Higher cognition and hemispheric specialization in an avian species: referential and intentional communication. We will discover whether alarm calls of Australian magpies, noted for their outstanding range of vocalisations, are referential (signalling predator type and location) and intentional (vocalised in specific contexts). Such complex communication , once thought to be unique to humans, has been found in some mammals and just one avian species, the domestic chick. This project will be the ....Higher cognition and hemispheric specialization in an avian species: referential and intentional communication. We will discover whether alarm calls of Australian magpies, noted for their outstanding range of vocalisations, are referential (signalling predator type and location) and intentional (vocalised in specific contexts). Such complex communication , once thought to be unique to humans, has been found in some mammals and just one avian species, the domestic chick. This project will be the first such investigation of an avian species in its natural habitat. This is important also because bird and mammalian brains are organised differently and birds offer a unique opportunity to discover whether one hemisphere is specialised for this purpose.Read moreRead less
What is the biological significance of electrosensitivity in crayfish? The finding that an Australian crayfish responds to low-level electrical signals in the surrounding water is the first report of electrosensitivity in an aquatic invertebrate. This project will investigate its unknown biological significance. The results will impact on behavioural studies in all aquatic invertebrates because they will now have to consider this factor. Some other decapod crustaceans will almost certainly be fo ....What is the biological significance of electrosensitivity in crayfish? The finding that an Australian crayfish responds to low-level electrical signals in the surrounding water is the first report of electrosensitivity in an aquatic invertebrate. This project will investigate its unknown biological significance. The results will impact on behavioural studies in all aquatic invertebrates because they will now have to consider this factor. Some other decapod crustaceans will almost certainly be found to be electrosensitive. Not only are these important subjects for behavioural analysis, many form the basis of important commercial aquaculture industries. The outcomes will enhance Australia's scientific standing and provide opportunities for students to become leaders in a new field. Read moreRead less
Visual processing of objects defined by coherent motion. Although the human brain can easily decode the complex visual scene, little is known about how the responsible neural circuits operate. For example, how is it that a camouflaged animal, such as a moth on the bark of a tree, becomes visible once it moves? To better understand the processes, this project aims to determine how different visual areas of the brain interact with each other to create a network that is responsible for detecting ....Visual processing of objects defined by coherent motion. Although the human brain can easily decode the complex visual scene, little is known about how the responsible neural circuits operate. For example, how is it that a camouflaged animal, such as a moth on the bark of a tree, becomes visible once it moves? To better understand the processes, this project aims to determine how different visual areas of the brain interact with each other to create a network that is responsible for detecting moving camouflaged objects. Knowing this will enable us to better understand the organisation and limitations of the brain.Read moreRead less
Evolution, learning, and the use of multiple cues in desert ant navigation. This research on desert ants benefits Australia by fostering an international collaboration with one of the best European scientists, training students, and increasing knowledge about Australia's unique fauna, helping us to appreciate and better manage our fragile desert environments. With this international link, students working on this and related projects benefit intellectually from mingling with an international com ....Evolution, learning, and the use of multiple cues in desert ant navigation. This research on desert ants benefits Australia by fostering an international collaboration with one of the best European scientists, training students, and increasing knowledge about Australia's unique fauna, helping us to appreciate and better manage our fragile desert environments. With this international link, students working on this and related projects benefit intellectually from mingling with an international community of scientists.Understanding insect behaviour also has benefits for robotics. Work on desert ants has already resulted in robotic applications, and our outcomes concerning the optimal integration of multiple spatial cues are especially relevant.Read moreRead less
Towards a behavioural ecology of navigational memories in desert ants. Navigational memories (path integration, systematic search, and landmark use) in a Central Australian desert ant (Melophorus bagoti) and a North African desert ant (Cataglyphis fortis) are studied at the ants? natural habitats. The project tests predictions about behavioural properties of memory (how quickly it can be acquired, how long it lasts, and how a conflicting event affects it), based on a cost-benefit analysis of the ....Towards a behavioural ecology of navigational memories in desert ants. Navigational memories (path integration, systematic search, and landmark use) in a Central Australian desert ant (Melophorus bagoti) and a North African desert ant (Cataglyphis fortis) are studied at the ants? natural habitats. The project tests predictions about behavioural properties of memory (how quickly it can be acquired, how long it lasts, and how a conflicting event affects it), based on a cost-benefit analysis of the functions of each memory system. The project launches the first systematic cost-benefit analysis of memory, to establish a behavioural ecology of memory. We hope that it inspires cost-benefit analyses of other functions of the brain.Read moreRead less
The entrainment of circadian rhythms in marsupial mammals: behavioural and sub-cellular investigation of non-rod, non-cone ocular photoreceptors. Our investigation will provide a contribution to understanding the role that photoreceptors play in the mechanisms that control circadian rhythms and will ultimately lead to a better understanding of the basic physiology of sleep and circadian cycles, their contribution to learning and memory and their impact on waking performance. Targeted drug develo ....The entrainment of circadian rhythms in marsupial mammals: behavioural and sub-cellular investigation of non-rod, non-cone ocular photoreceptors. Our investigation will provide a contribution to understanding the role that photoreceptors play in the mechanisms that control circadian rhythms and will ultimately lead to a better understanding of the basic physiology of sleep and circadian cycles, their contribution to learning and memory and their impact on waking performance. Targeted drug development and the design of lighting systems effective in regulating circadian rhythms will improve the quality of life and competitiveness of the many citizens who endure abnormal sleep/wakefulness schedules.Read moreRead less
How do bees orchestrate smooth landings? The results should pave the way for the development of novel, biologically inspired strategies for the control of landing in unmanned aerial vehicles. Endowing aircraft with the capability of autonomous flight and landing has been a major challenge in engineering technology. There is now considerable interest, nationally and world wide, in the development of small, intelligent, autonomous airborne vehicles for application in a number of areas of defense, ....How do bees orchestrate smooth landings? The results should pave the way for the development of novel, biologically inspired strategies for the control of landing in unmanned aerial vehicles. Endowing aircraft with the capability of autonomous flight and landing has been a major challenge in engineering technology. There is now considerable interest, nationally and world wide, in the development of small, intelligent, autonomous airborne vehicles for application in a number of areas of defense, surveillance and space exploration. The proposed research will help Australia maintain a leading edge in uncovering important biological principles of flight control that can be translated into useful technological applications.Read moreRead less
Perception of pain in simple nervous systems. Research over the past twenty years has revealed that cognitive behaviour in honeybees is much more sophisticated than hitherto assumed. The next frontier is to investigate whether these creatures are capable of experiencing pain. This study will measure the concentrations of biogenic amines and peptides in the haemolymph of injured honeybees, and the preferences of wounded individuals for pain killers to investigate whether bees are capable of exper ....Perception of pain in simple nervous systems. Research over the past twenty years has revealed that cognitive behaviour in honeybees is much more sophisticated than hitherto assumed. The next frontier is to investigate whether these creatures are capable of experiencing pain. This study will measure the concentrations of biogenic amines and peptides in the haemolymph of injured honeybees, and the preferences of wounded individuals for pain killers to investigate whether bees are capable of experiencing a sensation of pain. If the answer is positive, insects may provide new and simple models for the study of pain, and the results could lead to the formulation of guidelines for ethical experimentation with certain classes of invertebrates.Read moreRead less
Brain lateralization: its function, evolution, development and change with ageing. Brain research is undoubtedly one of the key research fields today. This project involves highly innovative research at the highest international level, keeping Australia at the forefront of research on brain lateralization, a very important field of brain research in humans and animals (co-founded by the applicant). This project 1) investigates dynamic changes of the developing, mature and ageing brain for vital ....Brain lateralization: its function, evolution, development and change with ageing. Brain research is undoubtedly one of the key research fields today. This project involves highly innovative research at the highest international level, keeping Australia at the forefront of research on brain lateralization, a very important field of brain research in humans and animals (co-founded by the applicant). This project 1) investigates dynamic changes of the developing, mature and ageing brain for vital functions using animal models, thus contributing importantly to our understanding of normal functions of the human brain, including some forms of mental dysfunction and also ageing; 2) trains postgraduate students at the highest standards and 3) maintains important collaboration with colleagues in Europe. Read moreRead less
A role for sleep in optimising attention. All animal brains are prediction machines, which allows even tiny flies to effectively navigate complex environments. To predict what will happen next is important for guiding attention, but also for detecting anything surprising. This project aims to understand how prediction is optimized by sleep in Drosophila flies. We aim to use electrophysiology and calcium imaging to map visual prediction error signals across the fly brain, and then determine how g ....A role for sleep in optimising attention. All animal brains are prediction machines, which allows even tiny flies to effectively navigate complex environments. To predict what will happen next is important for guiding attention, but also for detecting anything surprising. This project aims to understand how prediction is optimized by sleep in Drosophila flies. We aim to use electrophysiology and calcium imaging to map visual prediction error signals across the fly brain, and then determine how genetically controlled delivery of sleep regulates the quality and distribution of these signals. This knowledge will benefit our understanding of how brains balance a capacity for prediction versus surprise, by examining how evolution has solved this difficult problem in the smallest brains.Read moreRead less