The evolution of mutualisms between animals is a fascinating source of research and one that tackles big questions in animal behaviour, ecology and evolution. The meat ants in the Central Tablelands of NSW have a close relationship with aphids that live in nearby eucalyptus trees. The benefits of this relationship for ants and aphids alike are unknown, but intuitively they seems to centre on providing nutritional benefit to ants via a sugary secretion produced by the aphids, while for their part ants provide a defensive mechanism for aphids against possible predators.
Various projects could be investigated with this system, from determining whether ants indeed provide an anti-predator defence for aphids against birds, while obtaining the calorie value of aphid secretions, to uncovering the evolutionary history of ant-aphid mutualisms and the selective pressures involved that leads to the formation of such mutualisms.
How to Apply
Express your interest in this project by emailing Associate Professor Terry Ord. Include a copy of your CV and your academic transcript(s).
School / Research Area
Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences
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