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Department of Biological Sciences

 

 

 

Dr Culum Brown

 

I am primarily interested in fish biology with an emphasis on behavioural ecology. I frequently look to apply behavioural ecology research to fisheries or conservation management, including life-skills training for hatchery-reared fishes. My current research project examines the evolution and development of cerebral lateralisation in vertebrates using rainbowfish as a model species (Australian Research Fellowship sponsored by the ARC). I have a particular fascination for Australian native fish. I'm editor of "Fish Cognition and Behaviour" published in 2006 by Blackwell Scientific and Assistant Editor of "The Journal of Fish Biology".   Visit Culum's web-page for more details and list of publications.

 

Melanotaenia trifasciata (banded rainbowfish)

 

 

Email: culum.brown@mq.edu.au

 

 

Current Lab Members:

 David Wells: Brush turkey mate choice
Anne-Laurance Bibost: Laterality in rainbowfish
Andrew Bruce: Macquarie perch behavioural ecology
Gemma White: Spatial learning in intertidal gobies
Erin Kydd: Pre-release training of hatchery-reared fishes
Lois Oulten: Stream remediation
Eleanor Irving: laterality and personality in guppies
 
 
 
Research Opportunities:
Honours project starting 2012: Behavioural responses of platypus to infrared lights
 
Past Lab Members:
Dr Tristan Guttridge: Cognition in Australian sharks
Dr Amina Zuberi: Stress hormones in fishes
Dr Kevin Woo: Cognition and behaviour of cuttlefish
Dr Joanna Wiszniewski: Social networks in dolphins
Heather Baldwin: Relatedness and social behaviour in Grey Headed Flying Foxes
Eduardo Gallo: Bird communities on the Central Coast of NSW
Diana Magat: Cerebral lateralization in Australian parrots
Krystle Keller: Effect of introduced fish on native fish
Steph Snoyman: Micro-habitat choice in grey-headed flying fox
Jasmina Muhic: Behavioural responses of grey-headed flying fox to temperature variability
Jennie Morgan: Interactions between introduced redfin and Macquarie perch
Suzzi Artiss: Brain and behaviour of Australian rainbowfish
Vincent Roult: Social learning mullaway
 

 
 
POST DOCS
 
Tristan Guthridge

Tristan is an Endeavour Research Fellow investingating the cognitive ability of a range of coastal shark species.

 

 
 
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PhD STUDENTS
 
 
 
David Wells
David enrolled in his PhD in 2007 and is investigating breeding behaviour in brush turkeys. He is primarily interested in mate choice and will use a combination of remote behavioural observations of individuals at the male’s mounds via video camera and molecular techniques to identify paternity and maternity in turkeys. Turkeys are becoming increasingly common in the Sydney metropolitan area.
 

 
A male brush-turkey tending his mound.
 

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Lateralisation refers to the partitioning of information processing between the two hemispheres of the brain and is overtly expressed in a number of behavioural traits include eye or hand preferences. Anne is investigating many aspects of lateralisation using Australian rainbowfish as a model species. In particular she is interested in understanding the fitness benefits associated with the trait.
 
 
 
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Erin is interested in improving the post-release survival of hatchery reared fishes by examining the use of environmental enrichment paradigms. She is working on four threatened and endangered freshwater fish in the Murray Darling Basin.
 
 
 
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Gemma is working on spatial learning in intertidal gobies. Ecological cognition theory suggests that those species occupying rocky platforms need a well developed spatial memory to safely move around the rock platform and find their home rock pool at low tide. Those species living in the mundane sandy beaches, on the other hand, need only move up and down as the tide comes in or retreats. The results of this study help us understand the evolution of cognition in vertebrates.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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MASTERS STUDENTS
 
Andrew Bruce
Andrew enrolled in his Masters degree in 2007 and is investigating the biology of the Macquarie Perch. Macquarie perch are listed as endangered and are confined to the Murray-Darling drainage as well as limited number of drainages on the south-east coast of NSW. Little is known about its life-history or habitat preferences. The knowledge generated from this project will feed directly into management of the species.
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
Elanour Irving
is investigating the relationship between cerebral lateralisation and personality traits in guppies.
 
 
 
RESEARCH ASSISTANTS
 
None :(
 
 
 
 
 
 

Current Lab Members:
Dr Amina Zuberi: Hormone analysis in fishes
David Wells: Brush turkey mate choice
Joanna Wiszniewski: Social networks in dolphins
Anne-Laurance Bibost: Laterality in rainbowfish
Anne-Katrin Link: Effect of storm surges on costal fish communities
Andrew Bruce: Macquarie perch behavioural ecology
Eduardo Gallo: Bird communities on the Central Coast of NSW
Erin Kydd: Reintroduction of hatchery reared fishes
Gemma White: Spatial learning in intertidal gobies
Vincent Roult: Social learning mullaway
Heather Baldwin: Relatedness and social behaviour in Grey Headed Flying Foxes
Jennie Morgan: Interactions between introduced redfin and Macquarie perch
Suzzi Artiss: Brain and behaviour of Australian rainbowfish
 
Previous Lab Members:
Dr Kevin Woo: Cognition and behaviour of cuttlefish
Steph Snoyman: Micro-habitat choice in grey-headed flying fox
Diana Magat: Cerebral lateralization in Australian parrots
Krystle Keller: Effect of introduced fish on native fish
Steph Snoyman: Micro-habitat choice in grey-headed flying fox