Upama Aich
@upama.bsky.social
Forrest Research Fellow, Centre for Evolutionary Biology @ceb-uwa.bsky.social. Interested in sexual selection, ageing, behaviour, and evolutionary biology. Past @MonashBiol. PhD from Jennions Lab @EcoEvo_ANU 🇧🇩 🇦🇺
https://upamaaich.com
https://upamaaich.com
Reposted by Upama Aich
After the Ngogo chimpanzee group killed 21 members of neighboring groups and expanded their territory by 22%, female birth rates more than doubled and infant survival increased sharply—showing clear fitness benefits from intergroup killing. In PNAS: https://ow.ly/TKmf50XuPjY
November 22, 2025 at 12:00 AM
After the Ngogo chimpanzee group killed 21 members of neighboring groups and expanded their territory by 22%, female birth rates more than doubled and infant survival increased sharply—showing clear fitness benefits from intergroup killing. In PNAS: https://ow.ly/TKmf50XuPjY
Reposted by Upama Aich
👏 A proud moment for #CEB!
Emeritus Professor Leigh Simmons has been announced as the 2026 Hamilton Lecturer at @isbe2026.bsky.social, one of the most prestigious honours in behavioural ecology.
#BehaviouralEcology #ISBE2026 #UWA #EvolutionaryBiology
Emeritus Professor Leigh Simmons has been announced as the 2026 Hamilton Lecturer at @isbe2026.bsky.social, one of the most prestigious honours in behavioural ecology.
#BehaviouralEcology #ISBE2026 #UWA #EvolutionaryBiology
Honored to announce the Hamilton Lecture 2026!
Leigh Simmons, Emeritus Professor of Evolutionary Biology at the University of Western Australia has made an outstanding contribution to the field of sexual selection acting from the whole organism to its gametes, and to our Society.
Leigh Simmons, Emeritus Professor of Evolutionary Biology at the University of Western Australia has made an outstanding contribution to the field of sexual selection acting from the whole organism to its gametes, and to our Society.
November 20, 2025 at 8:01 AM
👏 A proud moment for #CEB!
Emeritus Professor Leigh Simmons has been announced as the 2026 Hamilton Lecturer at @isbe2026.bsky.social, one of the most prestigious honours in behavioural ecology.
#BehaviouralEcology #ISBE2026 #UWA #EvolutionaryBiology
Emeritus Professor Leigh Simmons has been announced as the 2026 Hamilton Lecturer at @isbe2026.bsky.social, one of the most prestigious honours in behavioural ecology.
#BehaviouralEcology #ISBE2026 #UWA #EvolutionaryBiology
Reposted by Upama Aich
Not all sexual swellings signal fertility. Some signal strategy. In our new Current Biology paper, we show how gelada females “fake it” during male takeovers—and why it works.
authors.elsevier.com/a/1m7%7E93QW...
authors.elsevier.com/a/1m7%7E93QW...
November 19, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Not all sexual swellings signal fertility. Some signal strategy. In our new Current Biology paper, we show how gelada females “fake it” during male takeovers—and why it works.
authors.elsevier.com/a/1m7%7E93QW...
authors.elsevier.com/a/1m7%7E93QW...
Iliana is the best, strongly recommend to apply!
Anyone looking for a Australia-based postdoc? Like animal behaviour / coding / birds? My fantastic collaborator, Iliana Medina, is advertising a position researching bird nests:
unimelb.wd105.myworkdayjobs.com/en-GB/UoM_Ex...
unimelb.wd105.myworkdayjobs.com/en-GB/UoM_Ex...
Research Fellow in Behaviour and Ecology
Role type: Full Time; Fixed Term for 2 years Faculty: Faculty of Science Department/ School: School of Biosciences Salary: Level A: $87,266 - $118,416 (PhD Entry Level - $110,319) plus 17% super Colla...
unimelb.wd105.myworkdayjobs.com
November 20, 2025 at 7:46 AM
Iliana is the best, strongly recommend to apply!
Reposted by Upama Aich
How is this possible?
This ant can lay eggs of two different species, birthed by the same mother
This ant can lay eggs of two different species, birthed by the same mother
September 3, 2025 at 3:13 PM
How is this possible?
This ant can lay eggs of two different species, birthed by the same mother
This ant can lay eggs of two different species, birthed by the same mother
Reposted by Upama Aich
How can pollutants affect the success of non-native species? Isaac Ligocki & colleagues find the potential influence of chemical pollution on invasion success remains largely unexplored and recommend its inclusion in conservation and restoration
doi.org/10.1098/rspb...
doi.org/10.1098/rspb...
Uncovering the role of chemical pollutants in shaping biological invasions | Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences
Ecosystems around the globe are under unprecedented pressure from human activities. Chemical pollution and biological invasions are two leading drivers of environmental change, each of which causes substantial harm to wildlife and the ecosystems they ...
doi.org
November 14, 2025 at 6:24 AM
How can pollutants affect the success of non-native species? Isaac Ligocki & colleagues find the potential influence of chemical pollution on invasion success remains largely unexplored and recommend its inclusion in conservation and restoration
doi.org/10.1098/rspb...
doi.org/10.1098/rspb...
Such an honour and pleasure to supervise @gabrielmelhado.bsky.social on his PhD studying the effect of pharamacutical pollution on behaviour and immunity in native rainbowfish with @annempeters.bsky.social & @bbmwong.bsky.social
Gabe presented his final milestone today @monashbiol.bsky.social!
Gabe presented his final milestone today @monashbiol.bsky.social!
October 30, 2025 at 3:48 AM
Such an honour and pleasure to supervise @gabrielmelhado.bsky.social on his PhD studying the effect of pharamacutical pollution on behaviour and immunity in native rainbowfish with @annempeters.bsky.social & @bbmwong.bsky.social
Gabe presented his final milestone today @monashbiol.bsky.social!
Gabe presented his final milestone today @monashbiol.bsky.social!
Our new review paper on the role of chemical pollutants in shaping biological invasions is out now @royalsocietypublishing.org
Led by #IssacLigocki with a group of talented people 👇
doi.org/10.1098/rspb...
Led by #IssacLigocki with a group of talented people 👇
doi.org/10.1098/rspb...
October 24, 2025 at 12:18 AM
Our new review paper on the role of chemical pollutants in shaping biological invasions is out now @royalsocietypublishing.org
Led by #IssacLigocki with a group of talented people 👇
doi.org/10.1098/rspb...
Led by #IssacLigocki with a group of talented people 👇
doi.org/10.1098/rspb...
Reposted by Upama Aich
Go try this!! As always, a fantastic idea from @odedrechavi.bsky.social.
BIG ANNOUNCEMENT📣: I haven’t been this excited to be part of something new in 15 years… Thrilled to reveal the passion project I’ve been working on for the past year and a half!🙀🥳 (thread 👇)
October 17, 2025 at 7:59 AM
Go try this!! As always, a fantastic idea from @odedrechavi.bsky.social.
Till death do us part- fruit fly edition. 🤓
Flies were frozen to euthanise before we counted their sex ratio. This pair, as you can see, was quite busy throughout and remained attached even after being frozen for 4 days. They are full sibs, so I call them Cersei and Jaime 🫣🙈
Flies were frozen to euthanise before we counted their sex ratio. This pair, as you can see, was quite busy throughout and remained attached even after being frozen for 4 days. They are full sibs, so I call them Cersei and Jaime 🫣🙈
October 11, 2025 at 9:25 AM
Till death do us part- fruit fly edition. 🤓
Flies were frozen to euthanise before we counted their sex ratio. This pair, as you can see, was quite busy throughout and remained attached even after being frozen for 4 days. They are full sibs, so I call them Cersei and Jaime 🫣🙈
Flies were frozen to euthanise before we counted their sex ratio. This pair, as you can see, was quite busy throughout and remained attached even after being frozen for 4 days. They are full sibs, so I call them Cersei and Jaime 🫣🙈
Reposted by Upama Aich
Need something fun to look forward to? Get involved in the publishing process at one of your favorite society journals! Apply to be an editor at Animal Behavior by Oct 31!
Do you love research & writing & all things animal behavior? Well our journal, Animal Behavior, recruiting up to 5 (count em!) new Associate Editors!
Editors serve three-year terms beginning January 2026. If you're interested, email Exec Editor Scott Sakaluk (sksakal@ilstu.edu) by Oct 31!
Editors serve three-year terms beginning January 2026. If you're interested, email Exec Editor Scott Sakaluk (sksakal@ilstu.edu) by Oct 31!
ron burgundy from parks and recreation says " you 'd be a fool not to pick me "
ALT: ron burgundy from parks and recreation says " you 'd be a fool not to pick me "
media.tenor.com
October 8, 2025 at 8:51 PM
Need something fun to look forward to? Get involved in the publishing process at one of your favorite society journals! Apply to be an editor at Animal Behavior by Oct 31!
Reposted by Upama Aich
Fully funded PhD (for Australian and NZ citizens) in Adelaide at @flindersuniversity.bsky.social on Australian scorpion evolution with Dr Russell Bicknell www.flinders.edu.au/scholarships...
PhD Scholarship in Australian scorpion evolution - Flinders University
www.flinders.edu.au
October 8, 2025 at 10:41 PM
Fully funded PhD (for Australian and NZ citizens) in Adelaide at @flindersuniversity.bsky.social on Australian scorpion evolution with Dr Russell Bicknell www.flinders.edu.au/scholarships...
Reposted by Upama Aich
🚨Massive congratulations to our CEB member @jenkelley01.bsky.social and the global collaboration team on their investigation asking why some prey use warning colouration while others use camouflaging in @science.org. Read the article below 👇
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
September 26, 2025 at 9:32 AM
🚨Massive congratulations to our CEB member @jenkelley01.bsky.social and the global collaboration team on their investigation asking why some prey use warning colouration while others use camouflaging in @science.org. Read the article below 👇
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Reposted by Upama Aich
Wa hoo! Our paper in Science is out today, revealing why some prey use conspicuous warning colouration while others use camouflaging colours. A huge global collaboration under incredible leadership by Iliana Medina and @wlallen.bsky.social
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Global selection on insect antipredator coloration
Natural selection has repeatedly led to the evolution of two alternative antipredator color strategies—camouflage to avoid detection and aposematism to advertise unprofitability—but we lack understand...
www.science.org
September 26, 2025 at 1:43 AM
Wa hoo! Our paper in Science is out today, revealing why some prey use conspicuous warning colouration while others use camouflaging colours. A huge global collaboration under incredible leadership by Iliana Medina and @wlallen.bsky.social
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Reposted by Upama Aich
Researchers in Science report a globally replicated experiment that uncovers which factors explain the relative success of warning coloration and camouflage as antipredator color strategies.
Learn more in this week's issue: https://scim.ag/4mBCl6i
Learn more in this week's issue: https://scim.ag/4mBCl6i
September 25, 2025 at 6:05 PM
Researchers in Science report a globally replicated experiment that uncovers which factors explain the relative success of warning coloration and camouflage as antipredator color strategies.
Learn more in this week's issue: https://scim.ag/4mBCl6i
Learn more in this week's issue: https://scim.ag/4mBCl6i
Reposted by Upama Aich
I have a job opening in my lab. If you are interested in bird behaviour and predator prey interactions please take a look! werkenbij.uva.nl/en/vacancies...
Vacancy — Postdoc Position in Decision Making in Birds
Are you an expert in animal behavior? Do you have experience working with birds? The Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics (IBED) is looking for a motivated researcher to investigate the ro...
werkenbij.uva.nl
September 25, 2025 at 10:10 AM
I have a job opening in my lab. If you are interested in bird behaviour and predator prey interactions please take a look! werkenbij.uva.nl/en/vacancies...
Reposted by Upama Aich
**PhD POSITIONS** I am recruiting 1-2 PhD students to work on sociality and cognition in Monk Parakeets, starting Fall 2026. Full ad is here: hobsonresearch.com/index.php/20... (please help spread the word!)
September 23, 2025 at 6:58 PM
**PhD POSITIONS** I am recruiting 1-2 PhD students to work on sociality and cognition in Monk Parakeets, starting Fall 2026. Full ad is here: hobsonresearch.com/index.php/20... (please help spread the word!)
Reposted by Upama Aich
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
Reposted by Upama Aich
We’re offering a fully funded 4 yr PhD position to work on Sexual selection in complex environments at the @uv.es. Co-supervised by @dbergerbiol.bsky.social. Find details below 👇
September 1, 2025 at 1:25 PM
We’re offering a fully funded 4 yr PhD position to work on Sexual selection in complex environments at the @uv.es. Co-supervised by @dbergerbiol.bsky.social. Find details below 👇
Not every day you get to wear the aprons once used by Leigh Simmons and Joe Tomkins in the legendary dung beetle lab—where so much cool science on sexual selection and evolutionary ecology has been cooked up (sometimes literally 🪲💩)
@invertebrateissy.bsky.social @ceb-uwa.bsky.social
@invertebrateissy.bsky.social @ceb-uwa.bsky.social
August 26, 2025 at 11:24 AM
Not every day you get to wear the aprons once used by Leigh Simmons and Joe Tomkins in the legendary dung beetle lab—where so much cool science on sexual selection and evolutionary ecology has been cooked up (sometimes literally 🪲💩)
@invertebrateissy.bsky.social @ceb-uwa.bsky.social
@invertebrateissy.bsky.social @ceb-uwa.bsky.social
Reposted by Upama Aich
The SORTEE Guidelines for Data and Code Quality Control in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
doi.org/10.32942/X24...
doi.org/10.32942/X24...
August 17, 2025 at 6:10 PM
The SORTEE Guidelines for Data and Code Quality Control in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
doi.org/10.32942/X24...
doi.org/10.32942/X24...
Reposted by Upama Aich
"TADA! Simple guidelines to improve code sharing"
doi.org/10.32942/X2D...
doi.org/10.32942/X2D...
August 5, 2025 at 7:08 AM
"TADA! Simple guidelines to improve code sharing"
doi.org/10.32942/X2D...
doi.org/10.32942/X2D...
Reposted by Upama Aich
Funded #PhD scholarship- Vocal mimicry in tooth-billed bowerbirds at the Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment Western Sydney University @animalecolab.bsky.social
@drbackhouse.bsky.social @westsyduhie.bsky.social
Deadline: 30 Sept25 link: tinyurl.com/4uf92t5b
@drbackhouse.bsky.social @westsyduhie.bsky.social
Deadline: 30 Sept25 link: tinyurl.com/4uf92t5b
August 18, 2025 at 3:17 AM
Funded #PhD scholarship- Vocal mimicry in tooth-billed bowerbirds at the Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment Western Sydney University @animalecolab.bsky.social
@drbackhouse.bsky.social @westsyduhie.bsky.social
Deadline: 30 Sept25 link: tinyurl.com/4uf92t5b
@drbackhouse.bsky.social @westsyduhie.bsky.social
Deadline: 30 Sept25 link: tinyurl.com/4uf92t5b
Reposted by Upama Aich
Please share: @UBCScience is searching for 15 TT faculty in diverse areas of expertise science.ubc.ca/about/careers. Included are 2 positions in Quantitative and Environmental Science as part of a hiring cluster for black faculty; you will join 6 current UBC faculty science.ubc.ca/blackscholars.
October 27, 2023 at 8:00 PM
Please share: @UBCScience is searching for 15 TT faculty in diverse areas of expertise science.ubc.ca/about/careers. Included are 2 positions in Quantitative and Environmental Science as part of a hiring cluster for black faculty; you will join 6 current UBC faculty science.ubc.ca/blackscholars.
Reposted by Upama Aich
My legendary students Incheol Shin and Seb Hayden published a fantastic study on kin recognition and the evolution of lethal fights in bulb mites, well done guys!
academic.oup.com/evolut/advan...
Media attention here:
econews.com.au/67589/meet-t...
www.ecovoice.com.au/meet-the-tin...
academic.oup.com/evolut/advan...
Media attention here:
econews.com.au/67589/meet-t...
www.ecovoice.com.au/meet-the-tin...
Mate competition and relatedness among males mediate the evolution of lethal fights in bulb mites
Abstract. Aggression can enhance direct fitness by aiding aggressors in securing reproductive resources, but it negatively impacts inclusive fitness when d
academic.oup.com
August 18, 2025 at 5:48 AM
My legendary students Incheol Shin and Seb Hayden published a fantastic study on kin recognition and the evolution of lethal fights in bulb mites, well done guys!
academic.oup.com/evolut/advan...
Media attention here:
econews.com.au/67589/meet-t...
www.ecovoice.com.au/meet-the-tin...
academic.oup.com/evolut/advan...
Media attention here:
econews.com.au/67589/meet-t...
www.ecovoice.com.au/meet-the-tin...