Mr Bryan Lessard, PhD student at the Australian National Insect Collection.

Mr Bryan Lessard: solving the mystery behind Gondwanan horse flies

Mr Bryan Lessard is focusing on the evolution and phylogenetic relationships of southern hemisphere horse flies and the influence of the separation of Gondwana.

• 30 March 2010 | Updated 14 October 2011

Overview

• Current activities
• Background 
• Academic qualifications

Current activities

Mr Bryan Lessard is a Doctor of Philosophy candidate and has a strong foundation in biotechnology and Diptera biology.

Currently he is investigating the diversification and evolution of important species of horse fly (Diptera: Tabanidae) found in the southern hemisphere, including Australia, New Zealand and South America.

His research involves an intimate knowledge of traditional morphological taxonomy, combined with contemporary molecular techniques used to study the phylogenetics of the taxonomic groupings.

Various molecular markers are exploited to infer the level of relatedness at a species level (using mitochondrial DNA), as well as higher levels of relatedness among genera (using nuclear DNA).

By calibrating these phylogenies with the fossil record, the evolutionary influence of the breakup of Gondwana can be assessed. This research will increase our understanding of such a misunderstood insect group.

In addition to the CSIRO, Mr Lessard is collaborating with the Australian National University and the North Carolina State University in the United States of America.

Background

Before joining the CSIRO in 2009, Mr Lessard completed his Honours thesis on the identification of forensically important blowflies using mitochondrial DNA at the University of Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia.

It was also at the University of Wollongong where he worked as a Research Assistant in the Forensic Entomology Research and Analysis Laboratory (FERAL).

Academic qualifications

Mr Lessard has been awarded a Bachelor of Biotechnology (Advanced) with First Class Honours.

Find out more about Fly, mosquito and midge (Diptera) research at CSIRO.