Department of Biological and Environmental Science
University of Jyväskylä
P.O. Box 35 (YAC414.2)
FI-40014 University of Jyväskylä, Finland

My main research interest is to use evolutionary understanding to predict species invasions. Combining the understanding of evolution with invasion biology, i.e. that invasive species show evolvability and thus the potential to change, allows one to utilize the knowledge of both ecology and evolutionary biology to create a better understanding of invasions. Our group has a unique situation in Finland to study the invasion biology of Leptinotarsa decemlineata in Europe, as the Colorado potato beetle is known to have the potential to occupy large areas and despite numerous attempts over the last years it has not yet established viable populations in Finland.

My other major research interest is animal coloration. Particularly I am interested in understanding how it is possible that the same mechanism, predation, could have selected the diversity of animal coloration, namely cryptic and warning coloration.