Our publications
Popular science & non-peer reviewed articles
2023 BMC Ecology and Evolution image competition: the winning images
Harman, J, Hipsley CA, Jacobus LM, Liberles DA, Settele J, Traulsen A. 2023 BMC Ecology and Evolution image competition: the winning images. BMC Ecol Evo 23, 32 (2023).
BMC Ecology and Evolution image competition: the winning images
Harman, J, Hipsley CA, Jacobus LM, Liberles DA, Settele J, Traulsen A. 2022. BMC Ecology and Evolution image competition: the winning images. BMC Ecology and Evolution 22, 99.
The story in the bones of lizards and frogs
Hipsley CA, Black J, Hocknull S. 2021. The story in the bones of lizards and frogs. Pursuit, University of Melbourne.
CT Scanning at Museums Victoria in Museums Victoria Collections
Hipsley CA. 2018. CT Scanning at Museums Victoria in Museums Victoria Collections.
3D scanning reveals new (but extinct) star fish
Hipsley CA. 2018. 3D scanning reveals new (but extinct) star fish. Pursuit, University of Melbourne.
Peer reviewed articles
Ecomorphological correlates of inner ear shape in Australian limb-reduced skinks (Scincidae: Sphenomorphini)
Camaiti M, Wiles J, Aguilar R, Hutchinson MN, Hipsley CA, Chapple DG, Evans AR. 2023. Macroecological and biogeographical patterns of limb reduction in the world’s skinks. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, zlad074
Impact of Holocene environmental change on the evolutionary ecology of an Arctic top predator
Westbury MV, Brown SC, Lorenzen J, O’Neill S, Scott M, McCuaig J, … Blom SK, … & Lorenzen E. 2022. Impact of Holocene environmental change on the evolutionary ecology of an Arctic top predator. bioRxiv, 2022-10.
Macroecological and biogeographical patterns of limb reduction in the world’s skinks
Camaiti M, Evans AR, Hipsley CA, Hutchinson MN, Meiri S, Anderson RO, Slavenko A, Chapple DG. 2023. Macroecological and biogeographical patterns of limb reduction in the world’s skinks. Journal of Biogeography 50:428-440.
A database of the morphology, ecology and literature of the world’s limb-reduced skinks
Camaiti M, Evans AR, Hipsley CA, Meiri S, Hutchinson MN, Anderson RO, Slavenko A, Chapple DG. A database of the morphology, ecology and literature of the world’s limb-reduced skinks. Journal of Biogeography 49:1397-1406. DOI:10.1111/jbi.14392
Ontogenetic Allometry underlies trophic diversity in sea turtles (Chelonioidea)
Chatterji RM, Hipsley CA, Sherratt E, Hutchinson MN, Jones MEH. Ontogenetic Allometry underlies trophic diversity in sea turtles (Chelonioidea). Evolutionary Ecology 36:511-540. DOI:10.1007/s10682-022-10162-z
Herpetofaunal diversity changes with climate: evidence from the Quaternary of McEachern’s Deathtrap Cave, southeastern Australia
Ramm T, Thorn KM, Hipsley CA, Müller J, Hocknull S, Melville J. 2022. Herpetofaunal diversity changes with climate: evidence from the Quaternary of McEachern’s Deathtrap Cave, southeastern Australia. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 41:5. DOI:10.1080/02724634.2021.2009844
Postnatal development in a marsupial model, The fat-tailed dunnart (Sminthopsis crassicaudata; Dasyuromorphia: Dasyuridae)
Cook LE, Newton AH, Hipsley CA, Pask AJ. 2021. Postnatal development in a marsupial model, The fat-tailed dunnart (Sminthopsis crassicaudata; Dasyuromorphia: Dasyuridae). Communications Biology 4:1028. DOI:10.1038/s42003-021-02506-2
A farewell to arms and legs: a review of limb reduction in squamates
Marco C, Alistair ER, Hipsley CA, Chapple DG. 2021. A farewell to arms and legs: a review of limb reduction in squamates. Biological Reviews 96:1035–1050. DOI:10.1111/brv.12690
Ontogenetic origins of cranial convergence between the extinct marsupial thylacine and placental grey wolf
Newton AH, Weisbecker V, Pask AJ, Hipsley CA. 2021. Ontogenetic origins of cranial convergence between the extinct marsupial thylacine and placental grey wolf. Communications Biology 4:51. DOI:10.1038/s42003-020-01569-x
First evidence of convergent lifestyle signal in reptile skull roof microanatomy
Ebel R, Müller J, Ramm T, Hipsley CA, Amson E. 2020. First evidence of convergent lifestyle signal in reptile skull roof microanatomy. BMC Biology 18:185. DOI:10.1186/s12915-020-00908-y
High-throughput microCT scanning of small specimens: preparation, packing, parameters and post-processing
Hipsley CA, Aguilar R, Black JR, Hocknull SA. 2020. High-throughput microCT scanning of small specimens: preparation, packing, parameters and post-processing. Scientific Reports 10:13863. DOI:10.1038/s41598-020-70970-7
An integrative approach using phylogenomics and high-resolution X-ray computed tomography (CT) for species delimitation in cryptic taxa
Chaplin K, Sumner J, Hipsley CA, Melville J. 2020. An integrative approach using phylogenomics and high-resolution X-ray computed tomography (CT) for species delimitation in cryptic taxa. Systematic Biology 69:294–307. DOI:10.1093/sysbio/syz048
Integrating phylogeography and high-resolution x-ray CT reveals five new cryptic species and multiple hybrid zones among Australian earless dragons
Melville J, Chaplin K, Hipsley CA, Sarre S, Sumner J, Hutchinson M. 2019. Integrating phylogeography and high-resolution x-ray CT reveals five new cryptic species and multiple hybrid zones among Australian earless dragons. Royal Society Open Science 6:191166. DOI:10.1098/rsos.191166
Psychology, not technology, is our biggest challenge to open digital morphology data
Hipsley CA, Sherratt E. 2019. Psychology, not technology, is our biggest challenge to open digital morphology data. Scientific Data 6:41. DOI:10.1038/s41597-019-0047-0
Comparative cranial osteology of Blanus species (Squamata, Amphisbaenia)
Villa A, Kirchner M, Alba DM, Bernardini F, Bolet A, Luján ÀH, Fortuny J, Hipsley CA, Müller J, Sindaco R, Tuniz C, Delfino M. 2019. Comparative cranial osteology of Blanus species (Squamata, Amphisbaenia). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 185:693-716. DOI:10.1093/zoolinnean/zly082
The Derwent River Seastar: re-evaluation of a critically endangered marine invertebrate
O’Hara TD, Mah CL, Hipsley CA, Bribiesca-Contreras G, Barrett NS. 2018. The Derwent River Seastar: re-evaluation of a critically endangered marine invertebrate. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, zly057. DOI:10.1093/zoolinnean/zly057
Conserved evolution of skull shape in Caribbean head-first burrowing worm lizards (Squamata: Amphisbaenia)
Kazi S, Hipsley CA. 2018. Conserved evolution of skull shape in Caribbean head-first burrowing worm lizards (Squamata: Amphisbaenia). Biological Journal of the Linnean Society 125:14-29. DOI:10.1093/biolinnean/bly086
Letting the “cat” out of the bag: pouch young development of the extinct Tasmanian tiger revealed by X-ray computed tomography
Newton AH, Frantisek S, Prochazka J, Black JR, Medlock K, Paddle RN, Hipsley CA, Pask AJ. 2018. Letting the “cat” out of the bag: pouch young development of the extinct Tasmanian tiger revealed by X-ray computed tomography. Royal Society Open Science 5:171914. DOI:10.1098/rsos.171914
Comparative skull osteology and preliminary systematic revision of the African lizard genus Heliobolus (Squamata: Lacertidae)
Dubke M, Hipsley CA, Müller J. 2018. Comparative skull osteology and preliminary systematic revision of the African lizard genus Heliobolus (Squamata: Lacertidae). African Journal of Herpetology 67:160-197. DOI:10.1080/21564574.2017.1422153
Genome of the Tasmanian Tiger provides insights into the evolution and demography of an extinct marsupial carnivore
Feigin CY, Newton AH, Doronina L, Schmitz J, Hipsley CA, Mitchell KJ, Gower G, Llamas B, Soubrier J, Heider TN, Menzies BR, Cooper A, O’Neill RJ, Pask AJ. 2018. Genome of the Tasmanian Tiger provides insights into the evolution and demography of an extinct marsupial carnivore. Nature Ecology & Evolution 2:182-192. DOI:10.1038/s41559-017-0417-y
Developmental dynamics of ecomorphological convergence in a transcontinental lizard radiation
Hipsley CA, Müller J. 2017. Developmental dynamics of ecomorphological convergence in a transcontinental lizard radiation. Evolution 71:936–948. https://doi.org/10.1111/evo.13186
*Featured in Amanda KP. 2017. Digest: Old world climates give rise to “young” lizard skulls. Evolution. DOI:10.1111/evo.13224.
Microcomputed tomography and shock microdeformation studies on shatter cones
Zaag PT, Reimold WU, Hipsley CA. 2016. Microcomputed tomography and shock microdeformation studies on shatter cones. Meteoritics and Planetary Science 51:1435-1459. DOI:10.1111/maps.12673
Ontogenetic allometry constrains cranial shape of the head-first burrowing worm lizard Cynisca leucura (Squamata: Amphisbaenidae)
Hipsley CA, Rentinck M-N, Rӧdel M-O, Müller J. 2016. Ontogenetic allometry constrains cranial shape of the head-first burrowing worm lizard Cynisca leucura (Squamata: Amphisbaenidae). Journal of Morphology 227:1159-1167. DOI:10.1002/jmor.20564
Skull osteology of the Eocene amphisbaenian Spathorhynchus fossorium (Reptilia, Squamata) suggests convergent evolution of fossorial cranial adaptations in worm lizards
Müller J, Hipsley CA, Maisano JA. 2016. Skull osteology of the Eocene amphisbaenian Spathorhynchus fossorium (Reptilia, Squamata) suggests convergent evolution of fossorial cranial adaptations in worm lizards. Journal of Anatomy 229:615-630. DOI:10.1111/joa.12513
Copulatory courtship by bushcricket genital titillators revealed by functional morphology, μCT scanning for 3D reconstruction and female sense structures
Wulff NC, Lehmann AW, Hipsley CA, Lehmann GUC. 2015. Copulatory courtship by bushcricket genital titillators revealed by functional morphology, μCT scanning for 3D reconstruction and female sense structures. Arthropod Structure and Development 44:388-397. DOI:10.1016/j.asd.2015.05.001
Distinct patterns of desynchronized limb regression in Malagasy scincine lizards (Squamata, Scincidae)
Miralles A, Hipsley CA, Erens J, Gehara M, Rakotoarison A, Glaw F, Müller J, Vences M. 2015. Distinct patterns of desynchronized limb regression in Malagasy scincine lizards (Squamata, Scincidae). PLoS ONE 10(6): e0126074. DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0126074
Prenatal cranial ossification of the humpback whale, Megaptera novaeangliae
Hampe O, Franke H, Hipsley CA, Kardjilov N, Müller J. 2015. Prenatal cranial ossification of the humpback whale, Megaptera novaeangliae. Journal of Morphology. 276:564-582. DOI:10.1002/jmor.20367
Morphological disparity opposes latitudinal diversity gradient in lacertid lizards
Hipsley CA, Miles DB, Müller J. 2014. Morphological disparity opposes latitudinal diversity gradient in lacertid lizards. Biology Letters 10:20140101. DOI:10.1098/rsbl.2014.0101
Beyond fossil calibrations: realities of molecular clock practices in evolutionary biology
Hipsley CA, Müller J. 2014. Beyond fossil calibrations: realities of molecular clock practices in evolutionary biology. Frontiers in Genetics 5:138. DOI:10.3389/fgene.2014.00138
Relict endemism of extant Rhineuridae (Amphisbaenia): testing for phylogenetic niche conservatism in the fossil record
Hipsley CA, Müller J. 2014. Relict endemism of extant Rhineuridae (Amphisbaenia): testing for phylogenetic niche conservatism in the fossil record. Anatomical Record 297:473-481. DOI:10.1002/ar.22853
Pedioplanis lineocellata lineocellata (Duméril & Bibron 1839) Spotted Sand Lizard
Kirchhof S, Hipsley CA, Corl A, Dell’Mour H, Müller J. 2014. Pedioplanis lineocellata lineocellata (Duméril & Bibron 1839) Spotted Sand Lizard. African Herp News 61:28-30.
Pedioplanis lineocellata lineocellata (Duméril & Bibron 1839) Spotted Sand Lizard
Kirchhof S, Hipsley CA, Corl A, Dell’Mour H, Müller J. 2014. Pedioplanis undata (A. Smith, 1838) Western Sand Lizard. African Herp News 61:30-33.
Frequency-Dependent and Correlational Selection Pressures Have Conflicting Consequences for Assortative Mating in a Color-Polymorphic Lizard, Uta stansburiana
Lancaster LT, McAdam, AG, Hipsley CA, Sinervo BR. 2014. Frequency-dependent and correlational selection pressures have conflicting consequences for assortative mating in a color-polymorphic lizard, Uta stansburiana. American Naturalist 184:188-197. DOI:10.1086/676645
Molecular, morphological and osteological differentiation of a new species of miniaturized microhylid frog of the genus Stumpffia from northwestern Madagascar
Klages J, Glaw F, Köhler J, Müller J, Hipsley CA, Vences M. 2013. Molecular, morphological and osteological differentiation of a new species of miniaturized microhylid frog of the genus Stumpffia from northwestern Madagascar. Zootaxa 3717:280-300. DOI:10.11646/zootaxa.3717.2.8
Integration of molecules and new fossils supports a Triassic origin for Lepidosauria (lizards, snakes, and tuatara)
Jones MEH, Anderson CL, Hipsley CA, Müller J, Evans SE, Schoch RR. 2013. Integration of molecules and new fossils supports a Triassic origin for Lepidosauria (lizards, snakes, and tuatara). BMC Evolutionary Biology 13:208. DOI:10.1186/1471-2148-13-208
Variations on a bauplan: description of a new Malagasy “mermaid skink” with flipper-like forelimbs only (Scincidae, Sirenoscincus Sakata & Hikida, 2003)
Miralles A, Anjeriniaina M, Hipsley CA, Müller J, Glaw F, Vences M. 2012. Variations on a bauplan: description of a new Malagasy “mermaid skink” with flipper-like forelimbs only (Scincidae: Sirenoscincus). Zoosystema 34:701-719. DOI:10.5252/z2012n4a3
Braincase redescription of Dysalotosaurus lettowvorbecki (Dinosauria, Ornithopoda) based on computed tomography
Sobral S, Hipsley CA, Müller J. 2012. Braincase redescription of Dysalotosaurus lettowvorbecki (Dinosauria, Ornithopoda) based on computed tomography. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 32:1090–1102. DOI:10.1080/02724634.2012.693554
* Taylor & Francis Award for Best Student Article in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology (1st place)
Best practices for justifying fossil calibrations
Parham JF, Donoghue PCJ, Bell CJ, Calway TD, Head JJ, Holroyd PA, Inoue JG, Irmis RB, Joyce WG, Ksepka DT, Patané JSL, Smith ND, Tarver JE, van Tuinen M, Yang Z, Angielczyk KD, Greenwood J, Hipsley CA, Jacobs L, Makovicky PJ, Müller J, Smith KT, Theodor JM, Warnock RC, Benton MJ. 2012. Best practices for justifying fossil calibrations. Systematic Biology 61:346–359. DOI:10.1093/sysbio/syr107
Eocene lizard from Germany reveals amphisbaenian origins
Müller J, Hipsley CA, Head JJ, Kardjilov N, Hilger A, Wuttke M, Reisz RR. 2011. Eocene lizard from Germany reveals amphisbaenian origins. Nature 473:364–367. DOI:10.1038/nature09919
Bilateral Song Convergence in a Passerine Hybrid Zone: Genetics Contribute in One Species Only
Secondi J, Bordas P, Hipsley CA, Bensch S. 2011. Bilateral song convergence in a passerine hybrid zone: genetics contribute in one species only. Evolutionary Biology 38:441-452. DOI:10.1007/s11692-011-9133-8
Integration of Bayesian molecular clock methods and fossil-based soft bounds reveals early Cenozoic origin of African lacertid lizards
Hipsley CA, Himmelman L, Metzler D, Müller J. 2009. Integration of Bayesian molecular clock methods and fossil-based soft bounds reveals early Cenozoic origin of African lacertid lizards. BMC Evolutionary Biology 9:151. DOI:10.1186/1471-2148-9-151
Female choice for optimal combinations of multiple male display traits improves offspring survival
Lancaster LT, Hipsley CA, Sinervo BR. 2009. Female choice for optimal combinations of multiple male display traits improves offspring survival. Behavioral Ecology 20:993-999. DOI:10.1093/beheco/arp088