Does coevolution drive speciation

This project aims to connect microevolutionary processes with macroevolutionary patterns to provide a rigorous test of the extent to which tightly coupled coevolutionary interactions between species drive evolutionary diversification. The project intends to utilise cutting-edge techniques including the most recent phylogenetic modelling methods, field experiments and molecular genetics. Expected outcomes include advancing our understanding of the mechanisms that generate biodiversity, developing new techniques for acquisition of DNA from museum specimens and building collaborations with Cambridge University and CSIRO. The project is expected to provide novel insights into the processes that promote new species in nature.