Research Staff
Dr Matti A. NIISSALO
Email Address: MATTI_ASSER_NISSALO@NPARKS.GOV.SG
Research Interests
My recent research has focused on species delimitation, identification and conservation genomics of South-East Asian plants. I have a particular interest in understanding plant species at population level in order to assess their conservation needs and to better understand species concepts in tropical landscapes. I am currently collecting material towards the genetic barcoding of a wide variety of plants, and I am working on genomic tools that will allow reliable species identification of any plant species from DNA in Singapore in the future.
Current Research
- DNA barcoding for the Flora of Singapore.
- Species delimitation and reproductive biology of Hanguana.
- Conservation genomics of Singapore Zingiberales.
Selected Publications
Leong-Škorničková, J. & Niissalo, M.A. (2017). Identity and typification of Hanguana malayana and H. anthelminthica, and notes on other early names in Hanguanaceae. Plant Systematics and Evolution. DOI:10.1007/s00606-017-1432-9 |
Niissalo, M.A., Leong-Škorničková, J., Khew, G.S. & Webb, E.L. (2017). Very small relict populations suggest high extinction debt of gingers in primary forest fragments of a tropical city. American Journal of Botany 104: 182–189. |
Niissalo, M.A., Khew, G.S., Webb, E.L. & Leong-Škorničková, J. (2016). Notes on Singaporean native Zingiberales II: Revision of Marantaceae, with a new generic record, and notes on naturalised and commonly cultivated exotic species. Phytotaxa 289: 201-224. |
Noreen, A.M.E., Niissalo, M.A., Lum, S.K.Y. & Webb, E.L. (2016). Persistence of long-distance, insect-mediated pollen movement for a tropical canopy tree species in remnant forest patches in an urban landscape. Heredity 117: 472–480. |
Niissalo, M.A., Wijedasa, L.S., Boyce, P.C., Leong-Škorničková, J. (2014). Hanguana neglecta (Hanguanaceae): a new plant species from a heavily collected and visited reserve in Singapore. Phytotaxa 188: 14–20. |