Rocio did her BSc/MSc at the Comahue National University (Argentina) on habitat use in geckos, and research at the National University of Cuyo (Argentina) on the thermal ecophysiology of lizards. She worked for 6 years as a RA with Mike Kearney (University of Melbourne) and Christy Hipsley (University of Melbourne/Museum Victoria) working on the ecophysiology, ecomorphology and conservation of Australian lizards. At Monash, Rocio led an ARC Linkage Project, CT scanning Australian lizard species. She is currently a research assistant at Museums Victoria.

Kim worked on the invasion dynamics of the delicate skink, and the biology and ecology of the lizard fauna of Lord Howe Island. Kim did her PhD at Victoria University of Wellington in New Zealand on the maintenance of genetic diversity in re-introduced reptile populations. Kim is now the manager of Life Sciences (Conservation and Research) at Zoos Victoria, based at Healesville Sanctuary.

Co-supervised by Dr Reid Tingley

Thesis title: Forecasting invaders and invasions for biosecurity decision support.

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For his PhD, Arman investigated the correlates of invasion success in reptiles and amphibians.

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Co-supervised by Prof Bob Wong

Thesis title: The impacts of warming temperatures on fertility, growth, and thermal ecology of an Australian skink, Lampropholis delicata.

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For her PhD project, Maddy investigated the impact of climatic conditions on egg incubation and thermal ecology in Lampropholis skinks.

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Honours student (First Class Honours), 2016-2017

Co-supervised by Prof Bob Wong

Thesis title: Rearing environment influences behavioural variation and behavioural syndrome structure in rainforest sunskinks.

For her honours project, Maddy examined the influence of rearing environment on behavioural variation and behavioural types in the rainforest sunskink, Lampropholis similis.

Co-supervised by Prof Bob Wong

Thesis title: Behavioural variation and environmental change: understanding how ecological conditions mediate animal personality traits.

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Jack completed his Honours degree at The University of New South Wales in 2017, investigating the neural mechanisms of animal learning and behaviour.

For his PhD, Jack investigated how animal behaviour can influence biological invasions. His project examined the role of behavioural flexibility and variation in mediating the ability of a species to invade and become established in novel environments.

Co-supervised by Prof Bob Wong

Thesis title: Behavioural variation, sociality, and antipredator behaviour across multiple invasions of the delicate skink.

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Annie completed her honours with Anne Peters at Monash University in 2016, investigating the behaviour of fairy wrens. For her PhD, Annie investigated behaviour, and behavioural syndromes, in native and introduced populations of the delicate skink.

Co-supervised by Prof Shai Meiri (Tel Aviv University) and Dr Reid Tingley

Andressa completed her MSc in Brazil, studying climatic niche evolution. For her PhD, Andressa will be investigating the drivers of diversity in lizards. She will use a macroecological approach to explore mechanisms at different temporal and spatial scales.

Co-supervised by Prof Bob Wong

Thesis title: Ecology and Conservation of Australian squamate reptiles.

For her PhD project, Anna investigated the ecology and conservation of three little known skink species from the subfamily Egerniinae: Lissolepis coventryi, Liopholis montana, and Liopholis guthega. She is now an ecologist at the South Australian Department of Environment and Water.

Co-supervised by Prof Bob Wong

Thesis title: Investigating the syndrome: ecological and evolutionary implications of personality variation.

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Marcus' PhD explored the ecological and evolutionary implications of animal personality using a repeatedly successful invasive species, the delicate skink, Lampropholis delicata. He investigated personality variation within broader ecological contexts (ecological sampling; dispersal & competition; thermal variation) and attempted to provide insight into the role animal personality may have played in the delicate skink's successful invasion history. He is now a postdoctoral fellow at the Swedish Institute of Agricultural Sciences.

For more information, visit his website.

Co-supervised by Prof Bob Wong

Thesis title: Behavioural and morphological variation in neotropical cichlid fishes.

Will completed his honours project on the habitat selection of minnows (Galaxias spp.). For his PhD research, Will investigated morphological and behavioural variation in the introduced neotropical Red Devil cichlid fish (Amphilophus labiatus) and several other cichlid species. The study involved both field and laboratory components to investigate the mechanisms that maintain variation in cichlid populations. Will completed postdoctoral fellowships in Sweden and Japan. For more information, visit his website.

Co-supervisor: Dr Peter Ritchie (Victoria University of Wellington, NZ) 

Thesis title: Phylogeography of the New Zealand common skink species complex, Oligosoma nigriplantare

Libby investigated the relative roles of different climatic and geological processes in the evolutionary history of the New Zealand common skink species complex using mitochondrial DNA sequence data (ND2, ND4) and phylogeographic analyses. Libby went on to do a PhD at the University of Queensland and is now a Lecturer in Marine Ecology at Massey University in Auckland.

Co-supervised by A/Prof Kylie Robert (La Trobe University)

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Thesis title: Elucidating the geographical distribution and threats of the Critically Endangered Kaputar rock skink (Egernia roomi).

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For his Honours project, Nick investigated the distribution and ecology of the Critically Endangered Kaputar rock skink.

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Thesis title: Addressing three key knowledge gaps in our understanding of a Critically Endangered skink species- the Kaputar rock skink (Egernia roomi).

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For her Honours project, Catherine investigated the biology and ecology of the Critically Endangered Kaputar rock skink, Egernia roomi

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BIO3990, Sem 1, 2022

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For her BIO3990 project, Catherine examined the conservation of Data Deficient skinks worldwide.

Thesis title: Capturing uncatalogued distribution records to improve rapid assessments of threatened species: a case study using the glossy grass skink.

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For her honours project, Amelia examined the conservation ecology of the glossy grass skink, Pseudemoia rawlinsoni.

Co-supervised by Dr Jane Melville and Dr Claire McLean (Museums Victoria)

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Thesis title: The impacts of fire on the structure and diversity of ants within Little Desert NP.

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For her honours project, Maddy investigated the impact of fire on invertebrates in Little Desert NP.

Co-supervised by Dr Christy Hipsley (University of Melbourne), and Rocio Aguilar

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Thesis title: Do ontogenetic dietary shifts cause morphological diversity in the subfamily Egerniinae?

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For her honours project, Tegan used CT scanning to investigate ontogenetic shifts in morphology in Egerniinae skinks. Tegan is now working in an environmental consulting lab.

Co-supervised by Dr Reid Tingley, and Prof Shai Meiri (Tel Aviv University)

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Thesis title: Do Australian skinks and goannas conform to Bergmann's and Allen's rule?

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Emma investigated the factors driving the morphological evolution of Australian skinks and varanids.

Co-supervised by Dr Carly Cook

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Thesis title: The influence of revegetation age and habitat on reptiles.

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For her honours project, Clare investigated the importance of woody debris for reptile communities in revegetated habitats within the Goulburn Broken Catchment Management area. Clare is now a PhD student at Monash University.

Co-supervised by Prof Shai Meiri (Tel Aviv University)

For her honours project, Mahalia compared the macroecology of widespread vs range-restricted Australian skinks. Mahalia is currently doing a Masters of Ecosystem Management and Conservation at the University of Melbourne.

Thesis title: Seasonal thermal plasticity in White's skink, Liopholis whitii.

For her honours project, Emily investigated how the thermal tolerances of high elevation Liopholis whitii change across their active season. Her study provides insight into the potential for thermal plasticity within L. whitii in response to increased warming and climatic variability in alpine regions. Emily is now a graduate ecologist at E2M environmental consultants.

BIO3990, Sem 1, 2016

Emily examined the presence of behavioural syndromes in the rainforest sunskink, Lampropholis coggeri.

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Co-supervised by Prof Shai Meiri, Tel Aviv University

Thesis title: Is the environment a driver of morphological diversity in Australian skinks?

Jessie investigated morphological diversification and the macroecology of Australian skinks.

Co-supervised by Prof Bob Wong

Thesis title: Differences in behaviours and behavioural syndromes between the sexes in Lampropholis coggeri.

For his honours, Wes examined whether there were sexual differences in behavioural syndromes in the rainforest sunskink, Lampropholis coggeri.

Thesis title: The way you think: the influence of personality on learning in the delicate skink (Lampropholis delicata).

Melinda examined the link between personality and cognition in the delicate skink. Melinda is now a teaching assistant at Monash University.

Co-supervised by Prof Bob Wong

Thesis title: The impact of urbanisation on the responses to novelty and antipredator behaviour in the delicate skink, Lampropholis delicata. 

Shannon compared urban and non-urban populations of the delicate skink from the Sydney region to examine whether urban populations are bolder and are more likely to respond to novelty. Shannon now works for the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP).

Thesis title: The impacts of urbanisation on the behaviour of the delicate skink, Lampropholis delicata.

For her honours project, Hannah investigated the impacts of urbanisation on the behaviour and morphology of the delicate skink in the Sydney region, focusing on behavioural syndromes. She found differences in the behaviour of lizards from urban and natural populations and demonstrated the presence of a behavioural syndrome in the delicate skink. Hannah now works at the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP).

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BIO3990 student, Sem 1, 2012

Hannah used mitochondrial DNA sequence data to examine the introduction history and spread of the invasive delicate skink (Lampropholis delicata) across Lord Howe Island.

Thesis title: Intra-specific hybridisation of the delicate skink (Lampropholis delicata) on Lord Howe Island. 

Kirilee used mitochondrial DNA sequence data and microsatellite markers to determine the introduction history of the invasive delicate skink, and demonstrate that intra-specific hybridisation is occurring on Lord Howe Island among four genetically distinct lineages. Kirilee completed a PhD at Museums Victoria/University of Melbourne studying agamid lizards, and is now a Police Officer.

Thesis title: The behaviour and response to tail loss in two sympatric Lampropholis skinks.

Gill completed a series of laboratory experiments to investigate the thermal sensitivity of sprint speed, activity and basking site selection of Lampropholis delicata and L. guichenoti. In addition, Gill compared the impact of tail loss on the behaviour of these two sympatric species. Gill was an environmental consultant for several years and is now a nurse.

Co-supervised by Prof Bob Wong

Thesis title: Influence of social and exploratory behaviour on introduction success: a comparison of two sympatric skinks, Lampropholis delicata and Lampropholis guichenoti. 

Sarah conducted several laboratory experiments to examine the social and exploratory behaviour of the delicate skink (Lampropholis delicata) and the garden skink (L. guichenoti). Several behavioural differences were identified that might act to improve the success of the delicate skink during the introduction process. Sarah is currently working as a science communicator at Questacon in Canberra.

​For his BIO3990 project, Daniel conducted reptile surveys in the Yellingbo Nature Conservation Area.

​For his BIO3990 project, Dinal investigated the daily activity patterns and detectability of lizards at Warringine Park, Victoria.

For her BIO3990 project, Sophie examined the behavioural and evolutionary ecology of Lampropholis skinks.

For her BIO3990 project, Emily investigated the behavioural and evolutionary ecology of the delicate skink. Emily completed her honours project with Dr Chris Johnstone.

For his BIO3990 project, Andrew examined the influence of colour pattern polymorphism on social behaviour in the delicate skink. He completed a honours degree with Prof Bob Wong.

Emily collated data and prepared draft red list assessments for the IUCN assessment of Australian Proteaceae that was held at Monash University in February 2019.

Jenna collated data and prepared draft red list assessments for the IUCN assessment of New Zealand reptiles that was held at Monash in Feb 2018.

Celine was a postdoctoral research associate on an ARC Discovery Project investigating behavioural syndromes, and the pace of life syndrome, in the invasive populations of the delicate skink. She is now working at the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP).

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Co-supervised by Prof Michael Thompson (University of Sydney)

Thesis title: Beyond the behavioural syndrome: functional integration of physiology, behaviour, and cognition among squamate reptiles.

For her PhD project, Celine investigated the interaction between thermal biology, behaviour and cognition in the delicate skink.

Katie did her PhD at the University of Melbourne (with Dr Michael Kearney and Dr Jane Melville) on the evolution and temporal stability of frog hybrid zones. She worked in our lab on a variety of lizard, frog and fish research projects. Katie is now a Collections Manager-Terrestrial Vertebrates at Museums Victoria.

Co-supervised by A/Prof Alistair Evans & Dr Christy Hipsley

Thesis title: Morphology, ecology and evolution of limb reduction in skinks.

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For his PhD project, Marco examined the morphological and macroecological aspects of limb reduction and loss in Australian skinks.

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Co-supervised by Prof Shai Meiri

Thesis title: The relationship between the habitat and the behavioral ecology, ecophysiology and morphology of gecko populations.

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Rachel was based at Tel Aviv University. She investigated the relationship between habitat and behaviour, ecophysiology and morphology in lizards.

Co-supervised by Prof Craig White

Thesis title: Ecophysiolgical basis of lizards geographic distribution.

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For his PhD, Rodolfo investigated the thermal ecology and ecophysiology of Lampropholis skinks.

Co-supervised by Prof Paul Sunnucks and Dr Alexander Pavlova

Thesis title: How effective are existing conservation actions in ensuring species recovery of Australian freshwater fish?

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Maiko used genomic approaches to investigate whether genetic rescue is an efficient recovery tool for the threatened Macquarie Perch.

Co-supervised by Dr Tim Connallon

Thesis title: The maintenance of a colour pattern polymorphism with sex-specific fitness consequences in an Australian skink.

For her PhD project, Gen investigated colour pattern polymorphism in the delicate skink. She is now a Conservation Planning Officer at Parks Victoria.

Honours student (First Class Honours), 2015-2016

Thesis title: Thermal biology and predation pressure: what is maintaining colour pattern polymorphism in White's skink, Liopholis whitii. 

Gen investigated differences in the thermal biology, behaviour and microhabitat selection between colour morphs of White's skink. 

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BIO3990 student, Sem 1, 2015

Gen examined the reflectance of heating/cooling rate in the delicate skink.

Co-supervised by Assoc Prof Melodie McGeoch & Prof Steven Chown

Thesis title: Spatial dissimilarities in a host-parasitoid metaweb: the Acacia-Trichilogaster-natural enemy interaction.

Marie investigated spatial variation in the food webs and interaction of Trichilogaster gall wasps and Acacia plants. She is now a postdoctoral fellow at the Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research.

Co-supervised by Prof Bob Wong

Thesis title: Fish in the desert: behaviour, genes, and persistence in a changing world.

Krys completed her honours project with Dr Theresa Jones and Prof Mark Elgar at the University of Melbourne. Her broad research interests centre on the ways in which animals interact with a changing environment, particularly within an increasingly anthropogenic world. Her PhD project investigated the behavioural, genetic and morphological implications of environmental change using the desert goby Chlamydogobius eremius, a native species found in the rivers and springs of the Lake Eyre Basin in arid Australia. To do this, she combined field-based ecological surveys with captive, experimental work to examine sexual and movement behaviours. Genetic work (both phylogenetic and phylogeographic) provided an important evolutionary context for these results by providing insights into how a complex biogeographic history and dramatic climatic shifts have shaped the distribution and structure of a modern species. Krys now works as a project manager at Deakin University.

Co-supervised by Assoc Prof Richard Reina & Prof Jean-Marc Hero (Griffith University)

Thesis title: The Ecology of Native Australian Frogs.

Lynette completed her MSc project at Towson University in the US with Dr Don Forester on the spatial and population biology of the northern dusky salamander (Desmognathus fuscus). For her PhD project, Lynette examined the ecology of Litoria frogs. Lynette now works at the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP).

Co-supervised by Prof Bob Wong and Dr Alexandra Carthey (Macquarie University)

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Thesis title: The impact of feral cats on a central arid Australian reptile assemblage.

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For her Honours project, Christina investigated the impact of feral cats on native Australian lizards.

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Thesis title: The rediscovery and conservation of the long sunskink, Lampropholis elongata.

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For her Honours project, Kelsey investigated the ecology and conservation of the Data Deficient long sunskink, Lampropholis elongata.

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BIO3990, Sem 1, 2022

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For her BIO3990 project, Kelsey examined the determinants of detectability in the glossy grass skink, Pseudemoia rawlinsoni.

Thesis title: A multifaceted approach to rectifying data deficiency in Pseudemoia rawlinsoni.

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For her honours project, Lucy investigated the conservation ecology, morphology and phylogeography of the glossy grass skink, Pseudemoia rawlinsoni.

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BIO3990, Sem 1, 2021

​For her BIO3990 project, Lucy examined Data Deficient Australian squamate species.

Thesis title: Don't gloss over this skink: impacts of habitat loss and degradation on the glossy grass skink.

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For her honours project, Hilary examined the conservation ecology of the glossy grass skink, Pseudemoia rawlinsoni.

Co-supervised by Dr Reid Tingley and Prof Shai Meiri (Tel Aviv University)

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Thesis title: Does taxonomy influence biogeographic patterns and conservation priorities? A case study in Australian skinks.

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For his honours project, Tom examined the biogeography of Australian lizards and snakes.

Co-supervised by Dr Reid Tingley, and Prof Shai Meiri (Tel Aviv University)

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Thesis title: Environmental correlates of morphological diversity in Australian geckos.

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Jesca investigated the factors driving morphological evolution in the four families of Australian geckos. Jesca is currently a field biologist at an environmental consulting company (Habitat Management Services).

Thesis title: Impact of environmental population history on the thermal biology of the delicate skink.

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For her honours project, Alyse investigated the thermal ecology of the invasive delicate skink on Lord Howe Island. Alyse currently works on a farm.

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BIO3990, Sem 1, 2018

​For her BIO3990 project, Alyse investigated behavioural differences between colour morphs of the delicate skink.

Thesis title: Is there niche overlap between the invasive delicate skink (Lampropholis delicata) and native New Zealand skinks?

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For her honours project, Chelsea examined the behavioural ecology of the delicate skink. Chelsea currently works in the communications section of a natural resource management company.

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BIO3990, Sem 1, 2016

Chelsea investigated the presence of behavioural syndromes in the garden skink, Lampropholis guichenoti.

Thesis title: Skink community structure across an elevational gradient in the Australian Alps.

Kate investigated the community ecology of lizards across an elevational gradient in the Australian alpine region. Kate currently works at Yarra Valley Water.

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BIO3990, Sem 1, 2017

For her BIO3990 project, Kate examined the behavioural interactions between geographically isolated populations of the delicate skink.

Thesis title: The repeatability of behaviour and stability of behavioural syndromes over short- to medium-term time frames.

For her honours project, Kali examined the repeatability of behaviour in the delicate skink, Lampropholis delicata.

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BIO3990, Sem 2, 2016

Kali investigated whether thermal types were present in the rainforest sunskink, Lampropholis coggeri.

Co-supervised by Prof Shai Meiri, Tel Aviv University

Thesis title: “A Tail of Loss”. An investigation of mechanisms driving caudal autotomy patterns in squamates.

For her honours project, Melissa used a macroecological approach to investigate the factors responsible for the secondary loss of caudal autotomy in squamates, and what drives the frequency of tail loss both within and among species. Mel is now an education officer at the Melbourne aquarium.

Thesis title: The impact of urbanisation on the learning ability in the delicate skink, Lampropholis delicata.

Fiona examined the impact of urbanisation on cognition and learning in the delicate skink. Fiona is now doing a PhD in plant molecular biology at the University of Melbourne.

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BIO3990 student, Sem 1, 2014

​Fiona compared the exploratory behaviour of the delicate skink between urban and natural regions of Sydney.

Thesis title: The more the merrier? Group size effects in an invasive lizard, Lampropholis delicata.

For his honours project, Dan investigated the Allee effect in the invasive delicate skink. Dan examined how a range of behaviours associated with invasion success (activity, exploratory behaviour, boldness, antipredator behaviour) varied in relation to group size. Dan now works for the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP).

Co-supervised by Prof Bob Wong

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Thesis title: The interaction between tail loss, personality and behaviour in the delicate skink, Lampropholis delicata.

For her honours project, Brooke investigated the impact of tail loss (both complete and partial tail loss) on the behaviour of the delicate skink, using a behavioural syndromes approach. Brooke is now a registered nurse. 

Co-supervised by Prof Bob Wong

Thesis title: Sex differences in the behaviour of the eastern mosquitofish, Gambusia holbrooki.

Jack investigated sexual differences in behaviour in the mosquitofish, focusing on repeatability of behaviours and behavioural syndromes. He found that there were differences in the repeatability of behaviours related to invasion success, and that correlations between behaviours were present. Sex differences in behaviour were also detected. Jack is now an analyst at VicRoads.

Thesis title: Impact of invasive rats and delicate skinks on the behaviour of the Lord Howe Island skink, Oligosoma lichenigerum.

Louise examined the impact of introduced rats on the behaviour of the Lord Howe Island skink (Oligosoma lichenigerum). Her project involved fieldwork and laboratory experiments on Lord Howe Island. Louise did her PhD at James Cook University, researching the invasion of Asian house geckos in natural environments. She did postdoctoral research at Flinders University, and now works in the graduate research office at the University of Tasmania.

Co-supervised by Dr Kirsti Abbott

Thesis title: Population dynamics of the overwintering Argentine ant: A global invasive species. 

Laura's project provided the first detailed information on the behaviour and ecology of the invasive Argentine ant (Linepithema humile) during winter in Melbourne. The insights gained during her project may aid management of this species in the region. Laura is now a high school science teacher and deputy principal.

Co-supervised by Prof Bob Wong

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Thesis title: Grouping habits of a sub-social insect, the Australian wood-boring cockroach, Panesthia australis. 

For his honours project, Zac experimentally tested the importance of chemical cues in the association preferences of a sub-social cockroach species (Panesthia australis). Zac is now an aquatic ecologist for GHD consultants, and doing a PhD at La Trobe University.

​For his BIO3990 project, Chris investigated the ecology and distribution of the mountain skink (Liopholis montana) at Mt Dandenong, Victoria.

Co-supervised by Rocio Aguilar

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For his BIO3990 project, James used CT scanning to examine the morphological evolution of Australian lizards. James is now doing honours with Prof Bob Wong.

Co-supervised by Rocio Aguilar

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For her BIO3990 project, Siobhan used CT scanning to investigate morphological evolution of Liopholis skinks. Siobhan is currently doing an honours project with Prof Bob Wong.

For her BIO3990 project, Claire examined the behavioural and evolutionary ecology of the delicate skink.

Kate investigated the population genetics of the Lord Howe Island skink (Oligosoma lichenigerum) using mitochondrial DNA sequence data.

Claire collated data and prepared draft red list assessments for the IUCN assessment of Australian Proteaceae that was held at Monash University in February 2019.