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Ryan Dallas is a Wiradjuri man and PhD student researching the possible evolution of foxes throughout Australia鈥檚 different climates since their introduction to the country in the 1800s. Ryan鈥檚 work aims to discover if evolution has occurred on any level, which could account for the invasive species鈥� success in becoming such a widespread threat to local ecosystems.

鈥淏asically, I鈥檓 going to be looking at a lot of fox skulls to determine any differences between them. I鈥檒l compare the skulls from different regions in Australia as well as historical samples to see if there鈥檚 any small-time evolution or changes over the couple hundred years they鈥檝e been in this country,鈥� Ryan said.

鈥淚鈥檓 going to be 3D scanning a lot of the skulls, and once they鈥檙e scanned then little markers will be put on the skulls and morphometrics will be done. Once you鈥檝e done enough samples you can compare these metrics across skulls and that鈥檒l tell you if there鈥檚 a difference in shape or size of the varying features.鈥�

For Ryan, the decision to pursue foxes as a subject of study comes from a desire to protect Australia鈥檚 native species to whom the red fox has become a predator.

鈥淥ne of the biggest threatening processes towards native species in Australia is the introduction of the red fox. I want to try to figure out why the animal鈥檚 so successful in so many different climates and hopefully find a way, or contribute to finding ways, to control and curb fox populations and conserve a lot of the native species.鈥�

Ryan鈥檚 PhD will follow on from his previous work undertaken during his Master of Research, where he tracked the activity patterns of foxes for a year, comparing them to the patterns of their prey species throughout all seasons.

鈥淚 had 15 camera traps spread out from the escarpment in Berry down to Seven Mile Beach. I鈥檇 have the camera facing what you鈥檇 call a bait tube 鈥� just a tube with some stinky old chicken in it 鈥� and every few weeks I鈥檇 go out on my trail bike, ride through the bush, replenish the baits, and change the memory sticks out of the cameras. I did that for an entire year and got some really fun results. It was a really cool experience.鈥�

鈥淚t鈥檚 one of the reasons I chose this degree. There鈥檚 a lot of getting out of the office and seeing the land. Even just for that master鈥檚 I got to see a lot of landscapes, even just in the Illawarra.鈥�

Self-direction and breaking away from the traditional classroom experience is an approach to learning that鈥檚 informed the path of a lot of Ryan鈥檚 tertiary education, leading him to a PhD where he hopes to continue working outdoors.

鈥淲hen I did the master鈥檚 I enjoyed the more research style of learning compared to classes, exams, classes, assignments, classes, exams. The research component behind it gives you your own direction, and your own way to build your work up.

鈥淭he plan may change, but I鈥檇 like to get samples from all the different climate types in the country. So coastal regions like the Illawarra and South Coast area, more arid regions, so I鈥檒l go out west. Then also up into the tropics as well and maybe further south to colder regions. Get that broad spread of climates to hopefully see different results.鈥�

Ryan鈥檚 also a recipient of the Top Up scholarship for students completing their PhD, some assistance that Ryan is relieved will alleviate some of the financial concerns of pursuing postgraduate education.

鈥淚t helps take the edge off. That little bit of extra money takes the stress away so I can spend more time focused on the study and the research instead of wondering where I鈥檓 going to get money from.鈥�

He also credits the strong support of his supervisors and for allowing him to get into postgraduate study from his undergraduate degree.

鈥淸Dr Katarina Mikac] took me on when I started the Bachelor of Research, basically took a chance on me, and she鈥檚 been an absolutely supportive and fantastic mentor. We鈥檝e meshed really well with our interests in ecology.

鈥淲hen it came to doing the PhD I met Sibylle through Katarina. She鈥檚 big into the genetic side of stuff, so she鈥檚 going to be a good mentor towards the more genetic side of my research.鈥�