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Dr. Sean Buckley

@congensean.bsky.social
829 followers 389 following 206 posts

Lecturer in Molecular Ecology, Edith Cowan Uni | Conservation and Ecological Genetics | Science Blogger @ www.theg-cat.com | Amateur Wildlife Photographer | ⚣ He/him 🏳️‍🌈 | 🐟🦘🐦🦎🧬

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Dr. Sean Buckley @congensean.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
However, we did not find any difference in adaptive mismatch between translocations, suggesting other more immediate factors – e.g., threat abatement & animal behaviour – have bigger impact. While translocations aren’t currently recommended, local adaptation is unlikely to be a major barrier. (8/9)
Boxplots showing the degree of adaptive mismatch (calculated based on the difference in genotype-environment space between source population and translocated site) for Karakamia and Perup. There is no significant difference in the two plots.
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Dr. Sean Buckley @congensean.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Extending these to a genomic vulnerability approach, we found northern regions also had significantly higher risk under climate change. This aligns not only with patterns of climate change in the region but also to areas of high mortality during heatwaves – particularly in summer 2024. (7/9)
A twelve panel plot of maps showing interpolated genomic vulnerability under three climate change scenarios (rows) for four future time slices (columns). While GV is significantly larger under SSP585 (business-as-usual), all maps show higher vulnerability in northern regions compared to other areas.
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Dr. Sean Buckley @congensean.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
We found lower diversity and connectivity within the Swan Coastal Plain, which includes a large part of the Perth metropolitan area. Although there was limited genetic differentiation between different regions, we found 431 SNPs associated with climatic gradients. (6/9)
A four panel figure, including a barplot of genetic diversity (observed heterozygosity, top left) which shows lower diversity in the Swan Coastal Plain than elsewhere, a principal coordinates analysis (top right) showing a wide spread of points within each management zone and little gaps between them, an interpolated map of ancestry coefficients with K = 2 (bottom left), showing largely isolation-by-distance patterns, and a hexplot of correlation between geographic and genetic distance (bottom right) showing similar patterns of IBD.
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Dr. Sean Buckley @congensean.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Using genomic data for >400 possums (mostly sequenced as part of a previous pop gen study), we assessed genetic diversity, pop structure, GEA and genomic vulnerability. We also looked at whether failed (Karakamia) and successful (Perup) translocations differed in adaptive mismatch. (5/9)
A collage of two landscape photos showcasing the forested environments of Perup Nature Reserve (left: source, DBCA) and Karakamia Sanctuary (right: source, AWC).
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Dr. Sean Buckley @congensean.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
We wanted to assess the genetic health of the species and see how this might (relatively) fare under climate change – an important consideration given WA status as a biodiversity and climate change hotspot! (4/9)
Map showing massive rainfall declines in southwest Western Australia, even compared to the rest of Australia, which has been ramping up since the 60s. Map sourced from ABC News: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-12-28/why-south-west-wa-is-drying-out/100625142
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Dr. Sean Buckley @congensean.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Once found across southwest WA, the ngwayir has suffered declines, occurring in <10% of its historic range – largely due to habitat loss and feral predators such as foxes and cats. Even worse, increasing mortalities during summer heatwaves are an early warning sign for climate maladaptation. (2/9)
A map highlighting the historical range (in light gray) of ngwayir, spanning a very large proportion of the southwest corner of Australia, and the current distribution (three smaller, dark gray regions along the western edge, inland centre, and southern edge). Map taken from Steven et al. (2021). Exploring the ability of urban householders to correctly identify nocturnal mammals.
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Dr. Sean Buckley @congensean.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Out now – my (very first!) Masters student’s (very first!) paper on #popgen of an endangered marsupial, the western ringtail possum (ngwayir in Noongar language). Using genomics of >400 possums, we found sig. spatial variation in genetic diversity, connectivity, and genomic vulnerability. (1/9)
A ngwayir sitting in an urban tree outside a motel in the town of Albany, on the south coast of Western Australia. The possum is sitting in side profile, showcasing its small round ears, largely black body (with white underside) and long prehensile tail draping from the branch. Taken by me in June 2026 on holiday, at around 8pm.
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Dr. Sean Buckley @congensean.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
Being shackled with the inordinate amount of pre-semester admin work got me like:
Meme of Marge Simpson saying "Seems I'm full of rage."
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Dr. Sean Buckley @congensean.bsky.social · 15/05/2026
🧬 Looking for a fin-tastic Masters or PhD project? 🐟 I'm currently looking for a #Masters or #PhD student to work on fisheries #genomics here in Perth! Multiple spp. to choose from, direct industry partnership & a fully-funded scholarship: check out the flyer for more info! #PopGen #ConsGen 🧪
A flyer describing the project, with QR link to scholarships website. Text reads: This fully-funded and exciting project will apply modern genomic tools to investigate population connectivity, local adaptation and evolutionary histories in populations of key nearshore, estuarine or freshwater species. The focal taxa may include fish and invertebrate aquatic species selected on the basis of fisheries or conservation importance, such as:
Nearshore; whiting, mulloway.
Estuarine; black bream.
Freshwater species; smooth and hairy marron.
The ideal candidate will have experience with molecular wet lab skills (e.g., DNA extraction), data management, and programming languages and coding (not essential). Applicants must meet entry requirements for a Masters or PhD program at Edith Cowan University. To apply for the project, please send your academic CV, a one-page research proposal and a short (<2 page) document addressing the selection criteria to Dr. Buckley.
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Dr. Sean Buckley @congensean.bsky.social · 04/04/2026
Becoming a Bug Freak by losing it every time I see a cool bug in my garden, like this perching mantis on my saltbush this morning!
A bright greenbmantis sitting atop a broad leaf of an old man saltbush, with its arms politely tucked in.A bright greenbmantis sitting atop a broad leaf of an old man saltbush, with its arms politely tucked in.
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Dr. Sean Buckley @congensean.bsky.social · 27/02/2026
Me reading this:
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Dr. Sean Buckley @congensean.bsky.social · 02/12/2025
One of my favourite parts about the Noongar season of Birak: it's also tick-tock season! My fave noisy bug(ger)s!
A close up photo of a tick-tock cicada, resting on some vibrantly green leaves.
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Dr. Sean Buckley @congensean.bsky.social · 22/11/2025
Had a bit of a wander on campus yesterday (because who wants to mark exams?) for Bug Hunt Aus and saw my first blue-banded bee, which was awesome!
A small blue-banded bee flying towards some bright yellow flowers.
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Dr. Sean Buckley @congensean.bsky.social · 19/11/2025
Very proud of our PhD student @nirjana-dewan.bsky.social for delivering an excellent talk at #AOC2025 on her white-tailed black cockatoo genomics work this morning! Looking forward to being able to share some nicely assembled genomes in the near future...stay tuned!
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Dr. Sean Buckley @congensean.bsky.social · 03/11/2025
Recently discovered this species for the first time down at Dwellingup a few weeks ago! Pretty speccy shade of yellow
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Dr. Sean Buckley @congensean.bsky.social · 27/09/2025
A last minute decision to "do something" for my birthday today involved a foray around Djidi-djidi Ridge near Julimar State Forest, and was blown away by the amazing diversity of wildflowers on display at the moment!
A collage of eight flower photos taken from Djidi-djidi range. It includes fringe lilies, purple tassels, nodding blue lilies, blue leschenaultia, pimelea imbrecata, creamy candle, Magle's kangaroo paw and York Road poison (a pea flower).
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Dr. Sean Buckley @congensean.bsky.social · 06/09/2025
Looking for a #PhD project (or know someone who is)? I'm currently recruiting for a student to work on #conservation and #PopulationGenomics of two freshwater #fish using whole genome and ddRAD data: more info in the flyer below! #PopGen #ConsGen #Biodiversity 🐟🧪🧬
An A4 flyer for the project "Little Fishes, Big Problems: Using Genomics to Inform Conservation and Management of Pygmy Perches". Text reads "This exciting PhD project will generate and apply cutting edge genomic datasets (whole genomes and genotype-by-sequencing) to inform conservation and management of two freshwater fish species endemic to Western Australia. The highly collaborative research program is will directly contribute to conservation actions and water management in the region. The ideal candidate will have experience with applying molecular techniques to answer ecological, conservation or evolutionary research questions, including DNA extraction bioinformatic pipelines and genomic analysis (not essential). To apply for the project, please submit your academic CV and one page cover letter describing your research interests and relevant experience to Dr. Buckley." It includes a photo of a male western pygmy perch in breeding colours, a QR code, and several logos.
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Dr. Sean Buckley @congensean.bsky.social · 15/08/2025
FUCK YES #TEAMRAKALI 🐀
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Dr. Sean Buckley @congensean.bsky.social · 11/08/2025
Always a delight to see a study species in the wild: spotted this charming quenda down in Mandurah this weekend who was busted having a snuffle in the dirt.
A photo of a quenda (Isoodon fusciventer), a small ground-dwelling marsupial, standing amongst some dense and vividly green grass with damp fur from the rain.
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Dr. Sean Buckley @congensean.bsky.social · 01/08/2025
You already know what the correct answer is:
A photo of a rakali sitting along the riverbank of the River Torrens in Adelaide, South Australia. Photo by me.
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Dr. Sean Buckley @congensean.bsky.social · 13/07/2025
Finding a fungus that looks like crème brûlée feels like perfect adaptation to target me, specifically... 🤤
A view of a frankly delicious-looking fungus from above amongst some leaf litter, with a perfectly caramalised top (or not).
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Dr. Sean Buckley @congensean.bsky.social · 07/07/2025
The cold, wet weather might not be ideal for some outdoors activities: but it's great for fungi forays! Here's some spotted around Yanchep National Park over the weekend.
A collage of five fungi photos taken from around Yanchep National Park.
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Dr. Sean Buckley @congensean.bsky.social · 03/07/2025
How your email found me (or, more accurately, why it didn't):
A panoramic photo from a rocky ourcrop of an arid landscape. At Matuwa, Western Australia.
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Dr. Sean Buckley @congensean.bsky.social · 21/06/2025
Nothing like having the native biodiversity advertise the local wildlife park: greeted at David Fleay Wildlife Park yesterday morning. 🐦
A kookaburra perched on top of a flagpole and banner for David Fleay Wildlife Park, surrounded by rainforest.
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Dr. Sean Buckley @congensean.bsky.social · 18/06/2025
For those who came along, hope you all enjoyed the show! It was an absolute blast to have a full set of Conservationist Comedians! #ICCB2025 @iccb2025.bsky.social
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Dr. Sean Buckley @congensean.bsky.social · 18/06/2025
Always great to see genetics being explicitly incorporated into translocation/rewilding programs: some awesome research into urban and sky island rewilding by Patrick Finnerty at @iccb2025.bsky.social #ICCB2025
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Dr. Sean Buckley @congensean.bsky.social · 17/06/2025
Thanks all who came along to my talk at @iccb2025.bsky.social #ICCB2025 yesterday! Great to share some our work integrating conservation genetics and community science to reintroduce threatened species. More to come soon, hopefully!
A photo of me delivering my talk at ICCB. The presentation shows the title slide, captioned "Integrating Community and Genetics for Conservation Reintroductions of Freshwater Fishes" and includes a photo of a southern pygmy perch held in the hand of a conservationist.
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Dr. Sean Buckley @congensean.bsky.social · 15/06/2025
Taking in some of the local sights at the Sky Deck before @iccb2025.bsky.social #ICCB2025 Opening Ceremony. If you see me there, feel free to say hi: I'll be the brightly dressed man in a mullet (I'm pretty easy to spot)!
A photo of me on the Sky Deck, with a view of Brisbane city and the mountains behind me.
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Dr. Sean Buckley @congensean.bsky.social · 10/06/2025
Coming to @iccb2025.bsky.social #ICCB2025 next week (or just in Brissie!) and need to fill in an evening? Why not come to Future Science Talks: Comedy Edition and hear some scientists crack some jokes! Wed 18/06, from 6pm at the BCEC, get your tix at: www.eventbrite.com.au/e/future-sci...
A flyer for the Future Science Talks: Comedy Edition show as part of the International Congress for Conservation Biology conference. Featuirng Ali Chauvenet, Diana Robledo-Ruiz, Lizzy Lowe, Luz Pascal, Sean Buckley and Sho Rapley. At the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, 6pm Wednesday 18 June.
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Dr. Sean Buckley @congensean.bsky.social · 09/06/2025
Heading to #ICCB2025? Come see me talk about 🐟, #ConGen🧬 and citizen science! You can find me in the Participatory & Citizen Science session: "Integrating Community and Genetics for Conservation Reintroductions of Freshwater Fishes" Mon, June 16, 14:27 - 14:31, Mezzanine Level Meeting Room M1
A photo of the freshwater fish in question, the southern pygmy perch, in the hand of a conservationist. The talk will be about a community-driven captive-breeding and reintroduction program, which was informed by my genetics research.
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Dr. Sean Buckley @congensean.bsky.social · 24/05/2025
The latest edition of Backyard Buddies: accidentally unearthing this gorgeous southern marbled gecko in the shed (who was rehomed in a nicer shelter by our pond). 🦎 #herpers
A full body photograph of a southern marbled gecko in a drawer.The gecko hiding beneath a spare wheel from a desk.
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Dr. Sean Buckley @congensean.bsky.social · 20/05/2025
Had a great time sharing some of my #conservation #genetics research at Pint Of Science AU last night! With cool talks on plastic-eating bacteria and managing weeds in agriculture using AI, we had a nice cross-section of tech and the #environment. Also nice to get people excited about fish!! 🧬🐟🧪
Me, standing on a lit stage next to a large projector screen of the title slide of my presentation, entitled "How to Save Species Using DNA" and featuring a photo of a southern pygmy perch held in a hand. Photo credit: Cass Rowles.
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Dr. Sean Buckley @congensean.bsky.social · 19/05/2025
You know you have your SO trained well when, despite his general fear of moths, he makes sure to snap a pic of a cool species during his morning commute (pinging @wa-moths.bsky.social)
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Dr. Sean Buckley @congensean.bsky.social · 23/04/2025
Still fondly thinking about this study species sighting in the wild a few weeks ago: a Buchanan's snake-eyed skink on the trunk of a grass tree in Warwick Bushland, Perth. #herps🦎
A photo of a Buchanan's snake-eyed skink (Cryptoblepharus buchanani), a small reptile found in Western Australia and common in urban environments, on the black bark of a previously-burnt grass tree.
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Dr. Sean Buckley @congensean.bsky.social · 16/04/2025
Expanding my #scicomm experience with something total different: a stand-up comedy show! If you're in Perth, join me and five other amazing scientists as we share our #science 🧪. You might learn. You might laugh. You will have a good time! Get your tix: www.perthcomedyfestival.com/event/future...
A flyer for the Future Science Talks: Comedy Edition Perth Show. Featuring Amber Beynon, Wendy Chen, Natasha Pauli, Sean Buckley, Sina Pinter and David Coward. The show is at The Rechabite, 224 William Street Northbridge at 4:30pm on Saturday 26 April. The flyer also contains a QR link to buy tickets.
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Dr. Sean Buckley @congensean.bsky.social · 04/04/2025
Out now in Animal Conservation: our Special Issue on #conservation #translocations, following #ICTC2023, showcasing 12 awesome studies on the complexities of translocations. Feat. #birds, #marsupials, #lizards and #genetics, check it out here: zslpublications.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/1469...
The cover of the Special Issue: Experimental approaches in conservation translocations. Photo shows an aquatic warbler with leg bands held in hand.
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Dr. Sean Buckley @congensean.bsky.social · 02/03/2025
Going through my 2024 wildlife photos to update my site (theg-cat.com/wildlife-pho...) and almost forgot about this painterly shot of a little pied cormorant at Araluen Botanical Gardens mid last year! Goes to show that rain and overcast lighting goes a long way sometimes...
A little pied cormorant, with only head and neck visible, swimming through a leafy pond in gentle rain. The vibes? Tranquil. The literal embodiment of "Unbothered. Moisturized. Happy. In My Lane. Focused. Flourishing."
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Dr. Sean Buckley @congensean.bsky.social · 27/02/2025
Had a great time at the @pawseycentre.bsky.social Champions retreat last week, chatting about some of the cool HPC training, outreach and engagement opportunities coming up. Also awesome to see the supercomputer I've flogged with simulations in the past up close!
A group shot of the Pawsey Champions team, including eight university-based academics and the program leader (Aditi).The Champions group getting a guided tour of the supercomputing facilities at Pawsey, depicted alongside the iconic Setonix supercomputer (named after the scientific name of the quokka!).
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Dr. Sean Buckley @congensean.bsky.social · 06/02/2025
Trying to make use of all those hours procrasti-working on figures in ggplot2: by giving a (simple) workshop for the UWA School of Biological Sciences Postgrad Conference!
A photo of a screen projection of the title slide for the worshop, entitled "A basic guide to data visualisation using ggplot2".
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Dr. Sean Buckley @congensean.bsky.social · 25/12/2024
Wishing everybody a happy festive season, from one Christmas jewel (spider) to another!
A photo of a Christmas jewel spider in the middle of an elaborate web.
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Dr. Sean Buckley @congensean.bsky.social · 20/12/2024
Me: I'm not a mammalogist, why do I keep getting typecast as a mammal scientist? My bookshelf:
A photo of three framed watercolor artworks, of a quoll, a dibbler and a quenda (all wonderful marsupials).
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Dr. Sean Buckley @congensean.bsky.social · 16/12/2024
The rufous sure do be whistlin' #wildoz #birds 🪶
A photo of a male rufous whistler in a Marri tree, mid song.
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Dr. Sean Buckley @congensean.bsky.social · 11/12/2024
Hanging out with my campus friends on a hot day (Endangered Carnaby's black cockatoos) #wildoz #birds 🐦
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Dr. Sean Buckley @congensean.bsky.social · 07/12/2024
Recovering from a great time at #AWMS2024 - including our post-conference field trip to Rotto yesterday. Was awesome to hear from an Indigenous elder and a local ranger about the history, #wildlife and challenges of a tourism/biodiversity hotspot.
A pair of quokkas on Rottnest Island, sharing some yellowed fig leaves. An obligatory quokka selfie, featuring one mulleted biologist (me) and a sniffing critter (quokka).Some drinks at the table, showcasing the beautiful sunshine of Pinky's Restaurant at our lunch stop on Rottnest Island.
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Dr. Sean Buckley @congensean.bsky.social · 04/12/2024
...and for those of you who might not be familiar with quenda, here's one I spotted at Whiteman Park (also here in Perth): love a good snoot! #wildoz
A photo of a quenda (Isoodon fusciventer), a species of bandicoot (marsupial).
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Dr. Sean Buckley @congensean.bsky.social · 04/12/2024
Start of Day 2 of #AWMS2024: had a great time yesterday for the poster session sharing some of our #conservationgenetics monitoring of an urban population of quenda in collaboration with the City of Joondalup!
A photo of my poster showcasing our research into the maintenance of genetic diversity over ten years since the establishment of an urban population of quenda in a fenced reserve in Craigie Bushland, Perth.
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Dr. Sean Buckley @congensean.bsky.social · 29/11/2024
TikTok, the app: loud, repetitive, probably bad for your mental health Tick-tock, the cicada: loud, repetitive, probably good for your mental health (if you like bugs) Choose Responsibly
A photo of a tick-tock cicada perched on a woolly bush at ECU Joondalup campus.
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Dr. Sean Buckley @congensean.bsky.social · 29/11/2024
They are very fashionable! I feel like the females are a little less spectacular but they do still have the eye stripe!
A female Australasian darter in flight, with wings raised.
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Dr. Sean Buckley @congensean.bsky.social · 29/11/2024
I absolutely love darters! I call them "chuckle-friends" (IYKYK).
A photo of a male Australasian darter sunning himself on a beach in Perth, Western Australia.
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Dr. Sean Buckley @congensean.bsky.social · 28/11/2024
Decided to do a stocktake of species I /currently/ have #conservation #genomics projects on, and oh boy does this feel like the manifestation of Pokemon brain-rot as a child:
A collage of species photos (largely not my own!) that I have conservation genomics projects on. The species are (from top left to bottom right) the western ringtail possum, quenda, rufous hare-wallaby, black-flanked rock-wallaby, little pygmy perch, dibbler, two-toed earless skink, Carnaby's black cockatoo and elegant slider.
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