Andreas Svensson

Associate Professor

Department of Biology and Environmental Science Faculty of Health and Life Sciences

andreas.svensson@lnu.se

+46 480-44 73 19

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I am a lecturer in Evolutionary Ecology.

As a researcher, I am interested in behavioural strategies in animals, with fishes as model organisms. My research projects concern, for example:
-Why do certain animal form schools/flocks?
-How do parasites affect the behaviour of their hosts?
-How can animals trust each other when communicating?
-Which roles do carotenoids and other pigments have in animal color signals?
-How does sexual selection drive the evolution of animal coloration?
-What determines animal strategies for aggression?
-Which strategies do animals use when choosing sexual partners?
-Which conflicts arise when the male, the female or both care for the offspring?

More information is available through the Publication list below (Diva) and my personal research webpage: http://pandreassvensson.wordpress.com/

Teaching

I am course coordinator for 1bi004 Behavioural Ecology, 1bi003 Evolutionary biology and genetics and 2bi004 Ethology. I also teach Ecology, Statistics, Environmental Science and Philosphy of Science.

Research

The overarching theme of my research can be defined as:
“Evolutionary strategies in animals, using fishes as model systems”

My research themes:
¤ Behavioural strategies in marine and freshwater fishes.
¤ The behaviour of invasive species
¤ How parasites alter the behaviours of their hosts
¤ Reproductive tactics and sexual selection
¤ Animal coloration and colour signals.
¤ Chromatophores and carotenoids.

My research groups

Publications

Article in journal (Refereed)

Qvarforth, A., Svensson, P.A., Lundgren, M., Rodushkin, I., Engström, E., et al. (2025). Geochemical insights into plant uptake of Technology-critical elements : A case study on lettuce from European soils. Chemosphere. 371.
Status: Published
Svensson, P.A., Eghbal, R., Eriksson, R., Nilsson, E. (2022). How cunning is the puppet-master? Cestode-infected fish appear generally fearless. Parasitology Research. 121. 1305-1315.
Status: Published
Sarenbo, S., Svensson, P.A. (2021). Bitten or struck by dog : a rising number of fatalities in Europe, 1995 – 2016. Forensic Science International. 318. 1-7.
Status: Published
Tibblin, P., Hall, M., Svensson, P.A., Merilä, J., Forsman, A. (2020). Phenotypic flexibility in background-mediated color change in sticklebacks. Behavioral Ecology. 31 (4). 950-959.
Status: Published
Augustsson, A., Uddh Söderberg, T., Fröberg, M., Berggren Kleja, D., Åström, M.E., et al. (2020). Failure of generic risk assessment model framework to predict groundwater pollution risk at hundreds of metal contaminated sites : Implications for research needs. Environmental Research. 185. 1-9.
Status: Published
Uddh Söderberg, T., Berggren Kleja, D., Åström, M.E., Jarsjö, J., Fröberg, M., et al. (2019). Metal solubility and transport at a contaminated landfill site – From the source zone into the groundwater. Science of the Total Environment. 668. 1064-1076.
Status: Published
Lehtonen, T.K., Svensson, P.A., Wong, B.B.M. (2018). Aggressive desert goby males also court more, independent of the physiological demands of salinity. Scientific Reports. 8.
Status: Published
Flink, H., Behrens, J.W., Svensson, P.A. (2017). Consequences of eye fluke infection on anti-predator behaviours in invasive round gobies in Kalmar Sound. Parasitology Research. 116 (6). 1653-1663.
Status: Published
Brüsin, M., Svensson, P.A., Hylander, S. (2016). Individual changes in zooplankton pigmentation in relation to ultraviolet radiation and predator cues. Limnology and Oceanography. 61 (4). 1337-1344.
Status: Published
Lehtonen, T.K., Svensson, P.A., Wong, B.B.M. (2016). The influence of recent social experience and physical environment on courtship and male aggression. BMC Evolutionary Biology. 16.
Status: Published
Flink, H., Svensson, P.A. (2015). Nest size preferences and aggression in sand gobies (Pomatoschistus minutus). Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology. 69 (9). 1519-1525.
Status: Published
Van Lieshout, E., Svensson, P.A., Wong, B. (2013). Consequences of paternal care on pectoral fin allometry in a desert-dwelling fish. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology. 67 (3). 513-518.
Status: Published
Svensson, P.A., Lehtonen, T.K., Wong, B.B.M. (2012). A high aggression strategy for smaller males. PLOS ONE. 7 (8).
Status: Published
Guevara-Fiore, P., Svensson, P.A., Endler, J. (2012). Sex as moderator of early life experiences: interaction between rearing environment and sexual experience in male guppies. Animal Behaviour. 84 (4). 1023-1029.
Status: Published
Symons, N., Svensson, P.A., Wong, B.B.M. (2011). Do Male Desert Gobies Compromise Offspring Care to Attract Additional Mating Opportunities?. PLOS ONE. 6 (6). e20576.
Status: Published
Lehtonen, T.K., Wong, B.B.M., Svensson, P.A., Meyer, A. (2011). Adjustment of brood care behaviour in the absence of a mate in two species of Nicaraguan crater lake cichlids. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology. 65 (4). 613-619.
Status: Published
Svensson, P.A., Wong, B.B.M. (2011). Carotenoid-based signals in behavioural ecology : a review. Behaviour. 148 (2). 131-189.
Status: Published
Lehtonen, T.K., Svensson, P.A., Wong, B.B.M. (2011). Both male and female identity influence variation in male signalling effort. BMC Evolutionary Biology. 11.
Status: Published
Nilsson Sköld, H., Svensson, P.A., Zejlon, C. (2010). The capacity for internal colour change is related to body transparency in fishes. Pigment Cell & Melanoma Research. 23 (2). 292-295.
Status: Published
Svensson, P.A., Lehtonen, T.K., Wong, B.B.M. (2010). The interval between sexual encounters affects male courtship tactics in a desert-dwelling fish. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology. 64 (2). 1967-1970.
Status: Published
Wong, B.B.M., Svensson, P.A. (2009). Strategic male signalling effort in a desert-dwelling fish. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology. 63 (4). 543-549.
Status: Published
Svensson, P.A., Pélabon, C., Blount, J.D., Forsgren, E., Bjerkeng, B., et al. (2009). Temporal variability in a multicomponent trait : nuptial coloration of female two-spotted gobies. Behavioral Ecology. 20 (2). 346-353.
Status: Published
Mobley, K.B., Amundsen, T., Forsgren, E., Svensson, P.A., Jones, A. (2009). Multiple mating and a low incidence of cuckoldry for nest-holding males in the two-spotted goby, Gobiusculus flavescens. BMC Evolutionary Biology. 9. 1-10.
Status: Published
Svensson, P.A., Blount, J.D., Forsgren, E., Amundsen, T. (2009). Female ornamentation and egg carotenoids of six sympatric gobies. Journal of Fish Biology. 75. 2777–2787.
Status: Published
Sköld, H.N., Amundsen, T., Svensson, P.A., Mayer, I., Bjelvenmark, J., et al. (2008). Hormonal regulation of female nuptial coloration in a fish. Hormones and Behavior. 54 (4). 549-556.
Status: Published
Svensson, P.A., Pélabon, C., Blount, J.D., Surai, P.F., Amundsen, T. (2006). Does female nuptial coloration reflect egg carotenoids and clutch quality in the two-spotted goby (Gobiusculus flavescens, Gobiidae)?. Functional Ecology. 20. 689-698.
Status: Published
Svensson, P.A., Forsgren, E., Amundsen, T., Nilsson Sköld, H. (2005). Chromatic interaction between egg pigmentation and skin chromatophores the nuptial coloration of female two-spotted gobies. Journal of Experimental Biology. 208. 4391-4397.
Status: Published
Eklund, B., Svensson, A.P., Jonsson, C., Malm, T. (2005). Toxic effects of decomposing red algae on littoral organisms. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science. 62 (4). 621-626.
Status: Published
Svensson, P.A., Malm, T., Engkvist, R. (2004). Distribution and host plant preference of Idotea baltica (Pallas) (Crustacea Isopoda) on shallow rocky shores in the central Baltic Sea. Sarsia. 89 (1). 1-7.
Status: Published
Isaeus, M., Malm, T., Persson, S., Svensson, A. (2004). Effects of filamentous algae and sediment on recruitment and survival of Fucus serratus (Phaeophyceae) juveniles in the eutrophic Baltic Sea. European journal of phycology. 39 (3). 301-307.
Status: Published
Svensson, P.A., Malm, T., Engkvist, R. (2004). Distribution and host plant preference of Idotea baltica (Pallas) (Crustacea: Isopoda) on shallow rocky shores in the central Baltic Sea. Sarsia. 89 (1). 1-7.
Status: Published
Barber, I., Walker, P., Svensson, P.A. (2004). Behavioural responses to simulated avian predation in female three spined sticklebacks the effect of experimental Schistocephalus solidus infections. Behaviour. 141. 1425-1440.
Status: Published
Barber, I., Svensson, P.A. (2003). Synchrony between parasite development and host behaviour change. Journal of Fish Biology. 63 Supp A. 246.
Status: Published
Barber, I., Svensson, P.A. (2003). Effects of experimental Schistocephalus solidus infections on growth, morphology and sexual development of female three-spined sticklebacks, Gasterosteus aculeatus. Parasitology. 126. 359-367.
Status: Published
Svensson, P.A., Barber, I., Forsgren, E. (2000). Shoaling behaviour of the two-spotted goby. Journal of Fish Biology. 56 (6). 1477-1487.
Status: Published

Conference paper (Refereed)

Svensson, P.A. (2020). My house or your shelter - invasive round gobies displace native sand gobies from suitable nest substrates. .
Svensson, P.A. (2018). Flexible background matching in colour changing sticklebacks. .
Svensson, P.A. (2018). Invading the invader - eye fluke infection in a Baltic round goby population. .
Svensson, P.A. (2016). How cunnning is the puppet master? Mind-bending parasites in sticklebacks.. .
Svensson, P.A., Endler, J.A., Adcock, J.L. (2014). Experimentally induced divergence of carotenoid usage in male guppy ornaments. .
Svensson, P.A., Endler, J.A., Adcock, J.L. (2014). Experimentally induced divergence of carotenoid usage in male guppy ornaments. .
Svensson, P.A., Adcock, J.L., Endler, J.A. (2012). Quantifying ornamental carotenoids in male guppies, Poecilia reticulata. 5th International Conference of Poeciliid Biologists (Trinidad and Tobago).
Svensson, P.A., Lehtonen, T.K., Wong, B.B.M. (2012). A high aggression strategy for smaller males. .
Svensson, P.A. (2009). Adaptations and strategies for paternal care in a desert-dwelling fish. . .
Svensson, P.A. (2008). Strategic male courtship effort in a desert-dwelling fish..
Svensson, P.A. (2006). Female coloration and beneficial egg carotenoids.
Svensson, P.A. (2004). Female two-spotted gobies display egg carotenoid status..

Report (Refereed)

Engkvist, R., Malm, T., Svensson, A., Asplund, L., Isaeus, M., et al. (2001). Makroalgsblomningar längs Ölands kuster, effekter på det lokala näringslivet och det marina ekosystemet. (English title : Macro algal blooms in the central Baltic proper, effects on the economy and the marine ecosystem.). University of Kalmar. Department of Biology and Environmental Science.
Andersson, J., Dahl, J., Johansson, A., Karås, P., Nilsson, J., et al. (2000). Utslagen fiskrekrytering och sviktande fiskbestånd i Kalmar läns kustvatten. (English title : Recruitment failure and decreasing fish stocks in the coastal areas of Kalmarsund.). Fiskeriverket.
Svensson, P.A. (2000). Beror minskningen av abborre och gädda i Kalmarsund på nedsatt fertilitet? (English title : Poor recruitment of perch and pike in the Kalmarsund, Sweden - is it due to a decreased fertility?). Department of Natual Science, Kalmar University.

Conference paper (Other academic)

Svensson, P.A. (2013). A new goby research lab in the central Baltic Proper. .
Svensson, P.A. (2011). The interval between sexual encounters affect male courtship tactics..
Svensson, P.A. (2010). The interval between sexual encounters affect male courtship tactics.
Svensson, P.A. (2008). Gobies and carotenoids.
Svensson, P.A. (2007). Female coloration and beneficial egg carotenoids.
Svensson, P.A. (2006). Gobies as biomarkers..
Svensson, P.A. (2006). Techniques for incubating and analyzing goby eggs..
Svensson, P.A. (2004). Female two-spotted gobies display egg carotenoid status.

Chapter in book (Other academic)

Svensson, P.A., Nilsson-Sköld, H. (2011). Skin biopsies as tools to measure fish coloration and colour change. Skin Biopsy - Perspectives. InTech.

Report (Other academic)

Svensson, P.A. (2000). Shoaling decisions in the two-spotted goby,Gobiusculus flavescens. MSc thesis.. University of Gothenburg.

Doctoral thesis, comprehensive summary (Other academic)

Svensson, P.A. (2007). Female coloration, egg carotenoids and reproductive success: gobies as a model system. Doctoral Thesis. NTNU. 124.
Svensson, P.A. (2006). Female coloration, egg carotenoids and reproductive success gobies as a model system, PhD Thesis. Doctoral Thesis. Trondheim, Norwegian University of Science and Technology.

Manuscript (preprint) (Other academic)

Sävneby, A., Jonsson, N., Svensson, P.A., Hafenstein, S., Lindberg, A.M. Virus derived from an Enterovirus B construct efficiently reverts from a frameshift mutation immediately beyond the translation initiation site.