Prof. Dr.

Franky BOSSUYT

Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Room 4G110A
Pleinlaan 2
1050 Brussels | Belgium

Phone: 
+32-2-6293648

Franky is the head of Amphibian Evolution Lab. He is particularly interested in the use of molecular phylogenies to elucidate evolutionary patterns and the processes that produce them in amphibians. But science becomes really fun with an integrative approach, in which tempo and mode of evolution are linked to biogeography, speciation, morphological diversification, sexual communication, etc ... His current research is mostly focussed around the evolution of sexually dimorphic glands in amphibians.

Van Bocxlaer, I., Maex, M., Treer, D., Janssenswillen, S., Janssens, R., Vandebergh, W., Proost, P. & F. Bossuyt, 2016. Beyond sodefrin: evidence for a multi-component pheromone system in the model newt Cynops pyrrhogaster(Salamandridae). Scientific Reports, 6: 21880.

Martel, A., Blooi, M., Adriaensen, C., Van Rooij, P., Beukema, W., Fisher, M.C., Farrer, R.A., Schmidt, B.R., Tobler, U., Goka, K., Lips, K.R., Muletz, C., Zamudio, K., Bosch, J., Lötters, S., Wombwell, E., Garner, T.W.J.,  Cunningham, A.A., Spitzen-van der Sluijs, A., Salvidio, S., Ducatelle, R., Nishikawa, K., Nguyen, T.T., Kolby, J.E., Van Bocxlaer, I., Bossuyt, F. & F. Pasmans, 2014. Recent introduction of a chytrid fungus endangers Western Palearctic salamanders. Science 346: 630 - 631.

Roelants, K., Fry, B.G., Ye, L., Stijlemans, B., Brys, L., Kok, P., Clynen, E., Schoofs, L., Cornelis, P. & F. Bossuyt, 2013. Origin and functional diversification of an amphibian defense peptide arsenal. PLoS Genetics 9(8): e1003662. 

Kok, P. J. R. , MacCulloch, R. D., Means, D. B., Roelants, K., Van Bocxlaer, I. & F. Bossuyt, 2012. Low genetic diversity in tepui summit vertebrates. Current Biology, 22 (15): R589-590.

Vandebergh, W. & F. Bossuyt, 2012. Radiation and Functional Diversification of Alpha Keratins during Early Vertebrate Evolution. Molecular Biology and Evolution, 29 (3): 995-1004.

Roelants, K., Haas, A., & F. Bossuyt, 2011. Anuran radiations and the evolution of tadpole morphospace. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., USA 108 (21): 8527-8916.

Van Bocxlaer, I., Loader, S.P., Roelants, K., Biju, S.D., Menegon, M. & F. Bossuyt, 2010. Gradual adaptation toward a range-expansion phenotype initiated the global radiation of toads. Science 327, 679-682.

Roelants, K., Fry, B.G., Norman, J.A.,  Clynen, E., Schoofs, L. & F. Bossuyt, 2010. Identical Skin Toxins by Convergent Molecular Adaptation in Frogs. Current Biology 20: 125-130.