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Behavioural, evolutionary and physiological ecology

Research at the Research School of Biology covers all aspects of the ecology-evolution cycle.

About

Ecologists often begin by asking how interactions between individual and the environment result in differential survival & reproductive output of organisms depending on their size, age, sex & which traits they possess. These can result in predictable changes in population size and composition that, at broader scales, generates variation in gene flow among populations and differences in species ranges. Natural selection operates whenever there is variation in reproductive output because organisms differ in their ‘fit’ with the environment. Evolutionary change feeds back to affect future ecological interactions. Research at the Research School of Biology covers all aspects of the ecology-evolution cycle. Our key research strengths include: ecophysiology of plants and mammals; behavioural ecology of crabs, birds, insects, reptiles & fish; sensory ecology of crabs & insects; functional ecology of fish & plants; evolutionary genetics of microbes, fungi and reptiles; and the epigenetics of bees. We also have a strong international reputation for developing theory in evolution & ecology that transcends specific study taxa.

Projects

This project examines drivers of dieback impact between species, within species, between habitats, within habitats, across the landscape, as well as interactions between these components at Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park.

Student intake

Open for Honours students

People

Capacity to regenerate varies among animals, with “simple” animals, such as sponges, cnidarians and planarians often having higher regenerative capacity than the more complex ones, including insects and mammals.

Student intake

Open for Honours, PhD students

People

To address the urgent threat to pollination posed by the establishment of Varroa mites in Australia, which will decimate honey bee populations, we aim to domesticate native Australian bees to use as alternative pollinators.

Student intake

Open for PhD students

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.

Student intake

Open for Summer scholar, Honours, Master, PhD students

People

We are a dynamic group of researchers interested in understanding climate change ecology, in particular how form and function evolve and will determine performance and persistence of Australian native plant species and communities under rapidly changingclimate regimes. Student projects are available!

Student intake

Open for Summer scholar, Honours, Master, PhD students

People

If you're interested in working in the iconic landscape of Kosciuszko National Park this project may be for you. We seek PhD or Honours students to join a collaborative project with NSW DPE to explore drivers of variation of growth and establishment of the montane and alpine species in rehabilitated sites.

Student intake

Open for Summer scholar, Honours, Master, PhD students

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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A world-first study warns 1,500 endangered languages could no longer be spoken by the end of this century.

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Since it’s Bad Bird Season, we ask cuckoo apologist - sorry, cuckoo expert - Professor Naomi Langmore to explain how it could possibly be that the cuckoo doesn’t mean to be mean, when it sure looks like it does.

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Age is no barrier when it comes to reproducing for male mosquitofish.

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An Australian mammal thought to have been wiped out over 150 years ago can now be crossed off our list of extinct animals, following a new study.

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Australia has the world’s worst track record for wiping out mammals, with 34 species declared extinct since European colonisation. But today, we bring some good news: one rodent species, Gould’s mouse (Pseudomys gouldii), is set to be crossed off Australia’s extinct species list.

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Events

Image supplied by Michaela Blyton
Thu, Jun 19 2025, 11am - 12pm

Koalas are eucalyptus folivore specialists that are heavily reliant on their gut microbiome to breakdown their high fibre, low protein diet. Here I will discuss our recent work investigating the koala gut microbiome; its role in koala health, nutrition and ecology.

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