Emeritus Professor John Bolton

Phone: 021 650 3401
Email: john.bolton@uct.ac.za
Room No.: 2.14 (HW Pearson Building)

 

 

 

Research interests and output

Prof. John J Bolton is Professor of Biological Sciences at the University of Cape Town, and is a marine plant biologist. His research interests cover the biodiversity, biogeography, systematics, ecology and resource management of seaweeds, as well as the aquaculture of seaweeds and the integrated aquaculture of seaweeds with marine animals. He has authored over 110 publications in peer-reviewed journals, plus two books, 10 peer-reviewed book chapters and 5 peer-reviewed conference articles. He has supervised 16 graduated PhD students, with 6 currently registered
He is the only African algal biologist to have been President of the International Phycological Society, and the only person to have been President of the Phycological Society of Southern Africa twice. He has co-authored two books on South African seaweed diversity, and is co-author on 28 descriptions of new seaweed species from South Africa. He has been Principal Investigator on many research projects over the last three decades, on marine biodiversity, ecology, biogeography, aquaculture, natural products and climate change.

Academic training

B.Sc. (Hons.) (Botany): University of Liverpool, U.K. (1973)
Ph.D (Marine Botany): University of Liverpool, U.K. (1978).

Professional work experience

Post-Doctoral Fellow, Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada: 1978-1979.
Research Fellow, Biologische Anstalt Helgoland, Germany: 1979-1982.
Lecturer (1983-1988), Senior Lecturer (1988-1993), Associate Professor (1993-2004), Professor (2005-current) in the Department of Botany (Biological Sciences from 2013), University of Cape Town

Academic positions:

PRESIDENT (2008-9) of the INTERNATIONAL PHYCOLOGICAL SOCIETY
(Vice-President 2006-7; Past President 2010-11)
Elected Member of the EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE INTERNATIONAL PHYCOLOGICAL SOCIETY (1996-8 and 2006-11). Previously member of IPS Council 1996-8.

HEAD OF BOTANY DEPARTMENT at the University of Cape Town, 1994-6.

PRESIDENT of the PHYCOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF SOUTHERN AFRICA, 2006-7 (previously also President of PSSA, 1989-91).
Council member: PSSA, 1986-94, and 2004-2010.

Elected Member of the EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE INTERNATIONAL PHYCOLOGICAL SOCIETY (1996-8).

DEPUTY HEAD (MARINE BIOLOGY) in the Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town (2013-2015).
PRESIDENT of the PHYCOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF SOUTHERN AFRICA, 1989-91 and 2005-7 (first to serve second term). Council member: PSSA, 1986-94: 2004-9.
Invited MEMBER OF THE COMMITTEE FOR ALGAE of the International Botanical Association, 1998-current.
Member of the Editorial Board of ‘Perspectives in Phycology’ 2014-current.
Member of Editorial Advisory Board of African Journal of Marine Science 2003-current
Member of Board of MA-RE (Marine Research Institute, UCT)  (2007-current)
Member of the Editorial Board of journal Botanica Marina 1997-2005
Member of Marine Biodiversity Working Group (Marine & Coastal Management, DEAT), 2007-
CONVENOR OF TEACHING PROGRAMME and Senior Student Advisor: Biology, Earth & Environmental Sciences. Faculty of Science, UCT. 2003-2015

Conferences and meetings:

Co-Convenor and Co-Chair of Local Organising Committee: 17th International Seaweed Symposium. University of Cape Town 2001.
Invited Plenary Speaker at the 8th International Phycological Congress, Durban, South Africa, August 2005.
Member of the INTERNATIONAL ORGANISING COMMITTEE for seven International Phycological Congresses, Melbourne, Australia (1988); Xingdao, China, (1994); Leiden, Netherlands (1997); Thessaloniki, Greece (2001); Durban, South Africa (2005); Tokyo, Japan (2009), Orlando, USA (2013).
Convenor of Mini-Symposium on ‘Seaweed biogeography in Southern Africa’ as part of XVIIth International Seaweed Symposium, Cape Town, 2001.
Chair of student oral prize committee, 18th International Seaweed Symposium, Bergen, Norway 2004.

Recent research leadership:

Principal Investigator on NRF project (2014-2016):
KELPS AND CLIMATE CHANGE IN SOUTH AFRICA. In collaboration with Prof AJ Smit (UWC) and A/Prof Robert Anderson (DAFF)

Project leader on DAFF project (2014-16):
Ulva as a component of feed in the South African mariculture industry

Principal investigator on NRF-funded project (2012-4)
SEAWEED CHEMISTRY AND BIOSYSTEMATICS (SeaChange Programme: collaboration with Dr Denzil Beukes, Rhodes University)

Principal investigator on NRF/JST South Africa/Japan link project  (2011-2014)
BIODIVERSITY AND EVOLUTION OF ALGAE IN THE INDO-PACIFIC: A SOUTH AFRICA/JAPAN COMPARISON: Japanese Principal Investigator Prof Takeo Horiguchi, University of Hokkaido).

Principal investigator on two NRF-funded projects (2009-11):
1. SEAWEED BIOSYSTEMATICS (South African Biosystematics Initiative, SABI: Joint with Prof Gavin Maneveldt, UWC)
2. NEW PRODUCTS AND URCHINS (Aquaculture thrust, SeaChange Programme: collaboration with Prof Gavin Maneveldt, UWC)

Principal Investigator on two NRF projects (2005-2008):
1. ADDING VALUE TO SEAWEED DIVERSITY. In collaboration with Dr Robert Anderson (M&CM) and Gavin Maneveldt (UWC)
2. INTEGRATED AQUACULTURE OF SEAWEEDS AND ABALONE. Funded by the National Research Foundation, as well as funding from the SA/Sweden joint research agreement, in collaboration with scientists from the University of Stockholm, Sweden, and Marine and Coastal Management and University of the Western Cape.

Project leader on project funded by Frontier Programme (Marine & Coastal Management). SEAWEEDS IN ABALONE AQUACULTURE: EFFECTS OF RECIRCULATION AND DIFFERENT DIETS ON GROWTH AND HEALTH OF CULTURED ABALONE, AND KELP QUALITY FOR ABALONE FEED. (2006-7).

Co-leader (with Prof E. Coppejans, University of Gent, Belgium) of a project MARINE SHALLOW-WATER BENTHIC MARINE ALGAE AND ECHINODERMS: BIOGEOGRAPHY AND DIVERSITY IN THE TRANSITION ZONE OF THE TROPICAL INDIAN OCEAN TO WARM TEMPERATE SOUTHERN AFRICA (KWAZULU-NATAL, SOUTH AFRICA). Jointly funded (2002-2004) by the Community of Flanders and the NRF.

Full partner on a European Union (INCO_DEV 5) project coordinated by Prof Michael Guiry (University of Galway, Ireland) on ‘UNDERPINNING SUSTAINABLE ECOSYSTEM MANAGEMENT OF SEAWEED RESOURCES IN AFRICA (with partners in Ireland, Sweden, Portugal, South Africa, Namibia and Kenya). (2001-5). Short title: SeaweedAfrica.

Recent publications (since 2009)

L. Mattio, M. Zubia, O. Declerck, G. Maneveldt, R.J. Anderson, C. de Gaillande, J.J. Bolton, C.E. Payri (in press). Marine flora of the Iles Eparses (Scattered Islands): a longitudinal transect through the Mozambique Channel. Acta Oecologica.

Cyrus MD­, Bolton JJ, Macey BM (published online October 2014). The advantages of Ulva (Chlorophyta) as an additive in sea urchin formulated feeds, effects on palatability, consumption and digestibility. Aquaculture Nutrition doi: 10.1111/anu.12182

Blamey LK, Shannon LJ, Bolton JJ, Crawford RJM, Dufois F, Evers-King H, Griffiths CL, Hutchings L, Jarre A, Rouault M,Watermeyer KE, Winker H (2015). Ecosystem change in the southern Benguela and the underlying processes. Journal of Marine Systems 144 (2015) 9–29

Rothman MD, Mattio L, Wernberg T, Anderson RJ, Uwai S, Mohring MB, Bolton JJ (2015). A molecular investigation of the genus Ecklonia (Phaeophyceae, Laminariales) with special focus on the Southern Hemisphere. Journal of Phycology 51: 236-246

Mattio L, Bolton JJ, Anderson RJ (2015). Contribution to the revision of the genus Sargassum (Fucales, Phaeophyceae) in Madagascar using morphological and molecular data. Cryptogamie Algologie 36 (2): 143-169

Mattio L, Bolton JJ, Anderson RJ (2015). A revision of the genus Sargassum (Fucales, Phaeophyceae) in South Africa. South African Journal of Botany 98: 95-107

Cyrus MD­, Bolton JJ, Macey BM (2015). The role of the green seaweed Ulva as a dietary supplement for full life-cycle grow-out of Tripneustes gratilla (Linnaeus). Aquaculture. 446: 187-197.

Bennett S; Wernberg T, de Bettignies T, Kendrick G, Anderson RJ, Bolton JJ, Rodgers K, Shears N, Leclerc J-C, Lévêque L, Davoult D, Christie H (2015). Positive interactions and environmental stress gradients in subtidal communities. Ecology Letters. doi: 10.1111/ele.12446

Cyrus MD­, Bolton JJ, De Wet L, Macey BM (2014). The development of a formulated feed containing Ulva (Chlorophyta) to promote rapid growth and enhanced production of high quality roe in the sea urchin Tripneustes gratilla (Linnaeus). Aquaculture Research 45: 159-176

RRM Dixon, L Mattio, JM Huisman, CE Payri, JJ Bolton, CFD Gurgel (2014). North meets south – Taxonomic and biogeographic implications of a phylogenetic assessment of Sargassum subgenera Arthrophycus and Bactrophycus (Fucales, Phaeophyceae). Phycologia 53:15-22

Shuuluka D, Bolton JJ, Anderson RJ (2013). Protein content, amino acid composition and nitrogen-to-protein conversion factors of Ulva rigida and Ulva capensis from natural populations and Ulva lactuca from an aquaculture system, in South Africa. Journal of Applied Phycology 25:677–685

Browne CM, Milne R, Griffiths C, Bolton JJ, Anderson RJ (2013). Epiphytic seaweeds and invertebrates associated with South African populations of the rocky shore seagrass Thalassodendron leptocaule — a hidden wealth of biodiversity. African Journal of Marine Science 35: 523-531

Browne CM, Maneveldt GW, Bolton JJ, Anderson RJ (2013). Abundance and species composition of non-geniculate coralline red algae epiphytic on the South African populations of the rocky shore seagrass Thalassodendron leptocaule M.C. Duarte, Bandeira & Romeiras. South Afr. Journal of Botany 86: 101-110

Bolton JJ, Davies-Coleman M, Coyne VE (2013). Innovative processes and products involving marine organisms. African Journal of Marine Science 2013, 35: 449–464

Scholtz R, Bolton JJ, Macey B (2013). Effects of different microalgal feeds and their influence on larval development in the white-spined sea urchin Tripneustes gratilla . African Journal of Marine Science 35: 25-34.

Smit AJ, Roberts M, Anderson RJ, Du Fois F, Dudley SFJ, Bornmann TG, Olbers J, Bolton JJ (2013). A coastal seawater temperature dataset for biogeographical studies: large biases between in situ and remotely-sensed data sets around the coast of South Africa PLOS ONE 8: e81944

Mattio L, Zubia M, Loveday B, Crochelet E, Duong N, Payri C, Bhagooli R, Bolton JJ (2013). Sargassum (Fucales, Phaeophyceae) in Mauritius and Reunion, western Indian Ocean: taxonomic revision and biogeography using hydrodynamic dispersal models. Phycologia 52: 578-594

Mead A, CL Griffiths, GM Branch, CD McQuaid, LK Blamey, JJ Bolton, RJ Anderson, F Dufois, M Rouault, PW Froneman, AK Whitfield, LR Harris, R Nel, D Pillay and JB Adams (2013). Human-mediated drivers of change — impacts on coastal ecosystems and marine biota of South Africa. Afr. J. Mar. Sci. 35: 449-464

Amosu AO, Robertson-Andersson DV, Maneveldt GW, Anderson RJ, Bolton JJ (2013). South African seaweed aquaculture: A sustainable development example for other African coastal countries. African Journal of Agricultural Research 8: 5620-5671

Bolton JJ, RJ Anderson, AJ Smit, MD Rothman (2012). South African kelp moving eastwards: the discovery of Ecklonia maxima (Osbeck) Papenfuss at De Hoop Nature Reserve. Afr, J. Mar. Sci. 34: 147-151

Anderson RJ, JJ Bolton AJ Smit and D. da Silva Neto (2012). The seaweeds of Angola: the transition between tropical and temperate marine floras on the west coast of southern Africa. Afr. J. Mar. Sci. 34: 1-13

Bolton JJ, Bhagooli, R, Mattio L (2012). The Mauritian Seaweed Flora: Diversity and Potential for Sustainable Utilisation. University of Mauritius Research Journal. 18: 6-27

JJ Bolton, N Andreakis and RJ Anderson (2011) Molecular evidence for three separate cryptic introductions of the red seaweed Asparagopsis (Bonnemaisoniales, Rhodophyta) in South Africa. African Journal of Marine Science 2011, 33(2): 263–271

Antunes, EM; Afolayan, AF; Chiwakata, MT ; Fakee, J; Knott, MG; Whibley, CE; Hendricks, DT; Bolton, JJ; Beukes, DR (2011). Identification and in vitro anti-esophageal cancer activity of a series of halogenated monoterpenes isolated from the South African seaweeds Plocamium suhrii and Plocamium cornutum. PHYTOCHEMISTRY 2011   72: 769-772

Wakibia JG, J Ochiewo, JJ Bolton (2011). Economic Analysis of Eucheumoid Algae Farming in Kenya. Western Indian Ocean Journal of Marine Science 10: 13-24

Smit AJ, Robertson-Andersson DV, Bolton JJ (2010). The effect of macroalgal and compound feeds on the sensory quality of cultivated South African abalone, Haliotis midae Linnaeus (Mollusca, Gastropoda). Aquaculture Nutrition 16: 590-603.

Rothman MD. Anderson RJ, Bolton JJ, Boothroyd, C & Kemp D (2010). A simple method for rapid estimation of Ecklonia maxima and Laminaria pallida biomass using floating surface quadrats. African Journal of Marine Science 32: 137-143.

Bolton JJ (2010). The biogeography of kelps (Laminariales, Phaeophyceae): a global analysis with new insights from molecular phylogenetics. Helgoland Marine Research 64: 263-279.

Bolton JJ, Robertson-Andersson DV, Shuuluka D & L. Kandjengo (2009). Growing Ulva (Chlorophyta) in integrated systems as a commercial crop for abalone feed in South Africa: a SWOT analysis. J. Appl. Phycol. 21: 575-583

Rothman M.D., R. J. Anderson, C. J. T. Boothroyd, F. A. Kemp, J. J. Bolton (2009). The gracilarioids in South Africa: long-term monitoring of a declining resource. J. Appl Phycol 21:47-53

Anderson RJ, Bolton JJ, Stegenga H (2009). Using the biogeographic distribution and diversity of seaweed species to test the efficacy of Marine Protected Areas in the warm temperate Agulhas Marine Province, South Africa. Diversity and Distributions 15: 1017-1027

Santelices B, Bolton JJ & Meneses I (2009). 6. Marine Algal Communities. In: Marine Macroecology. JD Whitman & K Roy (Eds). Chicago University Press. pp. 153-192.

Lategan C, Kellerman T, Afolayan AF, Mann MG, Antunes EM, Smith PJ, Bolton JJ, Beukes DR (2009). Antiplasmodial and antimicrobial activities of South African marine algal extracts. Pharmaceutical Biology 47: 408-413  

Robertson-Andersson, D.V., D.T. Wilson, J.J. Bolton, R.J. Anderson & G.W. Maneveldt. 2009. A rapid assessment method for determining tissue nitrogen content using thallus colour in the cultivated algae Gracilaria gracilis Steentoft Irvine et Farnham and Ulva lactuca Linnaeus. African Journal of Aquatic Science 34(2): 169-172.