Movement-based signals → Evolutionary simulations

Combining tools from evolutionary robotics and behavioural ecology to address movement-based signal evolution. The approach uses live animals as selective agents to optimise the fine structure of a motion signal in an artificial evolution environment. A tight feedback loop between the responses of real animals and evolving signals will be implemented in an evolutionary simulation controlled by a standard genetic algorithm.

Signals are defined by binary strings that encodes movement information that is translated into a signal using animation software. Animations are presented to live lizards and relative effectiveness calculated before signals are selected and crossed to give the next generation and the cycle starts again

By manipulating the environmental conditions in which this evolution takes place, we can systematically explore what makes a signal effective from the perspective of a receiver under close to natural conditions.

Participants: Richard Peters (La Trobe Uni) & Jan Hemmi (The ANU).

→ We are looking for a PhD student to work on this project. Email Richard

Movement-based signals → Geographic variation

We are assisting Marco Barquero and Martin Whiting from Macquarie University to investigate whether Jacky lizard display behaviour varies as a function of geographic location.

Participants: Marco Barquero, Martin Whiting (Macquarie Uni) & Richard Peters (La Trobe Uni)

Movement-based signals → Virtual lizards

We will use a virtual lens to take a fresh look at these signals in the environmental context in which they are performed to understand how signalling conditions affect signal efficacy. Systematic manipulation of the scene allows us to consider circumstances influencing signal effectiveness.

A scene in nature ... recreated in the virtual world ... can help understand signalling behaviour

The approach involves:
•  reconstructing microhabitats (complete with plants and lizards)
•  simulate environmental conditions
•  analyse the scene to identify the relative effectiveness of the signal.

Participants: Richard Peters, Marijke Dobbelsteen (La Trobe Uni), Shaun New (The ANU) & Tom Chandler (Monash Uni)

Movement-based signals → Role of predators

Whether predators influence movement-based signalling strategies is unclear. Models of signal evolution predict that the threat posed by eavesdropping predators will influence the evolution of signal design and moment-to-moment variation in signalling behaviour.

Participants: Richard Peters & Katy Weller (La Trobe Uni)

Movement-based signals by other dragon lizards

Our work has generated predictions about the relationship between signal design features and habitat structure. The Australian agamid lizards represent an exciting opportunity to test these predictions, while at the same time, documenting the diversity in their signals in unprecedented detail. Many Australian agamid lizards are known to utilise movement-based displays but detailed knowledge is lacking.

Participants: Richard Peters & Jose Ramos (La Trobe Uni)

Alarm calling by zebra finches

Very little is known about how zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata) respond to predators, in particular whether and how they use alarm signals. Anecdotal evidence strongly suggests alarm calling is utilized, but the details of their structure and function are not clear.

Participants: Richard Peters, Christine Giuliano (La Trobe Uni), Rob Magrath (The ANU), Simon Griffith (Macquarie Uni) & Andrea Griffin (Newcastle Uni)

Vibratory signalling by psyllids

Psyllids are small cicada-like insects that are pests of forestry because populations cause extensive leaf loss and sometimes tree death. Mating strategies are crucial to their success and Australian psyllids are believed to use vibratory signals for attracting mates, although the mechanisms are largely unknown. We will characterize vibratory signalling of several representative psyllids and the transmission properties of host plants to investigate the mechanisms of mate attraction.

Participants: Martin Steinbauer, Richard Peters (La Trobe Uni) & Gary Taylor (Adelaide Uni)

Avoiding predators

Click to show the lizard

Many animals exhibit brilliant colour patterns - jacky lizards are not one of these species. However, they do exhibit interesting body patterns which may serve an important functional role in camouflage (see above-right: Rollover to highlight the lizard; click for an enlargement).

Motion sensitivity

Animal sensory systems might limit signal structure to be within a range of possible designs, or exert strong directional selection towards a set of features. Recent empirical evidence strongly suggests that signalling strategies, particularly for eliciting attention, are partly determined by the context-specific demands placed on the motion vision mechanisms of receivers. Behavioural studies will complement morphological on Jacky lizard retinas by our collaborators to assess motion sensitivity and acuity.

Participants: Richard Peters (La Trobe Uni), Shaun New & Jan Hemmi (The ANU)