Professor Robbie Wilson
Professor

Robbie Wilson

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 336 52773

Background

My research group studies animal performance in the laboratory and in the field. We focus on discovering the underlying mechanistic basis of physical performance and it's implications for an individual's survival and reproductive success. We’re particularly interested in how organisms respond to environmental variation, such as seasonal or long-term temperature change, and the costs of these responses to other traits. We examine interactions between behavioural, physiological and morphological traits to better understand how animal performance is optimised. Furthermore, we want to understand how an organism’s performance relates to population-level processes, enabling better conservation practices in urban and wild habitats. Our research is question-driven, and we use a variety of model systems in our studies, including freshwater fish, crayfish, reptiles, marsupials, and humans.

Current projects

  • Importance of performance, life history and behaviour to male mating success in the semelparous marsupial the northern quoll
  • Relative importance of athleticism, skill and balance to success in complex human activities - focus on soccer players
  • When and why do animals lie? Testing hypotheses of deceit and discovering its role in determining animal performance

Availability

Professor Robbie Wilson is:
Available for supervision

Fields of research

Ecology Zoology

Search Professor Robbie Wilson’s works on UQ eSpace

207 works between 1998 and 2025
All (207) Journal Article (148) Other Outputs (1) Conference Publication (54) Book Chapter (4)

61 - 80 of 207 works

2016

Journal Article

Detecting deceptive behaviour after the fact

von Hippel, William, Baker, Ernest, Wilson, Robbie, Brin, Loic and Page, Lionel (2016). Detecting deceptive behaviour after the fact. British Journal of Social Psychology, 55 (2), 195-205. doi: 10.1111/bjso.12129

Detecting deceptive behaviour after the fact

2016

Journal Article

Multivariate analyses of individual variation in soccer skill as a tool for talent identification and development: utilising evolutionary theory in sports science

Wilson, Robbie S., James, Rob S., David, Gwendolyn, Hermann, Ecki, Morgan, Oliver J., Niehaus, Amanda C., Hunter, Andrew, Thake, Doug and Smith, Michelle D. (2016). Multivariate analyses of individual variation in soccer skill as a tool for talent identification and development: utilising evolutionary theory in sports science. Journal of Sports Sciences, 34 (21), 2074-2086. doi: 10.1080/02640414.2016.1151544

Multivariate analyses of individual variation in soccer skill as a tool for talent identification and development: utilising evolutionary theory in sports science

2016

Journal Article

Warmer temperatures reduce the costs of inducible defences in the marine toad, Rhinella marinus

van Uitregt, Vincent O., Alton, Lesley A., Heiniger, Jaime and Wilsonm, R.S. (2016). Warmer temperatures reduce the costs of inducible defences in the marine toad, Rhinella marinus. Journal of Comparative Physiology B: Biochemical, Systemic, and Environmental Physiology, 186 (1), 123-130. doi: 10.1007/s00360-015-0938-0

Warmer temperatures reduce the costs of inducible defences in the marine toad, Rhinella marinus

2016

Journal Article

Speed and maneuverability jointly determine escape success: exploring the functional bases of escape performance using simulated games

Clemente, Christofer J. and Wilson, Robbie S. (2016). Speed and maneuverability jointly determine escape success: exploring the functional bases of escape performance using simulated games. Behavioral Ecology, 27 (1), 45-54. doi: 10.1093/beheco/arv080

Speed and maneuverability jointly determine escape success: exploring the functional bases of escape performance using simulated games

2015

Journal Article

Building a dishonest signal: the functional basis of unreliable signals of strength in males of the two-toned fiddler crab, Uca vomeris

Bywater, Candice L., Seebacher, Frank and Wilson, Robbie S. (2015). Building a dishonest signal: the functional basis of unreliable signals of strength in males of the two-toned fiddler crab, Uca vomeris. Journal of Experimental Biology, 218 (19), 3077-3082. doi: 10.1242/jeb.120857

Building a dishonest signal: the functional basis of unreliable signals of strength in males of the two-toned fiddler crab, Uca vomeris

2015

Journal Article

The role of overconfidence in romantic desirability and competition

Murphy, Sean C., von Hippel, William, Dubbs, Shelli L., Angilletta, Michael J., Wilson, Robbie S., Trivers, Robert and Barlow, Fiona Kate (2015). The role of overconfidence in romantic desirability and competition. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 41 (8), 1036-1052. doi: 10.1177/0146167215588754

The role of overconfidence in romantic desirability and competition

2015

Journal Article

Cooperation Improves Success during Intergroup Competition: An Analysis Using Data from Professional Soccer Tournaments

David, Gwendolyn Kim and Wilson, Robbie Stuart (2015). Cooperation Improves Success during Intergroup Competition: An Analysis Using Data from Professional Soccer Tournaments. PLoS One, 10 (8) e0136503, e0136503.-e0136503.. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0136503

Cooperation Improves Success during Intergroup Competition: An Analysis Using Data from Professional Soccer Tournaments

2015

Journal Article

New urban developments that retain more remnant trees have greater bird diversity

Barth, Benjamin James, FitzGibbon, Sean Ian and Wilson, Robbie Stuart (2015). New urban developments that retain more remnant trees have greater bird diversity. Landscape and Urban Planning, 136, 122-129. doi: 10.1016/j.landurbplan.2014.11.003

New urban developments that retain more remnant trees have greater bird diversity

2015

Journal Article

Running faster causes disaster: trade-offs between speed, manoeuvrability and motor control when running around corners in northern quolls (Dasyurus hallucatus)

Wynn, Melissa L., Clemente, Christofer, Nasir, Ami Fadhillah Amir Abdul and Wilson, Robbie S. (2015). Running faster causes disaster: trade-offs between speed, manoeuvrability and motor control when running around corners in northern quolls (Dasyurus hallucatus). Journal of Experimental Biology, 218 (3), 433-439. doi: 10.1242/jeb.111682

Running faster causes disaster: trade-offs between speed, manoeuvrability and motor control when running around corners in northern quolls (Dasyurus hallucatus)

2015

Book Chapter

Dishonest Signaling During Aggressive Interactions: Theory and Empirical Evidence

Wilson, Robbie S. and Angilletta, Michael J. (2015). Dishonest Signaling During Aggressive Interactions: Theory and Empirical Evidence. Animal Signaling and Function: An Integrative Approach. (pp. 205-227) edited by Duncan J. Irschick, Mark Briffa and Jeffrey Podos. Hoboken, NJ United States: Wiley Blackwell. doi: 10.1002/9781118966624.ch8

Dishonest Signaling During Aggressive Interactions: Theory and Empirical Evidence

2015

Conference Publication

Does individual quality mask the detection of performance trade-offs? A test using Australian northern quolls (Dasyurus hallucatus)

Charters, J., Clemente, C., Heiniger, J., Niehaus, A. C. and Wilson, R. S. (2015). Does individual quality mask the detection of performance trade-offs? A test using Australian northern quolls (Dasyurus hallucatus). Annual Meeting of the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology (SICB), West Palm Beach, Fl United States, 03-07 January 2015. Oxford, United Kingdom: Oxford University Press. doi: 10.1093/icb/icv011

Does individual quality mask the detection of performance trade-offs? A test using Australian northern quolls (Dasyurus hallucatus)

2015

Journal Article

Cameras, competition and creativity: assessing 1st year ecology in the field

Kuchel, Louise, Wilson, Robbie S. and Ellis, William H. (2015). Cameras, competition and creativity: assessing 1st year ecology in the field. International Journal of Innovation in Science and Mathematics Education, 23 (2), 34-45.

Cameras, competition and creativity: assessing 1st year ecology in the field

2015

Conference Publication

Introduction to the symposium: towards a general framework for predicting animal movement speeds in nature

Wilson, Robbie S. and Husak, Jerry F. (2015). Introduction to the symposium: towards a general framework for predicting animal movement speeds in nature. Towards a General Framework for Predicting Animal Movement Speeds in Nature, West Palm Beach, Florida, 3-7 January 2015. Oxford, United Kingdom: Oxford University Press. doi: 10.1093/icb/icv107

Introduction to the symposium: towards a general framework for predicting animal movement speeds in nature

2015

Conference Publication

Can we predict how fast animals will move in their environment?

Wilson, R. S. (2015). Can we predict how fast animals will move in their environment?. Annual Meeting of the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology (SICB), West Palm Beach, Fl United States, 03-07 January 2015. Oxford, United Kingdom: Oxford University Press. doi: 10.1093/icb/icv011

Can we predict how fast animals will move in their environment?

2015

Conference Publication

Performing when it's hot - does increased oxygen help buffer the loss of performance?

Rusch, T. W., Cameron, S. F., Borchert, J. D. and Wilson, R. S. (2015). Performing when it's hot - does increased oxygen help buffer the loss of performance?. Annual Meeting of the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology (SICB), West Palm Beach, Fl United States, 03-07 January 2015. Oxford, United Kingdom: Oxford University Press. doi: 10.1093/icb/icv012

Performing when it's hot - does increased oxygen help buffer the loss of performance?

2015

Conference Publication

Predicting the movement speeds of animals in natural environments

Wilson, Robbie S., Husak, Jerry F., Halsey, Lewis G. and Clemente, Christofer J. (2015). Predicting the movement speeds of animals in natural environments. Towards a General Framework for Predicting Animal Movement Speeds in Nature, West Palm Beach, Florida, 3-7 January 2015. Oxford, United Kingdom: Oxford University Press. doi: 10.1093/icb/icv106

Predicting the movement speeds of animals in natural environments

2015

Conference Publication

How fast should an animal run when escaping? An optimality model based on the trade-off between speed and accuracy

Wheatley, Rebecca, Angilletta Jr., Michael J., Niehaus, Amanda C. and Wilson, Robbie S. (2015). How fast should an animal run when escaping? An optimality model based on the trade-off between speed and accuracy. Towards a General Framework for Predicting Animal Movement Speeds in Nature, West Palm Beach, Florida, 3-7 January 2015. Oxford, United Kingdom: Oxford University Press. doi: 10.1093/icb/icv091

How fast should an animal run when escaping? An optimality model based on the trade-off between speed and accuracy

2015

Conference Publication

Balancing biomechanical constraints when selecting movement speeds in natural environments.

Clemente, C. J., Wynn, M. L., Amir, Abdul Nasir A. F., Hudson, M. G. and Wilson, R. S. (2015). Balancing biomechanical constraints when selecting movement speeds in natural environments.. Annual Meeting of the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology (SICB), West Palm Beach, Fl United States, 03-07 January 2015. Oxford, United Kingdom: Oxford University Press. doi: 10.1093/icb/icv011

Balancing biomechanical constraints when selecting movement speeds in natural environments.

2015

Conference Publication

Building the best sex addict: what are the morphological and performance bases of individual quality?

Charters, J., Clemente, C., Heiniger, J., Abdul Nasir, Amir A., Cameron, S. F., Niehaus, A. C. and Wilson, R. S. (2015). Building the best sex addict: what are the morphological and performance bases of individual quality?. Annual Meeting of the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology (SICB), West Palm Beach, Fl United States, 03-07 January 2015. Oxford, United Kingdom: Oxford University Press. doi: 10.1093/icb/icv012

Building the best sex addict: what are the morphological and performance bases of individual quality?

2015

Conference Publication

Balancing biomechanical constraints: optimal escape speeds when there is a trade-off between speed and maneuverability

Clemente, C. J. and Wilson, R. S. (2015). Balancing biomechanical constraints: optimal escape speeds when there is a trade-off between speed and maneuverability. Towards a General Framework for Predicting Animal Movement Speeds in Nature, West Palm Beach, Florida, 3-7 January 2015. Oxford, United Kingdom: Oxford University Press. doi: 10.1093/icb/icv103

Balancing biomechanical constraints: optimal escape speeds when there is a trade-off between speed and maneuverability

Current funding

  • 2024 - 2026
    Conserving the Greater Bilby in Queensland
    Save the Bilby Fund Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2026
    How is exposure to manganese on Groote Eylandt associated with motor control and cognitive function in school-aged children?
    Anindilyakwa Royalties Aboriginal Corporation
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2023 - 2025
    Using detector dogs to improve survey and monitoring of the cryptic Condamine earless dragon (Tympanocryptis condaminensis) (Round 7 Threatened Species)
    Community Sustainability Action - Qld Dep Env Science
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2023
    Predicting the mortality risk of koalas moving on the ground
    Koala Applied Research
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2021
    Using performance to predict the survival of threatened mammals
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2019
    The ecology of trace metal contamination in native Australian mammals
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2020
    Predicting the movement speeds of animals
    ARC Future Fellowships
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2016
    Predicting animal movement speeds and what affects movement decision in the wild
    Holsworth Wildlife Research Endowment
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2017
    How is exposure to manganese on Groote Eylandt associated with motor control and cognitive function in school-aged children?
    Anindilyakwa Land Council
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2017
    How does habitat complexity drive motor ageing and fitness in wild mammals?
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2015
    The impact of manganese contamination on the health of wildlife on an Aboriginal Protected Island
    UQ Collaboration and Industry Engagement Fund - Seed Research Grant
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2014
    Quantifying the health benefits of on-country activities in the remote Indigenous community of Groote Eylandt
    National Institute for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Research Limited
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2014
    How does naturally occurring manganese affect the physiology, genetics and health of organisms on Groote Eylandt
    Anindilyakwa Land Council
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2014
    How does naturally occurring manganese affect the physiology, genetics and health of organisms on Groote Eylandt?
    UQ FirstLink Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2015
    Does physiological plasticity of individuals render populations resilient to climate change? (ARC Discovery Project Administered by University of Sydney)
    University of Sydney
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2012
    Causes and consequences of disease in populations of Queensland koalas
    Queensland Department of Environment and Resource Management
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2011
    Cane toad research and monitoring
    Anindilyakwa Land Council
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2011
    Ecology of the northern spotten quoll
    Anindilyakwa Land Council
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2012
    Enhancing the research experience of first year science students through engagement with remote Indigenous communities
    UQ Teaching & Learning Strategic Grants
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2011
    Conservation biology in remote Indigenous communities: ecology of the northern tiger quoll on Groote Island
    UQ FirstLink Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2011
    Conserving koalas in urban landscapes
    Redland City Council
    Open grant
  • 2009
    UQTravel Awards Category 2, Dr Robbie Wilson
    UQ Travel Grants Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2008 - 2009
    Using Male Sexual Signals of Fish and Crustaceans for Rapid and Inexpensive Monitoring of Ecosystem Health
    UQ FirstLink Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2007 - 2009
    Using YouTube technology as a vehicle for deep learning in biology
    UQ Teaching & Learning Strategic Grants
    Open grant
  • 2007 - 2010
    Conserving native wildlife during urbanisation: the effectiveness of biodiversity-friendly urban design and construction practices
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2006
    Temperature Adaptation Of Fish Spermatozoa: An Integrative Approach
    UQ External Support Enabling Grant
    Open grant
  • 2006
    UQ_Travel Award_Cat2_2005
    UQ Travel Grants Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2005
    Locomotor and Reproductive Consequences of Temperature-Induced Phenotypic Plasticity in the Threadfin Rainbowfish
    UQ Early Career Researcher
    Open grant
  • 2004 - 2005
    Evolution Of Ectotherm Thermal Physiology: Combining Studies Of Behaviour and Comparative Physiology
    UQ New Staff Research Start-Up Fund
    Open grant
  • 2003 - 2006
    Testing the Adaptive Benefit of Physiological Acclimation
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant

Availability

Professor Robbie Wilson is:
Available for supervision

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Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Modelling the fine-scale behaviour, movement, and habitat use of free-range Koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) in southeast Queensland to predict and prevent risk of mortality

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Diana Fisher

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Optimal running speeds during predator-prey interactions

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Diana Fisher

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Human impacts on wildlife sociality

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Matthew Luskin

Completed supervision

Enquiries

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