Dr Charlotte Davies

Lecturer

Biosciences

+44 (0) 1792 604782

c.e.davies@swansea.ac.uk

Basic Welsh Speaker

Staff Office - 018
Ground Floor
Margam Building
Singleton Campus

Available For Postgraduate Supervision

Research Links

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5853-1934

ResearchGate

Google Scholar

ResearcherID

Scopus

About

I am a molecular ecologist and my research focuses on genetics and diseases in marine ecosystems, which have the potential to alter ocean life, and the coastal communities that rely upon it. In particular, I have a special interest in Tropical Marine Ecosystems. I am currently a lecturer in Bioscience.

Previously at Swansea I was Fisheries Research Officer for a European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) project, 'Atlantic Herring Studies in the Bristol Channel and Wales'; as well as SEACAMS2 working on herring stock assessments and sea trout tagging, alongside industrial partners such as Pembrokeshire Power Station, RWE and Frog Environmental. In addition, I was a Scientific Officer within the Comparative Immunology and Pathobiology group working on the BlueFish project, investigating disease connectivity in the aquatic environment, including the ability to ‘track’ pathogens from the water column into the host using environmental DNA (eDNA) approaches.

I obtained my BSc in Biology and PhD at Swansea University, studying pathogens of economically important European shellfish, the European lobster and brown (edible) crab. My first postdoctoral position at the National Autonomous University of Mexico’s Institute of Marine Sciences and Limnology investigated the relationship between tropical habitat ecology and disease prevalence in the Caribbean spiny lobster.

I want to work towards a better understanding of how anthropogenically driven stressors such as fishing, climate change and invasive species, can affect emergence, spread and connectivity of marine diseases.

Areas Of Expertise

Diseases of aquatic animals
Crustaceans
Shellfish
Marine Protected Areas
Disease Connectivity
eDNA
Tropical ecosystems
Fisheries

Languages Spoken

Spanish

Career Highlights

Teaching Interests

I co-ordinate both Year 3 tropical marine biology modules BIO327, the Tropical Marine Ecology Field Course, in Abu Dabbab, Egypt, and BIO330 Tropical Marine Ecology and Conservation. I also teach on the Year 2 BIO260 Marine Biology Fieldcourse in Dale Fort, Pembrokeshire, as well as BIO346 Professional Skills in Marine Biology, a field course based in Camarthen Bay. Additionally, I assist with BIO236 Cells and Immunity and BIO313 Diseases of aquatic animals.

I am the co-oridnator for Year in Industry and Year in Applied Research degrees in Bioscience, including Biology, Zoology and Marine Biology disciplines.

I welcome project students interested in molecular ecology, marine diseases and genetics and biodiversity and habitat connectivity.

Research Award Highlights Collaborations

Publications

Research Highlights

Davies, C., Thomas, J., Malkin, S., Batista, F., Rowley, A., Coates, C., & Bevan, J. (2022). Hematodinium sp. infection does not drive collateral disease contraction in a crustacean host. eLife, 11
https://doi.org/10.7554/elife.70356, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa59336
Davies, C., Bass, D., Ward, G., Batista, F., Malkin, S., Thomas, J., Bateman, K., Feist, S., Coates, C., & Rowley, A. (2020). Diagnosis and prevalence of two new species of haplosporidians infecting shore crabs Carcinus maenas: Haplosporidium carcini n. sp., and H. cranc n. sp.. Parasitology, 147(11), 1229-1237.
https://doi.org/10.1017/s0031182020000980, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa54427
Quinn, E., Malkin, S., Thomas, J., POOLE, R., Davies, C., Rowley, A., & Coates, C. (2022). Invasive slipper limpets (Crepidula fornicata) act like a sink, rather than source, of Vibrio spp.. Biological Invasions, 24, 3647-3659.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-022-02868-6, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa60643
Davies, C., Malkin, S., Thomas, J., Batista, F., Rowley, A., & Coates, C. (2020). Mycosis Is a Disease State Encountered Rarely in Shore Crabs, Carcinus maenas. Pathogens, 9(6), 462
https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens9060462, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa54422
Rowley, A., Davies, C., Malkin, S., Bryan, C., Bevan, J., Batista, F., & Coates, C. (2020). Prevalence and histopathology of the parasitic barnacle, Sacculina carcini in shore crabs, Carcinus maenas. Journal of Invertebrate Pathology, 171, 107338
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jip.2020.107338, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa53465
Davies, C., Briones-Fourzán, P., Barradas-Ortiz, C., Negrete-Soto, F., Moo-Cocom, G., & Lozano-Álvarez, E. (2020). Do ecological characteristics drive the prevalence of Panulirus argus virus 1 (PaV1) in juvenile Caribbean spiny lobsters in a tropical reef lagoon?. PLOS ONE, 15(2), e0229827
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0229827, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa53708
Davies, C., Batista, F., Malkin, S., Bevan, J., Bryan, C., Crocombe, P., Coates, C., & Rowley, A. (2019). Spatial and temporal disease dynamics of the parasite Hematodinium sp. in shore crabs, Carcinus maenas. Parasites & Vectors, 12(1)
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-019-3727-x, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa52056
Davies, C., Briones-Fourzán, P., & Lozano-Álvarez, E. (2019). Untangling the effects of size, habitat and invertebrate biodiversity on parasite prevalence in the Caribbean spiny lobster. Marine Biology, 166(9)
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-019-3563-8, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa51316
Davies, C. & Wootton, E. (2018). Current and emerging diseases of the European lobster (Homarus gammarus): a review. Bulletin of Marine Science, 94(3), 959-978.
https://doi.org/10.5343/bms.2017.1142, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa43707
Davies, C. & Wootton, E. (2018). Current and emerging diseases of the European lobster (Homarus gammarus): a review. Bulletin of Marine Science, 94(3), 959-978.
https://doi.org/10.5343/bms.2017.1142, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa43750
Rowley, A., Smith, A., & Davies, C. (2015). How Does the Dinoflagellate Parasite Hematodinium Outsmart the Immune System of Its Crustacean Hosts?. PLOS Pathogens, 11(5), e1004724
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.ppat.1004724, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa22063
Davies, C. & Rowley, A. (2015). Are European lobsters (Homarus gammarus) susceptible to infection by a temperate Hematodinium sp.?. Journal of Invertebrate Pathology, 127, 6-10.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jip.2015.02.004, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa20288
Davies, C., Johnson, A., Wootton, E., Greenwood, S., Clark, K., Vogan, C., Rowley, A., Rowley, A., McCabe, C., & Davies, C. (2014). Effects of population density and body size on disease ecology of the European lobster in a temperate marine conservation zone. ICES Journal of Marine Science
https://doi.org/10.1093/icesjms/fsu237, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa20218
Davies, C., Thomas, G., Maffeis, T., Wootton, E., Penny, M., & Rowley, A. (2014). Detailed surface morphology of the 'lobster louse' copepod, Nicothoe astaci, a haematophagous gill parasite of the European lobster, Homarus americanus. Journal of Invertebrate Pathology, 122, 48-51.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jip.2014.08.006, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa19189
Whitten, M., Davies, C., Kim, A., Tlusty, M., Wootton, E., Chistoserdov, A., Rowley, A., & Walker (neeWhitten), M. (2014). Cuticles of European and American lobsters harbor diverse bacterial species and differ in disease susceptibility. MicrobiologyOpen, 3(3), 395-409.
https://doi.org/10.1002/mbo3.174, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa19184

All Research

Journal Articles

Davies, C., Rowley, A., Baker-Austin, C., Boerlage, A., Caillon, C., Davies, C., Duperret, L., Martin, S., Mitta, G., Pernet, F., Pratoomyot, J., Shields, J., Shinn, A., Songsungthong, W., Srijuntongsiri, G., Sritunyalucksana, K., Vidal-Dupiol, J., Uren Webster, T., Taengchaiyaphum, S...., & Coates, C. (2024). Diseases of marine fish and shellfish in an age of rapid climate change. iScience, 27(9), 110838
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.isci.2024.110838, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa67976
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.isci.2024.110838
Quinn, E., Malkin, S., Thomas, J., POOLE, R., Davies, C., Rowley, A., & Coates, C. (2022). Invasive slipper limpets (Crepidula fornicata) act like a sink, rather than source, of Vibrio spp.. Biological Invasions, 24, 3647-3659.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-022-02868-6, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa60643
Davies, C., Thomas, J., Malkin, S., Batista, F., Rowley, A., Coates, C., & Bevan, J. (2022). Hematodinium sp. infection does not drive collateral disease contraction in a crustacean host. eLife, 11
https://doi.org/10.7554/elife.70356, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa59336
Davies, C., Bass, D., Ward, G., Batista, F., Malkin, S., Thomas, J., Bateman, K., Feist, S., Coates, C., & Rowley, A. (2020). Diagnosis and prevalence of two new species of haplosporidians infecting shore crabs Carcinus maenas: Haplosporidium carcini n. sp., and H. cranc n. sp.. Parasitology, 147(11), 1229-1237.
https://doi.org/10.1017/s0031182020000980, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa54427
Davies, C., Malkin, S., Thomas, J., Batista, F., Rowley, A., & Coates, C. (2020). Mycosis Is a Disease State Encountered Rarely in Shore Crabs, Carcinus maenas. Pathogens, 9(6), 462
https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens9060462, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa54422
Rowley, A., Davies, C., Malkin, S., Bryan, C., Bevan, J., Batista, F., & Coates, C. (2020). Prevalence and histopathology of the parasitic barnacle, Sacculina carcini in shore crabs, Carcinus maenas. Journal of Invertebrate Pathology, 171, 107338
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jip.2020.107338, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa53465
Davies, C., Briones-Fourzán, P., Barradas-Ortiz, C., Negrete-Soto, F., Moo-Cocom, G., & Lozano-Álvarez, E. (2020). Do ecological characteristics drive the prevalence of Panulirus argus virus 1 (PaV1) in juvenile Caribbean spiny lobsters in a tropical reef lagoon?. PLOS ONE, 15(2), e0229827
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0229827, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa53708
Davies, C., Batista, F., Malkin, S., Bevan, J., Bryan, C., Crocombe, P., Coates, C., & Rowley, A. (2019). Spatial and temporal disease dynamics of the parasite Hematodinium sp. in shore crabs, Carcinus maenas. Parasites & Vectors, 12(1)
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-019-3727-x, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa52056
Davies, C., Briones-Fourzán, P., & Lozano-Álvarez, E. (2019). Untangling the effects of size, habitat and invertebrate biodiversity on parasite prevalence in the Caribbean spiny lobster. Marine Biology, 166(9)
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-019-3563-8, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa51316
Davies, C. & Wootton, E. (2018). Current and emerging diseases of the European lobster (Homarus gammarus): a review. Bulletin of Marine Science, 94(3), 959-978.
https://doi.org/10.5343/bms.2017.1142, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa43707
Davies, C. & Wootton, E. (2018). Current and emerging diseases of the European lobster (Homarus gammarus): a review. Bulletin of Marine Science, 94(3), 959-978.
https://doi.org/10.5343/bms.2017.1142, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa43750
Rowley, A., Smith, A., & Davies, C. (2015). How Does the Dinoflagellate Parasite Hematodinium Outsmart the Immune System of Its Crustacean Hosts?. PLOS Pathogens, 11(5), e1004724
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.ppat.1004724, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa22063
Davies, C. & Rowley, A. (2015). Are European lobsters (Homarus gammarus) susceptible to infection by a temperate Hematodinium sp.?. Journal of Invertebrate Pathology, 127, 6-10.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jip.2015.02.004, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa20288
Davies, C., Johnson, A., Wootton, E., Greenwood, S., Clark, K., Vogan, C., Rowley, A., Rowley, A., McCabe, C., & Davies, C. (2014). Effects of population density and body size on disease ecology of the European lobster in a temperate marine conservation zone. ICES Journal of Marine Science
https://doi.org/10.1093/icesjms/fsu237, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa20218
Davies, C., Thomas, G., Maffeis, T., Wootton, E., Penny, M., & Rowley, A. (2014). Detailed surface morphology of the 'lobster louse' copepod, Nicothoe astaci, a haematophagous gill parasite of the European lobster, Homarus americanus. Journal of Invertebrate Pathology, 122, 48-51.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jip.2014.08.006, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa19189
Whitten, M., Davies, C., Kim, A., Tlusty, M., Wootton, E., Chistoserdov, A., Rowley, A., & Walker (neeWhitten), M. (2014). Cuticles of European and American lobsters harbor diverse bacterial species and differ in disease susceptibility. MicrobiologyOpen, 3(3), 395-409.
https://doi.org/10.1002/mbo3.174, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa19184
Davies, C., Whitten, M., Kim, A., Wootton, E., Maffeis, T., Tlusty, M., Vogan, C., Rowley, A., Walker (neeWhitten), M., & McCabe, C. (2014). A comparison of the structure of American (Homarus americanus) and European (Homarus gammarus) lobster cuticle with particular reference to shell disease susceptibility. Journal of Invertebrate Pathology, 117, 33-41.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jip.2014.01.001, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa17946
WOOTTON, E., POPE, E., McCabe, C., ROBERTS, E., Davies, C., & Rowley, A. (2011). Morphology and pathology of the ectoparasitic copepod, Nicothoë astaci (‘lobster louse’) in the European lobster, Homarus gammarus. Parasitology, 138(10), 1285-1295.
https://doi.org/10.1017/S003118201100093X, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa10646

Supervision

Seagrass-associated biodiversity in the temperate Seascape (current)

MRes

Other supervisor: Dr Richard Unsworth
Parasitic diseases of crabs in Swansea bay (current)

MRes

Other supervisor: Prof Andrew Rowley
DIGENEAN PARASITES OF SHORE CRABS, CARCINUS MAENAS (current)

MRes

Other supervisor: Prof Andrew Rowley

Taught Modules

BIO260 Marine Biology Field Course

This residential field course comprises practical work employing shore-based techniques to sample littoral and benthic marine habitats. Students will learn techniques for the identification of marine organisms and gain experience in the analysis and presentation of ecological data.
BIO327 Tropical marine ecology field course

This field based module will provide students with an introduction to the ecology of tropical marine systems and teach students the key practical skills required by tropical marine biologists. Students will obtain training in how to design, implement and report scientifically robust marine research. The module will complement the level three marine field course and help develop key skills in field based marine biology. Students will learn skills in marine ecology and taxonomy, in-water marine sampling and surveys, and impact assessment. This module will be mostly practical based but will also include theory lectures, workshops and feedback sessions. It would be structured around seven days of directed practical activities and a three day small group based mini-project. The field course will utilise snorkeling and intertidal walking as the major means of sampling throughout directed practicals.
BIO330 Tropical marine ecology and conservation

This module will provide a holistic overview of the ecology and conservation of important marine ecosystems, and will place this information within the context of ecosystem services, and their value to humanity. This module will consist of up to 12 lectures/seminars on the following topics: ¿ Diversity and biology of coral reef communities ¿ Structure and function of seagrass meadows (temperate and tropical) ¿ Mangrove forest ecology ¿ Connectivity across the tropical marine seascape ¿ The ecosystem services of tropical marine systems ¿ Response of coral reef systems to climate change and ocean acidification ¿ Degradation of tropical marine systems ¿ Resilience thinking and the management of tropical marine systems The module also contains a workshop session and additional direct contact with the module lead lecturer.
BIO346 Professional Skills in Marine Biology

This module will introduce students to the professional techniques utilised to monitor and study marine life in a variety of marine and coastal habitats and in relation to conservation management and biodiversity monitoring in the United Kingdom. The course places a strong emphasis on marine ecological census techniques. Students will learn key skills relevant to the marine ecology sector including protected and economically-important species (especially marine mammals, fish, shellfish, coastal birds) and Phase 1 habitat surveys. Students will also learn about the biotic and abiotic factors that define different UK habitats and relevant regulations that protect them. The module provides an introduction to the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process and a range of impacts on the marine environment including energy generation and coastal development. Participants in this module will work in groups to discuss case study surveys and EIAs, including a presentation reporting findings from rapid ecological surveys for a case study EIA. The class will be responsible for collecting key survey data for a Preliminary Environmental Appraisal (PEA) Report in accordance with CIEEM for a proposed commercial development in Carmarthen Bay. During a field course, small groups will work as marine environmental consultancy companies responding to an Invitation to Tender with survey design, planning, cost estimation, data collection and analysis. A focus of the module is on developing key transferable skills that enhance employability such as survey design and planning, problem solving, data analysis, report writing, evaluation, communication and teamwork. This will be a residential field course.

Career History

BlueFish Scientific Officer, Swansea University

April 2018 - October 2020
Postdoctoral Researcher, National Autonomous University of Mexico

February 2016 - April 2018
SEACAMS2, EMFF and CHART Cymru Research Officer, Swansea University

October 2020 - October 2023

Key Grants and Projects

CHARTCymru - Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Catch and Release Tagging Programme 2022 2022
DAERA – AFBI – Herring Stock Identification 2022

Tender to investigate to assess the genetic identity of the herring in the Irish Sea.
European Maritime and Fisheries Fund 2014-2020 (EMFF) 'Atlantic Herring Studies in the Bristol Channel and Wales' 2021 - 2023
BLUEFISH – Building resilience into blue growth of the Irish Sea: adaptation to climate change in aquaculture and fisheries. 2017 - 2020

An ERDF, INTERREG Ireland-Wales project, WP 4.3 Disease Connectivity
National Autonomous University of Mexico Postdoctoral Scholarship - “Parasites and disease of the Caribbean spiny lobster (Panulirus argus): The role of habitat.” 2016 - 2018
CONACYT National System of Investigators economic stimulus. 2016 - 2018
"Health survey of Lundy Island crustaceans - Integration of scientists and fishermen.” 2016 Jointly funded by Seafish and SUSFISH (European Regional Development Fund through the Ireland Wales Programme) 2007 - 2013
“Importation of live lobsters into the U.K. - An assessment of disease transfer to European lobsters.” 2015

Marine Management Organisation Fisheries Challenge Fund Grant, in collaboration with the New England Aquarium, Boston, USA

Invited Presentations, Lectures and Conferences

May 2019	'Disease connectivity: Untangling biometric and ecological effects on parasite prevalence of crustacean species.'
November 2018	'Disease Connectivity: Profiling seawater, zooplankton and marine sediment microbiomes.'
June 2017	'Parasites Affecting Caribbean Spiny Lobsters (Panulirus argus): the Role of Habitat.'
October 2016	'Parasites Affecting Caribbean Spiny Lobsters (Panulirus argus): the Role of Habitat.'
February 2016	'Density vs. disease: Crustaceans in a temperate marine protected area.'
August 2015	'Health status of the European lobster Homarus gammarus.'
October 2014	'Shell disease: An overview.'
May 2014	‘Does the importation of live American lobster (Homarus americanus) pose a threat to native European (H. gammarus) populations?
May 2013	'Epizootic shell disease: a threat to the European lobster Homarus gammarus?'
September 2012	'Health status of the European lobster (Homarus gammarus) with particular reference to epizootic shell disease.'
May 2012	'Epizootic Shell Disease: A threat to the European lobster?'
2012	'Diseases of the large-clawed lobsters Homaridae.'
2012	'The health status of the European lobster Homarus gammarus.'

Public Engagements

Contributor to The Conversation
“Is climate change making our oceans sick?” Super Science Sunday, March 2019
“Is climate change making our oceans sick?” Swansea Science Festival, November 2018

Academic History

January 2015	PhD Biological Sciences	Swansea University
2011	BSc Biology (1st Class, Hons)	Swansea University

Research Groups

Comparative Immunology and Pathobiology Lab

Our mission is to unravel the biological mechanisms that enable invertebrates (e.g., crustaceans and insects) to combat disease-causing agents and tolerate environmental disturbances. Our research can be categorised broadly into two main areas, (1) immunobiology and pathobiology of commercially important shellfish and (2) prospecting insect larvae as alternative models of disease.

Dr Charlotte Davies

Telephone number

Email address

Welsh language proficiency

Twitter Account

LinkedIn Account

Research Links

About

Areas Of Expertise

Languages Spoken

Career Highlights

Research Highlights

All Research

Seagrass-associated biodiversity in the temperate Seascape (current)

Parasitic diseases of crabs in Swansea bay (current)

DIGENEAN PARASITES OF SHORE CRABS, CARCINUS MAENAS (current)

BIO260 Marine Biology Field Course

BIO327 Tropical marine ecology field course

BIO330 Tropical marine ecology and conservation

BIO346 Professional Skills in Marine Biology

BlueFish Scientific Officer, Swansea University

Postdoctoral Researcher, National Autonomous University of Mexico

SEACAMS2, EMFF and CHART Cymru Research Officer, Swansea University

CHARTCymru - Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Catch and Release Tagging Programme 2022 2022

DAERA – AFBI – Herring Stock Identification 2022

European Maritime and Fisheries Fund 2014-2020 (EMFF) 'Atlantic Herring Studies in the Bristol Channel and Wales' 2021 - 2023

BLUEFISH – Building resilience into blue growth of the Irish Sea: adaptation to climate change in aquaculture and fisheries. 2017 - 2020

CONACYT National System of Investigators economic stimulus. 2016 - 2018

"Health survey of Lundy Island crustaceans - Integration of scientists and fishermen.” 2016 Jointly funded by Seafish and SUSFISH (European Regional Development Fund through the Ireland Wales Programme) 2007 - 2013

“Importation of live lobsters into the U.K. - An assessment of disease transfer to European lobsters.” 2015