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Simon Griffith

Professor of Avian Behavioural Ecology, Macquarie University
I am an evolutionary biologist and have spent most of my career to date investigating how the reproductive behaviour of birds drives the process of speciation and the amazing diversity of birds that we hear and see around us.

Reproductive behaviour can be broken down into many components, such as: the expression of ornaments like colourful plumage; the process of choosing a social partner to breed with; how many offspring to have; how many sons or daughters to have; how much investment you make in current or future offspring. All of these decisions affect the quality of the resulting offspring. It is the variation in quality amongst individuals in a population that the process of natural selection acts upon. The best quality individuals are likely to be more attractive, live longer and produce more offspring than individuals or lower quality. Over generations, the population will change as a result of this non-random selection and eventually a new species is born.

Birds have provided a disproportionate level of insight into evolutionary biology over the past hundred years because they are well surveyed, well understood and highly amenable to morphological and behavioural research. Developing a better knowledge of avian reproductive behaviour increases our capacity to conserve biodiversity and understand ourselves, because most birds share the same socially monogamous mating system as humans – a system that is actually very rare among other mammals.

Economy

China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices

Chinas central bank has continued to strengthen its gold reserves, extending its buying streak to a 15th consecutive month in January, according to the latest data released by the Peoples Bank of China (PBOC). The move...

Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal

President Donald Trump has signed a landmark executive order removing the 25% penalty tariff on Indian goods, signaling a major shift in U.S.India trade relations and global geopolitical alignment. The move functions as...

Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran

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U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains

The United States and India have taken a significant step toward a long-anticipated bilateral trade agreement by releasing an interim trade framework aimed at lowering tariffs, reshaping energy ties, and strengthening...

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Politics

Ohio Man Indicted for Alleged Threat Against Vice President JD Vance, Faces Additional Federal Charges

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Trump Allows Commercial Fishing in Protected New England Waters

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Science

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Senate Sets December 8 Vote on Trump’s NASA Nominee Jared Isaacman

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Technology

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