World's Best Scientists 2026 revealed!

D-Index & Metrics

Ecology and Evolution

D-Index
78
Citations
17423
World Ranking
927
National Ranking
131

Research.com Recognitions

  • 2011 - Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences
  • 2010 - Fellow of the Royal Society, United Kingdom
  • Member of the European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO)
  • Member of the European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO)

Overview

Paul M. Brakefield is affiliated with the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom. Their research spans multiple fields, primarily focusing on Agricultural and Biological Sciences, Environmental Science, and Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology. Within these broad areas, their work delves into subfields such as Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics, Genetics, Nature and Landscape Conservation, Insect Science, and Ecological Modeling.

The scientist's research covers several main topics, including Plant and animal studies, Lepidoptera biology and taxonomy, Ecology and vegetation dynamics studies, Insect and arachnid ecology and behavior, species distribution and climate change, animal behavior and reproduction, and plant diversity and evolution.

Recent notable publications include:

  • Miocene Climate and Habitat Change Drove Diversification in Bicyclus, Africa's Largest Radiation of Satyrine Butterflies, 2021, Systematic Biology
  • To mate, or not to mate: The evolution of reproductive diapause facilitates insect radiation into African savannahs in the Late Miocene, 2020, Journal of Animal Ecology
  • Predictability of temporal variation in climate and the evolution of seasonal polyphenism in tropical butterfly communities, 2021, Journal of Evolutionary Biology
  • Complex multi-trait responses to multivariate environmental cues in a seasonal butterfly, 2020, Evolutionary Ecology
  • A release from developmental bias accelerates morphological diversification in butterfly eyespots, 2020, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

The frequent co-authors who have contributed to their scientific work include:

  • Oskar Brattström
  • Erik van Bergen
  • Sridhar Halali
  • Vicencio Oostra
  • Kwaku Aduse-Poku

Publication venues commonly associated with their work encompass bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Systematic Biology, Journal of Animal Ecology, Journal of Evolutionary Biology, and Evolutionary Ecology.

Throughout their career, Paul M. Brakefield has received recognition from multiple institutions, including being a Fellow of the Royal Society, United Kingdom (2010), a member of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (2011), and a Member of the European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO).

Best Publications

  • Development, plasticity and evolution of butterfly eyespot patterns

    Brakefield Pm;Gates J;Keys D;Kesbeke F

  • The dynamics of evolutionary stasis

    Niles Eldredge;John N. Thompson;Paul M. Brakefield;Sergey Gavrilets

  • The genetics and evo–devo of butterfly wing patterns

    Patrícia Beldade;Paul M. Brakefield

  • Phenotypic plasticity, seasonal climate and the population biology of Bicyclus butterflies (Satyridae) in Malawi

    Paul M. Brakefield;Nico Reitsma

  • Developmental constraints versus flexibility in morphological evolution

    PatrÍcia Beldade;Kees Koops;Paul M. Brakefield

  • Evo-devo and constraints on selection.

    Paul M. Brakefield

  • The generation and diversification of butterfly eyespot color patterns

    Craig R Brunetti;Jayne E Selegue;Antonia Monteiro;Vernon French

  • Natural selection and developmental constraints in the evolution of allometries.

    W. Anthony Frankino;W. Anthony Frankino;Bas J. Zwaan;Bas J. Zwaan;David L. Stern;David L. Stern;Paul M. Brakefield;Paul M. Brakefield

  • Does predation maintain eyespot plasticity in Bicyclus anynana

    Anne Lyytinen;Paul M. Brakefield;Leena Lindström;Johanna Mappes

  • Developmental Bias and Evolution: A Regulatory Network Perspective.

    Tobias Uller;Armin P Moczek;Richard A Watson;Paul M Brakefield

  • PLASTICITY IN BUTTERFLY EGG SIZE: WHY LARGER OFFSPRING AT LOWER TEMPERATURES?

    Klaus Fischer;Paul M. Brakefield;Bas J. Zwaan

  • The evolutionary significance of dry and wet season forms in some tropical butterflies

    Paul M. Brakefield;Torben B. Larsen

  • Captivity masks inbreeding effects on male mating success in butterflies

    Mathieu Joron;Mathieu Joron;Paul M. Brakefield

  • Evolution of Sexual Dimorphism in the Lepidoptera

    Cerisse E Allen;Bas J Zwaan;Paul M Brakefield

  • Differences in thermal balance, body temperature and activity between non-melanic and melanic two-spot ladybird beetles (Adalia bipunctata) under controlled conditions

    Peter W. De Jong;Sander W. S. Gussekloo;Paul M. Brakefield

  • Sequestration of host plant glucosinolates in the defensive hemolymph of the sawfly Athalia rosae.

    Caroline Müller;Niels Agerbirk;Carl Erik Olsen;Jean-Luc Boevé

  • Contribution of Distal-less to quantitative variation in butterfly eyespots.

    Patrícia Beldade;Paul M. Brakefield;Anthony D. Long

  • SEVERE INBREEDING DEPRESSION AND RAPID FITNESS REBOUND IN THE BUTTERFLY BICYCLUS ANYNANA (SATYRIDAE).

    Ilik J. Saccheri;Ilik J. Saccheri;Paul M. Brakefield;Richard A. Nichols

  • The Male Sex Pheromone of the Butterfly Bicyclus anynana: Towards an Evolutionary Analysis

    Caroline M. Nieberding;Helene de Vos;Maria V. Schneider;Jean-Marc Lassance

  • The basis of thermal melanism in the ladybird Adalia bipunctata : Differences in reflectance and thermal properties between the morphs

    Paul M Brakefield;P G Willmer

Frequent Co-Authors

Bas J. Zwaan
Bas J. Zwaan Wageningen University & Research
Antónia Monteiro
Antónia Monteiro National University of Singapore
Klaus Fischer
Klaus Fischer University of Greifswald
Christer Löfstedt
Christer Löfstedt Lund University
Caroline Müller
Caroline Müller Bielefeld University
Marjo Saastamoinen
Marjo Saastamoinen University of Helsinki
Thomas B. L. Kirkwood
Thomas B. L. Kirkwood Newcastle University
Niklas Wahlberg
Niklas Wahlberg Lund University
Alain Vanderpoorten
Alain Vanderpoorten University of Liège
Richard A. Nichols
Richard A. Nichols Queen Mary University of London

If you think any of the details on this page are incorrect, let us know.

Report an issue

We appreciate your kind effort to assist us to improve this page, it would be helpful providing us with as much detail as possible in the text box below:

Related Online Degrees & Career Pathways

Exploring Ecology and Evolution opens doors to diverse career opportunities, both within environmental sciences and in related fields like education, management, and social work. Today, many students prefer flexible online programs to balance studies with work or family commitments.

Choosing the right institution is important for value and credibility. Consider exploring nonprofit online universities for quality education with robust academic standards. These schools often deliver reputable programs at competitive costs.

For those with a nursing background interested in environmental health or public health aspects, you may want to consider alternatives like the cheapest bsn to msn online degrees, which provide affordable pathways to advance your professional health career.

If you are a veteran or active military, look for veteran friendly online colleges offering tailored support, credit for service experience, and flexible schedules.

Social and environmental initiatives often overlap. Those interested in the human side of ecological work may pursue social work master programs online, building interdisciplinary skills crucial for community outreach and advocacy.

Best Scientists Citing Paul M. Brakefield

Trending Scientists