BSc Hons (UNE), PhD (Tas)

Research Fellow

Research Interests

My primary research interests are in the evolutionary ecology and conservation biology of terrestrial vertebrates, with a special focus on marsupial carnivores (devils and quolls). This research encompasses behavioural and molecular ecology. My active research programs include:

1. The evolution of mating systems and life history, and how this integrates with body size evolution and ecology.
2. Anti-predator behaviour, with the aim of understanding community dynamics and the impacts of invasive species.
3. The impacts of habitat loss and fragmentation at a landscape scale.

Research Areas:

• Behavioural and Evolutionary Ecology  Read More

Selected Publications:

• Jones, M.E., Oakwood, M., Belcher, C., Morris, K., Murray, A., Woolley, P.A., Firestone, K.B., Johnson, B., Burnett, S., 2003, 'Carnivore concerns: problems, issues and solutions for conserving Australasia's marsupial carnivores', Predators with Pouches: The Biology of Carnivorous Marsupials
• Jones, M.E., 2003, 'Predators, pouches and partitioning: ecomorphology and guild structure of marsupial and placental carnivores', Predators with Pouches: The Biology of Carnivorous Marsupials
• Jones, M.E. Mandelik, Y and Dayan, T., 2001, 'Coexistence of temporally partitiioned spiny mice: roles of habitat structure and foraging behaviour', Ecology, 82, pgs. 2164-2176
• Jones, M.E., 2000, 'Road upgrade, road mortality and remedial measures: impacts on a population of eastern quolls and Tasmanian devils.', Wildlife Research, 27 (3), pgs. 289-296
• Jones, M.E. and Barmuta, L.A., 2000, 'Niche differentiation among sympatric Australian dasyurid carnivores', Journal of Mammalogy, 81 (2), pgs. 434-447
• Jones, M.E. and Dayan, T., 2000, 'Foraging behaviour and microhabitat use of the spiny mice Acomys cahirinus and A. russatus in the presence of Blandfords, fox, Vulpes cana, odour.', Journal of Chemical Ecology, 26 (2), pgs. 455-469

Current and Supervised Project/s:

• Rodrigo Hamede - Epidemiology and transmission dynamics of Tasmanian Devil Facial Tumour Disease
• Effects of DFTD on behaviours associated with transmission and on reproductive females
• Demographic effects of Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD)
• Tracey Hollings - Ecosystem Consequences of Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD)
• Shannon Troy - Landscape ecology of the spotted tailed quoll
• Willow Farmer - Population genetics of the Tasmanian Devil