Behavioural Ecology Research Group
The University of Queensland
The Behavioural Ecology Research Group conducts research on the evolution of social systems, sexual selection, social learning, communication and wildlife management.
This text-only page contains brief outlines of our current research projects. Our flash web site contains much more information on who we are and what we do, as well as providing lots of pictures and some sound bites. The catch is that you need either a fast internet connection or lots of patience.
This project is investigating the mating system and reproductive strategies of eastern grey kangaroos living at Sundown National Park. We are focusing on female association patterns and male dominance hierarchies and interactions with females, with an emphasis on determining whether cooperative behaviours are found in either sex. The study is documenting patterns of paternity and genetic relatedness by recognizing individuals based on their natural features and extracting DNA from fecal samples collected from these known individuals. Alecia Carter and Vicki Thomson are studying for their honours degree on the kangaroo project, with Alecia focusing on female association patterns and Vicki on the genetic structure of the population. Anne Goldizen is looking for future PhD students for the project.
People: Joanne Towsey , Anne Goldizen , Jennifer Seddon, Olivier Pays , Alecia Carter, Vicki Thompson.
This project aims to determine the effect of DFTD on the population dynamics and fine-scale population genetic structure of affected populations, so as to investigate the consequences of, and evaluate the effectiveness of, various management strategies for recovery of affected populations. The specific aims are to:
People: Shelly Lachish, Anne Goldizen, Hamish McCallum, Peter Jarman (UNE).
Pademelons are medium-sized (3-9kg), forest-dwelling wallabies. The genus is one of only three macropod genera currently found in both Australia and New Guinea and is comprised of six species. These are found from the wet sclerophyll forests of Tasmania in the south to the tropical and alpine forests of New Guinea in the north. One species (T. stigmatica) is represented in both countries. Although these species are thought to be modern representatives of the ancestors to grazing kangaroos and wallabies, very little is known about the phylogenetic relationships within the genus or of genetic variation within species. Additionally there is evidence of decline in the Australian mainland populations and three New Guinea species have suffered significant local extinctions. This project will investigate broad-scale patterns of genetic variation within and among pademelons using mitochondrial and nuclear genetic markers. The specific aims of the project are to:
People: Peggy Macqueen, Anne Goldizen, Jennifer Seddon.
We are studying the social bonds and networks of a population of wild eastern grey kangaroos located at Sundown National Park in southeastern Queensland. Eastern grey kangaroos have a fission-fusion social system, in which individuals come and go from groups frequently. At this point we are focusing on females. We will be using association indices and network analysis to analyze the social bonds and positions of individual females in the population's social network, and will then relate these to characteristics of the females, such as their reproductive state, patterns of vigilance behavior, size/age and aspects of their personalities, such as measures of sociability and position along the shy/bold continuum. In future work, we will extend this study to males and also consider relationships between patterns of sociality and males' mating success and females' reproductive success.
People: Joanne Towsey, Zhi Zhao (Zac) Lim, Alecia Carter, Anne Goldizen.
We are examining patterns of vigilance in mammalian herbivores, including at this point eastern grey kangaroos, red-necked pademelons, Bennett’s wallabies and common wombats. An overarching objective is to compare the factors affecting the vigilance of individuals across the spectrum from solitary species such as the wombat to quite social ones such as the eastern grey kangaroo. One area of our research concerns the degree to which vigilance is synchronized across group members, or conspecifics that are grazing in close proximity, and the causes of such synchronization. We are also examining how factors such as sex, reproductive state, and distance to cover affect both individuals’ vigilance and the degree of synchronization among individuals. Finally, we are quantifying variation among individuals in their vigilance patterns and attempting to determine the causes of this variation.
People: Olivier Pays, Francois-René Favreau, Joanne Towsey, Alecia Carter, Anne Goldizen.
This study, begun in November 2000, focuses on a colony of approximately 40 brush-tailed rock-wallabies at Hurdle Creek, near Warwick in southeast Queensland. Virtually all colony members are individually marked, and data have been collected during summer 2001/02, winter 2002 and summer 2002/03 on individuals' nocturnal ranging patterns and social interactions. Relationships between habitat and microhabitat characteristics and activity budgets, feeding locations and the locations of individuals' core areas are also under investigation. The paternity of young is being investigated in relation to males' ages, sizes, foraging range locations and social interactions. Finally, we are also studying the factors affecting females' breeding histories and reproductive success in the colony.
People: Anne Goldizen, Peter Jarman (UNE), Kerryn and John Carter, Rebecca Laws, Naomi Wynd, Dominique Sigg, Stephanie Hazlitt.
This project is combining behavioural observations and molecular techniques to examine the dispersal ecology of brush-tailed rock-wallabies (Petrogale penicillata) in southeast Queensland, Australia. Brush-tailed rock-wallabies were once abundant across suitable rocky habitat in Queensland and New South Wales, however, the species is now restricted to fragmented populations throughout the Great Dividing Range. The conservation and management of rock-wallaby species across Australia is currently hampered by a lack of knowledge of their biology and population ecology. We are investigating the patterns, causes and consequences of dispersal in brush-tailed rock-wallabies at three scales: the individual level, the population level and the landscape scale. First, we are investigating juvenile survival and dispersal behaviour of individual sub-adult rock-wallabies, using individually tagged individuals and radio collars. Second, we are studying the impacts of dispersal patterns by examining the social and genetic structure of a single rock-wallaby colony. Finally, using molecular markers, wer are investigating the population genetics and the history of gene flow between neighbouring brush-tailed rock-wallaby colonies. This is Stephanie Hazlitt's PhD project.
People: Stephanie Hazlitt, Anne Goldizen, Peter Jarman (UNE), Mark Eldridge (Macquarie University).
Habitat fragmentation threatens wildlife species living in remnant patches of vegetation, but its effects are poorly understood. Studying a focal species, the brush-tailed rock-wallaby, we will produce metapopulation models that predict the impacts of different management strategies and scenarios of habitat modification on this and other threatened species. We are using trapping, radiotelemetry, and genetic techniques to collect data on this species' local distribution, dispersal patterns, mortality and fertility rates, and mating systems (see project descriptions above) in southeast Queensland and northeast NSW. Our habitat and populations models, derived from these data, will be designed to guide the conservation of this and similar species. Part of this project will be Justine Murray's PhD project.
People: Anne Goldizen, Peter Jarman (UNE), Mark Eldridge (Macquarie University), Justine Murray, Stephanie Hazlitt.
In this long-term project, we are investigating the social system of the dusky moorhen (Gallinula tenebrosa), a common native waterbird of eastern Australia. This species has an extremely interesting and complex social system. Unlike most bird species that breed in pairs, moorhens form social groups that consist of multiple unrelated individuals of both sexes. Within these groups, all males mate with all females and they all cooperate to raise a single clutch of chicks.
This project has two main components. The first is designed to test a set of theories, known as Reproductive Skew Theories, that attempt to explain the wide variety of animal social systems based on a range of ecological and demographic factors. To do this, we will be collecting detailed behavioural data on things like reproductive effort, reproductive success, competition over reproduction and the sharing of parental duties. The second component concerns the relationship between genetic parentage and the amount of parental care provided by adults. To aid the collection of behavioural data, each moorhen is fitted with a unique combination of coloured leg bands as well as numbered wing tags. This project is conducted at Sherwood Arboretum and the McCleod Country Golf Course.
People: Anne Goldizen, David Putland, Darryl Jones (Griffith University).
The satin bowerbird (Ptilonorhynchus violaceus) is an ideal species for studying the mechanisms of sexual selection. Promiscuous males build and decorate bowers to attract as many female mates as possible. Females provide all parental care. Our research focuses on models of female choice and the possible benefits of mate choice to females. Techniques employed include the monitoring of bower activity via infra-red automatic video camera systems, the radio-tracking of females, the monitoring of the light environment at bowers and the genetic analysis of parentage to determine male mating success. This research is conducted in the sub-tropical rainforest of the Bunya Mountains, south-east Queensland.
People: Tim Robson, Anne Goldizen.
The main objective of this study is to determine the pattern of geographic variation in the calls of Satin Bowerbirds throughout their range. I shall also perform experiments to investigate the ecological factors, such as differences in habitat structure, that may drive the variation in calls as well as looking at the effect that sexual selection, expressed through female preference or male-male interactions, may have on variation in calls. DNA samples will be obtained from the same populations as are recorded, enabling me to compare the patterns of phenotypic (call) and genetic variation. Calls are one factor that contribute towards species recognition in birds, so an understanding of the relationships between call variation and genetic variation will allow testing between different models of intra-specific divergence and speciation. A better understanding of general speciation processes will then assist in the implementation of effective conservation strategies.
People: James Nicholls, Anne Goldizen.
Male satin bowerbirds build bowers that consist of a flat platform of sticks with two upright walls made of sticks. They then collect coloured objects, both natural and man-made, which they place on their bower platforms. Females inspect the bowers and displays of several males before choosing one with which to mate. Males not only collect decorations for their bowers by finding them in the forest; they are known to steal decorations from other bowers and even to destroy rival males' bowers. In this study, I will investigate the relative stealing success of individual males, and the stealing relationships that form between pairs of males. I will also identify the specific decoration types that seem to be preferred by thieves. This research will be conducted in the Bunya Mountains.
People: Janine Wojcieszek, James Nicholls, Anne Goldizen.
Satin bowerbird males are promiscuous and do not assist females with any aspects of parental care. The males build bowers that consist of a flat platform of sticks with two upright bower walls made of sticks, and accumulate coloured objects (bower decorations), both natural and man-made, which they place on their bower platforms. Males also perform dances and vocal displays at their bowers. Finally, they chew up natural materials (leaves, sticks, fruits), mix these with saliva, and paint the resulting product on the inside walls of their bowers. Females inspect the bowers and displays of several males before choosing to mate with one or two males in their bowers. Painting behaviour may be functioning as a chemical signal to females, who are known to nibble at the paint on males' bowers. We also know from some preliminary chemical analyses that paint samples contain a variety of volatile compounds. The aim of this project is to describe patterns of painting behaviour by males in relation to other characteristics of the males, and to undertake further analyses of paint samples.
People: Ben Bravery, James Nicholls, Anne Goldizen.
The buff-banded rail is one of many generalist rail species that are thought to breed in monogamous pairs but have proven hard to study because of their shyness. Much is known about a number of communally breeding rails, but very little about any of the socially monogamous species. The Heron Island population, which consists of approximately 300 individuals breeding at high density and habituated to people, provided an excellent opportunity to study the social and mating system of this rail species. We have studied the socially monogamous mating system of buff-banded rails, including their territorial, mating and reproductive behaviour. Field work is complete and manuscripts are currently in preparation on their social system, apparent lack of paternity assurance behaviours and breeding biology. Watch the papers page in the future. This has been Fiona Manson's PhD project.
People: Fiona Manson, Anne Goldizen.
This project involves acoustic and behavioural research on humpback whales as they migrate along the east coast of Australia. Male humpback whales produce long, complex songs on their tropical breeding grounds and during migration to and from these breeding grounds. All the males in the any one population sing similar songs at any time, but the pattern of the song changes with time, all the males making the same changes to their songs to maintain concurrent song-matching. Whether the songs are primarily used for attracting females or for male dominance-sorting is not currently known, and so the evolutionary pressures that have shaped the design and changing nature of the songs are not understood. Our research aims to better understand how and why the song patterns change, and how the singers use song to mediate interactions with other whales, and so better determine the role of song.
We are also engaged in a collaborative project with the Defence Science and Technology Organisation, Scripps Institute of Oceanography, Wood's Hole Oceanographic Institute, and the U.S. Office of Naval Research. The main aim of this research is to examine how whales perceive and utilise the underwater acoustic environment. There is increasing concern about potential adverse effects of some sources of anthropogenic sound on marine mammals, and understanding how marine mammals interact with their acoustic environment is crucial to any assessment of the possible impacts these sound sources may have.
People: Michael Noad, Doug Cato (DSTO), Peter Hale.
The Tasmanian native hen (Gallinula mortierii) is a large flightless moorhen found only on the island of Tasmania. This species has a complex and variable social structure, where monogamous (1 male, 1 female), polyandrous (many males, 1 female), polygynous (1 male, many females) and polygynandrous (multiple breeders of both sexes) groups all occur in the one population. In addition, some young adults do not disperse away from their natal territories, but remain to serve as non-reproductive 'helpers-at-the-nest'. In this project, we aimed to uncover the evolutionary advantages of this social flexibility. Fieldwork was carried out from 1989 to 1997 at Geeveston and Maria Island National Park. We examined the relative reproductive benefits of the different group structures, the strategies young birds use to obtain breeding positions, the costs and benefits of group territoriality, and the idea that successful groups or lineages may be interpreted as 'dynasties'. You can find a list of related publications on the papers page.
People: Anne Goldizen, David Putland, Alan Goldizen.
The bridled nailtail wallaby (Onychogalea fraenata) is a critically endangered macropod that was once common throughout eastern Australia. Widespread habitat loss in the early part of this century has reduced the species to a single wild population of around 400 animals, located at Taunton National Park in Central Queensland. The nailtail is a small (4-7 kg) nocturnal macropod which gets its name from the striking white band, or bridle, around its shoulders, and characteristic nail on the tip of its tail. A past PhD student, Diana Fisher, performed valuable research on population ecology and demography of the nailtails at Taunton. We are now researching mating strategies and factors that affect reproductive output. This research is providing information essential to the successful protection and management of this highly endangered mammal.
People: Dominique Sigg, Anne Goldizen.
The black-faced impala (Aepyceros melampus petersi) is a vulnerable sub-species of impala with a limited distribution in Namibia, south-western Africa. Almost half of all black-faced impala are found on private farmland or game reserves, and are exposed to a great range ecological and management influences. Off-park management is therefore critical to the continued conservation of this species. The main aims of this study are to quantify many aspects of the behaviour and ecology of this species, and to assess the impact of various management strategies (eg. national park, game hunting, photographic safaris, livestock) on its conservation. This research is conducted in Etosha National Park and private reserves in northern Namibia.
People: Tammie Matson, Anne Goldizen, Peter Jarman (UNE).
The northern brown bandicoot (Isoodon macrourus) is a small marsupial that is able to survive in suburban areas, where patches of bushland occupy only a tiny fraction of the landscape. Bandicoots reside in these patches during the day, but often venture by night into people's backyards and adjacent parklands to forage. They are very secretive, and often the only sign of their presence is the conical holes they leave in the soil surface as they dig for insects and plant matter.
In the hostile suburban environment, bandicoots face an array of threats unlike those in extensive natural bushland, eg. domestic cats and dogs, human activity (esp. cars) and a severe lack of suitable daytime habitat. So what is it about bandicoots that allows them to persist in suburbia, when so many of our native mammals become locally extinct?
This project focuses on a few suburban bandicoot populations on Brisbane's southside, and is aimed at understanding how bandicoots survive (and seem to thrive) in these areas. Mark-recapture programs have been established to look at reproductive output and timing, as well as population density and demography. Radio-telemetry will also be used to study the movements of individuals, so that home ranges and activity patterns can be estimated. This results of this project will assist the conservation of more specialised mammal species that would normally become extinct in the face of urbanisation.
People: Sean Fitzgibbon, Anne Goldizen.
Albert's lyrebirds (Menura alberti) are famous for their spectacular displays that feature rhythmic dances with loud and very complex songs. Their songs include amazingly accurate mimicry of at least 10 other bird species. All male Albert's lyrebirds within a population produce roughly the same sequence of mimicked sounds within their cyclical mating displays, but the sequence varies among different populations. It is not known whether the variation in individual mimicked components among populations reflects the underlying variation in the songs produced by the model species. It is also unclear whether the entire song is transmitted as a single unit, or if it results from a complex interaction of alternative learning paths (eg. could the sequence be culturally transmitted, but the elements themselves be repeatedly learnt from the model species?).
This project is investigating the role of cultural transmission in shaping the complex song structure of the Albert's lyrebird by using a combination of observational and experimental techniques. Recordings of lyrebirds and the species they mimic will be used to test whether lyrebirds accurately copy the local variants of other species' songs. Playback experiments using both natural and synthesised song sequences will test whether different components of the song result from the different learning paths. More information is available on the lyrebird project page.
People: David Putland, Anne Goldizen.
Cleaning associations are found all over the world and cleaners form an integral part of community ecosystems. In addition, parasites are found throughout marine systems and are known to negatively affect the health of fish. Understanding the associations between cleaners, the species with which they associate and the parasites that possibly link them, facilitates conservation of marine ecosystems.
Over 40 species of marine crustaceans have been observed in cleaning associationsÂ’ with fish. The nature of this association, however, is controversial. In some cases these associations are said to benefit both the shrimp and the fish. The cleaner shrimp apparently obtains food by removing parasites from the fish while the fish obtains health benefits. Conversely, many researchers believe that cleaner shrimp are actually parasitic, feeding on fish mucus. These researchers believe fish are attracted to the stimulus provided by the shrimp's appendages.
This study will provide the first quantitative investigation of cleaner shrimp and their associations with client fishes in Australia, in order to determine if these interactions between different species are mutually beneficial to both parties. In the long term, this study will enhance our knowledge of factors which affect the survival of reef fish, and allow the development of strategies that can be used in the management of marine parks. Furthermore, the findings of this study may lead to methods which will facilitate the aquaculture industry in controlling parasite abundance to a level at which their stocks remain healthy.
People: Justine Becker, Lexa Grutter.
More than half of subtropical rainforest in Central eastern Australia has been cleared since the time of European settlement. Several of the rainforest remnants have World Heritage status and are protected as part of the Central Eastern Rainforest Reserves of Australia. The rainforest fragments were set aside in part to protect species with high conservation value, yet little is known about the distribution and population status of rainforest birds. Our study is investigating the relative importance of large-scale factors in promoting patch occupancy of rainforest birds. Ground-dwelling habits and close associations with rainforest vegetation make logrunners (Orthonyx temminckii) an ideal study species. We are exploring the relative influence of large-scale variables on logrunner dispersal and population dynamics using the tools of molecular ecology. Modeling the occupancy and population data will allow us to determine the role of large-scale processes in the population viability of a rainforest dependent bird species.
People: David Pavlacky, Anne Goldizen.
|
Behavioural Ecology Research Group School of Integrative Biology Goddard Building The University of Queensland St Lucia Qld 4072 Australia |
Last updated : November 19, 2008 david.putland@uq.edu.au |