Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE150101720
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$386,923.00
Summary
Pollination by sexual deception and the evolution of specialisation. Specialised pollination systems are of global scientific importance because they offer unique insights into speciation and are exceptionally vulnerable to anthropogenic change. Fundamental gaps remain in our knowledge of the adaptations required for specialisation, the ecological processes favouring its evolution, and whether specialisation facilitates or constrains floral evolution. This project aims to address these questions ....Pollination by sexual deception and the evolution of specialisation. Specialised pollination systems are of global scientific importance because they offer unique insights into speciation and are exceptionally vulnerable to anthropogenic change. Fundamental gaps remain in our knowledge of the adaptations required for specialisation, the ecological processes favouring its evolution, and whether specialisation facilitates or constrains floral evolution. This project aims to address these questions in a unique and diverse group of Australian orchids that are pollinated by sexual mimicry. This work will apply experimental, ecological and phylogenetic approaches to understand the visual and chemical adaptations to sexual mimicry and their consequences for species diversification, floral evolution and conservation.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE160100035
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$374,000.00
Summary
Why are biodiversity hotspots found where they are? This project aims to develop a method to study how evolution within species shapes the broad-scale distribution of unique biological diversity across landscapes and continents. The distribution of biological diversity is strikingly uneven, with much diversity found only in small ‘hotspots’. What factors determine the locations of these hotspots of endemism? This project aims to answer this question by using three biologically diverse areas as t ....Why are biodiversity hotspots found where they are? This project aims to develop a method to study how evolution within species shapes the broad-scale distribution of unique biological diversity across landscapes and continents. The distribution of biological diversity is strikingly uneven, with much diversity found only in small ‘hotspots’. What factors determine the locations of these hotspots of endemism? This project aims to answer this question by using three biologically diverse areas as test cases. It plans to use a new model to simulate processes of evolution over time, including range shifts, niche evolution, isolation and extinction, to determine how dynamics of divergence evolving within species contribute to broad-scale patterns of diversity. The project intends to improve understanding and management of biodiversity.Read moreRead less