Phyloinformatics and biodiversity: developing bioinformatic tools for understanding the dynamics of extinction and invasion within species assemblages. DNA sequence data provides an exciting new way to study biodiversity, because the genome of each organism records its evolutionary history. By analysing DNA sequences co-existing species, we can reconstruct the ecological and evolutionary history of a biological community. This allows us to track biodiversity changes over time, and examine how th ....Phyloinformatics and biodiversity: developing bioinformatic tools for understanding the dynamics of extinction and invasion within species assemblages. DNA sequence data provides an exciting new way to study biodiversity, because the genome of each organism records its evolutionary history. By analysing DNA sequences co-existing species, we can reconstruct the ecological and evolutionary history of a biological community. This allows us to track biodiversity changes over time, and examine how the state of a species assemblage determines which species are lost through extinction or gained through the invasion of exotic species. Understanding the factors that govern changes in biodiversity over time is essential for planning for future conservation in the face of a rapidly changing environment. Read moreRead less
Biogeography of avian mating systems: polyandry, reverse-plumage dimorphism, and sexual selection in Cape York and New Guinea eclectus parrots. Current sexual selection theory explains how one sex can be strongly sexually selected through competition or mate choice, or how sexual selection can push both sexes in the same direction through mutual mate choice. However, the strong and independent sexual selection in both sexes of eclectus parrot is unique amongst birds, and poses a major challenge ....Biogeography of avian mating systems: polyandry, reverse-plumage dimorphism, and sexual selection in Cape York and New Guinea eclectus parrots. Current sexual selection theory explains how one sex can be strongly sexually selected through competition or mate choice, or how sexual selection can push both sexes in the same direction through mutual mate choice. However, the strong and independent sexual selection in both sexes of eclectus parrot is unique amongst birds, and poses a major challenge to existing theory. Here I propose novel field experiments and biogeographical comparisons of populations in Cape York and New Guinea that, when combined with molecular techniques and spectro-radiometry, will identify the elements of competition and mate choice responsible for their extraordinary reverse plumage dimorphism.Read moreRead less
Interspecific communication and the evolution of alarm calls in birds. There are probably more papers on vocal communication in some individual European and American species of birds than there are on all Australian species combined. Our work will contribute to redressing this imbalance by carrying out detailed studies on acoustic communication in a major group of Australian songbirds (scrubwrens, fairy-wrens, honeyeaters and allies), while at the same time addressing an unsolved general problem ....Interspecific communication and the evolution of alarm calls in birds. There are probably more papers on vocal communication in some individual European and American species of birds than there are on all Australian species combined. Our work will contribute to redressing this imbalance by carrying out detailed studies on acoustic communication in a major group of Australian songbirds (scrubwrens, fairy-wrens, honeyeaters and allies), while at the same time addressing an unsolved general problem in call design first identified 50 years ago in European songbirds. Specifically, we will test whether different prey species have repeatedly evolved 'hawk' alarm calls of similar structure, and whether such evolution could be due to benefits of having similar calls when communicating with other prey species. Read moreRead less
Communication and predation in scrubwrens: alarm calls and eavesdropping. Animal behaviour, including acoustic communication, is shaped by the risk of being killed by predators. Many animals give alarm calls, potentially warning others of danger, and all face the risk that calls intended for conspecifics might be overheard by predators. We will use observations and playback experiments on birds to test what information is conveyed in alarm calls, and measure the risk of predators eavesdropping o ....Communication and predation in scrubwrens: alarm calls and eavesdropping. Animal behaviour, including acoustic communication, is shaped by the risk of being killed by predators. Many animals give alarm calls, potentially warning others of danger, and all face the risk that calls intended for conspecifics might be overheard by predators. We will use observations and playback experiments on birds to test what information is conveyed in alarm calls, and measure the risk of predators eavesdropping on the calls of young birds. Such work has never before been carried out on wild birds, and will contribute to the understanding of non-human communication about the environment and the design of signals.Read moreRead less
Sex and mutations - testing the genic capture hypothesis. The proposed project will use a novel method to test a major outstanding theoretical problem in evolutionary biology and behavioural ecology. This will strengthen Australian research in this field and contribute to the growing international recognition it currently receives. The new methods developed will be useful to other researchers interested in mutation, sexual selection and the evolution and maintenance of sex. Part of the project w ....Sex and mutations - testing the genic capture hypothesis. The proposed project will use a novel method to test a major outstanding theoretical problem in evolutionary biology and behavioural ecology. This will strengthen Australian research in this field and contribute to the growing international recognition it currently receives. The new methods developed will be useful to other researchers interested in mutation, sexual selection and the evolution and maintenance of sex. Part of the project will be conducted in collaboration with a leading researcher in the UK. This will strengthen the links between institution in Australia and the UK.Read moreRead less
Ecology and phylogeography of bird migration between Australia and New Guinea: paradise kingfishers as a model species. This project examines the evolutionary causes and ecological consequences of intra-tropical bird migration between north Australia and New Guinea, one of the major migration systems of the southern hemisphere. I will use the buff-breasted paradise kingfisher as a model species, exploiting two features of its biology (an aerodynamically costly tail and a breeding distribution wi ....Ecology and phylogeography of bird migration between Australia and New Guinea: paradise kingfishers as a model species. This project examines the evolutionary causes and ecological consequences of intra-tropical bird migration between north Australia and New Guinea, one of the major migration systems of the southern hemisphere. I will use the buff-breasted paradise kingfisher as a model species, exploiting two features of its biology (an aerodynamically costly tail and a breeding distribution with a large latitudinal range) to shed light on the costs, benefits, and ecological correlates of intra-tropical migration. Molecular markers will be used to identify non-breeding distributions, migratory patterns, and the biogeographic histories of the different breeding populations within Australia.Read moreRead less
What is the genetic relationship between attractiveness, fighting ability and fertilization success in field crickets? The persistence of extravagant male sexual features like horns and bright colours remains a puzzle. There are many theoretical explanations but empirical tests are still rare. This study, which uses selective breeding, will provide insight into the genetic basis of male sexual attractiveness and dominance. Although focused on an endemic field cricket the potential results have w ....What is the genetic relationship between attractiveness, fighting ability and fertilization success in field crickets? The persistence of extravagant male sexual features like horns and bright colours remains a puzzle. There are many theoretical explanations but empirical tests are still rare. This study, which uses selective breeding, will provide insight into the genetic basis of male sexual attractiveness and dominance. Although focused on an endemic field cricket the potential results have wider implications. They may be applicable to many animals of importance to the community, including livestock, domesticated animals, pests and native wildlife. All these animals are subject to selection pressure created by humans. This study will help us understand how selection on one trait (e.g. weight) may influence the evolution of another (e.g. lifespan).Read moreRead less
Fitness in free-living populations in a changing world. We understand very little about the evolutionary and ecological response of populations to periods of rapid environmental change or volatility. New methods raise the possibility dissecting the various causes of change, and their demographic consequences. However, these methods depend on long-term studies of the genealogy, survival and reproductive success of individuals. Data on the iconic superb fairy-wren will be used to establish this ....Fitness in free-living populations in a changing world. We understand very little about the evolutionary and ecological response of populations to periods of rapid environmental change or volatility. New methods raise the possibility dissecting the various causes of change, and their demographic consequences. However, these methods depend on long-term studies of the genealogy, survival and reproductive success of individuals. Data on the iconic superb fairy-wren will be used to establish this species as a model for the study of climate change, and the extent to which living in social groups helps or hinders evolutionary response to such change.Read moreRead less