Research interests
Tropical Montane Forests: The Ecology and Conservation of Cryptic Anurans
Whilst working as an Ecologist in Southeast Asia, Connor conducted herpetological surveys in forest patches earmarked for development. During this time, he became interested in the efficiency of survey methods used to detect and monitor anurans (frogs), which are often cryptic in behaviour. The inability to detect cryptic species can lead to an undervaluing of tropical forests and impact conservation decisions. His PhD therefore aims to develop methods for assessing the status of cryptic tropical montane anurans and the drivers of their decline, leading to a framework for monitoring these indicator species.
Malaysian Montane Forests
Connor’s PhD research is based in the montane forests of Peninsular Malaysia. Tropical montane forests provide important refuges for threatened and endemic species, though are greatly affected by both anthropogenic development and climate change. Southeast Asia’s montane forests are being destroyed at a faster rate than its lowland forests. Despite this, research on montane forests in the past two decades has contributed to just 5% of terrestrial biodiversity papers in Southeast Asia, compared with 74% for lowland forests.
British Dung Beetles
Outside of his PhD, Connor is interested in the ecology of British Dung Beetles. He is building a reference collection of British species using identification skills developed from time spent at Oxford University Museum of Natural History (OUMNH).
Supervisors: Professor Patrick Doncaster, Dr Kelvin Peh, Dr Mark Chapman, Dr Orly Razgour
PhD Research: Factors affecting the distribution of cryptic anurans in Malaysian montane forests
Funding: SPITFIRE DTP. CASE Partner: Enviro Pro Green Innovations Pte Ltd, Singapore.
Research group
Ecology and Evolution
Mr Connor ButlerSchool of Biological Sciences
Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences
Life Sciences Building 85
University of Southampton
Highfield Campus
Southampton
SO17 1BJ
Room Number: 85/6041
