I obtained my PhD from The Australian National University in 2001 and have been at UQ since August 2006
My research is primarily aimed at understanding the origins, diversification and distributions of organisms, especially plants and insects in Australia. I mostly take a comparative approach and use molecular phylogenies to test hypotheses about ecological and evolutionary processes. Recent and ongoing topics include: understanding how interactions among plants and insects affect the evolutionary radiation of each; teasing apart the effects of extinction and speciation to understand how past climate and environmental change has shaped our biota; and investigating the relative roles of continental drift and long distance dispersal in explaining the current distribution patterns of organisms in the southern hemisphere. Specific questions relate, but are not limited, to topics such as:
• how the diversification of the unique Australian flora has driven insect speciation
• whether specific insect-plant interactions are the result of long term co-radiation or more recent adaptive radiations of insects
• the relative roles of vicariance (such as that induced by continental drift) and dispersal in explaining the current distribution patterns of southern hemisphere organisms
• evolutionary patterns of host-use by herbivores
• how past climate change has shaped the current distributions of taxa
• assembly of the flora and fauna of current biomes, especially the arid zone, monsoon tropics and southern temperate biomes
• phylogeography of plants and insects, and what this reveals about contemporary and recent gene flow
• consequences of differential dispersal, such as that between male and female scale insects, different developmental stages, or seed and pollen
Journal Article: Key innovation or adaptive change? A test of leaf traits using Triodiinae in Australia
Toon, A., Crisp, M. D., Gamage, H., Mant, J., Morris, D. C., Schmidt, S. and Cook, L. G. (2015). Key innovation or adaptive change? A test of leaf traits using Triodiinae in Australia. Scientific Reports, 5 (1) 12398, 1-12. doi: 10.1038/srep12398
Journal Article: Three explanations for biodiversity hotspots: small range size, geographical overlap and time for species accumulation. An Australian case study
Cook, Lyn G., Hardy, Nate B. and Crisp, Michael D. (2015). Three explanations for biodiversity hotspots: small range size, geographical overlap and time for species accumulation. An Australian case study. New Phytologist, 207 (2), 390-400. doi: 10.1111/nph.13199
Journal Article: How was the Australian flora assembled over the last 65 million years? A molecular phylogenetic perspective
Crisp, Michael D. and Cook, Lyn G. (2013). How was the Australian flora assembled over the last 65 million years? A molecular phylogenetic perspective. Annual Review of Ecology, Evolution, and Systematics, 44, 303-324. doi: 10.1146/annurev-ecolsys-110512-135910
Population genetics and demography of Macrozamia conferta
(2022–2024) Acciona Energy Australia Global Pty Ltd
A perimeter defence in Australian processionary caterpillars
(2021–2025) ARC Discovery Projects
(2018–2019) UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
Biogeography and diversity of Australian tarantulas (Araneae: Theraphosidae)
(2023) Doctor Philosophy
Systematics of the processionally caterpillar Ochrogaster lunifer
Master Philosophy
Systematics and evolution of Melaleuca
Doctor Philosophy
Evolution of Australia's globally unique biodiversity hotspot
Australia has a globally recognised biodiversity hotspot, the southwest of Western Australia, but this unique flora is highly threatened. We are contrasting this hotspot with the climatically and latitudinally comparable southeastern Australia to determine the processes responsible for species generation and biodiversity maintenance. Study groups include the iconic eucalypts, Melaleuca, legumes and other plants, as well as gall-inducing scale insects that are associated with the plants, and other animals. We are particularly interested in a student who is keen to take on the evolution and biodiversity of the eucalypts.
This project is funded by the Australian Research Council.
Taxonomy and evolution of scale insect gallers of Melaleuceae
We have recently discovered a large radiation of scale insects that induce galls on species of Melaleuceae. This project involves the taxonomy and systematics of the group, and examines the evolutionary relationships bewteen the insects and their hosts. There is scope for describing and naming 30 or more species.
This project is funded by the Australian Biodiversity Resources Study.
Key innovation or adaptive change? A test of leaf traits using Triodiinae in Australia
Toon, A., Crisp, M. D., Gamage, H., Mant, J., Morris, D. C., Schmidt, S. and Cook, L. G. (2015). Key innovation or adaptive change? A test of leaf traits using Triodiinae in Australia. Scientific Reports, 5 (1) 12398, 1-12. doi: 10.1038/srep12398
Cook, Lyn G., Hardy, Nate B. and Crisp, Michael D. (2015). Three explanations for biodiversity hotspots: small range size, geographical overlap and time for species accumulation. An Australian case study. New Phytologist, 207 (2), 390-400. doi: 10.1111/nph.13199
Crisp, Michael D. and Cook, Lyn G. (2013). How was the Australian flora assembled over the last 65 million years? A molecular phylogenetic perspective. Annual Review of Ecology, Evolution, and Systematics, 44, 303-324. doi: 10.1146/annurev-ecolsys-110512-135910
Gall-inducing scale insects (Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha: Coccoidea)
Gullan P. J.,, Miller D. R. and Cook L. G. (2005). Gall-inducing scale insects (Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha: Coccoidea). Biology, Ecology, and Evolution of Gall-Inducing Arthropods. (pp. 159-229) edited by A Raman, Carl W. Schaefer and Toni M. Withers. Enfield, NH: Science Publishers.
Crisp, M. D. and Cook, L. G. (2003). Phylogeny and embryo sac evolution in the endemic Australasian papilionoid tribes Mirbelieae and Bossiaeeae. Advances in legume systematics. Pt. 10, Higher level systematics. (pp. 253-268) edited by B. Klitgaard and A. Bruneau. Kew, UK: Kew Publishing.
Briggs, Ethan J., Santana, Renan C., Raven, Robert J. and Cook, Lyn G. (2023). Assessing the diversity of Australian tarantulas (Araneae: Theraphosidae) using DNA barcoding and iterative species delimitation. Austral Entomology. doi: 10.1111/aen.12666
Gunn, Bee F, Murphy, Daniel J, Walsh, Neville G, Conran, John G, Pires, J Chris, Macfarlane, Terry D, Crisp, Michael D, Cook, Lyn G and Birch, Joanne L (2023). Genomic data resolve phylogenetic relationships of Australian mat-rushes, Lomandra (Asparagaceae: Lomandroideae). Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society. doi: 10.1093/botlinnean/boad034
Hodson, Christina N, Toon, Alicia, Cook, Lyn and Ross, Laura (2023). Are asymmetric inheritance systems an evolutionary trap? Transitions in the mechanism of paternal genome loss in the scale insect family Eriococcidae. GENETICS, 224 (3) iyad090. doi: 10.1093/genetics/iyad090
Host phylogeny and ecological associations best explain Wolbachia host shifts in scale insects
Sanaei, Ehsan, Albery, Gregory F., Yeoh, Yun Kit, Lin, Yen‐Po, Cook, Lyn G. and Engelstädter, Jan (2023). Host phylogeny and ecological associations best explain Wolbachia host shifts in scale insects. Molecular Ecology, 32 (9), 2351-2363. doi: 10.1111/mec.16883
Sanaei, Ehsan, Lin, Yen‐Po, Cook, Lyn G. and Engelstädter, Jan (2021). Wolbachia in scale insects: a distinct pattern of infection frequencies and potential transfer routes via ant associates. Environmental Microbiology, 24 (3), 1326-1339. doi: 10.1111/1462-2920.15833
Understanding diversity and systematics in Australian Fabaceae Tribe Mirbelieae
Barrett, Russell L., Clugston, James A. R., Cook, Lyn G., Crisp, Michael D., Jobson, Peter C., Lepschi, Brendan J., Renner, Matthew A. M. and Weston, Peter H. (2021). Understanding diversity and systematics in Australian Fabaceae Tribe Mirbelieae. Diversity, 13 (8) 391, 1-38. doi: 10.3390/d13080391
McDougall, Keith L., Gullan, Penelope J., Craven, Phil, Wright, Genevieve T. and Cook, Lyn G. (2021). Cycad killer, qu'est-ce que c'est? Dieback of Macrozamia communis on the south coast of New South Wales. Australian Journal of Botany, 69 (2), 102-109. doi: 10.1071/BT20071
Toon, Alicia, Terry, L. Irene, Tang, William, Walter, Gimme H. and Cook, Lyn G. (2020). Insect pollination of cycads. Austral Ecology, 45 (8), 1033-1058. doi: 10.1111/aec.12925
Mather, Andrew, Zalucki, Myron P., Farrell, Julianne, Perkins, Lynda E. and Cook, Lyn G. (2019). Australian processionary caterpillars, Ochrogaster lunifer Herrich‐Schäffer (Lepidoptera: Notodontidae), comprise cryptic species. Austral Entomology, 58 (4) aen.12410, 816-825. doi: 10.1111/aen.12410
Identifying genetic markers for a range of phylogenetic utility–From species to family level
Choi, Bokyung, Crisp, Michael D., Cook, Lyn G., Meusemann, Karen, Edwards, Robert D., Toon, Alicia and Külheim, Carsten (2019). Identifying genetic markers for a range of phylogenetic utility–From species to family level. PLoS One, 14 (8) e0218995, 1-19. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0218995
Fahey, Patrick S., Fensham, Roderick J., Laffineur, Boris and Cook, Lyn G. (2019). Chloris circumfontinalis (Poaceae): A recently discovered species from the saline scalds surrounding artesian springs in north-eastern Australia. Australian Systematic Botany, 32 (1), 228-242. doi: 10.1071/SB18017
Crisp, Michael D., Cook, Lyn G., Bowman, David M. J. S., Cosgrove, Meredith, Isagi, Yuji and Sakaguchi, Shota (2019). Turnover of southern cypresses in the post-Gondwanan world: extinction, transoceanic dispersal, adaptation and rediversification. New Phytologist, 221 (4), 2308-2319. doi: 10.1111/nph.15561
Edwards, Robert D., Crisp, Michael D. and Cook, Lyn G. (2018). Species limits and cryptic biogeographic structure in a widespread complex of Australian monsoon tropics trees (broad-leaf paperbarks: Melaleuca, Myrtaceae). Australian Systematic Botany, 31 (6), 495-503. doi: 10.1071/sb18032
A newly recognised species of Cryptes Maskell 1892 (Hemiptera: Coccidae) from Western Australia
Lin, Yen-Po, Kondo, Takumasa, Gullan, Penny J. and Cook, Lyn G. (2018). A newly recognised species of Cryptes Maskell 1892 (Hemiptera: Coccidae) from Western Australia. Zootaxa, 4508 (1), 101-114. doi: 10.11646/zootaxa.4508.1.6
Immigrant and native? The case of the swamp foxtail Cenchrus purpurascens in Australia
Toon, A., Sacre, E., Fensham, R. J. and Cook, L. G. (2018). Immigrant and native? The case of the swamp foxtail Cenchrus purpurascens in Australia. Diversity and Distributions, 24 (8), 1169-1181. doi: 10.1111/ddi.12751
Lin, Yen-Po, Tanaka, Hirotaka, Kondo, Takumasa and Cook, Lyn G. (2017). A newly recognised species that has been confused with the global polyphagous pest scale insect, Coccus hesperidum Linnaeus (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Coccidae). Zootaxa, 4320 (3), 571-591. doi: 10.11646/zootaxa.4320.3.10
Lin, Yen-Po, Ding, Zheng Yee, Gullan, Penny J. and Cook, Lyn G. (2017). Newly recognised Australian endemic species of Austrolecanium Gullan & Hodgson 1998 (Hemiptera: Coccidae) from Queensland. Zootaxa, 4272 (1), 119-130. doi: 10.11646/zootaxa.4272.1.6
Lin, Yen-Po, Edwards, Robert D., Kondo, Takumasa, Semple, Thomas L. and Cook, Lyn G. (2017). Species delimitation in asexual insects of economic importance: the case of black scale (Parasaissetia nigra), a cosmopolitan parthenogenetic pest scale insect. PLoS One, 12 (5) e0175889, e0175889. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0175889
Mills, Penelope J., Gullan, Penny J. and Cook, Lyn G. (2017). Nomenclatural changes in the Australasian gall-inducing genus Apiomorpha Rubsaamen (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Eriococcidae). Zootaxa, 4250 (5), 484-488. doi: 10.11646/zootaxa.4250.5.6
Edwards, Robert D., Crisp, Michael D., Cook, Dianne H. and Cook, Lyn G. (2017). Congruent biogeographical disjunctions at a continent-wide scale: quantifying and clarifying the role of biogeographic barriers in the Australian tropics. PLoS One, 12 (4) e0174812, 343-351. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0174812
A monograph of Daviesia (Mirbelieae, Faboideae, Fabaceae)
Crisp, Michael D., Cayzer, Lindy, Chandler, Gregory T. and Cook, Lyn G. (2017). A monograph of Daviesia (Mirbelieae, Faboideae, Fabaceae). Phytotaxa, 300 (1), 1-308. doi: 10.11646/phytotaxa.300.1.1
Mills, Penelope J., Semple, Thomas L., Garland, Kathleen L. S. and Cook, Lyn G. (2016). Two recently discovered species of Apiomorpha (Hemiptera:Eriococcidae) feeding on eudesmid eucalypts in Western Australia reaffirm host conservatism in this gall-inducing scale insect genus. Invertebrate Systematics, 30 (3), 255-273. doi: 10.1071/IS15039
Kondo, T., Gullan, P. J. and Cook, L. G. (2016). A review of the genus Capulinia Signoret (Hemiptera: Coccoidea: Eriococcidae) with description of two new species. Zootaxa, 4111 (4), 471-491. doi: 10.11646/zootaxa.4111.4.7
Australian spinifex grasses: new names in Triodia for Monodia and Symplectrodia
Crisp, Michael Douglas, Mant, Jim, Toon, Alicia and Cook, Lyn Gai (2015). Australian spinifex grasses: new names in Triodia for Monodia and Symplectrodia. Phytotaxa, 230 (3), 293-296. doi: 10.11646/phytotaxa.230.3.9
Key innovation or adaptive change? A test of leaf traits using Triodiinae in Australia
Toon, A., Crisp, M. D., Gamage, H., Mant, J., Morris, D. C., Schmidt, S. and Cook, L. G. (2015). Key innovation or adaptive change? A test of leaf traits using Triodiinae in Australia. Scientific Reports, 5 (1) 12398, 1-12. doi: 10.1038/srep12398
Cook, Lyn G., Hardy, Nate B. and Crisp, Michael D. (2015). Three explanations for biodiversity hotspots: small range size, geographical overlap and time for species accumulation. An Australian case study. New Phytologist, 207 (2), 390-400. doi: 10.1111/nph.13199
Semple, Thomas L., Gullan, Penny J., Hodgson, Christopher J., Hardy, Nate B. and Cook, Lyn G. (2015). Systematic review of the Australian 'bush coconut' genus Cystococcus (Hemiptera:Eriococcidae) uncovers a new species from Queensland. Invertebrate Systematics, 29 (3), 287-312. doi: 10.1071/IS14061
Does host-plant diversity explain species richness in insects? A test using Coccidae (Hemiptera)
Lin, Yen-Po, Cook, Dianne H., Gullan, Penny J. and Cook, Lyn G. (2015). Does host-plant diversity explain species richness in insects? A test using Coccidae (Hemiptera). Ecological Entomology, 40 (3), 299-306. doi: 10.1111/een.12191
Crisp, Michael D., Hardy, Nate B. and Cook, Lyn G. (2014). Clock model makes a large difference to age estimates of long-stemmed clades with no internal calibration: a test using Australian grasstrees. BMC Evolutionary Biology, 14 (1) 263, 1-17. doi: 10.1186/s12862-014-0263-3
Rapid chromosomal evolution in a morphologically cryptic radiation
Mills, Penelope J. and Cook, Lyn G. (2014). Rapid chromosomal evolution in a morphologically cryptic radiation. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 77 (1), 126-135. doi: 10.1016/j.ympev.2014.03.015
Moeseneder, Christian H. and Cook, Lyn G. (2014). Captive observations on mating, stridulation and male genital brushes of the Australian flower chafer Phyllopodium palmatum (Schaum, 1848) (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Cetoniinae). Australian Entomologist, 41 (PART 2), 77-90.
Australia's arid-adapted butcherbirds experienced range expansions during Pleistocene glacial maxima
Kearns, Anna M., Joseph, Leo, Toon, Alicia and Cook, Lyn G. (2014). Australia's arid-adapted butcherbirds experienced range expansions during Pleistocene glacial maxima. Nature Communications, 5 (1) 3994, 3994. doi: 10.1038/ncomms4994
Toon, Alicia, Cook, Lyn G. and Crisp, Michael D. (2014). Evolutionary consequences of shifts to bird-pollination in the Australian pea-flowered legumes (Mirbelieae and Bossiaeeae). BMC Evolutionary Biology, 14 (1) 43, 1-11. doi: 10.1186/1471-2148-14-43
Mech, Angela M., Asaro, Christopher, Cram, Michelle M., Coyle, David R., Gullan, Penelope J., Cook, Lyn G. and Gandhi, Kamal J. L. (2013). Matsucoccus macrocicatrices (Hemiptera: Matsucoccidae): first report, distribution, and association with symptomatic eastern white pine in the Southeastern United States. Journal of Economic Entomology, 106 (6), 2391-2398. doi: 10.1603/EC13251
Lin, Yen-Po, Kondo, Takumasa, Gullan, Penny and Cook, Lyn G. (2013). Delimiting genera of scale insects: molecular and morphological evidence for synonymising Taiwansaissetia Tao, Wong and Chang with Coccus Linnaeus (Hemiptera: Coccoidea: Coccidae). Systematic Entomology, 38 (2), 249-264. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-3113.2012.00664.x
Kearns, Anna M., Joseph, Leo and Cook, Lyn G. (2013). A multilocus coalescent analysis of the speciational history of the Australo-Papuan butcherbirds and their allies. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 66 (3), 941-952. doi: 10.1016/j.ympev.2012.11.020
Ancient relicts or recent dispersal: how long have cycads been in central Australia?
Ingham, James A., Forster, Paul I., Crisp, Michael D. and Cook, Lyn G. (2013). Ancient relicts or recent dispersal: how long have cycads been in central Australia?. Diversity and Distributions, 19 (3), 307-316. doi: 10.1111/j.1472-4642.2012.00936.x
Edwards, Robert D., Crisp, Michael D. and Cook, Lyn G. (2013). Niche differentiation and spatial partitioning in the evolution of two Australian monsoon tropical tree species. Journal of Biogeography, 40 (3), 559-569. doi: 10.1111/jbi.12027
Crisp, Michael D. and Cook, Lyn G. (2013). How was the Australian flora assembled over the last 65 million years? A molecular phylogenetic perspective. Annual Review of Ecology, Evolution, and Systematics, 44, 303-324. doi: 10.1146/annurev-ecolsys-110512-135910
Testing for ecological limitation of diversification: a case study using parasitic plants
Hardy, Nate B. and Cook, Lyn G. (2012). Testing for ecological limitation of diversification: a case study using parasitic plants. American Naturalist, 180 (4), 438-449. doi: 10.1086/667588
Wang, A. X. and Cook, L. G. (2012). Oviposition behaviour in the dart-tailed wasp, Cameronella Dalla Torre (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae: Colotrechinae). Australian Entomologist, 39 (3), 179-187.
Phylogenetic niche conservatism: what are the underlying evolutionary and ecological causes?
Crisp, Michael D. and Cook, Lyn G. (2012). Phylogenetic niche conservatism: what are the underlying evolutionary and ecological causes?. New Phytologist, 196 (3), 681-694. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-8137.2012.04298.x
Kongjandtre, N., Ridgway, T., Cook, L. G., Huelsken, T., Budd, A. F. and Hoegh-Guldberg, O. (2012). Taxonomy and species boundaries in the coral genus Favia Milne Edwards and Haime, 1857 (Cnidaria: Scleractinia) from Thailand revealed by morphological and genetic data. Coral Reefs, 31 (2), 581-601. doi: 10.1007/s00338-011-0869-5
Cenozoic extinctions account for the low diversity of extant gymnosperms compared with angiosperms
Crisp, Michael D. and Cook, Lyn G. (2011). Cenozoic extinctions account for the low diversity of extant gymnosperms compared with angiosperms. New Phytologist, 192 (4), 997-1009. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-8137.2011.03862.x
Kearns, Anna M., Joseph, Leo, Omland, Kevin E. and Cook, Lyn G. (2011). Testing the effect of transient Plio-Pleistocene barriers in monsoonal Australo-Papua: Did mangrove habitats maintain genetic connectivity in the Black Butcherbird?. Molecular Ecology, 20 (23), 5042-5059. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-294X.2011.05330.x
Mills, Penelope J., Macdonald, Melanie L., Rigby, Lisa M. and Cook, Lyn G. (2011). A recently discovered species of Apiomorpha Rubsaamen (Hemiptera: Coccoidea: Eriococcidae) with unusual gall morphology. Zootaxa, 3093 (3093), 55-63. doi: 10.11646/zootaxa.3093.1.4
Byrne, Margaret, Steane, Dorothy A., Joseph, Leo, Yeates, David K., Jordan, Greg J., Crayn, Darren, Aplin, Ken, Cantrill, David J., Cook, Lyn G., Crisp, Michael D., Keogh, J. Scott, Melville, Jane, Moritz, Craig, Porch, Nicholas, Sniderman, J. M. Kale, Sunnucks, Paul and Weston, Peter H. (2011). Decline of a biome: Evolution, contraction, fragmentation, extinction and invasion of the Australian mesic zone biota. Journal of Biogeography, 38 (9), 1635-1656. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2699.2011.02535.x
Flammable biomes dominated by eucalypts originated at the Cretaceous-Palaeogene boundary
Crisp, Michael D., Burrows, Geoffrey E., Cook, Lyn G., Thornhill, Andrew H. and Bowman, David M. J. S. (2011). Flammable biomes dominated by eucalypts originated at the Cretaceous-Palaeogene boundary. Nature Communications, 2 (1) 193, 1-8. doi: 10.1038/ncomms1191
Hypothesis testing in biogeography
Crisp, MD, Trewick, SA and Cook, LG (2011). Hypothesis testing in biogeography. Trends In Ecology & Evolution, 26 (2), 66-72. doi: 10.1016/j.tree.2010.11.005
Tan, Matthew, Cobon, Jennifer, Aitken, Elizabeth and Cook, Lyn G. (2010). Support for the 'out-of-Southeast Asia' hypothesis for the origin of Australian populations of Radopholus similis (Cobb, 1893) (Nematoda: Pratylenchidae). Systematic Parasitology, 77 (3), 175-183. doi: 10.1007/s11230-010-9265-8
Kearns, Anna M., Joseph, Leo and Cook, Lyn G. (2010). The impact of Pleistocene changes of climate and landscape on Australian birds: a test using the Pied Butcherbird (Cracticus nigrogularis). Emu, 110 (4), 285-295. doi: 10.1071/MU10020
Need morphology always be required for new species descriptions?
Cook, L. G., Edwards, R. D., Crisp, M. D. and Hardy, N. B. (2010). Need morphology always be required for new species descriptions?. Invertebrate Systematics, 24 (3), 322-326. doi: 10.1071/IS10011
Gall-induction in insects: evolutionary dead-end or speciation driver?
Hardy, Nate B. and Cook, Lyn G. (2010). Gall-induction in insects: evolutionary dead-end or speciation driver?. BMC Evolutionary Biology, 10 (1, Article number 257) 257, 1-8. doi: 10.1186/1471-2148-10-257
Edwards, Robert D., Craven, Lyn A., Crisp, Michael D. and Cook, Lyn G. (2010). Melaleuca revisited: cpDNA and morphological data confirm that Melaleuca L. (Myrtaceae) is not monophyletic. Taxon, 59 (3), 744-754. doi: 10.1002/tax.593007
Dinsdale, A., Cook, L., Riginos, C., Buckley, Y. M. and De Barro, P. (2010). Refined global analysis of Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha: Aleyrodoidea: Aleyrodidae) Mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase 1 to identify species level genetic boundaries. Annals of the Entomological Society of America, 103 (2), 196-208. doi: 10.1603/AN09061
Biogeography of the Australian monsoon tropics
Bowman, D. M. J. S., Brown, G. K., Braby, M. F., Brown, J. R., Cook, L. G., Crisp, M. D., Ford, F., Haberle, S., Hughes, J., Isagi,Y., Joseph, L., McBride, J., Nelson, G. and Ladiges, P. Y. (2010). Biogeography of the Australian monsoon tropics. Journal of Biogeography, 37 (2), 201-216. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2699.2009.02210.x
Livistona palms in Australia: Ancient relics or opportunistic immigrants?
Crisp, Michael D., Isagi, Yuji, Kato, Yohei, Cook, Lyn and Bownam, David M. (2010). Livistona palms in Australia: Ancient relics or opportunistic immigrants?. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 54 (2), 512-523. doi: 10.1016/j.ympev.2009.09.020
Disparity in chromosomal variation within the Apiomorpha minor species-group
Mills, P.J. and Cook, L.G. (2010). Disparity in chromosomal variation within the Apiomorpha minor species-group. Entomologia Hellenica, 19, 82-89.
Species richness and host-plant diversity are positively correlated in Coccidae
Lin, Y.-P., Gullan, P.J. and Cook, L.G. (2010). Species richness and host-plant diversity are positively correlated in Coccidae. Entomologia Hellenica, 19 (2), 90-98.
Rosauer, D, Laffan, S.W., Crisp, M.D., Dannellan, S.C. and Cook, L. (2009). Phylogenetic endemism: a new approach for identifying geographical concentrations of evolutionary history. Molecular Ecology, 18 (19), 4061-4072. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-294X.2009.04311.x
Explosive radiation or cryptic mass extinction? Interpreting signatures in molecular phylogenies
Crisp, M.D. and Cook, L. (2009). Explosive radiation or cryptic mass extinction? Interpreting signatures in molecular phylogenies. Evolution, 63 (9), 2257-2265. doi: 10.1111/j.1558-5646.2009.00728.x
Phylogenetic biome conservatism on a global scale
Crisp, Michael D., Arroyo, Mary T. K., Cook, Lyn G., Gandalfo, Maria A., Jordan, Gregory J., McGlone, Matt S., Weston, Peter H., Westoby, Mark, Wilf, Peter and Linder, H. Peter (2009). Phylogenetic biome conservatism on a global scale. Nature, 458 (7239), 754-756. doi: 10.1038/nature07764
Tree Thinking for all Biology: the Problem with Reading Phylogenies as Ladders of Progress
Omland, K.E., Cook, L.G. and Crisp, M.D. (2008). Tree Thinking for all Biology: the Problem with Reading Phylogenies as Ladders of Progress. BioEssays, 30 (9), 854-867. doi: 10.1002/bies.20794
Schroer, S., Pemberton, R.W., Cook, L.G., Kondon, T. and Gullan, P. (2008). The genetic diversity, relationships, and potential for biological control of the lobate lac scale, Paratachardina pseudolobata Kondo & Gullan (Hemiptera: Coccoidea: Kerriidae). Biological Control, 46 (2), 256-266. doi: 10.1016/j.biocontrol.2008.04.009
Hardy, N.B., Gullan, P.J., Henderson, R.C. and Cook, L. (2008). Relationships among felt scale insects (Hemiptera : Coccoidea : Eriococcidae) of southern beech, Nothofagus (Nothofagaceae), with the first descriptions of Australian species of the Nothofagus-feeding genus Madarococcus Hoy. Invertebrate Systematics, 22 (3), 365-405. doi: 10.1071/IS07032
Cook, Lyn G., Morris, David C., Edwards, Robert D. and Crisp, Michael D. (2008). Reticulate evolution in the natural range of the invasive wetland tree species Melaleuca quinquenervia. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 47 (2), 506-522. doi: 10.1016/j.ympev.2008.02.012
Cook, L. and Gullan, P.J. (2008). Insect, not plant, determines gall morphology in the Apiomorpha pharetrata species-group (Hemiptera: Coccidea). Australian Journal of Entomology, 47 (1), 51-57. doi: 10.1111/j.1440-6055.2007.00625.x
Phylogeny and higher classification of the scale insects (Hemiptera : Sternorrhyncha : Coccoidea)
Gullan, P. J. and Cook, L. G. (2007). Phylogeny and higher classification of the scale insects (Hemiptera : Sternorrhyncha : Coccoidea). Zootaxa (1668), 413-425. doi: 10.11646/zootaxa.1668.1.22
Cook, Lyn G. and Rowell, David M. (2007). Genetic diversity, host-specificity and unusual phylogeography of a cryptic, host-associated species complex of gall-inducing scale insects. Ecological Entomology, 32 (5), 506-515. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2311.2007.00893.x
A congruent molecular signature of vicariance across multiple plant linages
Crisp, M. D. and Cook, L. G. (2007). A congruent molecular signature of vicariance across multiple plant linages. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 43 (3), 1106-1117. doi: 10.1016/j.ympev.2007.02.030
Kondo, Takumasa, Hardy, Nate, Cook, Lyn and Gullan, Penny (2006). Description of two new genera and species of Eriococcidae (Hemiptera: Coccoidea) from southern South America. Zootaxa, 1349 (1349), 19-36. doi: 10.11646/zootaxa.1349.1.2
Gullan, P. J., Giliomee, J. H., Hodgson, C. J. and Cook, L. G. (2006). The systematics and biology of the south African gall-inducing scale insect, Calycicoccus merwei brain (Hemiptera : Coccoidea : Eriococcidae). African Entomology, 14 (1), 13-33.
Not so ancient: the extant crown group of Nothofagus represents a post-Gondwanan radiation
Cook, Lyn G. and Crisp, Michael D. (2005). Not so ancient: the extant crown group of Nothofagus represents a post-Gondwanan radiation. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 272 (1580), 2535-2544. doi: 10.1098/rspb.2005.3219
Cook, Lyn G. and Crisp, Michael D. (2005). Directional asymmetry of long-distance dispersal and colonization could mislead reconstructions of biogeography. Journal of Biogeography, 32 (5), 741-754. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2699.2005.01261.x
Do early branching lineages signify ancestral traits?
Crisp, Michael D. and Cook, Lyn G. (2005). Do early branching lineages signify ancestral traits?. Trends In Ecology & Evolution, 20 (3), 122-128. doi: 10.1016/j.tree.2004.11.010
Bush peas: a rapid radiation with no support for monophyly of Pultenaea (Fabaceae : Mirbelieae)
Orthia, L. A., Crisp, M. D., Cook, L. G. and de Kok, R. P. J. (2005). Bush peas: a rapid radiation with no support for monophyly of Pultenaea (Fabaceae : Mirbelieae). Australian Systematic Botany, 18 (2), 133-147. doi: 10.1071/SB04028
Molecular dating and eucalypts: reply to Ladiges and Udovicic
Crisp, Mike D., Cook, Lyn G. and Steane, Dorothy A. (2005). Molecular dating and eucalypts: reply to Ladiges and Udovicic. Australian Systematic Botany, 18 (3), 295-296. doi: 10.1071/SB05007
Cook, L. G. and Gullan, P. J. (2004). The gall-inducing habit has evolved multiple times among the eriococcid scale insects (Sternorrhyncha : Coccoidea : Eriococcidae). Biological Journal of The Linnean Society, 83 (4), 441-452. doi: 10.1111/j.1095-8312.2004.00396.x
Cook, L. G. (2003). Apiomorpha gullanae sp n., an unusual new species of gall-inducing scale insect (Hemiptera : Eriococcidae). Australian Journal of Entomology, 42 (4), 327-333. doi: 10.1046/j.1440-6055.2003.00370.x
Phylogeny and evolution of anomalous roots in Daviesia (Fabaceae : Mirbelieae)
Crisp, Michael D. and Cook, Lyn G. (2003). Phylogeny and evolution of anomalous roots in Daviesia (Fabaceae : Mirbelieae). International Journal of Plant Sciences, 164 (4), 603-612. doi: 10.1086/375318
Molecular evidence for definition of genera in the Oxylobium group (Fabaceae : Mirbelieae)
Crisp, Michael D. and Cook, Lyn G. (2003). Molecular evidence for definition of genera in the Oxylobium group (Fabaceae : Mirbelieae). Systematic Botany, 28 (4), 705-713.
Cook, L. G., Gullan, P. J. and Trueman, H. E. (2002). A preliminary phylogeny of the scale insects (Hemiptera : Sternorrhyncha : Coccoidea) based on nuclear small-subunit ribosomal DNA. Molecular Phylogenetics And Evolution, 25 (1), 43-52. doi: 10.1016/S1055-7903(02)00248-8
Cranston, P. S., Edward, D. H. and Cook, L. G. (2002). New status, species, distribution records and phylogeny for Australian mandibulate Chironomidae (Diptera). Australian Journal of Entomology, 41 (4), 357-366. doi: 10.1046/j.1440-6055.2002.00304.x
Longevity and reproduction in Apiomorpha Rubsaamen (Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha: Coccoidea)
Cook, L. G. and Gullan, P. J. (2001). Longevity and reproduction in Apiomorpha Rubsaamen (Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha: Coccoidea). Bollettino di Zoologia agraria e Bachicoltura, 33 (3), 259-265.
Phenacoleachia Cockerell (Hemiptera: Coccoidea: Phenacoleachiidae) re-visited
Gullan, P. J. and Cook, L. G. (2001). Phenacoleachia Cockerell (Hemiptera: Coccoidea: Phenacoleachiidae) re-visited. Bollettino di Zoologia agraria e Bachicoltura, 33 (3), 163-173.
Cook, Lyn G. (2001). Extensive chromosomal variation associated with taxon divergence and host specificity in the gall-inducing scale insect Apiomorpha munita (Schrader) (Hemiptera : Sternorrhyncha : Coccoidea : Eriococcidae). Biological Journal of The Linnean Society, 72 (2), 265-278. doi: 10.1111/j.1095-8312.2001.tb01316.x
Cook, L. G. (2000). Extraordinary and extensive karyotypic variation: A 48-fold range in chromosome number in the gall-inducing scale insect Apiomorpha (Hemiptera : Coccoidea : Eriococcidae). Genome, 43 (2), 255-263. doi: 10.1139/gen-43-2-255
Cook, L. G., Gullan, P. J. and Stewart, A. C. (2000). First-instar morphology and sexual dimorphism in the gall-inducing scale insect Apiomorpha Rubsaamen (Hemiptera : Coccoidea : Eriococcidae). Journal of Natural History, 34 (6), 879-894. doi: 10.1080/002229300299291
Are cochineal insects eriococcids?
Gullan, P. J. and Cook, L. G. (1999). Are cochineal insects eriococcids?. Entomologica, 33, 91-99.
Are the enlarged ducts of Eriococcus (Hemiptera: Coccoidea: Eriococcidae) plesiomorphic?
Cook, L. G. and Gullan, P. J. (1999). Are the enlarged ducts of Eriococcus (Hemiptera: Coccoidea: Eriococcidae) plesiomorphic?. Entomologica, 33, 59-66.
Gullan, P. J., Cranston, P. S. and Cook, L. G. (1997). The response of gall-inducing scale insects (Hemiptera: Eriococcidae: Apiomorpha Rübsaamen) to the fire history of mallee eucalypts in Danggali Conservation Park, South Australia. Transactions of the Royal Society of South Australia, 121 (4), 137-146.
Murtiningsih, R. , Ridland, P.M., Cook, L.G. and Furlong, M. J. (2017). Know your enemies: suppression of Plutella xylostella and Crocidolomia pavonana by different predators in West Java, Indonesia. 5th International Symposium on Biological Control of Arthropods, Langkawi, Malaysia, 11-15 September 2017. Wallingford, United Kingdom: CABI International. doi: 10.1079/9781786394118.0139
Wong, M.H., Henderson. J., Cook, L., Van Brunschot., S., Aitken, E.A.B. and Drenth, A. (2011). Genetic diversity of Guignardia musae on banana based on internal transcribed spacer region of ribosomal DNA. 4th Asian Conference for Plant Pathology (ACPP) concurrent with the 18th Australasian Plant Pathology Conference, Darwin, NT, Australia, 26-29 April 2011. APPS.
Orthia, L. A., Cook, L. G. and Crisp, M. D. (2005). Generic delimitation and phylogenetic uncertainty: An example from a group that has undergone an explosive radiation. Workshop of a Consensus Census for Australias Virtual Herbarium, Sydney, Australia, 28 March 2003. Collingwood, Vic., Australia: CSIRO Publishing. doi: 10.1071/SB04016
Crisp, Michael D., Cook, Lyn G. and Steane, Dorothy A. (2004). Radiation of the Australian flora: What can comparisons of molecular phylogenies across multiple taxa tell us about the evolution of diversity in present-day communities?. Discussion Meeting on Plant Phylogeny and the Origin of Major Biomes, London, United Kingdom, 15-16 March 2004. London, United Kingdom: The Royal Society Publishing. doi: 10.1098/rstb.2004.1528
Population genetics and demography of Macrozamia conferta
(2022–2024) Acciona Energy Australia Global Pty Ltd
A perimeter defence in Australian processionary caterpillars
(2021–2025) ARC Discovery Projects
(2018–2019) UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
Sibling rivalry or chivalry: why do male bush coconuts carry their little sisters?
(2016–2019) Australia & Pacific Science Foundation
Why are Australian cycads endangered: pollinators, climate or humans?
(2016–2019) ARC Discovery Projects
(2015–2016) Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries
(2015) UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
(2013–2015) Australian National University
Species discovery and evolution of scale insect gallers of Melaleuceae
(2012–2015) Commonwealth Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities
Species discovery and revision of scale insect gallers of Leptospermeae and Chamelauceae
(2009–2012) Australian Biological Resources Study
(2009–2011) Australian National University
Building Capacity in Quantitative Genomics
(2009) UQ School/Centre Co-Funding
(2009) UQ Early Career Researcher
Controlled Environment Facilities for the Challenges of the 21st Century
(2008) UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
Development of markers to study dispersal of a wind-borne plant parasite group
(2007–2008) UQ New Staff Research Start-Up Fund
(2006–2008) ARC Discovery Projects
Systematics of the processionally caterpillar Ochrogaster lunifer
Master Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Other advisors:
Systematics and evolution of Melaleuca
Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Other advisors:
Transcriptomics of insect-induced galls on eucalypts
Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Other advisors:
A perimeter defence in Australian processionary caterpillars
Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors:
The distribution of facultative secondary symbionts across scale insects
Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors:
Phylogeny and biogeography of the Microneurae section of Acacia
Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors:
The impacts of anthropomorphic landscape change on plant-insect interactions
Master Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Regulation of bioluminescence in Arachnocampa
Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
The phylogeny, systematics and biogeography of Eriocaulon in Australia
Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors:
Biogeography and diversity of Australian tarantulas (Araneae: Theraphosidae)
(2023) Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Other advisors:
Evolution and Biogeography of the Australian Cycad Genus Macrozamia
(2019) Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Other advisors:
(2019) Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Other advisors:
(2018) Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Other advisors:
A Revision of the Australasian leaf beetle genus Paropsis Olivier (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)
(2015) Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
(2013) Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Other advisors:
Evolution and Systematics of Cameronella (Pteromalidae: Colotrechinae), dart-tailed wasps
(2013) Master Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Evolution of the Scale Insect Family Coccidae (Hemiptera: Coccoidea)
(2013) Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Studies on the taxonomy of Australasian species of Culicoides Latreille (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae)
(2013) Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
(2012) Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
On the macroevolution, biogeography, and evolutionary history of an adaptive radiation in sea snakes
(2023) Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors:
The butterflies of the Torres Strait islands - a fauna in review
(2021) Master Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors:
Wolbachia infection and host shifts in scale insects
(2021) Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors:
(2020) Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Explaining genetic patterns in the Philippines: broad and fine scale perspectives
(2019) Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors:
Tarantulas of Australia: phylogenetics and venomics
(2019) Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors:
Phylogeography and population genetics of Australian freshwater rainbowfishes
(2016) Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors:
Necrophagous insects in Queensland and their potential use as forensic indicators.
(2015) Master Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors:
Predation of cabbage pests: a combined ecological and molecular approach
(2015) Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors:
(2014) Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors:
Ecological Speciation in Senecio lautus
(2014) Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors:
(2014) Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors:
Adaptations to host plants in selected Australian pergid sawflies
(2011) Master Philosophy — Associate Advisor
The taxonomy and systematics of the coral genus Favia from Thai waters
(2011) Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors:
Note for students: The possible research projects listed on this page may not be comprehensive or up to date. Always feel free to contact the staff for more information, and also with your own research ideas.
Evolution of Australia's globally unique biodiversity hotspot
Australia has a globally recognised biodiversity hotspot, the southwest of Western Australia, but this unique flora is highly threatened. We are contrasting this hotspot with the climatically and latitudinally comparable southeastern Australia to determine the processes responsible for species generation and biodiversity maintenance. Study groups include the iconic eucalypts, Melaleuca, legumes and other plants, as well as gall-inducing scale insects that are associated with the plants, and other animals. We are particularly interested in a student who is keen to take on the evolution and biodiversity of the eucalypts.
This project is funded by the Australian Research Council.
Taxonomy and evolution of scale insect gallers of Melaleuceae
We have recently discovered a large radiation of scale insects that induce galls on species of Melaleuceae. This project involves the taxonomy and systematics of the group, and examines the evolutionary relationships bewteen the insects and their hosts. There is scope for describing and naming 30 or more species.
This project is funded by the Australian Biodiversity Resources Study.