Head Group – Ecology and evolution of sex

A colorful illustration of a variety of insects, including beetles, butterflies, and bees.

Head Group – Ecology and evolution of sex

Research in the Head Group focuses on the evolution, ecology and physiology of sexual reproduction.

label Research theme

About

Research in the Head Group focuses on the evolution, ecology and physiology of sexual reproduction. Specifically, we are interested in how the environment (social and physical) influences the ecology and evolution of reproductive traits and how interactions between the environment and reproductive traits can generate biodiversity and lead to speciation. Within this focus our research also addresses questions regarding coevolution both within species (i.e. between males and females) and between species (i.e. Hosts and sexually transmitted infections).

Our research incorporates a wide variety of methods (molecular techniques, quantitative genetics, physiological performance measures, experimental manipulations and field observations) to address these research topics from different angles. I have also worked on many study systems (e.g. lizards, fish, insects), always chosen to best address the questions at hand.

Publications

Projects

The ARMF willsupport research to assess the extent and effects of changing climate, water and fire regimes on ecosystem processes and their feedbacks and provide a structure for integrated research, management and governance of Australia's mountains.

Theme

Behavioural, evolutionary and physiological ecology, Evolutionary genetics and genomics, Phylogenetics, population genetics and biodiversity, Plant environmental biology and functional ecology, Plant-microbe interactions

Student intake

Open for Bachelor, Honours, Master, PhD students

Status

Current

People

Student intake

Open for Honours, PhD students

Status

Current

People

This project aims to improve understanding of the capacity for resilience and response to warming and drying conditions and extreme events in vulnerable alpine communities: interacting suites of alpine plants, soil invertebrates, fungi, and microbes.

Theme

Behavioural, evolutionary and physiological ecology, Evolutionary genetics and genomics, Phylogenetics, population genetics and biodiversity, Plant environmental biology and functional ecology, Plant-microbe interactions

Student intake

Open for Summer scholar, Honours, Master, PhD students

Status

Current

People

Student intake

Open for Honours, PhD students

Status

Current

People

Student intake

Open for Honours, PhD students

Status

Current

People

Student intake

Open for Honours, PhD students

Status

Current

People

News

Deeply entrenched scientific beliefs that for more than a century have explained why more men than women are high achievers because of biology are not backed up by evidence, according to new research.

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Lead researcher Dr Megan Head says her study shows sexually transmitted diseases can act as a mediator for sexual conflict, which occurs when the evolutionary interests of males and females don't align.









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