University of Groningen
Hunting Ancient Walrus Genomes
Keighley, Xenia
DOI:
10.33612/diss.157287059
IMPORTANT NOTE: You are advised to consult the publisher's version (publisher's PDF) if you wish to cite from it. Please check the document version below.
Document Version
Publisher's PDF, also known as Version of record
Publication date: 2021
Link to publication in University of Groningen/UMCG research database
Citation for published version (APA):
Keighley, X. (2021). Hunting Ancient Walrus Genomes: Uncovering the hidden past of Atlantic walruses (Odobenus rosmarus rosmarus). University of Groningen. https://doi.org/10.33612/diss.157287059
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Publications, Contributions &
Curriculum Vitea
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Contributions
Chapter 1:
The study was conceived by X.K., M.H.B-J., and M.T.O. Laboratory work for samples was
completed by X.K. and M.H.B-J. All figures were created by M.H.B-J and data plots by X.K. The
manuscript was drafted by X.K. with assistance from M.H.B-J., P.D.J,. and M.T.O.
Chapter 2:
This paper was conceived by X.K., P.J & M.T.O. Research, preliminary draft, tables and figures
completed by X.K.. P.J and M.T.O provided comments. Comments integrated by X.K.
Chapter 3:
Designed study (XK, MHBJ, MTO), procured samples (XK, MHBJ, PS, LH, ABG, AG, KL, MTO),
morphological species identification of samples (ABG, AG, KL), completed molecular laboratory
work (XK, MHBJ, HA, PS, MMC, FSB), completed bioinformatic analyses (XK, MHBJ, PS), performed
graphical and statistical analyses (XK), wrote initial manuscript (XK, PS, MTO), and provided
comments on manuscript (all authors).
Chapter 4:
MHBJ, XK, KL, and MTO conceived the study; ARA, RD and SHF provided funding, samples and sex
identification of contemporary ringed seals; AG and KL identified and provided ancient seal
samples; ABG, MTO, XK and PJ identified and provided the ancient walrus samples; HA, XK, CHSO,
and MHBJ carried out molecular laboratory work; MHBJ performed the data analyses; MHBJ and
MTO drafted the manuscript; All authors read, commented on and approved of the final version.
Chapter 5:
X.K., S.P., H.J.M., M.T.O.: conceived, designed, and funded the study. X.K., S.P., H.J.M.: sample
procurement; X.K., M.F.C.: genetic laboratory work; X.K., S.P., M.T.O.: coordination; S.P., H.J.M.:
coordination of radiocarbon analyses; M.F.C.: specimen descriptions; X.K., S.P.: bioinformatic
analyses; A.P., Icelandic Museum of Natural History: compilation of data registers; A.P., B.F.E.,
H.J.M., S.P.: collection of walrus skeletal records; A.P., B.F.E., H.J.M.: place names; M.F.C.:
preliminary data exploration; X.K.: creation of figures; X.K.: compilation of extended data and
supplementary material; X.K.: writing of first version of article; S.P., B.F.E., A.P., P.J., M.F.C., M.T.O.,
H.J.M.: writing small portions of text and commenting on numerous draft manuscripts. All
authors read and approved of the final version of the article.
Chapter 6:
Designed study (XK, EJRP, MTO), lab-work (XK), mitochondrial bioinformatic analyses (EJRP, XK),
nuclear bioinformatic analyses (XK), creation of figures and supplementary material (XK),
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List of publications
Part of the PhD
Keighley, X., Puerta, E.J.R., Star, B., Boessenkool, S., Andersen, L.W., Born, E.W., Barrett, J.H., Gotfredsen, A.B., Desjardins, S., Howse, L., Jordan, P.D., Pálsson, S., Malmquist, H.J., Tange Olsen, M. T. in prep. Insights into
past Atlantic walrus population structure and diversity from nuclear and mitochondrial genomes.
Keighley, X., Bro-Jørgensen, M.H., Ahlgren, H., Szpak, P., Ciucani, M.M., Barreiro, F.S., Howse, L., Gotfredsen, A.B., Glykou, A., Jordan, P., Lidén, K., Tange Olsen, M., in review. Predicting sample success for large-scale
ancient DNA studies on marine mammals. Molecular Ecology Resources.
Bro-Jørgensen, M.H., Keighley, X., Ahlgren, H., Scharff-Olsen, C.H, Rosing-Asvid, A., Dietz, R., Ferguson, S.H., Gotfredsen, A.B., Jordan, P., Glykou, A., Lidén, K., Tange Olsen, M., accepted. Genomic sex identification of
ancient pinnipeds using the dog genome. Journal of Archaeological Science.
Keighley X, Pálsson S, Einarsson BF, Petersen A, Fernándex-Coll M, Jordan P, Tange Olsen M, Malmquist H (2019). Disappearance of Icelandic Walruses Coincided with Norse Settlement. Molecular Biology and
Evolution 36(12): 2656-2667.
Keighley, X., Tange Olsen, M., Jordan, P 2019. Integrating cultural and biological perspectives on long-term
human-walrus (Odobenus rosmarus rosmarus) interactions across the North Atlantic. Quaternary
Research: 1-21.
Keighley, X., Bro-Jørgensen, M. H.., Jordan, P., Tange Olsen, M., 2018. Ancient Pinnipeds: What Paleogenetics
Can Tell Us about Past Human-Marine Mammal Interactions. The SAA Archaeological Record 18(4): 38-45.
Prior to the PhD (maiden name Weber)
Weber, X.A., Edgar, G.J., Banks, S.C., Waters, J.M., Fraser, C.I., 2017. A morphological and phylogenetic
investigation into divergence among sympatric Australian southern bull kelps (Durvillaea potatorum and D.
amatheiae sp. nov.) Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 107: 630-643.
Wilson, L.J., Weber, X.A., King, T.A., Fraser C.I., 2016. DNA extraction techniques for genomic analyses of
macroalgae. Seaweed Phylogeography 363- 386.
Weber, X.A., Schmidt-Lebuhn, A., 2015. Generic boundaries of Leucochrysum and Waitzia (Asteraceae:
Curriculum Vitae
A little about me
I have lived most of my life in Australia, where I completed my schooling and undergraduate studies. I developed an interest in biology and geography during my High School years, particularly during an overseas exchange to France where a lesson on international freight shipping captured my attention. I returned to Sydney to complete a bilingual International Baccalaureate and then moved interstate to Canberra to begin an undergraduate degree.
My three years of coursework at the Australian National University (ANU) focused primarily on biology and environmental sciences, however I also took courses in chemistry, anthropology and five independent research projects allowing me to dive deeper into a range of topics. These included looking into heat stress in eucalyptus leaves, improving extraction methods in the laboratory for seaweed and studying paper daisies to revise existing taxonomic knowledge. Additionally, during this time I also took a one-semester exchange to the University of Adelaide, where I focused my energy on learning about agriculture, agronomy, viticulture and wine-making. I spent a summer completing a summer-research scholarship amongst the grape vines, learning even more about Australia’s wine industry.
My final Honours year at ANU to complete a Bachelor of Philosophy (College of Science) was spent researching seaweed. I included molecular and ecological data obtained from field-work and genetic
laboratory techniques to identify a new, previously cryptic, species of kelp; Durvillaea amatheiae. Throughout my years at ANU I contributed to several biology and environmental science courses as a mentor, tutor, demonstrator and course designer. I found teaching incredibly rewarding, to see student’s discover new insights into themselves as learners and for me to share my enthusiasm and knowledge. For the next year I continued teaching, designing courses and volunteering at the National Herbarium before starting my PhD as part of the ArchSci2020 Marie-Curie European Joint Doctoral Training Programme. Since then I have spent three of the last four years excavating, going through collections, completing lab-work and courses, analysing and writing up data. The missing year has been spent as a new mother to my gorgeous son, Hugh.
Outside of work my greatest interest would be hiking, particularly as a family or with a group of friends. I am drawn to the quieter places, often only accessible by foot, to escape the built environment, phone reception and to feel more present. There is enormous satisfaction to be gained by carrying on your back all you need to eat, sleep and stay warm, and I have enjoyed this feeling on hikes around Australia, New Zealand, Iceland, Faroe Islands and Switzerland. Other hobbies include cooking curries and soups, knitting and hosting parties.
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Educational Qualifications
2016-ongoing: PhD Marie Curie European Joint Doctorate ArchSci2020: Ancient DNA of Atlantic Walruses,
University of Copenhagen (Denmark) & University of Groningen (Netherlands)
2011-15: Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours). First Class Honours, HD average in coursework, Australian
National University (ANU)
2014: Associate Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy
2010: Bilingual International Baccalaureate (Biology, Geography, English, Mathematics, Economics, French) Score 40. ATAR 98.45
Academic Awards and Prizes
2015: University Medal, Honours Scholarship, Director of Science Education Commendation, Charles D Jubb Prize, Deputy Dean Commendation, ACEDD Scholar & Chancellor’s Letter of Commendation (ANU), Capacity Building Scholarship for Honours Project from ABRS, Department of Environment ($11000)
2014: Chancellor’s Letter of Academic Achievement, Vice-Chancellor’s Student Leadership Program, L.D.Pryor Prize & Field Naturalists Association of Canberra Prize (ANU)
2013: Waite Undergraduate Summer Research Scholarship (University of Adelaide), Golden Key Society & Award for Programs that Enhance Student Learning (ANU)
2012: Botany Prize, Chancellors’ Letter of Academic Achievement, Distinguished Scholar B&G Hall (ANU) 2011: Bachelor of Philosophy Scholarship (ANU)
Work Experience
2016-ongoing: PhD Candidate, including teaching and co-supervisory roles, University of Copenhagen 2016: Volunteer Fellow assisting in genomic laboratory work and bioinformatic analyses, Australian National
Herbarium, National Research Collections Australia, CSIRO.
2015-16: Biology Tutor, Laboratory Demonstrator and Course Designer for 2 undergraduate courses (ranging between 60-400 students) and Online Facilitator for a MOOC, ANU
2014-15: Volunteer, Herbarium Specimen Mounting, CSIRO
2014: Senior mentor for Biology Peer-Assisted Learning (PAL) managing the Biology programme and a team of four mentors, ANU
2012-13: Mentor for Biology and Environmental Science PAL, ANU
Additional Achievements and Experiences
2018-ongoing: Lead editor for a book under contract with Elsevier on walruses 2014-19: Oral and poster presentations at various scientific conferences 2017-2019: Organising and running annual Walrus Research Day workshops
2017: Archaeological excavations including remote Canadian Arctic sites with University of McGill 2017: Ancient DNA laboratory training and ongoing collaboration with the University of Oslo, Norway 2013-15: Independent ‘Advanced Studies Courses’ each semester producing a scientific report
