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Dr. Sean Buckley

@congensean.bsky.social
830 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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Reposted by Dr. Sean Buckley
Molecular Ecology @molecology.bsky.social · 7h
The MEC special issue, 𝙂𝙚𝙣𝙤𝙢𝙞𝙘𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙎𝙥𝙚𝙘𝙞𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣, is out today! Check it out at buff.ly/MFih9Sa @wileyecology.bsky.social
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
Special Issue: Genomics of Speciation
Molecular Ecology is an international journal for research using molecular genetic techniques to address questions in ecology, evolution, behavior and conservation.
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Dr. Sean Buckley @congensean.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Unfortunately (for me, perhaps!) Grace has travelled the world since graduating and is now currently residing in Canada! 🫎
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Dr. Sean Buckley @congensean.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Yes, definitely a big factor to consider - clearly can utilise range of habitats/vegetation between zones but unclear what impact this has on cross-region translocations (compared to other factors, at least).
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Dr. Sean Buckley @congensean.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Massive thanks to all the co-authors (none active on Bsky...?!) and to DBCA and @australianwildlife.bsky.social for supporting the research. Check out the paper, Open Access, in Molecular Ecology here: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/... (9/9)
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
Genomic Vulnerability of a Threatened Possum in a Biodiversity and Climate Change Hotspot
Spatial variation in the magnitude and pace of climate change impacts means some species will be more affected than others. This includes those occurring within global biodiversity hotspots, regions ...
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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
Many conservation actions have been attempted – including translocations, which have had mixed success (few successfully establishing). Causes are not well understood but could be linked to a number of factors – potentially even maladaptation across climatic zones. (3/9)
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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 · 02/09/2026
Truly!
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Dr. Sean Buckley @congensean.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
Was told by a TA (for a lab I was not present in) earlier this week that some students were using ChatGPT to do their Punnett squares for a simulated monohybrid cross of Drosophila...could not believe how irate I was My guy this is a square with FOUR PANELS to fill in!! Use your gd brain!!
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Reposted by Dr. Sean Buckley
Australian Society for Fish Biology @austsocfishbiol.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
Today is Wear It Purple Day across Australia, which was created to ensure every LGBTQIA+SB young person knows they are seen, supported and never alone. It’s an important cause, and well worth celebrating with some of Australia’s most spectacularly purple fish. Learn more: www.wearitpurple.org
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Dr. Sean Buckley @congensean.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
Come on, "whitejar" was sitting right there...
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Reposted by Dr. Sean Buckley
Linette Umbrello @planigale.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
Job at CSIRO: Bioinformatics Coordinator/ Research Scientist - National Biodiversity DNA Library. Until June 2029. Flexible work location in Aus 🧬🔬 jobs.csiro.au/job/Melbourn...
jobs.csiro.au
Bioinformatics Coordinator/ Research Scientist - National Biodiversity DNA Library
Bioinformatics Coordinator/ Research Scientist - National Biodiversity DNA Library
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Dr. Sean Buckley @congensean.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
Translation: "I cannot be expected to write an assignment description and rubric in any coherent or inclusive way" JFC
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Reposted by Dr. Sean Buckley
Brenton von Takach @certhionyx.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
Patterns in the pond: the role of colour, pattern and texture in species delimitation of polymorphic froglet species of south-western Australia doi.org/10.1071/ZO25...
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Dr. K. Lotterhos @drk-lo.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
New from my lab! #popgen #evolution 👨‍🔬🧪
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Reposted by Dr. Sean Buckley
Colin Carlson @colincarlson.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
I wrote about a reason not to use generative AI in your writing that I haven't seen anyone talking about. Once I realized this, banning GenAI in our lab's writing became a no-brainer. Feel free to share, I think this is probably useful especially for trainees: www.carlsonlab.bio/thoughts/the...
carlsonlab.bio
The only reason you’ll ever need not to write with AI — The Carlson Lab
Over the last year, our lab has been developing a policy on AI use. To do this, we did three main things: We read a lot of academic publications and tech news. We set up an #ai channel on our la...
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Dr. Sean Buckley @congensean.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
Add me to the list of "people who experience recurring EBV-derived symptoms post-COVID" 🙃
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Dr. Sean Buckley @congensean.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
Great article about our very own @rebeccajquah.bsky.social's amazing research into marsupial diets and conservation translocations!
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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 · 10/06/2026
All us conservation genomics people with eleventy billion dollars to do 100X WGRS from a shred of tissue collected in 19XX, obviously /s
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Dr. Sean Buckley @congensean.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
Genome alignment machine go NNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN
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Reposted by Dr. Sean Buckley
Ainsley S @americanbeetles.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
Hey @spavel.bsky.social I hope you don’t mind but we did the thing for real
Inspired by Pavel’s lineup of Pride Moths, an assortment of Lepidoptera embodying the colorways of various Pride flags. I’m sorry we don’t have a nice big one for the intersex pride moth, these are all the Pride bookmarks available at the library on short notice.
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Reposted by Dr. Sean Buckley
Pavel @spavel.bsky.social · 01/06/2026
happy pride moth everyone
A madagascar sunset moth with iridescent rainbow wings.
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Reposted by Dr. Sean Buckley
Evolutionary Biology Group, Adam Mickiewicz University @evobiolab.bsky.social · 22/05/2026
Jon's new study in @natecoevo.nature.com shows that genetic rescue can increase long-term fitness despite elevating putative genetic load. Interested? Check out our paper: www.nature.com/articles/s41... A short thread below 🧵 Coauthored by @jacek-radwan.bsky.social and @mkonczal.bsky.social
nature.com
Genetic rescue increases long-term fitness despite elevating putative genetic load in a male-dimorphic mite - Nature Ecology & Evolution
An experiment with male-dimorphic mites shows long-lasting benefits of genetic rescue, regardless of type of male rescuer and despite introducing genetic load, in populations subjected to a thermal st...
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Reposted by Dr. Sean Buckley
Dan Schrider @samurscicop.bsky.social · 20/05/2026
Update! The posting for the postdoc opening in my lab is up! Apply here: unc.peopleadmin.com/postings/319...
unc.peopleadmin.com
Post-Doc Research Associate (Schrider)
The Schrider Lab at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is hiring a postdoc in population genetics and/or phylogenetics. The successful candidate will help design and carry out projects re...
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Reposted by Dr. Sean Buckley
Australian Society for Fish Biology @austsocfishbiol.bsky.social · 17/05/2026
Check out this postgraduate opportunity (Masters or PhD) at Edith Cowan University. 🎣 Fisheries genomics of nearshore, estuarine and/or freshwater species 🗓️ 3yrs 💰 $41,000 /yr 👀 www.ecu.edu.au/scholarships... 🚨Deadline: Monday 15 June
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Dr. Sean Buckley @congensean.bsky.social · 18/05/2026
Oh and he knows it, look at this DIVA
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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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Reposted by Dr. Sean Buckley
Bird account @dialecticbio.bsky.social · 29/04/2026
I implore everyone to read this brilliant book review of Kathryn Paige Harden new book on the genetics of criminality. It cuts right through the bullshit to state plainly what Harden's project really is: eugenics bullshit and grifting lareviewofbooks.org/article/orig...
lareviewofbooks.org
Natural Election | Los Angeles Review of Books
Kathryn Paige Harden’s new book offers a defense of a kind of Scientific Calvinism that converges with the eugenicist ideals of the contemporary Far Right.
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Linette Umbrello @planigale.bsky.social · 29/04/2026
The City of Stirling is proposing local law amendments to recreational fishing in local lake reserves after a string of water bird deaths and entanglements due to recreational fishing of invasive carp. These reserves are important sanctuaries for urban water birds including black swans.
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Jeremy Yoder says no war @jbyoder.org · 09/04/2026
"The fact that there is no current consensus of biological sex is not antithetical to science... However, the field urgently needs an ethical and reproducible approach for discussing sex" There is No Consensus on Biological Sex
buff.ly
There is No Consensus on Biological Sex
At this critical moment when misinformation about sex is being applied to policy globally, scientific clarification on the definition of biological sex is valuable. Here, we evaluate the primary…
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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 · 30/03/2026
The "Tasmanian Tiger" image as the header is killing me, also 😂
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Dr. Sean Buckley @congensean.bsky.social · 25/03/2026
I'm afraid that "Carson, they're PARAPHYLETIC" is going to make it into my regular vocab now what have you done
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Evolutionary Applications @evolappjournal.bsky.social · 23/03/2026
Special Issue on Genetic Rescue is out 🎉🎉🎉 The 21 papers on the SI highlight how evolutionary biology can enhance resilience & long-term survival of biodiversity. Introducing genetically diverse individuals can boost fitness in small, isolated populations 🧬🌿 doi.org/10.1111/eva.70225
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Rob Davis @pezoporus.bsky.social · 20/03/2026
Enjoyed getting to chat invasive corellas with Channel Nine News. Perth and Bunbury have large flocks of corellas established from aviary escapes and now naturalised. They are poorly studied and no longer being actively managed. We have commenced research on their ecology and genetics.
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Dr. Sean Buckley @congensean.bsky.social · 16/03/2026
If only Colossal could de-extinct my scientific admiration for Beth Shapiro... 😔
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Dr. Sean Buckley @congensean.bsky.social · 27/02/2026
Me reading this:
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CSIRO Publishing @csiropublishing.bsky.social · 20/02/2026
Are white sharks really fleeing every time killer whales show up? 🦈 New research from @flindersuniversity.bsky.social, published in @wildliferesearchj.bsky.social suggests the story isn’t so simple. www.scimex.org/newsfeed/whi... #WildlifeResearch @bellareeves.bsky.social 1/4
scimex.org
White sharks vs. killer whales: white sharks not always fearful of kil
White sharks vs. killer whales: white sharks not always fearful of killer whales While killer whales (Orcinus orca) can trigger immediate departure of white sharks (Carcharodon carcharias)
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Centre for Evolutionary Biology at UWA @ceb-uwa.bsky.social · 18/02/2026
We flocked over to watch 🦜Nirjana Dewan🦜(@nirjana-dewan.bsky.social) talk about the conservation genomics of the white-tailed black cockatoos! @rowanlym.bsky.social @theg-cat.bsky.social
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Dr. Sean Buckley @congensean.bsky.social · 13/02/2026
Congrats to Dr. @shelbymiddleton.bsky.social!! 🥳
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Dr. Sean Buckley @congensean.bsky.social · 13/02/2026
New title slide for my first year taxonomy lecture just dropped:
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Society for Conservation Biology Oceania @scboceania.org · 10/02/2026
Are you ready to take your science communication or media engagement to the next level? If so, this workshop looks great! cbcs.centre.uq.edu.au/events-and-s...
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Saloni @scientificdiscovery.dev · 09/12/2025
Big new blogpost! My guide to data visualization, which includes a very long table of contents, tons of charts, and more. --> Why data visualization matters and how to make charts more effective, clear, transparent, and sometimes, beautiful. www.scientificdiscovery.dev/p/salonis-gu...
screenshot of my post
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Katarina Stuart @katarinastuart.bsky.social · 28/01/2026
New review! Theory & a practical guide to structural variants in popgen🧬 Many thanks to my co-authors: @rebekahoomen.bsky.social @annatigano.bsky.social @marenwellenreuther.bsky.social @janawold.bsky.social @dlfield.bsky.social @clairemerot.bsky.social onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
A Beginner's Guide to Structural Variants in Eco‐Evolutionary Population Genomics
Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) has greatly expanded researchers' ability to study structural variants (SVs), that is, the variation in the presence, number, orientation or position of a DNA sequence. ....
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