Lecturer in Molecular Ecology
BSc (UPM), MSc (Otago)

My research interests include molecular population genetics, evolutionary genetics, molecular systematics, genetics of hybridization (hybrid zones), and biogeography, particularly in freshwater fishes. In the molecular ecology lab, we apply molecular genetic techniques to study genetic diversity of natural populations, patterns of gene flow, mating systems, hybridization and introgression, conservation genetics of threatened and endangered species, the impact of introduced species on the genetic integrity of native species, and other topics related to population and evolutionary genetics. Molecular approaches that we use include: isozyme electrophoresis, PCR of mitochondrial sequences, RFLP analysis, RAPD analysis, DNA sequencing and microsatellites, usually in conjunction with morphological and behavioural data.

Selected Publications

Yuzine E, Kamarul Rahim K, Jeffrine R J, Abdullah M T, Sallehin A A and Khairul A A R. 2005. Phylogenetic Relationship between Three Freshwater Fishes of the Subtribe Tores (Cyprinidae) In Malaysia. IRPA and Fundamental Research Paper Series, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak.

Andy K.H.G., Yuzine E, Sallehin A A and Abdullah M T. 2005. Establishing Protocols for Phylogenetic Research on Megachiroptera. IRPA and Fundamental Research Paper Series, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak.

Besar Ketol, Andy K.H.G, Yuzine Esa and M.T. Abdullah. 2005. A Phylogenetic Relationship in the Genus Rhinolophus (Family: Rhinolophidae) From Borneo Inferred Using Partial Mtdna Cytochrome B Gene. In Wallace in Sarawak ? 150 years later. An International Conference on Biodiversity and Biogeography.? Institute of Biodiversity and Environmental Conservation, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Kota Samarahan. Poster presentation.

Waters, J. M., Esa, Y.B. and Wallis, G. P. 2001. Genetic and morphological evidence for reproductive isolation between sympatric population of Galaxias (Teleostei:Galaxiidae) in Southland, New Zealand. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society 73(3): 287-298.

Esa, Y. B. 2001. Genetic and morphological analysis of natural hybridization among freshwater galaxiid fish (Teleostei:Galaxiidae) in South Island, New Zealand. Unpublished M.Sc thesis. Zoology Department, University of Otago, New Zealand.

Esa, Y.B., Waters, J. M. and Wallis, G. P. 2000. Introgressive hybridization between Galaxias depressiceps and G. sp. D (Teleostei: Galaxiidae) in the upper Taieri River, New Zealand: secondary contact mediated by water races. Conservation Genetics 1:329-339.

Waters, J M., Esa, Y. B. and Wallis, G. P. 1999. Characterization of microsatellite loci from a New Zealand freshwater fish (Galaxias vulgaris) and their potential for analysis of hybridization in Galaxiidae. Molecular Ecology 8: 1080-1082.

Esa Y. B., Patimah, I., Tan, S. G. and Jothy, P. 1996. Genetic Polymorphism study of local population of giant freshwater Prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii de Man) and Banana Prawn (Penaeus merguiensis de Man). Paper presented at the 2nd National Congress on Genetics, 13-15 November 1996, Nikko Hotel, KL, Malaysia.