Keshni Gopal
Contact Details
Molecular Ecology and Evolution Program
Kirstenbosch Research Centre
South African National Biodiversity Institute
P/Bag X7
Claremont 7735
South Africa
Tel: +27 (0) 21 799 8656
Fax: +27 (0) 21 761 4151
I was first introduced to molecular work in my Honors year at the University of the Western Cape. My dissertation entailed exploring methods for extracting DNA using different tissue from the Chersina angulata tortoise. My Masters degree, undertaken at Stellenbosch University, investigated the evolution of the genus Palinurus (a rock lobster) at species level and below. Mitochondrial gene regions (mtDNA, 16S and COI) were used to untangle the systematics of this genus and led to the discovery of a new sixth species, Palinurus barbarae, found on a sea mount south of Madagascar. Currently, I am participating in a project investigating the evolution and ecology of African chameleons and frogs. In addition, I manage the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens DNA Bank and the Molecular Lab.
Publications
KA Tolley, JC Groeneveld, K Gopal, CA Matthee (2005) Mitochondrial panmixia in spiny lobster Palinurus gilchristi supports a recent population expansion. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 297, 225 - 231.
K Gopal, KA Tolley, JC Groeneveld, CA Matthee (2006) mitochondrial dna variation in spiny lobster Palinurus delagoae suggests genetically structured populations in the south-western Indian Ocean. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 319, 191 – 198.
JC Groeneveld, K Gopal, RW George, CA Matthee (in press) Molecular phylogeny of the spiny lobster genus Palinurus (Decapoda: Palinuridae) with hypotheses on speciation in the NE Atlantic/Mediterranean and SW Indian Ocean. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution.
Conrad A. Matthee, Andrew C. Cockcroft, Keshni Gopal, Sophie von de Heyden (2007) Mitochondrial DNA variation of hte west-coast rock lobster, Jasus lalandii: marked genetic diversity differences among sampling sites. Marine and Freshwater research, 58, 1130-1135.
