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Projects within the Evolutionary Genetics and Ecology Program
Plant functional ecology and evolution
How do plant architecture, morphology, and physiology interact to determine the ecological attributes of plant species; and how do these characteristics vary both within and between species? Research in my lab examines relationships between leaf-level and whole-plant responses to variation in resource availability - whole-plant physiology, or ecophysiology. Current projects underway examine plant reproductive biology, evolution of leaf shape in Australian and South African groups, and the evolutionary significance of phenotypic plasticity
Dr Adrienne Nicotra
T: 6125 5573
E: adienne.nicotra@anu.edu.au
W: http://www.anu.edu.au/BoZo/staffandstudents/staffprofiles/nicotra.php
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Infrared image of temperature variation across the surface of a Pelargonium leaf |
Mate Choice in a Fiddler Crab
In many animal species it has been shown that females have strong, inherent mating preferences. These can be demonstrated by giving females a simple choice between alternative signals under controlled laboratory conditions. Under natural conditions, however, mate choice is far more complex. There are many constraints that could prohibit females from expressing their preferences: temporal or energetic constraints; predation risk or the variation in resource quality; male-male competition and variation in the operational sex ratio. The focus of this PhD project will be the many biotic and abiotic factors that influence a female's ability to express her underlying preferences.
Dr Pat Backwell
T: 6125-5481 F: 6125-5573
E: pat.backwell@anu.edu.au
W: http://www.anu.edu.au/BoZo/backwell3/
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Population variation in a Fiddler Crab
Populations of fiddler crabs occur can in very different ecological settings. Within a single species, some populations live on vast, open mudflats that get inundated by every high tide while other populations live further away from the sea edge, on higher, drier sediments that get covered by high tides only very occasionally. These different ecological conditions are likely to have profound effects on many aspects of the crab's lives. High tides are required to replenish the crab's food, and to facilitate mating and larval release. This project will look at the many ways in which ecological differences affect population structure and behaviour.
Dr Pat Backwell
T: 6125-5481 F: 6125-5573
E: pat.backwell@anu.edu.au
W: http://www.anu.edu.au/BoZo/backwell3/
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Multiple Mating in a Fiddler Crab
There are two distinct types of mating systems in fiddler crabs: burrow mating and surface mating. In burrow mating, males wave their enlarged claw to attract females into their burrows for mating. Females visit several waving males before choosing a mate. In surface mating, males do not wave. Instead they approach females at the female's burrow entrance and harass her into mating with him. There appears to be little opportunity for female mate choice in surface mating. This PhD project will examine several aspects of the mating system: Do surface mated females actually use the sperm from the surface mated male? Do surface mated females go on to burrow mate after surface mating? Do larger males surface mate more? Do females store sperm from pervious matings?
Dr Pat Backwell
T: 6125-5481 F: 6125-5573
E: pat.backwell@anu.edu.au
W: http://www.anu.edu.au/BoZo/backwell3/
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Ecology of Australian plant-mycorrhizal associations
Mycorrhizae are beneficial organisms whi facilitate the uptake of phosphorous to plant roots. We study the evolutionary relationship among mycorrhizae on co-existing Australian native plants species. The possibility to use mycorrhizae to germinate and cultivate rare and endangered native Australian plants are also investigated.
Dr Celeste Linde
T: 02-61257682 F: 02-61255573
E: celeste.linde@anu.edu.au
W: http://www.anu.edu.au/BoZo/staffandstudents/staffprofiles/linde.php
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The meaning of alarm calls in birds
Many animals give alarm calls, potentially warning others of danger, but we usually do not know the specific meaning of these calls, and most studies on meaning have been on mammals. Some calls might warn of specific types of predators, while others might give information on the degree of danger and therefore urgency of escape. We use observations and playback experiments on wild birds to test what information is conveyed in alarm calls.
Assoc. Prof. Rob Magrath
E: robert.magrath@anu.edu.au
W: http://www.anu.edu.au/BoZo/staffandstudents/staffprofiles/magrath.php
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Predatory pied currawong in flight. Scrubwrens alarm calls reveal how close it is. Photo by Rob Magrath. |
Communication among species and the evolution of alarm signals
The remarkable similarity of aerial alarm calls among different species of European songbirds is used as a textbook example of the convergent evolution of a signal design, apparently to thwart eavesdropping by hawks. We will record and compare calls among an Australian group of birds to test whether similarity in alarm calls is due to convergence or shared ancestry, and carry out playback experiments to test a second potential benefit that call similarity could facilitate communication among prey species.
Assoc. Prof. Rob Magrath
E: robert.magrath@anu.edu.au
W: http://www.anu.edu.au/BoZo/staffandstudents/staffprofiles/magrath.php
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Parent-offspring communication
Most studies about communication within avian families have focused on nestlings begging for food from parents. However, parents can also communicate with their young about food and predators. In particular, parents can give "food calls" when they arrive at the nest, apparently prompting young to beg, and alarm calls, that can silence noisy nestlings. However, little is known about the use and meaning of these calls. This study would entail recording of natural interactions in birds in combination with playback experiments.
Assoc. Prof. Rob Magrath
E: robert.magrath@anu.edu.au
W: http://www.anu.edu.au/BoZo/staffandstudents/staffprofiles/magrath.php
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Adult scrubwrens give complex "food calls" at the nest and warn young of danger. Photo by Ben Pitcher. |
Behavioural ecology of birds
I have broad interests in bird breeding biology and social behaviour, in addition to my current research on alarm calls and parent-offspring communication. I have had students working on brood division, hatching asynchrony, social organization, mating systems and vocal duetting, and am happy for prospective students to suggest their own projects.
Assoc. Prof. Rob Magrath
E: robert.magrath@anu.edu.au
W: http://www.anu.edu.au/BoZo/staffandstudents/staffprofiles/magrath.php
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Pair of magpie-larks duetting. Photo by Michelle Hall. |
Ecomorphology of aquatic organisms
Ecomorphology is the study of how an organism's morphology can directly influence their patterns of resource use. Uncovering such links often requires an interdisciplinary approach, involving techniques in biomechanics, physiology, behavioural ecology, phylogenetics and/or biogeography. I have several projects in this area, ranging from an examination of flow tolerance and distribution patterns in aquatic plants, to the implications of swimming performance and behaviour for habitat-use in fish.
Dr Chris Fulton
E: christopher.fulton@anu.edu.au
W: http://www.anu.edu.au/BoZo/staffandstudents/staffprofiles/fulton.php
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Measuring benthic organisms on reefs around Lizard Island. Photo by Chris Fulton. |
Functional ecology and conservation of aquatic communities
Effective conservation strategies are heavily reliant on understanding the wider ecosystem effects of species loss. If a species is removed, will their 'job' in the ecosystem be taken up by another species? I have various aquatic projects in this theme, with an example being a comparison of coastal fish communities inside and outside marine reserves to determine if fishing selectively removes species from specific trophic groups. Some of these projects will require boating and diving qualifications.
Dr Chris Fulton
E: christopher.fulton@anu.edu.au
W: http://www.anu.edu.au/BoZo/staffandstudents/staffprofiles/fulton.php
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Counting fishes on the Great Barrier Reef. Photo by Michael O'Leary. |
The Ecology and Population Genetics of Orchid Pollinators
This project would begin the first investigation of the ecology and population genetics of thynnine wasp orchid pollinators. Thynnine wasps are the predominant pollinator of sexually deceptive Australian orchids and represent a large and diverse group of Australasian wasps. No project of this kind has ever been attempted and there is limited knowledge concerning the biology of thynnine wasps in general. A strong background in entomology and molecular ecology is desirable for this project.
Dr Rod Peakall
T: 02 6125 0022 F: 02 6125 5573
E: rod.peakall@anu.edu.au
W: http://www.anu.edu.au/BoZo/staffandstudents/staffprofiles/peakall.php
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A male thynnine wasp pollinator which has been sexually attracted to the orchid Chiloglottis reflexa. |
Pollen and Gene Flow in Sexually Deceptive Orchids
This project would combine field experiments, new DNA based genetic markers and novel statistical approaches. Until now an understanding of gene flow in orchids has been hampered by the unique features of orchid biology. A strong background in ecology and population genetics is desirable for this project.
Dr Rod Peakall
T: 02 6125 0022 F: 02 6125 5573
E: rod.peakall@anu.edu.au
W: http://www.anu.edu.au/BoZo/staffandstudents/staffprofiles/peakall.php
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The orchid Chiloglottis reflexa, one of many sexually deceptive orchids in Australia. |
The Chemistry of Speciation in Sexually Deceptive Orchids
This challenging project will combine field experiments, GC-MS analysis and chemistry and provides an exciting opportunity to discover new compounds and to develop novel procedures for their chemical synthesis. A very strong background in chemistry is essential for this project. The project would be co-supervised by a chemist.
Dr Rod Peakall
T: 02 6125 0022 F: 02 6125 5573
E: rod.peakall@anu.edu.au
W: http://www.anu.edu.au/BoZo/staffandstudents/staffprofiles/peakall.php
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The orchid Chiloglottis valida uses a single novel compound to sexually attract its pollinators |
Sexual selection in field crickets
Sexual selection has lead the evolution of bizarre, costly and extravagant traits in males and unusual behaviours in females. In field crickets males call vigorously to attract females. Females prefer some males over others and this is visible as increased rates of attraction of females to certain call types, reduced latency to mating when courted and variation in the duration over which the female allows a male to transfer sperm. Using a variety of experimental techniques and specialised equipment we are currently investigating the trade-off between male calling effort, fine-scale call features, sperm production and immune function and how these are affected by dietary resources. We are also interested in understanding why females, despite being choosy, also seem eager to mate with several different males.
Dr Michael Jennions
E: Michael.Jennions@anu.edu.au
W: http://www.anu.edu.au/BoZo/staffandstudents/staffprofiles/jennions.php
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Genital evolution in freshwater fish
The appearance of a species depends on how body parts scale with body weight. Despite much variation in scaling across species (e.g. wallaby and wombat limbs), within each species scaling relationships are precise: body size accurately predicts trait size. Is this due to natural selection against deviant growth patterns or developmental and genetic processes that `canalization, trait growth and constrain the evolution of scaling relationships? To quantify the importance of selection we are artificially selecting for new scaling relationships for male genitalia in a freshwater fish. In these fish genitalia show very tight scaling relationships. If we can change the relative size of male genitalia in different selection lines we can then compare the fitness of males with relatively smaller and larger genitalia than occur naturally. Genitalia are thought to be sexually selected, making them strong predictors of evolutionary fitness. This study is likely to lead to important insights into the selection pressures that shape their evolution. We are particularly interested in any changes in body shape and fin size that might accompany evolution of genital size and how these affect swimming performance.
Dr Michael Jennions
E: Michael.Jennions@anu.edu.au
W: http://www.anu.edu.au/BoZo/staffandstudents/staffprofiles/jennions.php
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Tempo and mode of molecular evolution.
The use of genetic data to investigate evolutionary history is revolutionizing biology, across fields ranging from the origin of animals over half a billion years ago to the emergence of new viral diseases. But if the rate of molecular evolution can vary between species, can we trust molecular data to give us an accurate historical record? We make use of the vast databases of DNA sequences available on the internet to investigate aspects of a species biology, ecology or evolution that might influence rates of molecular evolution - such as body size, population size, social structure, rate of adaptation, speciation rate, and parasitism. This work suits students interested in using bioinformatics to investigate topics in evolutionary biology.
Dr Lindell Bromham
E: Lindell.Bromham@anu.edu.au
W: http://www.anu.edu.au/BoZo/staffandstudents/staffprofiles/bromham.php
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Population genomics of oil genes in Eucalyptus globulus
Leaf traits such as essential oils are important in plant defence and attraction of pollinators in Eucalyptus. Our lab has recently discovered many of the genes that code for the production of leaf oils in Eucalyptus and we are now interested in examining how these genes influence the variation in oils across the natural geographic range of Eucalyptus globulus. This project would determine the genetic structure of E. globulus across the geographic range of the species and enable comprehensive genomic analyses including nucleotide diversity, haplotype frequencies, linkage disequilibrium, diversity in exons vs. introns, selection tests and geographic pattern analysis. This project could enable you to spend a period of time working in Finland.
Prof. William Foley
E: William.Foley@anu.edu.au
W: http://www.anu.edu.au/BoZo/staffandstudents/staffprofiles/foley.php
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Genetic basis of mosaic resistance within trees of Eucalypt species
Trees with mosaic resistance to Christmas beetles have been documented in several eucalypt species, including E.melliodora, E. sideroxylon and E. camaldulensis. Differential insect damage has been linked to chemical changes in the leaves of resistant and susceptible branches. For each tree neutral SSR markers will be assayed to test that resistant and susceptible branches are from the same tree. Resistant and susceptible branches will be assayed for chemical traits and for suite of terpene synthase genes. The aim is to find somatic genome changes responsible for differential insect resistance within trees. This project would enable an interested student top spend a period of time with our collaborators in Germany
Prof. William Foley
E: William.Foley@anu.edu.au
W: http://www.anu.edu.au/BoZo/staffandstudents/staffprofiles/foley.php
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Mining the Eucalyptus genome
The availability of complete genome sequences for plants and animals provides unparalleled opportunities for discovering the genetic basis of adaptation to particular environments. Our laboratory has access to the newly completed genome of Eucalyptus and this provides a basis for many different projects in bioinformatics looking at the diversity of genes of particular families and the evolution of complex traits that limit the response of eucalypts to climate change and saline soils. This project would require a strong interest in bioinformatics but you would be among the first to work with the data from Australia’s dominant tree. This project would enable you to spend time working with our partners in Japan.
Prof. William Foley
E: William.Foley@anu.edu.au
W: http://www.anu.edu.au/BoZo/staffandstudents/staffprofiles/foley.php
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Managing and identifying disease resistance genes in the barley scald pathogen
Durable resistance in crop plants is difficult to achieve because pathogens typically evolve much faster than plant breeders can plug resistance genes into crops. Here we use population genetics and knowledge of a specific avirulence gene in Rhynchosporium secalis to determine the best way to manage existing resistance genes. We also seek alternative resistance genes in the centre of origin of the pathogen, and study the influence of other hosts (e.g. barley grass) on selection and evolution of R. secalis avirulence genes in Australia.
Dr Celeste Linde
T: 02-61257682 F: 02-61255573
E: celeste.linde@anu.edu.au
W: http://www.anu.edu.au/BoZo/staffandstudents/staffprofiles/linde.php
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Population biology of plant diseases
Plant diseases are a major constraint to plant health and provide excellent study systems for many evolutionary questions e.g. co-evolution and co-speciation. We use molecular and phenotypic markers to their phylogeography and population genetics including evolutionary forces such as gene flow, mating systems, drift and selection.
Dr Celeste Linde
T: 02-61257682 F: 02-61255573
E: celeste.linde@anu.edu.au
W: http://www.anu.edu.au/BoZo/staffandstudents/staffprofiles/linde.php
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Population genetics & phylogeography of Australian Pelargoniums
The link between genes and an organism's physical or functional attributes (phenotype) is not straight-forward. The same genetic individual can express a range of phenotypes depending on environment. To understand how the genetic code links to function and evolution of organisms in nature we must ask: how does natural selection act on the variable phenotype? The proposed project investigates these questions using a model plant system: Australian native Pelargoniums. It will involve field-work throughout temperate Australia. The student on the project will use exciting new techniques in plant ecological physiology, and state-of-the-art population genetic approaches to examine the role of phenotypic variation in the evolution of these native plants.
Dr Adrienne Nicotra, Dr Rod Peakall
T: 6125 5573
E: adienne.nicotra@anu.edu.au
W: http://www.anu.edu.au/BoZo/staffandstudents/staffprofiles/nicotra.php
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Pelargonium australe |
How does phosphorus deficiency influence respiration rates in plant species adapted to contrasting habitats?
Nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) are the two most important nutrients affecting plant metabolic capacity. Plant tissue nitrogen concentration ([N]) has been shown to scale with R in both leaves and roots, and this knowledge has been used to parameterise large scale models predicting future rates of CO2 exchange between vegetation and the atmosphere. In contrast, much less is known about the extent to which tissue phosphorus concentration ([P]) influences R in natural environments, or whether the relative abundances of P and N are important in determining R in leaves and roots. In addition, the impact of P deficiency on the temperature response of plant R is unknown, even though it is widely recognised that quantification of the response by R to warming needs to be improved. Phosphorus supply is thought to be limiting in approximately 30% of terrestrial ecosystems; and because of this, together with likely future global shortages of phosphorus and global climatic change over the 21st century, there is an urgent need to quantify how [P] influences plant R. Accordingly, this PhD project will use lab-and field-based experiments to: (1) quantify the influence of P limitation on scaling relationships linking R to [N] in plant species representative of contrasting environments; and, (2) establish how P limitation impacts on the dynamic response of respiration to short- and long-term temperature changes.
Assoc Prof. Owen Atkin
E: owen.atkin@anu.edu.au
W: http://www.rsbs.anu.edu.au/Profiles/Marilyn_Ball/
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Are there systematic differences among contrasting plant species in the efficiency of respiratory energy production?
Rates of plant respiration are critical in determining the extent to which atmospheric carbon dioxide will be sequestered by the biosphere in a future, warmer world. This is because, on a global scale, plant respiration releases nearly ten times more carbon dioxide (one of the greenhouse gases responsible for global warming) than does the burning of fossil fuels etc. At the individual plant level, plant respiration releases into the atmosphere between 25-80% of the carbon dioxide previously fixed by photosynthesis. This release of carbon dioxide is not all wasteful, however, as coupled to the release of respiratory carbon dioxide is the production of energy necessary for the growth and survival of plants. Critical in determining the efficiency of respiratory energy production (i.e. the amount of energy produced per unit carbon dioxide released) is whether respiration in the mitochondria take place via the energy-producing how cytochrome oxidase (Cox) pathway or the energy-wasting, alternative oxidase (Aox) pathway. Understanding how environmental change impacts on the activity of these two pathways in intact tissues is critical to ascertaining whether climate-dependent alterations in respiratory CO2 release are coupled to changes in the production of ATP. If the efficiency of ATP synthesis does vary with climate, this could have profound implications for the growth rate and competitive ability of plants growing in natural environments. In this project, we will establish whether changes in temperature alter the ratio of Cox to Aox activity in intact leaves. This project will establish the impact of environmental gradients (e.g. water and nutrient availability, temperature and light) on the efficiency of respiratory energy production in inherently fast and slow growing plant species adapted to contrasting environments. Understanding the extent to which Aox and Cox pathway activity vary among and within species is essential if we are predict the extent to which environment-dependent changes respiratory carbon dioxide release are coupled to changes in the production of respiratory energy necessary for plant growth/survival.
Assoc Prof. Owen Atkin
E: owen.atkin@anu.edu.au
W: http://www.rsbs.anu.edu.au/Profiles/Marilyn_Ball/
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How long does a plant need to experience shade for new leaves to exhibit a shade phenotype?
When grown under low light conditions, many plant species acclimate via dynamic changes in biomass allocation (e.g. via making thinner, broader leaves) and physiology (e.g. increased allocation of nitrogen to pigments that intercept light and reduced investment in Rubisco; reduced rates of respiration). Such changes enable leaves to maximize the rate of photosynthetic carbon uptake and thus maintain growth rates in the shade. In recent years, several studies have also demonstrated that developing leaves cannot sense light directly; rather, they rely on signals from mature leaves. What is not known, however, is how long mature leaves need to be exposed to shade for developing leaves to possess a shade phenotype. We will use combine gas exchange and anatomical studies under controlled conditions to tackle this question.
Assoc Prof. Owen Atkin
E: owen.atkin@anu.edu.au
W: http://www.rsbs.anu.edu.au/Profiles/Marilyn_Ball/
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Ecophysiology of salinity and freezing tolerance
The goal of my research is to understand how physiological adaptations and responses to environmental stresses, particularly salinity and temperature, affect the structure and functioning of vegetation along environmental gradients.
Prof. Marilyn Ball
E: marilyn.ball@anu.edu.au
W: http://www.rsbs.anu.edu.au/Profiles/Marilyn_Ball/
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Coevolution between cuckoos and their hosts
Cuckoos lay their eggs in the nests of other birds and thereafter abandon their young to the host’s care. Parasitism by cuckoos imposes a heavy cost on hosts, because their own offspring die and they expend substantial time and energy rearing the cuckoo chick. Not surprisingly, hosts have evolved an array of defences against cuckoo parasitism. However, cuckoos have retaliated by evolving ever better means of fooling their hosts, giving rise to a coevolutionary arms race. Recent evidence reveals that the arms race has reached a uniquely advanced stage in the interactions between the Australian bronze-cuckoos and their hosts. Two experimental field projects are available for PhD students to investigate cuckoo – host arms races in Australia; (i) cuckoo chick discrimination in large-billed gerygones (field work in Cairns, Qld), and (ii) strategies for prevention of parasitism in superb fairy-wrens (field work in Canberra).
Dr Naomi Langmore
T: 02-61258436 F: 02-61255573
E: naomi.Langmore@anu.edu.au
W: http://www.anu.edu.au/BoZo/staffandstudents/staffprofiles/langmore.php
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A pallid cuckoo fledgling being fed by its white-plumed honeyeater host in Canberra. Photo by Julian Robinson |
The evolution of song in female birds
A historic bias towards behavioural studies in the temperate northern hemisphere has led to the perception that female bird song is rare and anomalous. However, recent studies have revealed that female song and duetting are widespread in the southern hemisphere. The aim of this project is to investigate this latitudinal divide by exploring the social and ecological conditions associated with female song, using a combination of phylogenetic comparative analyses and field experiments.
Dr Naomi Langmore
T: 02-61258436 F: 02-61255573
E: naomi.Langmore@anu.edu.au
W: http://www.anu.edu.au/BoZo/staffandstudents/staffprofiles/langmore.php
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