Dr Eileen Cox DSc

Biography

Employment history

• 2007-present   Head of Postgraduate Studies, The Natural History Museum
• 1995-present   Research Botanist (Diatoms)(Band 3), Botany Department, The Natural History Museum
• 1992-1995   Research Botanist (Diatoms)(SSO), Botany Department, The Natural History Museum
• 1991-1992   Honorary Lecturer, Animal & Plant Sciences, Sheffield University
• 1990-1992   NERC Advanced Research Fellow, Animal & Plant Department, Sheffield University
• 1989-1990   Research associate, Animal & Plant Sciences, Sheffield University
• 1988-1989   Scientist, Limnologische Flußstation des Max-Planck-Instituts für Limnologie, Schlitz, Germany
• 1985-1988   Research Associate, Limnologische Flußstation des Max-Planck-Instituts für Limnologie, Schlitz, Germany. Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft
• 1982-1985   Max Planck Research Fellow, Max-Planck-Institut für Limnologie, Plön, Germany
• 1980-1981   Royal Society European Exchange Science Programme Fellowship, Biologische Anstalt Helgoland (Litoralstation), List/Sylt, Germany
• 1979-1980   Lecturer in Botany, Pembroke College, Oxford
• 1977-1980   Claridge Druce Junior Research Fellow in Plant Taxonomy, Oxford (Botany School & Lady Margaret Hall)
• 1970-1976   Departmental demonstrator, Botany Department, Bristol University
  

Qualifications

• 2000     D.Sc.,   Bristol University
• 1975     Ph.D.,   Biology of tube-dwelling diatoms, Bristol University
• 1970     B.Sc. Hons.   Botany (2:1), Bristol University

Research

Interests

Diatoms are unicellular algae that are characterised by the possession of highly structured siliceous walls. They are probably the most successful group of algae, being found throughout the world, in both marine and freshwater systems, as well as subaerial and terrestrial habitats. It has been estimated that they contribute at least 20-25% of primary production in the world.

My work can be summarized under four project headings:

• Development, variability and control of the diatom phenotype
• Systematics of naviculoid diatoms
• Use of cytoplasmic features for diatom identification
• Use of diatoms as environmental indicators

Development, variability and control of the diatom phenotype

Diatom cells have a unique wall structure in which the two halves of the siliceous ‘box’ enclosing the cell are formed at different times. Each cell has an older and a younger half wall (valve), but both are formed under the control of the genotype and morphogenesis follows a particular order in each taxon. However, if genotypic expression varies with environment, the resulting phenotypes will differ according to conditions at the time of formation. Thus, it is possible that if the two valves of a single cell developed under different external conditions they will differ morphologically. Understanding how particular valve features are formed, and under what conditions they can be transformed is important for their interpretation for systematic analyses.

Systematics of naviculoid diatoms

I am particularly interested in the generic relationships of naviculoid diatoms and how well the current diatom classification reflects those relationships. Recent work has included studies of the relationship between the monoraphid genus Achnanthes and the Mastogloiales, as well as an investigation of the marine genus Proschkinia.

Use of cytoplasmic features for diatom identification

Diatoms have traditionally been identified on their wall characters after cells have been ‘cleaned’, i.e. the organic components have been removed by oxidation. However, this means that assemblages analysed from such material may include cells that were not alive at the time of sampling, or were washed-in from other habitats. This may skew ecological interpretation based on the assemblage.
However, it is possible to identify many diatoms from fresh, living material using cell contents, particularly chloroplast arrangement.
I am currently working on a revision of my book “Identification of freshwater diatoms from live material” and will be incorporating a CD of photomicrographs in the second edition.

Use of diatoms as environmental indicators

Because their cell walls are well-preserved in many sediments, diatoms have been used extensively as palaeo-ecological indicators of pH, trophic status, salinity, etc. They are also widely used as bioindicators of contemporary conditions (especially under the Water Framework Directive). This work has relied on correlations between assemblage composition and measured field conditions, rather than empirical evidence of species responses to particular environmental variables.
I have used an experimental approach to determine whether inferred relationships based on field data are supported by growth responses in the laboratory.

Research Staff

Dr Jonathan Tyler - from 1st March 2009 (NERC Research Fellow)

Former post-doc collaborators

Research Students

Current 

Dave Emson (UCL) - The impact of Lemna on pond ecosystems: an ecological and palaeoecological study using diatoms as a proxy.

Recent

Katie Bentley (UCL) - Adaptive behaviour through morphogenesis: inspiration from diatoms.

Dawn Rose (Plymouth) - Ecophysiological and taxonomic discrimination of widely distributed benthic diatoms used as indicators of pollution.

Professional

PG Studies

Role

• Head of Postgraduate Studies

Remit

• To lead in the bench-marking and development of standards for PhD students in the museum
• To develop and oversee training for PhD students and early stage researchers in the museum
• To support and advise PhD students in the museum

Events

• Annual programme of workshops, talks and other events can be found on the PhD student intranet page
• Special events are advertised as they arise.

Outreach

Publications

Publications

2008

• Carr, A., Jones, G.C. & Cox, E.J. (2008) An embedding, polishing and etching procedure for examining the 3D structure of diatoms with SEM. Cryptogamie: Algologie, 29 (4), : 285-291. Cryptogamie: Algologie,

2006

• Cox, E.J. (2006) Raphe loss and spine formation in Diadesmis gallica (Bacillariophyta) – an intriguing example of phenotypic plasticity in a diatom. Nova Hedwigia Beiheft 130: 163-176.
• Cox, E.J. (2006) Achnanthes sensu stricto belongs with genera of the Mastogloiales rather than with other monoraphid diatoms European Journal of Phycology 41: 67-81. 10.1080/09670260500491543
• Cox, E.J. (2006) Raphe loss and spine formation in Diadesmis gallica (Bacillariophyta) – an intriguing example of phenotypic plasticity in a diatom Nova Hedwigia Beiheft 130: 163-176.
• Cox, E.J. & Williams, D.M. (2006) Systematics of naviculoid diatoms – a comparison of protoplast and frustule characters for family and order level classification Systematics and biodiversity 4: 385-399.
• Cox, E.J., Sims, P.A. & Williams, D.M. (2006) Obituary. R. Ross Diatom Research 21: 479-488.
• Kelly, M.G., Bennion, H., Cox, E.J., Goldsmith, B., Jamieson, J., Juggins, S., Mann, D.G. & Telford, R.J. (2006) An interactive CD-ROM for identifying freshwater diatoms Proceedings of the 18th International Diatom Symposium, Poland 153-161.
• Toyoda, K., Cox, E.J., Sims, P.A. & Williams, D.M. (2006) (1718) Proposal to conserve Achnanthes brevipes (Bacillariophyceae) against A. adnata, A. baccillarioides and A. dubia, and with a conserved type. Taxon 55: 527-528.
• Trobajo, R. & Cox, E.J. (2006) . Examination of the type material of Nitzschia frustulum (Kützing).
• Trobajo, R., Mann, D.G., Chepurnov, V.A., Clavero, E. & Cox, E.J. (2006) Taxonomy, life cycle and auxosporulation in Nitzschia fonticola Journal of Phycology 42: 1353-1372.

2005

• Bentley, K., Cox, E.J. & Bentley, P.J. (2005) Nature’s batik: a computer evolution model of diatom valve morphogenesis Journal of nanoscience & nanotechnology 5: 25-34. 10.1166/jnn.2005.004
• Congestri, R., Cox, E.J., Cavacini, P. & Albertano, P. (2005) Diatoms (Bacillariophyta) in phototrophic biofilms colonising an Italian wastewater treatment plant Diatom Research 20: 241-255. Diatom Research
• Cox, E.J. (2005) A proposal to conserve the name Pinnularia gastrum Ehrenberg with a conserved type has been published Diatom Research 20: 217-218. Diatom Research
• Toyoda, K., Cox, E.J., Sims, P.A. & Williams, D.M. (2005) The typification of Achnanthes Bory based on Echinella stipitata Lyngbye, with an account of the morphology and fine structure of Lyngbye’s species Diatom Research 20: 375–386. Diatom Research

2004

• Cox, E.J. (2004) Pore occlusions in raphid diatoms – a reassessment of their structure and terminology Diatom 20: 33-46. Diatom
• Cox, E.J. & Reid, G. (2004) Generic relationships within the Naviculineae – a preliminary cladistic analysis., In: Proceedings of the 17th International Diatom Symposium. Biopress Ltd: Bristol, 49-62.
• Cox, E.J. & Ross, R. (2004) Proposal to conserve the name Pinnularia gastrum Ehrenberg with a conserved type (Bacillariophyta) Taxon 53: 830. Taxon
• Cox, E.J. & Witkowski (2004) Workshop report on “Taxonomy – types, nomenclature, new combinations”. In: Poulin, M. (ed.), In: Proceedings of the 17th International Diatom Symposium, Ottawa. Biopress Ltd: Bristol,.
• Jüttner, I., Reichardt, E. & Cox, E.J. (2004) Taxonomy and ecology of some new Gomphonema species common in Himalayan streams Diatom Research 19: 235-264.
• Trobajo, R., Cox, E.J. & Quintana, X.D. (2004) An investigation into the effects of some environmental variables on the morphology of Nitzschia frustulum (Bacillariophyta), in relation to its use as bioindicator Nova Hedwigia 79: 433-445.

2003

• Cox, E.J. (2003) Taxonomy of diatoms: a fascination with minutiae. In: Norton, T.A. (editor), In: Out of the past. Collected reviews to celebrate the jubilee of the British Phycological Society. The British Phycological Society 49-67.
• Cox, E.J. (2003) Sorting out the rag-bag: live material, SEM data and the systematics of naviculoid diatoms Quekett Journal of Microscopy 39: 447-458.
• Cox, E.J. (2003) Placoneis Mereschkowsky revisited: towards the resolution of several typification and nomenclatural problems Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society 141: 53-83.
• Jüttner, I., Sharma, S., Dahal, S.M., Ormerod, S.J., Chimonides, P.J. & Cox, E.J. (2003) Diatoms as indicators of water quality and habitat character in streams of the Kathmandu Valley and the Nepalese Middle Hills Freshwater Biology 48: 2065-2084.

2002

• Cox, E. J. (2002) Generic concepts and intrageneric variation in diatoms with particular reference to Navicula Bory.In J. John (ed.), In: Proceedings of the 15th International Diatom Symposium.: Perth, Australia,.
• Cox, E.J. (2002) Diatoms – the evolution of morphogenetic complexity in single-celled plants. Developmental genetics and plant evolution. In Q.C.B. Cronk, R.M. Bateman & J.A. Hawkins, (eds), In: Taylor & Francis: London, 459-492.
• Cox, E.J. (2002) A rationale for developing rapid biomonitoring techniques using live identification of diatoms. In J. John, (ed.), In: Proceedings of the 15th International Diatom Symposium.: Perth, Australia, 43-50.
• Rose, D.T. & Cox, E.J. (2002) Diatoms (Bacillariophyta) from benthic habitats in seven upland lakes within the Laguna San Rafael National Park, Chile Boletín del Museo Nacional de Historia Natural, Chile 51: 7-33.

2001

• Cantonati, M., Corradini, G., Jüttner, I. & Cox, E.J. (2001) Diatom communities in high mountain streams of the Alps and the Himalaya Algae in extreme environments, Nova Hedwigia Beiheft 123: 37-61.
• Cox, E.J. (2001) What constitutes a stauros? A morphogenetic perspective. In Jahn, R., Witkowski, A. & Compère, P. (eds), In: Festschrift für H. Lange-Bertalot. 303-316.
• Cox, E.J. & Grigorov, R. (2001) Report of a Workshop on “Systematics”. In A. Economou-Amilli (ed.), In: Proceedings of the 16th International Diatom Symposium,. University of Athens: Greece, 567-572.
• Jüttner, I. & Cox, E.J. (2001) Diatom communities in streams from the Kumaon Himalaya, North-West India. In A. Economou-Amilli (ed.), In: Proceedings of the 16th International Diatom Symposium. University of Athens: Greece, 237-248.
• Massé, G., Rincé, Y., Cox, E.J., Allard, G., Belt, S. & Rowland, S. (2001) Haslea salstonica sp. nov. and Haslea pseudostrearia sp. nov., two new marine diatoms from the Salcombe estuary, Devon, U.K. Compte Rendus de l’Academie de Sciences, Paris 324: 617-626.

2000

• Cox, E.J. & Williams, D.M. (2000) Systematics of naviculoid diatoms: the interrelationships of some taxa with a stauros European Journal of Phycology 35: 273-282.
• Jüttner, I., Cox, E.J. & Ormerod, S. (2000) Some new or rarely recorded diatom species from Himalayan streams Diatom Research 15: 237-262.

1999

• Cox, E.J. (1999) Variation in patterns of valve morphogenesis between representatives of six biraphid diatom genera (Bacillariophyceae) Journal of Phycology 35: 1297-1312.
• Cox, E.J. (1999) Studies on the diatom genus Navicula Bory. VIII. Variation in valve morphology in relation to the generic diagnosis based on Navicula tripunctata (O.F. Müller) Bory Diatom Research 14: 207-237.
• Cox, E.J. (1999) Craspedostauros gen. nov., a new diatom genus for some unusual marine raphid diatoms previously placed in Stauroneis Ehrenberg and Stauronella Mereschkowsky (Bacillariophyta). Journal of Phycology 34: 131-147.
• Cox, E.J. & Ross, R. (1999) (1380-1381) Proposals to conserve the names Frustulia cuspidata and Navicula ambigua (Bacillariophyceae) with conserved types Taxon 48: 137.

1998

• Cox, E.J. (1998) The identity and typification of some naviculoid diatoms (Bacillariophyta) from freshwater or brackish habitats Phycologia 37: 162-175.

1997

• Cox, E.J. (1997) Assessing and designating diatom taxa at or below the specific level - a consideration of current status and some suggested guidelines for future use Nova Hedwigia 65: 13-26.

1996

• Carvalho, L.R., Sims, P.A., Battarbee, R.W., Cox, E.J. & Juggins, S. (1996) Campylodiscus clypeus (Ehrenb.) Ehrenb. in inland saline lakes Pact 50: 471-484.
• Cox, E.J. (1996) The identification of freshwater diatoms from live material. Chapman & Hall: 158,.
• Smith, D., Hughes, R.G. & Cox, E.J. (1996) Predation of epipelic diatoms by the amphipod Corophium volutator and the polychaete Nereis diversicolor Marine Ecology Progress Series 145: 56-61.

1995

• Carvalho, L.R., Cox, E.J., Fritz, S.C., Juggins, S., Sims, P.A., Gasse, F. & Battarbee, R.W. (1995) Standardizing the taxonomy of salt lake Cyclotella spp Diatom Research 10: 229-240.
• Cox, E.J. (1995) Studies on the diatom genus Navicula Bory. VII. The identity and typification of Navicula gregaria Donkin, N. cryptocephala Kütz. and related taxa Diatom Research 10: 91-111.
• Cox, E.J. (1995) Morphological variation in widely distributed diatom taxa: taxonomic and ecological implications. In: Marino, D. & Montresor, M. (eds), In: Proceedings of the 13th International Diatom Symposium, Italy 1994. 335-345.

1994

• Cox, E.J. (1994) Ecological tolerances and optima - real or imaginary? Verhandlungen der internationale Vereinigung für Limnologie 25: 2238-2241.
• Cox, E.J. & Norton, T.A. (1994) The effects of stress on benthic algal communities. In: Sutcliffe, D.W. (ed.), In: Water Quality and stress indicators in marine and freshwater ecosystems: linking levels of organisation (individuals, populations, communities)1-14. Freshwater Biological Association. Titus Wilson & Son: Kendal,.

1993

• Cox, E.J. (1993) Freshwater diatom ecology: developing an experimental approach as an aid to ecological interpretation. Hydrobiologia 269/270: 447-452.
• Cox, E.J. (1993) Diatom systematics - a review of past and present practice and a personal view for future development Nova Hedwigia Beiheft 106: 1-20.

1992

• Cox, E.J., Naylor, C. & Calow, P. (1992) Frozen algae as food for Daphnia magna Straus in toxicity testing Ecotoxicology & Environmental Safety 24: 58-62.
• Cox, E.J., Naylor, C., Bradley, M.C. & Calow, P. (1992) Effect of differing maternal food ration on adult fecundity and offspring size in laboratory cultures of Daphnia magna Straus for ecotoxicological testing Aquatic Toxicology 3: 63-74.
• Naylor, C., Cox, E.J., Bradley, M.C. & Calow, P. (1992) Effect of differing maternal food ration on susceptibility of Daphnia magna Straus neonates to toxic substances Aquatic Toxicology 3: 75-82.

1991

• Blackwell, J.R., Cox, E.J. & Gilmour, D.J. (1991) The morphology and taxonomy of Chlorococcum submarinum (Chlorococcales) isolated from a tidal rock pool British Phycological Journal 26: 133-139.
• Cox, E.J. (1991) What is the basis for using diatoms as monitors of river quality? In: Whitton, B.A., Rott, E. & Friedrich, G. (eds.), In: The use of algae for monitoring rivers. 33-40.

1990

• Cox, E.J. (1990) Studies on the algae of a small softwater stream. I. Occurrence and distribution with particular reference to the diatoms Archiv für Hydrobiologie / Supplement (Monographische Beiträge) 83: 525-552.
• Cox, E.J. (1990) Studies on the algae of a small softwater stream. II. Algal standing crop (measured by chlorophyll-a) on soft and hard substrata Archiv für Hydrobiologie / Supplement (Monographische Beiträge) 83: 553-566.
• Cox, E.J. (1990) Studies on the algae of a small softwater stream. III. Interaction between discharge, sediment composition and diatom flora Archiv für Hydrobiologie / Supplement (Monographische Beiträge) 83: 567-584.
• Cox, E.J. (1990) Microdistributional patterns of freshwater diatoms in relation to their use as bioindicators. In: Simola, H. (ed.), In: Proceedings of the 10th International Diatom Symposium, Finland 1988. 521-528.
• Cox, E.J. (1990) Biremis ambigua (Cleve) D.G.Mann - an unusual marine epipelic diatom in need of further investigation. In: Ricard, M. (ed.), In: Ouvrage dédié à la memoire du Professeur Henri Germain. 63-72.
• P. Armitage, P. Boon, P. Chave, E.J. Cox, A. Hildrew, M. Learner, L. Maltby, G. Morris, J. Seager, B.A. Whitton (1990) British Ecological Society, Ecological Issues No.1. In: Calow, P. (ed.), In: River Water Quality..

1989

• Cox, E.J. (1989) Nomenclatural notes on Parlibellus Cox Diatom Research 4:. Diatom Research
• Cox, E.J. & Wagner, R. (1989) Does Agapetus fuscipes cultivate algae in its case? Hydrobiologia 175: 117-120.

1988

• Cox, E.J. (1988) Variation within the genus Pinnularia Ehrenb.: further evidence for the use of live material in diatom systematics?, In: Proceedings of the 9th International Diatom Symposium, Bristol, 1986. 437-447.
• Cox, E.J. (1988) Taxonomic studies on the diatom genus Navicula Bory. V. The establishment of Parlibellus gen.nov. for some members of Navicula sect. Microstigmaticae Diatom Research 3: 9-38.
• Cox, E.J. (1988) Has the role of the substratum been under-estimated for algal distribution patterns in freshwater ecosystems? Biofouling 1: 49-63.

1987

• Cox, E.J. (1987) Studies on the diatom genus Navicula Bory. VI. The identity, structure and ecology of some freshwater species Diatom Research 2: 159-174.
• Cox, E.J. (1987) Placoneis Mereschkowsky: The re-evaluation of a diatom genus originally characterized by its chloroplast type Diatom Research 2 : 145-157.

1986

• Cox, E.J. (1986) Some taxonomic and ecological considerations of morphological variation within natural populations of benthic diatoms. Proceedings of the 8th International Diatom Symposium, Paris 1984 163-172.

1985

• Cox, E.J. (1985) Auxosporulation by a naviculoid diatom and the taxonomic implications British Phycological Journal 20: 169-179.

1984

• Cox, E.J. (1984) Observations on some benthic diatoms from North German lakes. The effect of substratum and light regime. Verhandlungen der internationale Vereinigung für Limnologie 22: 924-928.

1983

• Cox, E.J. (1983) Observations on the diatom genus Donkinia Ralfs in Pritchard. II. Frustular studies and intra-specific variation Botancia Marina 26: 553-566.
• Cox, E.J. (1983) Observations on the diatom genus Donkinia Ralfs in Pritchard. III. Taxonomy Botanica Marina 26: 567-580.

1982

• Cox, E.J. (1982) Taxonomic studies on the diatom genus Navicula Bory. IV. Climaconeis Grun., a genus including Okedenia inflexa (Bréb.) Eul. and some members of Navicula sect. johnsoniae sensu Hustedt British Phycological Journal 17: 147-168.
• Pocock, K.L. & Cox, E.J. (1982) Frustular structure in the diatom Rhabdonema arcuatum (Lyngb.) Kütz. with particular reference to the cingulum as seen with the scanning electron microscope Nova Hedwigia 36: 621-641.

1981

• Cox, E.J. (1981) The use of chloroplasts and other features of the living cell in the taxonomy of naviculoid diatoms Proceedings of the 6th International Symposium on recent and fossil diatoms, Budapest, 1980 115-133.
• Cox, E.J. (1981) Observations on the morphology and vegetative cell division of the diatom Donkinia recta (Donk.) Grun Helgoländer Meeresuntersuchungen 34: 497-506.
• Cox, E.J. (1981) Mucilage tube morphology of three tube-dwelling diatoms and its diagnostic value Journal of Phycology 17: 72-80.
• Cox, E.J. & Ross, R. (1981) The striae of pennate diatoms Proceedings of the 6th International Symposium on recent and fossil diatoms, Budapest, 1980 267-278.

1980

• Winkler, M.A. & Cox, E.J. (1980) Stalked bacteria in activated sludge European Journal of Applied Microbiology & Biotechnology 9: 235-242.

1979

• Cox, E.J. (1979) Taxonomic studies on the diatom genus Navicula Bory. The typification of the genus Bacillaria 2: 137-153.
• Cox, E.J. (1979) Symmetry and valve structure in naviculoid diatoms Nova Hedwigia Beihefte 64: 193-206.
• Cox, E.J. (1979) Studies on the diatom genus Navicula Bory. Navicula scopulorum Bréb. and a further comment on the genus Berkeleya Grev British Phycological Journal 14: 161-174.
• Ross, R., Cox, E.J., Karayeva, N.I., Mann, D.G., Paddock, T.B.B., Simonsen, R. & Sims, P.A. (1979) An amended terminology for the siliceous components of the diatom cell Nova Hedwigia Beihefte 64: 513-533.

1978

• Cox, E.J. (1978) Taxonomic studies on the diatom genus Navicula Bory. Navicula grevillii (C.A.Ag.) Heiberg and N.comoides (Dillwyn) H. & M.Peragallo Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society 76: 127-143.

1977

• Cox, E.J. (1977) The tube-dwelling diatom flora at two sites in the Severn Estuary Botanica Marina 20: 111-119.
• Cox, E.J. (1977) The distribution of tube-dwelling diatoms in the Severn Estuary Journal of the marine biological Association, U.K 57: 19-28.
• Cox, E.J. (1977) Raphe structure in naviculoid diatoms as revealed by the scanning electron microscope Nova Hedwigia Beihefte 54: 261-174.

1976

• Cox, E.J. (1976) Variation in valve structure between species of the diatom genus Cymbella C.A.Ag Nova Hedwigia 28: 427-449.

1975

• Cox, E.J. (1975) A reappraisal of the diatom genus Amphipleura Kütz. using light and electron microscopy British Phycological Journal 10: 1-12.
• Cox, E.J. (1975) Further studies on the diatom genus Berkeleya Grev British Phycological Journal 10: 205-212.