Neuro-ecology: information processing under natural conditions. Not enough is known about how sensory information is processed through the brain under natural environmental conditions. This project will shed light on how information processing changes with context and will help explain why even those animals with the smallest brains are much more versatile and robust than our most advanced robots.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE180100949
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$365,058.00
Summary
Did colour vision evolve in the dark? This project aims to investigate the ability of fishes to perceive colour in dim-light conditions by studying representatives from two delicate and endangered ecosystems, coral reefs (nocturnal fish) and the deep-sea. Through a multidisciplinary approach to understanding colour vision and animal behaviour, this study expects to fill a knowledge gap in visual neuroscience and ecology while adding to the understanding of how marine creatures see and interact. ....Did colour vision evolve in the dark? This project aims to investigate the ability of fishes to perceive colour in dim-light conditions by studying representatives from two delicate and endangered ecosystems, coral reefs (nocturnal fish) and the deep-sea. Through a multidisciplinary approach to understanding colour vision and animal behaviour, this study expects to fill a knowledge gap in visual neuroscience and ecology while adding to the understanding of how marine creatures see and interact. This should provide benefits in conservation and management strategies and may also inspire the development of new sensor technologies.Read moreRead less
Adaptive Morphology and Evolution of Invasive Rabbits and Hares. This project aims to uncover the morphological variation that allows rapid adaptive evolution in two invasive species, the rabbit and hare. This project expects to generate new knowledge at the interface between invasion biology and evolutionary biology, using cutting-edge methods to phenotype widespread populations. This project will address key inter-related hypotheses of rapid adaptive evolution at temporal, spatial and phylogen ....Adaptive Morphology and Evolution of Invasive Rabbits and Hares. This project aims to uncover the morphological variation that allows rapid adaptive evolution in two invasive species, the rabbit and hare. This project expects to generate new knowledge at the interface between invasion biology and evolutionary biology, using cutting-edge methods to phenotype widespread populations. This project will address key inter-related hypotheses of rapid adaptive evolution at temporal, spatial and phylogenetic scales, particularly about changing morphologies involved role in locomotion and dispersal ability. Expected outcomes of this project include a comprehensive phenotypic database of these two species and identifying how these invasive species are adapting to the Australian landscape.Read moreRead less
The evolution of biological scaling. This project aims to understand why so few biological traits scale proportionally with body size. In contrast to previous mechanistic studies of this longstanding question, the problem will be approached from an evolutionary viewpoint, using artificial selection to engineer animals in which biological scaling laws are either broken or enhanced. By measuring the consequences of this for fitness, the project will provide a new understanding of how organismal si ....The evolution of biological scaling. This project aims to understand why so few biological traits scale proportionally with body size. In contrast to previous mechanistic studies of this longstanding question, the problem will be approached from an evolutionary viewpoint, using artificial selection to engineer animals in which biological scaling laws are either broken or enhanced. By measuring the consequences of this for fitness, the project will provide a new understanding of how organismal size and physiology evolve in nature. The approach should provide significant benefits to our understanding of the role of genetic constraints in hindering or facilitating biological adaptation, furthering our understanding of the capacity of animals to respond to environmental change.Read moreRead less
Quantitative measures of brain evolution in early vertebrates. Why and how do brains become bigger? Using new quantitative methods of assessing the number of neurons with respect to both brain and body size, the project will trace the ways in which the brain (and its component parts) has evolved in a range of early vertebrates. The results will enable us to trace the evolution of cognitive abilities in animals.