His research focus is on the characterization of Nigerian small–mammal fauna, especially muroid rodents, as they are spread across different ecological zones within the country. Major interests are also in determining their appropriate taxonomic status in comparison to related populations in other areas across Africa. Currently, Dr. Ayodeji Olayemi is building a collection of ethanol-preserved tissues, skins and skeletal components that will serve as taxonomic reference materials for these mammals as they have been characterized.

Recently, within the scope of his just-completed Ph.D research in sites across the rainforest and derived-savanna zones of south western Nigeria, specimens from the rodent groups Cricetomys, the Praomys group , Arvicanthis, Lemniscomys and Lophuromys were collected . These specimens have been characterized morphometrically and sequenced for DNA (cytochrome b gene) and results indicate that most of the taxa encountered are heterogeneous in comparison to other populations currently grouped under the same species across West Africa and other parts of the African continent. These results, with further corroboration, should lead to a revision of the taxonomic status of the populations in south western Nigeria.

The findings are currently being prepared for publication, a case in point for example being: Nicolas V., Mboumba J. F., Verheyen E., Denys C., Lecompte E., Olayemi A. & Colyn M. (Submitted). Phylogeographical structure and regional history of Lemniscomys straitus (Rodentia: Muridae) in tropical Africa. Molecular Ecology.

In addition to publishing results from his Ph. D thesis, Dr. Olayemi intends to use his unprecedented morphometric and molecular data as a springboard for further comparative investigations extending northward into the savanna zones of Nigeria, with their diversity of rodents and other small mammals that have yet to be explored in this particular context.

RELATED QUALIFICATIONS AND INTERESTS

• Course in rodent taxonomy and collection management at the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Brussels, Belgium, 2005 (Organized under the auspices of the Global Taxonomy Initiative)
• Course in computer proficiency at Covenant Computers, Ilorin, Kwara State. Additionally acquired skills in statistical (morphometric) analysis using Palaeontological Statistics Software (PAST) by Hammer et al 2001; and molecular (DNA barcoding) analysis using Molecular Evolutionary and Genetics Analysis software by Kimar et al 2001.
• Member, Nigerian Field Society

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