Marcus Byrne
Marcus Byrne | |
|---|---|
| Alma mater | University of the Witwatersrand University of London |
| Known for | Dung beetle research winning Ig Nobel Prize |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Entomology Zoology |
| Institutions | University of the Witwatersrand |
Professor Marcus Byrne won the 2013 Ig Nobel Prize for Biology/Astronomy along with: Marie Dacke, Emily Baird, Clarke Scholtz, and Eric Warrant, for discovering that when dung beetles get lost, they can navigate their way home by looking at the Milky Way.[1] This research has practical applications, for example helping how to develop complex visual systems.[2][3]
Byrne is a professor of zoology and entomology at Wits University in Johannesburg, South Africa.[4]
Byrne is the author of Dance of the Dung Beetles.[5]
References
[edit]- ^ Dacke, M.; Baird, E.; Byrne, M.; Scholtz, C. H.; Warrant, E. J. (2013). "Dung Beetles Use the Milky Way for Orientation". Current Biology. 23 (4): 298–300. doi:10.1016/j.cub.2012.12.034. PMID 23352694.
- ^ Wits. "Marcus Byrne", University of Witwatersrand Johannesburg, Johannesburg, unknown date. Retrieved on 6 October 2014.
- ^ Wits. "Marcus Byrne - entomologist", TED, USA, unknown date. Retrieved on 6 October 2014.
- ^ "Explorer Home". explorers.nationalgeographic.org. Retrieved 13 June 2025.
- ^ "Marcus Byrne". NYU Press. Retrieved 13 June 2025.
External links
[edit]- Staff page at Wits University
- Personal page at the National Research Foundation (South Africa)
- The Dance of the Dung Beetle, a TED talk by Marcus Byrne
- The Dance of the Dung Beetles https://archivewitspress.co.za/catalogue/dance-of-the-dung-beetles/