Research Interests

My research focuses on systematics, phylogeny, phylogeography and evolution of annelid segmented worms (i.e., polychaetes, earthworms, leeches and allies). I am also interested in molecular evolution and methodological aspects of molecular phylogenetic analyses.

Current projects include:

- phylogeography of the hydrothermal vent polychaete, Amphisamytha galapagensis

- Phylogeny and evolution of segmental characters in Terebelliformia (Polychaeta)

- Habitat evolution in the clitellates (leeches, earthworms and allies)

Publications

Plaisance, L., Rousset, V., Morand, S. and Littlewood, D.T.J. 2007. Colonization of Pacific islands by parasites of low dispersal ability: phylogeography of two monogenean species parasitizing butterflyfishes in the South Pacific Ocean. Journal of Biogeography. PDF

Rousset, V., Pleijel, F., Rouse, G.W., Erséus, C. and Siddall, M.E. 2007. A molecular phylogeny of annelids. Cladistics, 23: 41-63. PDF

Ruta, C., Nygren, A., Rousset, V., Sundberg, P., Tillier, A. and Pleijel, F. 2007. Phylogeny of Hesionidae (Aciculata, Polychaeta), assessed from morphology, 18S rDNA, 28S rDNA, 16S rDNA and COI. Zoologica Scripta, 36: 99-107. PDF

Rousset, V., Rouse, G.W., Siddall, M.E., Tillier, A. and Pleijel, F. 2004. The phylogenetic position of Siboglinidae (Annelida) inferred from 18S rRNA, 28S rRNA and morphological data. Cladistics, 20: 518-533. PDF

Rousset, V., Rouse, G.W., Féral, J.-P., Desbruyères, D. and Pleijel, F. 2003. Molecular and morphological evidence of Alvinellidae relationships (Terebelliformia, Polychaeta, Annelida). Zoologica Scripta, 32: 185–197. PDF

In review

Rousset, V., Plaisance, L., Erséus, C., Siddall, M.E. and Rouse, G.W. Habitat evolution in the clitellates.