J, Ibanez C, Hulva P, Roue S, Petit E, Jones G, Russo D, Toffoli R, Viglino A, Martinoli A, Rossiter SJ and Teeling E
Molecular Ecology, accepted.

2012

25-Bat fauna of Tunisia: review of records and new records, morphometrics and echolocation data
Puechmaille S, Hizem W, Allegrini B and Abiadh A
Vespertilio, 2012; 16: 211-239.
[Open access pdf]

24-Phylogeny of the Emballonurini (Emballonuridae) with descriptions of a new genus and species from Madagascar
Goodman SM, Puechmaille S, Friedli-Weyeneth N, Gerlach J, Ruedi M, Schoeman C, Stanley WT and Teeling EC
Journal of Mammalogy, 2012; 93(6): 1440-1455.
[Abstract and pdf] [doi:10.1644/11-MAMM-A-271.1]

23-Resolving a mammal mystery: the identity of Paracoelops megalotis (Chiroptera: Hipposideridae)
Thong VD, Dietz C, Denzinger A, Bates PJJ, Puechmaille S, Callou C and Schnitzler H-U
Zootaxa, 2012; 3505: 75-85.
[Preview]

22-A continental-scale tool for acoustic identification of European bats
Walters C, Maltby A, Dietz C, Fenton B, Jones G, Obrist M, Puechmaille S, Sattler T, Siemers B, Jones K and Parsons S
Journal of Applied Ecology, 2012; 49(5): 1064-1074.
[Abstract and pdf] [doi:10.1111/j.1365-2664.2012.02182.x]

21-Horseshoe bats recognise the sex of conspecifics from their echolocation calls
Schuchmann M, Puechmaille S, Siemers B
Acta Chiropterologica, 2012; 14(1): 161-166.
[Abstract and pdf] [doi:10.3161/150811012X654376]

20-Empirical assessment of non-invasive population genetics in bats: comparison of DNA quality from faecal and tissue samples
Boston E, Puechmaille S, Buckley D, Lundy M, Scott D, Prodohl P, Montgomery I and Teeling E
Acta Chiropterologica, 2012; 14(1): 45-52.
[Abstract and pdf] [doi:10.3161/150811012X654259]

19-Biogeography of Old World emballonurine bats (Chiroptera: Emballonuridae) inferred with mitochondrial and nuclear DNA
Ruedi M, Friedli-Weyeneth N, Teeling EC, Puechmaille S and Goodman SM
Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 2012; 64(1): 204-211.
[Abstract and pdf] [doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2012.03.019]

18-Genetic analyses reveal further cryptic lineages within the Myotis nattereri species complex
Puechmaille S, Allegrini B, Boston E, Dubourg-Savage M-J, Evin A, Le Bris Y, Knochel A, Lecoq V, Lemaire M, Rist D and Teeling EC
Mammalian Biology - Zeitschrift für Säugetierkunde, 2012; 77(3): 224-228.
[Abstract and pdf] [doi:10.1016/j.mambio.2011.11.004]

17-Systematics of the Hipposideros turpis complex with a description of a new subspecies from Vietnam
Thong, VD, Puechmaille S, Denzinger A, Bates PJJ, Dietz C, Csorba G, Soisook P, Teeling EC, Matsumura S, Furey N and Schnitzler H-U
Mammal Review, 2012;42(2):166-192.
[Abstract and pdf] [doi:10.1111/j.1365-2907.2011.00202.x]

16-A new species of Hipposideros (Chiroptera: Hipposideridae) from Vietnam
Thong, VD, Puechmaille S, Denzinger A, Csorba G, Dietz C, Bates PJJ, Teeling EC and Schnitzler H-U
Journal of Mammalogy, 2012; 93(1): 1-11.
[Abstract and pdf] [doi:10.1644/11-MAMM-A-073.1]

2011

15-The evolution of sensory divergence in the context of limited gene flow in the bumblebee bat
Puechmaille S, Ar Gouilh M, Piyapan P, Yokubol M, Khin Mie Mie, Bates P, Satasook C, Tin Nwe, Si Si Hla Bu, Mackie I, Petit E Teeling EC
Nature Communications, 2011; 2, 573.
[Open access pdf] [doi:10.1038/ncomms1582]

14-SARS-Coronavirus ancestor's foot-prints in South-East Asian bat colonies and the refuge theory
Ar Gouilh M, Puechmaille S, Gonzalez JP, Teeling E, Pattamaporn K and Manuguerra J-C
Infection Genetics and Evolution, 2011; 11(7): 1690-1702.
[Abstract and pdf] [doi:10.1016/j.meegid.2011.06.021]

13-White nose syndrome: is this emerging disease a threat to European bats?
Puechmaille S, Frick WF, Kunz TH, Racey PA, Voigt C, Wibbelt G and Teeling EC
Trends in Ecology and Evolution, 2011; 26(11): 570-576.
[Abstract and pdf] [doi:10.1016/j.tree.2011.06.013]

12-A critical assessment of the presence of Barbastella barbastellus and Nyctalus noctula in Ireland with a description of N. leisleri echolocation calls from Ireland (*joint first author)
Buckley D, Puechmaille S*, Roche N and Teeling E
Hystrix, Italian Journal of Mammalogy, 2011; 22(1): 111-127.
[Open access pdf] [doi:10.4404/Hystrix-22.1.4472]

11-A rapid PCR-based assay for identification of cryptic Myotis sp. (M. mystacinus, M. brandtii and M. alcathoe)
Boston E, Hanrahan N, Puechmaille S, Ruedi M, Buckley DJ, Lundy M, Scott DD, Prodöhl PA, Montgomery WI, and Teeling EC
Conservation Genetics Resources, 2011; 3(3): 557-563.
[abstract & pdf] [doi:10.1007/s12686-011-9404-9]

10-Effect of sample preservation methods on the viability of Geomyces destructans, the fungus associated with white-nose syndrome in bats
Puechmaille S, Fuller H and Teeling EC
Acta Chiropterologica, 2011; 13(1): 217-221.
[abstract & pdf] [doi:10.3161/150811011X578778]

9-A taxonomic review of Rhinolophus coelophyllus Peters 1867 and R. shameli Tate 1943 (Chiroptera: Rhinolophidae) in continental Southeast Asia
Ith S, Soisook P, Bumrungsri S, Kingston T, Puechmaille S, Struebig M, Si Si Hla Bu, Thong V, Furey N, Hammond N and Bates P
Acta Chiropterologica, 2011; 13(1): 41-59.
[abstract & pdf] [doi:10.3161/150811011X578615]

8-Pan-European distribution of white-nose syndrome fungus (Geomyces destructans) not associated with mass mortality
Puechmaille S, Wibbelt G, Korn V, Fuller H, Forget F, Mühldorfer K, Kurth A, Bogdanowicz W, Borel C, Bosch T, Cherezy T, Drebet M, Görföl T, Haarsma A-J, Herhaus F, Hallart G, Hammer M, Jungmann C, Le Bris Y, Lutsar L, Masing M, Mulkens B, Passior K, Starrach M, Wojtaszewski A, Zöphel U and Teeling EC
PLoS ONE, 2011; 6(4): e19167.
[Open access pdf] [doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0019167]

2005-2010

7-A taxonomic review of Hipposideros halophyllus, with additional information on H. ater and H. cineraceus (Chiroptera: Hipposideridae) from Thailand and Myanmar
Douangboubpha B, Bumrungsri S, Murray S, Puechmaille S, Satasook C, Si Si Hla Bu, Harrison D and Bates P
Acta Chiropterologica, 2010; 12(1): 29-50.
[abstract & pdf] [doi:10.3161/150811010X504572]

6-White-nose syndrome fungus (Geomyces destructans) in bat, France
Puechmaille S, Verdeyroux P, Fuller H, Ar Gouilh M, Bekaert M, and Teeling EC
Emerging Infectious Diseases, 2010; 16(2): 290-293.
[Open Access pdf] [Technical Appendix] [doi:10.3201/eid1602.091391] [Science News of the Week] [Nature News ] [PLoS Biodiversity HUB]

5-Population size, distribution, threats and conservation status of two endangered bat species: Craseonycteris thonglongyai and Hipposideros turpis
Puechmaille S, Soisook P, Yokubol M, Piyapan P, Ar Gouilh M, Khin Mie Mie, Khin Khin Kyaw, Mackie I, Bumrungsri S, Dejtaradol A, Tin Nwe, Si Si Hla Bu, Satasook C, Bates P and Teeling E
Endangered Species Research, 2009; 8(1-2): 15-23.
[abstract & pdf] [Open Access pdf] [doi:10.3354/esr00157]

4-Characterization and multiplex genotyping of 16 polymorphic microsatellite loci in the endangered bumblebee-bat, Craseonycteris thonglongyai (Chiroptera: Craseonycteridae)
Puechmaille S, Yokubol M, Piyapan P, Ar Gouilh M, Khin Mie Mie, Bates P, Satasook C, Tin Nwe, Si Si Hla Bu, Mackie I and Teeling E
Conservation Genetics, 2009; 10(4): 1073-1076.
[abstract & pdf] [doi:10.1007/s10592-008-9691-1]

3-Empirical evaluation of non-invasive Capture-Mark-Recapture estimates of population size based on a single sampling session
Puechmaille S, and Petit E
Journal of Applied Ecology, 2007; 44(4): 843-852.
[abstract & pdf] [doi:10.1111/j.1365-2664.2007.01321.x]

2-Good DNA from bat droppings
Puechmaille S, Mathy G and Petit E
Acta Chiropterologica, 2007; 9(1): 269-276.
[abstract & pdf] [doi:10.3161/1733-5329(2007)9[269:GDFBD]2.0.CO;2]

1-Characterization of 14 polymorphic microsatellite loci for the lesser horseshoe bat, Rhinolophus hipposideros (Rhinolophidae, Chiroptera)
Puechmaille S, Mathy G and Petit E
Molecular Ecology Notes, 2005; 5(4): 941-944.
[abstract & pdf] [doi:10.1111/j.1471-8286.2005.01123.x]

CMRPopHet v2.2.3 (+ Manual; updated 14/03/2011)
Capture Mark Recapture Population estimates (from Petit & Valière, 2006) and Heterogeneity test (from Puechmaille & Petit, 2007)
[Download version 2.2.3 as .7zip file] [Download version 2.2.3 as .rar file]

Predicting the potential distribution of Geomyces destructans in Eurasia and North America using ecological niche modelling
Puechmaille S and Rebelo H
5^th White Nose Syndrome Symposium, Madison, Wisconsin, U.S.A., 4^th-7^th June 2012. (Invited speaker)

Morphology, genetics and echolocation, which criteria to use for defining and distinguishing species
Puechmaille S
14^èmes Rencontres Nationales Chauves-souris, Muséum d'Histoire Naturelle de Bourges, Bourges, France, 3^rd-4^th March 2012. (Invited key-note speaker)

Overview of the distribution and dynamics of Geomyces destructans across Europe and potential threats to bats
Puechmaille S, Wibbelt G, Frick W, Kunz T, Racey P, Voigt C, and Teeling EC
41^th Annual Meeting of the North American Society for Bat Research, Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, Canada, 26^th-29^st October 2011. (Invited speaker)

Determining factors shaping population structure in a flying mammal, the bumble-bee bat Craseonycteris thonglongyai
Puechmaille S, Ar Gouilh M, Yokubol M, Piyapan P, Tin Nwe, Si Si Hla Bu, Khin Mie Mie, Satasook C, Bates P, Petit E, Mackie I, and Teeling EC
International Conference in Landscape Genetics, Bialowieza, Poland, 10^th-12^th October 2011. (Invited speaker)

Female Rhinolophus mehelyi prefer males with high frequency echolocation calls
Puechmaille S, Schuchmann M, Zsebok S*, Borissov I, Teeling E, and Siemers B
XII^th European Bat Research Symposium, Vilnius, Lithuania, 22^nd-26^th August 2011. (*denotes speaker)

Distribution and dynamics of Geomyces destructans across Europe
Puechmaille S and Wibbelt G
4^th White Nose Syndrome Symposium, Little Rock, Arkansas, U.S.A., 17^th-19^th May 2011. (Invited speaker)

Importance of genetics in distinguishing and defining bat species
Puechmaille S
6^th Irish Bat Conference, Ormonde Hotel, Kilkenny, Ireland, 1^st-3^rd October 2010. (Invited key-note speaker)

On the origin of Geomyces destructans, the suspected causative agent of White Nose Syndrome
Puechmaille S
6^th Irish Bat Conference, Ormonde Hotel, Kilkenny, Ireland, 1^st-3^rd October 2010. (Invited speaker)

Restricted gene flow is required for sensory speciation in bats
Puechmaille S, Ar Gouilh M, Yokubol M, Piyapan P,Khin Mie Mie, Bates P, Petit E, Mackie I and Teeling E
15^th International Bat Research Conference, Prague, Czech Republic, 23^rd-27^th August 2010. (Invited speaker)

Population history of Craseonycteris thonglongyai
Puechmaille S, Ar Gouilh M, Yokubol M, Piyapan P,Khin Mie Mie, Bates P, Petit E, Mackie I and Teeling E
15^th International Bat Research Conference, Prague, Czech Republic, 23^rd-27^th August 2010. (Invited speaker)

The potential threat of White Nose Syndrome to European bats: an action plan
Puechmaille S (on behalf of the White-Nose Syndrome Consortium)
3^rd White Nose Syndrome Symposium, Pittsburgh, Pensylvania, U.S.A., 25^th-27^th May 2010. (Invited speaker)

White Nose Syndrome (WNS), update on the situation and ongoing research
Puechmaille S
13^èmes Rencontres Nationales Chauves-souris, Muséum d'Histoire Naturelle de Bourges, Bourges, France, 20^th-21^st March 2010.

Craseonycteris thonglongyai, a bat that does not fly?
Puechmaille S and Teeling E
13^èmes Rencontres Nationales Chauves-souris, Muséum d'Histoire Naturelle de Bourges, Bourges, France, 20^th-21^st March 2010.

What do we know about the smallest mammal in the world?
Puechmaille S, Yokubol M, Piyapan P, Khin Mie Mie, Bates P and Teeling E
The National Bat Conference - Bat Conservation Trust, University of York, UK, 18^th-20^th September 2009. (Invited speaker)

Does sensory ecology drive speciation in the smallest mammal of the world?
Puechmaille S, Yokubol M, Piyapan P, Ar Gouilh M, Tin Nwe, Si Si Hla Bu, Khin Mie Mie, Satasook C, Bates P and Teeling E
Annual Meeting of the Society for Molecular Biology and Evolution, Iowa City, U.S.A., 3^rd-7^th June 2009.

Is adaptation driving speciation in Craseonycteris thonglongyai: a genetic perspective
Puechmaille S, Yokubol M, Piyapan P, Khin Mie Mie, Bates P and Teeling E
XI^th European Bat Research Symposium, Cluj-Napoca, Romania, 18^th-22^nd August 2008. (Best student speaker prize)

Bats and viruses
Ar Gouilh M and Puechmaille S*
XI^th European Bat Research Symposium, Cluj-Napoca, Romania, 18^th-22^nd August 2008. (*denotes speaker)

Does intra-specific echolocation call variation relate to phylogenetic history?
Puechmaille S and Teeling E
V^th Irish Bat Conference, Killyhevlin Hotel, Enniskillen, Ireland, 12^th-13^th October 2007. (Best student speaker prize)

Cryptic speciation in Craseonycteris thonglongyai?
Puechmaille S, Bates P and Teeling E
XIV International Bat Research Conference & 37^th NASBR, Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico, 19^th-23^rd August 2007. (Invited speaker)

Noninvasive Genetics: new tools for the study of bat population ecology
Petit E, Rodriguez A and Puechmaille S*
XIV International Bat Research Conference & 37^th NASBR, Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico, 19^th-23^rd August 2007. (*denotes speaker)

Variation in the frequency of the echolocation calls of Craseonycteris thonglongyai in Thailand and Myanmar
Puechmaille S, and Teeling E
The First International South-East Asian Bat Conference, Club Andaman Resort Beach Hotel, Patong, Phuket, Thailand, 7^th-10^th May 2007.

Population genetics and conservation status of the samallest mammal in the world, Craseonycteris thonglongyai
Puechmaille S, and Teeling E
2^nd Postgraduate Ecology Forum, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland, 12^th-13^th March 2007.

Craseonycteris thonglongyai: one species or two?
Puechmaille S, and Teeling E
36^th North American Symposium on Bat Research, Hilton Riverside, Wilmington, U.S.A., 18^th-21^st October 2006.

Noninvasive genetics: new tools for the study of evolutionary and functional ecology of bats
Petit E, Puechmaille S, and Valière N
The Wildlife Society 13^th Annual Conference, Anchorage, Alaska, 23^rd-27^th September 2006.

Towards noninvasive genetics: guano, a promising fertilizer for bat research
Puechmaille S, and Petit E
International Workshop on Bat Taxonomy and Echolocation, Prince of Songkla University, Hat-Yai, Thailand, 21^st-25^th March 2006.

Vers une génétique non-invasive : le guano, un engrais prometteur pour la recherche en chiroptérologie
Petit E, Puechmaille S, & le groupe chiroptères de Bretagne Vivante - SEPNB
11^èmes Rencontres Nationales Chauves-souris, Muséum d'Histoire Naturelle de Bourges, Bourges, France, 18^th-19^th March 2006.

Population size estimates using a noninvasive Capture-Mark-Recapture method: application to lesser horseshoe bats, Rhinolophus hipposideros, colonies
Puechmaille S, and Petit E
X^th European Bat Research Symposium, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland, 21^st-26^th August 2005.

Does sensory ecology drive speciation in Craseonycteris thonglongyai (Chiroptera)?
Puechmaille S
University Montpellier 2, Montpellier, France, 30^th May 2011.

Speciation in action: what can tell us Craseonycteris thonglongyai?
Puechmaille S
Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Seewiesen, Germany, 7^th May 2010.

Speciation in action: insights from Craseonycteris thonglongyai
Puechmaille S
Prince of Songkla University, Hat-Yai, Thailand, 6^th January 2010.

The speciation gene?
Puechmaille S
Postgraduate Seminar Day, University College Dublin, Ireland, 4^th December 2008.

Using genetic data and echolocation calls to study population structure and speciation processes in bats
Puechmaille S, Satasook C, Bumrungsri S, Piyapan P, Yokubol M, Nwe T, Hla Bu S-S, Mie Mie K, Bates P and Teeling E
Prince of Songkla University, Hat-Yai, Thailand, 12^th March 2008.

Adaptation and selection across a species distribution: the influence of population structure in the world's smallest mammal (the bumble-bee bat)
Puechmaille S, Yokubol M, Piyapan P, Ar Gouilh M, Tin Nwe, Si Si Hla Bu, Kin Mie Mie, Satasook C, Bates P, PEtit E and Teeling E
Annual Meeting of the Society for Molecular Biology and Evolution, Lyon Convention Center, Lyon, France, 4^th-8^th July 2010.

First evidence for Geomyces destructans in European bats
Puechmaille S, Verdeyroux P, Fuller H, Ar Gouilh M, Bekaert M, and Teeling E
Second international Berlin bat meeting: bat biology and infectious diseases, Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Berlin, Germany, 19^th-21^st February 2010.

Does sensory ecology drive speciation?
Puechmaille S, Piyapan P, Yokubol M, Satasook C, Tin Nwe, Si Si Hla Bu, Kin Mie Mie, Bates P and Teeling E
Annual Meeting of the Society for Molecular Biology and Evolution, Recinte Montjuïc - Palau de Congressos de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain, 5^th-8^th June 2008.

Conservation and phylogeography of the endangered lesser horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus hipposideros)
Dool S, Hayden T, Puechmaille S and Teeling E
Symposium on Phylogeography and Conservation of Postglacial Relicts, National Museum of Natural History, Luxembourg, 18^th-20^th October 2007.

Phylogeography of the endangered lesser horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus hipposideros)
Dool S, Hayden T, Puechmaille S and Teeling E
V^th Irish Bat Conference, Killyhevlin Hotel, Enniskillen, Ireland, 12^th-13^th October 2007.

Conservation and phylogeography of the endangered lesser horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus hipposideros)
Dool S, Hayden T, Puechmaille S and Teeling E
XIV International Bat Research Conference & 37^th NASBR, Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico, 19^th-23^rd August 2007.

NUMTs and the phylogenetic reconstruction of an ancient lineage
Puechmaille S, Bates P and Teeling E
Annual Meeting of the Society for Molecular Biology and Evolution, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada, 24^th-28^th June 2007.

Other non peer-reviewed publications