Prof. dr. Marcel Visser
Head of Department
Animal Ecology
Page last updated:
06-04-2017
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Prof Dr Marcel E. Visser (1960) graduated from Leiden University in 1987, and continued there as a PhD student in the Animal Ecology Group for four years, working on the life-history of insect parasitoids.
After his PhD he obtained an EC Science Programme Fellowship to continue his parasitoids research at Imperial College (UK). In 1993 he shifted systems when he became a post-doc at the NIOO-KNAW, working on lseasonal timing in great tits. In 1996 he was appointed as a Senior Researcher and in 2002 as Head of Department.
His main interests are the interaction between ultimate and proximate aspects of timing, particularly in the Oak - Winter Moth - Great Tit/Pied Flycatcher system. In January 2007 he obtained a personal VICI grant from NWO and in January 2014 his ERC Advanced grant started. Both in 2015 and in 2016 he was included in the Thomson Reuters list of Highly Cited Researcher. He is currently subject editor for Global Change Biology and on the Editorial board of Philosophical Transactions B.
In June 2005 he was appointed as Professor on Seasonal Timing of Behaviour at Groningen University and in April 2012 Professor on Ecological genetics at Wageningen University but he remains based at the NIOO-KNAW.
Songbird Genomics: High throughput genetics and QTL mapping in wild passerines
This project is carried out in cooperation with Prof. Dr. Martien A.M. Groenen from the Animal Breeding and Genetics department of the WUR, Dr. Kees van Oers of the NIOO, Dr. Jon Slate (Univ of Sheffield) and Prof. Dr. Ben Sheldon (University of Oxford). The Dutch component of the project has been funded by the NGI Horizon program and is currently largely funded by my ERC Advanced grant.
Impact of artificial light on flora and fauna in The Netherlands
This project is carried out in cooperation with Prof. Dr. Frank Berendse and Dr. Elmar M. Veenendaal from the Nature Conservation and Plant Ecology department of the WUR and Dr. Theo Verstrael of the VOFF and is funded by STW, Philips and the NAM and has recently been extended until the end of 2017.
Timing of growth and reproduction: ultimate functions and proximate mechanisms
An important part of this research has been funded by a NWO-VICI grant (2007-2013) and is currently funded by an ERC Advanced grant (2014-2019).
See the Visser-lab page for more information.
My ResearcherID is A-9151-2009, see http://www.researcherid.com/rid/A-9151-2009
My Orcid is 0000-0002-1456-1939, see http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1456-1939
You can also find my publications on ResearchGate, see www.researchgate.net
See 
for a complete literature list (updated on 29 January 2017)
for a complete literature list (updated on 29 January 2017)
- Da Silva, A., de Jong, M., van Grunsven, R. H. A., Visser, M. E., Kempenaers, B., & Spoelstra, K. (2017). Experimental illumination of a forest: no effects of lights of different colours on the onset of the dawn chorus in songbirds. Royal Society Open Science, 4(1), [160638]. doi:10.1098/rsos.160638
- Junker, R. R., Kuppler, J., Amo, L., Blande, J. D., Borges, R. M., Dicke, M.,... Köllner, T. G. (2017). Covariation and phenotypic integration in chemical communication displays: biosynthetic constraints and eco-evolutionary implications. New Phytologist. doi:10.1111/nph.14505
- Spoelstra, K., van Grunsven, R. H. A., Ramakers, J. J. C., Ferguson, K. B., Raap, T., Donners, M.,... Visser, M. E. (2017). Response of bats to light with different spectra: light-shy and agile bat presence is affected by white and green, but not red light. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 284(1855), [0075]. doi:10.1098/rspb.2017.0075
- Tomotani, B. M., Caglar, E., de la Hera, I., Mateman, A. C., & Visser, M. E. (2017). Early arrival is not associated with more extra-pair fertilizations in a long-distance migratory bird. Journal of Avian Biology, 48(6), 854-861. doi:10.1111/jav.01317
- Van de Pol, M., Jenouvrier, S., Cornelissen, J. H. C., & Visser, M. E. (2017). Behavioural, ecological and evolutionary response to extreme climatic events: Challenges & directions. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 372(1723), [134]. doi:10.1098/rstb.2016.0134
- Amo de Paz, L., Dicke, M., & Visser, M. E. (2016). Are naive birds attracted to herbivore-induced plant defences? Behaviour, 153(3), 353-366. doi:10.1163/1568539X-00003345
- De Jong, M., Jeninga, L., Ouyang, J., van Oers, K., Spoelstra, K., & Visser, M. E. (2016). Dose-dependent responses of avian daily rhythms to artificial light at night. Physiology & Behavior, 155(1), 172-179. doi:10.1016/j.physbeh.2015.12.012
- De Jong, M., Ouyang, J., van Grunsven, R. H. A., Visser, M. E., & Spoelstra, K. (2016). Do wild great tits avoid exposure to light at night? PLoS One, 11(6), [0157357]. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0157357
- Gamelon, M., Grotan, V., Engen, S., Bjørkvoll, E., Visser, M. E., & Sæther, B-E. (2016). Density dependence in an age-structured population of great tits: identifying the critical age classes. Ecology, 97(9), 2479-2490. doi:10.1002/ecy.1442
- Laine, V., Gossmann, T. I., Schachtschneider, K. M., Garroway, C. J., Madsen, O., Verhoeven, K. J. F.,... Groenen, M. A. M. (2016). Evolutionary signals of selection on cognition from the great tit genome and methylome. Nature Communications, 7, [10474]. doi:10.1038/ncomms10474
- Lemoine, M., Lucek, K., Perrier, C., Saladin, V., Adriaensen, F., Barba, E.,... Richner, H. (2016). Low but contrasting neutral genetic differentiation shaped by winter temperature in European great tits. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 118(3), 668-685. doi:10.1111/bij.12745
- Mills, J. A., Teplitsky, C., Arroyo, B., Charmantier, A., Becker, P. H., Birkhead, T. R.,... Zedrosser, A. (2016). Solutions for Archiving Data in Long-Term Studies: A Reply to Whitlock et al. Trends in Ecology & Evolution, 31(2), 85-7. doi:10.1016/j.tree.2015.12.004
- Mulder, H. A., Gienapp, P., & Visser, M. E. (2016). Genetic variation in variability: phenotypic variability of fledging weight and its evolution in a songbird population. Evolution, 70(9), 2004-2016. doi:10.1111/evo.13008
- Reed, T. E., Gienapp, P., & Visser, M. E. (2016). Testing for biases in selection on avian reproductive traits and partitioning direct and indirect selection using quantitative genetic models. Evolution, 70(10), 2211-2225. doi:10.1111/evo.13017
- Ruuskanen, S., Darras, V. M., de Vries, B., Visser, M. E., & Groothuis, T. G. G. (2016). Experimental manipulation of food availability leads to short-term intra-clutch adjustment in egg mass but not in yolk androgen or thyroid hormones. Journal of Avian Biology, 47(1), 36-46. doi:10.1111/jav.00728
- Ruuskanen, S., Darras, V. M., Visser, M. E., & Groothuis, T. G. G. (2016). Effects of experimentally manipulated yolk thyroid hormone levels on offspring development in a wild bird species. Hormones and Behavior, 81, 38-44. doi:10.1016/j.yhbeh.2016.03.006
- Ruuskanen, S., Groothuis, T. G. G., Schaper, S. V., Darras, V. M., de Vries, B., & Visser, M. E. (2016). Temperature-induced variation in yolk androgen and thyroid hormone levels in avian eggs. General and Comparative Endocrinology, 235, 29-37. doi:10.1016/j.ygcen.2016.05.026
- Ruuskanen, S., Gienapp, P., Groothuis, T. G. G., Schaper, S. V., Darras, V. M., Pereira, C.,... Visser, M. E. (2016). Heritable variation in maternally derived yolk androgens, thyroid hormones and immune factors. Heredity, 117, 184-190. doi:10.1038/hdy.2016.49
- Sæther, S. A., Visser, M. E., Grotan, V., & Engen, S. (2016). Evidence for r- and K-selection in a wild bird population: a reciprocal link between ecology and evolution. Proceedings of the Royal Society B-Biological Sciences, 283, [1829]. doi:10.1098/rspb.2015.2411
- Sæther, B-E., Grøtan, V., Engen, S., Coulson, T., Grant, P. R., Visser, M. E.,... Weimerskirch, H. (2016). Demographic routes to variability and regulation in bird populations. Nature Communications, 7, 12001. doi:10.1038/ncomms12001
- Salis, L., Lof, M., Van Asch, M., & Visser, M. E. (2016). Modeling winter moth Operophtera brumata egg phenology: nonlinear effects of temperature and developmental stage on developmental rate. Oikos, 125(12), 1772-1781. doi:10.1111/oik.03257
- Tomotani, B. M., Gienapp, P., Beersma, D. G. M., & Visser, M. E. (2016). Climate change relaxes the time constraints for late-born offspring in a long-distance migrant. Proceedings of the Royal Society B-Biological Sciences, 283(1839). doi:10.1098/rspb.2016.1366
- Visser, M. E. (2016). Phenology: Interactions of climate change and species. Nature, 535(7611), 236-237. doi:10.1038/nature18905
- Visser, M. E. (2016). Phenological Shifts in Animals Under Contemporary Climate Change. In B. D. Roitberg (Ed.), Reference Module in Life Sciences. Elsevier. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-809633-8.02301-3
- Chevin, L-M., Visser, M. E., & Tufto, J. (2015). Estimating the variation, autocorrelation, and environmental sensitivity of phenotypic selection. Evolution, 69(9), 2319-2332. doi:10.1111/evo.12741
- de Jong, M., Ouyang, J. Q., Da Silva, A., van Grunsven, R. H. A., Kempenaers, B., Visser, M. E., & Spoelstra, K. (2015). Effects of nocturnal illumination on life-history decisions and fitness in two wild songbird species. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B, 370(1667), [20140128]. doi:10.1098/rstb.2014.0128
- Derks, M., Smit, S., Salis, L., Schijlen, E., Bossers, A., Mateman, A. C.,... Megens, H-J. (2015). The genome of the winter moth (Operophtera brumata) provides a genomic perspective on sexual dimorphism and phenology. Genome Biology and Evolution, 7(8), 2321-2332. doi:10.1093/gbe/evv145
- Mills, J. A., Teplitsky, C., Arroyo, B., Charmantier, A., H. Becker, P., Birkhead, T. R.,... Zedrosser, A. (2015). Archiving primary data: solutions for long-term studies. Trends in Ecology & Evolution, 30(10), 581-589. doi:10.1016/j.tree.2015.07.006
- Ouyang, J. Q., de Jong, M., Hau, M., Visser, M. E., van Grunsven, R. H. A., & Spoelstra, K. (2015). Stressful colours: corticosterone concentrations in a free-living songbird vary with the spectral composition of experimental illumination. Biology Letters, 11(8), [20150517]. doi:10.1098/rsbl.2015.0517
- Reed, T., Gienapp, P., & Visser, M. E. (2015). Density dependence and microevolution interactively determine effects of phenology mismatch on population dynamics. Oikos, 124(1), 81-91. doi:10.1111/oik.01398
- Santure, A. W., Poissant, J., de Cauwer, I., van Oers, K., Robinson, M. R., Quinn, J. L.,... Slate, J. (2015). Replicated analysis of the genetic architecture of quantitative traits in two wild great tit populations. Molecular Ecology, 24(24), 6148-6162. doi:10.1111/mec.13452
- Spoelstra, K., van Grunsven, R. H. A., Donners, M., Gienapp, P., Huigens, M. E., Slaterus, R.,... Veenendaal, E. (2015). Experimental illumination of natural habitat—an experimental set-up to assess the direct and indirect ecological consequences of artificial light of different spectral composition. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 370(1667), [2014.0129]. doi:10.1098/rstb.2014.0129
- Stenseth, N. C., Durant, J. M., Fowler, M. S., Matthysen, E., Adriaensen, F., Jonzen, N.,... Dhondt, A. A. (2015). Testing for effects of climate change on competitive relationships and coexistence between two bird species. Proceedings of the Royal Society B-Biological Sciences, 282(1807), [20141958]. doi:10.1098/rspb.2014.1958
- Stevenson, T. J., Visser, M. E., Arnold, W., Barrett, P., Biello, S., Dawson, A.,... Helm, B. (2015). Disrupted seasonal biology impacts health, food security, and ecosystems: a call for integrated research. Proceedings of the Royal Society B-Biological Sciences, 282(1817), [1453]. doi:10.1098/rspb.2015.1453
- Visser, M. E., Gienapp, P., Husby, A., Morrisey, M., de la Hera, I., Pulido, F., & Both, C. (2015). Effects of Spring Temperatures on the Strength of Selection on Timing of Reproduction in a Long-Distance Migratory Bird. PLoS Biology, 13(4), [e1002120 ]. doi:10.1371/journal.pbio.1002120
- De la Hera, I., Pulido, F., & Visser, M. E. (2014). Longitudinal data reveal ontogenetic changes in the wing morphology of a long-distance migratory bird. Ibis, 156(1), 209-214. doi:10.1111/ibi.12112
- Gienapp, P., Reed, T., & Visser, M. E. (2014). Why climate change will invariably alter selection pressures on phenology. Proceedings of the Royal Society B-Biological Sciences, 281(1793), [20141611]. doi:10.1098/rspb.2014.1611
- Reparaz, L. B., Van Oers, K., Naguib, M., Doutrelant, C., Visser, M. E., & Caro, S. P. (2014). Mate Preference of Female Blue Tits Varies with Experimental Photoperiod. PLoS One, 9(3), [e92527]. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0092527
- Ruuskanen, S., Morales, J., Laaksonen, T., Moreno, J., Mateo, R., Belskii, E.,... Eeva, T. (2014). Large-scale geographical variation in eggshell heavy metal and calcium content in a passerine bird (Ficedula hypoleuca). Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 21(5), 3304-3317. doi:10.1007/s11356-013-2299-0
- Van Oers, K., Santure, A. W., de Cauwer, I., Van Bers, N. E. M., Crooijmans, R. P. M. A., Sheldon, B. C.,... Groenen, M. A. M. (2014). Replicated high-density genetic maps of two great tit populations reveal fine-scale genomic departures from sex-equal recombination rates. Heredity, 112, 307-316. doi:10.1038/hdy.2013.107
- Amo, L., Jansen, J. J., Van Dam, N. M., Dicke, M., & Visser, M. E. (2013). Birds exploit herbivore-induced plant volatiles to locate herbivorous prey. Ecology Letters, 16(11), 1348-1355. doi:10.1111/ele.12177
- Caro, S. P., Schaper, S. V., Dawson, A., Sharp, P., Gienapp, P., & Visser, M. E. (2013). Is microevolution the only emergency exit in a warming world? Temperature influences egg laying but not its underlying mechanisms in great tits. General and Comparative Endocrinology, 190(sept), 164-169. doi:10.1016/j.ygcen.2013.02.025
- Caro, S. P., Schaper, S. V., Hut, R. A., Ball, G. F., & Visser, M. E. (2013). The case of the missing mechanism: how does temperature influence seasonal timing in endotherms? PLoS Biology, 11(4), [e1001517]. doi:10.1371/journal.pbio.1001517
- De la Hera, I., Reed, T., Pulido, F., & Visser, M. E. (2013). Feather mass and winter moult extent are heritable but not associated with fitness-related traits in a long-distance migratory bird. Evolutionary Ecology, 27(6), 1199-1216. doi:10.1007/s10682-013-9639-x
- Gienapp, P., Lof, M. E., Reed, T., McNamara, J. M., Verhulst, S., & Visser, M. E. (2013). Predicting demographically-sustainable rates of adaptation: can great tit breeding time keep pace with climate change? Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 368(1610), 20120289. doi:10.1098/rstb.2012.0289
- Gienapp, P., Van Noordwijk, A. J., & Visser, M. E. (2013). Genetic background, and not ontogenetic effects, affect avian seasonal timing of reproduction. Journal of Evolutionary Biology, 26(10), 2147-2153. doi:10.1111/jeb.12205
- Morales, J., Ruuskanen, S., Laaksonen, T., Mateo, R., Belskii, E., Eeva, T.,... Moreno, J. (2013). Variation in eggshell traits between geographically distant populations of pied flycatchers Ficedula hypoleuca. Journal of Avian Biology, 44(2), 111-120. doi:10.1111/j.1600-048X.2012.05782.x
- Reed, T., Jenouvrier, S., & Visser, M. E. (2013). Phenological mismatch strongly affects individual fitness but not population demography in a woodland passerine. Journal of Animal Ecology, 82(1), 131-144. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2656.2012.02020.x
- Reed, T., Grotan, V., Jenouvrier, S., Saether, B. E., & Visser, M. E. (2013). Population growth in a wild bird is buffered against phenological mismatch. Science Magazine, 340(6131), 488-491. doi:10.1126/science.1232870
- Schaper, S. V., Gienapp, P., Dawson, A., & Visser, M. E. (2013). Heritability of gonad size varies across season in a wild songbird. Journal of Evolutionary Biology, 26(12), 2739-2745. doi:10.1111/jeb.12249
- Schaper, S. V., & Visser, M. E. (2013). Great tits provided with ad libitum food lay larger eggs when exposed to colder temperatures. Journal of Avian Biology, 44(3), 245-254. doi:10.1111/j.1600-048X.2012.00129.x
- Spoelstra, K., & Visser, M. E. (2013). The impact of artificial light on avian ecology. In D. Gils, & H. Brumm (Eds.), Avian Urban Ecology. (Vol. Part 1: Chap 2, pp. 21-28). Oxford: Oxford University Press.
- Van Asch, M., Salis, L., Holleman, L. J. M., van Lith, B., & Visser, M. E. (2013). Evolutionary response of the egg hatching date of a herbivorous insect under climate change. Nature Climate Change, 3(3), 244-248. doi:10.1038/NCLIMATE1717
- Visser, M. E. (2013). Phenological shifts in animals under contemporary climate change. In S. A. Levin (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Biodiversity. (pp. 716-727). Elsevier. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-384719-5.00376-2
- Burger, C., Belskii, E., Eeva, T., Laaksonen, T., Mägi, M., Mänd, R.,... Both, C. (2012). Climate change, breeding date and nestling diet: how temperature differentially affects seasonal changes in pied flycatcher diet depending on habitat variation. Journal of Animal Ecology, 81(4), 926-936. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2656.2012.01968.x
- Lehmann, M., Spoelstra, K., Visser, M. E., & Helm, B. (2012). Effects of temperature on circadian clock and chronotype: an experimental study in a passerine bird. Chronobiology International, 29(8), 1062-1071. doi:10.3109/07420528.2012.707159
- Lof, M. E., Reed, T., McNamara, J. M., & Visser, M. E. (2012). Timing in a fluctuating environment: environmental variability and asymmetric fitness curves can lead to adaptively mismatched avian reproduction. Proceedings of the Royal Society B-Biological Sciences, 279(1741), 3161-3169. doi:10.1098/rspb.2012.0431
- Schaper, S. V., Dawson, A., Sharp, P., Gienapp, P., Caro, S. P., & Visser, M. E. (2012). Increasing temperature, not mean temperature, is a cue for avian timing of reproduction. American Naturalist, 179(2), E55-E69. doi:10.1086/663675
- Schaper, S. V., Dawson, A., Sharp, P. J., Caro, S. P., & Visser, M. E. (2012). Individual variation in avian reproductive physiology does not reliably predict variation in laying date. General and Comparative Endocrinology, 179(1), 53-62. doi:10.1016/j.ygcen.2012.07.021
- te Marvelde, L., & Visser, M. E. (2012). Manipulation of life-history decisions using leptin in a wild passerine. PLoS One, 7(3), [e34090]. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0034090
- te Marvelde, L., Webber, S. L., Meijer, H. A. J., & Visser, M. E. (2012). Energy expenditure during egg laying is equal for early and late breeding free-living female great tits. Oecologia, 168(3), 631-638. doi:10.1007/s00442-011-2122-x
- te Marvelde, L., Schaper, S. V., & Visser, M. E. (2012). A single long day triggers follicle growth in captive female Great Tits (Parus major) in winter but does not affect laying dates in the wild in spring. PLoS One, 7(4), [e35617]. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0035617
- Titulaer, M., Spoelstra, K., Lange, C., & Visser, M. E. (2012). Activity patterns during food provisioning are affected by artificial light in free living great tits (Parus major). PLoS One, 7(5), [e37377]. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0037377
- Van Bers, N. E. M., Santure, A. W., Van Oers, K., de Cauwer, I., Dibbits, B. W., Mateman, A. C.,... Slate, J. (2012). The design and cross-population application of a genome-wide SNP chip for the great tit Parus major. Molecular Ecology Resources, 12(4), 753-770. doi:10.1111/j.1755-0998.2012.03141.x
- Visser, M. E. (2012). Biology: Birds and butterflies in climatic debt. Nature Climate Change, 2, 77-78. doi:10.1038/nclimate1387
- Visser, M. E., te Marvelde, L., & Lof, M. E. (2012). Adaptive phenological mismatches of birds and their food in a warming world. Journal of Ornithology, 153, 75-84. doi:10.1007/s10336-011-0770-6
- Amo, L., Caro, S. P., & Visser, M. E. (2011). Sleeping birds do not respond to predator odour. PLoS One, 6(11), [e27576]. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0027576
- Amo, L., Visser, M. E., & Van Oers, K. (2011). Smelling out predators is innate in birds. Ardea, 99(2), 177-184. doi:10.5253/078.099.0207
- De Vries, H. H., Ens, S. H., de Graaf, G., Teunissen, L., te Velde, R., Vogelaar, L.,... Visser, M. E. (2011). Synchronisation of egg hatching of brown hairstreak (Thecla betulae) and budburst of blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) in a warmer future. Journal of Insect Conservation, 15(1-2), 311-319. doi:10.1007/s10841-010-9355-6
- Eeva, T., Ruuskanen, S., Salminen, J. P., Belskii, E., Jarvinen, A., Kerimov, A.,... Laaksonen, T. (2011). Geographical trends in the yolk carotenoid composition of the pied flycatcher (Ficedula hypoleuca). Oecologia, 165(2), 277-287. doi:10.1007/s00442-010-1772-4
- Husby, A., Visser, M. E., & Kruuk, L. E. B. (2011). Speeding up microevolution: the effects of increasing temperature on selection and genetic variance in a wild bird population. PLoS Biology, 9(2), [e1000585]. doi:10.1371/journal.pbio.1000585
- Husby, A., Hille, S. M., & Visser, M. E. (2011). Testing mechanisms of Bergmann’s rule: Phenotypic decline but no genetic change in body size in three posserine bird populations. American Naturalist, 178(2), 202-213. doi:10.1086/660834
- Jenouvrier, S., & Visser, M. E. (2011). Climate change, phenological shifts, eco-evolutionary responses and population viability: toward a unifying predictive approach. International Journal of Biometeorology, 55(6), 905-919. doi:10.1007/s00484-011-0458-x
- Ruuskanen, S., Siitari, H., Eeva, T., Belskii, E., Järvinen, A., Kerimov, A.,... Laaksonen, T. (2011). Geographical variation in egg mass and egg content in a passerine bird. PLoS One, 6(11), [e25360]. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0025360
- Schaper, S. V., Rueda, C., Sharp, P. J., Dawson, A., & Visser, M. E. (2011). Spring phenology does not affect timing of reproduction in the great tit (Parus major). Journal of Experimental Biology, 214(21), 3664-3671. doi:10.1242/jeb.059543
- te Marvelde, L., Webber, S. L., Van den Burg, A. B., & Visser, M. E. (2011). A new method for catching cavity-nesting birds during egg laying and incubation. Journal of Field Ornithology, 82(3), 320-324. doi:10.1111/j.1557-9263.2011.00335.x
- te Marvelde, L., Webber, S. L., Meijer, H. A. J., & Visser, M. E. (2011). Mismatched reproduction is energetically costly for chick feeding female great tits. Functional Ecology, 25(6), 1302-1308. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2435.2011.01889.x
- Visser, M. E., Schaper, S. V., Holleman, L. J. M., Dawson, A., Sharp, P., Gienapp, P., & Caro, S. P. (2011). Genetic variation in cue sensitivity involved in avian timing of reproduction. Functional Ecology, 25(4), 868-877. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2435.2011.01844.x
- Atiénzar, F., Visser, M. E., Greño, J. L., Holleman, L. J. M., Belda, E. J., & Barba, E. (2010). Across and within-forest effects on breeding success in Mediterranean Great Tits Parus major. Ardea, 98(1), 77-89. doi:10.5253/078.098.0110
- Bouwhuis, S., Van Noordwijk, A. J., Sheldon, B. C., Verhulst, S., & Visser, M. E. (2010). Similar patterns of age-specific reproduction in an island and mainland population of great tits Parus major. Journal of Avian Biology, 41(6), 615-620. doi:10.1111/j.1600-048X.2010.05111.x
- Helm, B., & Visser, M. E. (2010). Heritable circadian period length in a wild bird population. Proceedings of the Royal Society B-Biological Sciences, 277(1698), 3335-3342. doi:10.1098/rspb.2010.0871
- Husby, A., Nussey, D. H., Visser, M. E., Wilson, A. J., Sheldon, B. C., & Kruuk, L. E. B. (2010). Contrasting patterns of phenotypic plasticity in reproductive traits in two great tit (Parus Major) populations. Evolution, 64(8), 2221-2237. doi:10.1111/j.1558-5646.2010.00991.x
- Naguib, M., Kazek, A. M., Schaper, S. V., Van Oers, K., & Visser, M. E. (2010). Singing activity reveals personality traits in great tits. Ethology, 116(8), 763-769. doi:10.1111/j.1439-0310.2010.01791.x
- Van Asch, M., Julkunen-Tiito, R., & Visser, M. E. (2010). Maternal effects in an insect herbivore as a mechanism to adapt to host plant phenology. Functional Ecology, 24(5), 1103-1109. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2435.2010.01734.x
- van Bers, N. E. M., Van Oers, K., Kerstens, H. H. D., Dibbits, B. W., Crooijmans, R. P. M. A., Visser, M. E., & Groenen, M. A. M. (2010). Genome-wide SNP detection in the great tit Parus major using high throughput sequencing. Molecular Ecology, 19, 89-99. doi:10.1111/j.1365-294X.2009.04486.x
- Van der Putten, W. H., Macel, M., & Visser, M. E. (2010). Predicting species distribution and abundance responses to climate change: why it is essential to include biotic interactions across trophic levels. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 365(1549), 2025-2034. doi:10.1098/rstb.2010.0037
- Veen, T., Sheldon, B. C., Weissing, F. J., Visser, M. E., Qvarnström, A., & Sætre, G-P. (2010). Temporal differences in food abundance promote coexistence between two congeneric passerines. Oecologia, 162(4), 873-884. doi:10.1007/s00442-009-1544-1
- Visser, M. E. (2010). In Memoriam. Albert Christiaan Perdeck (1923-2009). Ardea, 98(1), 131-132. doi:10.5253/078.098.0117
- Visser, M. E. (2010). Climate change: Fatter marmots on the rise. Nature, 466(7305), 445-447. doi:10.1038/466445a
- Visser, M. E., Caro, S. P., Van Oers, K., Schaper, S. V., & Helm, B. (2010). Phenology, seasonal timing and circannual rhythms: towards a unified framework. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 365(1555), 3113-3127. doi:10.1098/rstb.2010.0111
- Both, C., Van Asch, M., Bijlsma, R. G., Van den Burg, A. B., & Visser, M. E. (2009). Climate change and unequal phenological changes across four trophic levels: constraints or adaptations? Journal of Animal Ecology, 78(1), 73-83. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2656.2008.01458.x
- Caro, S. P., & Visser, M. E. (2009). Temperature-induced elevation of basal metabolic rate does not affect testis growth in great tits. Journal of Experimental Biology, 212(13), 1994-1998. doi:10.1242/jeb.026344
- Grøtan, V., Sæther, B-E., Engen, S., van Balen, J. H., Perdeck, A. C., & Visser, M. E. (2009). Spatial and temporal variation in the relative contribution of density dependence, climate variation and migration to fluctuations in the size of great tit populations. Journal of Animal Ecology, 78(2), 447-459. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2656.2008.01488.x
- Husby, A., Kruuk, L. E. B., & Visser, M. E. (2009). Decline in the frequency and benefits of multiple brooding in great tits as a consequence of a changing environment. Proceedings of the Royal Society B-Biological Sciences, 276(1663), 1845-1854. doi:10.1098/rspb.2008.1937
- Robinson, A., Crick, H. Q. P., Learmonth, J. A., Maclean, I. M. D., Thomas, C. D., Bairlein, F.,... Visser, M. E. (2009). Travelling through a warming world: climate change and migratory species. Endangered Species Research, 7, 87-99. doi:10.3354/esr00095
- Van den Steen, E., Pinxten, R., Jaspers, V. L. B., Covaci, A., Barba, E., Carere, C.,... Eens, M. (2009). Brominated flame retardants and organochlorines in the European environment using great tit eggs as a biomonitoring tool. Environment International, 35(2), 310-317. doi:10.1016/j.envint.2008.08.002
- Visser, M. E., Perdeck, A. C., van Balen, J. H., & Both, C. (2009). Climate change leads to decreasing bird migration distances. Global Change Biology, 15(8), 1859-1865. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2486.2009.01865.x
- Visser, M. E., Holleman, L. J. M., & Caro, S. P. (2009). Temperature has a causal effect on avian timing of reproduction. Proceedings of the Royal Society B-Biological Sciences, 276(1665), 2323-2331. doi:10.1098/rspb.2009.0213
- Visser, M. E., & Sanz, J. J. (2009). Solar activity affects avian timing of reproduction. Biology Letters, 5(6), 739-742. doi:10.1098/rsbl.2009.0429
- Sæther, B-E., Engen, S., Grøtan, V., Bregnballe, T., Both, C., Tryjanowski, P.,... Winkel, W. (2008). Forms of density regulation and (quasi-) stationary distributions of population sizes in birds. Oikos, 117(8), 1197-1208. doi:10.1111/j.0030-1299.2008.16420.x
- Visser, M. E. (2008). Keeping up with a warming world; assessing the rate of adaptation to climate change. Proceedings of the Royal Society B-Biological Sciences, 275(1635), 649-659. doi:10.1098/rspb.2007.0997
- Wingfield, J. C., Visser, M. E., & Williams, T. D. (2008). Introduction. Integration of ecology and endocrinology in avian reproduction: a new synthesis. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 363(1497), 1581-1588. doi:10.1098/rstb.2007.0012
- Mols, C. M. M., & Visser, M. E. (2007). Great Tits (Parus major) reduce caterpillar damage in commercial apple orchards. PLoS One, 2(2), [e202]. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0000202
- Saether, B-E., Engen, S., Grøtan, V., Fiedler, W., Matthysen, E., Visser, M. E.,... Winkel, W. (2007). The extended Moran effect and large-scale synchronous fluctuations in the size of great tit and blue tit populations. Journal of Animal Ecology, 76(2), 315-325. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2656.2006.01195.x
- Van Asch, M., van Tienderen, P. H., Holleman, L. J. M., & Visser, M. E. (2007). Predicting adaptation of phenology in response to climate change, an insect herbivore example. Global Change Biology, 13(8), 1596-1604. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2486.2007.01400.x
- Van Asch, M., & Visser, M. E. (2007). Phenology of forest caterpillars and their host trees: The importance of synchrony. Annual Review of Entomology, 52, 37-55. doi:10.1146/annurev.ento.52.110405.091418
- Both, C., Sanz, J. J., Artemyev, A. V., Blaauw, B., Cowie, R. J., Dekhuijzen, A. J.,... Zang, H. (2006). Pied Flycatchers Ficedula hypoleuca travelling from Africa to breed in Europe: differential effects of winter and migration conditions on breeding date. Ardea, 94(3), 511-525.
- Both, C., Bouwhuis, S., Lessells, C. M., & Visser, M. E. (2006). Climate change and population declines in a long-distance migratory bird. Nature, 441(7089), 81-83. doi:10.1038/nature04539
- Gienapp, P., Postma, E., & Visser, M. E. (2006). Why breeding time has not responded to selection for earlier breeding in a songbird population. Evolution, 60(11), 2381-2388. doi:10.1554/06-235.1
- Gienapp, P., & Visser, M. E. (2006). Possible fitness consequences of experimentally advanced laying dates in Great Tits: differences between populations in different habitats. Functional Ecology, 20(1), 180-185. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2435.2006.01079.x
- Helm, B., & Visser, M. E. (2006). Integrating the avian annual cycle. Acta Zoologica Sinica, 52((Suppl.)), 59-60.
- Klok, C., Holtkamp, R., van Apeldoorn, R., Visser, M. E., & Hemerik, L. (2006). Analysing population numbers of the House Sparrow in the Netherlands with a matrix model and suggestions for conservation measures. Acta Biotheoretica, 54(3), 161-178. doi:10.1007/s10441-006-7871-2
- Visser, M. E., Both, C., & Gienapp, P. (2006). Mistimed reproduction due to global climate change. Acta Zoologica Sinica, 52((Suppl.)), 158-161.
- Visser, M. E., Holleman, L. J. M., & Gienapp, P. (2006). Shifts in caterpillar biomass phenology due to climate change and its impact on the breeding biology of an insectivorous bird. Oecologia, 147(1), 164-172. doi:10.1007/s00442-005-0299-6
- Both, C., & Visser, M. E. (2005). The effect of climate change on the correlation between avian life history traits. Global Change Biology, 11(10), 1606-1613. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2486.2005.01038.x
- Both, C., Bijlsma, R. G., & Visser, M. E. (2005). Climatic effects on timing of spring migration and breeding in a long-distance migrant, the pied flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca. Journal of Avian Biology, 36(5), 368-373. doi:10.1111/j.0908-8857.2005.03484.x
- Gienapp, P., Hemerik, L., & Visser, M. E. (2005). A new statistical tool to predict phenology under climate change scenarios. Global Change Biology, 11(4), 600-606. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2486.2005.00925.x
- Mols, C. M. M., Van Noordwijk, A. J., & Visser, M. E. (2005). Assessing the reduction of caterpillar numbers by Great Tits Parus major breeding in apple orchards. Ardea, 93(2), 259-269.
- Nussey, D. H., Postma, E., Gienapp, P., & Visser, M. E. (2005). Selection on heritable phenotypic plasticity in a wild bird population. Science Magazine, 310(5746), 304-306. doi:10.1126/science.1117004
- Sæther, B-E., Engen, S., Møller, A. P., Visser, M. E., Matthysen, E., Fiedler, W.,... Török, J. (2005). Time to extinction of bird populations. Ecology, 86(3), 693-700. doi:10.1890/04-0878
- Sæther, B-E., Lande, R., Engen, S., Weimerskirch, H., Lillegård, M., Altwegg, R.,... Visser, M. E. (2005). Generation time and temporal scaling of bird population dynamics. Nature, 436(7047), 99-102. doi:10.1038/nature03666
- Visser, M. E., & Both, C. (2005). Shifts in phenology due to global climate change: the need for a yardstick. Proceedings of the Royal Society B-Biological Sciences, 272(1581), 2561-2569. doi:10.1098/rspb.2005.3356
- Both, C., Artemyev, A. V., Blaauw, B., Cowie, R. J., Dekhuijzen, A. J., Eeva, T.,... Visser, M. E. (2004). Large-scale geographical variation confirms that climate change causes birds to lay earlier. Proceedings of the Royal Society B-Biological Sciences, 271(1549), 1657-1662. doi:10.1098/rspb.2004.2770
- Mols, C. M. M., Van Oers, K., Witjes, L. M. A., Lessells, C. M., Drent, P. J., & Visser, M. E. (2004). Central assumptions of predator-prey models fail in a semi-natural experimental system. Proceedings of the Royal Society B-Biological Sciences, 271, S85-S87. doi:10.1098/rsbl.2003.0110
- Sæther, B-E., Engen, S., Møller, A. P., Weimerskirch, H., Visser, M. E., Fiedler, W.,... van Hecke, P. (2004). Life-History variation predicts the effects of demographic stochasticity on avian population Dynamics. American Naturalist, 164(6), 793-802. doi:10.1086/425371
- Visser, M. E., Both, C., & Lambrechts, M. M. (2004). Global climate change leads to mistimed avian reproduction. Advances in Ecological Research, 35, 89-110. doi:10.1016/S0065-2504(04)35005-1
- Both, C., & Visser, M. E. (2003). Density dependence, territoriality, and divisibility of resources: From optimality models to population processes. American Naturalist, 161(2), 326-336. doi:10.1086/346098
- Saether, B-E., Engen, S., Møller, A. P., Matthysen, E., Adriaensen, F., Fiedler, W.,... Thomson, D. L. (2003). Climate variation and regional gradients in population dynamics of two hole-nesting passerines. Proceedings of the Royal Society B-Biological Sciences, 270(1531), 2397-2404. doi:10.1098/rspb.2003.2499
- Visser, M. E., Adriaensen, F., Van Balen, J. H., Blondel, J., Dhondt, A. A., Van Dongen, S.,... Thomson, D. L. (2003). Variable responses to large-scale climate change in European Parus populations. Proceedings of the Royal Society B-Biological Sciences, 270(1513), 367-372. doi:10.1098/rspb.2002.2244
- Grieco, F., Van Noordwijk, A. J., & Visser, M. E. (2002). Evidence for the effect of learning on timing of reproduction in blue tits. Science Magazine, 296(5565), 136-138. doi:10.1126/science.1068287
- Mols, C. M. M., & Visser, M. E. (2002). Great tits can reduce caterpillar damage in apple orchards. Journal of Applied Ecology, 39(6), 888-899. doi:10.1046/j.1365-2664.2002.00761.x
- Saether, B-E., Engen, S., Lande, R., Both, C., & Visser, M. E. (2002). Density dependence and stochastic variation in a newly established population of a smal songbird. Oikos, 99(2), 331-337. doi:10.1034/j.1600-0706.2002.990214.x
- Vet, L. E. M., Hemerik, L., Visser, M. E., & Wäckers, F. L. (2002). Flexibility in host-search and patch-use strategies of insect parasitoids. In E. E. Lewis, J. F. Cambell, & M. V. K. Sukhdeo (Eds.), The Behavioural Ecology of Parasites. (pp. 39-64). Wallingford, UK: CAB International.
- Visser, M. E., Silverin, B., Lambrechts, M. M., & Tinbergen, J. M. (2002). No evidence for tree phenology as a cue for the timing of reproduction in tits Parus spp. Avian Science, 2(2), 77-86.
- Both, C., & Visser, M. E. (2001). Adjustment to climate change is constrained by arrival date in a long-distance migrant bird. Nature, 411(6835), 296-298. doi:10.1038/35077063
- Visser, M. E., & Holleman, L. J. M. (2001). Warmer springs disrupt the synchrony of oak and winter moth phenology. Proceedings of the Royal Society B-Biological Sciences, 268(1464), 289-294. doi:10.1098/rspb.2000.1363
- Visser, M. E., & Lessells, C. M. (2001). The costs of egg production and incubation in great tits (Parus major). Proceedings of the Royal Society B-Biological Sciences, 268(1473), 1271-1277. doi:10.1098/rspb.2001.1661
- Both, C., Tinbergen, J. M., & Visser, M. E. (2000). Adaptive density dependence of avian clutch size. Ecology, 81(12), 3391-3403. doi:10.1890/0012-9658(2000)081[3391:ADDOAC]2.0.CO;2
- Both, C., & Visser, M. E. (2000). Breeding territory size affects fitness: an experimental study on competition at the individual level. Journal of Animal Ecology, 69(6), 1021-1030. doi:10.1046/j.1365-2656.2000.00458.x
- Lambrechts, M. M., Visser, M. E., & Verboven, N. (2000). Consequences of dispersal for the quantitative study of adaptation in small-scale plots: a case study of an avian island population. Ecography, 23(5), 525-530. doi:10.1034/j.1600-0587.2000.230502.x
- Perdeck, A. C., Visser, M. E., & Van Balen, J. H. (2000). Great Tit Parus major survival, and the beech-crop cycle. Ardea, 88(1), 99-108.
- Both, C., Visser, M. E., & Verboven, N. (1999). Density-dependent recruitment rates in great tits: the importance of being heavier. Proceedings of the Royal Society B-Biological Sciences, 266(1418), 465-469. doi:10.1098/rspb.1999.0660
- Lambrechts, M. M., & Visser, M. E. (1999). Proximate aspects of the timing of reproduction. In N. J. Adams, & R. H. Slotow (Eds.), Proceedings 22 Int. Ornithol. Congr., Durban. (pp. 231-233). Johannesburg: BirdLife South Africa.
- Visser, M. E., & Lambrechts, M. M. (1999). Information constraints in the timing of reproduction in temperate zone birds: Great and Blue Tits. In N. J. Adams, & R. H. Slotow (Eds.), Proceedings 22 Int. Ornithol. Congr., Durban. (pp. 249-264). Johannesburg: BirdLife South Africa.
- Visser, M. E., Jones, T. H., & Driessen, G. (1999). Interference among insect parasitoids: a multi-patch experiment. Journal of Animal Ecology, 68(1), 108-120. doi:10.1046/j.1365-2656.1999.00269.x
- Visser, M. E., & Verboven, N. (1999). Long-term fitness effects of fledging date in great tits. Oikos, 85(3), 445-450. doi:10.2307/3546694
- Verboven, N., & Visser, M. E. (1998). Seasonal variation in local recruitment of great tits: the importance of being early. Oikos, 81(3), 511-524. doi:10.2307/3546771
- Visser, M. E., & Rosenheim, J. A. (1998). The influence of competition between foragers on clutch size decisions in insect parasitoids. Biological Control, 11(2), 169-174. doi:10.1006/bcon.1997.0589
- Visser, M. E., Van Noordwijk, A. J., Tinbergen, J. M., & Lessells, C. M. (1998). Warmer springs lead to mistimed reproduction in great tits (Parus major). Proceedings of the Royal Society B-Biological Sciences, 265(1408), 1867-1870. doi:10.1098/rspb.1998.0514
- Driessen, G., & Visser, M. E. (1997). Components of parasitoid interference. Oikos, 79(1), 179-182. doi:10.2307/3546104
- Visser, M. E. (1996). The influence of competition between foragers on clutch size decisions in an insect parasitoid with scramble larval competition. Behavioral Ecology, 7(1), 109-114. doi:10.1093/beheco/7.1.109
- Visser, M. E. (1995). The effect of competition on oviposition decisions of Leptopilina heterotoma (Hymenoptera: Eucoilidae). Animal Behaviour, 49(6), 1677-1687. doi:10.1016/0003-3472(95)90089-6
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- Amo, L., Jansen, J. J., van Dam, N. M., Dicke, M., & Visser, M. E. (2016). Inter-species interactions: Studying the role of VOCs in multitrophic relationships. In Thermal Desorption Applications Guide: biological profiling. (pp. 18). Llantrisant,, UK: Markes International.
- te Marvelde, L., Schaper, S. V., & Visser, M. E. (2013). Vogels en Klimaat: Broeden onze Koolmezen te laat? Mens en vogel, 20-27.
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I am professor at GELIFES of the Groningen University: http://www.rug.nl/staff/m.e.visser/
I am professor at the Animal Breeding and Genomics Centre of the Wageningen University: http://www.wur.nl/abgc
I am subject editor of Global Change Biology (IF 6.9): http://www.blackwellpublishing.com/journals/GCB/
I am on the Editorial board of Philosophical Transactions B (IF 6.4): http://rstb.royalsocietypublishing.org/
I am a member of the Scientific Advisory Board of the Centre for Biodiversity Dynamics (CBD) of the University of Trondheim (Norway): https://www.ntnu.edu/cbd
Teaching:
Master Class A master course "Ecology of animal life histories: the interactions between ecology and life history from an evolutionary perspective" at the Wageningen University - 20 February - 17 March 2017 Schedule
Public outreach:
TV interview at the Copenhagen UNFCCC climate meeting 2009: http://www.climate-change.tv/component/content/article/47-inside-climate-change-solutions-interviews/291-marcel-visser-december-2009
Klokhuis TV-program (17 March 2015) Klokhuis, a Dutch TV program, featured our research on the great tit:http://www.hetklokhuis.nl/tv-uitzending/2911/Koolmees
Klokhuis TV-program (31 March 2009) Klokhuis, a Dutch TV program, featured our climate change research on the great tit: http://player.omroep.nl/?aflID=9213208
Opening Darwin year 2009: www.youtube.com/watch?v=_dFXLhE6NWQ&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Opgewarmd Nederland (Book (2004) on climate change in the Netherlands, with a chapter by M.E. Visser & F. Rienks on Ecologische relaties lopen stuk op warmere lentes): http://www.opgewarmdnederland.nl/
De nieuwe mees, aflevering van het TV programma Jota: http://www.wetenschap24.nl/video/bekijk/de-nieuwe-mees.htm
Ecologische relatieproblemen, interview voor HoeZo Radio (video opnamen van het ronde tafel gesprek over de ecologische gevolgen van klimaatverandering, in de tweede helft van de uitzending): http://www.wetenschap24.nl/video/bekijk/ecologische-relatieproblemen.htm
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