Xavier Barton - Research Profile

About Me

I am a PhD candidate at Murdoch University, Western Australia, affiliated with Cryptick Lab and the Harry Butler Institute.

My research focuses on investigating the population structure of ticks from a systematic perspective. Specifically, my current project is using ddRADseq to analyse the population genetic structures of Amblyomma triguttatum (ornate kangaroo tick) and other significant species. I integrate this genetic data with environmental and microbial information to gain a comprehensive understanding of these species in their ecosystems.

My research aims to provide further insight into how ticks and tick-borne pathogens are spread throughout a landscape, particularly in Australia where a significant knowledge gap is present.

Photo of Xavier Barton in Lab holding Micro Pipette

Publications

Harnessing 50 years of tick population genetics: Choosing the right molecular tool for contemporary research

Barton, X., Fontaine, J., Tobe, S. and Oskam, C.

2025 | Journal of Animal Ecology

Open Access

Developing population genetics microsatellite markers from metagenomic shotgun next generation sequencing data - Honours Thesis

Barton, X.
Supervisors: A/Prof. Charlotte Oskam, A/Prof. Shane Tobe

2021 | Murdoch Research Repository

Download

Blood parasites in endangered wildlife: trypanosomes discovered during a survey of haemoprotozoa from the Tasmanian devil

Egan, S., Ruiz-Aravena, M., Austen, J., Barton, X., Comte, S., Hamilton, D., Hamede, R., Ryan, U., Irwin, P., Jones, M., and Oskam, C.

2020 | Pathogens

Open Access

Projects

Population Genetics Bioinformatics Guides

Guides for custom bioinformatics pipelines used for ddRADseq population genetics data during my PhD.

View Guides

Poster for Australian Entomological Society - Albany, Western Australia Conference 2023

Title: High Molecular Weight DNA Purification from Arthropods

View Poster

Cattle Tick Study

A WA biosecurity project that aims to understand the current knowledge, attitudes, and practices of cattle industry workers and establish a baseline for distribution and population structure of ticks around cattle farms.

View Website

iNaturalist - Tick Exploration Project

Use citizen science website iNaturalist to help map ticks across Western Australia.

Go to Project Page or How to Sign Up

Contact

eMail: x.barton@murdoch.edu.au

ORCID: 0000-0002-5783-4941

Github: XWBarton