ANBG Theatrette,
Clunies Ross Street Acton ACT 2601
Canberra, 2601 Australia
Canberra, 2601 Australia
Rod, from ANU, will discuss how orchids use specific floral volatiles to attract pollinators, highlight new insights on the evolution of Australia terrestrial orchids and outline his ongoing project on the pollination of the mysterious NSW underground orchids.
Abstract
As ideal subjects for exploring a range of interesting scientific questions, orchids and their pollination have featured strongly across his research career. His research on sexually deceptive orchids, in particular, has captured the imagination of the public, educators and scientists around the world. Drawing on his research that spans across fields, he will describe how orchids use specific floral volatiles to secure pollinator attraction and highlight new insights on the evolution Australia terrestrial orchids. He will conclude the talk with a brief outline on his exciting, but challenging, ongoing project on the pollination of the mysterious underground orchids of NSW. The talk will be illustrated by beautiful photographs and fascinating video clips.
Biography
Professor Rod Peakall is Head of Ecology and Evolution Division, ANU
His parents passed on their love of nature. They chose to bring up their five children on the outskirts of Perth, Western Australia, with nearby forest as a playground. They spent their holidays camping at remote and wonderful locations, with hiking, canoeing, birdwatching and orchid hunting all part of the adventure.
He completed his BSc (Hons) in 1984 and PhD in 1987, both at the University of Western Australia (UWA), then took up an ARC funded 5-year postdoctoral position at Macquarie University in Sydney in 1988.
He joined The Australian National University (ANU) in 1993. He has also held visiting fellowships at Rutgers University, USA (1992) and at ETH (2003), Zurich, Switzerland.
Orchids have featured strongly in his research as ideal subjects for exploring a range of interesting ecological, chemical, molecular and evolutionary questions. His research on sexually deceptive orchids, in particular, has captured the imagination of the public, educators and scientists around the world.
He is the first author of the widely used population genetics software package, GenAlEx: Genetic Analysis in Excel (Peakall and Smouse 2006; Peakall and Smouse 2012).
Booking Link – https://www.trybooking.com/DKZGF
Booking
Lunchtime talks are held at 12.30 pm every Thursday from February to November. Talks last for 1 hour. We welcome donations by gold coins, notes, or electronically. The Friends use donations received at each talk to support Gardens’ programs and development and we thank all those who have donated.
Unless otherwise indicated, talks are held in the ANBG Theatrette.
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