Associate Professor Lyn Cook
Associate Professor

Lyn Cook

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 336 52070

Background

I obtained my PhD from The Australian National University in 2001 and have been at UQ since August 2006

My research is primarily aimed at understanding the origins, diversification and distributions of organisms, especially plants and insects in Australia. I mostly take a comparative approach and use molecular phylogenies to test hypotheses about ecological and evolutionary processes. Recent and ongoing topics include: understanding how interactions among plants and insects affect the evolutionary radiation of each; teasing apart the effects of extinction and speciation to understand how past climate and environmental change has shaped our biota; and investigating the relative roles of continental drift and long distance dispersal in explaining the current distribution patterns of organisms in the southern hemisphere. Specific questions relate, but are not limited, to topics such as:

• how the diversification of the unique Australian flora has driven insect speciation

• whether specific insect-plant interactions are the result of long term co-radiation or more recent adaptive radiations of insects

• the relative roles of vicariance (such as that induced by continental drift) and dispersal in explaining the current distribution patterns of southern hemisphere organisms

• evolutionary patterns of host-use by herbivores

• how past climate change has shaped the current distributions of taxa

• assembly of the flora and fauna of current biomes, especially the arid zone, monsoon tropics and southern temperate biomes

• phylogeography of plants and insects, and what this reveals about contemporary and recent gene flow

• consequences of differential dispersal, such as that between male and female scale insects, different developmental stages, or seed and pollen

Availability

Associate Professor Lyn Cook is:
Available for supervision
Media expert

Fields of research

Biological Sciences Plant biology Zoology

Qualifications

  • Bachelor (Honours) of Science (Advanced), Australian National University
  • Doctor of Philosophy, Australian National University

Research interests

  • Evolution of biodiversity

  • Scale insect systematics

  • Plant systematics

Search Professor Lyn Cook’s works on UQ eSpace

105 works between 1997 and 2025
All (105) Journal Article (99) Book Chapter (2) Conference Publication (4)

21 - 40 of 105 works

2019

Journal Article

Identifying genetic markers for a range of phylogenetic utility–From species to family level

Choi, Bokyung, Crisp, Michael D., Cook, Lyn G., Meusemann, Karen, Edwards, Robert D., Toon, Alicia and Külheim, Carsten (2019). Identifying genetic markers for a range of phylogenetic utility–From species to family level. PLoS One, 14 (8) e0218995, 1-19. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0218995

Identifying genetic markers for a range of phylogenetic utility–From species to family level

2019

Journal Article

Chloris circumfontinalis (Poaceae): A recently discovered species from the saline scalds surrounding artesian springs in north-eastern Australia

Fahey, Patrick S., Fensham, Roderick J., Laffineur, Boris and Cook, Lyn G. (2019). Chloris circumfontinalis (Poaceae): A recently discovered species from the saline scalds surrounding artesian springs in north-eastern Australia. Australian Systematic Botany, 32 (1), 228-242. doi: 10.1071/SB18017

Chloris circumfontinalis (Poaceae): A recently discovered species from the saline scalds surrounding artesian springs in north-eastern Australia

2019

Journal Article

Turnover of southern cypresses in the post-Gondwanan world: extinction, transoceanic dispersal, adaptation and rediversification

Crisp, Michael D., Cook, Lyn G., Bowman, David M. J. S., Cosgrove, Meredith, Isagi, Yuji and Sakaguchi, Shota (2019). Turnover of southern cypresses in the post-Gondwanan world: extinction, transoceanic dispersal, adaptation and rediversification. New Phytologist, 221 (4), 2308-2319. doi: 10.1111/nph.15561

Turnover of southern cypresses in the post-Gondwanan world: extinction, transoceanic dispersal, adaptation and rediversification

2018

Journal Article

Species limits and cryptic biogeographic structure in a widespread complex of Australian monsoon tropics trees (broad-leaf paperbarks: Melaleuca, Myrtaceae)

Edwards, Robert D., Crisp, Michael D. and Cook, Lyn G. (2018). Species limits and cryptic biogeographic structure in a widespread complex of Australian monsoon tropics trees (broad-leaf paperbarks: Melaleuca, Myrtaceae). Australian Systematic Botany, 31 (6), 495-503. doi: 10.1071/sb18032

Species limits and cryptic biogeographic structure in a widespread complex of Australian monsoon tropics trees (broad-leaf paperbarks: Melaleuca, Myrtaceae)

2018

Journal Article

A newly recognised species of Cryptes Maskell 1892 (Hemiptera: Coccidae) from Western Australia

Lin, Yen-Po, Kondo, Takumasa, Gullan, Penny J. and Cook, Lyn G. (2018). A newly recognised species of Cryptes Maskell 1892 (Hemiptera: Coccidae) from Western Australia. Zootaxa, 4508 (1), 101-114. doi: 10.11646/zootaxa.4508.1.6

A newly recognised species of Cryptes Maskell 1892 (Hemiptera: Coccidae) from Western Australia

2018

Journal Article

Immigrant and native? The case of the swamp foxtail Cenchrus purpurascens in Australia

Toon, A., Sacre, E., Fensham, R. J. and Cook, L. G. (2018). Immigrant and native? The case of the swamp foxtail Cenchrus purpurascens in Australia. Diversity and Distributions, 24 (8), 1169-1181. doi: 10.1111/ddi.12751

Immigrant and native? The case of the swamp foxtail Cenchrus purpurascens in Australia

2017

Journal Article

A newly recognised species that has been confused with the global polyphagous pest scale insect, Coccus hesperidum Linnaeus (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Coccidae)

Lin, Yen-Po, Tanaka, Hirotaka, Kondo, Takumasa and Cook, Lyn G. (2017). A newly recognised species that has been confused with the global polyphagous pest scale insect, Coccus hesperidum Linnaeus (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Coccidae). Zootaxa, 4320 (3), 571-591. doi: 10.11646/zootaxa.4320.3.10

A newly recognised species that has been confused with the global polyphagous pest scale insect, Coccus hesperidum Linnaeus (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Coccidae)

2017

Conference Publication

Know your enemies: suppression of Plutella xylostella and Crocidolomia pavonana by different predators in West Java, Indonesia

Murtiningsih, R. , Ridland, P.M., Cook, L.G. and Furlong, M. J. (2017). Know your enemies: suppression of Plutella xylostella and Crocidolomia pavonana by different predators in West Java, Indonesia. 5th International Symposium on Biological Control of Arthropods, Langkawi, Malaysia, 11-15 September 2017. Wallingford, United Kingdom: CABI International. doi: 10.1079/9781786394118.0139

Know your enemies: suppression of Plutella xylostella and Crocidolomia pavonana by different predators in West Java, Indonesia

2017

Journal Article

Species delimitation in asexual insects of economic importance: the case of black scale (Parasaissetia nigra), a cosmopolitan parthenogenetic pest scale insect

Lin, Yen-Po, Edwards, Robert D., Kondo, Takumasa, Semple, Thomas L. and Cook, Lyn G. (2017). Species delimitation in asexual insects of economic importance: the case of black scale (Parasaissetia nigra), a cosmopolitan parthenogenetic pest scale insect. PLoS One, 12 (5) e0175889, e0175889. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0175889

Species delimitation in asexual insects of economic importance: the case of black scale (Parasaissetia nigra), a cosmopolitan parthenogenetic pest scale insect

2017

Journal Article

Newly recognised Australian endemic species of Austrolecanium Gullan & Hodgson 1998 (Hemiptera: Coccidae) from Queensland

Lin, Yen-Po, Ding, Zheng Yee, Gullan, Penny J. and Cook, Lyn G. (2017). Newly recognised Australian endemic species of Austrolecanium Gullan & Hodgson 1998 (Hemiptera: Coccidae) from Queensland. Zootaxa, 4272 (1), 119-130. doi: 10.11646/zootaxa.4272.1.6

Newly recognised Australian endemic species of Austrolecanium Gullan & Hodgson 1998 (Hemiptera: Coccidae) from Queensland

2017

Journal Article

Nomenclatural changes in the Australasian gall-inducing genus Apiomorpha Rubsaamen (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Eriococcidae)

Mills, Penelope J., Gullan, Penny J. and Cook, Lyn G. (2017). Nomenclatural changes in the Australasian gall-inducing genus Apiomorpha Rubsaamen (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Eriococcidae). Zootaxa, 4250 (5), 484-488. doi: 10.11646/zootaxa.4250.5.6

Nomenclatural changes in the Australasian gall-inducing genus Apiomorpha Rubsaamen (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Eriococcidae)

2017

Journal Article

Congruent biogeographical disjunctions at a continent-wide scale: quantifying and clarifying the role of biogeographic barriers in the Australian tropics

Edwards, Robert D., Crisp, Michael D., Cook, Dianne H. and Cook, Lyn G. (2017). Congruent biogeographical disjunctions at a continent-wide scale: quantifying and clarifying the role of biogeographic barriers in the Australian tropics. PLoS One, 12 (4) e0174812, 343-351. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0174812

Congruent biogeographical disjunctions at a continent-wide scale: quantifying and clarifying the role of biogeographic barriers in the Australian tropics

2017

Journal Article

A monograph of Daviesia (Mirbelieae, Faboideae, Fabaceae)

Crisp, Michael D., Cayzer, Lindy, Chandler, Gregory T. and Cook, Lyn G. (2017). A monograph of Daviesia (Mirbelieae, Faboideae, Fabaceae). Phytotaxa, 300 (1), 1-308. doi: 10.11646/phytotaxa.300.1.1

A monograph of Daviesia (Mirbelieae, Faboideae, Fabaceae)

2016

Journal Article

Two recently discovered species of Apiomorpha (Hemiptera:Eriococcidae) feeding on eudesmid eucalypts in Western Australia reaffirm host conservatism in this gall-inducing scale insect genus

Mills, Penelope J., Semple, Thomas L., Garland, Kathleen L. S. and Cook, Lyn G. (2016). Two recently discovered species of Apiomorpha (Hemiptera:Eriococcidae) feeding on eudesmid eucalypts in Western Australia reaffirm host conservatism in this gall-inducing scale insect genus. Invertebrate Systematics, 30 (3), 255-273. doi: 10.1071/IS15039

Two recently discovered species of Apiomorpha (Hemiptera:Eriococcidae) feeding on eudesmid eucalypts in Western Australia reaffirm host conservatism in this gall-inducing scale insect genus

2016

Journal Article

A review of the genus Capulinia Signoret (Hemiptera: Coccoidea: Eriococcidae) with description of two new species

Kondo, T., Gullan, P. J. and Cook, L. G. (2016). A review of the genus Capulinia Signoret (Hemiptera: Coccoidea: Eriococcidae) with description of two new species. Zootaxa, 4111 (4), 471-491. doi: 10.11646/zootaxa.4111.4.7

A review of the genus Capulinia Signoret (Hemiptera: Coccoidea: Eriococcidae) with description of two new species

2015

Journal Article

Australian spinifex grasses: new names in Triodia for Monodia and Symplectrodia

Crisp, Michael Douglas, Mant, Jim, Toon, Alicia and Cook, Lyn Gai (2015). Australian spinifex grasses: new names in Triodia for Monodia and Symplectrodia. Phytotaxa, 230 (3), 293-296. doi: 10.11646/phytotaxa.230.3.9

Australian spinifex grasses: new names in Triodia for Monodia and Symplectrodia

2015

Journal Article

Systematic review of the Australian 'bush coconut' genus Cystococcus (Hemiptera:Eriococcidae) uncovers a new species from Queensland

Semple, Thomas L., Gullan, Penny J., Hodgson, Christopher J., Hardy, Nate B. and Cook, Lyn G. (2015). Systematic review of the Australian 'bush coconut' genus Cystococcus (Hemiptera:Eriococcidae) uncovers a new species from Queensland. Invertebrate Systematics, 29 (3), 287-312. doi: 10.1071/IS14061

Systematic review of the Australian 'bush coconut' genus Cystococcus (Hemiptera:Eriococcidae) uncovers a new species from Queensland

2015

Journal Article

Does host-plant diversity explain species richness in insects? A test using Coccidae (Hemiptera)

Lin, Yen-Po, Cook, Dianne H., Gullan, Penny J. and Cook, Lyn G. (2015). Does host-plant diversity explain species richness in insects? A test using Coccidae (Hemiptera). Ecological Entomology, 40 (3), 299-306. doi: 10.1111/een.12191

Does host-plant diversity explain species richness in insects? A test using Coccidae (Hemiptera)

2014

Journal Article

Clock model makes a large difference to age estimates of long-stemmed clades with no internal calibration: a test using Australian grasstrees

Crisp, Michael D., Hardy, Nate B. and Cook, Lyn G. (2014). Clock model makes a large difference to age estimates of long-stemmed clades with no internal calibration: a test using Australian grasstrees. BMC Evolutionary Biology, 14 (1) 263, 1-17. doi: 10.1186/s12862-014-0263-3

Clock model makes a large difference to age estimates of long-stemmed clades with no internal calibration: a test using Australian grasstrees

2014

Journal Article

Rapid chromosomal evolution in a morphologically cryptic radiation

Mills, Penelope J. and Cook, Lyn G. (2014). Rapid chromosomal evolution in a morphologically cryptic radiation. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 77 (1), 126-135. doi: 10.1016/j.ympev.2014.03.015

Rapid chromosomal evolution in a morphologically cryptic radiation

Current funding

  • 2021 - 2025
    A perimeter defence in Australian processionary caterpillars
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2022 - 2024
    Population genetics and demography of Macrozamia conferta
    Acciona Energy Australia Global Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2019
    Continuous flow isotope ratio mass spectrometer (CF-IRMS) and ancillary preparation systems for carbon, nitrogen and sulfur isotope microanalysis for archaeology, biology, earth and environmental scie
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2019
    Sibling rivalry or chivalry: why do male bush coconuts carry their little sisters?
    Australia & Pacific Science Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2019
    Why are Australian cycads endangered: pollinators, climate or humans?
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2016
    Morphological and molecular variation in Gynaikothrips on fig trees in Australia and generic revisions of Lissothrips
    Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries
    Open grant
  • 2015
    Beyond genomes, transcriptomes and proteomes: high throughput analysis of gene and protein expression and function
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2015
    Evolution of Australia's globally unique hotspot of floral diversity (ARC Discovery administered by ANU)
    Australian National University
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2015
    Species discovery and evolution of scale insect gallers of Melaleuceae
    Commonwealth Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2012
    Species discovery and revision of scale insect gallers of Leptospermeae and Chamelauceae
    Australian Biological Resources Study
    Open grant
  • 2009
    Building Capacity in Quantitative Genomics
    UQ School/Centre Co-Funding
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2011
    Distinguishing among patterns of extinction & speciation through geological and climatic change: a molecular modelling approach. (ARC Discovery Project administered by Australian National University).
    Australian National University
    Open grant
  • 2009
    Genomics on a different scale: towards understanding chromosomal evolution, speciation, gall-induction and host-specificity.
    UQ Early Career Researcher
    Open grant
  • 2008
    Controlled Environment Facilities for the Challenges of the 21st Century
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2007 - 2008
    Development of markers to study dispersal of a wind-borne plant parasite group
    UQ New Staff Research Start-Up Fund
    Open grant
  • 2006 - 2008
    The role of ecological specialisation in insect-plant macroevolutionary processes: a molecular phylogenetic approach across three kingdoms
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant

Availability

Associate Professor Lyn Cook is:
Available for supervision

Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.

Available projects

  • Evolution of Australia's globally unique biodiversity hotspot

    Australia has a globally recognised biodiversity hotspot, the southwest of Western Australia, but this unique flora is highly threatened. We are contrasting this hotspot with the climatically and latitudinally comparable southeastern Australia to determine the processes responsible for species generation and biodiversity maintenance. Study groups include the iconic eucalypts, Melaleuca, legumes and other plants, as well as gall-inducing scale insects that are associated with the plants, and other animals.

  • Taxonomy and evolution of scale insect gallers of Melaleuceae

    We have recently discovered a large radiation of scale insects that induce galls on species of Melaleuceae. This project involves the taxonomy and systematics of the group, and examines the evolutionary relationships bewteen the insects and their hosts. There is scope for describing and naming 30 or more species.

Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Transcriptomics of insect-induced galls on eucalypts

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Peter Crisp

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Systematics and evolution of Melaleuca

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Rod Fensham

  • Master Philosophy

    Systematics of the processionally caterpillar Ochrogaster lunifer

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Myron Zalucki

  • Master Philosophy

    Systematics of the processionally caterpillar Ochrogaster lunifer

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Myron Zalucki

  • Doctor Philosophy

    The Microneurae group of the genus Acacia Mill. (Fabaceae Lindl., A. sect. Plurinerves): phylogenetics and species delimitation

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Rod Fensham

  • Doctor Philosophy

    A perimeter defence in Australian processionary caterpillars

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Myron Zalucki

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Systematics of Eriocaulon L. (Eriocaulaceae Martinov.) in Australasia - phylogenomics, historical biogeography, and landscape genomics

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Rod Fensham

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Applications of novel models of multivariate trait evolution in marsupials

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Katrina McGuigan, Dr Simone Blomberg

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Applications of novel models of multivariate trait evolution in marsupials

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Katrina McGuigan, Dr Simone Blomberg

  • Doctor Philosophy

    A perimeter defence in Australian processionary caterpillars

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Myron Zalucki

Completed supervision

Enquiries

Contact Associate Professor Lyn Cook directly for media enquiries about:

  • Biogeography
  • Phylogenetics

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