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Dr Xiaoya Ma

Dr Xiaoya Ma

Research Fellow, NERC

Department: Earth Sciences
Division: ES Invertebrates and Plants Palaeobiology
Specialisms: Cambrian ecdysozoans: priapulids, Phylogeny & Taphonomy, lobopodians and arthropods Neuropalaeontology: fossilised brains, nervous systems and sensory organs Taxonomy
Phone: +44-(0)20 79425142 5142

Summary

My primary research interest is to understand the origin and early evolution of animal life, especially the major branching events during animal evolution. Cambrian fossils provide direct insight into the early radiation of animal life and are crucial for addressing some fundamental questions: When and how did major animal groups evolve? What were the evolutionary sequences of key morphological innovations? How did animals adapt to their ecological and environmental changes? Therefore, I use interdisciplinary approaches to study the morphology, phylogeny, taphonomy and paleoecology of a broad range of Cambrian ecdysozoans from exceptionally well-preserved fossil assemblages, such as the Chengjiang and the Burgess Shale Lagerstätten.

Qualifications

    Degrees

  • PhD in Palaeontology, University of Leicester, United Kingdom, 2005 - 2009
  • MSc (Hons) in Zoology, Yunnan University, China, 2003 - 2005
  • BSc (Hons) in Biology, Yunnan University, China, 1999 - 2003

Employment history

    Academic

  • NERC Independent Research Fellow, The Natural History Museum, London, Department of Earth Sciences, United Kingdom, 2014 - 2019
  • Postdoctoral Research Assistant, The Natural History Museum, London, Department of Earth Sciences, United Kingdom, 2011 - 2014
  • Honorary Researcher, University of Leicester, Department of Geology, United Kingdom, 2009 - 2012

    • Non-academic

    Library Assistant, University of Leicester, Library, 2007 - 2011

Grants

Cambrian Nervous Systems for Reconstructing the Arthropod Tree of Life
Role: Principal investigatorMa X
Funding: NERC
Total value £428,643 (to Museum £428,643)
Dates: 2014 - 2020

Publications

Ma X, Cong P, Williams M, Siveter D, Siveter D, Gabbott S, Zhai D, Goral T, Edgecombe G, Hou X (2017) The earliest evidence of metazoan symbiosis. Palaeontological Association, 61st Annual Meeting, 1712 12 - 17 12 12Programme, Abstracts and AGM Papers 55 - 56.

Cong P, Ma X, Williams M, Siveter DJ, Siveter DJ, Gabbott SE, Zhai D, Goral T, Edgecombe GD, Hou X (2017) Host-specific infestation in early Cambrian worms. Nature Ecology & Evolution, 1 (10) : 1465 - 1469. doi: 10.1038/s41559-017-0278-4

Hou X, Williams M, Gabbott S, Siveter DJ, Siveter DJ, Cong P, Ma X, Sansom R (2017) A new species of the artiopodan arthropod Acanthomeridion from the lower Cambrian Chengjiang Lagerstätte, China, and the phylogenetic significance of the genus. Journal of Systematic Palaeontology, 15 (9) : 733 - 740. doi: 10.1080/14772019.2016.1229695

Strausfeld NJ, Ma X, Edgecombe GD (2016) Modern brains and their Cambrian antecedents: evolutionary stability, genealogical correspondence and evolved loss. Palaeontological Association, 60th Annual Meeting, 1412 12 - 14 12 12Programme, Abstracts and AGM papers 50 - 51.

Strausfeld NJ, Ma X, Edgecombe GD (2016) Fossils and the Evolution of the Arthropod Brain. Current Biology, 26 (20) : R989 - R1000. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2016.09.012

Strausfeld NJ, Ma X, Edgecombe GD, Fortey RA, Land M, Liu Y, Cong P, Hou X (2016) Arthropod eyes: The early Cambrian fossil record and divergent evolution of visual systems. Arthropod Structure and Development, 45 : 152 - 172. doi: 10.1016/asd/2015.07.005

Strausfeld NJ, Ma X, Edgecombe GD, Fortey RA, Land MF, Liu Y, Cong P, Hou X (2016) Arthropod eyes: The early Cambrian fossil record and divergent evolution of visual systems. Arthropod Structure & Development, 45 (2) : 152 - 172. doi: 10.1016/j.asd.2015.07.005

Edgecombe GD, Ma X, Strausfeld NJ (2015) Unlocking the early fossil record of the arthropod central nervous system. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 370 (1684) : 20150038 - 20150038. doi: 10.1098/rstb.2015.0038

Ma X, Edgecombe GD, Hou X, Goral T, Strausfeld NJ (2015) Preservational Pathways of Corresponding Brains of a Cambrian Euarthropod. Current Biology, 25 (22) : 2969 - 2975. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2015.09.063

Ma X (2015) Hallucigenia's head. Nature, 523 (7558) : 38 - 39. doi: 10.1038/nature14627

Salge T, Ball AD, Broad GR, Jones CG, Ma X, Smith CL, Kearsley AT, Wozniakiewicz PJ, Rades S, Hodoroaba VD, Musat N, Stryhanyuk H, Falke M, Hansen B, Terborg R (2015) SEM/EDS analysis examples below the micrometre scale using an annular SDD: Applications in nano, life, cultural heritage, Earth and planetary sciences. EMAS 2015 - 14th European Workshop on MODERN DEVELOPMENTS AND APPLICATIONS IN MICROBEAM ANALYSIS, 05/2015 :

Cong P, Ma X, Hou X, Edgecombe GD, Strausfeld NJ (2014) Cong et al. reply. Nature, 516 (7530) : E3 - E4. doi: 10.1038/nature13861

Cong P, Ma X, Hou X, Edgecombe GD, Strausfeld NJ (2014) Brain structure resolves the segmental affinity of anomalocaridid appendages. Nature, 513 (7519) : 538 - 542. doi: 10.1038/nature13486

Ma X, Edgecombe GD, Legg DA, Hou X (2014) The morphology and phylogenetic position of the Cambrian lobopodian Diania cactiformis. JOURNAL OF SYSTEMATIC PALAEONTOLOGY, 12 (4) : 445 - 457. doi: 10.1080/14772019.2013.770418

Ma X, Aldridge RJ, Siveter DJ, Siveter DJ, Hou X, Edgecombe GD (2014) A New Exceptionally Preserved Cambrian Priapulid from the Chengjiang Lagerstätte. Journal of Paleontology, 88 (2) : 371 - 384. doi: 10.1666/13-082

Ma X, Cong P, Hou X, Edgecombe GD, Strausfeld NJ (2014) An exceptionally preserved arthropod cardiovascular system from the early Cambrian. Nature Communications, 5 (1) : doi: 10.1038/ncomms4560

García-bellido DC, Edgecombe GD, Paterson JR, Ma X (2013) A ‘Collins’ monster’-type lobopodian from the Emu Bay Shale Konservat-Lagerstätte (Cambrian), South Australia. Alcheringa: An Australasian Journal of Palaeontology, 37 (4) : 474 - 478. doi: 10.1080/03115518.2013.792456

Tanaka G, Hou X, Ma X, Edgecombe GD, Strausfeld NJ (2013) Chelicerate neural ground pattern in a Cambrian great appendage arthropod. Nature, 502 (7471) : 364 - 367. doi: 10.1038/nature12520

Ma X, Hou X, Aldridge RJ, Siveter DJ, Siveter DJ, Gabbott SE, Purnell MA, Parker AR, Edgecombe GD (2012) Morphology of Cambrian lobopodian eyes from the Chengjiang Lagerstätte and their evolutionary significance. Arthropod Structure & Development, 41 (5) : 495 - 504. doi: 10.1016/j.asd.2012.03.002

Ma X, Hou X, Edgecombe GD, Strausfeld NJ (2012) Complex brain and optic lobes in an early Cambrian arthropod. Nature, 490 (7419) : 258 - 261. doi: 10.1038/nature11495

Hou X-G, Aldridge RJ, Siveter DJ, Siveter DJ, Williams M, Zalasiewicz J, Ma X-Y (2011) An Early Cambrian Hemichordate Zooid. Current Biology, 21 (7) : 612 - 616. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2011.03.005

Legg DA, Ma X, Wolfe JM, Ortega-Hernández J, Edgecombe GD, Sutton MD (2011) Lobopodian phylogeny reanalysed. Nature, 476 (7359) : E1 - E1. doi: 10.1038/nature10267

Ma X, Hou X, Baines D (2010) Phylogeny and evolutionary significance of vermiform animals from the Early Cambrian Chengjiang Lagerstätte. Science China Earth Sciences, 53 (12) : 1774 - 1783. doi: 10.1007/s11430-010-4084-y

Ma X, Hou X, Bergström J (2009) Morphology of Luolishania longicruris (Lower Cambrian, Chengjiang Lagerstätte, SW China) and the phylogenetic relationships within lobopodians. Arthropod Structure & Development, 38 (4) : 271 - 291. doi: 10.1016/j.asd.2009.03.001

Xian-Guang H, Bergström J, Xiao-Ya M, Jie Z (2006) The Lower Cambrian Phlogites Luo & Hu re-considered. GFF, 128 : 47 - 51.

HOU X-G, Stanley G, Zhao J, MA X-Y (2005) Cambrian anemones with preserved soft tissue from the Chengjiang biota, China. Lethaia, 38 : 193 - 203.

HOU XIAN-GUANG, MA XIAO-YA, ZHAO JIE, BERGSTRÖM JAN (2004) The lobopodian Paucipodia inermis from the Lower Cambrian Chengjiang fauna, Yunnan, China. Lethaia, 37 (3) : 235 - 244. doi: 10.1080/00241160410006555

Courses taught

MSc: MSc Taxonomy & Biodiversity: Palaeobiology Module


2/2016 - 3/2016.

Invited and keynote speaker

Invited speaker, Deep Thoughts from Deep Time—Central Nervous Systems of Cambrian Panarthropods, 16th Annual Meeting of Japanese Society of Evolutionary Studies:

Deep Thoughts from Deep Time—Central Nervous Systems of Cambrian Panarthropods, IGCP Project 591-Field Workshop 2014:

Origin and Early Diversification of Arthropod Visual Systems, The 4th International Palaeontological Congress:

Introduction

Summary

My primary research interest is to understand the origin and early evolution of animal life, especially the major branching events during animal evolution. Cambrian fossils provide direct insight into the early radiation of animal life and are crucial for addressing some fundamental questions: When and how did major animal groups evolve? What were the evolutionary sequences of key morphological innovations? How did animals adapt to their ecological and environmental changes? Therefore, I use interdisciplinary approaches to study the morphology, phylogeny, taphonomy and paleoecology of a broad range of Cambrian ecdysozoans from exceptionally well-preserved fossil assemblages, such as the Chengjiang and the Burgess Shale Lagerstätten.

Qualifications

    Degrees

  • PhD in Palaeontology, University of Leicester, United Kingdom, 2005 - 2009
  • MSc (Hons) in Zoology, Yunnan University, China, 2003 - 2005
  • BSc (Hons) in Biology, Yunnan University, China, 1999 - 2003

Employment history

    Academic

  • NERC Independent Research Fellow, The Natural History Museum, London, Department of Earth Sciences, United Kingdom, 2014 - 2019
  • Postdoctoral Research Assistant, The Natural History Museum, London, Department of Earth Sciences, United Kingdom, 2011 - 2014
  • Honorary Researcher, University of Leicester, Department of Geology, United Kingdom, 2009 - 2012

    • Non-academic

    Library Assistant, University of Leicester, Library, 2007 - 2011

Projects

Grants

Cambrian Nervous Systems for Reconstructing the Arthropod Tree of Life
Role: Principal investigatorMa X
Funding: NERC
Total value £428,643 (to Museum £428,643)
Dates: 2014 - 2020

Publications

Publications

Ma X, Cong P, Williams M, Siveter D, Siveter D, Gabbott S, Zhai D, Goral T, Edgecombe G, Hou X (2017) The earliest evidence of metazoan symbiosis. Palaeontological Association, 61st Annual Meeting, 1712 12 - 17 12 12Programme, Abstracts and AGM Papers 55 - 56.

Cong P, Ma X, Williams M, Siveter DJ, Siveter DJ, Gabbott SE, Zhai D, Goral T, Edgecombe GD, Hou X (2017) Host-specific infestation in early Cambrian worms. Nature Ecology & Evolution, 1 (10) : 1465 - 1469. doi: 10.1038/s41559-017-0278-4

Hou X, Williams M, Gabbott S, Siveter DJ, Siveter DJ, Cong P, Ma X, Sansom R (2017) A new species of the artiopodan arthropod Acanthomeridion from the lower Cambrian Chengjiang Lagerstätte, China, and the phylogenetic significance of the genus. Journal of Systematic Palaeontology, 15 (9) : 733 - 740. doi: 10.1080/14772019.2016.1229695

Strausfeld NJ, Ma X, Edgecombe GD (2016) Modern brains and their Cambrian antecedents: evolutionary stability, genealogical correspondence and evolved loss. Palaeontological Association, 60th Annual Meeting, 1412 12 - 14 12 12Programme, Abstracts and AGM papers 50 - 51.

Strausfeld NJ, Ma X, Edgecombe GD (2016) Fossils and the Evolution of the Arthropod Brain. Current Biology, 26 (20) : R989 - R1000. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2016.09.012

Strausfeld NJ, Ma X, Edgecombe GD, Fortey RA, Land M, Liu Y, Cong P, Hou X (2016) Arthropod eyes: The early Cambrian fossil record and divergent evolution of visual systems. Arthropod Structure and Development, 45 : 152 - 172. doi: 10.1016/asd/2015.07.005

Strausfeld NJ, Ma X, Edgecombe GD, Fortey RA, Land MF, Liu Y, Cong P, Hou X (2016) Arthropod eyes: The early Cambrian fossil record and divergent evolution of visual systems. Arthropod Structure & Development, 45 (2) : 152 - 172. doi: 10.1016/j.asd.2015.07.005

Edgecombe GD, Ma X, Strausfeld NJ (2015) Unlocking the early fossil record of the arthropod central nervous system. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 370 (1684) : 20150038 - 20150038. doi: 10.1098/rstb.2015.0038

Ma X, Edgecombe GD, Hou X, Goral T, Strausfeld NJ (2015) Preservational Pathways of Corresponding Brains of a Cambrian Euarthropod. Current Biology, 25 (22) : 2969 - 2975. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2015.09.063

Ma X (2015) Hallucigenia's head. Nature, 523 (7558) : 38 - 39. doi: 10.1038/nature14627

Salge T, Ball AD, Broad GR, Jones CG, Ma X, Smith CL, Kearsley AT, Wozniakiewicz PJ, Rades S, Hodoroaba VD, Musat N, Stryhanyuk H, Falke M, Hansen B, Terborg R (2015) SEM/EDS analysis examples below the micrometre scale using an annular SDD: Applications in nano, life, cultural heritage, Earth and planetary sciences. EMAS 2015 - 14th European Workshop on MODERN DEVELOPMENTS AND APPLICATIONS IN MICROBEAM ANALYSIS, 05/2015 :

Cong P, Ma X, Hou X, Edgecombe GD, Strausfeld NJ (2014) Cong et al. reply. Nature, 516 (7530) : E3 - E4. doi: 10.1038/nature13861

Cong P, Ma X, Hou X, Edgecombe GD, Strausfeld NJ (2014) Brain structure resolves the segmental affinity of anomalocaridid appendages. Nature, 513 (7519) : 538 - 542. doi: 10.1038/nature13486

Ma X, Edgecombe GD, Legg DA, Hou X (2014) The morphology and phylogenetic position of the Cambrian lobopodian Diania cactiformis. JOURNAL OF SYSTEMATIC PALAEONTOLOGY, 12 (4) : 445 - 457. doi: 10.1080/14772019.2013.770418

Ma X, Aldridge RJ, Siveter DJ, Siveter DJ, Hou X, Edgecombe GD (2014) A New Exceptionally Preserved Cambrian Priapulid from the Chengjiang Lagerstätte. Journal of Paleontology, 88 (2) : 371 - 384. doi: 10.1666/13-082

Ma X, Cong P, Hou X, Edgecombe GD, Strausfeld NJ (2014) An exceptionally preserved arthropod cardiovascular system from the early Cambrian. Nature Communications, 5 (1) : doi: 10.1038/ncomms4560

García-bellido DC, Edgecombe GD, Paterson JR, Ma X (2013) A ‘Collins’ monster’-type lobopodian from the Emu Bay Shale Konservat-Lagerstätte (Cambrian), South Australia. Alcheringa: An Australasian Journal of Palaeontology, 37 (4) : 474 - 478. doi: 10.1080/03115518.2013.792456

Tanaka G, Hou X, Ma X, Edgecombe GD, Strausfeld NJ (2013) Chelicerate neural ground pattern in a Cambrian great appendage arthropod. Nature, 502 (7471) : 364 - 367. doi: 10.1038/nature12520

Ma X, Hou X, Aldridge RJ, Siveter DJ, Siveter DJ, Gabbott SE, Purnell MA, Parker AR, Edgecombe GD (2012) Morphology of Cambrian lobopodian eyes from the Chengjiang Lagerstätte and their evolutionary significance. Arthropod Structure & Development, 41 (5) : 495 - 504. doi: 10.1016/j.asd.2012.03.002

Ma X, Hou X, Edgecombe GD, Strausfeld NJ (2012) Complex brain and optic lobes in an early Cambrian arthropod. Nature, 490 (7419) : 258 - 261. doi: 10.1038/nature11495

Hou X-G, Aldridge RJ, Siveter DJ, Siveter DJ, Williams M, Zalasiewicz J, Ma X-Y (2011) An Early Cambrian Hemichordate Zooid. Current Biology, 21 (7) : 612 - 616. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2011.03.005

Legg DA, Ma X, Wolfe JM, Ortega-Hernández J, Edgecombe GD, Sutton MD (2011) Lobopodian phylogeny reanalysed. Nature, 476 (7359) : E1 - E1. doi: 10.1038/nature10267

Ma X, Hou X, Baines D (2010) Phylogeny and evolutionary significance of vermiform animals from the Early Cambrian Chengjiang Lagerstätte. Science China Earth Sciences, 53 (12) : 1774 - 1783. doi: 10.1007/s11430-010-4084-y

Ma X, Hou X, Bergström J (2009) Morphology of Luolishania longicruris (Lower Cambrian, Chengjiang Lagerstätte, SW China) and the phylogenetic relationships within lobopodians. Arthropod Structure & Development, 38 (4) : 271 - 291. doi: 10.1016/j.asd.2009.03.001

Xian-Guang H, Bergström J, Xiao-Ya M, Jie Z (2006) The Lower Cambrian Phlogites Luo & Hu re-considered. GFF, 128 : 47 - 51.

HOU X-G, Stanley G, Zhao J, MA X-Y (2005) Cambrian anemones with preserved soft tissue from the Chengjiang biota, China. Lethaia, 38 : 193 - 203.

HOU XIAN-GUANG, MA XIAO-YA, ZHAO JIE, BERGSTRÖM JAN (2004) The lobopodian Paucipodia inermis from the Lower Cambrian Chengjiang fauna, Yunnan, China. Lethaia, 37 (3) : 235 - 244. doi: 10.1080/00241160410006555

Teaching and students

Courses taught

MSc: MSc Taxonomy & Biodiversity: Palaeobiology Module


2/2016 - 3/2016.

Impact and outreach

Invited and keynote speaker

Invited speaker, Deep Thoughts from Deep Time—Central Nervous Systems of Cambrian Panarthropods, 16th Annual Meeting of Japanese Society of Evolutionary Studies:

Deep Thoughts from Deep Time—Central Nervous Systems of Cambrian Panarthropods, IGCP Project 591-Field Workshop 2014:

Origin and Early Diversification of Arthropod Visual Systems, The 4th International Palaeontological Congress: