Details of the Researcher

PHOTO

Faulks Leanne Kay
Section
Graduate School of Life Sciences
Job title
Assistant Professor

Professional Memberships 2

  • The Ichthyological Society of Japan

  • ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF JAPAN

Research Interests 4

  • freshwater fish

  • microbiome

  • molecular ecology

  • freshwater ecology

Research Areas 1

  • Environmental science/Agricultural science / Biological resource conservation /

Papers 23

  1. Panmixia in Anguilla Eels: A Meta‐Analysis Peer-reviewed

    Leanne Faulks, Ayu Daryani, Hiroshi Hakoyama

    Fish and Fisheries　2025/09

    DOI： 10.1111/faf.70007 　

  2. Community-level effects of a neonicotinoid pesticide on the metabolism of freshwater microorganisms Peer-reviewed

    Alessandra CERA, Sakie KODAMA, Leanne K. FAULKS, Hiroshi HAKOYAMA

    Aquatic Toxicology　282　107311-107311　2025/05

    Publisher: Elsevier BV

    DOI： 10.1016/j.aquatox.2025.107311 　

    ISSN： 0166-445X

  3. Inferring the demographic history of Japanese eel (Anguilla japonica) from genomic data: Insights for conservation and fisheries management Peer-reviewed

    Leanne Faulks, Prashant Kaushik, Shoji Taniguchi, Masashi Sekino, Reiichiro Nakamichi, Yuki Yamamoto, Hiroka Fujimori, Chiaki Okamoto, Sakie Kodama, Ayu Daryani, Angel Faye Manwong, Ishmerai Galang, Noritaka Mochioka, Kiyo Araki, Motoo Suzuki, Yoshitsugu Kaji, Takumi Ichiki, Tetsuya Matsunaga, Hiroshi Hakoyama

    Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems　32　(6)　1092-1098　2022/04/02

    Publisher: Wiley

    DOI： 10.1002/aqc.3810 　

    ISSN： 1052-7613

    eISSN： 1099-0755

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    Abstract Assessing the status or population size of species is a key task for wildlife conservation and the sustainable management of harvested species. In particular, assessing historical changes in population size provides an evolutionary perspective on current population dynamics. Japanese eel (Anguilla japonica) is an endangered yet commercially important catadromous fish species. This article assesses the demographic history of Japanese eel using the pairwise and multiple sequentially Markovian coalescent methods. The analyses indicate a reduction in effective population size Ne from 38,000 to 10,000 individuals between 4 and 1 Mya, followed by an increase to 80,000 individuals between 1 Mya and 22–30 kya. Approximately 22–30 kya there is evidence for a reduction in Ne to approximately 60,000 individuals. These events may be related to changes in environmental conditions, especially around the last glacial maximum (19–33 kya). The results of this study suggest that Japanese eel has experienced at least two population bottlenecks, interspersed by a period of population growth. The overall level of genetic diversity is relatively low, although there is no evidence for inbreeding. Data from this study will be used to help model the extinction risk of Japanese eel.

  4. Genomics outperforms genetics to manage mistakes in fisheries stocking of threatened species Peer-reviewed

    Catherine R. M. Attard, Jonathan Sandoval-Castillo, Dean M. Gilligan, Peter J. Unmack, Leanne K. Faulks, Luciano B. Beheregaray

    Biodiversity and Conservation　31　(3)　895-908　2022/03

    Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

    DOI： 10.1007/s10531-022-02369-x 　

    ISSN： 0960-3115

    eISSN： 1572-9710

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    Abstract Hatchery production and fisheries stocking is a widespread and high profile management practice because it allows recreational fisheries to continue in threatened species. Human-mediated transfer of fish across the geographic boundaries of intraspecies lineages or closely related species can cause introgression and occasionally outbreeding depression. Hybridization can be difficult to detect due to limited morphological differences among close lineages and the relatively low power of traditional genetic datasets. Here we showcase the use of genomic techniques to detect admixture of the economically important and threatened golden perch (Macquaria ambigua) in the Murray-Darling Basin, southeast Australia. We detected admixture through a genome-wide dataset of 6,862 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) across 174 Murray-Darling sourced fish and 15 fish from each of two neighbouring basins: the Lake Eyre and Fitzroy basins. Individuals with partial ancestry from both neighboring basins were detected using genomics throughout the Murray-Darling, suggesting the release of individuals and introgression into the Murray-Darling Basin. Importantly, a traditional microsatellite dataset was unreliable for identifying admixed individuals. The SNP-detected admixed individuals were also found in Murray-Darling impoundments, where fish are solely sourced from government-managed hatcheries, suggesting that some broodstock in hatcheries might have non-endemic ancestry. Stocking programs for golden perch release over one million fingerlings each year, and so could impact the genetic variation in the wild. We advocate for using genomics to check the ancestry of broodstock and for increasing collaboration between managers and academics—as done here—to better integrate the power of genomics into biodiversity management and conservation.

  5. Assessing the benefits and risks of translocations in depauperate species: A theoretical framework with an empirical validation Peer-reviewed

    Elise M. Furlan, Bernd Gruber, Catherine R. M. Attard, Robert N. E. Wager, Adam Kerezsy, Leanne K. Faulks, Luciano B. Beheregaray, Peter J. Unmack

    Journal of Applied Ecology　57　(4)　831-841　2020/02/25

    Publisher: Wiley

    DOI： 10.1111/1365-2664.13581 　

    ISSN： 0021-8901

    eISSN： 1365-2664

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    Abstract Conservation translocations are becoming more common to assist in the management of threatened native species. While many translocation programs focus on maximizing survival in newly established populations, consideration is also required for the persistence of source populations. Here, we present and test a theoretical framework that assesses the translocation trade‐off between increasing a species probability of survival and decreasing a species’ overall genetic diversity. We anticipate that (a) the genetic diversity of translocated populations will be reduced compared to the source due to a failure to capture and retain genetic diversity and (b) the genetic diversity of the source population will decline due to the removal of founder individuals. We test this framework with an empirical study of redfin blue eye Scaturiginichthys vermeilipinnis, a critically endangered fish species which has undergone several replicate translocations, established with founders sourced from a single remnant population. Several generations after reintroduction, we show that the predicted survival of the species has improved as a result of these translocations. While the species’ genetic diversity has been retained across all populations combined (translocated and source), we show that genetic diversity in each individual population (including the source) is reduced compared to the source population prior to translocation. Synthesis and applications. Conservation translocations can provide great benefits to species survival, enabling extinction risk to be spread across multiple populations. Translocated populations, however, often harbour reduced genetic diversity compared to source populations and initiating translocated populations can decrease the genetic diversity of source populations, placing them at an increased risk of extinction. The framework presented here enables the trade‐off between extinction risk and retention of genetic diversity to be established. This will enable the optimal conservation strategy to be employed to increase the long‐term persistence and evolutionary potential of a species.

  6. Development of microsatellite markers for the endangered sleeper Eleotris oxycephala (Perciformes: Eleotridae). Peer-reviewed

    Uchu Yamakawa, Shingo Kaneko, Ryosuke Imai, Leanne Kay Faulks, Koetsu Kon, Daisuke Kyogoku, Yuji Isagi, Yoshiaki Tsuda

    Genes & genetic systems　94　(5)　219-224　2019/12/10

    Publisher: GENETICS SOC JAPAN

    DOI： 10.1266/ggs.19-00007 　

    ISSN： 1880-5779

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    The amphidromous sleeper Eleotris oxycephala (Perciformes: Eleotridae) is mainly distributed along the Kuroshio Current in East Asia, and this current is thought to be the main driver of the species' dispersal. Due to anthropogenic environmental changes in rivers, E. oxycephala is ranked as a threatened or near-threatened species in the red lists of 12 prefectures in Japan. Moreover, there is concern that the species' dispersal pattern could be changed due to fluctuations in the Kuroshio Current caused by global warming. In this study, 40 microsatellite markers were developed for E. oxycephala, and their suitability was tested on 43 individuals from two populations of E. oxycephala from Kanagawa and Miyazaki Prefectures. The number of alleles, expected heterozygosity and fixation index at each locus were 2-10 (mean = 5.350), 0.034-0.860 (mean = 0.650) and -0.261-0.448 (mean = 0.065), respectively. Furthermore, there was a lack of genetic difference between the two populations (FST = 0.008, F'ST = 0.024), indicating widespread gene flow via the Kuroshio Current. These markers will be useful to evaluate the genetic structure and infer population demographic history of E. oxycephala populations, which may assist in the conservation of this species.

  7. Asymmetrical habitat coupling of an aquatic predator-The importance of individual specialization Peer-reviewed

    Marklund, Maria H. K, Svanback, Richard, Faulks, Leanne, Breed, Martin F, Scharnweber, Kristin, Zha, Yinghua, Eklov, Peter

    ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION　9　(6)　3405-3415　2019/03

    Publisher: WILEY

    DOI： 10.1002/ece3.4973 　

    ISSN： 2045-7758

  8. The integration and application of genomic information in mangrove conservation Peer-reviewed

    Wee, Alison KS, Mori, Gustavo M, Lira, Catarina F, Juan, Nunez-Farfan, Takayama, Koji, Faulks, Leanne Kay, Shi, Suhua, Tsuda, Yoshiaki, Suyama, Yoshihisa, Yamamoto, Takashi, Iwasaki, Takaya, Nagano, Yukio, Wang, Zhengzhen, Watanabe, Shin, Kajita, Tadashi

    CONSERVATION BIOLOGY　33　(1)　206-209　2018/05

    Publisher: WILEY

    ISSN： 0888-8892

  9. Unexpected species diversity within Japanese Mundochthonius pseudoscorpions (Pseudoscorpiones: Chthoniidae) and the necessity for improved species diagnosis revealed by molecular and morphological examination Peer-reviewed

    Ohira, Hajime, Kaneko, Shingo, Faulks Leanne, Kay, Tsutsumi, Tadaaki

    Invertebrate Systematics　32　(2)　259-277　2018/03

  10. Ecological disturbance influences adaptive divergence despite high gene flow in golden perch (Macquaria ambigua): Implications for management and resilience to climate change Peer-reviewed

    Catherine R. M. Attard, Chris J. Brauer, Jonathan Sandoval-Castillo, Leanne K. Faulks, Peter J. Unmack, Dean M. Gilligan, Luciano B. Beheregaray

    Molecular Ecology　27　(1)　196-215　2018/01/01

    Publisher: Blackwell Publishing Ltd

    DOI： 10.1111/mec.14438 　

    ISSN： 1365-294X 0962-1083

  11. Genome-wide data delimits multiple climate-determined species ranges in a widespread Australian fish, the golden perch (Macquaria ambigua) Peer-reviewed

    Luciano B. Beheregaray, Lauren V. Pfeiffer, Catherine R.M. Attard, Jonathan Sandoval-Castillo, Fabricius M.C.B. Domingos, Leanne K. Faulks, Dean M. Gilligan, Peter J. Unmack

    Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution　111　65-75　2017/06/01

    Publisher: Academic Press Inc.

    DOI： 10.1016/j.ympev.2017.03.021 　

    ISSN： 1095-9513 1055-7903

  12. Going, going, gone? Loss of genetic diversity in two critically endangered Australian freshwater fishes, Scaturiginichthys vermeilipinnis and Chlamydogobius squamigenus, from Great Artesian Basin springs at Edgbaston, Queensland, Australia Peer-reviewed

    Leanne K. Faulks, Adam Kerezsy, Peter J. Unmack, Jerald B. Johnson, Jane M. Hughes

    AQUATIC CONSERVATION-MARINE AND FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEMS　27　(1)　39-50　2017/02

    DOI： 10.1002/aqc.2684 　

    ISSN： 1052-7613

    eISSN： 1099-0755

  13. Adaptive major histocompatibility complex (MHC) and neutral genetic variation in two native Baltic Sea fishes (perch Perca fluviatilis and zander Sander lucioperca) with comparisons to an introduced and disease susceptible population in Australia (P-fluviatilis): assessing the risk of disease epidemics Peer-reviewed

    L. K. Faulks, O. Ostman

    JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY　88　(4)　1564-1583　2016/04

    DOI： 10.1111/jfb.12930 　

    ISSN： 0022-1112

    eISSN： 1095-8649

  14. Genetic Diversity and Hybridisation between Native and Introduced Salmonidae Fishes in a Swedish Alpine Lake Peer-reviewed

    Leanne Faulks, Oerjan Ostman

    PLOS ONE　11　(3)　2016/03

    DOI： 10.1371/journal.pone.0152732 　

    ISSN： 1932-6203

  15. Regional extinction, rediscovery and rescue of a freshwater fish from a highly modified environment: The need for rapid response Peer-reviewed

    Michael P. Hammer, Todd S. Goodman, Mark Adams, Leanne F. Faulks, Peter J. Unmack, Nick S. Whiterod, Keith F. Walker

    BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION　192　91-100　2015/12

    DOI： 10.1016/j.biocon.2015.08.041 　

    ISSN： 0006-3207

    eISSN： 1873-2917

  16. Intraspecific Niche Variation Drives Abundance-Occupancy Relationships in Freshwater Fish Communities Peer-reviewed

    Leanne Faulks, Richard Svanback, Henrik Ragnarsson-Stabo, Peter Eklov, Orjan Ostman

    AMERICAN NATURALIST　186　(2)　272-283　2015/08

    DOI： 10.1086/682004 　

    ISSN： 0003-0147

    eISSN： 1537-5323

  17. Genetic and morphological divergence along the littoral-pelagic axis in two common and sympatric fishes: perch, Perca fluviatilis (Percidae) and roach, Rutilus rutilus (Cyprinidae). Peer-reviewed

    Faulks, Leanne Kay, Svanbäck, Richard, Eklöv, Peter, Östman, Örjan

    Biological Journal of the Linnean Society　114　929-940　2015/01

  18. Stress tolerance and population stability of rock pool Daphnia in relation to local conditions and population isolation. Peer-reviewed

    Liao, Y-Fan, Faulks Leanne, Kay, Östman, Örjan

    HYDROBIOLOGIA　742　267-278　2014/08

    Publisher: KLUWER ACADEMIC PUBL

    ISSN： 0018-8158

  19. The role of anthropogenic vs. natural in-stream structures in determining connectivity and genetic diversity in an endangered freshwater fish, Macquarie perch (Macquaria australasica). Peer-reviewed

    Faulks Leanne, Kay, Gilligan, Dean, Beheregaray, Luciano

    Evolutionary Applications　4　589-601　2011/01

  20. Islands of water in a sea of dry land: hydrological regime predicts genetic diversity and dispersal in a widespread fish from Australia's arid zone, the golden perch (Macquaria ambigua) Peer-reviewed

    Leanne K. Faulks, Dean M. Gilligan, Luciano B. Beheregaray

    MOLECULAR ECOLOGY　19　(21)　4723-4737　2010/11

    DOI： 10.1111/j.1365-294X.2010.04848.x 　

    ISSN： 0962-1083

  21. Clarifying an ambiguous evolutionary history: range-wide phylogeography of an Australian freshwater fish, the golden perch (Macquaria ambigua) Peer-reviewed

    Leanne K. Faulks, Dean M. Gilligan, Luciano B. Beheregaray

    JOURNAL OF BIOGEOGRAPHY　37　(7)　1329-1340　2010/07

    DOI： 10.1111/j.1365-2699.2010.02304.x 　

    ISSN： 0305-0270

  22. Evolution and maintenance of divergent lineages in an endangered freshwater fish, Macquaria australasica Peer-reviewed

    Faulks Leanne, Kay, Gilligan, Dean, Beheregaray, Luciano

    Conservation Genetics　11　921-934　2009/05

  23. Phylogeography of a threatened freshwater fish (Mogurnda adspersa) in eastern Australia: conservation implications Peer-reviewed

    Leanne K. Faulks, Dean M. Gilligan, Luciano B. Beheregaray

    MARINE AND FRESHWATER RESEARCH　59　(1)　89-96　2008

    DOI： 10.1071/MF07167 　

    ISSN： 1323-1650

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Books and Other Publications 3

  1. Eel science

    Okazoe N, Faulks L, Hakoyama H

    Springer　2024

    ISBN: 9789819956913

  2. Austral Ark The State of Wildlife in Australia and New Zealand

    Faulks L., Gilligan D., Beheregaray LB

    Cambridge University Press　2015

  3. Evolutionary history, landscape genetics and conservation of two Australian freshwater fishes golden perch (Macquarie ambigua) and Macquarie perch (Macquarie australasia)

    Faulks Leanne,Kay

    2010/04

Research Projects 1

  1. Global phylogeography and genomics of an emerging infectious disease of fish Competitive

    Offer Organization: KAKENHI

    System: Grant-in-Aid for Young Research (B)

Teaching Experience 5

  1. Ecology and Evolution English Lecture (lecture in omnibus)　Tohoku University

  2. Special Lectures in Ecology and Evolution (lecture in omnibus)　Tohoku University

  3. Practice in reading biological English (assistance)　Tohoku University

  4. Laboratory of Ecology (assistance)　Tohoku University

  5. Animal Ecology Practical Course (assistance)　Tohoku University