Scott Keogh Reader (Associate Professor) in Evolutionary Biology & Convenor, Graduate Program in Ecology, Evolution and Systematics School of Botany and Zoology Main Research Interests Molecular and morphological phylogenetics and behavioural ecology of reptiles and amphibians

For more detail than you could ever want, check out the Keogh Lab web site and Scott's CV.

Background
I have always had a thing for reptiles and amphibians and so after doing lots of zoology classes and also a lot of volunteer research for postgrads in the biology department at the University of Illinois, I tossed away my original plan of being a vet or medical doctor and decided I should be a zoologist. After a long search for graduate programs I finally ended up almost where I started - at Illinois State University working with Professor Lauren Brown on a masters degree. At first I thought I should be a snake ecologist so I spent an entire field season searching for the only common large snake in the area - the fox snake. I found three. With 1.5 years left to do my masters, I had to come up with something fast. Fortunately for me, I was inspired by a graduate course in systematics taught by Angelo Capparella and I decided to do a museum based snake systematics project. Toward the end of my masters I started looking around for PhD programs. One of the people I talked to was Rick Shine at the University of Sydney. I wanted to work on the phylogenetics of Australian venomous snakes. I applied, got in, and all of a sudden I was flying to the other side of the globe in 1993. I spent the next couple of years visiting all the museums in Australia to study elapid morphology. I also did some work in Indonesia evaluating the reptile skinning industry. I then moved to Adelaide to begin gathering molecular data in Steve Donnellan's lab at the South Australian Museum. I was only supposed to be there six months or so and then head back to Sydney, but the work took longer than I thought, I met my wife, etc., so I stayed for three years. During that time I finished up the PhD and started an ARC Postdoctoral Fellowship. During the first year of my postdoc I spent quite a bit of time working in South Africa with Bill Branch at the Port Elizabeth Museum in South Africa. Around this time I applied for a lectureship in BoZo at ANU. I got the job so I tossed in the rest of my postdoc and I've been here since May 1998.

Since then I have supervised 8 honours students and 8 PhD students to completion and hosted 3 ARC Postdoctoral Fellows, a Postdoctoral Research Associate and several Visiting Fellows. My current group comprises a full time Research Assistant, 3 PhD students, an honours student, a Visiting Fellow, 2 ARC Postdocs and a Postdoc RA.

Research Interests
My research interests and those of the lab are broad but primarily involve the study and evaluation of evolutionary processes using reptiles and frogs as model systems. I concentrate on three major research areas:

• Molecular Phylogenetics, Phylogeography and Conservation Genetics
• Behavioral and Molecular Ecology
• Natural History and Conservation Biology

Research Funding: (full funding list)

• 2007-2008, Hermon-Slade Foundation, $58,410.
• 2006-2008, ARC Discovery Grant, $300,000
• 2003-2005, ARC Discovery Grant, (with Dale Roberts from UWA and Phil Byrne from my lab), $255,000
• 2003, ANU Faculties Research Grant, $9,750
• 2002-2004 , ARC Discovery Grant, (with Ian Scott from my lab), $141,000
• 2002, ANU Faculties Research Grant, $22,200
• 2002, Natural Resources and Environment Grant (with Ian Scott from my lab), $49,736
• 2001, ANU Faculties Research Grant (with Dale Roberts from UWA), $20,300
• 2000, ARC Small Grant, $20,880
• 2000-2002, ARC Spirt Grant, $63,240 (+$30,000 from NSW-NPWS)
• 1999-2001, ARC Large Grant, $193,000
• 1999-2001, ARC Large Grant, $135,000
• My students and postdocs also have won loads of money, click here for the full list
  

Publications (2004-2007): (full lab publication list)

• Byrne, P, JS Keogh. Terrestrial toadlets use chemosignals to recognise conspecifics, locate mates and strategically adjust calling behaviour. Animal Behaviour 74:1155-1162.
• Smith, W, IAW Scott, JS Keogh. Molecular phylogeography of Rosenberg's goanna (Reptilia: Varanidae: Varanus rosenbergi) and its conservation status in New South Wales. Systematics and Biodiversity 5:361-369.
• Backwell, PRY, M Matsumasa, M Double, A Roberts, M Murai, JS Keogh, MD Jennions. 2007. What are the consequences of being left clawed in a predominantly right clawed fiddler crab? Proceedings of the Royal Society, Series B 272:2723-2729.
• Shine, R, WR Branch, JK Webb, PS Harlow, T Shine, JS Keogh. 2007. Ecology of cobras (Aspidelaps, Hemachatus, and Naja, Elapidae) from southern Africa. Journal of Zoology, London 272:183-193.
• Edwards, D., JD Roberts, JS Keogh. 2007. Impact of Plio-Pleistocene arid cycling on the population history of a southwestern Australian frog. Molecular Ecology 16:2782-2796.
• Morgan, MJ, JD Roberts, JS Keogh. 2007. Molecular phylogenetic dating supports an ancient endemic speciation model in Australia's biodiversity hotspot. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 44:371-385.
• Whiting, MJ, L Reaney, JS Keogh. 2007. Ecology of the velvet gecko, Homopholis wahlbergii, in southern Africa. African Zoology. 42:38-44.
• Hodges, K, DM Rowell, JS Keogh. 2007. Remarkably different phylogeographic structure in two closely related lizard species in a zone of sympatry in south eastern Australia. Journal of Zoology, London. 272:64-72.
• Kondo, J, SJ Downes, JS Keogh. 2007. Recent physical encounters affect chemically mediated retreat-site selection in a gecko. Ethology 113:68-75.
• Melville, J., S.Goebel, C Starr, JS Keogh, JJ Austin. 2007. Conservation genetics and species status of an endangered Australian dragon, Tympanocryptis pinguicolla (Reptilia: Agamidae). Conservation Genetics 8:185-195.
• Keogh, JS, JK Webb, R Shine. 2007. Spatial genetic analysis and long-term mark-recapture data demonstrate male-biased dispersal in a snake. Biology Letters 3:33-35.
• Stapley, J, JS Keogh. 2006. Body size and badge colour interact to influence male reproductive success in a non-territorial lizard. Ethology, Ecology and Evolution 18:275-288.
• Pepper, M, P Doughty, JS Keogh. 2006. Molecular phylogeny and phylogeography of the Australian Diplodactylus stenodactylus (Gekkota; Reptilia) species-group based on mitochondrial and nuclear genes reveals an ancient split between Pilbara and non-Pilbara D. stenodactylus. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 41:539-555.
• Chapple, DG, JS Keogh. 2006. Group structure and stability in social aggregations of White's skink, Egernia whitii. Ethology 112: 247-257.
• Lukoschek, V, JS Keogh. 2006. Molecular phylogeny of sea snakes reveals a rapidly diverged adaptive radiation. Biological Journal of the Linnaean Society 89: 523-539.
• Chapple, DG, JS Keogh. 2005. Complex mating system and dispersal patterns in a social lizard, Egernia whitii. Molecular Ecology 14:1215-1227.
• Stapley, J, JS Keogh. 2005. Behavioural syndromes influence mating systems: Floater pairs of a lizard have heavier offspring. Behavioural Ecology 16:514-520.
• Stapley, J, C Hayes, J Webb, JS Keogh. 2005. Novel microsatellite loci identified from the Australian Eastern Small-Eyed Snake (Elapidae: Rhinocephalus nigrescens) and cross species amplification in the related genus Suta. Molecular Ecology Notes 5:54-56.
• Keogh, JS, IAW Scott, C Hayes. 2005. Rapid and repeated origin of insular gigantism and dwarfism in Australian tiger snakes. Evolution 59:226-233.
• Head, ML, JS Keogh, P Doughty. 2005. Male southern water skinks (Eulamprus heatwolei) use both visual and chemical cues to detect female sexual receptivity. Acta Ethologica 8:79-85.
• Kuch, U, JS Keogh, J Weigel, LA Smith, D Mebs. 2005. Phylogeography of Australia's king brown snake (Pseudechis australis) reveals Pliocene divergence and Pleistocene dispersal of a top predator. Naturwissenschaften 92:121-127.
• Chapple, DG, JS Keogh, MN Hutchinson. 2005. Substantial genetic substructuring in southeastern and alpine Australia revealed by molecular phylogeography of the Egernia whitii (Lacertilia: Scincidae) species group. Molecular Ecology 14:1279-1292.
• Chapple, DG, JS Keogh, MN Hutchinson. 2004. Molecular phylogeography and systematics of the arid zone members of the Egernia whitii (Lacertilia: Scincidae) species group. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 33:549-561.
• Stapley, J, JS Keogh. 2004. Exploratory and anti-predator behaviours differ between territorial and non-territorial male lizards. Animal Behaviour 68:841-846.
• Chapple, DG, JS Keogh. 2004. Parallel adaptive radiations in arid and temperate Australia: molecular phylogeography and systematics of the Egernia whitii (Lacertilia: Scincidae) species group. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society 83:157-173.
• Wong, BMB, MD Jennions, JS Keogh. 2004. Sequential male mate choice in a fish, the Pacific blue-eye Pseudomugil siginifer. Behavioural Ecology and Sociobiology 56:253-256.
• Wong, BMB, JS Keogh, DJ McGlashan. 2004. Current and historical patterns of drainage connectivity in eastern Australia inferred from population genetic structuring in a widespread freshwater fish Pseudomugil signifer (Pseudomugilidae). Molecular Ecology 13:391-401.
• Wong, BMB, JS Keogh, MD Jennions. 2004. Mate recognition in a freshwater fish: geographic distance, genetic differentiation, and variation in female preference for local over foreign males. Journal of Evolutionary Biology 17:701-708.
• Scott, IAW, JS Keogh, MJ Whiting. 2004. Shifting sands and shifty lizards: Molecular phylogeny and biogeography of African flat lizards (Platysaurus). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 31:618-629.

 

Current Research Group

David Moore, Research Assistant (2007-2008)

Dr. Joanna Sumner (ARC Postdoctoral Fellow, 2006-2008)

Dr. Conrad Hoskin (ARC Postdoctoral Fellow, 2007-2009)

Dr. Danielle Edwards (Postdoctoral Research Associate, 2007-2008)

Suzi Morrison (PhD student, 2005 onward)

Mitzy Pepper (PhD student, 2007 onward)

Renee Catullo (PhD student, 2008 onward)

Geoff Kay (Honours student, 2007-8)

Jordan Crabbe (Honours student, 2008)

 

Keogh Lab Hall of Fame

Former PostDocs

Dr. Phil Byrne (ARC Postdoctoral Fellow, 2002-2004). Phil is now a Research Lecturer at Monash University.

Dr. Sharon Downes (ARC Postdoctoral Fellow, 2001-2004). Sharon is now a Research Scientist at CSIRO.

Dr. Ian Scott (ARC Postdoctoral Research Associate, 1999-2003). Ian is now a postdoc in New Zealand.

Dr. Paul Doughty (ARC Postdoctoral Fellow, 2000-2001). Paul is now the Curator of Terrestrial Vertebrates at the Western Australian Musuem.

 

Former Postgraduate Students

Vimoksalehi Lukoschek (Completed PhD in 2007). Vimoksalehi is now a Postdoc at the University of California, Irvine.

Matt Morgan (Completed PhD in 2007). Matt is now a Postdoc at the University of Texas at Austin.

David Chapple (Completed PhD in 2004). Dave is now an ARC Postdoctoral Fellow at the Victorian Museum, Melboure.

Louise Osborne (Completed PhD in 2004). Louise is Strategic Analyst for Land and Water Australia.

Anke Maria Hoefer (Completed MSc in 2004). Anke Maria is now a full time mom.

Jessica Stapley (Completed PhD in 2004). Jess is now a Postdoctoral Fellow in at Sheffield in the UK.

Bob Wong (Completed PhD in 2003). Bob is now a Lecturer at Monash University.

 

Former Honours Students

David Moore (2006-7 cohord). David is now an RA in my lab.

Mitzy Pepper (2005 cohort). Mitzy is now a PhD student in my lab.

Kate Hodges (2003-04 cohort). Kate is a PhD student at the University of Canberra.

Junko Kondo (2002-03 cohort). Junko is now a Research Assistant for Rob Magrath.

Eleanor Gerahty (2000-01 cohort). Eleanor is now a mom of three and working on a career in country music.

Megan Head (2000-01 cohort). Megan did her PhD student at the University of NSW and is now a postdoc in the USAA.

Kathryn Read (2000 cohort). Kathryn is now working for the Australian Research Council.

Suzi Morrison (99-2000 cohort). Suzi spent four years traveling and is now a PhD student back in our lab.

 

Former Visiting Fellows

Dr. Simon Blomberg (2003-2005). Simon is now working in CRES at the ANU as a serious stats man.

Dr. Nicola Mitchell (2002). Nicki is now an ARC Postdoc at the University of Western Australia.

Dr. Jonno Webb (2001-2002). Jonno is now a Postdoc at the University of Sydney.

Danielle Edwards (2002-2005). Danielle is now finishing up her PhD and working for Jane Melville at the Victorian Museum.

Brigette Gottsberger (2000). Brigette is now a PhD student in Vienna.

Possible Honours Projects
I am interested in supervising honours students on a range of phylogenetic and behavioural ecology projects on reptiles. It's easiest if you check out my web site first and then come and talk to me about possibilities.

Courses Taught

Diversity of LIfe (BIOL1009) - is a first year course in which I teach for five weeks and coordinate. We cover basic invertebrate and vertebrate zoology in the first half of the course and then talk about plants. There are 3 lectures per week and one three hour practical every other week.

Australian Wildlife (BIOL2111) - is a new course to BoZo that was introduced in first semester 2000. Australia is famous for its highly unique and diverse fauna. In this unit we cover topics such as the ecology, behaviour, morphology, physiology, conservation and evolutionary history of major Australian animal groups. The course is designed to take advantage of staff expertise in particular Australian animal groups; thus the groups and specific topics covered may vary from year to year depending on the staff involved. In 2000 I coordinated the course and taught five weeks of herp related stuff, Rob Magrath covered birds (3 weeks) and Bill Foley covered mammals (mostly marsupials) for 4 weeks. The first semester course has 3 lectures per week and outings arranged opportunistically.

In the past I also have taught part of Biodiversity and Systematics (BIOL3134), the old Humans and Vertebrates course (BIOL1002) and Evolution (BIOL3133).

Other Activities
Member of the Editorial Board for Contemporary Herpetology, the first peer reviewed on-line herpetological journal.

I spend a fair amount of time advising postgradaute students on matters to do with their professional development. I have developed a web site to help students find advice on grant, thesis, and paper writing, postdocs, how to land a job, etc. I also am involved in running workshops on these issues both on campus and externally.

I am the Graduate Program Convenor for Ecology Evolution and Systematics.

I was the National Secretary / Treasurer of the Australian Society of Herpetologists.

Contact Details

Email: Scott.Keogh@anu.edu.au
Telephone: 61-2-6125-0641
Facsimile: 61-2-6125-5573