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)

41 - 60 of 105 works

2014

Journal Article

Captive observations on mating, stridulation and male genital brushes of the Australian flower chafer Phyllopodium palmatum (Schaum, 1848) (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Cetoniinae)

Moeseneder, Christian H. and Cook, Lyn G. (2014). Captive observations on mating, stridulation and male genital brushes of the Australian flower chafer Phyllopodium palmatum (Schaum, 1848) (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Cetoniinae). Australian Entomologist, 41 (PART 2), 77-90.

Captive observations on mating, stridulation and male genital brushes of the Australian flower chafer Phyllopodium palmatum (Schaum, 1848) (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Cetoniinae)

2014

Journal Article

Australia's arid-adapted butcherbirds experienced range expansions during Pleistocene glacial maxima

Kearns, Anna M., Joseph, Leo, Toon, Alicia and Cook, Lyn G. (2014). Australia's arid-adapted butcherbirds experienced range expansions during Pleistocene glacial maxima. Nature Communications, 5 (1) 3994, 3994. doi: 10.1038/ncomms4994

Australia's arid-adapted butcherbirds experienced range expansions during Pleistocene glacial maxima

2014

Journal Article

Evolutionary consequences of shifts to bird-pollination in the Australian pea-flowered legumes (Mirbelieae and Bossiaeeae)

Toon, Alicia, Cook, Lyn G. and Crisp, Michael D. (2014). Evolutionary consequences of shifts to bird-pollination in the Australian pea-flowered legumes (Mirbelieae and Bossiaeeae). BMC Evolutionary Biology, 14 (1) 43, 1-11. doi: 10.1186/1471-2148-14-43

Evolutionary consequences of shifts to bird-pollination in the Australian pea-flowered legumes (Mirbelieae and Bossiaeeae)

2013

Journal Article

Matsucoccus macrocicatrices (Hemiptera: Matsucoccidae): first report, distribution, and association with symptomatic eastern white pine in the Southeastern United States

Mech, Angela M., Asaro, Christopher, Cram, Michelle M., Coyle, David R., Gullan, Penelope J., Cook, Lyn G. and Gandhi, Kamal J. L. (2013). Matsucoccus macrocicatrices (Hemiptera: Matsucoccidae): first report, distribution, and association with symptomatic eastern white pine in the Southeastern United States. Journal of Economic Entomology, 106 (6), 2391-2398. doi: 10.1603/EC13251

Matsucoccus macrocicatrices (Hemiptera: Matsucoccidae): first report, distribution, and association with symptomatic eastern white pine in the Southeastern United States

2013

Journal Article

Delimiting genera of scale insects: molecular and morphological evidence for synonymising Taiwansaissetia Tao, Wong and Chang with Coccus Linnaeus (Hemiptera: Coccoidea: Coccidae)

Lin, Yen-Po, Kondo, Takumasa, Gullan, Penny and Cook, Lyn G. (2013). Delimiting genera of scale insects: molecular and morphological evidence for synonymising Taiwansaissetia Tao, Wong and Chang with Coccus Linnaeus (Hemiptera: Coccoidea: Coccidae). Systematic Entomology, 38 (2), 249-264. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-3113.2012.00664.x

Delimiting genera of scale insects: molecular and morphological evidence for synonymising Taiwansaissetia Tao, Wong and Chang with Coccus Linnaeus (Hemiptera: Coccoidea: Coccidae)

2013

Journal Article

A multilocus coalescent analysis of the speciational history of the Australo-Papuan butcherbirds and their allies

Kearns, Anna M., Joseph, Leo and Cook, Lyn G. (2013). A multilocus coalescent analysis of the speciational history of the Australo-Papuan butcherbirds and their allies. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 66 (3), 941-952. doi: 10.1016/j.ympev.2012.11.020

A multilocus coalescent analysis of the speciational history of the Australo-Papuan butcherbirds and their allies

2013

Journal Article

Ancient relicts or recent dispersal: how long have cycads been in central Australia?

Ingham, James A., Forster, Paul I., Crisp, Michael D. and Cook, Lyn G. (2013). Ancient relicts or recent dispersal: how long have cycads been in central Australia?. Diversity and Distributions, 19 (3), 307-316. doi: 10.1111/j.1472-4642.2012.00936.x

Ancient relicts or recent dispersal: how long have cycads been in central Australia?

2013

Journal Article

Niche differentiation and spatial partitioning in the evolution of two Australian monsoon tropical tree species

Edwards, Robert D., Crisp, Michael D. and Cook, Lyn G. (2013). Niche differentiation and spatial partitioning in the evolution of two Australian monsoon tropical tree species. Journal of Biogeography, 40 (3), 559-569. doi: 10.1111/jbi.12027

Niche differentiation and spatial partitioning in the evolution of two Australian monsoon tropical tree species

2012

Journal Article

Testing for ecological limitation of diversification: a case study using parasitic plants

Hardy, Nate B. and Cook, Lyn G. (2012). Testing for ecological limitation of diversification: a case study using parasitic plants. American Naturalist, 180 (4), 438-449. doi: 10.1086/667588

Testing for ecological limitation of diversification: a case study using parasitic plants

2012

Journal Article

Oviposition behaviour in the dart-tailed wasp, Cameronella Dalla Torre (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae: Colotrechinae)

Wang, A. X. and Cook, L. G. (2012). Oviposition behaviour in the dart-tailed wasp, Cameronella Dalla Torre (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae: Colotrechinae). Australian Entomologist, 39 (3), 179-187.

Oviposition behaviour in the dart-tailed wasp, Cameronella Dalla Torre (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae: Colotrechinae)

2012

Journal Article

Phylogenetic niche conservatism: what are the underlying evolutionary and ecological causes?

Crisp, Michael D. and Cook, Lyn G. (2012). Phylogenetic niche conservatism: what are the underlying evolutionary and ecological causes?. New Phytologist, 196 (3), 681-694. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-8137.2012.04298.x

Phylogenetic niche conservatism: what are the underlying evolutionary and ecological causes?

2012

Journal Article

Taxonomy and species boundaries in the coral genus Favia Milne Edwards and Haime, 1857 (Cnidaria: Scleractinia) from Thailand revealed by morphological and genetic data

Kongjandtre, N., Ridgway, T., Cook, L. G., Huelsken, T., Budd, A. F. and Hoegh-Guldberg, O. (2012). Taxonomy and species boundaries in the coral genus Favia Milne Edwards and Haime, 1857 (Cnidaria: Scleractinia) from Thailand revealed by morphological and genetic data. Coral Reefs, 31 (2), 581-601. doi: 10.1007/s00338-011-0869-5

Taxonomy and species boundaries in the coral genus Favia Milne Edwards and Haime, 1857 (Cnidaria: Scleractinia) from Thailand revealed by morphological and genetic data

2011

Journal Article

Testing the effect of transient Plio-Pleistocene barriers in monsoonal Australo-Papua: Did mangrove habitats maintain genetic connectivity in the Black Butcherbird?

Kearns, Anna M., Joseph, Leo, Omland, Kevin E. and Cook, Lyn G. (2011). Testing the effect of transient Plio-Pleistocene barriers in monsoonal Australo-Papua: Did mangrove habitats maintain genetic connectivity in the Black Butcherbird?. Molecular Ecology, 20 (23), 5042-5059. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-294X.2011.05330.x

Testing the effect of transient Plio-Pleistocene barriers in monsoonal Australo-Papua: Did mangrove habitats maintain genetic connectivity in the Black Butcherbird?

2011

Journal Article

Cenozoic extinctions account for the low diversity of extant gymnosperms compared with angiosperms

Crisp, Michael D. and Cook, Lyn G. (2011). Cenozoic extinctions account for the low diversity of extant gymnosperms compared with angiosperms. New Phytologist, 192 (4), 997-1009. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-8137.2011.03862.x

Cenozoic extinctions account for the low diversity of extant gymnosperms compared with angiosperms

2011

Journal Article

A recently discovered species of Apiomorpha Rubsaamen (Hemiptera: Coccoidea: Eriococcidae) with unusual gall morphology

Mills, Penelope J., Macdonald, Melanie L., Rigby, Lisa M. and Cook, Lyn G. (2011). A recently discovered species of Apiomorpha Rubsaamen (Hemiptera: Coccoidea: Eriococcidae) with unusual gall morphology. Zootaxa, 3093 (3093), 55-63. doi: 10.11646/zootaxa.3093.1.4

A recently discovered species of Apiomorpha Rubsaamen (Hemiptera: Coccoidea: Eriococcidae) with unusual gall morphology

2011

Journal Article

Decline of a biome: Evolution, contraction, fragmentation, extinction and invasion of the Australian mesic zone biota

Byrne, Margaret, Steane, Dorothy A., Joseph, Leo, Yeates, David K., Jordan, Greg J., Crayn, Darren, Aplin, Ken, Cantrill, David J., Cook, Lyn G., Crisp, Michael D., Keogh, J. Scott, Melville, Jane, Moritz, Craig, Porch, Nicholas, Sniderman, J. M. Kale, Sunnucks, Paul and Weston, Peter H. (2011). Decline of a biome: Evolution, contraction, fragmentation, extinction and invasion of the Australian mesic zone biota. Journal of Biogeography, 38 (9), 1635-1656. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2699.2011.02535.x

Decline of a biome: Evolution, contraction, fragmentation, extinction and invasion of the Australian mesic zone biota

2011

Journal Article

Hypothesis testing in biogeography

Crisp, MD, Trewick, SA and Cook, LG (2011). Hypothesis testing in biogeography. Trends In Ecology & Evolution, 26 (2), 66-72. doi: 10.1016/j.tree.2010.11.005

Hypothesis testing in biogeography

2011

Journal Article

Flammable biomes dominated by eucalypts originated at the Cretaceous-Palaeogene boundary

Crisp, Michael D., Burrows, Geoffrey E., Cook, Lyn G., Thornhill, Andrew H. and Bowman, David M. J. S. (2011). Flammable biomes dominated by eucalypts originated at the Cretaceous-Palaeogene boundary. Nature Communications, 2 (1) 193, 1-8. doi: 10.1038/ncomms1191

Flammable biomes dominated by eucalypts originated at the Cretaceous-Palaeogene boundary

2011

Conference Publication

Genetic diversity of Guignardia musae on banana based on internal transcribed spacer region of ribosomal DNA

Wong, M.H., Henderson. J., Cook, L., Van Brunschot., S., Aitken, E.A.B. and Drenth, A. (2011). Genetic diversity of Guignardia musae on banana based on internal transcribed spacer region of ribosomal DNA. 4th Asian Conference for Plant Pathology (ACPP) concurrent with the 18th Australasian Plant Pathology Conference, Darwin, NT, Australia, 26-29 April 2011. APPS.

Genetic diversity of Guignardia musae on banana based on internal transcribed spacer region of ribosomal DNA

2010

Journal Article

Support for the 'out-of-Southeast Asia' hypothesis for the origin of Australian populations of Radopholus similis (Cobb, 1893) (Nematoda: Pratylenchidae)

Tan, Matthew, Cobon, Jennifer, Aitken, Elizabeth and Cook, Lyn G. (2010). Support for the 'out-of-Southeast Asia' hypothesis for the origin of Australian populations of Radopholus similis (Cobb, 1893) (Nematoda: Pratylenchidae). Systematic Parasitology, 77 (3), 175-183. doi: 10.1007/s11230-010-9265-8

Support for the 'out-of-Southeast Asia' hypothesis for the origin of Australian populations of Radopholus similis (Cobb, 1893) (Nematoda: Pratylenchidae)

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

  • Master Philosophy

    Systematics of the processionally caterpillar Ochrogaster lunifer

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Myron Zalucki

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

Completed supervision

Enquiries

Contact Associate Professor Lyn Cook directly for media enquiries about:

  • Biogeography
  • Phylogenetics

Need help?

For help with finding experts, story ideas and media enquiries, contact our Media team:

communications@uq.edu.au