YACK LAB
Welcome
We study animal sensory systems and communication, with a focus on insect bioacoustics. Our research addresses three main questions: 1) How do insects sense, and generate sounds and vibrations? 2) What are the functions of acoustic communication? 3) How do ears and communication signals evolve?
In our neuroethology lab we use a variety of methods and techniques such as sound recording and analysis, laser vibrometry, neurophysiology, high-speed video, phylogenetics, microscopy, and behavioural genetics to form an integrated view of animal behaviour and communication. We work primarily with the insect orders Lepidoptera (moths, butterflies, caterpillars) and Coleoptera (mostly bark beetles), but have ongoing projects with earthworms, birds, and bats as well.
Professor Jayne E. Yack
Department of Biology
Nesbitt Biology Building, Room 250
Carleton University
1125 Colonel By Drive
Ottawa, Ontario, CANADA
K1S 5B6
Office: 613 520-2600 ext.3887
Lab: 613 520-2600 ext.1513 or 1912
Fax: 613 520-3539
email: jayneyack@cunet.carleton.ca
Lab news
September 9, 2017
Congratulations
Congrats to Andras Dobai for successfully defending his M.Sc. thesis on acoustic communication in bark beetles!
May 1, 2017
New publication
Our former PhD student, Amanda Dookie published her research on caterpillar defense sounds in Behavioural Processes' May 2017 issue. The paper is titled "Why do caterpillars whistle at birds? Insect defence sounds startle avian predators". Congratulations Amanda!
April 26, 2017
Our lab in the Media
Amanda Dookie's research on caterpillar defense sounds appeared on National Geographic News!
Click here to read it!
April 1, 2017
Congratulations
Congratulations to Melanie Scallion for her successful PhD placement exam!
March 1, 2017
New publication
Congratulations to Chanchal Yadav for publishing her work on caterpillar vibratory communication in the March 2017 issue of Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology! The paper is titled "Invitation by vibration: Vibration-mediated recruitment to social groups in caterpillars"
Insect Sensory Systems
Butterfly Hearing
Research Interests
Bark Beetle Acoustics
Caterpillar Acoustics
