Peakall Group - Pollination, evolution and conservation
Our research spans reproductive ecology, genetics, phylogeny, biochemistry and chemical ecology.
Research themes
About
Research in the Peakall Group is focused on the development and application of DNA based genetic markers for investigating a range of pure and applied questions in evolutionary and conservation biology. The integration of ecological, population genetic and molecular tools allows novel insights that are not possible on their own.
Our study organisms include plants, mammals, birds, insects and fungi. Studies of orchids feature strongly, but by no means exclusively, in greater part because their novel pollination systems are ideal for exploring a range of evolutionary questions. Our research provides exciting opportunities for collaborative multidisciplinary research spanning reproductive ecology, genetics, phylogeny, biochemistry and chemical ecology.
Awards
- College of Science Dean’s Commendation - Teaching Excellence, 2024
- RSB Director's Prize in Honours, 2024
- College of Science Dean’s Commendation for Teaching Excellence, 2020
- Student Travel Grant, 2018
- Student Travel Award, 2018
- Grants from the Linnean Society of NSW and the Australian Biological Resource Study, 2016
- ASBS Hansjörg Eichler Scientific Research Fund Award, 2016
- Holsworth Wildlife Research Endowment, 2016
- ANZPAA Best Paper in a Refereed Journal (Highly Commended), 2009
- Hot Paper, 2006
- Inaugural College of Science Teaching Prize, 2006
- ANZPAA Best Paper in a Refereed Journal (Highly Commended), 2005
- ANU Prize for Innovative IT application, 2005
Publications
Selected publications
- Phillips, Ryan D.; Xu, Tingbao; Hutchinson, Michael F.; et al. Convergent specialization - the sharing of pollinators by sympatric genera of sexually deceptive orchids Journal of Ecology 101 (3) 826-835. 2013
- Blyton, Michaela D. J.; Banks, Sam C.; Peakall, Rod; et al. Functional genotypes are associated with commensal Escherichia coli strain abundance within-host individuals and populations Molecular Ecology 22 (15) 4112-4122. 2013
- Blyton, Michaela D. J.; Banks, Sam C.; Peakall, Rod; et al. High temporal variability in commensal Escherichia coli strain communities of a herbivorous marsupial Environmental Microbiology 15 (8) 2162-2172. 2013
- Menz, Myles H. M.; Phillips, Ryan D.; Dixon, Kingsley W.; et al. Mate-searching behaviour of common and rare wasps and the implications for pollen movement of the sexually deceptive orchids they pollinate Plos One 8. 2013
- Whitehead, M. R.; Peakall, R. Sexual mimicry in sympatric orchid species promotes outcrossing, multiple paternity and reproductive isolation South African Journal of Botany 86) 162 . 2013
- Bohman, Bjorn; Phillips, Ryan D.; Flematti, Gavin; et al. Sharing of pyrazine semiochemicals between genera of sexually deceptive orchids Natural Product Communications 8 (6) 701-702. 2013
- Whitehead, Michael R.; Peakall, Rod Short-term but not long-term patch avoidance in an orchid-pollinating solitary wasp Behavioral Ecology 24 (1) 162-168 . 2013
- Peakall, R.; Poldy, J.; Whitehead, M. R.; et al. The chemistry, ecology and evolution of pollination by sexual deception South African Journal of Botany 86) 140. 2013
- Falara, Vasiliki; Amarasinghe, Ranamalie; Poldy, Jacqueline; et al. The production of a key floral volatile is dependent on UV light in a sexually deceptive orchid Annals of Botany 111 (1) 21-30 . 2013
- Bohman, Bjoern; Jeffares, Lynne; Flematti, Gavin; et al. Discovery of tetrasubstituted pyrazines as semiochemicals in a sexually deceptive orchid Journal of Natural Products 75 (9) 1589-1594. 2012
Projects
Members
Group Leader
Head of Division
Ecology and Evolution
Postdoctoral Fellow
Research Officer
Research Assistant
Technical Assistant
PhD Student
Masters Student
Divisional Visitor
News
Dr Tobias Hayashi studied a delicate little native orchid with a cool and clever adaptation to attract pollinators.
Orchids are valued the world-over for their delicate beauty and fragrance, but for wasps they hold a different kind of appeal: sex appeal.
