Profile
DR. Nicholas Yap
Dr. Nicholas Yap
RESEARCH FELLOW
With a fascination in natural history, Dr. Nicholas Yap is trained as an invertebrate taxonomist. Because very little is known about sea anemones and jellyfish in Singapore, his research is centered on them. Over the years he has published several papers clarifying the identities and the biology of these enigmatic creatures. Nicholas’ work integrates morphological, historical and molecular evidence to elucidate the identities of these animals. Presently, he is working on understanding how Climate Change may impact both sea anemones and jellyfish in tropical waters.
Throughout Nicholas’ undergraduate and professional career, he has been involved in various research projects. These range from conducting environmental impact assessments, assessing water quality using insects, and carrying out marine ecotoxicology bioassays. A recurring theme throughout these projects is the need for good species identifications; misinterpretations of biological data may result without it. For many reliable biological studies, good taxonomy is fundamental and essential. After all, how can we protect what we have if we do not know what they are?
Apart from taxonomic research, Nicholas has also participated in several outreach events and has been invited as an expert on the local media (e.g. Channel News Asia), to educate the public more about Singapore’s rich natural heritage. Nicholas is also the Immediate-Past President of the Singapore Institute of Biology.
Areas of Interest
- Taxonomy and systematics of sea anemones and jellyfish
- Biogeography
- Climate change
Academic History and Awards
- 2021: Doctor of Philosophy, Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore (NUS).
- 2009: B.Sc. (Hons), Life Sciences (Biology), NUS.
Professional Positions
- Sep 2023 – Present: Immediate-Past President, The Singapore Institute of Biology
- Sep 2020 – 2023: President, The Singapore Institute of Biology
- Sep 2020 – 2023: Council Member, The Singapore National Academy of Science
- Aug 2018 – 2020: Vice-President, The Singapore Institute of Biology
- Sept 2016 – Aug 2018: Honorary Treasurer, The Singapore Institute of Biology
Publications
Peer-reviewed journal articles
Yap NWL, Mitchell ML, Quek ZBR, Tan R, Tan KS & Huang D (2021) Taxonomy and molecular phylogeny of the sea anemone Macrodactyla (Haddon, 1898) (Cnidaria, Actiniaria), with a description of a new species from Singapore. Zoological Studies, 62: 29. doi:10.6620/ZS.2023.62-29
Hamilton N, Gusmão LC, Izumi T, Rodríguez E, Yap NWL, Daly M (2022) Phylogeny and taxonomy of Haloclavidae (Verrill, 1899) with a redescription of the parasitic, burrowing sea anemone, Peachia chilensis Carlgren, 1931. PLOS ONE, 17(9): e0266283
Iesa I, Yap NWL, Ng L, Tun K, Chou LM (2021) Biodiversity Record: Upside-down medusa of the genus Cassiopea in Singapore. Nature in Singapore, 14: e2021117.
D/O Sivanathan G., Shantii P, Kupriyanova EK, Quek ZBR, Yap NWL, Teo SLM (2021) Spirobranchus bakau sp. nov. from Singapore: yet another species of S. kraussii complex (Polychaeta: Serpulidae). Zootaxa, 5040 (1), 33–65.
Yap NWL, Quek ZBR, Tan R, Nugroho DA, Lee JN, Berumen ML, Tan KS & Huang D (2021) Carlgren’s hesitation allayed: redescription and systematics of Heteranthus verruculatus Klunzinger, 1877 (Cnidaria, Actiniaria), with a redefinition of Heteranthidae Carlgren, 1900. Contributions to Zoology, 90(2): 155–182
Yong CLX, Yap NWL, Tan KS & Huang D (2021) Reproduction in the tropical frilly sea anemone Phymanthus pinnulatus (Cnidaria, Actiniaria). Invertebrate Biology, 140(2): e12313
Oh RM, Neo ML, Yap NWL, Jain SS, Tan R, Chen CA, Huang DW (2019) Citizen science meets integrated taxonomy to uncover the diversity and distribution of Corallimorpharia in Singapore. Raffles Bulletin of Zoology, 67: 306–321.
Yap NWL, Tan R, Yong CLX, Tan KS & Huang D (2019) Sea anemones (Cnidaria, Actiniaria) of Singapore: redescription and taxonomy of Phymanthus pinnulatus Martens in Klunzinger, 1877. Zookeys, 840: 1-20. doi:10.3897/zookeys.840.31390
Yap NWL, Lee S, Ong R (2016) Gelatinous zooplankton found around Saint John’s Island. Singapore Biodiversity Records, 2016: 9–11.
Fautin DG, Tan SH, Tan R, Yap NWL, Crowther A, Goodwill R, Sanpanich K & Tay YC (2015) Sea anemones (Cnidaria: Actiniaria) of Singapore: shallow-water species known also from the Indian subcontinent. Raffles Bulletin of Zoology, Supplement 31: 44—59
Seah JZS, Yap NWL, Tan LT & Goh BPL (2015) Distribution and abundance of Octocoral (Octocorallia, Alcyonacea) communities at three Southern Islands of Singapore. Ocean Science Journal, 50(2): 299—306
Tan LT, Goh BPL & Yap NWL (2015) Project-based learning: engaging secondary school students in authentic environment science research. Asian Youth Journal of Biology, 3: 1—4
Yap NWL, Fautin DG, Ramos DA, Tan R (2014) Sea anemones of Singapore: Synpeachia temasek, new genus, new species, and a redescription of Metapeachia tropica (Cnidaria: Actiniaria: Haloclavidae). Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington, 127(3): 439—454
Yap NWL, Lin Y, Todd PA (2013) Chelae force generation at variable gape sizes in the mud crab, Scylla olivacea (Brachyura: Portunidae). Nature in Singapore, 6: 179—185
Book chapter
Iesa I & Yap NWL, authored entries pertaining to the history of sting management in Singapore (2022). In Hawi ATS, Ismail AK, Miyake H, Karunarathne KD, Razak MNA, Nilamani N, Tiglaoo PJ, Safferi RS & Kwang SY (eds.) General Management Guide for Harmful Jellyfish Stings in the Western Pacific and Adjacent Waters.100pp. ISBN 978-629-97500-0-0
Iesa I & Yap NWL (2021) Sections Hydrozoa, Scyphozoa and Cubozoa. In Hawi ATS, Kwang SY & Miyake H (eds.) Field Guide to the Jellyfish of the Western Pacific. 162pp. ISBN 978-967-19169-0-2 [authored several species entries in the aforementioned sections of this book].
Yap NWL, Ong JY (2012) A survey of jellyfish (Cnidaria) around St John’s Island in the Singapore Straits. In: Tan K.S. (ed.), Contribution to Marine Science 2012. 168 pp
Book
Todd PA, Tanzil JTI, Yap NWL, Martin P (Eds.) (2021) Advancing Marine Science in Singapore: The Marine Science Research & Development Programme (2015-21). Marine Science & Development Programme. 205 pp. ISBN: 978-981-18-2578-1.Jaafar Z, Huang D, Tanzil JTI, Ow YX, Yap NWL (eds.) The Singapore Blue Plan 2018. 230pp. ISBN 978-981-11-9018-6 [Also contributed as a co-author in Chapter 2: Marine Organisms]
Goh BPL, Lai CH, Tan LT, Yap NWL, Dissanayake A (2014). Handbook of Marine Ecotoxicology Techniques. National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University. National Parks Board, Singapore, 110 pp. http://www.nparks.gov.sg/~/media/nparks-real-content/biodiversity/programmes-and-initiatives/handbook-of-marine-ecotoxicology-techniques_bgoh-et-al.ashx
