The role of leaf veins in vascular plant evolution. Leaves are continuously irrigated by a system of internal plumbing that defines their maximum photosynthetic output, and angiosperms are the most productive plants on earth largely by virtue of a uniquely efficient system of leaf plumbing. This project will identify how such an important modification of leaf water transport came to evolve.
Turning Selaginella into a model of plant reproductive evolution and ecology. The ancient genus Selaginella can reveal how natural selection shaped fundamental traits of plant reproduction like morphological differentiation of spores (a prerequisite for the evolution of seeds) and sexual division of reproductive investment. However, almost nothing is known of the ‘ecological theatre’ in which Selaginella evolves. This project will examine the worldwide phylogenetic pattern of reproductive traits ....Turning Selaginella into a model of plant reproductive evolution and ecology. The ancient genus Selaginella can reveal how natural selection shaped fundamental traits of plant reproduction like morphological differentiation of spores (a prerequisite for the evolution of seeds) and sexual division of reproductive investment. However, almost nothing is known of the ‘ecological theatre’ in which Selaginella evolves. This project will examine the worldwide phylogenetic pattern of reproductive traits in the genus, and combine field and greenhouse studies of Australian and Malaysian species in order to test fundamental ideas in evolutionary ecology such as the theory of sex allocation, and begin to establish the ecological and adaptive counterpart to Selaginella’s emerging role as a genomic model organism.Read moreRead less
Exploring the unseen: the adaptive significance of animal-visible and infrared colour change. Our research on benefits of rapid colour change in cold-blooded animals, spanning the full spectrum of solar energy, will provide novel insights into the adaptive significance of animal colour patterns. It will also provide a natural model for development of advanced colour-changing materials with a wide range of applications.
Unifying the mechanisms that drive spatial patterns in biological traits. The project aims to resolve the mechanisms that generate spatial variation in biological traits. This project expects to overcome several significant shortcomings of previous investigations by using mechanistic modelling, field-based ecophysiological studies, and macroecological analyses to develop a single, integrated approach to investigating geographic variation in size, colour, life history and reproduction. The expect ....Unifying the mechanisms that drive spatial patterns in biological traits. The project aims to resolve the mechanisms that generate spatial variation in biological traits. This project expects to overcome several significant shortcomings of previous investigations by using mechanistic modelling, field-based ecophysiological studies, and macroecological analyses to develop a single, integrated approach to investigating geographic variation in size, colour, life history and reproduction. The expected outcomes are a comprehensive empirical test of a unified mechanism for spatial trait variation, using a diverse terrestrial vertebrate lineage as a model system. The results of this study should provide a powerful framework for predicting future patterns of biological trait variation under anthropogenic climate change.Read moreRead less
Discovering nature's photonic devices to control light and heat. This project aims to discover how and why beetles and butterflies reflect near-infrared light. Reflection of near-infrared radiation may be critical to prevent overheating, yet its role in thermal protection remains largely unexplored. The project will integrate evolutionary biology, optical physics and biophysics to reveal the diversity, mechanism, function and evolution of near-infrared signatures. Expected outcomes include the d ....Discovering nature's photonic devices to control light and heat. This project aims to discover how and why beetles and butterflies reflect near-infrared light. Reflection of near-infrared radiation may be critical to prevent overheating, yet its role in thermal protection remains largely unexplored. The project will integrate evolutionary biology, optical physics and biophysics to reveal the diversity, mechanism, function and evolution of near-infrared signatures. Expected outcomes include the discovery of nature’s solutions to selection for both optical (camouflage, communication) and thermal functions. The project will have significant benefits such as creating opportunities to develop biomimetic and bioinspired materials to enhance energy efficiency, which will have significant economic and environmental benefits.Read moreRead less
Coevolution of sundew bugs and sundews. This project aims to conduct a study of insect-plant interactions to determine if insects and plants coevolve or if they diversify by other evolutionary processes. Insect-plant coevolution is a hotly contested field in evolutionary biology. In Australia, a remarkable interaction exists between carnivorous plants and a group of bugs that steal the plant’s prey. This system offers a great opportunity to test competing coevolutionary theories through a combin ....Coevolution of sundew bugs and sundews. This project aims to conduct a study of insect-plant interactions to determine if insects and plants coevolve or if they diversify by other evolutionary processes. Insect-plant coevolution is a hotly contested field in evolutionary biology. In Australia, a remarkable interaction exists between carnivorous plants and a group of bugs that steal the plant’s prey. This system offers a great opportunity to test competing coevolutionary theories through a combination of historical and ecological approaches. The project expects to showcase the evolution and uniqueness of Australia’s native biota.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE190100805
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$382,656.00
Summary
Phylogenetic methods for genome surveillance of microbial pathogens. This project aims to develop phylogenetic approaches to harness the potential evolution of bacterial and virus pathogens data and to improve early detection of infectious outbreaks. Genome surveillance programs consist in routine sequencing of particular organisms to track their evolution over time. Such programs currently exist for important bacterial and virus pathogens. This project expects to develop computational methods t ....Phylogenetic methods for genome surveillance of microbial pathogens. This project aims to develop phylogenetic approaches to harness the potential evolution of bacterial and virus pathogens data and to improve early detection of infectious outbreaks. Genome surveillance programs consist in routine sequencing of particular organisms to track their evolution over time. Such programs currently exist for important bacterial and virus pathogens. This project expects to develop computational methods to improve our understanding of pathogen outbreak emergence and infectious spread using genome data. This project will expand our knowledge base and research capability in the evolution and epidemiology of infectious agents, and aid in the prevention and control strategies of infectious disease benefiting the research priorities of food and health.Read moreRead less
Nowcasting outbreaks leveraging genomic and epidemiological data. This project aims to inform outbreak response planning by developing new models of infectious disease outbreaks. The project expects to generate new knowledge on the processes driving ongoing outbreaks including those of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and African swine fever by integrating the latest advances in Bayesian outbreak inference alongside unique simulation approaches. Expected outcomes should include a shift in how mo ....Nowcasting outbreaks leveraging genomic and epidemiological data. This project aims to inform outbreak response planning by developing new models of infectious disease outbreaks. The project expects to generate new knowledge on the processes driving ongoing outbreaks including those of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and African swine fever by integrating the latest advances in Bayesian outbreak inference alongside unique simulation approaches. Expected outcomes should include a shift in how models are developed and used to inform the response to outbreaks as they unfold. This should enable more rapid outbreak containment in Australia and overseas, leading to reduced impacts on public and animal health, and associated industries.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE150101904
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$385,481.00
Summary
Interactions of sexual selection & ecological divergence during speciation. Understanding the processes driving speciation is fundamental to understanding how biodiversity is generated. The two main forces underlying speciation, ecological divergence and sexual selection, are well characterised, yet how they interact during the speciation process is remarkably poorly understood. This project aims to test hypotheses regarding how ecological divergence and sexual selection interact during speciati ....Interactions of sexual selection & ecological divergence during speciation. Understanding the processes driving speciation is fundamental to understanding how biodiversity is generated. The two main forces underlying speciation, ecological divergence and sexual selection, are well characterised, yet how they interact during the speciation process is remarkably poorly understood. This project aims to test hypotheses regarding how ecological divergence and sexual selection interact during speciation, from its inception to its completion. In doing so, this research aims to identify genomic regions underlying divergence in colour patterns, which are important for ecological and sexual interactions. Consequently, this project will significantly enhance our understanding of ecological and genetic mechanisms underlying speciation.Read moreRead less
Shape-shifting birds: a novel consequence of climate change. This project aims to identify which species are affected by climate change, and whether these changes in their ecology enhance or decrease fitness and survival. Climate change is having drastic effects on animal biology, threatening many species. Recent data suggest that changes in body shape (the size of appendages) is one such effect. By studying the bills and legs of birds this project aims to investigate changes in body shape as a ....Shape-shifting birds: a novel consequence of climate change. This project aims to identify which species are affected by climate change, and whether these changes in their ecology enhance or decrease fitness and survival. Climate change is having drastic effects on animal biology, threatening many species. Recent data suggest that changes in body shape (the size of appendages) is one such effect. By studying the bills and legs of birds this project aims to investigate changes in body shape as a biological response to climate change. This project will model the predicted consequences of changes in body shape on population trends in Australian birds, enabling the prediction of which species are most threatened by climate change, and helping inform conservation priorities.Read moreRead less