Main Research Interest
My research integrates ecological and molecular tools to address evolutionary questions in plants and animals, facilitating both pure and applied research

Background
My BSc(Hons) and PhD degrees were both undertaken at the University of Western Australia. My PhD on the 'Genetic Systems of Terrestrial Orchids' was completed at the Botany Department in 1987. Subsequently I spent 5 years as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the School of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney. In this position I worked on various aspects of reproductive biology and plant population genetics. During this period I also spent some time as a visiting scientist at Rutgers University in USA, where with colleagues, I developed and applied new statistical procedures for DNA based population genetic analysis. In 1993 I took up my current position at ANU. Here my attention turned to the development and use of modern DNA based genetic markers for investigating a range of pure and applied questions in conservation and evolutionary biology. In plants my research team has applied these molecular tools to study the genetic consequences of clonality, as an aid to effective conservation management, to assess paternity, to explore the evolution of plant mating systems, and assess the potential for forensic applications. In birds and small mammals, we are integrating genetics and ecological experiments to quantify animal dispersal in fragmented landscapes and explore the consequences of habitat fragmentation.

Orchids have featured strongly, but not exclusively, in my research in greater part because their novel and specialized pollination systems are ideal for exploring a range of evolutionary questions. In 2004, I have commenced an exciting new 5 year research project on 'Sympatric speciation in sexually deceptive orchids'. This new project aptly illustrates the innovative integration of multiple fields that characterises my research approach, in this case spanning the fields of pollination and reproductive ecology, genetics, phylogeny and chemical ecology. This project opens up new and exciting possibilities for students with a diverse array of interests. New projects now available include the chemistry of floral odours and the molecular biology of floral odour production in orchids.

A total of 16 honours students and 9 PhD students have completed their degrees under my supervision. I have also hosted 3 postdoctoral fellows. My current research team includes 2 full-time research assistants and 2 PhD students. My research facilities include a fully equipped molecular laboratory, including an ABI3100 capillary electrophoresis system, GC-MS and GC-EAD facilities.

Research Interests
General
Molecular ecology, Evolutionary ecology, Conservation biology, Plant reproduction, Pollination biology, Chemical ecology

Specific Interests
Fine-scale population genetic analysis. Genetic and ecological consequences of habitat fragmentation. Plant forensic applications of genetic markers. Research priorities in conservation. Evolution of pollination by sexual deception in orchids.

Prizes
Australian National University Prize 2005 for Innovative IT application for our software package GenAlEx (Peakall and Smouse 2006). This population genetic software package is widely used for teaching in Australia, Asia, Europe, North America and South America, and by researchers from more than 50 countries. Since its Internet release in 2001, it has been cited more than 160 times.

Publications 2004-08
Poldy, J., Peakall, R., Barrow, R.A. 2008. Pheromones and analogs from Neozeleboria wasps and the orchids that seduce them: a versatile synthesis of 2,5-dialkylated 1,3-cyclohexanediones. Tetrahedron Letters 49: 2446-2449.

Rai, H.S., Reeves, P.A., Peakall, R., Olmstead, R.G., Graham, S.W. 2008. Inference of higher-order conifer relationships from a multi-locus plastid data set. Botany 86: 658-669.

Flanagan, N.S., Peakall, R., Clements, M.A., Otero, J.T. 2007. Identification of the endangered Australian orchid Microtis angusii using an allele-specific PCR assay. Conservation Genetics 8: 721-725.

Gilmore, S., Peakall, R., Robertson, J. 2007. Organelle DNA haplotypes reflect crop-use characteristics and geographic origins of Cannabis sativa . Forensic Science International 172: 179-190.

Heinsohn, R., Ebert, D., Legge, S., Peakall, R. 2007. Genetic evidence for cooperative polyandry in reverse dichromatic Eclectus parrots. Animal Behaviour 74: 1047-1054.

Peakall, R. 2007. Speciation in the Orchidaceae: confronting the challenges. Molecular Ecology 16: 2834-2837.

Flanagan, N.S., Peakall, R., Clements, M.A., Otero, T. 2006. Conservation of taxonomically difficult species: the case of the Australian orchid, Microtis angusii. Conservation Genetics 7: 847-859.

Flanagan, N., Ebert, D., Porter, C., Rossetto, M., Peakall, R., (2006) "Microsatellite markers for evolutionary studies in the sexually deceptive orchid genus Chiloglottis ", Molecular Ecology Notes (electronic), Vol 6, pp 123-126.

Peakall, R., Smouse, P., (2006) "GENALEX 6: genetic analysis in Excel. Population genetic software for teaching and research", Molecular Ecology Notes (electronic), Vol 6, pp 288-295.

Peakall, R., Ebert, D., Cunningham, R., Lindenmayer, D., (2006) "Mark-recapture by genetic tagging reveals restricted movements by bush rats (Rattus fuscipes) in a fragmented landscape", Journal of Zoology, Vol 268, pp 207-216.

Ramsey, M., Vaughton, G., Peakall, R., (2006) "Inbreeding avoidance and the evolution of gender dimorphism in Wurmbea biglandulosa (Colchicaceae)", Evolution, Vol 60, Issue 3, pp 529-537.

Adcock, G., Heinsohn, R., Ebert, D., Amini, N., Peakall, R., (2005) "Microsatellite loci for behavioural studies of Eclectus parrot (Eclectus roratus : Aves)", Molecular Ecology Notes (electronic), Vol 5, pp 616-618.

Andrew, R., Peakall, R., Wallis, I., Wood, J., Knight, E., Foley, W., (2005) "Marker-Based Quantitative Genetics in the Wild?: The Heritability and Genetic Correlation of Chemical Defenses in Eucalyptus", Genetics, Vol 171, pp 1989-1998.

Double, M., Peakall, R., Beck, N., Cockburn, A., (2005) "Dispersal, philopatry, and infidelity: dissecting local genetic structure in superb fairy-wrens (Malurus cyaneus)", Evolution, Vol 59, Issue 3, pp 625-635.

Lindenmayer, D., Cunningham, R., Peakall, R., (2005) "The recovery of populations of bush rat Rattus fuscipes in forest fragments following major population reduction", Journal of Applied Ecology, Vol 42, pp 649-658.

Mant, J., Peakall, R., Schiestl, F., (2005) "Does selection on floral odor promote differentiation among populations and species of the sexually deceptive orchid genus Ophrys?", Evolution, Vol 59, Issue 7, pp 1449-1463.

Mant, J., Bower, C., Weston, P., Peakall, R., (2005) "Phylogeography of pollinator-specific sexually deceptive Chiloglottis taxa (Orchidaceae): evidence for sympatric divergence?", Molecular Ecology, Vol 14, pp 3067-3076.

Mant, J., Peakall, R., Weston, P., (2005) "Specific pollinator attraction and the diversification of sexually deceptive Chiloglottis (Orchidaceae)", Plant Systematics and Evolution, Vol 253, pp 185-200.

Schiestl, F., Peakall, R., (2005) "Two orchids attract different pollinators with the same floral odour compound: ecological and evolutionary implications", Functional Ecology, Vol 19, pp 674-680.

Ward, J., Peakall, R., Gilmore, S., Robertson, J., (2005) "A molecular identification system for grasses: a novel technology for forensic botany", Forensic Science International, Vol 152, pp 121-131.

Peakall, R., Schiestl, F., (2004) "A mark-recapture study of male Colletes cunicularius bees: implications for pollination by sexual deception", Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, Vol 56, pp 579-584.

Schiestl, F., Peakall, R., Mant, J., (2004) "Chemical communication in the sexually deceptive orchid genus Cryptostylis ", Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, Vol 144, pp 199-205.

Full Publications List

PhD Students Completed
Jodie Ward. (2006) A grass molecular identification system for forensic botany. Co-supervised with Dr Simon Gilmore of Forensics Department, Canberra Institute of Technology and Dr James Robertson, Director of Forensics Services, Australian Federal Police. (Submission and examination on schedule for Sept 2006)

Nadeena Beck (2006) Causes and consequences of dispersal in an obligate cooperative breeder, the white-winged chough ( Corcorax melanorhamphos ). Commenced 2002. Co-supervised with Dr Rob Heinsohn of CRES, ANU. Now working in the molecular ecology laboratory in the School of Botany and Zoology, ANU. (nbeck@cres10.anu.edu.au)

Simon Gilmore (2006) Development and application of powerful new DNA tools for investigative forensics of Cannabis sativa. Co-supervised with Dr James Robertson, Director of Forensics Services, Australian Federal Police. Now a lecturer at Canberra Institute of Technology. Simon.Gilmore@cit.act.edu.au

Current Research Group
PhD students
Monica Ruibal (2003-) Development of innovative molecular tools to aid the study of an endangered Australian marsupial, the Spotted-tail Quoll.   Co-supervised with Dr Karen Firestone (Zoological Parks Board of NSW, Sydney) (monica.ruibal@anu.edu.au)

Jodie Ward (2003-) The development and application of a molecular system for the identification of forensic grass samples.   Co-supervised with Dr James Robertson (Forensic Services, Australia Federal Police, Canberra)   (jodie.ward@anu.edu.au)

Rose Andrew (2003-) Population and quantitative genetics of plant defense in Eucalyptus . Co-supervised with Dr Bill Foley (BoZo, ANU). (rose.andrew@anu.edu.au)

Nadeena Beck (2001-) The effect of habitat fragmentation on dispersal behaviour and population genetic structure in cooperatively breeding white-winged choughs ( Corcorax melanorhamphos ). Co-supervised with Dr Rob Heinsohn (CRES, ANU) (nbeck@cres20.anu.edu.au)

Simon Gilmore (1999 - ) A comprehensive analysis of the patterns and extent of genetic variation in Cannabis sativa L (Cannabaceae) and development of diagnostic genetic markers for forensic investigations. (simon.gilmore@anu.edu.au)

Past Postdocs and Students
Postdocs
Dr Florian Schiestl (2000-2001) (Postdoctoral Fellow, Schrödinger-Stipend, FWF Austria) Chemical communication in Australian sexual deceptive orchids. Now at Geobotanical Institute, ETH Zürich (florian.schiestl@env.ethz.ch)

Dr Mike Ramsey. (1998-2000) The reproductive biology and evolution of dioecy. Now working at the University of New England. ( mramsey@metz.une.edu.au )

Dr Siegy Krauss (1996-1998) Development and application of new DNA methods for paternity analysis in plants. Now Conservation Geneticist at Kings Park Botanic Gardens, Western Australia. ( skrauss@kpbg.wa.gov.au )

PhD students
Kaska Hempel (1998 -2004 ) Ecological, genetic and evolutionary aspects of a mixed mating system in a perennial twiner, Glycine clandestina. PhD submitted August 2004 .

Jim Mant (1999 -2002 ) Comparative biology of Chiloglottis (Orchidaceae) and its thynnine wasp pollinators (Tiphiidae). Co-supervised with Dr Peter Weston at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney.   Now a postdoc Geobotanical Institute, ETH Zürich (jim.mant@env.ethz.ch)

Peter O'Hanlon (1996-2001) Genetic and ecological investigations in the thistle genus Onopordum with special emphases on hybridization and evolution. Graduated April 2002. Now statistic researcher for Westpac Financial Crimes Control

Tricia Hogbin (1996 - 2001) Conservation outcomes arising from research into the population genetics, taxonomy and reproductive ecology of the endangered plant Zieria prostrata Graduated April 2002. Now working with the National Parks and Wildlife Service of NSW. ( Tricia.Hogbin@npws.nsw.gov.au )

Dr Marita Sydes (1995 - 1998) Conservation Implications of Clonality and Male Sterility for the Endangered Shrub Haloragodendron lucasii . Graduated April 2001. Currently employed by Greening Australia.

Dr Ben Huang (1995-1998) Development of molecular techniques for the genetic analysis of Abalone populations. Based at Deakin University under the co-supervision of Professor Peter Hanna. Completed his first Postdoc at Queensland University.

Dr Young Kwang-Lee (1995-1997) Molecular and functional studies of low molecular weight glutenin subunits from A-genome diploid wheats. Based at CSIRO, Division of Plant Industry under the co-supervision of Dr Rudi Appels and Dr Matthew Morell. Completed her first PostDoc at St Judes Hospital, Tennessee, USA.

Honours students
Joanna Hamilton (mid 2002) The reproductive biology of the terrestrial orchid genus, Pterostylis.   Now working at CSIRO, Canberra .

Jodie Ward (2002) An evaluation of DNA sequencing for forensic applications in plants.   Now undertaking a PhD in the School of Botany & Zoology. ANU (see above).

Monica Ruibal (2001) Fine-scale genetic structure of the native bush rat, Rattus fuscipes in continuous native forest. Co-supervised with Dr David Lindenmayer (CRES, ANU). Now undertaking a PhD in the School of Botany and Zoology, ANU (see above).

Nadeena Beck (2000-2001) Gene flow, Mutation and the Maintenance of Genetic Variation in Superb Fairy-wrens ( Malurus cyaneus) Co-supervised with Dr Mike Double and Professor Andrew Cockburn. Now undertaking a PhD at the ANU (see above).

Rose Andrew (2000-2001) Genetic diversity within Mulga. Co-supervised with Dr Mike Crisp and Dr Joe Millar (CSIRO, Division of Plant Industry). Now undertaking a PhD in the School of Botany and Zoology, ANU (see above)

Jenny Hill (1999) Mating system of Rutidosis leiolepis and interaction with clonality. Based at CSIRO, Division of Plant Industry under the co-supervision of Dr Andrew Young. Now employed in private industry.

Anna Lashko (1999) Are Shy albatross populations genetically divergent? Co-supervised with Dr Mike Double and Professor Andrew Cockburn. Has now completed a PhD at James Cook University, Queesland.

Stephen Murphy (1998) The patterns of genetic variation in North Island kokako, Callaeas cinerea wilsoni. Co-supervised with Dr Mike Double. Now completing a PhD in the School of Botany and Zoology. ( steve.murphy@anu.edu.au )

Heidi Hewitson (1997) The genetic consequences of habitat fragmentation on the bush rat ( Rattus fuscipes ) in a pine plantation new Tumut, NSW. Subsequently completed a Graduate Diploma of Education and is now a High School Teacher.

Kaska Hempel (1996-1997) Mating system and inbreeding depression in a cleistogamous perennial herb, Glycine clandestina . Completed a PhD in the School of Botany and Zoology, ANU (see above).

Arianne Lowe (1995) Genetic consequences of wind pollination in Allocasuarina distyla. Completed a veterinary science degree at Sydney University.   Now undertaking a PhD in the Centre for Resource and Environmental Studies, ANU.

Katrina Moore (1995) Investigation into the population genetics of Danthonia richardsonii , an inbreeding species of Australian native grass. Co-supervised with Dr Matthew Morell. Subsequently employed by the Garvin Institute of Medical Research in Sydney as a research assistant.

Leonie Moyle (1994) Impact of fire on genetic diversity: a study of Banksia integrifolia on Bowen Island (Jervis Bay). Completed a PhD at Duke University, USA.

Tracey Parish (1994) The systematics of two species of waratah, Telopea mongaensis and T. oreades (Proteaceae). Co-supervised with Dr Mike Crisp. Completing a PhD at the University of Wageningen in the Netherlands.

Tom Gleeson (1994) Patterns of genetic variation in Grevillea wilkinsonii, G. acanthifolia and G. ramosissma.