Dr Vaughan Symonds staff profile picture

Contact details +6469517744

Dr Vaughan Symonds PhD

Senior Lecturer in Plant Science

Doctoral Supervisor
School of Agriculture and Environment

Senior Lecturer in Plant Science

School of Natural Sciences

Professional

Qualifications

  • Doctor of Philosophy - University of Texas (2004)

Research Expertise

Research Interests

Evolutionary Biology, Genetics, Botany, Plant Science, Polyploidy, Hybridization, Population Genetics

Area of Expertise

Field of research codes
Biological Sciences (060000): Genetics (060400)

Keywords

Lab: https://www.massey.ac.nz/~vvsymond/index/Symonds_home.html

Research Projects

Summary of Research Projects

Position Current Completed
Project Leader 2 15

Completed Projects

Project Title: Panel review of MPI reassessment of regulatory export definition for Manuka honey

Date Range: 2022 - 2022

Funding Body: Ministry for Primary Industries

Project Team:

Project Title: Gene function in context: from molecules to morphology

Date Range: 2010 - 2013

Funding Body: Marsden Fund - Fast Start

Project Team:

Research Outputs

Journal

Soltis, DE., Tate, JA., Soltis, PS., & Symonds, VV. (2023). Parental genomic compatibility model: only certain diploid genotype combinations form allopolyploids. Nucleus (India). 66(3), 371-378
[Journal article]Authored by: Symonds, V., Tate, J.
Flay, C., Tahir, J., Hilario, E., Fraser, L., Stannard, K., Symonds, V., . . . Datson, P. (2023). Genomic architecture of resistance to latania scale (H. lataniae) in kiwifruit (A. chinensis var. chinensis). BMC Plant Biology. 23(1)
[Journal article]Authored by: Symonds, V.
Prebble, JM., Symonds, VV., Tate, JA., & Meudt, HM. (2022). Taxonomic revision of the southern hemisphere pygmy forget-me-not group (Myosotis; Boraginaceae) based on morphological, population genetic and climate-edaphic niche modelling data. Australian Systematic Botany. 35(1), 63-94
[Journal article]Authored by: Symonds, V., Tate, J.
McLay, TGB., Tate, JA., Gemmill, CEC., Holzapfel, AS., & Symonds, VV. (2022). Inferring the biogeography of New Zealand’s only endemic holoparasitic plant, the threatened Dactylanthus taylorii (Mystropetalaceae). New Zealand Journal of Botany. 60(4), 331-353
[Journal article]Authored by: Symonds, V., Tate, J.
Williams, MAK., Cornuault, V., Irani, AH., Symonds, VV., Malmström, J., An, Y., . . . North, HM. (2020). Polysaccharide Structures in the Outer Mucilage of Arabidopsis Seeds Visualized by AFM. Biomacromolecules. 21(4), 1450-1459
[Journal article]Authored by: Symonds, V.
Prebble, JM., Meudt, HM., Tate, JA., & Symonds, VV. (2019). Comparing and co-analysing microsatellite and morphological data for species delimitation in the New Zealand native Myosotis pygmaea species group (Boraginaceae). Taxon. 68(4), 731-750
[Journal article]Authored by: Symonds, V., Tate, J.
Prebble, JM., Meudt, HM., Tate, JA., & Vaughan Symonds, V. (2018). Bolstering Species Delimitation in Difficult Species Complexes by Analyzing Herbarium and Common Garden Morphological Data: A Case Study Using the New Zealand Native Myosotis pygmaea Species Group (Boraginaceae). Systematic Botany. 43(1), 266-289
[Journal article]Authored by: Symonds, V., Tate, J.
Park, B., Rutter, MT., Fenster, CB., Vaughan Symonds, V., Ungerer, MC., & Townsend, JP. (2017). Distributions of mutational effects and the estimation of directional selection in divergent lineages of Arabidopsis Thaliana. Genetics. 206(4), 2105-2117
[Journal article]Authored by: Symonds, V.
Pilkington, KM., & Symonds, VV. (2016). Isolation and Characterization of Polymorphic Microsatellite Loci in Selliera radicans (Goodeniaceae). Applications in Plant Sciences. 4(6)
[Journal article]Authored by: Symonds, V.
Sunnadeniya, R., Bean, A., Brown, M., Akhavan, N., Hatlestad, G., Gonzalez, A., . . . Lloyd, A. (2016). Tyrosine hydroxylation in betalain pigment biosynthesis is performed by cytochrome P450 enzymes in beets (Beta vulgaris). PLoS ONE. 11(2)
[Journal article]Authored by: Symonds, V.
Sehrish, T., Symonds, VV., Soltis, DE., Soltis, PS., & Tate, JA. (2015). Cytonuclear coordination is not immediate upon allopolyploid formation in Tragopogon miscellus (Asteraceae) allopolyploids. PLoS ONE. 10(12)
[Journal article]Authored by: Sehrish, T., Symonds, V., Tate, J.
Prebble, JM., Tate, JA., Meudt, HM., & Vaughan Symonds, V. (2015). Microsatellite markers for the New Zealand Endemic Myosotis Pygmaea Species group (boraginaceae) amplify across species. Applications in Plant Sciences. 3(6)
[Journal article]Authored by: Symonds, V., Tate, J.
Sehrish, T., Symonds, VV., Soltis, DE., Soltis, PS., & Tate, JA. (2014). Gene silencing via DNA methylation in naturally occurring Tragopogon miscellus (Asteraceae) allopolyploids. BMC Genomics. 15(1)
[Journal article]Authored by: Sehrish, T., Symonds, V., Tate, J.
Bloomer, RH., Lloyd, AM., & Symonds, VV. (2014). The genetic architecture of constitutive and induced trichome density in two new recombinant inbred line populations of Arabidopsis thaliana: Phenotypic plasticity, epistasis, and bidirectional leaf damage response. BMC Plant Biology. 14(1)
[Journal article]Authored by: Symonds, V.
Bushakra, JM., Krieger, C., Deng, D., Stephens, MJ., Allan, AC., Storey, R., . . . Gardiner, SE. (2013). QTL involved in the modification of cyanidin compounds in black and red raspberry fruit. Theoretical and Applied Genetics. 126(3), 847-865
[Journal article]Authored by: Symonds, V.
Bushakra, JM., Krieger, C., Deng, D., Stephens, MJ., Allan, AC., Storey, R., . . . Gardiner, SE. (2012). QTL involved in the modification of cyanidin compounds in black and red raspberry fruit. Theoretical and Applied Genetics. , 1-19
[Journal article]Authored by: Symonds, V.
Bushakra, JM., Sargent, DJ., Cabrera, A., Crowhurst, R., Girona, EL., Velasco, R., . . . Chagné, D. (2012). Rosaceae conserved orthologous set (RosCOS) markers as a tool to assess genome synteny between Malus and Fragaria. Tree Genetics and Genomes. 8(4), 643-658
[Journal article]Authored by: Symonds, V.
Bloomer, RH., Juenger, TE., & Symonds, VV. (2012). Natural variation in GL1 and its effects on trichome density in Arabidopsis thaliana. Molecular Ecology. 21(14), 3501-3515
[Journal article]Authored by: Symonds, V.
Bushakra, JM., Stephens, MJ., Atmadjaja, AN., Lewers, KS., Symonds, VV., Udall, JA., . . . Gardiner, SE. (2012). Construction of black (Rubus occidentalis) and red (R. idaeus) raspberry linkage maps and their comparison to the genomes of strawberry, apple, and peach. Theoretical and Applied Genetics. 125(2), 311-327
[Journal article]Authored by: Symonds, V.
McLay, TGB., Tate, JA., & Vaughan Symonds, V. (2012). Microsatellite markers for the endangered root holoparasite Dactylanthus taylorii (Balanophoraceae) from 454 pyrosequencing. American Journal of Botany. 99(8)
[Journal article]Authored by: Symonds, V., Tate, J.
Chester, M., Gallagher, JP., Symonds, VV., Da Silva, AVC., Mavrodiev, EV., Leitch, AR., . . . Soltis, DE. (2012). Extensive chromosomal variation in a recently formed natural allopolyploid species, Tragopogon miscellus (Asteraceae). Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 109(4), 1176-1181
[Journal article]Authored by: Symonds, V.
Bushakra, JM., Sargent, DJ., Cabrera, A., Crowhurst, R., Girona, EL., Velasco, R., . . . Chagné, D. (2011). Rosaceae conserved orthologous set (RosCOS) markers as a tool to assess genome synteny between Malus and Fragaria. Tree Genetics and Genomes. , 1-16
[Journal article]Authored by: Symonds, V.
Chester, M., Gallagher, JP., Symonds, VV., Cruz da Silva, AV., Mavrodiev, D., Leitch, A., . . . Soltis, DE. (2011). Extensive chromosomal variation generated in a recently formed polyploid species, Tragopogon miscellus (Asteraceae). Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of USA.
[Journal article]Authored by: Symonds, V.
Symonds, VV., Hatlestad, G., & Lloyd, AM. (2011). Natural allelic variation defines a role for ATMYC1: Trichome cell fate determination. PLoS Genetics. 7(6)
[Journal article]Authored by: Symonds, V.
Vaughan Symonds, V., Soltis, PS., & Soltis, DE. (2010). Dynamics of polyploid formation in Tragopogon (Asteraceae): Recurrent formation, gene flow, and population structure. Evolution. 64(7), 1984-2003
[Journal article]Authored by: Symonds, V.
Tate, JA., Symonds, VV., Doust, AN., Buggs, RJA., Mavrodiev, E., Majure, LC., . . . Soltis, DE. (2009). Synthetic polyploids of Tragopogon miscellus and T. mirus (Asteraceae): 60 Years after Ownbey's discovery. American journal of botany.. 96(5), 979-988
[Journal article]Authored by: Symonds, V.
Tate, JA., Symonds, VV., Doust, AN., Buggs, RJA., Mavrodiev, E., Majure, LC., . . . Soltis, DE. (2009). Synthetic polyploids of Tragopogon miscellus and T. mirus (Asteraceae): 60 Years after Ownbey's discovery. American Journal of Botany. 96(5), 979-988
[Journal article]Authored by: Symonds, V., Tate, J.
Buggs, RJA., Soltis, PS., Mavrodiev, EV., Symonds, VV., & Soltis, DE. (2008). Does phylogenetic distance between parental Genomes Govern the success of polyploids. Castanea. 73(2), 74-93
[Journal article]Authored by: Symonds, V.
Juenger, TE., Wayne, T., Boles, S., Symonds, VV., Mckay, J., & Coughlan, SJ. (2006). Natural genetic variation in whole-genome expression in Arabidopsis thaliana: The impact of physiological QTL introgression. Molecular Ecology. 15(5), 1351-1365
[Journal article]Authored by: Symonds, V.
Juenger, TE., Wayne, T., Boles, S., Symonds, VV., McKay, J., & Coughlan, SJ. (2006). Natural genetic variation in whole-genome expression in Arabidopsis thaliana: The impact of physiological QTL introgression. Molecular Ecology. 15(5), 1351-1365
[Journal article]Authored by: Symonds, V.
Magliano, TMA., Botto, JF., Godoy, AV., Symonds, VV., Lloyd, AM., & Casal, JJ. (2005). New Arabidopsis recombinant inbred lines (Landsberg erecta x Nossen) reveal natural variation in phytochrome-mediated responses. Plant Physiology. 138(2), 1126-1135
[Journal article]Authored by: Symonds, V.
Schierenbeck, KA., Symonds, VV., Gallagher, KG., & Bell, J. (2005). Genetic variation and phylogeographic analyses of two species of Carpobrotus and their hybrids in California. Molecular Ecology. 14(2), 539-547
[Journal article]Authored by: Symonds, V.
Symonds, VV., Godoy, AV., Alconada, T., Botto, JF., Juenger, TE., Casal, JJ., . . . Lloyd, AM. (2005). Mapping quantitative trait loci in multiple populations of Arabidopsis thaliana identifies natural allelic variation for trichome density. Genetics. 169(3), 1649-1658
[Journal article]Authored by: Symonds, V.
Symonds, V., Godoy, AV., Alconada, TM., Botto, JF., Juenger, TE., Casal, JJ., . . . Lloyd, AM. (2005). Mapping quantitative trait Loci in multiple populations of Arabidopsis thaliana identifies natural allelic variation for trichome density. Genetics. 169(3), 1649-1658
[Journal article]Authored by: Symonds, V.
Schierenbeck, KA., Symonds, V., Gallagher, KG., & Bell, J. (2005). Genetic variation and phylogeographic analyses of two species of Carpobrotus and their hybrids in California. Molecular Ecology. 14(2), 539-547
[Journal article]Authored by: Symonds, V.
Alconada Magliano, TM., Botto, JF., Godoy, AV., Symonds, V., Lloyd, AM., & Casal, JJ. (2005). New Arabidopsis recombinant inbred lines (Landsberg erecta X Nossen) reveal natural variation in phytochrome-mediated responses. Plant Physiology. 138(2), 1126-1135
[Journal article]Authored by: Symonds, V.
Symonds, VV., & Lloyd, AM. (2004). A simple and inexpensive method for producing fluorescently labelled size standard. Molecular Ecology Notes. 4(4), 768-771
[Journal article]Authored by: Symonds, V.
Symonds, V., & Lloyd, AM. (2004). A simple and inexpensive method for producing fluorescently labelled size standard. Molecular Ecology Notes. 4(4), 768-771
[Journal article]Authored by: Symonds, V.
Symonds, VV., & Lloyd, AM. (2003). An Analysis of Microsatellite Loci in Arabidopsis thaliana: Mutational Dynamics and Application. Genetics. 165(3), 1475-1488
[Journal article]Authored by: Symonds, V.
Symonds, V., & Lloyd, AM. (2003). An analysis of microsatellite Loci in Arabidopsis thaliana: Mutational dynamics and application. Genetics. 165(3), 1475-1488
[Journal article]Authored by: Symonds, V.
Windsor, JB., Symonds, VV., Mendenhall, J., & Lloyd, AM. (2000). Arabidopsis seed coat development: Morphological differentiation of the outer integument. Plant Journal. 22(6), 483-493
[Journal article]Authored by: Symonds, V.
Windsor, JB., Symonds, V., Mendenhall, J., & Lloyd, AM. (2000). Arabidopsis seed coat development: Morphological differentiation of the outer integument. The Plant Journal. 22(6), 483-493
[Journal article]Authored by: Symonds, V.

Conference

Sofkova-Bobcheva, S., Symonds, V., Harris, S., Popovich, D., Hort, J., Kawana-Brown, E., . . . James, D. (2021, July). New Zealand Juniper studies. Presented at Plant Science Central 2021. Massey university , Palmerston North.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Hort, J., Sofkova-Bobcheva, S., Symonds, V.
Symonds, VV., & Pilkington, K. (2017, June). Genetic diversity and hybridization in New Zealand's Selliera (Goodeniaceae). Presented at Evolution 2017. Portland, Oregon.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Symonds, V.
Symonds, VV., & Pilkington, K. (2016, June). The genetic basis of the divaricating plant growth form. Presented at Evolution 2016. Texas, United States of America.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Symonds, V.
Tate, JA., Sultan, A., Pearson, S., Symonds, V., & Robertson, A.Widespread morphological parallelism in Korthalsella mistletoes (Viscaceae). . Canberra, Australia
[Conference Paper]Authored by: Robertson, A., Symonds, V., Tate, J.
Prebble, JM., Symonds, VV., Meudt, HM., & Tate, JA. (2014, November). The population genetics of rarity in New Zealand plants: a case study delimiting species in recent radiations using Myosotis (Boraginaceae). Presented at Australasian Systematic Botany Society conference. Palmerston North, New Zealand.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Symonds, V., Tate, J.
Pearson, S., Symonds, VV., Sultan, A., Robertson, AW., van Etten, M., & Tate, JA. (2014). Host race specificity in the pygmy mistletoe Korthalsella salicornioides in New Zealand.. Poster session presented at the meeting of Australasian Systematic Botany Society conference. Palmerston North, New Zealand
[Conference Poster]Authored by: Robertson, A., Symonds, V., Tate, J.
Tate, JA., & Symonds, VV. (2014, November). Battle of the genomes following hybridization and whole genome duplication in Tragopogon (Asteraceae). Presented at New Zealand Ecological Society conference. Palmerston North, New Zealand.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Symonds, V., Tate, J.
Bushakra, JM., Symonds, VV., Stephens, MJ., Kreiger, C., Chagné, D., Buck, EJ., . . . Stevenson, D.Proportions of anthocyanins are consistent between years in the fruit of a segregating purple raspberry (Rubus occidentalis × R. idaeus) mapping population. Acta Horticulturae. (pp. 171 - 178). 0567-7572.
[Conference]Authored by: Symonds, V.
Symonds, VV. (2013, June). Gene duplication and genetic pathway evolution: the epidermal cell fate pathway as an example. Presented at Evolution 2013. United States of America.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Symonds, V.
Tate, JA., Sehrish, T., Symonds, VV., Soltis, DE., & Soltis, PS. (2013, June). Biased maternal expression and paternal loss of rbcS in allopolyploid Tragopogon miscellus: insight into cytonuclear coordination. Presented at Evolution 2013 meeting. Snowbird, Utah.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Sehrish, T., Symonds, V., Tate, J.
Symonds, VV. (2012, July). On the molecular genetic basis of trichome density variation in Arabidopsis thaliana. Presented at Evolution Ottawa: First Joint Congress on Evolutionary Biology. Ontario, Canada.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Symonds, V.
Chester, M., Gallagher, J., Symonds, VV., Silva, V., Mavrodiev, E., Leitch, AR., . . . Soltis, DE. (2011, July). Population cytogenetics of a neoallopolyploid species, Tragopogon miscellus Ownbey (Asteraceae). Presented at Botany 2011. St. Louis, MO, USA.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Symonds, V.
Gallagher, J., Chester, M., Symonds, VV., Silva, V., Mavrodiev, E., Leitch, AR., . . . Soltis, DE. (2011, July). Are independently derived populations of Tragopogon miscellus Ownbey (Asteraceae) reproductively isolated?. Presented at Botany 2011. St. Louis, MO, USA.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Symonds, V.
Bloomer, R., & Symonds, VV. (2011). Independent mutations underlie glabrousness in natural accessions of Arabidopsis thaliana. Poster session presented at the meeting of Molecular Biology and Evolution Conference 2010
[Conference Poster]Authored by: Symonds, V.
Soltis, DE., Buggs, R., Chamala, S., Chester, M., Symonds, VV., Tte, JA., . . . Soltis, PS. (2011, July). Tragopogon - A model for recent and recurring allopolyploidy. Presented at Botany 2011. St. Louis, MO, USA.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Symonds, V.
Sehrish, T., Symonds, VV., Soltis, DE., Soltis, PS., & Tate, JA. (2011). Cyto-nuclear interactions in Tragopogon (Asteraceae) Allopolyploids: insight from rbcL and rbcS. Poster session presented at the meeting of International Botanical Congress 2011. Melbourne, Australia
[Conference Poster]Authored by: Symonds, V.
Butcher, M., & Symonds, VV. (2011). The impact of variation in regulatory genes on anthocyanin production in Arabidopsis thaliana. Poster session presented at the meeting of International Botanical Congress 2011. Melbourne, Australia
[Conference Poster]Authored by: Symonds, V.
Bloomer, R., & Symonds, VV. (2011). QTL mapping of trichome density in two new RIL populations of Arabidopsis thaliana reveals environment-specific and herbivory-response loci. Poster session presented at the meeting of International Botanical Congress 2011. Melbourne, Australia
[Conference Poster]Authored by: Symonds, V.
McLay, T., Tate, JA., Holvapfel, A., Gemmill, C., & Symonds, VV. (2011). Conservation genetics of the endemic root holoparasite, Dactylanthus taylorii. Poster session presented at the meeting of International Botanical Congress 2011. Melbourne, Australia
[Conference Poster]Authored by: Symonds, V.
Symonds, VV., & Lloyd, A. (2010, June). Cryptic variation at TDL5: A quantitative trait gene for trichome density in Arabidopsis thaliana. Presented at Evoluton 2010. Portland State University, OR.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Symonds, V.
Bushakra, J., Chagne, D., Celton, M., Symonds, VV., & Gardiner, S. (2009). Comparative Candidate Gene Mapping For Red Colouration In The Rosaceae. Poster session presented at the meeting of Plant and Animal Genome XVII. San Diego, CA, USA
[Conference Poster]Authored by: Symonds, V.
Symonds, VV., Soltis, P., & Soltis, D. (2008, June). The genetic consequences of independent formations of the allopolyploid species Tragopogon miscellus and T.mirus. Presented at Evolution 2008. Universiy of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Symonds, V.
Tate, JA., Symonds, VV., Doust, AN., Buggs, RJ., Mavrodiev, E., Soltis, P., . . . Soltis, D. (2008, June). Synthetic polyploids of Tragopogon (Asteraceae): 50+ years after Ownbeys discovery. Presented at Evolution 2008. University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Symonds, V., Tate, J.
Symonds, VV., Soltis, D., & Soltis, P. (2007, June). Microsatellite markers reveal a genetic sieve to the multiple origins of Tragopogon allopolyploids. Presented at Evolution 2007. Christchurch, NZ.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Symonds, V.
Symonds, VV., Soltis, D., & Soltis, P. (2007, July). Microsatellite markers reveal a genetic sieve to the multiple origins of Tragopogon allopolyploids. Presented at Botany & Plant Biology Joint Congress. Chicago, IL.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Symonds, V.

Other

Sehrish, T., Symonds, VV., & Tate, JA. (2010, December). Polyploid Genome Evolution. In IFS Annual Student symposium.
[Oral Presentation]Authored by: Sehrish, T., Symonds, V., Tate, J.
Symonds, VV. (2007, June). Gene function and expression in relation to ecology. In ARC-NZ Research Network for Vegetation Function: Working Group 12. Presented at Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW.
[Oral Presentation]Authored by: Symonds, V.
Symonds, VV., & Lloyd, AM.Cryptic variation in TDL5: a quantitative trait gene for trichome density in Arabidopsis thaliana..
[Oral Presentation]Authored by: Symonds, V.

Teaching and Supervision

Summary of Doctoral Supervision

Position Current Completed
Main Supervisor 1 5
Co-supervisor 3 2

Current Doctoral Supervision

Co-supervisor of:

  • Sophie Newmarch - Doctor of Philosophy
    Origin and diversification of Libertia (Iridaceae)
  • Hannah Hodgkinson - Doctor of Philosophy
    Understanding methylation and allopolyploid sub-genome gene expression as an adaptive response to environmental stress in white clover
  • Shanika Komahan - Doctor of Philosophy
    Towards better New Zealand adapted industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) cultivars: A quantitative genetic analysis of key traits and evaluation of gen

Completed Doctoral Supervision

Main Supervisor of:

  • 2023 - Casey Flay - Doctor of Philosophy
    Molecular breeding for resistance to biotic threats in kiwifruit (Actinidia chinensis)
  • 2019 - Kay Pilkington - Doctor of Philosophy
    The genetic architecture of the divaricate growth form: A QTL mapping approach in Sophora (Fabaceae)
  • 2017 - Jessica Prebble - Doctor of Philosophy
    Species delimitation and the population genetics of rare plants: A case study using the New Zealand native pygmy forget-me-not group (Myosotis; Boraginaceae)
  • 2013 - Rebecca Bloomer - Doctor of Philosophy
    The molecular genetic basis of natural variation in trichome density in Arabidopsis Thaliana
  • 2012 - Jill Bushakra - Doctor of Philosophy
    Comparative Genome Mapping of the Rosaceae

Co-supervisor of:

  • 2015 - Lawrent Pungulani - Doctor of Philosophy
    Exploring the genetic potential of locally adapted germplasm for drought tolerance: A case for cowpea (Vigna Unguiculata (L.) Walp) from Malawi
  • 2014 - Tina Sehrish - Doctor of Philosophy
    Polyploid Genome Evolution