Sylvain Billiard

Sylvain Billiard

Professeur

Groupe : Evolutionary ecology and genetics across different scales

Unité Evo-Eco-Paléo (EEP) – UMR 8198
CNRS / Université de Lille – Sciences et Technologies
Batiment SN2, bureau 107
59655 Villeneuve d’Ascq – FRANCE
Tel : 33 (0)3-20-43-40-254

Mail : sylvain.billiard@univ-lille.fr

Research Themes

Ecology and Evolution of Intra- and Inter-Specific Interactions
Mating systems evolution, especially plants (but not only)
Stochastic modelling of interactions between species
Process-based inference
Biology–Mathematics Interface
Biology–Humanities Interface

Keywords

Reproductive systems, self-incompatibility system, sexes and sexual dimorphism, plant–pollinator interactions
Evolution of dominance and intra-genomic interactions
Demography, mutation load, and extinction of sexually reproducing species
Horizontal transfer of genetic information and cultural evolution
Probabilistic modeling, scale change, microscopic modeling
Functional responses between prey and predators

Teaching

Master Biologie de l’Evolution et Ecologie and Graduate Program EvoBio :

Population and community ecology
Introduction to R and statistics (programming, data analysis)
Generalized Linear Models
Introduction to stochastic modeling for ecology and its approximations

Master 2 Mathématiques pour les Sciences du Vivant (Institut Polytechnique de Paris)

Knowledge Dissemination

Scientific culture (ALEA)
Organization of the Festival Science en Livre
Writing of Critical Catalogue of Popular Science Books
Various conferences (in french, ex. Toward a Necessary Reconciliation of Mathematics and Biology, Inequalities in Living Systems, What is life? let’s look at frontiers, Transitions in the evolution of living beings: why aren’t there only ‘individuals’?)
Talking about Math-Bio (in french, A biologist talking about mathematics)
Public readings and critical discussions of science texts (ex. Cambrai Media Library)
And other quirky fungal projects with artists (here or there)

Post-Doc

Thomas Brom (2016-2018)
Coralie Fritsch (2016-2017)

PhD students

Maths-Bio projectshttp://www.cmap.polytechnique.fr/~chaire-mmb/LogoMMB.jpg

Chaire Modélisation Mathématique et Biodiversité

Preprints :

Publications :

Billiard, S., Leman, H., Rey, T., Tran, V. C. (preprint) Continuous limits of large plant-pollinator random networks and some applications preprint arXiv:2201.05219 2022

Billiard, S., Brodu, V., Champagnat, N. Fritsch, C (preprint) An individual-based stochastic model reveals strong constraints on allometric relationships with minimal metabolic and ecological assumptions. preprint arXiv:2501.12257

Billiard, S, Medous, C., Smadi, C. (preprint) Spinal study of a population model for colonial species with interactions and environmental noise. preprint arXiv:2501.17608 2025

Baey, C., Billiard, S., Delattre, M (preprint) Disentangling the sources of variation in functional responses: between-individuals variability, measurements errors and inherent stochasticity of the prey-predator interaction process. bioRxiv

Mian, C., Billiard, S., Llaurens, V., Smadi, C. (preprint) Dynamics of Two Species with Density-Dependent Interactions in a Mutualistic Context. arXiv:2509.06062

Helmstetter, AJ, Mendez, M, Schonenberger, J, Burgarella, C, Anderson, B, Billiard, S., et al. Traits related to pollination and mating result in diverse reproductive strategies in angiosperms.

Castric, V.; Batista, R., Carré, A., Mousavi, S., Mazoyer, C., Godé, C. Gallina, S., Ponitzki, C., et al. (2024) The homomorphic self-incompatibility system in Oleaceae is controlled by a hemizygous genomic region expressing a gibberellin pathway gene

Bansaye, V., Berthelot, G., El Bachari, A., Chazottes, J.-R., Billiard, S. (preprint) Stochastic foraging paths primarily drives within-species variations of prey consumption rates bioRxiv

Stetsenko, R., Brom, T., Castric, V., Billiard, S. (2023) Balancing selection and the crossing of fitness valleys in structured populations: diversification in the gametophytic self-incompatibility system

Francq, A., Saumitou-Laprade, P., Vernet, P., Billiard, S. (2023) A Paradigm Shift, or a Paradigm Adjustment? The Evolution of the Oleaceae Mating System as a Small-Scale Kuhnian Case Study

Ecotière, C., Billiard, S., André, J.-B., Collet, P., Ferrière, R., Méléard, S. (2023); Human-environment feedback and the consistency of proenvironmental behavior

Tezenas, E., Giraud, T., Véber, A., Billiard, S. (2023) The fate of recessive deleterious or overdominant mutations near mating-type loci under partial selfing

Anderson, B., Pannell, J., Billiard, S., Burgarella, C.; de Boer, H., Dufay, M., et al. (2023) Opposing effects of plant traits on diversification

Francq, A., Billiard, S. (2023) review of “THE LAST WRITINGS OF THOMAS S. KUHN: INCOMMENSURABILITY IN SCIENCE”

Czuppon, P., Billiard, S. (2022) Revisiting the number of self‐incompatibility alleles in finite populations: From old models to new results

Voinson, M., Smadi, C., Billiard, S. (2022) How does the host community structure affect the epidemiological dynamics of emerging infectious diseases?

Tanghe, K., Billiard, S. (2022) The universal grammar of evolution

De Cauwer, I., Vernet, P., Billiard, S, Godé, C., Bourceaux, A., Ponitzki, C. and Saumitou-Laprade, P. (2021). Widespread coexistence of self-compatible and self-incompatible phenotypes in a diallelic self-incompatibility system in Ligustrum vulgare (Oleaceae). Heredity 127:384-392.

Billiard S., V. Castric, and V. Llaurens (2021). The integrative biology of genetic dominance. Biological Reviews 96:2925-2942.

Lesaffre T. and S. Billiard (2021). On deleterious mutations in perennials: inbreeding depression, mutation load and life-history evolution. The American Naturalist 197:E143–E155.

Durand, E., M. Chantreau, A. Leveve, R. Stetsenko, T. Lesaffre, C. Poux, M. Dubin, C. Roux, V. Llaurens, M. Genete, S. Billiard, X. Vekemans and Vincent Castric (2020). Evolution of self-incompatibility in the Brassicaceae : lessons from a textbook example of natural selection. Evolutionary Applications 13:1279-1297

Billiard S., M. Derex, L. Maisonneuve and T. Rey (2020). Convergence of knowledge in a cultural evolution model with population structure, random social learning and credibility biases Mathematical Models and Methods in Applied Science 30:2691-2723.

Fritsch, C., S. Billiard and N. Champagnat (2021). Identifying conversion efficiency as a key mechanism underlying food webs evolution: A step forward, or backward? Oikos 130:904-930.

Lepers, C., S. Billiard, M. Porte, S. Méléard and C. Tran (2021). Inference with selection, varying population size and evolving population structure: Application of ABC to a forward-backward coalescent process with interactions. Heredity 126:335-350.

Brom, T., V. Castric and S. Billiard (2020). Breakdown of gametophytic self-incompatibility in subdivided populations. Evolution 74-2: 270–282.

Lesaffre, T. and S. Billiard (2020). The joint evolution of lifespan and self-fertilisation. Journal of Evolutionary Biology 33:41-56. (also recommended by PCI Evol Biol)

Billiard, S. and C. Smadi (2020). Stochastic dynamics of three competing clones: Conditions and times for invasion, coexistence and fixation. The American Naturalist 195:463-484.

Voinson M., A. Alvergne, S. Billiard and C. Smadi (2018) Stochastic dynamics of an epidemic with recurrent spillovers from an endemic reservoir. Journal of Theoretical Biology 457:37-50.

Billiard S., V. Bansaye and J.-R. Chazottes (2018). Rejuvenating functional responses with renewal theory. Journal of the Royal Society Interface 15:20180239.

Saumitou-Laprade, P., P. Vernet, A. Dowkiw, S. Bertrand, S. Billiard, B. Albert, P.-H. Gouyon and M. Dufay (2018) Polygamy or subdioecy? The key impact of Diallelic Self-Incompatibility on the sexual system in Fraxinus excelsior (Oleaceae). Proceedings of the Royal Society 285:20180004

Billiard, S. and A. Alvergne (2018). Stochasticity in cultural evolution: a revolution yet to happen. History and Philosophy of the Life Sciences 40:9.

Abu Awad D. and S. Billiard. (2017) The double edged sword: The demographic consequences of the evolution of self-fertilisation. Evolution 71:1178-1190 (Article de vulgarisation associé, par la Grille Européenne de Calcul (EGI) : https://www.egi.eu/use-cases/research-stories/self-fertilization/ ).

Saumitou-Laprade, P., Vernet, P. Vekemans, X., Billiard, S., et al. (2017) Elucidation of the genetic architecture of self-incompatibility in olive: evolutionary consequences and perspectives for orchard management. Evolutionary Applications DOI:10.1111/eva.12457

Abu Awad D., S. Billiard and V. C. Tran. (2016) Perenniality induces high inbreeding depression in self-fertilising species. Theoretical Population Biology 112: 43-51.

Billiard, S., P. Collet, R. Ferrière, S. Méléard and V.C. Tran. (2016) The effect of competition and horizontal trait inheritance on invasion, fixation and polymorphism. Journal of Theoretical Biology 411: 48-58.

Billiard, S. and C. Smadi. (sous presse) The interplay of two mutations in a population of varying size: a stochastic eco-evolutionary model for clonal interference. Stochastic Processes and their Applications

Vernet, P., P. Lepercq, S. Billiard, A. Bourceaux, J. Lepart, D. Dommée, and P. Saumitou-Laprade. (2016) Evidence for the long-term maintenance of a rare self-incompatibility system in Oleaceae. New Phytologist 210: 1408-1417.

Voinson, M., S. Billiard and A. Alvergne (2015). Beyond rational decision-making: Modelling the influence of cognitive biases on the dynamics of vaccination coverage. PLoS ONE 10: e0142990.

V. Llaurens, M. Joron and S. Billiard (2015). Molecular mechanisms of dominance evolution in Müllerian mimicry. Evolution 69:3097-3108.

Van de Paer C., Saumitou-Laprade P., Vernet P. and Billiard S. (2015) The joint evolution and maintenance of self-incompatibility with androdioecy or gynodioecy. Journal of Theoretical Biology 371: 90-101

Chantreau, M., Chabbert, B., Billiard, S., Hawkins, S. and Neutelings, G.(2015) Functional analysis of cellulose synthase genes in flax (Linum usitatissimum) by virus-induced gene silencing. Plant Biotechnology Journal 13: 1312-1324.

Billiard, S., L. Husse, P. Lepercq, C. Godé, A. Bourceaux, J. Lepart, P. Vernet, P. Saumitou-Laprade. (2015) Selfish male-determining element favors the transition from hermaphroditism to androdioecy. Evolution 69: 683-693.

Billiard, S., R. Ferrière, S. Méléard and V.C. Tran. (2015) Stochastic dynamics of adaptive trait and neutral marker driven by eco-evolutionary feedbacks. Journal of Mathematical Biology 71:1211-1242.

Castric, V., S. Billiard and X. Vekemans. 2014. Trait transitions in explicit ecological and genomic contexts: Plant mating systems as case-studies, p:7-36 in C. Landry and N. Aubin-Horth (eds.), Ecological Genomics: Ecology and the Evolution of Genes and Genomes. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology 781, Springer Science C Business Media Dordrecht

Durand, E., Meheust, R., Soucaze M., Goubet P., Gallina S., Poux, C., Fobis-Loisy I., Gaude T., Sarrazin A., Figeac M., Prat E., Marande W., Bergès H., Vekemans, X., Billiard, S., and Castric, V. (2014) Dominance hierarchy arising from a complex small RNA regulatory network. Science 346:1200-1205 .

Lepers, C., M. Dufay, and S. Billiard. (2014) How does pollination mutualism affect the evolution of prior self-fertilization? A model. Evolution 68: 3581-3598.

Gervais, C. , Abu Awad, D., Roze, D., Castric, V. and Billiard, S. (2014) Genetic architecture of inbreeding depression and the maintenance of gametophytic self-incompatibility. Evolution 68:3317-3324.

Cuvillier-Hot V., K. Salin, S. Devers, A. Tasiemski, P. Schaffner, R. Boulay, S. Billiard and A. Lenoir (2014). Impact of ecological doses of the most widespread phthalate on a terrestrial species, the ant Lasius niger. Environmental Research 131:104-110.

Abu Awad, D., S. Gallina, C. Bonamy and S. Billiard (2014). How the interaction between selection, demography and selfing affects population viability. PlOS One 9:e86125.

Llaurens, V., S. Billiard and M. Joron (2013). The effect of dominance on polymorphism in a Müllerian mimicry system. Journal of Theoretical Biology 337: 101-110

Nieuwenhuis, B.P.S., S. Billiard, S. Vuilleumier, E. Petit, M.E. Hood, and T. Giraud (2013) Evolutionary advantages and drawbacks of uni- versus bi-factoriality in mating type determinism. Heredity 111, 445-455

Husse, L., S. Billiard, J. Lepart, P. Vernet and P. Saumitou-Laprade (2013) A one locus model of androdioecy with two homomorphic self-incompatibility groups: expected vs. observed male frequencies. Journal of Evolutionary Biology 26:1269-1280.

Leducq, J.B., C. Siniarsky, C. Gosset, C. Godé, M. Poiret, B. Valentin, C. Blondel, C. Poux, N. Hautekeete, Y. Piquot, S. Billiard and X. Vekemans (2013) Intriguing small-scale spatial distribution of chloropastic and nuclear diversity in the endangered plant Biscutella neustriaca (Brassicaceae). Conservation Genetics 14:65-77.

Billiard, S., M. Lopez-Villavicencio, Hood, M., and T. Giraud (2012) Sex, outcrossing and mating types: Unsolved questions in fungi and beyond. Journal of Evolutionary Biology 25: 1020-1038.

Billiard, S., and V.C. Tran (2012). A general stochastic model of the sporophytic self-incompatibility system. Journal of Mathematical Biology 64: 163-210.

Billiard, S. and Castric, V. (2011) Evidence for Fisher’s dominance theory: how many ‘special cases’? Trends in Genetics 11: 441-445.

Gervais, C., Castric, V., Ressayre, A., and Billiard S. (2011). Origin and diversification dynamics of self-incompatibility haplotypes. Genetics 88: 625-636.

Billiard, S., M. Lopez-Villavicencio, B. Devier, M. E. Hood, C. Fairhead, and T. Giraud (2011). Having sex, yes, but with whom? Inferences from fungi on the evolution of anisogamy and mating types. Biological Reviews 86: 421-442.

Leducq, J.B., C. Gosset, M. Poiret, F. Hendoux, X. Vekemans and S. Billiard (2010) An experimental study of the S-Allee effect in the self-incompatible Biscutella neustriaca (Brassicaceae). Conservation Genetics 11, 497-508.

Llaurens V., L. Gonthier, and S. Billiard (2009) The sheltered genetic load linked to the S-locus in plants: new insights from theoretical and empirical approaches in sporophytic self-incompatibility. Genetics 83: 1105-1118

Llaurens V., S. Billiard, V. Castric, and X. Vekemans (2009) Evolution of dominance in sporophytic self-incompatibility systems: I. Genetic load and co-evolution of levels of dominance in pollen and pistil. Evolution 63: 2427-2437

Chevin, L.M., S. Billiard, and F. Hospital (2008) Hitchhiking both ways: effect of two interfering selective sweeps on linked neutral variation. Genetics 180: 301-316.

Llaurens V., S. Billiard, J.B. Leducq, V. Castric, E.K. Klein, and X. Vekemans (2008) Does frequency-dependent selection with complex dominance interactions accurately predict allelic frequencies at the self-incompatibility locus in Arabidopsis halleri? Evolution 62:2545-2557

Billiard, S. (2008) NESSI: A program for numerical estimations in sporophytic self-incompatibility genetic systems. Molecular Ecology resources 8: 295-298.

Billiard S., V. Castric and X. Vekemans (2007). A general model to explore complex dominance patterns in plant sporophytic self-incompatibility systems. Genetics 175: 1351-1369.

Billiard S. and T. Lenormand. (2005). Evolution of migration under kin selection and local adaptation. Evolution 59: 13-23.

Billiard S., C. Faurie and M. Raymond (2005). Maintenance of handedness polymorphism in humans: A frequency-dependent selection model. Journal of Theoretical Biology 235: 85-93.

Faurie C., Schiefenhövel W., Le Bomin S., Billiard S. and Raymond M. (2005). Variability of the frequency of left-handedness in traditional societies. Current Anthropology 46: 142-147.

Rousset F. and S. Billiard (2000). A theoretical basis for measures of kin selection in subdivided populations: finite populations and localized dispersal. Journal of Evolutionary Biology 3: 814-825.