.jpg)
Taiwo Crossby Omotoriogun
Professor
Department of Biological Sciences
Professor
Department of Biological Sciences
My research aims to advance integrative evolutionary biology by combining genomics, morphology, ecology, and bioinformatics to address fundamental and applied questions on biodiversity, adaptation, and species evolution. I am particularly interested in understanding the evolutionary mechanisms that shape phenotypic and genetic diversity in birds, with emphasis on sperm morphology and sperm competition, population genetics and evolutionary dynamics, host–microbiome interactions across geographical gradients, the ecology and diversity of avian blood parasites, species-specific variation in the chemical composition of uropygial (preen) gland secretions, DNA barcoding for species identification and taxonomy, and whole-genome sequencing of flagship bird species in Nigeria.
Â
My long-term research programme focuses on the evolution of sperm morphology and sperm competition as drivers of post-copulatory sexual selection and reproductive evolution in birds. Complementing this work is an extensive DNA barcoding initiative covering West African and sub-Saharan African birds, which employs molecular and genomic approaches to resolve cryptic diversity, clarify complex taxonomic relationships, and improve species delimitation, biogeographic inference, and conservation planning. I am also investigating patterns of genetic diversity, population structure, and gene flow among colonial breeding birds in Nigeria to better understand evolutionary processes and inform evidence-based conservation strategies.
Â
Together, these interconnected research themes provide a comprehensive framework for examining avian evolution from molecular, ecological, physiological, and biogeographical perspectives while contributing valuable genomic resources for biodiversity conservation and sustainable environmental management.
Fada, S., Omotoriogun, T. C., Owusu, E. H., Danmallam, B. A., Alhassan, A-R., and Akintunde, E. A. (2025). Hippo Conservation in West Africa: Conflicts, Co-Existence and Rural Communities’ Empowerment. African Journal of Geographical Sciences , 6: , 89-95 https://zenodo.org/records/15700286
Shah, R., Mostafa, T., Hashimi, M. A, Pinggera, G-M, Zohdy, W., Şahin, B., Alipour, H., Palani, AF., Arafa, M., Chung, E., Rashed, A., Ko, E., Altay, B., Rambhatla, A., Toprak, T., Kandil, H., Pescatori, E., Ahmed, El-Sakka, A., Elbardisi, H A., Molina, J M. C., Falcone, M., Amar, E. H., Omotoriogun, T.C., ……..et al and Agarwal, A. (2025). The Global State of Contemporary Andrology Practice: A Comprehensive Analysis of Clinical Practice, Training Pathways, and Emerging Challenges. World Journal in Men's Health , pISSN:2287 – 4208, pISSN:2287 – 4208 https://wjmh.org/DOIx.php?id=10.5534/wjmh.250039
Omotoriogun, T. C., Ayodeji, O. H., Fadare, O. S., Iwajom S. B., Tende T., Chaskda A. & Salam L. B.. (2025). Metagenomic investigations of the gut microbiota of northern and southern Nigerian Village Weaver (Ploceus cucullatus) populations revealed zoonotic pathogens of public health importance. Biologia https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11756-025-01958-9
Hayah, I., Ezeburo, V., Kagame, S. P., Kuja, J. O., Waruhiu C., Nesengani, S. M., Molotsi, A. H., Abechi, P., Abushady, A.M., Amor, N., Andika, B., Barakat, A., Beedessee, G., Botes, M., David, X., Ebuzoeme, N., Edea, Z., El Allali, A., Elekima, O. P., Elsherif, A. K., Gaouar, S. B. S., Begre, Y. G., Georgewill, O. A., Hadjeras, L., Hassan, M. A., Hijri, M., Houaga, I., Ideozu, J. E., Igoh, M., Iwundu, M. P., Jaffer Ali, S. A. S., Jaouani, A., Serradji, A. M. K., Khedim, R., Kilian, M., Kivuva, D. M., Knidiri, M., Modebelu, U., Mokgokong, P., Mokhtar, M. M., Muzemil, S., Nigussie, H., Ntui, V.O., Ogwang, J., Olivier, N. A., Olufowobi, O., Omotoriogun, T. C., Folarin, O., Eromon, P., Orina, J., Ouardi, F., Parish, T., Peter, M., Potgieter J., Radouni F., Ramamtswana, M., Rda, S. R. A., Salifu, S. P., Schwartz,, S. B., Shabangu, N., Sharaf, A., Siminialayi, I.M., Smith, R.M., Taniquchi, H., Tari-Ukuta, P. M., Tesfaye, K., Tmimi, F. Z., Tonfack, L.B., Undensi, O. U., Wambua, V. W., Wambua, S., Were, K., Wood, T. T., Wurdeman, B.M., Zoclanclounon, Y. A. B., Adu, A.F., Gillis-Harry, S. L., Opotu, N. K.O., Tshilate, T. S., Dede, S., Minimah, S. O., Tchiechoua, Y, H., Gisel, A., Hamdi, C., Mafokwane, T., Odogwu, B. A., Nwachukwu, G., Mungloo-Dilmohamud, Z., Ghodhbane-Gtari, F., Ibeachu, C., Zipfel, D., Madu, W. C., Okorocha, J.C., Masebe, T., Borgbara, K., Goosen, W., Furtuin, S., Van zyl, K. N., Mbhele, O., Happi, A., Happi, C., Mapholi, N., Osuji, J. O., Muigai, A. W. T., Ebenezer, T E. & Badaoui, B. (2025). Unlocking African Bioeconomy through biodiversity genomics and bioinformatics. Npj Biodiversity Nature Patner Journal Biodiversity , 4 https://www.nature.com/articles/s44185-025-00102-9
Sharaf, A., Nesengani, L. T., Hayah, I., Kuja, J. O., Mdyogolo, S., Omotoriogun, T. C., Odogwu, B. A., Beedessee, G., Smith, R. M., Barakat, A., Moila, A. M., Hamouchi, A. E., Benkahla, A., Boukteb, A., Elmouhtadi, A., Mafwila, A. L., Abushady, A. M., Elsherif, A. K., Ahmed, B., Wairuri, C., Ndiribe, C. C., Ebuzome, C., Kinnear, C. J., Ndlovu, D-F., Iraqi, D., Fahime, E. El., Assefa, E., Ouardi, F., Belharfi, F. Z., Tmimi, F. Z., Markey, F. B., Radouani, F., Zeukeng, F., Mvumbi, G. L., Ganesan, H., Hanachi, M., Nigussie, H., Charoute, H., Benamri, I., Mkedder, I., Haddadi, I., Meftah-Kadmiri, I., Mubiru, J. F., Entfellner, J-B. K. D., Rokani, J. B., Ogwang, J., Daiga, J. B., Omumbo, J., Ideozu, J. E., Errafii, K., Labuschagne, K., Komi, K. K., Tonfack, L. B., Hadjeras, L., Ramantswana, M., Chaisi, M., Botes, M. W., Kilian, M., Kvas, M., Melloul, M., Chaouch, M., Khyatti, M., Abdo, M., Phasha-Muchemenye, M., Hijri, M., Mediouni, R. M., Hassan, M. A., Piro, M., Mwale, M., Maaloum, M., Mavhunga, M., Olivier, N. B., Aminou, O., Arbani, O., Souiai, O., Djocgoue, P. F., Mentag, R., Zipfel, R. D., Tata, R. B., Megnekou, R., Muzemil, S., Paez, S., Salifu, S. P., Kagame, S. P., Selka, S., Edwards, S., Gaouar, S. B. S., Reda, S. R. A., Fellahi, S., Khayi, S., Ayed, S., Madisha, T., Sahil,T., Udensi, O. U., Ras, V., Ezebuiro, V., Duru, V. C., David, X., Geberemichael, Y., Tchiechoua, Y. V., Mungloo-Dilmohamud, Z., Chen, Z., Happi, C., Kariuki, T., Ziyomo, C., Djikeng, A., Badaoui, B., Mapholi, N., Muigai, A., Osuji, J. O. & Ebenezer T. C. (2024). Establishing African genomics and bioinformatics programs through annual regional workshops. Nature Genetics. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41588-024-01807-6.
Fada, S. J., Omotoriogun, T. C., Amusa, T. O., Danmallam, B. A., Kumdet, P. S., Akintunde, E. & Muhammad, N. Z. (2024). Co – creation approaches to improve conservation efforts of African Elephant Populations in Nigeria. European Journal of Sustainable Development. , 13(4) 10.14207/ejsd.2024.v13n4p1
Eyo K. A, Omotoriogun TC, Julius K, & Apaka, J. (2023). New sightings and first photographs of the Kupe Bush-shrike Chlorophoneus kupeensis in Nigeria. Malimbus , 45 , 26-29.
James, F.R; Okafor C.I; Osinubi, S.T; Ivande, S; & Omotoriogun, T.C. (2023). Antipredatory call behavior of lapwing species in an Afrotropical environment. Avian Research , 14: 10013. DOI: 10.1016/j.avrs.2023.100137
Simon, O. G., Manu, S. A., Nwaogu, C. J., & Omotoriogun, T. C. (2023). Supplementing a grain diet with insects instead of fruits sustains the body condition of an omnivorous bird. Ecology and Evolution , 13: e10141.https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.10141
Fada, S. J., Omotoriogun, T. C., Tende, T., Abidemi, K., Awoyemi, A. G., Folaranmi, B., Ogunjinmi, A. A., Anthony, Jaiyeola, O., Pam, G., & Eniang, E. A. (2023). Wildlife Conservation in Nigeria: A perception of Professionals and Practitioners World Journal of Environmental Biosciences , 12(3) , 40-46 10.1016/j.avrs.2023.100137
Sharaf, A., Charlotte C. Ndiribe, Taiwo C. Omotoriogun, LinelleAbueg, Bouabid Badaoui, Fatu J. Badiane Markey, Girish Beedessee, DiagaDiouf, Vincent C. Duru, Chukwuike Ebuzome, Samuel C. Eziuzor, Yasmina Jaufeerally Fakim, Giulio Formenti, Nidhal Ghanmi, Fatma Zahra Guerfali,Isidore Houaga, Justin Eze Ideozu, Sally Mueni Katee, Slimane Khayi, Josiah O.Kuja, Emmanuel Hala Kwon-Ndung, Rose A. Marks, Acclaim M. Moila, Zahra Mungloo-Dilmohamud, Sadik Muzemil, Helen Negussie, Julian O. Osuji, Verena Ras, Yves H. Tchiechoua, Yedomon Ange Bovys Zoclanclounon, Krystal A.Tolley, Cathrine Ziyomo, Ntanganedzeni Mapholi, Anne Muigai, Appolinaire Djikeng, ThankGod Echezona Ebenezer. (2023). Open Institute of the African BioGenome Project: Bridging the gap in African biodiversity genomics and bioinformatics. Nature Biotechnology. , 41: , 1348–1354 https://www.nature.com/articles/s41587-023-01933-2
Adeyanju, T.E., Alarape, A.A., Musila, A, S., Adeyanju, A.T., Omotoriogun, T.C., Medina-Jerez, W., & Prokop, P. (2022). Human-bat relationships in Southwestern Nigerian Communities Anthrozoos A Multidisciplinary Journal of The Interactions of People & Animals https://doi.org/10.1080/08927936.2023.2166715
Ishong, A. J. & Omotoriogun T.C. (2022). Intra- and inter- annual variation in body mass of two species of weavers in an Afrotropical environment. Bird Study , 1-7 10.1080/00063657.2022.2151561
Isbell, I., Balvanera, P., Mori,A.S., He,J-S., Bullock,J.M., Regmi, G.R., Seabloom,E.W., Ferrier,S., Sala, O.E., Guerrero-Ramírez, N. R.,Tavella, J., Larkin1, D. J., Schmid, B., Outhwaite, C. L., Pramual, P., Borer, E.T., Loreau, M., Omotoriogun T.C., Obura, D. O., Anderson, M., Portales-Reyes, C., Kirkman, K., Vergara, P. M., Clark, A. T.,Komatsu,K. J.,Petchey, O. L., Weiskopf, S. R., Williams, L. J., Collins, S. L., Eisenhauer, N.,Trisos, C. H., Renard, D., Wright, A. J., Tripathi, P., Cowles, J., Byrnes, J.E. K., Reich, P. B., Purvis, A., Sharip, Z., O’Connor, M. I., Kazanski, C. E., Haddad, N. M., Soto, E. H.,Dee,L.E., Díaz, S., Zirbel, C. R., Avolio, M. L., Wang, S., Ma,Z., Liang, J., Farah, H. C., Johnson, J. A., Miller, B.W., Hautier, Y., Smith, M. D., Knops,J. M. H., Myers, B. J. E., Harmáčková, Z. V., Cortés, J., Harfoot, M. B. J., Gonzalez, A., Newbold,T., Oehri, J., Mazón, M., Dobbs, C. & Palmer, M. S. (2022). Expert perception on global biodiversity loss and its drivers and impact on people Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment doi:10.1002/fee.2536
taiwo.omotoriogun@elizadeuniversity.edu.ng
+2348138147243