Publications & Peer-Reviewed Research

Dr Paul O’Donoghue’s research has been published in leading peer-reviewed journals, contributing to international understanding of genetic erosion, wildlife crime forensics, evolutionary response to anthropogenic pressures, and species recovery strategy. His work integrates molecular genetics with applied conservation systems across multiple taxa and geographies. Below are some selected peer-reviewed research in conservation genetics, wildlife forensics, evolutionary biology, and applied conservation systems.

Evolutionary & Population Genetics

Coltman, D., O’Donoghue, P., Jorgenson, J. et al. (2003).
Undesirable evolutionary consequences of trophy hunting.
Nature, 426, 655–658.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nature02177

Moodley, Y., Russo, I.R.M., Dalton, D.L., et al. (2017).
Extinctions, genetic erosion and conservation options for the black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis).
Scientific Reports, 7, 41417.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/srep41417

Dubach, J., Bruford, M.W., Giraldo, P., O’Donoghue, P., Hunt, T. (2010).
Genetic structure of Asiatic lions (Panthera leo persica) and implications for conservation.
Conservation Genetics, 11(6), 2357–2367.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10592-010-0125-2

Wildlife Forensics & Genetic Identification Systems

These studies underpin DNA-based prosecution systems used in rhinoceros crime investigations.

Dicks, K.L., Webster, L.M.I., McDowall, I., Muya, S.M., Hopper, J., O’Donoghue, P. (2017).
Validation studies on dinucleotide STRs for forensic identification of black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis).
Forensic Science International: Genetics, 26, e25–e27.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fsigen.2016.10.016

Senn, H., O’Donoghue, P., McEwing, R., Ogden, R. (2014).
Hundreds of SNPs for the endangered pygmy hippopotamus (Choeropsis liberiensis).
Conservation Genetics Resources, 6(3), 535–538.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12686-014-0178-8

Applied Conservation & Monitoring Systems

First peer-reviewed framework integrating GPS telemetry and rapid-response conservation enforcement.

O’Donoghue, P., Rutz, C. (2015).
Real-time anti-poaching tags could help prevent imminent species extinctions.
Journal of Applied Ecology, 52(6), 1431–1435.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2664.12452

Kitchener, A.C., Breitenmoser-Würsten, C., Eizirik, E., et al., including O’Donoghue, P. (2017).
A revised taxonomy of the Felidae: The final report of the Cat Classification Task Force.
Cat News Special Issue, IUCN/SSC Cat Specialist Group.
Link: https://repository.si.edu/handle/10088/32616

International Taxonomic & Scientific Advisory Contributions

Kitchener et al. (2017).
A revised taxonomy of the Felidae.
Cat News Special Issue.
IUCN/SSC Cat Specialist Group.

Contributing genetic advisor to the IUCN Cat Classification Task Force

For a full academic bibliography and citation metrics, please refer to indexed research databases including Web of Science and Scopus.

Additional Named Scientific Contributions

Nature (2003)

Coltman, D., O’Donoghue, P., et al. (2003). Undesirable evolutionary consequences of trophy hunting. Nature 426, 655–658.

Dr O’Donoghue co-authored a landmark study demonstrating that selective trophy hunting can drive measurable evolutionary change in wild populations, reducing traits such as horn size over time. The paper provided some of the earliest empirical evidence linking human selection pressures to genetic and phenotypic shifts in large mammals.

Scientific Reports

Moodley, Y., et al., including O’Donoghue, P. (2017). Extinctions, genetic erosion and conservation options for the black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis). Scientific Reports.

He contributed to major peer-reviewed research assessing genetic erosion and conservation options for fragmented black rhinoceros populations across Africa. The study informed conservation unit identification and long-term management strategies.

Journal of Applied Ecology

O’Donoghue, P. & Rutz, C. (2015). Real-time anti-poaching tags could help prevent imminent species extinctions. Journal of Applied Ecology.

Co-author of one of the first peer-reviewed frameworks proposing real-time anti-poaching alert systems integrating GPS telemetry, satellite communication, and rapid-response ranger coordination. The paper outlined how technology-driven monitoring could shift anti-poaching from reactive to proactive intervention.

IUCN Cat Classification Task Force

Contributor to:

Kitchener, A.C., et al. (2017). A revised taxonomy of the Felidae: The final report of the Cat Classification Task Force of the IUCN/SSC Cat Specialist Group. Cat News Special Issue.

Dr O’Donoghue served as a contributing expert in the global taxonomic reassessment of wild cat species and subspecies, supporting an internationally adopted classification framework used in conservation planning and species management.

Development and validation of DNA-based short tandem repeat (STR) marker systems for forensic identification of black rhinoceros (Forensic Science International: Genetics).
Genetic marker development for the endangered pygmy hippopotamus (Choeropsis liberiensis) (Conservation Genetics Resources).
Genetic research supporting Asiatic lion population structure and conservation strategy (Conservation Genetics).
Genetic assessment supporting conservation of mountain bongo populations (Journal of Zoo and Aquarium Research).