Overview
Background
A/ Prof. Karen Cheney is a marine ecologist employing a multidisciplinary approach to explore predator-prey interactions, animal signalling, and the fundamental principles behind the evolution and function of animal colour patterns. Her research spans sensory, behavioral, and chemical marine ecology, with a particular focus on marine fish and molluscs. She co-leads the Marine Sensory Ecology Group at UQ.
She is also the Academic Director of the Moreton Bay Research Station, where she is oversees the teaching and research conducted at the station. She also co-leads research projects on understanding the ecosystem services of shellfish reef restoration, and the conservation of the threatened seahorse, Hippocampus whitei, in SE Queensland. She is also the Deputy Director of the Centre for Marine Science.
Animal Signalling: She focuses on the evolution of animal signals in the marine environment, particularly those used for camouflage and warning signals (aposematism). Her research employs spectrophotometry, theoretical vision models, phylogenetic comparative analysis, and a novel method using a calibrated underwater camera system to analyse complex animal colour patterns. This innovative approach enables simultaneous in-situ collection of spatial and spectral properties of animals and their backgrounds. She specifically investigates the diversity of colour signals displayed by nudibranch molluscs, examining how these patterns are perceived by potential predators and their relationship to the unpalatability and toxicity of the molluscs’ stored chemical defences.
Colour Vision: She studies the visual performance of coral reef fish using behavioural assays inspired by tests used to screen for human color vision deficiencies. By relating behavioural data to theoretical visual modelling, she assesses the accuracy of these models. More broadly, she explores the sensory, neural, and cognitive foundations of colour perception and investigates the genetic basis for the diversification of visual systems.
Availability
- Associate Professor Karen Cheney is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Bachelor (Honours) of Science (Advanced), The University of Manchester
- Doctor of Philosophy, University of East Anglia
- Postgraduate Diploma in Higher Education, The University of Queensland
Works
Search Professor Karen Cheney’s works on UQ eSpace
2024
Journal Article
Highly defended nudibranchs ‘escape’ to visually distinct background habitats
van den Berg, Cedric P., Santon, Matteo, Endler, John A. and Cheney, Karen L. (2024). Highly defended nudibranchs ‘escape’ to visually distinct background habitats. Behavioral Ecology, 35 (5) arae053, arae053. doi: 10.1093/beheco/arae053
2024
Journal Article
Correction: CRISPR/Cas9-mediated generation of biallelic F0 anemonefish (Amphiprion ocellaris) mutants
Mitchell, Laurie J., Tettamanti, Valerio, Rhodes, Justin S., Marshall, N. Justin, Cheney, Karen L. and Cortesi, Fabio (2024). Correction: CRISPR/Cas9-mediated generation of biallelic F0 anemonefish (Amphiprion ocellaris) mutants. PLoS One, 19 (6) e0305644. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0305644
2024
Journal Article
Automated workflows using Quantitative Colour Pattern Analysis (QCPA): a guide to batch processing and downstream data analysis
van den Berg, Cedric P., Condon, Nicholas D., Conradsen, Cara, White, Thomas E. and Cheney, Karen L. (2024). Automated workflows using Quantitative Colour Pattern Analysis (QCPA): a guide to batch processing and downstream data analysis. Evolutionary Ecology, 38 (3), 1-11. doi: 10.1007/s10682-024-10291-7
2024
Other Outputs
Data for 'Diel Activity Correlates with Colour Pattern Morphology of Heterobranch Sea Slugs'
Cedric P. van den Berg, Gabriel Hassler, Simone Blomberg, Nerida G. Wilson, Marc A. Suchard and Karen L. Cheney (2024). Data for 'Diel Activity Correlates with Colour Pattern Morphology of Heterobranch Sea Slugs'. The University of Queensland. (Dataset) doi: 10.48610/a36c277
2023
Other Outputs
Data for worked examples in: Automated workflows using Quantitative Colour Pattern Analysis (QCPA): A guide to batch processing and downstream data analysis.The original files were replaced with updated ones on 17 January 2024.
van den Berg, Cedric P., Condon, Nicholas D., Conradsen, Cara I., Aparicio, Alfonso A., White, Thomas E. and Cheney, Karen L. (2023). Data for worked examples in: Automated workflows using Quantitative Colour Pattern Analysis (QCPA): A guide to batch processing and downstream data analysis.The original files were replaced with updated ones on 17 January 2024.. The University of Queensland. (Dataset) doi: 10.48610/3cdcc1f
2023
Other Outputs
Data for: 'Chemical defences indicate distinct colour patterns with reduced variability in aposematic nudibranchs'
Cedric P. van den Berg, Santon, Matteo, John A. Endler, Leon Drummond, Bethany Dawson, Carl Santiago, Nathaly Weber and Karen L. Cheney (2023). Data for: 'Chemical defences indicate distinct colour patterns with reduced variability in aposematic nudibranchs'. The University of Queensland. (Dataset) doi: 10.48610/a596710
2023
Other Outputs
Data for: Highly defended nudibranchs’ escape’ to visually distinct background habitats
van den Berg, Cedric P., Santon, M, Endler, John A. and Cheney, Karen L. (2023). Data for: Highly defended nudibranchs’ escape’ to visually distinct background habitats. The University of Queensland. (Dataset) doi: 10.48610/8f7b70e
2023
Other Outputs
Data for the manuscript "Signal detectability and boldness are not the same: the function of defensive colouration in nudibranchs is distance-dependent".
Cedric P. van den Berg, John A. Endler and Karen L. Cheney (2023). Data for the manuscript "Signal detectability and boldness are not the same: the function of defensive colouration in nudibranchs is distance-dependent".. The University of Queensland. (Dataset) doi: 10.48610/03c56dd
2023
Conference Publication
Quasi-ordered photonic structures colour the bluespotted ribbontail ray
Bouchat, J., Cortesi, F., Cheney, K., Vukusic, P., Justin Marshall, N., Deparis, O. and Mouchet, S. R. (2023). Quasi-ordered photonic structures colour the bluespotted ribbontail ray. 13th International Conference on Metamaterials, Photonic Crystals and Plasmonics, Paris, France, 18-21 July 2023. Paris, France: META Conference.
2022
Journal Article
Anemonefish have finer color discrimination in the ultraviolet
Mitchell, Laurie J. , Phelan, Amelia , Cortesi, Fabio , Marshall, N. Justin , Chung, Wen-Sung , Osorio, Daniel C. and Cheney, Karen L. (2022). Anemonefish have finer color discrimination in the ultraviolet.
2022
Conference Publication
Bluespotted ribbontail ray colored by quasi-ordered natural photonic structures
Bouchat, Julien, Cortesi, Fabio, Cheney, Karen, Vukusic, Peter, Marshall, N. Justin, Deparis, Olivier and Mouchet, Sébastien R. (2022). Bluespotted ribbontail ray colored by quasi-ordered natural photonic structures. SPIE Optical Engineering + Applications, San Diego, CA United States, 21-26 August 2022. Bellingham, WA United States: SPIE. doi: 10.1117/12.2646127
2022
Other Outputs
Data for: Seeing Picasso: an investigation into the visual system of the triggerfish, Rhinecanthus aculeatus
Cheney, Karen , de Busserolles, Fanny, Luehrmann, Martin , Shaughnessy, Abigail , van den Berg, Cedric, Green, Naomi , Marshall, Justin and Cortesi, Fabio (2022). Data for: Seeing Picasso: an investigation into the visual system of the triggerfish, Rhinecanthus aculeatus. The University of Queensland. (Dataset) doi: 10.48610/bb0f237
2022
Journal Article
Cryo-ultramicrotomy and mass spectrometry imaging analysis of nudibranch microstructures
Hamilton, Brett R., Chan, Weili, Cheney, Karen L., Sullivan, Robert K. P., Floetenmeyer, Matthias, Garson, Mary J. and Wepf, Roger (2022). Cryo-ultramicrotomy and mass spectrometry imaging analysis of nudibranch microstructures. Journal of The American Society for Mass Spectrometry, 33 (3) jasms.1c00254, 1-6. doi: 10.1021/jasms.1c00254
2022
Other Outputs
Higher ultraviolet skin reflectance signals submissiveness in the anemonefish, Amphiprion akindynos
Mitchell, Laurie J. , Cortesi, Fabio, Marshall, Justin N. and Cheney, Karen L. (2022). Higher ultraviolet skin reflectance signals submissiveness in the anemonefish, Amphiprion akindynos. Dryad. (Dataset) doi: 10.5061/dryad.kwh70rz6t
2022
Other Outputs
Data for the article "Using colour pattern edge contrast statistics to predict detection speed and success in triggerfish (Rhinecanthus aculeatus)" published in the Journal of Experimental Biology, 2022.
van den Berg, Cedric, Endler, John A., Papinczak, Daniel E. J. and Cheney, Karen L. (2022). Data for the article "Using colour pattern edge contrast statistics to predict detection speed and success in triggerfish (Rhinecanthus aculeatus)" published in the Journal of Experimental Biology, 2022.. The University of Queensland. (Dataset) doi: 10.48610/05034f4
2021
Other Outputs
Gene-editing in anemonefish
Cortesi, Fabio, Dunn, Simon, Cheney, Karen, Powell, Samuel, Tettamanti, Valerio, Mitchell, Laurie, Luehrmann, Martin, van den Berg, Cedric, Green, Naomi and Mailer, Chelsea (2021). Gene-editing in anemonefish. The University of Queensland. (Dataset) doi: 10.48610/ddf0baa
2021
Journal Article
Expanding the repertoire of spongian-16-One derivatives in Australian nudibranchs of the genus Goniobranchus and evaluation of their anatomical distribution
Forster, Louise C., Clegg, Jack K., Cheney, Karen L. and Garson, Mary J. (2021). Expanding the repertoire of spongian-16-One derivatives in Australian nudibranchs of the genus Goniobranchus and evaluation of their anatomical distribution. Marine Drugs, 19 (12) 680, 1-14. doi: 10.3390/md19120680
2021
Other Outputs
Data from: Weapons or deterrents? Nudibranch molluscs use distinct ecological modes of chemical defence against predators
Winters, Anne E. , Chan, Weili , White, Andrew M. , van den Berg, Cedric , Garson, Mary J. and Cheney, Karen L. (2021). Data from: Weapons or deterrents? Nudibranch molluscs use distinct ecological modes of chemical defence against predators. The University of Queensland. (Dataset) doi: 10.48610/088a9c5
2021
Other Outputs
GBE anemonefish visual gene supporting data
Cortesi, Fabio, Dunn, Simon, Cheney, Karen, Powell, Samuel, Tettamanti, Valerio, Mitchell, Laurie, Luehrmann, Martin, van den Berg, Cedric, Green, Naomi and Mailer, Chelsea (2021). GBE anemonefish visual gene supporting data. The University of Queensland. (Dataset) doi: 10.14264/673b710
2021
Journal Article
Getting stoned: Characterisation of the coagulotoxic and neurotoxic effects of reef stonefish (Synanceia verrucosa) venom
Harris, Richard J., Youngman, Nicholas J., Chan, Weili, Bosmans, Frank, Cheney, Karen L. and Fry, Bryan G. (2021). Getting stoned: Characterisation of the coagulotoxic and neurotoxic effects of reef stonefish (Synanceia verrucosa) venom. Toxicology Letters, 346, 16-22. doi: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2021.04.007
Funding
Current funding
Supervision
Availability
- Associate Professor Karen Cheney is:
- Available for supervision
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Supervision history
Current supervision
-
Doctor Philosophy
Cohabitation and hybridization in anemonefishes: behaviour, ecology, and exploring restoration
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Fabio Cortesi, Dr JP Hobbs
-
Doctor Philosophy
The perception and function of marine colour patterns by reef fish predators
Principal Advisor
-
Doctor Philosophy
The perception and function of marine colour patterns by reef fish predators
Principal Advisor
-
Doctor Philosophy
Understanding the highly complex visual systems of seahorses and implications for conservation measures.
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Wen-Sung Chung, Dr Fabio Cortesi
-
Doctor Philosophy
Cohabitation and hybridization in anemonefishes: behaviour, ecology, and exploring restoration
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Fabio Cortesi, Dr JP Hobbs
-
Doctor Philosophy
Cohabitation and hybridization in anemonefish: behaviour, ecology, and strategies for mitigation
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Fabio Cortesi, Dr JP Hobbs
-
Doctor Philosophy
Colour Vision in Coral Reef Fish with Five Cone Spectral Sensitivities
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Wen-Sung Chung, Dr Fabio Cortesi
-
Doctor Philosophy
Cohabitation and hybridization in anemonefish: behaviour, ecology, and strategies for mitigation
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Fabio Cortesi, Dr JP Hobbs
-
Doctor Philosophy
Understanding the highly complex visual systems of seahorses and implications for conservation measures.
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Wen-Sung Chung, Dr Fabio Cortesi
-
Doctor Philosophy
Colour Vision in Coral Reef Fish with Five Cone Spectral Sensitivities
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Wen-Sung Chung, Dr Fabio Cortesi
-
Doctor Philosophy
Colour vision plasticity of coral reef fish in a changing world
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Fabio Cortesi
-
Doctor Philosophy
Colour vision plasticity of coral reef fish in a changing world
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Fabio Cortesi
-
Doctor Philosophy
Climate change and the genetic consequences of hybridisation in clownfishes
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr JP Hobbs, Professor Cynthia Riginos
-
Doctor Philosophy
Plasticity in the visual systems of coral reef fishes
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Fabio Cortesi
-
Doctor Philosophy
The Genomics of Hybridization and Introgression in Anemonefishes: Implications for Conservation and Evolutionary Dynamics
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr JP Hobbs, Professor Cynthia Riginos
Completed supervision
-
2021
Doctor Philosophy
Colour Vision in Anemonefishes (Amphiprioninae): Molecular Evolution and Behavioural Significance of Seeing in the Ultraviolet
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Fabio Cortesi
-
2020
Doctor Philosophy
Investigating Defensive Colouration in Nudibranch Molluscs using a Novel Analytical Framework for the Study of Animal Colour Patterns
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Simone Blomberg
-
2020
Doctor Philosophy
Seeing and responding to colour signals: an investigation using coral reef fish
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Katrina McGuigan
-
2024
Doctor Philosophy
Novel methodologies for investigating the development of vision and colouration in a coral reef fish family (Pomacentridae)
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Fabio Cortesi
-
-
2020
Doctor Philosophy
Insights into the Chemical Composition and Ecology of Nudibranchs of the Genus Goniobranchus
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor James De Voss
-
2019
Doctor Philosophy
Colour vision diversity in coral reef fishes: Cardinalfish (Apogonidae)
Associate Advisor
-
2016
Doctor Philosophy
Parasites and cleaning behaviour in damselfishes
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Cynthia Riginos
-
2016
Doctor Philosophy
Visual ecology of predator-prey relationships on the coral reef
Associate Advisor
-
2016
Doctor Philosophy
Understanding colour and chemical diversity in nudibranchs
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Simone Blomberg
Media
Enquiries
Contact Associate Professor Karen Cheney directly for media enquiries about:
- cleaner fish biology
- colour signalling in marine organisms
- Coral reef fish behaviour
- mimicry
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