D e p a r t m e n t   o f

Zoology

Name

Dr. Anuradhi Jayaweera

Senior Lecturer

Ph. D. (Macquarie, Australia), B.Sc. (Perad.)

Academic Staff Home  

About Me

I have broad research interests on animal behaviour, evolutionary ecology and insect-plant interactions. Particularly I am interested in evolution of animal mating strategies in terrestrial arthropods. I completed my Ph.D. degree at Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia in 2018. My postgraduate research focused on evolution of male mating strategies in response to sexual selection and sexual cannibalism in a praying mantid mating system. I completed my B.Sc. (Zoology special) degree in the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka with a first class honours in 2010 and worked as a temporary academic staff member of the department from 2010 to 2013.

Positions Held

Casual Academic Staff (Tutor), Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University Sydney, Australia - (2013 - 2017)

Temporary Academic Staff (Demonstrator), Department of Zoology, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka - (2010 - 2013)

Ongoing Research and Projects

Genital interactions and effect of male genitalia morphology on sperm transfer in a praying mantid

The main aim of the project is to determine the male-female genital interactions using micro tomography (Micro CT) and thereby to identify major genital plates of males and females that are in contact during copulation.  Secondly, I explore whether there is a relationship between male genitalia morphology (i.e. size and shape) and sperm transfer in false garden mantid mating system.

Intra-species variation in reproductive strategies and survival under thermal stress in brinjal shoot and pod borer (Leucinodes orbonalis: Lepidoptera): A prediction of pest performance in changing climate

Insects are key pests in global agriculture. Bio-rational management of insect pests is crucial to minimize the negative impacts associated with pest control. Proper understanding of insect life history and their relationships with environmental changes are key aspects in developing eco-friendly pest management strategies. This study aims to find out the effect of increasing temperature on reproductive strategies and survival of brinjal shoot and fruit borer (Leucinodes orbonalis) and to predict the areas with high risk of outbreaks by comparing the intra-species variation/s in temperature tolerance.

Memberships & Awards

Membership-Award

2016: Best oral presentation for lab based research, Annual Higher Degree Research Conference, Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, NSW, Australia

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2016: Postgraduate Research Fund, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia

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2016: Travel award, International Society for Behavioural Ecology (ISBE) 2016

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2015: Runner-up, Barbara Rice Award for Field-based Research, Annual Higher Degree Research Conference, Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, NSW, Australia

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2015: Joyce Vickery Award, Linnean Society of New South Wales, Australia

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2014: Joyce Vickery Award, Linnean Society of New South Wales, Australia

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2013/2017: International Macquarie University Research Excellence Scholarship

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2009/2010: Professor F. P. Amerasinghe Gold Medal for Excellence in Zoology, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka

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2009/2010: University prize for Academic Excellence, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka

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2007: Sri Lanka Universities’ Sports Association (SLUSA) colours for Chess

Membership-Award

2007, 2008 and 2010: University of Peradeniya colours for Chess

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2014-2016: Member, Royal Zoological Society, New South Wales, Australia

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2014-2016: Member, Australian Society for Study of Animal Behaviour (ASSAB), Australia

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2013-2016: Member, American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), Washington, USA

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2009: Captain, Womens’ Chess Team, University of Peradeniya

Teaching

ZL206 : (Invertebrate Diversity)

ZL218 : (Histological and Museum Techniques)

ZL322 : (Insect Pest Management)

ZL428 : (Independent Study & Seminar)