Keogh Group - Evolutionary biology & ecology of reptiles and amphibians

My primary research interest is the study and evaluation of evolutionary processes and we work mostly on reptile and frog systems because they are the animals I know the most about. My research interests and those of the group are quite broad. We 'concentrate' on four main research areas: molecular phylogenetics at all scales, comparative evolutionary biology, behavioural and molecular ecology, and natural history and conservation biology. Of course there is overlap between these research themes, particularly in some of the molecular methods used to tackle questions. What we do in each of these areas are described on my lab web site and have a look through our publications to get a better feel for what my group does.

For more information on our lab you can go to these links:

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The most up to date list of our publications can be found on our Keogh Lab web site.  You can also go to a complete list of publications on the ISI website.

Moths eating your clothes? It's actually their hungry little caterpillars: here's how to get rid of them

Story | Tuesday 4 January 2022
Have you opened your post-lockdown wardrobe, only to discover some of your beautiful summer clothes have holes in them? You’re probably blaming clothes moths but the real culprits are the larvae (caterpillars).

Study reveals surprising history of world’s largest lizard

Story | Tuesday 2 March 2021
The unusual breeding history of the Earth's largest living lizard - the Komodo dragon - has been laid bare in a new study from The Australian National University.
Python

Study plots pythons’ hisss-tory in Australia

Story | Thursday 3 December 2020
Pythons first arrived in Australia from Asia around 23 million years ago and then adapted to their new home by becoming incredibly diverse, according to new research.

Study shows how Australia’s burrowing frogs handle the heat

Story | Friday 19 June 2020
The unique genetic make-up of a group of Australian frogs could be the key to their survival, allowing them to better withstand our harsh climate.
The lizard and the egg: Liolaemus lizards break golden rule of biology

The lizard and the egg: lizards break golden rule of biology

Story | Thursday 14 February 2019
Researchers at the ANU Research School of Biology have made a remarkable discovery about a group of lizards, and how they've managed to thrive in extreme conditions on one of the world's highest mountain ranges.

The history behind our weird and wonderful animals

Story | Tuesday 13 November 2018
The amazing diversity we see in Australian animal developed early and has slowed considerably in the last 10 million years, say Ian Brennan and Scott Keogh from the ANU Research School of Biology.
Study reveals mass extinction event 35 million years ago

Study reveals mass extinction event 35 million years ago

Story | Thursday 23 March 2017
Biologists at The Australian National University (ANU) have found the first evidence of mass extinction of Australian animals caused by a dramatic drop in global temperatures 35 million years ago.

Ancient gecko shines light on Australian desert origins

Story | Monday 14 November 2016
Researchers have discovered an ancient species of gecko in the ranges of Central Australia which may shine new light on how and when Australia’s deserts began to form millions of years ago.

Pythons and boas shed new light on reptile evolution

Story | Tuesday 14 June 2016
A new study into pythons and boas has for the first time found the two groups of snakes evolved independently to share similar traits.

Nature as a work of art

Story | Monday 16 May 2016

I came to the realisation that biologists are incredibly creative people and it was an inspiration to work alongside them in RSB

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