| Dr
Kat Munro Former PhD student (supervisor: Becky Kilner) |
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The
socially monogamous, monomorphic grey fantail Rhipidura fuliginosa
shows a high degree of paternal investment and male and female song,
characteristics often assumed to be associated with genetic monogamy.
However, observations suggest that there may be significant levels
of EPCs in this species. The males have pronounced cloacal protuberances
suggestive of high levels of sperm competition, and territory intrusions
and chases have been observed. This project aims to use the poorly studied grey fantail, a common woodland bird of south-east Australia as a model with which to investigate various questions relating to sexual conflict resolution, defence against brood parasitism, and the resulting selective pressures. |
Current questions include:
My study site is an approximately 3 square km area of Campbell Nature Park, Canberra, Australia. The park is a mixture of Eucalypt woodland, patches of Acacia and grassland, intersected by dry creeks and dams and dotted with a variety of carcasses. Thus far, a cow, a horse, a few sheep, a fox and several hundred kangaroos have been found, suggesting that a PhD in macropod osteology may have been even more profitable. Fieldwork is performed during the breeding season of the fantail: September- February. My time in Australia is spent mist-netting to band and bleed fantails for paternity and maternity analysis, focal watching nests and individuals, performing play-back experiments, mapping territories, pretending to be artistic by making model fantail eggs, dodging brown snakes and attempting to stop my house burning down. |
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| Kat Munro |
| Research |
| Publications |