Dr. Sean Doody

Background and Research Interests

My main research is in evolutionary ecology, conservation biology, and behavioural ecology. Climate warming has invited evolutionary ecologists out of the closet, and I use variation in fitness-related traits across environmental gradients as a surrogate for climate change responses, particularly in ectothermic animals with environmental sex determination. I am also interested in various aspects of the evolution of nest site choice in oviparous ectotherms, especially in reptiles and amphibians. My conservation interests include studies of the ecological impacts of invasive species, in particular cane toad impacts on native predators. I am also interested in biodiversity conservation in modified ecosystems, especially agricultural landscapes, and I am involved in threatened species biology of reptiles. As a behavioral ecologist I am particularly interested in nest site choice, including the ecology and adaptive significance of communal nesting in reptiles and amphibians. I also study predator-prey interactions between wallabies and crocodiles, and explosive hatching in different species of reptiles.

My current research in Scott's lab involves a review of communal nesting in reptiles and amphibians. We are using complementary approaches to better understand why so many 'lower' tetrapods nest communally.

QUALIFICATIONS

• 2002: PhD Applied Ecology, University of Canberra, Australia.
  Thesis: "Ecology and sex determination in the pig-nosed turtle, Carettochelys insculpta, in the wet-dry tropics of northern Australia."
• 1995: Msc Biological Sciences, Southeastern Louisiana University, Hammond, Louisiana, USA.
  Thesis: "Comparative nesting ecology of two syntopic species of soft-shelled turtles (Apalone mutica and A. spinifera) in southeastern Louisiana."
• 1992; BSc Zoology, Louisiana State University.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

• 2005-2008: Research Fellow, University of Canberra. Investigated the evolution of environmental sex determination in lizards with wide-ranging geographic distributions with a particular focus on climate change responses. Funded as the Vice Chancellor's Fellow by the University of Canberra.
• 2002-2004: Research Fellow, University of Canberra. Evaluated vertebrate biodiversity, and the factors underpinning that biodiversity, in rice agroecosystems in the Riverina bioregion of NSW. The position was funded by the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation, the Rice Growers' Association, and the CRC for Sustainable Rice Production.
• 2007-present: Senior Zoologist, Animal Plant Mineral Pty. Ltd. Supervise and conduct fauna surveys in Western Australia.
• 1999-2000: Fauna Coordinator, Ecos Consulting Pty Ltd. Assembled and coordinated a team of experts for fauna retrieval and management efforts and served as liaison between Ecos, Duke Energy International, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, and the Department of Natural Resources and Environment (Vic).

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

• Convenor, Principles of Ecology (year 2), University of Canberra. 2006. Duties included redesign, planning, coordinating tutors, organizing and leading a field trip, and marking.
• Co-convenor, Communication in Science (year 1), University of Canberra. 2004. Duties included lecturing, organizing tutors, planning and marking.
• Co-convenor, Science, Environment and Society (year 1), University of Canberra. 2003. Duties included lecturing, tutoring, planning and marking.
• Lecturer, Ecology and Biodiversity II (year 2), University of Canberra. 2005, 1997. Lectured in a module.
• Lecturer, Ecology and Biodiversity I (year 2), University of Canberra. 1999. Lectured in a module.
• Guest Lecturer, Australian Animals (year 1/2), Australian National University. 2000-2008.
• Guest Lecturer, Conservation of Threatened Species (year 3), Canberra Institute of Technology. 1999.
• Tutor, Science, Environment and Society (year 1), University of Canberra. 2005.
• Tutor, Ecology and Biodiversity II (year 2), University of Canberra. 1996.
• Tutor, Introductory Zoology Laboratory (year 1), Southeastern Louisiana University. 1993-1995.
• Teacher, Herpetology - A Class for Gifted Year 7-9 Students, Louisiana State University. 1991-1992. Duties included lecturing, planning and leading field trips.

FELLOWSHIPS, SCHOLARSHIPS, AND AWARDS

• Vice-chancellor's Research Fellowship, University of Canberra 2004 ($240,000).
• Presidential Scholarship, University of Canberra 2002 ($8,000).
• Presidential Scholarship, University of Canberra 1998 ($8,000).
• Overseas Postgraduate Research Scholarship (OPRS), University of Canberra 1996-1999 ($36,900).
• Cooperative Research Centre for Freshwater Ecology (CRC) Research Scholarship, University of Canberra 1996-1999 ($20,427).

RESEARCH GRANTS

• Reconciling Wildlife Conservation and Rice Farming in the Riverina', Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation and the Ricegrowers' Association 2006-2008 ($342,000).
• Research on Monitoring Wildlife on Wagiman Aboringinal Lands, Natural Heritage Trust with Andy Peart, Pine Creek Aboriginal Advancement Association and the University of Canberra Strategic Industry Linkage Grant ($50,000).
• 'Impacts of Invasive Cane Toads on Native Predators', Natural Heritage Trust, CSIRO 2003-2008 ($41,000).
• 'Monitoring Pig-nosed Turtles in the Daly River, NT', Northern Territory Government and Pine Creek Association for Aboriginal Advancement 2005 ($10,000).
• 'Ecology of Threatened Carpet Pythons in Two Landscapes', Australian Geographic Society 2005 ($3,500).
• 'Thermal Ecology of the Threatened Pig-nosed Turtle', Australian Geographic Society 2004 ($5,000).
• Invited study tour, Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation, South America 2003 ($8,000).
• 'The evolution of nest-site choice and climate warming responses in wide-ranging lizards with environmental sex determination', University Discovery Grant, University of Canberra, 2003 ($25,000).
• 'The evolution of pivotal temperatures in wide-ranging reptiles with environmental sex determination', University Discovery Grant, University of Canberra, 2002 ($24,000).
• 'Predator-prey struggle between crocodiles and Wallabies', Australian Geographic Society 2001 ($1,000).
• Herpetologist's League Travel Grant 1997 ($300).
• Southeastern Louisiana University Travel Grants 1993-1995 ($1050).
• Linnaeus Fund Award, Chelonian Research Foundation 1994 ($500).
• Sigma Xi Honor Society, Grant-in-aid of Research 1994 ($420).
• Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles, Grants-in-Herpetology Award, 1994 ($500).
• Chicago Herpetological Society Graduate Student Research Grant 1993 ($488).

PUBLICATIONS

Peer-reviewed journals, books, book chapters

• Doody, J. S. Superficial lizards in cold climates: Nest site choice along an elevational gradient. Austral Ecology (under review).
• Doody, J. S., others (under review). Male combat in the olive python, Liasis olivaceus. Herpetofauna (under review).
• Doody, J. S., S. Freedberg, and J. Scott Keogh. Communal nesting in reptiles and amphibians: evolutionary patterns and hypotheses. Quarterly Review of Biology (accepted pending revision).
• Doody, J. S., Murray, G., and Pezaro, N. Climate responses at a range margin in a lizard with environmental sex determination. Global Change Biology (accepted pending revision).
• Doody, J. S., J. Roe, and P. Mayes. Tagging methods for Australian aquatic reptiles. Marine and Freshwater Research (accepted pending revision).
• Doody, J. S. Prey caching in saltwater crocodiles. Herpetological Review (accepted pending revision).
• Doody, J. S., B. Green, D. Rhind, and R. Sims. In press. Impact of invasive cane toads on predatory lizards. Animal Conservation (In press).
• Georges, A., J. S. Doody, C. Eisemberg, E. Alacs, and M. Rose. 2008. Carettochelys insculpta Ramsay 1886 - Pig-nosed Turtle, Fly River Turtle. In: Conservation Biology of Freshwater Turtles and Tortoises. Eds: A. G. J. Rhodin, P. C. H. Pritchard, P. P. van Dijk, R. A. Saumure, K. A. Buhlmann, and J. B. Iverson. Chelonian Research Monographs 5: doi:10.3854/crm.5.009.insculpta.v1.2008.
• Gibbons, P., S.V. Briggs, D. A. Ayers, S. Doyle, J. Seddon, C. McElhinny, N. Jones, R. Sims, and J. S. Doody. 2008. Rapidly quantifying reference conditions in modified landscapes. Biological Conservation 141:2483-2493.
• Doody, J. S., Sims, R., and Letnic, M. 2007. Environmental manipulation to avoid aunique predator: Drinking hole excavation in the Agile Wallaby, Macropus agilis. Ethology 113: 128-136.
• Doody, J. S., Green, B., Sims, R., and Rhind, D. 2007. A preliminary assessment ofthe impacts of invasive Cane Toads (Bufo marinus) on three species of varanid lizards in Australia. Mertensiella 16:218-227.
• Doody, J. S., Guarino, E., Corey, B., Murray, G., Ewert, M., and Georges, A. 2006.Nest site choice compensates for climate effects on sex ratios in a lizard with environmental sex determination. Evolutionary Ecology 20:307-330.
• Doody, J. S., Green, B., Sims, R., Rhind, D., West, P., and Steer, D. 2006.Indirect impacts of invasive Cane Toads (Bufo marinus) on nest survival in Pig-nosed Turtles (Carettochelys insculpta). Wildlife Research 33:349-354.
• Doody, J. S., Guarino, E., Harlow, P., Corey, B., and Murray, P. 2006. Quantifying nest site choice in reptiles using hemispherical photography and gap light analysis. Herpetological Review 37:49-52.
• Doody, J. S., B. Green, D. Rhind, and R. Sims. 2006. Initial impacts of invasive cane toads (Bufo marinus) on predatory lizards and crocodiles. Pp. 33-41 In: Molloy, K.L. and Henderson, W.R. (Eds). Science of Cane Toad Invasion and Control. Proceedings of the Invasive Animals CRC/CSIRO/Qld NRM&W Cane Toad Workshop, June 2006, Brisbane. Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre, Canberra.
• Doody, J. S. 2006. Communal nesting in the Red-throated Skink, Bassiana platynota.Herpetofauna 36:23-24.
  Georges, A., Beggs, K., Young, J. E., and Doody, J. S. 2005. Modelling reptilian development under fluctuating temperature regimes. Physiological and Biochemical Zoology 78:18-30.
• Doody, J. S., and Welsh, M. 2005. First glimpses into the reproductive ecology of the Red-faced Turtle, Emydura victoriae, in tropical Australia. Herpetofauna 35:11-14.
• Doody, J. S., Georges, A., and Young, J. E. 2004. Determinants of reproductive success and offspring sex in a turtle with environmental sex determination. Biological Journal of the Linnaean Society 80:1-16.
• Georges, A., Doody, J. S., Beggs, K. and Young J. E. 2004. Thermal models of TSD under laboratory and field conditions. Pp. 79-89 in Temperature dependent sex determination in reptiles. Valenzuela, N. and Lance, V. (eds). Smithsonian Institute, Washington.
• Shultz, T. and Doody, J. S. 2004. Mitchell's Water Monitor, Varanus mitchelli. In: Varanoid Lizards of the World. E. Pianka and D. King (eds.). Indiana University Press, Bloomington.
• Young, J. E., Georges, A., Doody J. S., West, P. B., and Alderman R. L. 2004. Pivotal range and thermosensitive period of the Pig-nosed Turtle, Carettochelys insculpta (Testudines: Carettochelydidae) from northern Australia. Canadian Journal of Zoology 82:1251-1257.
• Ewert, M. A., Doody, J. S., and Carr, J. L. 2004. Graptemys ouachitensis sabinensis(Sabine Map Turtle). Reproduction. Herpetological Review 35:382-383.
• Doody, J. S., A. Georges, and J. E. Young. 2003. Twice every second year:reproduction in the Pig-nosed Turtle in the wet-dry tropics of Australia. Journal of Zoology (London) 259:179-188.
• Doody, J. S., Sims, R., and Georges, A. 2003. Gregarious nesting in Pig-nosed Turtles (Carettochelys insculpta) does not reduce predation risk. Copeia 2003:894-898.
• Doody, J. S., West, P., and Georges, A. 2003. Beach selection in Pig-nosed Turtles, Carettochelys insculpta. Journal of Herpetology 37:178-182.
• Doody, J. S., West, P., Stapley, J., Welsh, M., Tucker, A., Guarino, E., Pauza, M., Bishop, N., Head, M., Dennis, S., West, G., Pepper, A., and Jones, A. 2003. Fauna by-catch in pipeline trenches: Conservation, animal ethics, and current practices in Australia. Australian Zoologist 32:410-419.
• Doody, J. S., Young, J. E., and Georges, A. 2002. Sex differences in movements and activity in the Pig-nosed Turtle (Carettochelys insculpta). Copeia 2002:93-103.
• Doody, J. S., Sims, R., and Georges, A. 2001. Thermal spring use by Pig-nosed Turtles (Carettochelys insculpta) in tropical Australia. Chelonian Conservation and Biology 4:81-87.
• Doody, J. S., Georges, A., Pauza, M., Young, J. E., Pepper, A., and Alderman, R. 2001. Embryonic aestivation and emergence ecology in the Pig-nosed Turtles (Carettochelys insculpta) in the wet-dry tropics of Northern Australia. Canadian Journal of Zoology 79:1062-1072.
• Doody, J. S., and Georges, A. 2000. A novel technique for gathering emergence and nesting phenology data in turtles. Herpetological Review 31:220-222.
• Georges, A., Doody, J. S., Young, J. E., and Cann, J. 2000. The Australian Pig-nosed Turtle. Applied Ecology Research Group, University of Canberra. 32 pp.
• Saumure, R. A., and Doody, J. S. 2000. Carettochelys insculpta ectoparasites.Herpetological Review 31:237-238.
• Doody, J. S. 1999. A test of the comparative influences of constant and fluctuating incubation temperatures on phenotypes of hatchling turtles. Chelonian Conservation and Biology 3:529-531.
• Saumure, R. A., and Doody, J. S. 1998. Amphiuma (Amphiuma tridactylum) ectoparasites. Herpetological Review 29:163.
• Seigel, R. A., Sheil, C. A., and Doody, J. S. 1997. Long-term changes in a population of an endangered rattlesnake (Sistrurus catenatus) subjected to a severe flood. Biological Conservation 83:127-131.
• Doody, J. S. 1997. Book review: Turtles of the United States and Canada, eds. C. H. Ernst, J. E. Lovich, and R.W. Barbour. Herpetofauna 27:55-56.
• Doody, J. S., and Taylor, R. 1997. A note on the foraging behaviour of Dendrelaphis punctulatus in the Northern Territory. Herpetofauna 27:55-56.
• Sever, D. A., Doody, J. S., Reddish, C. A., Wenner, M. M., and Church, D. R. 1996. Sperm storage in the Great Lamper Eel (Amphiuma tridactylum). Journal of Morphology 230:79-97.
• Doody, J. S. 1996. Larval growth rates of known age Ambystoma opacum in Louisiana under natural conditions. Journal of Herpetology 30:294-297.
• Doody, J. S., Brauman, R.J., Fiorillo, R. A., and Young, J. E. 1996. Death-feigning in the Mud Snake (Farancia abacura) in captivity. Herpetological Review 27:82-83.
• Doody, J. S., Anderson, R. E., and Richardson, C. S. 1996. Geographic distribution extension of the turtle Apalone spinifera in Louisiana. New parish record. Herpetological Review 27:150.
• Doody, J. S., and Young, J. E. 1995. Temporal variation in reproduction and clutch mortality of southern leopard frogs (Rana utricularia) in south Mississippi. Journal of Herpetology 29:614-616.
• Doody, J. S., Anderson, R. E., Church, D. R., Meier, A., and Connelly, P. 1995. Geographic distribution extension of the salamander Amphiuma means in Louisiana. New parish record. Herpetological Review 26:150.
• Doody, J. S., Young, J. E., and Johnson, G. 1995. Male-male combat in the gopher frog (Rana capito). Herpetological Review 26:202-203.
• Doody, J. S. 1995. A photographic mark-recapture method for patterned amphibians. Herpetological Review 26:19-21.
• Doody, J. S. 1994. Winter roost-site use of female American Kestrels (Falco sparverius) in southcentral Louisiana. Journal of Raptor Research 28:9-12.
• Doody, J. S. and J. W. Tamplin. 1992. An efficient technique for marking softshell turtles. Herpetological Review 23:54-56.
• Rossman, D. A., J. Wilkinson, and J. S. Doody. 1991. Geographic distribution extension of salamander Plethodon websteri in Louisiana. Herpetological Review 22:23.

Popular and non-peer reviewed articles

• Castellano, C., Ross, S., J. S. Doody, and Osborne, W. 2006. Native frogs born in rice bays consume rice pests. IREC Farmers' Newsletter Rice R&D Special 177:48-49.
• Castellano, C., J. S. Doody, and Osborne, W. 2006. From rice to revegetation: wildlife conservation on rice farms. IREC Farmers' Newsletter Rice R&D Special 174:20-21.
• Doody, J. S., Osborne, W., and Bourne, D. 2004. Reconciling farming with wildlife:vertebrate biodiversity in the rice-growing Riverina. IREC Farmers' Newsletter Rice R&D Special 165:21-23.
• Doody, J. S., and Osborne, W. 2003. Animal ways in rice bays: a year spent with vertebrates on rice farms. IREC Farmers' Newsletter Rice R&D Special 162:55-57
• Doody, J. S. 2002. Backbones in flooded zones: on-farm biodiversity in the Ricegrowing Riverina. IREC Farmers' Newsletter Rice R&D Special 159:57-58
• Doody, J. S. 2000. The Territory's Intriguing Turtles. Australian Geographic 58:22-23.
• Doody, J. S. 2000. Opening days for fauna-friendly right-of-ways: Fauna receive royal treatment. Pipeliner Magazine 103:68-70.
• Doody, J. S. 1996. Summers with softshells. Bulletin of the Chicago Herpetological Society 31:132-133.

Management plans, monitoring plans, and reports

• Doody, J. S. 2005. Frog and frog habitat survey of the Huntley Mine Site, NSW. Unpublished report for Huntley Heritage Pty. Ltd.
• Doody, J. S., Osborne, W. S., Bourne, D., and Rennie, B. 2004. Vertebrate biodiversity on Australian rice farms: An inventory of species, variation among farms, and proximate factors explaining that variation. A report to the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation and the Ricegrowers' Association. Applied Ecology Research Group, University of Canberra.
• Doody, J. S., Guarino, E., Sims, R., and Osborne, W. 2003. National Survey Standards for Australian Frogs. Final report to Environment Australia. Applied Ecology Research Group, University of Canberra.
• Georges, A., Webster, E., Guarino, E., Thoms, M., Jolley, P., and Doody, J. S. 2003. Modeling dry season flows and predicting the impact of water extraction on a flagship species. Final Report to DLPE NT. Applied Ecology Research Group and CRC for Freshwater Ecology, University of Canberra.
• Doody, J. S., Sims, R., and Ward, A. 2001. Threatened Species Profile and Threats Database for Australian Reptiles. Final report to Environment Australia. Applied Ecology Research Group, University of Canberra.
• Doody, J. S. 2000. Fauna captured in pipeline trenches during the Eastern Gas Pipeline. Final Report to Duke Energy International. Ecos Consulting Pty. Ltd.
• Doody, J. S., Georges, A., and Young, J. E. 2000. Monitoring Plan for the Pig-nosed Turtle (Carettochelys insculpta) in the Daly River, Northern Territory. Final Report to NT Parks and Wildlife Commission, Northern Territory. Applied Ecology Research Group, University of Canberra.
• Young, J. E., Georges, A., West, P. B., and Doody, J. S. 2000. Management Plan for the Pig-nosed turtle (Carettochelys insculpta) in Australia. Final report to NT Parks andWildlife Commission, Northern Territory. Applied Ecology Research Group, University of Canberra.
• Seigel, R. A. and Doody, J. S. 1996. Inventory and monitoring of amphibians and reptiles of the Gulf Islands National Seashore. Final report to USF&WS July 1996. Southeastern Louisiana University.
• Seigel, R. A., and Doody, J. S. 1992. Status of the Dusky Gopher Frog in Louisiana. A report to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Southeasten Louisiana University.

Conference presentations (invited)

• Doody, J. S. and J. Moore. 2008. Environmental gradients in reptilian sex- determining traits. Symposium on the Reproductive Biology of Reptiles. 6th World Congress of Herpetology, Manaus, Brazil.
• Doody, J. S. 2007. Nest site choice as a maternal effect in reptiles. Workshop on Maternal Effects. University of Woolongong, Woolongong, Australia.
• Doody, J. S. 2006. The evolution of environmental sex determination and sex allocation in reptiles. Workshop in Evolutionary Ecology: Sex Allocation in Reptiles, University of Woolongong, Woolongong, Australia.
• Doody, J. S., Guarino, E., Corey, B., Murray, G., and Ewert, M. 2005. Nest site choice compensates for climate effects on sex ratios in a lizard with environmental sex determination. 5th World Congress of Herpetology, Stellenbosch, South Africa.
• Doody, J. S. 2003. Strategies for managing biodiversity on Australian rice farms. 3rd International Temperate Rice Conference, Punta del Este, Uruguay.
• Doody, J. S., and Steer, D. 2003. Can daily timing of nesting be explained by activity patterns? Symposium on the Biology of freshwater Turtles at the Joint Meeting of the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, the Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles, and Herpetologists' League. Manaus, Brazil.
• Doody, J. S., and Georges, A. 1998. Ecology and conservation of the Pig-nosed Turtle (Carettochelys insculpta) in northern Australia. Symposium for the Conservation and Management of Reptiles. Annual Meeting of the Australian Wildlife Management Society. Gatton College, Australia.
• Doody, J. S., and Georges, A. 1997. Can nesting pig-nosed turtles (Carettochelys insculpta) predict offspring sex? Symposium on the Life History and Ecology of Chelonians at the Joint Meeting of the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, the Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles, and Herpetologists' League, Seatle, Washington, USA.

EDITORIAL AND REVIEWING EXPERIENCE

• Associate Editor for the journal: Herpetological Conservation and Biology (http://www.herpconbio.org)
• I have peer-reviewed manuscripts for the following international journals: Animal Conservation, Conservation Biology, Biological Conservation, Biology Letters, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, Evolutionary Ecology, Functional Ecology, Physiological Zoology and Biochemistry, Basic and Applied Ecology, Global Change Biology, Journal of Tropical Ecology, Canadian Journal of Zoology, Austral Ecology, Wildlife Research, Australian Journal of Zoology, Copeia, Herpetologica, Journal of Herpetology, Chelonian Conservation and Biology, Pacific Conservation Biology.

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

IUCN Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group, Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles, American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, Australian Society of, Herpetologists, Herpetologists' League, Chelonian Research Foundation

Last modified October 2008