Centre for Evolutionary Biology at UWA
@ceb-uwa.bsky.social
We are a University of Western Australia Centre of Excellence. Follow our latest research, news, and updates in the broad field of evolutionary biology.
https://www.uwa.edu.au/schools/biological-sciences/centre-for-evolutionary-biology
https://www.uwa.edu.au/schools/biological-sciences/centre-for-evolutionary-biology
#AES2025 Day2, Jackson Randell discusses the importance of understanding genetic purging and its implications for trapdoor spider conservation 🕷️
@austevolsoc.bsky.social @brunobuzatto.bsky.social @rowanlym.bsky.social @reneecatullo.bsky.social
@austevolsoc.bsky.social @brunobuzatto.bsky.social @rowanlym.bsky.social @reneecatullo.bsky.social
October 2, 2025 at 9:10 AM
#AES2025 Day2, Jackson Randell discusses the importance of understanding genetic purging and its implications for trapdoor spider conservation 🕷️
@austevolsoc.bsky.social @brunobuzatto.bsky.social @rowanlym.bsky.social @reneecatullo.bsky.social
@austevolsoc.bsky.social @brunobuzatto.bsky.social @rowanlym.bsky.social @reneecatullo.bsky.social
Who doesn’t enjoy a good animal behaviour video at #AES2025? Andrea Piccinini surely had captured our attention by presenting his work on post-copulatory mating behaviour in mygalomorph spiders 🕷️ @austevolsoc.bsky.social
October 1, 2025 at 2:11 AM
Who doesn’t enjoy a good animal behaviour video at #AES2025? Andrea Piccinini surely had captured our attention by presenting his work on post-copulatory mating behaviour in mygalomorph spiders 🕷️ @austevolsoc.bsky.social
Day 1 at #AES2025 CEB member @avantikadeep.bsky.social presented her PhD plan to investigate intra-sexual competition in Western Australian magpies 🦅🐧🪺
@mandyridley.bsky.social @lizziespeechley.bsky.social
@mandyridley.bsky.social @lizziespeechley.bsky.social
October 1, 2025 at 2:04 AM
Day 1 at #AES2025 CEB member @avantikadeep.bsky.social presented her PhD plan to investigate intra-sexual competition in Western Australian magpies 🦅🐧🪺
@mandyridley.bsky.social @lizziespeechley.bsky.social
@mandyridley.bsky.social @lizziespeechley.bsky.social
At CEB seminar today, @dutourmylene.bsky.social walked us through 10 years of her research at the crossroads of animal cognition, behavioural ecology, bioacoustics — exploring how animals code & decode information, use syntax & vocal mimicry, & engage in intra- & interspecific communication 🐦🦅🐓🐍🚶♀️
September 24, 2025 at 9:06 AM
At CEB seminar today, @dutourmylene.bsky.social walked us through 10 years of her research at the crossroads of animal cognition, behavioural ecology, bioacoustics — exploring how animals code & decode information, use syntax & vocal mimicry, & engage in intra- & interspecific communication 🐦🦅🐓🐍🚶♀️
🪶 How Magpies Learn Syntax 🏆
@stephaniellaura.bsky.social investigates the ontogeny of magpie vocalisations, showcasing how call sequences are socially learned, structured, and passed down across generations 🧠🐦🐣🔊 10/11
@mandyridley.bsky.social
@stephaniellaura.bsky.social investigates the ontogeny of magpie vocalisations, showcasing how call sequences are socially learned, structured, and passed down across generations 🧠🐦🐣🔊 10/11
@mandyridley.bsky.social
September 24, 2025 at 8:51 AM
🪶 How Magpies Learn Syntax 🏆
@stephaniellaura.bsky.social investigates the ontogeny of magpie vocalisations, showcasing how call sequences are socially learned, structured, and passed down across generations 🧠🐦🐣🔊 10/11
@mandyridley.bsky.social
@stephaniellaura.bsky.social investigates the ontogeny of magpie vocalisations, showcasing how call sequences are socially learned, structured, and passed down across generations 🧠🐦🐣🔊 10/11
@mandyridley.bsky.social
🌏 Not Just Ningaloo: Reptile Endemism in Cape Range
@leviloveslizards.bsky.social highlights reptile diversity of Cape Range National Park: ~97 species, many endemic, & studies the drivers of endemism, isolation & populations that may represent undescribed species 🦎🐸 9/11
@reneecatullo.bsky.social
@leviloveslizards.bsky.social highlights reptile diversity of Cape Range National Park: ~97 species, many endemic, & studies the drivers of endemism, isolation & populations that may represent undescribed species 🦎🐸 9/11
@reneecatullo.bsky.social
September 24, 2025 at 8:51 AM
🌏 Not Just Ningaloo: Reptile Endemism in Cape Range
@leviloveslizards.bsky.social highlights reptile diversity of Cape Range National Park: ~97 species, many endemic, & studies the drivers of endemism, isolation & populations that may represent undescribed species 🦎🐸 9/11
@reneecatullo.bsky.social
@leviloveslizards.bsky.social highlights reptile diversity of Cape Range National Park: ~97 species, many endemic, & studies the drivers of endemism, isolation & populations that may represent undescribed species 🦎🐸 9/11
@reneecatullo.bsky.social
🐒 Male Coalition Strategies in Toque Macaques
Lakshani Weerasekara examines cooperation and conflict in macaques, focusing on how males form coalitions and what factors influence coalition success 🐵👬🥊 8/11
@mandyridley.bsky.social @cyrilgrueter.bsky.social
Lakshani Weerasekara examines cooperation and conflict in macaques, focusing on how males form coalitions and what factors influence coalition success 🐵👬🥊 8/11
@mandyridley.bsky.social @cyrilgrueter.bsky.social
September 24, 2025 at 8:51 AM
🐒 Male Coalition Strategies in Toque Macaques
Lakshani Weerasekara examines cooperation and conflict in macaques, focusing on how males form coalitions and what factors influence coalition success 🐵👬🥊 8/11
@mandyridley.bsky.social @cyrilgrueter.bsky.social
Lakshani Weerasekara examines cooperation and conflict in macaques, focusing on how males form coalitions and what factors influence coalition success 🐵👬🥊 8/11
@mandyridley.bsky.social @cyrilgrueter.bsky.social
📊 Flow Fighters
Harry Mortimer studies how fish adapt to multiple stressors — combining behaviour, morphology, and physiology to understand resilience to changing water flow and temperature 🐟 🌊🌡️ 7/11
@jenkelley01.bsky.social @pebblemouse.bsky.social
Harry Mortimer studies how fish adapt to multiple stressors — combining behaviour, morphology, and physiology to understand resilience to changing water flow and temperature 🐟 🌊🌡️ 7/11
@jenkelley01.bsky.social @pebblemouse.bsky.social
September 24, 2025 at 8:51 AM
📊 Flow Fighters
Harry Mortimer studies how fish adapt to multiple stressors — combining behaviour, morphology, and physiology to understand resilience to changing water flow and temperature 🐟 🌊🌡️ 7/11
@jenkelley01.bsky.social @pebblemouse.bsky.social
Harry Mortimer studies how fish adapt to multiple stressors — combining behaviour, morphology, and physiology to understand resilience to changing water flow and temperature 🐟 🌊🌡️ 7/11
@jenkelley01.bsky.social @pebblemouse.bsky.social
🐭 Cryptic Kultarr 🏆
@kultarrcam.bsky.social studies hidden biodiversity in carnivorous marsupials, uncovering strong genetic and morphological evidence for multiple distinct species of kultarr across Australia🧬🏜️🐀 6/11
@reneecatullo.bsky.social @kennytravouillon.bsky.social @planigale.bsky.social
@kultarrcam.bsky.social studies hidden biodiversity in carnivorous marsupials, uncovering strong genetic and morphological evidence for multiple distinct species of kultarr across Australia🧬🏜️🐀 6/11
@reneecatullo.bsky.social @kennytravouillon.bsky.social @planigale.bsky.social
September 24, 2025 at 8:51 AM
🐭 Cryptic Kultarr 🏆
@kultarrcam.bsky.social studies hidden biodiversity in carnivorous marsupials, uncovering strong genetic and morphological evidence for multiple distinct species of kultarr across Australia🧬🏜️🐀 6/11
@reneecatullo.bsky.social @kennytravouillon.bsky.social @planigale.bsky.social
@kultarrcam.bsky.social studies hidden biodiversity in carnivorous marsupials, uncovering strong genetic and morphological evidence for multiple distinct species of kultarr across Australia🧬🏜️🐀 6/11
@reneecatullo.bsky.social @kennytravouillon.bsky.social @planigale.bsky.social
🦎 Life on the Rocks: Rapid Adaptation in the Wild
@blrapalai.bsky.social investigates how ornate dragon lizards adapt their dorsal colouration to human-altered habitats, & how land clearing and altered outcrop conditions drive rapid changes in camouflage & survival🐉 🏞️ 5/11
@jenkelley01.bsky.social
@blrapalai.bsky.social investigates how ornate dragon lizards adapt their dorsal colouration to human-altered habitats, & how land clearing and altered outcrop conditions drive rapid changes in camouflage & survival🐉 🏞️ 5/11
@jenkelley01.bsky.social
September 24, 2025 at 8:51 AM
🦎 Life on the Rocks: Rapid Adaptation in the Wild
@blrapalai.bsky.social investigates how ornate dragon lizards adapt their dorsal colouration to human-altered habitats, & how land clearing and altered outcrop conditions drive rapid changes in camouflage & survival🐉 🏞️ 5/11
@jenkelley01.bsky.social
@blrapalai.bsky.social investigates how ornate dragon lizards adapt their dorsal colouration to human-altered habitats, & how land clearing and altered outcrop conditions drive rapid changes in camouflage & survival🐉 🏞️ 5/11
@jenkelley01.bsky.social
🪶 Intrasexual Competition in Magpies
@avantikadeep.bsky.social studies female–female competition in cooperative breeders, investigating socio-ecological drivers and the implications of intrasexual competition for group dynamics.🐦🦅🗣️ 4/11
@mandyridley.bsky.social @lizziespeechley.bsky.social
@avantikadeep.bsky.social studies female–female competition in cooperative breeders, investigating socio-ecological drivers and the implications of intrasexual competition for group dynamics.🐦🦅🗣️ 4/11
@mandyridley.bsky.social @lizziespeechley.bsky.social
September 24, 2025 at 8:51 AM
🪶 Intrasexual Competition in Magpies
@avantikadeep.bsky.social studies female–female competition in cooperative breeders, investigating socio-ecological drivers and the implications of intrasexual competition for group dynamics.🐦🦅🗣️ 4/11
@mandyridley.bsky.social @lizziespeechley.bsky.social
@avantikadeep.bsky.social studies female–female competition in cooperative breeders, investigating socio-ecological drivers and the implications of intrasexual competition for group dynamics.🐦🦅🗣️ 4/11
@mandyridley.bsky.social @lizziespeechley.bsky.social
🕷️ Sexual Selection & Diversification in Australian Wishbone Spiders
Andrea Piccinini investigates the taxonomy, mating behaviour, and evolutionary diversification of Aname spiders in the Northern Jarrah Forest, revealing new insights into cryptic diversity and sexual selection.🕸️🎥👩❤️💋👨💂 3/11
Andrea Piccinini investigates the taxonomy, mating behaviour, and evolutionary diversification of Aname spiders in the Northern Jarrah Forest, revealing new insights into cryptic diversity and sexual selection.🕸️🎥👩❤️💋👨💂 3/11
September 24, 2025 at 8:51 AM
🕷️ Sexual Selection & Diversification in Australian Wishbone Spiders
Andrea Piccinini investigates the taxonomy, mating behaviour, and evolutionary diversification of Aname spiders in the Northern Jarrah Forest, revealing new insights into cryptic diversity and sexual selection.🕸️🎥👩❤️💋👨💂 3/11
Andrea Piccinini investigates the taxonomy, mating behaviour, and evolutionary diversification of Aname spiders in the Northern Jarrah Forest, revealing new insights into cryptic diversity and sexual selection.🕸️🎥👩❤️💋👨💂 3/11
🐞 Ornaments Aren’t Just for Males 🏆
@hasbeanbeetle.bsky.social is studying female beetle ornaments, testing whether traits such as melanisation are used in mate choice, conflict, or resistance to harm — showcasing that ornaments may have functions beyond mate acquisition. 🐞👩❤️💋👨🥊 2/11
@hasbeanbeetle.bsky.social is studying female beetle ornaments, testing whether traits such as melanisation are used in mate choice, conflict, or resistance to harm — showcasing that ornaments may have functions beyond mate acquisition. 🐞👩❤️💋👨🥊 2/11
September 24, 2025 at 8:51 AM
🐞 Ornaments Aren’t Just for Males 🏆
@hasbeanbeetle.bsky.social is studying female beetle ornaments, testing whether traits such as melanisation are used in mate choice, conflict, or resistance to harm — showcasing that ornaments may have functions beyond mate acquisition. 🐞👩❤️💋👨🥊 2/11
@hasbeanbeetle.bsky.social is studying female beetle ornaments, testing whether traits such as melanisation are used in mate choice, conflict, or resistance to harm — showcasing that ornaments may have functions beyond mate acquisition. 🐞👩❤️💋👨🥊 2/11
CEB seminar late post: PhD candidate Andrea Piccinini shared the first observation of post-copulatory mate guarding behaviour in a WA wishbone spider (Aname sp.)—a rare insight into mygalomorph mating behaviour.👏
#EvolBio #SpiderBehaviour #SexualSelection #UWA #Mygalomorphs
#EvolBio #SpiderBehaviour #SexualSelection #UWA #Mygalomorphs
September 1, 2025 at 4:45 AM
CEB seminar late post: PhD candidate Andrea Piccinini shared the first observation of post-copulatory mate guarding behaviour in a WA wishbone spider (Aname sp.)—a rare insight into mygalomorph mating behaviour.👏
#EvolBio #SpiderBehaviour #SexualSelection #UWA #Mygalomorphs
#EvolBio #SpiderBehaviour #SexualSelection #UWA #Mygalomorphs
🐸 Last week at CEB, Shengyao discussed the population genomics of the Howard River toadlet (Uperoleia daviesae), a short-range endemic frog threatened by urbanisation near Darwin.
Read the paper here: doi.org/10.1007/s105...
@reneecatullo.bsky.social #EvolBio #FrogConservation #UrbanEcology #UWA
Read the paper here: doi.org/10.1007/s105...
@reneecatullo.bsky.social #EvolBio #FrogConservation #UrbanEcology #UWA
August 13, 2025 at 7:39 AM
🐸 Last week at CEB, Shengyao discussed the population genomics of the Howard River toadlet (Uperoleia daviesae), a short-range endemic frog threatened by urbanisation near Darwin.
Read the paper here: doi.org/10.1007/s105...
@reneecatullo.bsky.social #EvolBio #FrogConservation #UrbanEcology #UWA
Read the paper here: doi.org/10.1007/s105...
@reneecatullo.bsky.social #EvolBio #FrogConservation #UrbanEcology #UWA
Last week at CEB, Jackson discussed the conservation and population genomics of south-western Australian trapdoor spiders. Such genomic approach is important for their conservation.🕷️
@reneecatullo.bsky.social @rowanlym.bsky.social @brunobuzatto.bsky.social #LeighSimmons
#ConservationGenomics #UWA
@reneecatullo.bsky.social @rowanlym.bsky.social @brunobuzatto.bsky.social #LeighSimmons
#ConservationGenomics #UWA
August 13, 2025 at 7:35 AM
Last week at CEB, Jackson discussed the conservation and population genomics of south-western Australian trapdoor spiders. Such genomic approach is important for their conservation.🕷️
@reneecatullo.bsky.social @rowanlym.bsky.social @brunobuzatto.bsky.social #LeighSimmons
#ConservationGenomics #UWA
@reneecatullo.bsky.social @rowanlym.bsky.social @brunobuzatto.bsky.social #LeighSimmons
#ConservationGenomics #UWA
At CEB meeting, we heard from PhD student Avantika, who will study WA magpies to better understand how female magpies use aggression & vocalisation in social & reproductive competition. 🪶🦅
@mandyridley.bsky.social @lizziespeechley.bsky.social #LeighSimmons #UWA #AnimalBehaviour #SexualSelection
@mandyridley.bsky.social @lizziespeechley.bsky.social #LeighSimmons #UWA #AnimalBehaviour #SexualSelection
August 13, 2025 at 7:13 AM
At CEB meeting, we heard from PhD student Avantika, who will study WA magpies to better understand how female magpies use aggression & vocalisation in social & reproductive competition. 🪶🦅
@mandyridley.bsky.social @lizziespeechley.bsky.social #LeighSimmons #UWA #AnimalBehaviour #SexualSelection
@mandyridley.bsky.social @lizziespeechley.bsky.social #LeighSimmons #UWA #AnimalBehaviour #SexualSelection
This afternoon, CEB talk was presented by @hasbeanbeetle.bsky.social, who is studying elytral melanisation as female ornamentation in seed beetles. The live beetle props entertained our audience! 🪲🐞
Aadhi is supervised by Dr Natasha Lebas, Assoc Profs Joe Tomkins & Jason Kennington, & Dr Rob Dugand
Aadhi is supervised by Dr Natasha Lebas, Assoc Profs Joe Tomkins & Jason Kennington, & Dr Rob Dugand
July 30, 2025 at 9:02 AM
This afternoon, CEB talk was presented by @hasbeanbeetle.bsky.social, who is studying elytral melanisation as female ornamentation in seed beetles. The live beetle props entertained our audience! 🪲🐞
Aadhi is supervised by Dr Natasha Lebas, Assoc Profs Joe Tomkins & Jason Kennington, & Dr Rob Dugand
Aadhi is supervised by Dr Natasha Lebas, Assoc Profs Joe Tomkins & Jason Kennington, & Dr Rob Dugand
At CEB meeting this afternoon, PhD student @kultarrcam.bsky.social discussed the findings of two new species of carnivorous marsupial kultarr (Dasyuridae: Antechinomys) in Arid Australia! 🐀🐭
@kennytravouillon.bsky.social @reneecatullo.bsky.social @planigale.bsky.social bakerecologylab.wordpress.com
@kennytravouillon.bsky.social @reneecatullo.bsky.social @planigale.bsky.social bakerecologylab.wordpress.com
July 23, 2025 at 6:00 AM
At CEB meeting this afternoon, PhD student @kultarrcam.bsky.social discussed the findings of two new species of carnivorous marsupial kultarr (Dasyuridae: Antechinomys) in Arid Australia! 🐀🐭
@kennytravouillon.bsky.social @reneecatullo.bsky.social @planigale.bsky.social bakerecologylab.wordpress.com
@kennytravouillon.bsky.social @reneecatullo.bsky.social @planigale.bsky.social bakerecologylab.wordpress.com
At CEB meeting this afternoon, PhD student Harriet Kate O’Roarty discussed her research project focusing on the sex-specific effects of #macronutrients on the Indian meal moth #life-history traits. 🥗🦋🪲🦗
Harriet is supervised by #LeighSimmons #YongFoo #NinaWedell
Harriet is supervised by #LeighSimmons #YongFoo #NinaWedell
May 28, 2025 at 8:16 AM
At CEB meeting this afternoon, PhD student Harriet Kate O’Roarty discussed her research project focusing on the sex-specific effects of #macronutrients on the Indian meal moth #life-history traits. 🥗🦋🪲🦗
Harriet is supervised by #LeighSimmons #YongFoo #NinaWedell
Harriet is supervised by #LeighSimmons #YongFoo #NinaWedell
@brainiants.bsky.social discussed her PhD proposal this afternoon where she plans to study variation in intraspecific cognition & its relation to complex behaviors, specifically combat and group foraging in Western Australian ants. 🐜 @mandyridley.bsky.social @notthebestsam.bsky.social #LeighSimmons
May 21, 2025 at 7:08 AM
@brainiants.bsky.social discussed her PhD proposal this afternoon where she plans to study variation in intraspecific cognition & its relation to complex behaviors, specifically combat and group foraging in Western Australian ants. 🐜 @mandyridley.bsky.social @notthebestsam.bsky.social #LeighSimmons
Beautiful drawing by the lead author @nirjana-dewan.bsky.social! Congratulations team #WJasonKennington #JosephLTomkins #RobertJDugand 🎉
May 16, 2025 at 3:12 AM
Beautiful drawing by the lead author @nirjana-dewan.bsky.social! Congratulations team #WJasonKennington #JosephLTomkins #RobertJDugand 🎉
Congratulations to the authors!
#NatashaR.LeBas #JenniferRodger @rowanlym.bsky.social #JosephL.Tomkins #DominiqueBlache
#NatashaR.LeBas #JenniferRodger @rowanlym.bsky.social #JosephL.Tomkins #DominiqueBlache
May 1, 2025 at 4:29 AM
Congratulations to the authors!
#NatashaR.LeBas #JenniferRodger @rowanlym.bsky.social #JosephL.Tomkins #DominiqueBlache
#NatashaR.LeBas #JenniferRodger @rowanlym.bsky.social #JosephL.Tomkins #DominiqueBlache
Darwin came to town!
@beetlebonking.bsky.social @brainiants.bsky.social @upama.bsky.social
#UWAOpenDay #EvolBio #EnvironmentalScience
@beetlebonking.bsky.social @brainiants.bsky.social @upama.bsky.social
#UWAOpenDay #EvolBio #EnvironmentalScience
March 30, 2025 at 7:02 AM
Zoology stall has been busy today with so many enthusiasts around! Darwin was a big hit but stick insects won the race! 🐜🐟🦊
@jenkelley01.bsky.social @1jonevans.bsky.social @beetlebonking.bsky.social @upama.bsky.social
@jenkelley01.bsky.social @1jonevans.bsky.social @beetlebonking.bsky.social @upama.bsky.social
March 30, 2025 at 6:35 AM
Zoology stall has been busy today with so many enthusiasts around! Darwin was a big hit but stick insects won the race! 🐜🐟🦊
@jenkelley01.bsky.social @1jonevans.bsky.social @beetlebonking.bsky.social @upama.bsky.social
@jenkelley01.bsky.social @1jonevans.bsky.social @beetlebonking.bsky.social @upama.bsky.social