Evolution, Molecular Phylogenetics, Palaeontology

Principal Investigator: Associate Professor Mike Lee | Dr Mark Hutchinson

Postdoctoral Associates: Dr Kate Sanders | Dr Adam Skinner

PhD Students: Paul Oliver, Kanishka Ukuwela

We use molecular approaches, comparative anatomy, and the fossil record to understand major evolutionary events, such as adaptive radiations and major anatomical transitions. Reptiles, especially Australian lizards and snakes, are our study organisms of choice.
Our research group uses multidisciplinary approaches to understand major evolutionary events - this includes molecular phylogenetics, anatomy, and the fossil record. Our group interacts with the Molecular Biology labs (Evolutionary Biology Unit), the Australian Centre for Ancient DNA (ACAD), and the Earth Sciences Section of the SA museum. Most students and postdocs are also affiliated with one or more of these groups and benefit from the multidisciplinary perspective.

Major Projects:

• Snake origins and evolution
• Biodiversity, phylogeny and evolution of Australian reptiles
• Phylogenetic methodology, including morphological and molecular analyses, and molecular clocks
• The "Cambrian explosion"