I completed a BA in 1996 and BSc (Hons) in 1998 at the University of Queensland. I began my research career with projects on phylogeography and molecular systematics of lizards under the supervision of Craig Moritz, but quickly discovered that I wanted to know what my study animals did. My PhD on natural and sexual selection colour patterns in a group of dragon lizards therefore incorporated a strong behavioural element. I completed my PhD in 2002 at the University of Queensland under the supervision of Ian Owens, Greg Johnston and Justin Marshall. Having developed a fascination for the evolution of animal visual signals, I chose to do a postdoc with Martin Whiting at the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa on colour change in dwarf chameleons. I spent four years (2003-2006) in South Africa then moved to Melbourne (2007) to take up an ARC postdoctoral fellowship (2007-2009) and lectureship (ongoing). I am currently an ARC Australian Research Fellow (2010-2014).

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My research addresses diverse problems in the fields of Evolutionary Biology and Behavioural Ecology, with a focus on the interaction between natural and sexual selection in the evolution of animal signals, particularly visual signals. A theme of my research to date has been understanding how trade-offs between different selective pressures (natural and sexual selection) influence phenotypic evolution, how this varies geographically and how it relates to processes of speciation.

To answer these questions I use a combination of field-based behavioural observations, lab-based experimental manipulation, models of animal colour vision, phylogenetic comparative methods and molecular techniques.

Prior to taking up my position at Melbourne I worked on a range of systems, mostly various species of lizards (primarily agamid lizards and chameleons). My current and recent research addresses a range of topics including the evolution of female coloration and courtship rejection in Lake Eyre dragon lizards; sexual selection in squid; colour polymorphism and speciation in tawny dragon lizards and birds; the adaptive significance of colour change in bearded dragon lizards and environmental effects on signal evolution in Malaysian gliding lizards. These projects are funded by the Australian Research Council, Hermon Slade Foundation and the National Geographic Society.

Current research themes

1. Visual ecology and signalling

What are the adaptive functions of animal coloration and what processes generate the spectacular colour differences that often characterise adaptive radiations? A focus of the research in my lab is how the environment (including human habitat modification) influences the kinds of colour patterns animals use for both communication and camouflage. For example, we are currently studying environmental effects on signal design in gliding lizards.

2. Adaptive significance of colour change

Stemming from four years working on chameleons in South Africa, I am fascinated by the function and evolution of colour change (reviewed in Stuart-Fox & Moussalli 2009, 2011). Currently, I am collaborating with Prof. John Endler and Prof. Warren Porter to study the adaptive significance of colour change in both the animal-visible and near-infrared part of the spectrum. We are studying the extent of colour change in these different parts of the spectrum, the relationship between them and their adaptive significance in bearded dragon lizards. 

3. Colour polymorphism and speciation

Colour polymorphic species, in which multiple, genetically determined, discrete colour forms coexist within an interbreeding population, have provided many insights into evolutionary processes. Theory suggests that the processes generating and maintaining the different colour forms can promote speciation. Andrew Hugall and I recently showed that in birds, colour polymorphism is associated with increased speciation rates (Hugall & Stuart-Fox 2012). To further explore the relationship between polymorphism and speciation we are studying geographic variation in polymorphism among populations as well processes maintaining polymorphism within populations of the tawny dragon lizard.

4. Sexual selection, female ornamentation and mating strategies

My interest in visual signals necessarily entails an interest in sexual selection. Together with my students, I have explored a range of topics in this general area including the dynamics of male-male contests; the evolution of sexual dimorphism; the costs of copulation; the evolution of multiple mating; and the evolution of conspicuous signals and behaviours used by females to avoid unwanted courtship and copulation attempts.

5. Macroevolution and comparative analyses

I like to complement studies of micro-evolutionary processes with studies identifying macro-evolutionary patterns. I and collaborators have used phylogenetic comparative approaches to address diverse topics, including the correlates of species richness, the evolution of sexual dimorphism in body size and ornamentation, the evolution of signal complexity and the relationship between sexual selection and ecological generalism.

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Postdocs

Viviana Cadena (Sept 2012-

Current PhD students

Maddy Yewers (Jul 2011-

Maggie Haines (Jul 2010-

Claire Mclean (Jul 2010-

Steve Heap (Mar 2009-

Zoe Squires (Sept 2008-

Danielle Klomp (University of New South Wales, co-supervisor, Feb 2012-)

Marleen Baling (Massey University, NZ, co-supervisor, Feb 2011-)

Krystina Mossop (Monash University, co-supervisor; Jul 2010-)

Ben Wegener (Monash University, co-supervisor; Mar 2009-)

Recently completed graduate students

Amanda Franklin (MSc 2011)

Luisa Teasedale (MSc 2011)

I-Ping Chen (MPhil 2011)

Verity Miles (MSc 2010)

Jenny Goode (MSc 2010)

People

 Viviana Cadena (Postdoctoral Research Fellow Sept 2012 - )

Viviana did her PhD at Brock University in Canada on the effects of high altitude acclimation on thermoregulation . She recently joined us (Sept 2012) to commence a three year postdoctoral research fellowship on the adaptive significance of colour change in bearded dragon lizards.

Zoe Squires (PhD student, Sept 2008-)

Zoe did her Honours on the effects of salinity on tadpole behaviour with Bob Wong (Monash University). She is now doing her PhD (Sept 2008 - ) on the benefits to females of multiple mating in the southern dumpling squid, Euprymna tasmanica. She is co-supervised by Bob Wong (Monash University) and Mark Norman (Museum Victoria). Zoe has been very successful at winning grants to support her research.

Steve Heap (PhD student, Mar 2009 -)

Steve is doing his PhD (March 2009 - ) on how animals establish territorial boundaries. He is particularly interested in the role of landmarks in territory formation and the mechanisms involved in resolving territorial disputes. Steve is tackling these issues using a variety of taxa (terrestrial toadlets and cichlid fish) in the field and lab respectively. He is also collaborating with Mike Mesterton-Gibbons at the University of Florida to develop game theory models. He is co-supervised by Phil Byrne (University of Wollongong).

Claire McClean (PhD student, Jul 2010 -)

Claire did her Honours with me on the predation costs of courtship rejection displays in Lake Eyre dragons. After taking some time out to do other things, Claire decided that she missed science and lizards and has started her PhD (July 2010 - ) on the evolution of colour polymorphism in tawny dragon lizards (Ctenophorus decresii). She is co-supervised by Adnan Moussalli (Museum Victoria).

Maggie Haines (PhD student, Jul 2010 -)

Maggie Haines comes to the lab from the US, where she has worked on lots of different research projects, too numerous to list here. Maggie is passionate about herps and conservation. She is doing her PhD on the conservation genetics of alpine lizards (Pseudomoia spp.) with Jane Melville (Museum Victoria) and me.

Ben Wegener (co-supervisor, PhD student, Mar 2009 -)

Ben is based at Monash University where he is doing his PhD (March 2009 - ) with Bob Wong. He is co-supervised by Dr Mark Norman (Museum Victoria) and me. Ben’s project is on male reproductive investment strategies in the southern bottletail squid, Sepiadarium austrinum. In his spare time, Ben is a talented soccer player and Latin dancer.

Krystina Mossop (co-supervisor, PhD student, Jul 2010 -)

Krystina is also based at Monash University where she has started her PhD (March 2010 - ) with Bob Wong, co-supervised by me. She is looking at the effects of human habitat modifications (especially eutrophication) on visual and chemical signalling in desert gobies.

Luisa Teasedale (co-supervisor, PhD student, Apr 2012 -)

Luisa did her Masters (2010-2011) on the function and evolution of throat colour polymorphisms in tawny dragon lizards (Ctenophorus decresii). She is now doing her PhD on deep phylogenetic relationships of land snails using next generation sequencing, supervised by Adnan Moussalli (Museum Victoria). I’m her ‘supervisor’ at the university. She is right into bioinformatics.

Danielle Klomp (co-supervisor, PhD student, Mar 2012 -)

Danielle is did her Honours on the evolution of visual signals in Malaysian gliding lizards (Draco spp.),  co-supervised by Terry Ord (University of NSW). She is now doing her PhD on the same topic at UNSW with Terry Ord, co-supervised by me. Her research involves field work in Borneo, peninsular Malaysia and the Philippines catching gliding lizards.

Alumni (since 2008)

Andrew Hugall (Research Fellow)

Andrew Hugall has a long and illustrious career in molecular systematics and biogeography. Andrew spearheaded research on colour polymorphism and diversification rates in birds, for which he constructed VERY BIG trees.

Amanda Franklin (Masters 2010-2011)

Amanda did her Masters on the costs of mating in dumpling squid. She won a Fullbright Fellowship to do her PhD in the USA.

I-Ping Chen (MPhil July 2009 – April 2011)

I-Ping joined the lab from Taiwan. She has a passion for travel and adventure. She did her Masters (MPhil) on the evolution of colour patterns in Australian agamid lizards. I-Ping was co-supervised by Dr. Matt Symonds (Deakin University).

Jenny Goode (Masters 2010-2011)

Jen did her masters on the function of female coloration in Lake Eyre dragon lizards (2010-2011). From her video footage, Jen made a mini film ‘Days of Our Lizard Lives’. She is now adventuring, which is what Jen does best.

Verity Miles (co-supervisor, Masters 2010-2011)

Verity did her Masters on the effects of past and future climates on cool temperate rainforests of south-eastern Australia (2010-2011). Her primary supervisor was Adnan Moussalli (Museum Victoria). She is currently preparing a publication from this work.

Pete Lancaster (Honours 2008-9)

 Pete did his Honours (2008-9) with me and Tim Jessop on the effects of population and resource density on social behaviour and stress hormones in the tree skink. A paper from his Honours was published in the Australian Journal of Zoology.

Tessa Koumoundouros  (Honours 2007-8)

Tessa did her Honours with Jo Sumner and I on the conservation genetics of the alpine she-oak skink (Cyclodomorphus prealtus). Her work was published in Biological Conservation and was instrumental in the federal listing of this species as Endangered.

Rita Chan (Honours 2007-8)

Rita did her Honours with me and Tim Jessop on the behavioural and hormone (sex steroid) correlates of female colour expression in Lake Eyre dragon lizards. She published two papers from her Honours (Behavioural Ecology and Journal of Comparative Physiology A).

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Contributor
Animal Behaviour
Experimental Animal Behaviour
Australian Wildlife Biology

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Masters of Science (Zoology) Co-ordinator with  Ass. Prof. Laura Parry

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Google Scholar Profile

Selected publications

Hugall, A.F. and Stuart-Fox, D.  2012. Accelerated speciation in colour-polymorphic birds. Nature 485: 631–634 (31 May 2012) doi:10.1038/nature11050

Rosenthal, G. and Stuart-Fox D. 2012. Environmental disturbance and animal communication. In Wong, BBM and Candolin, U. Behavioural responses to a changing world: mechanisms and consequences. Pp. 16-31. Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK

Stuart-Fox, D. and Moussalli, A. 2009. Camouflage, communication and thermoregulation: lessons from colour changing organisms. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London B. 364:463-470.

Stuart-Fox, D. and Moussalli, A. 2008. Selection for conspicuous social signals drives the evolution of chameleon colour change. PLoS Biology: 6(1): e25-e32.

Stuart-Fox, D. Moussalli, A. and Whiting, M. J. 2007. Natural selection on social signals: signal efficacy and the evolution of chameleon display coloration. American Naturalist 170: 916-930.

Stuart-Fox, D. 2006. Testing game theory models: fighting ability and decision rules in chameleon contests. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London B 273: 1555-1561.

Stuart-Fox, D. M. and Ord, T. J. 2004. Sexual selection, natural selection and the evolution of dimorphic coloration and ornamentation in agamid lizards. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London B 271: 2249-2255.

Full publication list

Stuart-Fox, D. 2013. Behaviour and colour change. In Tolley, K. and Herrel, A. The biology of chameleons. University of California Press. in press

Wegener, B. J., Stuart-Fox, D., Norman, M.N., Wong, B.B.M. 2012. Strategic male mate choice minimises spermatophore consumption. Behavioural Ecology, accepted with minor revision

Franklin, A.M., Squires, Z.E. and Stuart-Fox, D. 2012. The energetic cost of mating in a promiscuous cephalopod. Biology Letters, doi: 10.1098/rsbl.2012.0556

Chen, I-P, Stuart-Fox, D., Hugall, A. F. and Symonds, M.R. E. 2012. Sexual selection and the evolution of complex colour patterns in dragon lizards. Evolution, doi:10.1111/j.1558-5646.2012.01698.x

Hugall, A.F. and Stuart-Fox, D.  2012. Accelerated speciation in colour-polymorphic birds. Nature 485: 631–634 (31 May 2012) doi:10.1038/nature11050

Squires ZE, Wong BBM, Norman MD, Stuart-Fox D. 2012. Multiple fitness benefits of polyandry in a cephalopod. PLoS ONE 7(5): e37074. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0037074

Heap, S., Byrne, P. and Stuart-Fox, D. 2012. Landmarks and the formation of territorial boundaries (Review). Animal Behaviour : 83: 871-878

Rosenthal, G. and Stuart-Fox D. 2012. Environmental disturbance and animal communication. In Wong, BBM and Candolin, U. Behavioural responses to a changing world: mechanisms and consequences. Pp. 16-31. Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK

Heap, S., Stuart-Fox, D. and Byrne, P. 2011. Variation in the effect of repeated rival intrusions on calling behavior in a territorial toadlet. Behavioural Ecology 23: 93-100

Stuart-Fox, D. and Moussalli, A. 2011. Camouflage in colour changing animals: trade-offs and constraints. In Stevens, M. and Merilaita, S. ‘Animal camouflage: mechanisms and function’ pp. 237 – 253. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge UK.

Östman, Ö. and Stuart-Fox, D. 2011. Sexual selection is positively associated with ecological generalism among Agamid lizards. Journal of Evolutionary Biology 24:733-740.

Taysom, A. J., Stuart-Fox, D. and Cardoso, G.C. 2011. The contribution of structural-, psittacofulvin- and melanin-based colouration to sexual dichromatism in Australasian parrots. Journal of Evolutionary Biology 24: 303-313.

Uller, T., Stuart-Fox, D. and Olsson, M. 2010 Variation in reptilian primary sexual characters; a review of mechanisms and processes. In Córdoba-Aguilar, A. and Leonard, J. L. The evolution of primary sexual characters in animals. Oxford University Press.

Lancaster, P., Jessop, T. S., Stuart-Fox, D. 2010. Testing the independent effects of population and shelter density on behavioural and corticosterone responses of tree skinks. Australian Journal of Zoology 58:295-302.

Mclean, C. A., and Stuart-Fox, D. 2010. Do female Lake Eyre dragon lizards adjust courtship rejection behaviour under higher predation risk? Behaviour 147: 1803-1818.

Mclean, C. A., Moussalli, A. and Stuart-Fox, D. 2010. The predation cost of female resistance. Behavioural Ecology, 21: 861-867.

Dolman, G. and Stuart-Fox, D. 2010. Processes driving male breeding colour and ecomorphological diversification in rainbow skinks: a phylogenetic comparative test. Evolutionary Ecology 24:97-113.

Chan, R., Stuart-Fox, D. and Jessop, T. S. 2009. Why are females ornamented? A test of the courtship stimulation and courtship rejection hypotheses. Behavioral Ecology, 20: 1334-1342.

Jessop, T. S., Chan, R. and Stuart-Fox, D. 2009. Sex steroid correlates of female-specific coloration, behaviour and reproductive state in Lake Eyre dragons, Ctenophorus maculosus. Journal of Comparative Physiology A 195: 619-630.

Moussalli, A., Herbert, D. G. and Stuart-Fox, D. 2009. A molecular phylogeny of the cannibal snails of southern Africa, genus Natalina sensu lato (Pulmonata: Rhytididae). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 52: 167-182

Stuart-Fox, D., Godinho, R., Goüy de Bellocq, J., Brito, J.C., Irwin, N., Moussalli, A., Å iroký, P., Hugall, A.F. and Baird, S.J.E. 2009. Variation in phenotype, parasite load and competitive ability across a cryptic hybrid zone. PLoS One 4: E5677-5686.

Koumoundouros, T., Sumner, J., Clemann, N. and Stuart-Fox, D. 2009. Current genetic isolation and fragmentation contrasts with historical connectivity in an alpine lizard (Cyclodomorphus praealtus) threatened by climate change. Biological Conservation 142: 992-1002.

Stuart-Fox, D., Godinho, R., Irwin, N., Goüy de Bellocq, J., Brito, J.C., Moussalli, A., Hugall, A.F. and Baird, S.J.E. 2009. Can female choice explain an abrupt mtDNA cline in Lacerta schreiberi? Behaviour. 146: 831-841.

Stuart-Fox, D. and Moussalli, A. 2009. Camouflage, communication and thermoregulation: lessons from colour changing organisms. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London B. 364:463-470.

Oliver, P. M., Stuart-Fox, D. and Richards, S. J. 2008. A new species of tree frog (Hylidae, Litoria) from the southern lowlands of New Guinea. Current Herpetology 27:35-42.

Stuart-Fox, D. Moussalli, A. and Whiting, M. J. 2008. Predator-specific colour change in chameleons. Biology Letters 4: 326-329.

Stuart-Fox, D. and Moussalli, A. 2008. Selection for conspicuous social signals drives the evolution of chameleon colour change. PLoS Biology: 6(1): e25-e32.

Stuart-Fox, D. 2008. A test of Rensch’s rule in dwarf chameleons (Bradypodion spp.), a group with female-biased sexual size dimorphism. Evolutionary Ecology 23: 425-433.

Stuart-Fox, D. Moussalli, A. and Whiting, M. J. 2007. Natural selection on social signals: signal efficacy and the evolution of chameleon display coloration. American Naturalist 170: 916-930.

Stuart-Fox, D., and Moussalli, A. 2007. Sex-specific ecomorphological variation and the evolution of sexual dimorphism in dwarf chameleons (Bradypodion spp.). Journal of Evolutionary Biology, 20: 1073-1081.

Hibbits, T. J., Whiting, M. J. and Stuart-Fox, D. 2007. Shouting the odds: vocalization signals status in a lizard. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology. 61: 1169-1176.

Schutz, L., Stuart-Fox, D. and Whiting, M. J. 2007. Does the lizard Platysaurus broadleyi aggregate due to resource limitation or social factors? Journal of Herpetology 41: 354-359.

Stuart-Fox, D. 2006. Testing game theory models: fighting ability and decision rules in chameleon contests. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London B 273: 1555-1561.

Ord, T. J. and Stuart-Fox, D. 2006. Ornament evolution in dragon lizards: multiple gains and widespread losses reveal a complex history of evolutionary change. Journal of Evolutionary Biology 19: 797-808.

Whiting, M.J., Stuart-Fox, D., O'Connor, D., Firth, D., Bennett, N. and Blomberg, S. 2006. Ultraviolet signals ultra-aggression in a lizard. Animal Behaviour 72: 353-363.

Stuart-Fox, D., Moussalli, A. and Whiting, M. J. 2006. Camouflage and colour change: anti-predator responses to two predators across multiple populations in a dwarf chameleon. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society 88: 437-446.

Reisinger, W.M., Stuart-Fox, D. M. and Erasmus, B. F. N. 2006. Habitat associations and conservation status of an indigenous forest restricted dwarf chameleon from southern Africa. Oryx 40: 183-188.

Stuart-Fox, D. M., Firth, D. Moussalli, A. and Whiting, M. J. 2006. Multiple signals in chameleon contests: designing and analysing animal contests as a tournament. Animal Behaviour 71: 1263-1271.

Stuart-Fox, D. Deception and the origin of honest signals. 2005. Trends in Ecology and Evolution 20: 521-523.

Stuart-Fox, D. M. and Whiting, M. J. 2005. Male dwarf chameleons assess risk of courting large, aggressive females. Biology Letters. 1: 231-234 (front cover).

Stuart-Fox, D. M. and Johnston, G. R. 2005. Experience overrides colour in lizard contests. Behaviour. 142: 329-350.

Stuart-Fox, D. M. and Ord, T. J. 2004. Sexual selection, natural selection and the evolution of dimorphic coloration and ornamentation in agamid lizards. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London B 271: 2249-2255.

Stuart-Fox, D. M., Moussalli, A., Johnston, G, and Owens, I. P. F. 2004. Evolution of color variation in dragon lizards: quantitative tests of the role of crypsis and local adaptation. Evolution 58: 1549-1559.

Stuart-Fox, D. M., Moussalli, A., Marshall, J., and Owens, I. P. F. 2003. Conspicuous males suffer higher predation risk: visual modelling and experimental evidence from lizards. Animal Behaviour 66: 541-550.

Stuart-Fox, D. M. and Owens, I. P. F. 2003. Species richness in agamid lizards: chance, body size, sexual selection or ecology? Journal of Evolutionary Biology 16:659-668.

Stuart-Fox, D. M., Hugall, A. F., and Moritz, C. 2002. A molecular phylogeny of rainbow skinks (Scincidae: Carlia): Taxonomic and biogeographic implications. Australian Journal of Zoology 50: 39-51.

Stuart-Fox, D. M., Schneider, C. J., Moritz, C. and Couper, P. J. 2001. Comparative phylogeography of three rainforest-restricted lizards from mid-east Queensland. Australian Journal of Zoology 49: 119-127.

Blomberg, S. P, Owens, I. P. F. and Stuart-Fox, D. M. 2001. Ultraviolet reflectance in the small skink Carlia pectoralis. Herpetological Review. 32:16-17.

Popular Articles

Stuart-Fox, D. 2008. Communicating in colour. Australasian Science June 2008: 27-29.

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Further Publications: PubMed Search