Main research interests

The evolution of warning signals

How do species with warning signals disperse, diverge and diversify? Our aim is to use the Cotton Harlequin Bug as a model system to understand how these processes occur.

Related projects include the evolution of ontogenetic colour change in species with warning signals, specifically jewel bugs and butterflies.

Collaborators: Matt Symonds, Megan Head and Scott Keogh

Egg and nest evolution

Nests and eggs are part of the extended phenotype of birds and our group investigates how these two amazing ‘structures’ have evolved, using as study system Australian passerines.

We do experiments in the field and use information from museums to understand how nests and eggs adapt to their environment and why they are so variable.

Collaborators: Devi Stuart-Fox, Janet Gardner and Naomi Langmore.

Brood parasites

Brood parasites like cuckoos and cowbirds lay their eggs in the nests of other species and we are interested in understanding how this behaviour affects hosts and parasites at a macroevolutionary scale.

Collaborators: Naomi Langmore