UC Spark

Dr Bruce Cameron Robertson

Biological Sciences

Fields of Research

  • Behavioural ecology
  • Conservation genetics
  • Molecular ecology

Researcher Summary

Research interests are in the synergy of conservation, behavioural ecology, evolutionary ecology, molecular ecology, animal behaviour and wildlife management. Interests also include animal mating systems, the impact of mating systems on genetic variation and species recovery, defining units of conservation significance, and the relationship between mate choice, parentage, sex allocation and parental investment. Current research addresses a number of issues in conservation biology including levels of genetic diversity, genetic population structure, defining management units and taxonomic units, and also in behavioural and evolutionary ecology, such as avian and mammalian mating systems, mate choice, and sex allocation.

Subject Area: Disciplines

Affiliations

Publications


  • Robertson, B.C., Stephenson, B.M. and Goldstien, S.J. (2011) When rediscovery is not enough: Taxonomic uncertainty hinders conservation of a critically endangered bird. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 61(3): 949-952. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ympev.2011.08.001. (Journal Article)
  • Chilvers, B.L., Robertson, B.C., Wilkinson, I.S. and Duignan, P.J. (2007) Growth and survival of New Zealand sea lions, Phocarctos hookeri: birth to 3 months. Polar Biology 30(4): 459-469. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00300-006-0203-9. (Journal Article)
  • Dale, A.R. and Robertson, B.C. (2006) DNA sexing of weka (Gallirallus australis). Notornis 53(4): 385-386. (Journal Article)
  • Wilkinson, I.S., Duignan, P.J., Castinel, A., Grinberg, A., Chilvers, B.L. and Robertson, B.C. (2006) Klebsiella pneumoniae epidemics: possible impact on New Zealand sea lion recruitment. In Trites, A.W., Atkinson, S.K., DeMaster, D.P., Fritz, L.W., Gelatt, T.S., Rea, L.D., Wynne, K.M. (Ed.), Sea Lions of the World: 385-404. Fairbanks: Alaska Sea Grant College Program, University of Alaska Fairbanks. (Chapter in Book)
  • Robertson, B.C. and Gemmell, N.J. (2006) PCR-based sexing in conservation biology: Wrong answers from an accurate methodology? Conservation Genetics 7(2): 267-271. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10592-005-9105-6. (Journal Article)
  • Robertson, B.C., Elliott, G.P., Eason, D.K., Clout, M.N. and Gemmell, N.J. (2006) Sex allocation theory aids species conservation. Biology Letters 2(2): 229-231. http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2005.0430. (Journal Article)
  • Robertson, B.C. (2006) The role of genetics in kakapo recovery. Notornis 53(1): 173-183. (Journal Article)
  • Robertson, B.C., Chilvers, B.L., Duignan, P.J., Wilkinson, I.S. and Gemmell, N.J. (2005) Dispersal of breeding, adult male Phocarctos hookeri: Implications for disease transmission, population management and species recovery. Biological Conservation 127: 227-236. (Journal Article)
  • Chilvers, B.L., Robertson, B.C., Wilkinson, I.S., Duignan, P.J. and Gemmell, N.J. (2005) Male harassment of female New Zealand sea lions, Phocarctos hookeri: mortality, injury, and harassment avoidance. Canadian Journal of Zoology 83: 642-648. (Journal Article)
  • Robertson, B.C. (2005) Reproductive anatomy of the strictly monogamous Capricorn silvereye, Zosterops lateralis chlorocephalus. Corella 29: 7-8. (Journal Article)
  • Robertson, B.C. and Gemmell, N.J. (2004) Defining eradication units to control invasive pests. Journal of Applied Ecology 41(6): 1042-1048. (Journal Article)
  • Gemmell, N.J., Schwartz, M.K. and Robertson, B.C. (2004) Moa were many. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences 271(Biology Letters Supplement 6): S430-S432. doi:10.1098/rsbl.2004.0234. (Journal Article)
  • Miller, H.C., Lambert, D.M., Millar, C.D., Robertson, B.C. and Minot, E.O. (2003) Minisatellite DNA profiling detects lineages and parentage in the endangered kakapo (Strigops habroptilus) despite low microsatellite DNA variation. Conservation Genetics 4(3): 265-274. (Journal Article)
  • Clout, M.N., Elliott, G.P. and Robertson, B.C. (2002) Effects of supplementary feeding on the offspring sex ratio of kakapo: a dilemma for the conservation of a polygynous parrot. Biological Conservation 107(1): 13-18. (Journal Article)
  • Robertson, B.C. (2001) Behavioral Ecology of Tropical Birds. By Bridget J. M. Stutchbury & Eugene S. Morton. San Diego: Academic Press (2001). Animal Behaviour 62(4): 823. Book Review. (Other)
  • Robertson, B.C. (2001) Behavioural Ecology of Tropical Birds (Book Review) - USE OTHER RECORD. Animal Behaviour 62: 823. (Journal Article)
  • Robertson, B.C. and Gemmell, N.J. (2001) Defining eradication units: Population genetics of the brown rat (Rattus norvegicus) on South Georgia Island. Sydney, Australia: Genetics Society of Australia, 50th Annual Conference, 2001. (Conference Contribution - Poster presentation)
  • Robertson, B.C., Degnan, S.M., Kikkawa, J. and Moritz, C.C. (2001) Genetic monogamy in the absence of paternity guards: the Capricorn silvereye, Zosterops lateralis chlorocephalus, on Heron Island. Behavioral Ecology 12(6): 666-673. (Journal Article)
  • Carter, K.L., Robertson, B.C. and Kempenaers, B. (2000) A differential extraction method for sperm on the perivitelline membrane of avian eggs. Molecular Ecology 9: 2149-2150. (Journal Article)
  • Kempenaers, B., Foerster, K., Questiau, S., Robertson, B.C. and Vermeirssen, E.L.M. (2000) Distinguishing between female sperm choice versus male sperm competition: a comment on Birkhead. Evolution 54(3): 1050-1052. (Journal Article)
  • Robertson, B.C., Minot, E.O. and Lambert, D.M. (2000) Microsatellite primers for the kakapo (Strigops habroptilus) and their utility in other parrots. Conservation Genetics 1: 93-95. (Journal Article)
  • Robertson, B.C., Millar, C.D., Merton, D.V., Minot, E.O. and Lambert, D.M. (2000) Sexing the critically endangered kakapo Strigops habroptilus. Emu 100: 336-339. (Journal Article)
  • Degnan, S.M., Robertson, B.C., Clegg, S.M. and Moritz, C.C. (1999) Microsatellite loci for studies of gene-flow and mating systems of white-eyes (Zosterops). Molecular Ecology 8(1): 159. (Journal Article)
  • Robertson, B.C., Lambert, D.M. and Minot, E.O. (1999) Molecular sexing individual kakapo (Strigops habroptilus Aves) from faeces. Molecular Ecology 8: 1349-1350. (Journal Article)
  • Robertson, B.C. (1997) The mating system of the capricorn silvereye, Zosterops lateralis chlorocephala: a genetic and behavioural assessment. (Other)