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

205 works between 1998 and 2025
All (205) Journal Article (146) Other Outputs (1) Conference Publication (54) Book Chapter (4)

181 - 200 of 205 works

2004

Journal Article

Effects of caffeine on mouse skeletal muscle power output during recovery from fatigue

James, Rob. S., Wilson, Robbie S. and Askew, Graham N. (2004). Effects of caffeine on mouse skeletal muscle power output during recovery from fatigue. Journal of Applied Physiology, 96 (2), 545-552. doi: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00696.2003

Effects of caffeine on mouse skeletal muscle power output during recovery from fatigue

2004

Journal Article

Combining studies of comparative physiology and behavioural ecology to test the adaptive benefits of thermal acclimation

Wilson, R. S. and Johnston, I. (2004). Combining studies of comparative physiology and behavioural ecology to test the adaptive benefits of thermal acclimation. International Congress Series, 1275, 201-208. doi: 10.1016/j.ics.2004.08.078

Combining studies of comparative physiology and behavioural ecology to test the adaptive benefits of thermal acclimation

2004

Journal Article

Sustained swimming performance and muscle structure are altered by thermal acclimation in male mosquitofish

Hammill, E., Wilson, R. S. and Johnston, I. A. (2004). Sustained swimming performance and muscle structure are altered by thermal acclimation in male mosquitofish. Journal of Thermal Biology, 29 (4-5), 251-257. doi: 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2004.04.002

Sustained swimming performance and muscle structure are altered by thermal acclimation in male mosquitofish

2004

Journal Article

Constraints on muscular performance: trade-offs between power output and fatigue resistance

Wilson, R. S. and James, R. S. (2004). Constraints on muscular performance: trade-offs between power output and fatigue resistance. Proceedings of The Royal Society of London Series B-biological Sciences, 271 (Supp. 4), S222-S225. doi: 10.1098/rsbl.2003.0143

Constraints on muscular performance: trade-offs between power output and fatigue resistance

2004

Journal Article

Locomotor performance of closely related Tropidurus species: relationships with physiological parameters and ecological divergence

Kohlsdorf, T., James, R. S., Carvalho, J. E., Wilson, R. S., Dal Pai-Silva, M. and Navas, C. A. (2004). Locomotor performance of closely related Tropidurus species: relationships with physiological parameters and ecological divergence. Journal of Experimental Biology, 207 (7), 1183-1192. doi: 10.1242/jeb.00870

Locomotor performance of closely related Tropidurus species: relationships with physiological parameters and ecological divergence

2004

Journal Article

Interindividual variation of isolated muscle performance and fibre-type composition in the toad Bufo viridus

Wilson, R. S., James, R. S., Kohlsdorf, T. and Cox, V. M. (2004). Interindividual variation of isolated muscle performance and fibre-type composition in the toad Bufo viridus. Journal of Comparative Physiology B-biochemical Systemic And Environmental Physiology, 174 (6), 453-459. doi: 10.1007/s00360-004-0431-7

Interindividual variation of isolated muscle performance and fibre-type composition in the toad Bufo viridus

2003

Conference Publication

Human athletes and the evolution of vertebrate locomotor performance

Van Damme, R and Wilson, RS (2003). Human athletes and the evolution of vertebrate locomotor performance. Annual Meeting of the Society-for-Integrative-and-Comparative-Biology, New Orleans La, 2004. MCLEAN: SOC INTEGRATIVE COMPARATIVE BIOLOGY.

Human athletes and the evolution of vertebrate locomotor performance

2003

Journal Article

Tradeoffs and the evolution of thermal reaction norms

Angilletta Jr, Michael J., Wilson, Robbie S., Navas, Carlos A. and James, Rob S. (2003). Tradeoffs and the evolution of thermal reaction norms. Trends in Ecology and Evolution, 18 (5), 234-240. doi: 10.1016/S0169-5347(03)00087-9

Tradeoffs and the evolution of thermal reaction norms

2003

Journal Article

Locomotion at-1.0 degrees C: burst swimming performance of five species of Antarctic fish

Franklin, C. E., Wilson, R. S. and Davison, W. (2003). Locomotion at-1.0 degrees C: burst swimming performance of five species of Antarctic fish. Journal of Thermal Biology, 28 (1), 59-65. doi: 10.1016/S0306-4565(02)00037-2

Locomotion at-1.0 degrees C: burst swimming performance of five species of Antarctic fish

2002

Conference Publication

Effects of caffeine on power output of isolated mouse extensor digitorum longus muscle during recovery from fatigue

James, RS, Wilson, RS and Askew, GN (2002). Effects of caffeine on power output of isolated mouse extensor digitorum longus muscle during recovery from fatigue. Meeting of the Physiological-Society, Leeds England, Sep 10-12, 2002. NEW YORK: CAMBRIDGE UNIV PRESS.

Effects of caffeine on power output of isolated mouse extensor digitorum longus muscle during recovery from fatigue

2002

Journal Article

The detrimental acclimation hypothesis

Wilson, Robbie S. and Franklin, Craig E. (2002). The detrimental acclimation hypothesis. Trends in Ecology and Evolution, 17 (9), 408-408. doi: 10.1016/S0169-5347(02)02555-7

The detrimental acclimation hypothesis

2002

Journal Article

Trade-offs between speed and endurance in the frog Xenopus laevis: a multi-level approach

Wilson, Robbie S., James, Rob S. and Van Damme, Raoul (2002). Trade-offs between speed and endurance in the frog Xenopus laevis: a multi-level approach. Journal of Experimental Biology, 205 (8), 1145-1152.

Trade-offs between speed and endurance in the frog Xenopus laevis: a multi-level approach

2002

Journal Article

Evolutionary biology - Performance constraints in decathletes

Van Damme, Raoul, Wilson, Robbie S., Vanhooydonck, Bieke and Aerts, Peter (2002). Evolutionary biology - Performance constraints in decathletes. Nature, 415 (6873), 755-756.

Evolutionary biology - Performance constraints in decathletes

2002

Journal Article

Testing the beneficial acclimation hypothesis

Wilson, Robbie S. and Franklin, Craig E. (2002). Testing the beneficial acclimation hypothesis. Trends In Ecology & Evolution, 17 (2), 66-70. doi: 10.1016/S0169-5347(01)02384-9

Testing the beneficial acclimation hypothesis

2002

Journal Article

Turning up the heat on subzero fish: thermal dependence of sustained swimming in an Antarctic notothenioid

Wilson, R. S., Kuchel, L. J., Franklin, C. E. and Davison, W. (2002). Turning up the heat on subzero fish: thermal dependence of sustained swimming in an Antarctic notothenioid. Journal of Thermal Biology, 27 (5), 381-386. doi: 10.1016/S0306-4565(02)00006-2

Turning up the heat on subzero fish: thermal dependence of sustained swimming in an Antarctic notothenioid

2001

Journal Article

Geographic variation in thermal sensitivity of jumping performance in the frog Limnodynastes peronii

Wilson, Robbie S. (2001). Geographic variation in thermal sensitivity of jumping performance in the frog Limnodynastes peronii. Journal of Experimental Biology, 204 (24), 4227-4236.

Geographic variation in thermal sensitivity of jumping performance in the frog Limnodynastes peronii

2001

Journal Article

Stenotherms at sub-zero temperatures: thermal dependence of swimming performance in Antarctic fish

Wilson, R. S., Franklin, C. E., Davison, W. and Kraft, P. (2001). Stenotherms at sub-zero temperatures: thermal dependence of swimming performance in Antarctic fish. Journal of Comparative Physiology B-biochemical Systemic And Environmental Physiology, 171 (4), 263-269. doi: 10.1007/s003600000172

Stenotherms at sub-zero temperatures: thermal dependence of swimming performance in Antarctic fish

2000

Journal Article

Inability of adult Limnodynastes peronii (Amphibia : Anura) to thermally acclimate locomotor performance

Wilson, R. S. and Franklin, C. E. (2000). Inability of adult Limnodynastes peronii (Amphibia : Anura) to thermally acclimate locomotor performance. Comparative Biochemistry And Physiology A-molecular And Integrative Physiology, 127 (1), 21-28. doi: 10.1016/S1095-6433(00)00238-5

Inability of adult Limnodynastes peronii (Amphibia : Anura) to thermally acclimate locomotor performance

2000

Journal Article

Inability of adult Limnodynastes peronii (Amphibia:Anura) to thermally acclimate locomoter performance (Absence of thermal acclimatory capacity of locomotor performance in adults of the frog Limnodynastes peronii)

Wilson, Robbie S. and Franklin, Craig E. (2000). Inability of adult Limnodynastes peronii (Amphibia:Anura) to thermally acclimate locomoter performance (Absence of thermal acclimatory capacity of locomotor performance in adults of the frog Limnodynastes peronii). Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part A: Molecular & Integrative Physiology, 127 (1), 21-28. doi: 10.1016/S1095-6433(00)00238-5

Inability of adult Limnodynastes peronii (Amphibia:Anura) to thermally acclimate locomoter performance (Absence of thermal acclimatory capacity of locomotor performance in adults of the frog Limnodynastes peronii)

2000

Journal Article

Thermal acclimation of locomotor performance in tadpoles and adults of the aquatic frog Xenopus laevis

Wilson, RS, James, RS and Johnston, IA (2000). Thermal acclimation of locomotor performance in tadpoles and adults of the aquatic frog Xenopus laevis. Journal of Comparative Physiology B-Biochemical Systemic and Environmental Physiology, 170 (2), 117-124. doi: 10.1007/s003600050266

Thermal acclimation of locomotor performance in tadpoles and adults of the aquatic frog Xenopus laevis

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

Looking for a supervisor? Read our advice on how to choose a supervisor.

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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