Research
genomics, speciation, tree health, hybridisation, polyploidy, genetics
Interests
Professor Richard Buggs is an evolutionary biologist and molecular ecologist. His current research group, at Royal Botanic Gardens Kew and Queen Mary University of London, analyses DNA sequences to understand how plants, especially trees, adapt in response to climate change and new pests and pathogens.
He is known for his work on a variety of evolutionary processes including: natural selection, speciation, hybridisation and whole genome duplication.
Biography
Richard Buggs studied Natural Sciences at Cambridge University, specialising in Plant Sciences. He was particular influenced by: plant ecologists Oliver Rackham and Peter Grubb, geneticists Mike Majerus and John Parker, and philosopher of science Peter Lipton.
During a DPhil at Oxford University with John Pannell, Richard did seminal work on hybrid zone movement. A review he subsequently wrote on this topic helped move the field away from a predominant view at the time that hybrid zones are in evolutionary equilibrium.
As a post-doctoral researcher with Doug and Pam Soltis at the University of Florida, Richard studied changes in gene content and expression in newly formed hybrid species with duplicated genomes, showing that these happen rapidly and repeatedly.
He was given a NERC Fellowship to move to Queen Mary University of London, where he started his own research group, working on the effects of climate change on hybridisation in British birch tree populations. With PhD students, he sequenced the dwarf birch genome and showed that footprints of past hybrid zone movement could be detected in the genomes of current populations of downy birch.
When ash dieback was found in the UK, Richard won a grant to sequence the genome of the European ash tree for the first time. This generated a successful research programme exploring the genetic basis of resistance to ash dieback and the emerald ash borer, which led to his permanent appointment at Queen Mary and recruitment by Royal Botanic Gardens Kew.
At Kew, Richard was also funded by the Department of Environment Food and Rural Affairs to explore the contribution of genetics to resistance to acute oak decline.
This led to the setting up of the Centre for Forest Protection, a collaboration between Kew and Forest Research. Within this, Richard’s group works on ash, oak, birch, alder and elm, seeking to understand how they can adapt to pest, pathogens and changing climates.
Richard has a side research interest in Darwin’s “abominable mystery”, the explosive origin of the “higher plants”. He investigated the origin of the mystery, showing that it is deeper today than it was in Darwin’s time.
Richard Buggs is a Fellow of the Linnean Society and the Royal Society of Biology. He sits on the UK Government Trees and Woodlands Scientific Advisory Group. The birch species Betula buggsii was named after him in 2022 by his former PhD student Nian Wang.
Publications
Publications of specific relevance to the Centre for Evolutionary and Functional Genomics
2024
UAV‐derived greenness and within‐crown spatial patterning can detect ash dieback in individual treesFlynn WRM, Grieve SWD, Henshaw AJ, Owen HJF,
Buggs RJA, Metheringham CL, Plumb WJ, Stocks JJ and Lines ER
Ecological Solutions and Evidence,
Wiley vol. 5 (2)
01-04-20242023
Indigenous crop diversity maintained despite the introduction of major global crops in an African centre of agrobiodiversityRampersad C, Geto T, Samuel T, Abebe M, Gomez MS,
Pironon S, Büchi L, Haggar J, Stocks J, Ryan P,
Buggs RJA, Demissew S, Wilkin P, Abebe WM and Borrell JS
Plants People Planet,
Wiley vol. 5 (6), 985-996.
19-07-2023 Maintenance and expansion of genetic and trait variation following domestication in a clonal cropWhite OW, Biswas MK, Abebe WM, Dussert Y, Kebede F,
Nichols RA,
Buggs RJA, Demissew S, Woldeyes F, Papadopulos AST, Schwarzacher T, Heslop‐Harrison PJS, Wilkin P and Borrell JS
Molecular Ecology,
Wiley vol. 32 (15), 4165-4180.
02-06-2023 Tapping Culture Collections for Fungal Endophytes: First Genome Assemblies for Three Genera and Five Species in the AscomycotaHill R, Levicky Q, Pitsillides F, Junnonen A, Arrigoni E, Bonnin JM, Kermode A, Mian S, Leitch IJ, Buddie AG,
Buggs RJA and Gaya E
Genome Biology and Evolution,
Oxford University Press (Oup) vol. 15 (3)
03-03-2023 2022
Genomic signals of local adaptation and hybridization in Asian white birchNocchi G, Wang J, Yang L, Ding J, Gao Y,
Buggs RJA and Wang N
Molecular Ecology,
Wiley vol. 32 (3), 595-612.
02-12-2022 The challenge of demonstrating contemporary natural selection on polygenic quantitative traits in the wildBuggs RJA Molecular Ecology,
Wiley vol. 31 (24), 6383-6386.
15-11-2022 Lifestyle Transitions in Fusarioid Fungi are Frequent and Lack Clear Genomic SignaturesHill R,
Buggs RJA, Vu DT and Gaya E
Molecular Biology and Evolution,
Oxford University Press vol. 39 (4)
29-04-2022 Reconfiguring Darwin’s abominable mysteryBuggs RJA Nature Plants, 1-2.
03-03-2022 2021
Evidence for the Widespread Occurrence of Bacteria Implicated in Acute Oak Decline from Incidental Genetic SamplingGathercole LAP, Nocchi G, Brown N, Coker TLR, Plumb WJ, Stocks JJ,
Nichols RA, Denman S and
Buggs RJA Forests vol. 12 (12), 1683-1683.
01-12-2021 A high‐quality reference genome for Fraxinus pennsylvanica for ash species restoration and researchHuff M, Seaman J, Wu D, Zhebentyayeva T, Kelly LJ, Faridi N, Nelson CD, Cooper E, Best T, Steiner K, Koch J, Severson JR, Carlson JE,
Buggs R and Staton M
Molecular Ecology Resources,
Wiley vol. 22 (4), 1284-1302.
27-11-2021 Extraction and high-throughput sequencing of oak heartwood DNA: Assessing the feasibility of genome-wide DNA methylation profilingRossi F, Crnjar A, Comitani F, Feliciano R, Jahn L, Malim G, Southgate L, Kay E, Oakey R,
Buggs R, Moir A, Kistler L, Mateos AR, Molteni C and Schulz R
Plos One,
Public Library of Science (Plos) vol. 16 (11)
18-11-2021 Uses and benefits of digital sequence information from plant genetic resources: Lessons learnt from botanical collectionsCowell C, Paton A, Borrell JS, Williams C, Wilkin P, Antonelli A, Baker WJ,
Buggs R, Fay MF, Gargiulo R, Grace OM, Kuhnhäuser BG, Woudstra Y and Kersey PJ
Plants People Planet vol. 4 (1), 33-43.
21-09-2021 Genomic structure and diversity of oak populations in British parklandsNocchi G, Brown N, Coker TLR, Plumb WJ, Stocks JJ, Denman S and
Buggs RJA Plants People Planet 14-09-2021 Unraveling Genetic Diversity Amongst European Hazelnut (Corylus avellana L.) Varieties in TurkeyOztolan-Erol N, Helmstetter AJ, İnan A,
Buggs RJA and Lucas SJ
Frontiers in Plant Science,
Frontiers vol. 12
01-07-2021 Resolving phylogeny and polyploid parentage using genus-wide genome-wide sequence data from birch treesWang N, Kelly LJ, McAllister HA, Zohren J and
Buggs RJA Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution,
Elsevier vol. 160
27-02-2021 Introgression between Betula tianshanica and Betula microphylla and its implications for conservationDing J, Hua D, Borrell JS,
Buggs RJA, Wang L, Wang F, Li Z and Wang N
Plants, People, Planet,
Wiley-Blackwell 03-02-2021 The origin of Darwin’s “abominable mystery”Buggs RJA American Journal of Botany,
Botanical Society of America 22-01-2021 A chromosome-scale genome assembly of European hazel (Corylus avellana L.) reveals targets for crop improvementLucas SJ, Kahraman K, Avşar B,
Buggs RJA and Bilge I
The Plant Journal,
Wiley 06-01-2021 2020
The Origin of Novel GenesBuggs R Inference: International Review of Science vol. 5 (3)
28-09-2020 Convergent Molecular Evolution Among Ash Species Resistant to the Emerald Ash BorerKelly L, Plumb W, Carey D, Mason M, Cooper E, Crowther W, Whittemore A,
Rossiter S, Koch J and
Buggs R Nature Ecology and Evolution,
Nature Research 25-05-2020 FluentDNA: Nucleotide Visualization of Whole Genomes, Annotations, and AlignmentsSeaman J and
Buggs RJA Frontiers in Genetics,
Frontiers Media vol. 11
30-04-2020 Genetic diversity and domestication of hazelnut (Corylus avellana L.) in TurkeyHelmstetter AJ, Oztolan‐Erol N, Lucas SJ and
Buggs RJA Plants, People, Planet,
Wiley-Blackwell 24-01-2020 2019
Changing perceptions of tree resistance researchBuggs RJA Plants, People, Planet,
Wiley-Blackwell vol. 2 (1), 2-4.
18-12-2019 Genomic basis of European ash tree resistance to ash dieback fungusStocks J, Metheringham C, Plumb W, Lee S, Kelly L,
Nichols R and
Buggs R Nature Ecology and Evolution,
Nature Research 18-11-2019 Resistance of European ash (Fraxinus excelsior) saplings to larval feeding by the emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis)Showalter DN, Saville RJ, Orton ES,
Buggs RJA, Bonello P and Brown JKM
Plants, People, Planet,
Wiley-Blackwell vol. 2 (1), 41-46.
13-11-2019 Repeated long-distance dispersal and convergent evolution in hazelHelmstetter AJ,
Buggs RJA and Lucas SJ
Scientific Reports,
Nature Publishing Group vol. 9 (1)
05-11-2019 Genomic assessment of local adaptation in dwarf birch to inform assisted gene flowBORRELL J, ZOHREN J,
Nichols R and
Buggs R Evolutionary Applications: Evolutionary Approaches to Environmental, Biomedical and Socio-Economic Issues,
Wiley 20-10-2019 The viability of a breeding programme for ash in the British Isles in the face of ash diebackPlumb WJ, Coker TLR, Stocks JJ, Woodcock P, Quine CP, Nemesio‐Gorriz M, Douglas GC, Kelly LJ and
Buggs RJA Plants, People, Planet,
Wiley-Blackwell vol. 2 (1), 29-40.
17-07-2019 Population structure of Betula albosinensis and Betula platyphylla: evidence for hybridization and a cryptic lineageHu Y-N, Zhao L,
Buggs RJA, Zhang X-M, Li J and Wang N
Annals of Botany,
Oxford University Press (Oup) vol. 123 (7), 1179-1189.
27-03-2019 2018
Estimating mortality rates of European ash (Fraxinus excelsior) under the ash dieback (Hymenoscyphus fraxineus) epidemicCoker T, Rozsypálek J, Edwards A, Harwood T, Butfoy L and
BUGGS RJA Plants People Planet,
Wiley vol. 1 (1), 48-58.
04-12-2018 Genetic diversity maintained among fragmented populations of a tree undergoing range contractionBorrell JS, Wang N,
Nichols RA and
Buggs RJA Heredity,
Springer Nature vol. 121 (4), 304-318.
15-08-2018 Genome-wide epigenetic variation among ash trees differing in susceptibility to a fungal disease.Sollars ESA and
Buggs RJA Bmc Genomics,
Biomed Central vol. 19 (1), 502-502.
28-06-2018 2017
Ash leaf metabolomes reveal differences between trees tolerant and susceptible to ash dieback disease.Sambles CM, Salmon DL, Florance H, Howard TP, Smirnoff N, Nielsen LR, McKinney LV, Kjær ED,
Buggs RJA, Studholme DJ and Grant M
Sci Data,
Acmillan Publishers Limited, Part of Springer Nature. vol. 4, 170190-170190.
19-12-2017 A first assessment of Fraxinus excelsior (common ash) susceptibility to Hymenoscyphus fraxineus (ash dieback) throughout the British Isles.Stocks JJ,
Buggs RJA and Lee SJ
Sci Rep vol. 7 (1), 16546-16546.
29-11-2017 Mitigating pest and pathogen impacts using resistant trees: A framework and overview to inform development and deployment in Europe and North AmericaWoodcock P, Cottrell JE,
Buggs RJA and Quine CP
Forestry vol. 91 (1), 1-16.
10-08-2017 Emerging Genomics of Angiosperm TreesSOLLARS E and
BUGGS RJA In
Comparative and Evolutionary Genomics of Angiosperm Trees,
Springer 85-99. Editors: Groover A and Cronk Q.
08-08-2017 The deepening of Darwin's abominable mystery.Buggs RJA Nat Ecol Evol vol. 1 (6), 169-169.
23-05-2017 2016
Genome sequence and genetic diversity of European ash trees.Sollars ES, Harper AL, Kelly LJ, Sambles CM, Ramirez-Gonzalez RH, Swarbreck D, Kaithakottil G, Cooper ED, Uauy C, Havlickova L, Worswick G, Studholme DJ, Zohren J, Salmon DL, Clavijo BJ, Li Y, He Z, Fellgett A, McKinney LV, Nielsen LR,
et al. Nature 26-12-2016 Unidirectional diploid-tetraploid introgression among British birch trees with shifting ranges shown by RAD markersZohren J, Wang N, Kardailsky I, Borrell JS, Joecker A,
Nichols RA and
Buggs RJA Molecular Ecology,
Wiley: 12 Months 11-05-2016 Molecular phylogeny and genome size evolution of the genus Betula (Betulaceae)Wang N, McAllister HA, Bartlett PR and
Buggs RJA Annals of Botany, mcw048-mcw048.
11-04-2016 Molecular markers for tolerance of European ash (Fraxinus excelsior) to dieback disease identified using Associative TranscriptomicsHarper AL, McKinney LV, Nielsen LR, Havlickova L, Li Y, Trick M, Fraser F, Wang L, Fellgett A, Sollars ESA, Janacek SH, Downie JA,
Buggs RJA, Kjær ED and Bancroft I
Scientific Reports,
Springer Nature vol. 6 (1)
13-01-2016 Next generation apomorphy: the ubiquity of taxonomically restricted genesNelson PA and
Buggs RJA In
The Systematics Association Special,
Cambridge University Press (Cup) 237-263.
01-01-2016 2015
Speciation by genome duplication: Repeated origins and genomic composition of the recently formed allopolyploid species Mimulus peregrinusVallejo-Marín M,
Buggs RJA, Cooley AM and Puzey JR
Evolution vol. 69 (6), 1487-1500.
01-06-2015 Speciation by genome duplication: Repeated origins and genomic composition of the recently formed allopolyploid species Mimulus peregrinus.Vallejo-Marín M,
Buggs RJA, Cooley AM and Puzey JR
Evolution vol. 69 (6), 1487-1500.
27-05-2015 250 years of hybridization between two biennial herb species without speciationMatthews A, Emelianova K, Hatimy AA, Chester M, Pellicer J, Ahmad KS, Guignard MS, Rouhan G, Soltis DE, Soltis PS, Leitch IJ,
Leitch AR, Mavrodiev EV and
Buggs RJA Aob Plants,
Oxford University Press (Oup) vol. 7
01-01-2015 2014
The potential for field studies and genomic technologies to enhance resistance and resilience of British tree populations to pests and pathogensBoshier D and
Buggs RJA Forestry,
Oxford University Press (Oup) vol. 88 (1), 27-40.
28-11-2014 The legacy of diploid progenitors in allopolyploid gene expression patterns.Buggs RJA, Wendel JF, Doyle JJ, Soltis DE, Soltis PS and Coate JE
Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci vol. 369 (1648)
05-08-2014 Is the Atkinson discriminant function a reliable method for distinguishing between Betula pendula and B. pubescens (Betulaceae)?Wang N, Borrell JS and
Buggs RJA New Journal of Botany,
Taylor & Francis vol. 4 (2), 90-94.
01-08-2014 Molecular footprints of the Holocene retreat of dwarf birch in Britain.Wang N, Borrell JS, Bodles WJA, Kuttapitiya A,
Nichols RA and
Buggs RJA Mol Ecol vol. 23 (11), 2771-2782.
01-06-2014 The British Ash Tree Genome Project: Sequencing the Genome of Fraxinus excelsior (European Ash)Sollars E, Zohren J, Boshier D, Clark J, Joeker A and
BUGGS RJA 11-01-2014 Molecular footprints of the Holocene retreat of dwarf birch in BritainWang N, Borrell JS, Bodles WJA, Kuttapitiya A,
Nichols RA and
Buggs RJA Molecular Ecology 01-01-2014 2013
The consequences of polyploidy and hybridisation for transcriptome dynamics Unravelling gene expression of complex crop genomesBuggs RJA Heredity vol. 110 (2), 97-98.
01-01-2013 Hybridization and speciationAbbott R, Albach D, Ansell S, Arntzen JW, Baird SJE, Bierne N, Boughman JW, Brelsford A, Buerkle CA,
Buggs R, Butlin RK, Dieckmann U, Eroukhmanoff F, Grill A, Cahan SH, Hermansen JS, Hewitt G, Hudson AG, Jiggins C, Jones J,
et al. Journal of Evolutionary Biology vol. 26 (2), 229-246.
01-01-2013 2012
Genome sequence of dwarf birch (Betula nana) and cross-species RAD markersWang N, Thomson M and
BUGGS RJA Molecular Ecology,
Blackwell Publishing Ltd 21-11-2012 The early stages of polyploidy: Rapid and repeated evolution in TragopogonSoltis DE,
Buggs RJA, Barbazuk WB, Chamala S, Chester M, Gallagher JP, Schnable PS and Soltis PS
In
Polyploidy and Genome Evolution 271-292.
01-11-2012 Next-generation sequencing and genome evolution in allopolyploids.Buggs RJA, Renny-Byfield S, Chester M, Jordon-Thaden IE, Viccini LF, Chamala S,
Leitch AR, Schnable PS, Barbazuk WB, Soltis PS and Soltis DE
Am J Bot vol. 99 (2), 372-382.
01-02-2012 Next-generation sequencing and genome evolution in allopolyploidsBUGGS RJA, RENNY-BYFIELD S, CHESTER M, JORDON-THADEN IE, VICCINI LF, CHAMALA S,
LEITCH AR, SCHNABLE PS, BARBAZUK WB, SOLTIS PS and SOLTIS DE
American Journal of Botany vol. 99 (2), 372-382.
20-01-2012 Monkeying around with ploidyBuggs RJA Molecular Ecology vol. 21 (21), 5159-5161.
01-01-2012 Rapid, Repeated, and Clustered Loss of Duplicate Genes in Allopolyploid Plant Populations of Independent OriginBuggs RJA, Chamala S, Wu W, Tate JA, Schnable PS, Soltis DE, Soltis PS and Barbazuk WB
Current Biology vol. 22 (3), 248-252.
01-01-2012 The Early Stages of Polyploidy: Rapid and Repeated Evolution in TragopogonSoltis DE,
Buggs RJA, Barbazuk WB, Chamala S, Chester M, Gallagher JP, Schnable PS and Soltis PS
In
Polyploidy and Genome Evolution,
Springer Nature 271-292.
01-01-2012 2011
Transcriptomic shock generates evolutionary novelty in a newly formed, natural allopolyploid plant.Buggs RJA, Zhang L, Miles N, Tate JA, Gao L, Wei W, Schnable PS, Barbazuk WB, Soltis PS and Soltis DE
Curr Biol vol. 21 (7), 551-556.
12-04-2011 Transcriptomic shock generates evolutionary novelty in a newly formed, natural allopolyploid plantBuggs RJA, Zhang LJ, Miles N, Tate JA, Gao L, Wei W, Schnable PS, Barbazuk WB, Soltis PS and Soltis DE
Curr Biol,
Cell Press vol. 21 (7), 551-556.
12-04-2011 Biosystematic relationships and the formation of polyploidsBuggs RJA, Soltis PS and Soltis DE
Taxon vol. 60 (2), 324-332.
01-04-2011 Transcriptomic shock generates evolutionary novelty in a newly formed, natural allopolyploid plantBUGGS RJA, Zhang L, Miles N, Gao L, Wu W, Schnable PS, Barbazuk WB, Soltis PS and Soltis DE
Current Biology vol. 21, 551-556.
17-03-2011 2010
What we still don't know about polyploidySoltis DE,
Buggs RJA, Doyle JJ and Soltis PS
Taxon vol. 59 (5), 1387-1403.
01-10-2010 Characterization of duplicate gene evolution in the recent natural allopolyploid Tragopogon miscellus by next-generation sequencing and Sequenom iPLEX MassARRAY genotypingBuggs RJA, Chamala S, Wu W, Gao L, May GD, Schnable PS, Soltis DE, Soltis PS and Barbazuk WB
Mol Ecol vol. 19, 132-146.
01-03-2010 Tissue-specific silencing of homoeologs in natural populations of the recent allopolyploid Tragopogon mirusBuggs RJA, Elliott NM, Zhang LJ, Koh J, Viccini LF, Soltis DE and Soltis PS
New Phytol vol. 186 (1), 175-183.
01-01-2010 2009
Does hybridization between divergent progenitors drive whole-genome duplication?Buggs RJA, Soltis PS and Soltis DE
Mol Ecol vol. 18 (16), 3334-3339.
01-08-2009 Gene loss and silencing in Tragopogon miscellus (Asteraceae): comparison of natural and synthetic allotetraploidsBuggs RJA, Doust AN, Tate JA, Koh J, Soltis K, Feltus FA, Paterson AH, Soltis PS and Soltis DE
Heredity vol. 103 (1), 73-81.
01-07-2009 SYNTHETIC POLYPLOIDS OF TRAGOPOGON MISCELLUS AND T-MIRUS (ASTERACEAE): 60 YEARS AFTER OWNBEY'S DISCOVERYTate JA, Symonds VV, Doust AN,
Buggs RJA, Mavrodiev E, Majure LC, Soltis PS and Soltis DE
Am J Bot vol. 96 (5), 979-988.
01-05-2009 On the Origins of Species: Does Evolution Repeat Itself in Polyploid Populations of Independent Origin?Soltis DE,
Buggs RJA, Barbazuk WB, Schnable PS and Soltis PS
Cold Spring Harbor Symposia on Quantitative Biology. vol. 74, 215-223.
01-01-2009 2008
Does phylogenetic distance between parental genomes govern the success of polyploids?Buggs RJA, Soltis PS, Mavrodiev EV, Symonds VV and Soltis DE
Castanea vol. 73 (2), 74-93.
01-06-2008 Towards natural polyploid model organismsBuggs RJA Mol Ecol vol. 17 (8), 1875-1876.
01-04-2008 2007
Empirical study of hybrid zone movementBuggs RJA Heredity vol. 99 (3), 301-312.
01-09-2007 Ecological differentiation and diploid superiority across a moving ploidy contact zoneBuggs RJA and Pannell JR
Evolution vol. 61 (1), 125-140.
01-01-2007 2006
Hybridization, polyploidy, and the evolution of sexual systems in Mercurialis (Euphorbiaceae)Obbard DJ, Harris SA,
Buggs RJA and Pannell JR
Evolution vol. 60 (9), 1801-1815.
01-09-2006 Rapid displacement of a monoecious plant lineage is due to pollen swamping by a dioecious relativeBuggs RJA and Pannell JR
Curr Biol vol. 16 (10), 996-1000.
23-05-2006 2005
Development of anonymous cDNA microarrays to study changes to the Senecio floral transcriptome during hybrid speciationHegarty MJ, Jones JM, Wilson ID, Barker GL, Coghill JA, Sanchez-Baracaldo P, Liu GQ,
Buggs RJA, Abbott RJ, Edwards KJ and Hiscock SJ
Mol Ecol vol. 14 (8), 2493-2510.
01-07-2005 Factors affecting the location of a diploid-hexaploid contact zone in Mercurialis annua L.BUGGS R 01-01-2005 2004
Polyploidy and the sexual system: what can we learn from Mercurialis annua?Pannell JR, Obbard DJ and
Buggs RJA Biological Journal of The Linnean Society vol. 82 (4), 547-560.
01-08-2004
