Anansi Brigade
Research Field
I am a behavioral ecologist and evolutionary biologist specializing in the study of spiders. My primary research focuses on their behavior evolution, including mating behaviors, web-building activities, and the underlying mechanisms of these behaviors. In addition, I am also actively involved in turtle conservation.
Anansi brigade, which is a group of people who want to explore the natural history, focus on the systematics, biogeography, behavior ecology and evolutionary biology of animals, especially, spiders and turtles
Phylogeny and Evolutionary Biology
Invertebrate evolution, with an emphasis on spiders, is investigated using phylogenetics and phylogenomics to reconstruct evolutionary histories and examine the evolution of morphology and behavior, integrating sexual and natural selection with biogeography and phylogeography.
Population Genetics and Speciation
Historical hybridization and gene flow are examined to understand population genetic structure, with particular attention to ecological drivers such as elevational gradients that promote genetic differentiation and speciation.
Effects of Environmental Change on Animals
The impacts of urbanization and agricultural chemicals on invertebrate physiology and behavior, including foraging, web-building, and personality-related traits, are assessed.
Host–Microbe Interactions
Environmental drivers shaping host-associated microbial communities are analyzed, with a focus on whether symbiotic microbes influence host behavior, personality, and gene expression.
Conservation Biology
Genetic analyses and field surveys are used to monitor population structure, health, and post-release adaptation of native Taiwanese turtles, and to explore the role of acoustic signals in turtle communication.
Biomechanics
The physical mechanisms underlying spider behaviors, including diving, spitting, and locomotion, are investigated.
- Excellent Mentor Award of Manual Training from NCHU.
- The recruitment of special outstanding talents by universities and colleges with subsidies from MOST. (2018–2020, 540,000 NTD)
- Ministry of Science and Technology, 2017, the grant for attending International Conference (55,000 NTD)
- Smithsonian Institution, 2014, Short term visitor award (4,000 USD)
- First Prize of Oral presentation, 26th European congress of Arachnology, Israel. 2011/Sep
- Best Poster Presentation, Animal Behavior and Ecology Symposium, Taiwan. 2011/Feb
- Best Poster Presentation, Animal Behavior and Ecology Symposium, Taiwan. 2006/Mar
- The Prize of Excellent Award at the 2004 Research Paper Competition of Department of Biology, Tung-Hai University, Taiwan. 2004/May
University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
PhD, Biology, 2016/Feb.
Dissertation: “Evolutionary patterns and processes resulting in extreme sexual dimorphism in the spider group Argiopinae”
Advisor: Dr. Matjaž Kuntner
Job Description
Anansi Brigade is a team dedicated to exploring the natural history of living organisms. Our research focuses on animal systematics, biogeography, behavioral ecology, and evolutionary biology, with particular emphasis on spiders and turtles.
We are currently expanding our work to investigate spider–microbiome associations, including both internal gut communities and external symbionts. Specifically, we aim to understand how environmental gradients (e.g., elevation) and diet shape the composition of spider gut microbiota. We are also interested in how these symbiotic microbes may influence spider behavior and physiological performance.
Interns will assist with field sampling and molecular workflows, including sterile specimen processing and DNA extraction. We will use an Oxford Nanopore platform to generate full-length bacterial 16S rRNA sequences, enabling high-resolution profiling of spider-associated microbial communities. Interns will also support downstream bioinformatic analyses and, where applicable, culture-based bacterial isolation to explore potential functional traits of key symbionts.
Preferred Intern Educational Level
Undergraduate or graduate students are welcome. Students majoring in Biology, Ecology, Evolution, Microbiology, Bioinformatics, or related fields are preferred, but motivated applicants from other disciplines with relevant skills are also encouraged to apply.
Skill sets or Qualities
- Comfortable working with spiders (not afraid of spiders)
- Deep curiosity about nature and natural history
- Enjoys interacting with people and working in a team
- Eager to try new things and learn new techniques
- Responsible, hardworking, and reliable
- Careful, detail-oriented, and able to keep clear records
Job Description
Anansi Brigade is a team dedicated to exploring the natural history of living organisms. Our research focuses on animal systematics, biogeography, behavioral ecology, and evolutionary biology, with particular emphasis on spiders and turtles.
We are currently expanding our work to investigate spider–microbiome associations, including both internal gut communities and external symbionts. Specifically, we aim to understand how environmental gradients (e.g., elevation) and diet shape the composition of spider gut microbiota. We are also interested in how these symbiotic microbes may influence spider behavior and physiological performance.
Interns will assist with field sampling and molecular workflows, including sterile specimen processing and DNA extraction. We will use an Oxford Nanopore platform to generate full-length bacterial 16S rRNA sequences, enabling high-resolution profiling of spider-associated microbial communities. Interns will also support downstream bioinformatic analyses and, where applicable, culture-based bacterial isolation to explore potential functional traits of key symbionts.
Preferred Intern Educational Level
Undergraduate or graduate students are welcome. Students majoring in Biology, Ecology, Evolution, Microbiology, Bioinformatics, or related fields are preferred, but motivated applicants from other disciplines with relevant skills are also encouraged to apply.
Skill sets or Qualities
- Comfortable working with spiders (not afraid of spiders)
- Deep curiosity about nature and natural history
- Enjoys interacting with people and working in a team
- Eager to try new things and learn new techniques
- Responsible, hardworking, and reliable
- Careful, detail-oriented, and able to keep clear records