Reproductive Physiology
The reproductive physiology group studies maternal reproductive investment and the subsequent impact on offspring characteristics and fitness. Broadly ‘what the mother contributes or controls and how this shapes offspring phenotypes and fitness’. Research in the group includes how environmental factors (e.g. temperature, humidity, pollutants) and/or maternal factors (e.g. diet, body condition, behaviour) shape maternal allocation strategies in viviparous (live-bearing) or oviparous (egg-laying) species. The group uses a multidiscipline approach to question orientated research utilising a diverse range of taxa, including but not limited to reptiles, birds and marsupials.
Supervision of research projects on any aspect of ecology and/or evolutionary biology of reproduction will be considered. Projects specific to current research interests are offered annually and interested students should contact potential supervisors directly. Prospective honours students should consult the Department of Zoology Honours website for a detailed outline of the course, and for instructions for application.
Visit the Robert Lab for more details.
Current Students:
- Megan Callander – Effects of an endocrine disrupting contaminant (atrazine) on sexual differentiation and offspring fitness in the Murray River Turtle (Emydura macquarii). Supervised by Ricky Spencer (UWS) and Kylie Robert (La Trobe).
- Inshani Sappideen – Sex allocation, diet and body condition in the Fat-tailed Dunnart (Sminthopsis crassicaudata). Supervised by Kylie Robert (La Trobe)
Potential Projects
Some research topics and potential projects at the honours or post-graduate level include:
- Sex allocation in marsupials
- Are there changes in milk composition in Tammar wallabies birthing sons vs. daughters?
- How does maternal stress shape offspring phenotypes in viviparous lizards?
- Effects of endocrine disruptors during pregnancy on embryo development and offspring fitness
- Sex allocation prior to fertilisation: Differential performance of X and Y chromosome-bearing sperm with various in vitro environments
- Temperature-dependant sex determination in viviparous lizards
- How does maternal stress impact sex allocation in Zebra Finch?
- Maternal thermoregulatory behavior during pregnancy in viviparous lizards
- Effects of environmental stressors on offspring phenotypes in viviparous Aphids
- Other projects may be available; suggestions from prospective students will be considered
