ORCID Profile
0000-0003-2099-0462
Current Organisation
Deakin University
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Population, Ecological and Evolutionary Genetics | Invasive Species Ecology | Genetics
Control of Pests, Diseases and Exotic Species in Marine Environments | Aquaculture Molluscs (excl. Oysters) | Marine Flora, Fauna and Biodiversity |
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 07-2022
DOI: 10.1007/S00265-022-03194-6
Abstract: In general, males mate with multiple females to increase in idual reproductive success. Whether or not, and under what circumstances, females benefit from multiple mating has been less clear. Our review of 154 studies covering 184 populations of hibians and reptiles showed that polyandry was widespread and variable among and within taxonomic groups. We investigated whether hibian and reptile females had greater reproductive output as the number of sires for offspring increased. Meta-analysis revealed significant heterogeneity in the dataset of all taxa. Expected heterozygosity was a significant moderator (covariate) of positive relationships between female reproductive output and the number of sires, but a sensitivity test showed the result was tenuous. Significant heterogeneity remained despite controlling for expected heterozygosity and other variables but was resolved for most taxonomic groups with subgroup meta-analyses. Subgroup meta-analyses showed that only female salamanders (Caudata) had significantly greater reproductive output with an increased number of sires. For many species of Caudata, males cannot coerce females into accepting spermatophores. We therefore suggest that if females control the number of matings, they can use polyandry to increase their fitness. Caudata offers ideal models with which to test this hypothesis and to explore factors enabling and maintaining the evolution of female choice. Outstanding problems may be addressed by expanding taxonomic coverage and data collection and improving data reporting. Many factors and combinations of factors drive polyandry. Whether or not females benefit from mating with more than one male remains equivocal. Focusing on hibians and reptiles, our analyses demonstrate that female salamanders produced more offspring when mated with multiple males, whereas this was not the case for reptiles. Unlike many other species in our dataset, the polyandrous female salamanders fully control sperm intake and have chosen to mate multiple times. We further highlight problems and key directions for future research in the field.
Publisher: Inter-Research Science Center
Date: 12-03-2020
DOI: 10.3354/AME01926
Abstract: The health of seagrass plants, and thereby the ecosystems they form, is linked to their associated microbial communities. However, the role of the microbiome in holobiont function and health remains poorly understood for most seagrass species and environmental pressures, and there is, therefore, a need to better understand the drivers behind the formation of and external influences on the seagrass microbiome. Using a core microbiome framework, we characterised the leaf microbiomes of 6 estuarine seagrass populations after a precipitation event to explore how the microbiomes vary across different sites and salinities over a regional spatial scale. We found that each estuary had distinct core bacterial community structures (beta- ersity), but shared a more similar fungal core community structure. We hypothesise that the differences in the bacterial members of the microbiomes among estuaries are generally the result of each estuary being influenced by unique watersheds and sources of prokaryotes. In contrast, the similarity in the core fungal communities suggests that the eukaryotic components of the microbiomes are likely under selection or result from similar colonisation pathway(s). We also found that the bacterial taxa driving the differences among estuaries were linked to the salinity of the estuary, likely due to (1) the general epibiotic nature of colonisation (i.e. watershed source and exposure) and (2) members or functional groups within the leaf microbiome assisting seagrasses in coping with the extreme salinities. These results are valuable for linking microbiomes to the resilience of seagrasses living within dynamic estuaries experiencing a range of physicochemical pressures.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 26-03-2021
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 02-03-2016
DOI: 10.1007/S00442-016-3590-9
Abstract: The capacity of non-native species to undergo rapid adaptive change provides opportunities to research contemporary evolution through natural experiments. This capacity is particularly true when considering ecogeographical rules, to which non-native species have been shown to conform within relatively short periods of time. Ecogeographical rules explain predictable spatial patterns of morphology, physiology, life history and behaviour. We tested whether Australian populations of non-native starling, Sturnus vulgaris, introduced to the country approximately 150 years ago, exhibited predicted environmental clines in body size, appendage size and heart size (Bergmann's, Allen's and Hesse's rules, respectively). Adult starlings (n = 411) were collected from 28 localities from across eastern Australia from 2011 to 2012. Linear models were constructed to examine the relationships between morphology and local environment. Patterns of variation in body mass and bill surface area were consistent with Bergmann's and Allen's rules, respectively (small body size and larger bill size in warmer climates), with maximum summer temperature being a strongly weighted predictor of both variables. In the only intraspecific test of Hesse's rule in birds to date, we found no evidence to support the idea that relative heart size will be larger in in iduals which live in colder climates. Our study does provide evidence that maximum temperature is a strong driver of morphological adaptation for starlings in Australia. The changes in morphology presented here demonstrate the potential for avian species to make rapid adaptive changes in relation to a changing climate to ameliorate the effects of heat stress.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 25-09-2020
DOI: 10.1111/REC.13269
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
Date: 29-06-2018
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 11-10-2023
DOI: 10.1111/REC.13787
Abstract: Seagrass restoration requires information on a range of factors including site environmental conditions, appropriate planting techniques, and the identification of sites most likely to support seagrass. To address the question of where to focus restoration efforts, a key first step is to identify trends in the spatio‐temporal distribution of seagrasses to identify areas of persistence, loss, and recent gains. Areas of recent recovery (and adjacent areas), can then be targeted by practitioners for assisted recovery and restoration, whilst areas of persistent loss can be avoided. Here we identified the contemporary distribution, density, and species composition of seagrass ecosystems (using Sentinel 2 imagery and supervised object‐based imagery analysis) and integrated these data with historic extents to identify spatio‐temporal trends in seagrass distribution in Western Port, Victoria, Australia. Contemporary classifications demonstrated acceptable accuracies (Overall Accuracy 0.77–0.85, User Accuracy 0.76–0.97) and predicted a contemporary seagrass extent of 222 km 2 with 48 km 2 of low‐density recovery predicted to have occurred since 1999. Comparisons with historical seagrass extents indicated some seagrass recovery since large‐scale losses in 1983, although some areas of loss were also present. Recovery included a net gain of approximately 95 km 2 in the past 20 years and an eastward range expansion suggesting environmental conditions have improved and are now conducive for restoration efforts in some areas. Results demonstrate that accurate, low‐cost, remote sensing of seagrass ecosystems is possible and show how understanding spatio‐temporal trends can guide the spatial allocation of resources by prioritizing areas for restoration where recovery is beginning to occur.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 02-11-2014
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 03-10-2021
DOI: 10.1111/GCB.15889
Abstract: Worldwide, rising ocean temperatures are causing declines and range shifts in marine species. The direct effects of climate change on the biology of marine organisms are often well documented yet, knowledge on the indirect effects, particularly through trophic interactions, is largely lacking. We provide evidence of ocean warming decoupling critical trophic interactions supporting a commercially important mollusc in a climate change hotspot. Dietary assessments of the Australian blacklip abalone ( Haliotis rubra ) indicate primary dependency on a widespread macroalgal species ( Phyllospora comosa ) which we show to be in state of decline due to ocean warming, resulting in abalone biomass reductions. Niche models suggest further declines in P . comosa over the coming decades and ongoing risks to H . rubra . This study highlights the importance of studies from climate change hotspots and understanding the interplay between climate and trophic interactions when determining the likely response of marine species to environmental changes.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 11-2010
Publisher: CSIRO Publishing
Date: 2019
DOI: 10.1071/WR18030
Abstract: Abstract ContextMonitoring survival of free-living precocial avian young is critical for population management, but difficult to achieve. Perhaps the most promising technique available to track survival is the deployment of devices such as radio-transmitters or data loggers, which allow for tracking of the in iduals. AimsTo understand if the deployment of radio-transmitters or the process of radio-tracking negatively impact chick survival by analysing survival of tagged chicks. MethodsFifty masked lapwing (Vanellus miles), 42 red-capped plover (Charadrius ruficapillus) and 27 hooded plover (Thinornis cucullatus) chicks were radio-tracked. Mortality between tagged and untagged chicks within broods was compared to examine whether radio-telemetry influenced chick survival. Key resultsThere was no statistically significant difference in survival between chicks with and without radio-transmitters. Radio-transmitters enabled the determination of cause of death for 0–28% of radio-tagged chicks. ConclusionThe survival of shorebird chicks does not appear to be affected by attachment of transmitters. ImplicationsRadio-tracking remains a promising way of studying the movement and survival of shorebird chicks, and is helpful but not reliable for assigning the cause of mortality.
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 18-04-2021
DOI: 10.3390/W13081113
Abstract: The field of eDNA is growing exponentially in response to the need for detecting rare and invasive species for management and conservation decisions. Developing technologies and standard protocols within the biosecurity sector must address myriad challenges associated with marine environments, including salinity, temperature, advective and deposition processes, hydrochemistry and pH, and contaminating agents. These approaches must also provide a robust framework that meets the need for biosecurity management decisions regarding threats to human health, environmental resources, and economic interests, especially in areas with limited clean-laboratory resources and experienced personnel. This contribution aims to facilitate dialogue and innovation within this sector by reviewing current approaches for s le collection, post-s ling capture and concentration of eDNA, preservation, and extraction, all through a biosecurity monitoring lens.
Publisher: Wilson Ornithological Society
Date: 12-2015
DOI: 10.1676/14-189
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 09-11-2012
DOI: 10.1111/FWB.12041
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 08-11-2006
Publisher: The Royal Society
Date: 29-01-2008
Abstract: Recent work has confirmed that genetic compatibility among mates can be an important determinant of siring success in sperm competition experiments and in free-ranging populations. Most of this work points towards mate choice of less related mates. However, there may also be the potential for mate choice for intermediate or even genetically similar mates to prevent outbreeding depression or hybridization with closely related taxa. We studied relatedness effects on post-copulatory gametic choice and/or sperm competition in an external fertilizer, Peron's tree frog ( Litoria peronii ), since external fertilizers offer exceptional control in order to test gametic interaction effects on probability of paternity and zygote viability. Sperm competition experiments were done blindly with respect to genetic relatedness among males and females. Thereafter, paternity of offspring was assigned using eight microsatellite loci. Three hybridization trials between L. peronii and a closely related sympatric species Litoria tyleri were also carried out. In the sperm competition trials, males that are more genetically similar to the female achieved higher siring success compared with less genetically similar males. The hybridization trials confirmed that the two species can interbreed and we suggest that the risk of hybridization may contribute to selection benefits for genetically more similar males at fertilization. To our knowledge, this study is the first to show evidence for post-copulatory selection of sperm from genetically more similar in iduals within a natural population.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 03-02-2013
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 07-09-2016
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 09-06-2021
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 02-09-2010
DOI: 10.1038/HDY.2009.118
Abstract: Hybridization between closely related species often leads to reduced viability or fertility of offspring. Complete failure of hybrid offspring (post-zygotic hybrid incompatibilities) may have an important role in maintaining the integrity of reproductive barriers between closely related species. We show elsewhere that in Peron's tree frog, Litoria peronii, males more closely related to a female sire more offspring in sperm competition with a less related rival male. Observations of rare 'phenotypic intermediate' males between L. peronii and the closely related L. tyleri made us suggest that these relatedness effects on siring success may be because of selection arising from risks of costly hybridization between the two species. Here, we test this hypothesis in an extensive sperm competition experiment, which shows that there is no effect of species identity on probability of fertilization in sperm competition trials controlling for sperm concentration and sperm viability. Instead, there was a close agreement between a male's siring success in isolation with a female and his siring success with the same female in competition with a rival male regardless of species identity. Offspring viability and survival, however, were strongly influenced by species identity. Over a 14-day period, hybrid offspring suffered increasing mortality and developed more malformations and an obvious inability to swim and right themselves, leading to compromised probability of survival. Thus, hybridization in these sympatric tree frogs does not compromise fertilization but has a strong impact on offspring viability and opportunity for reinforcement selection on mate choice for conspecific partners.
Publisher: The Royal Society
Date: 25-02-2009
Abstract: In a recent paper, we demonstrated that male–female genetic relatedness determines male probability of paternity in experimental sperm competition in the Peron's tree frog ( Litoria peronii ), with a more closely related male outcompeting his rival. Here, we test the hypothesis that a male–male difference in siring success with one female significantly predicts the corresponding difference in siring success with another female. With male sperm concentration held constant, and the proportion of viable sperm controlled statistically, the male–male difference in siring success with one female strongly predicted the corresponding difference in siring success with another female, and alone explained more than 62 per cent of the variance in male–male siring differences. This study demonstrates that male siring success is primarily dictated by among-male differences in innate siring success with less influence of male–female relatedness.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 08-04-2022
DOI: 10.1007/S10750-022-04873-1
Abstract: Seed size can have an impact on angiosperm reproductive fitness. Ecological theory predicts plants that will produce larger seeds in stressful environments to increase the chances of seedling survival and numerous small seeds in favourable conditions to increase the number of recruits. We measured seed morphology of the seagrass Heterozostera nigricaulis from four populations under differing environmental conditions in South East Australia. Seed size and mass among sites showed consistent differences over four flowering seasons. Seeds from exposed, ephemeral meadows (Blairgowrie, Edwards Point) were 19%–53% heavier than those from larger, stable meadows at more sheltered sites (Swan Bay, Point Henry). Overall, heavier seeds from exposed sites performed better in germination experiments and persisted (remained viable) longer compared to small seeds from sheltered sites. Seeds from sheltered sites showed contrasting levels of seed performance. Small seeds from Swan Bay had the lowest germination but the proportion of viable seeds after 12 months were much higher (41%) than similar sized seeds from Point Henry (0%). There are clear life history benefits of large seeds that facilitate seed persistence and germination at exposed sites however, the performance of smaller seeds varied between sites and may be a function of other site-specific advantages.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 2021
DOI: 10.1111/EMR.12452
Abstract: Three case studies involving two temperate Australian seagrass species – Pondweed ( Ruppia tuberosa ) and Ribbon Weed ( Posidonia australis ) – highlight different approaches to their restoration. Seeds and rhizomes were used in three collaborative programmes to promote new approaches to scale up restoration outcomes.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 02-08-2023
DOI: 10.1002/EDN3.454
Abstract: The white shark ( Carcharodon carcharias ) is one of the world's largest apex predators found throughout the world's temperate and subtropical marine environments. However, the species has suffered significant declines in recent decades and effective conservation programs require a sound knowledge of white shark biology and ecology. In particular, information on white shark diet across life stages and the species' range is needed to identify critical trophic interactions supporting shark populations and to predict the resilience of white sharks to environmental changes. In this study, we reassess the diet and trophic ecology of white sharks via the genetic analyses of cloacal swabs from 214 juvenile and subadult sharks from eastern Australia. Our findings are largely consistent with those of previous studies based on visual analyses of gut contents but highlight the unprecedented taxonomic resolution of prey items offered by genomic assessments of shark cloacal swabs. Diets consisted primarily of ray‐finned fishes, with Mugiliformes, Carangiformes, Perciformes, and Scombriformes being dominant prey taxa, but with elasmobranchs, marine mammals, and birds also being common dietary constituents. Statistical analyses revealed a significant effect of sex and s ling location on diet composition, indicating biological and spatial variability in diets and predatory behavior. Overall, these findings support the notion that juvenile and subadult white sharks are opportunistic predators, which may provide some level of resilience to shifts in marine resources. However, frequently consumed ray‐finned fishes, many of which are commercially targeted, may be key to supporting white shark populations in eastern Australia. This study represents the most comprehensive analysis of juvenile and subadult white shark diets performed to date and provides added confidence in the genomic analysis of cloacal swabs for dietary assessments of predatory species. These results are expected to help inform management geared toward conserving this important marine predator across the world's oceans.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 30-10-2023
DOI: 10.1002/AQC.4033
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 06-2008
DOI: 10.1111/J.1558-5646.2008.00375.X
Abstract: Local adaptation in response to fine-scale spatial heterogeneity is well documented in terrestrial ecosystems. In contrast, in marine environments local adaptation has rarely been documented or rigorously explored. This may reflect real or anticipated effects of genetic homogenization, resulting from widespread dispersal in the sea. However, evolutionary theory predicts that for the many benthic species with complex life histories that include both sexual and asexual phases, each parental habitat patch should become dominated by the fittest and most competitive clones. In this study we used genotypic mapping to show that within headlands, clones of the sea anemone Actinia tenebrosa show restricted distributions to specific habitats despite the potential for more widespread dispersal. On these same shores we used reciprocal transplant experiments that revealed strikingly better performance of clones within their natal rather than foreign habitats as judged by survivorship, asexual fecundity, and growth. These findings highlight the importance of selection for fine-scale environmental adaptation in marine taxa and imply that the genotypic structure of populations reflects extensive periods of interclonal competition and site-specific selection.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 22-11-2021
DOI: 10.1111/FWB.13844
Abstract: Dispersal is a critically important process that dictates population persistence, gene flow, and evolutionary potential, and is an essential element for identifying species conservation risks. This study aims to investigate the contributions of dispersal syndromes and hydrographic barriers on patterns of population connectivity and genetic structure in fishes occupying the particularly rugged and fragmented landscape of the Kimberley Plateau, Western Australia. We assessed population genetic structure between three neighbouring catchments (the Mitchell, King Edward, and Drysdale rivers) in three congeneric groups of freshwater fishes that exhibit varied dispersal syndromes within and among groups: (1) Melanotaenia australis and M. gracilis (2) Syncomistes trigonicus and S. rastellus and (3) Hephaestus jenkinsi and H. epirrhinos . Within each species we s led the upper, middle, and lower reaches of each catchment and assessed patterns of gene flow between and within catchments using microsatellite markers. Our results suggest that contemporary connectivity between catchments is greatly limited or absent in all study species, regardless of their dispersal syndromes. However, gene flow within catchments varied in line with predicted dispersal potential, with poor dispersers exhibiting limited gene flow and significant genetic structuring. We conclude that the rugged landscape and historical habitat isolation has contributed to patterns of population fragmentation among fish populations from different river catchments. However, it appears dispersal syndromes influence connectivity and gene flow within catchments, where landscape constraints are not as pervasive. This study presents a comparative population genetic analysis of freshwater fishes with differing dispersal syndromes and colonisation ability. Our findings provide new insights into factors shaping patterns of bio ersity on the Kimberley Plateau, and the evolutionary uniqueness of fish communities from different river catchments draining the plateau. More broadly, they highlight the importance of accounting for dispersal‐related traits when planning management and conservation strategies.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 21-03-2016
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 25-03-2020
Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Date: 03-11-2015
Publisher: S. Karger AG
Date: 2018
DOI: 10.1159/000491672
Abstract: Cognitive traits are predicted to be under intense selection in animals moving into new environments and may determine the success, or otherwise, of dispersal and invasions. In particular, spatial information related to resource distribution is an important determinant of neural development. Spatial information is predicted to vary for invasive species encountering novel environments. However, few studies have tested how cognition or neural development varies intraspecifically within an invasive species. In Australia, the non-native common starling i Sturnus vulgaris /i inhabits a range of habitats that vary in seasonal resource availability and distribution. We aimed to identify variations in the brain mass and hippoc us volume of starlings in Australia related to environmental variation across two substantially different habitat types. Specifically, we predicted variation in brain mass and hippoc al volume in relation to environmental conditions, latitude, and climatic variables. To test this, brain mass and volumes of the hippoc us and two control brain regions (telencephalon and tractus septomesencephalicus) were quantified from starling brains gathered from across the species’ range in south eastern Australia. When comparing across an environmental gradient, there was a significant interaction between sex and environment for overall brain mass, with greater sexual dimorphism in brain mass in inland populations compared to those at the coast. There was no significant difference in hippoc al volume in relation to environmental measures (hippoc us volume, i n /i = 17) for either sex. While these data provide no evidence for intraspecific environmental drivers for changes in hippoc us volume in European starlings in Australia, they do suggest that environmental factors contribute to sex differences in brain mass. This study identifies associations between the brain volume of a non-native species and the environment further work in this area is required to elucidate the mechanisms driving this relationship.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 29-05-2015
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 10-04-2008
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 05-2014
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 10-2022
DOI: 10.1016/J.TIBTECH.2022.06.014
Abstract: Differential sperm chemotaxis describes differences among male-female pairings in chemotactic responses of sperm to egg (or female)-derived chemical attractants. Microfluidic devices provide powerful platforms in which to study this complex gamete interaction. Here, we describe key challenges and potential solutions in applying this state-of-the-art technique to differential sperm chemotaxis.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 17-09-2015
DOI: 10.1002/ECE3.1684
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 24-09-2008
Publisher: PeerJ
Date: 29-03-2018
DOI: 10.7717/PEERJ.4573
Abstract: Empirical genetic datasets used for estimating contemporary dispersal in wild populations and to correctly identify dispersers are rarely tested to determine if they are capable of providing accurate results. Here we test whether a genetic dataset provides sufficient information to accurately identify first-generation dispersers. Using microsatellite data from three wild populations of common starlings ( Sturnus vulgaris ), we artificially simulated dispersal of a subset of in iduals we term this ‘Simulated Disperser Analysis’. We then ran analyses for diminishing numbers of loci, to assess at which point simulated dispersers could no longer be correctly identified. Not surprisingly, the correct identification of dispersers varied significantly depending on the in idual chosen to ‘disperse’, the number of loci used, whether loci had high or low Polymorphic Information Content and the location to which the dispersers were moved. A review of the literature revealed that studies that have implemented first-generation migrant detection to date have used on average 10 microsatellite loci. Our results suggest at least 27 loci are required to accurately identify dispersers in the study system evaluated here. We suggest that future studies use the approach we describe to determine the appropriate number of markers needed to accurately identify dispersers in their study system the unique nature of natural systems means that the number of markers required for each study system will vary. Future studies can use Simulated Disperser Analysis on pilot data to test marker panels for robustness to contemporary dispersal identification, providing a powerful tool in the efficient and accurate design of studies using genetic data to estimate dispersal.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 02-2023
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 09-01-2018
DOI: 10.1111/GEB.12713
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 25-01-2020
DOI: 10.1111/EVA.12909
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 31-05-2022
DOI: 10.1111/MEC.16499
Abstract: Infectious diseases are recognized as one of the greatest global threats to bio ersity and ecosystem functioning. Consequently, there is a growing urgency to understand the speed at which adaptive phenotypes can evolve and spread in natural populations to inform future management. Here we provide evidence of rapid genomic changes in wild Australian blacklip abalone ( Haliotis rubra ) following a major population crash associated with an infectious disease. Genome scans on H . rubra were performed using pooled whole genome resequencing data from commercial fishing stocks varying in historical exposure to haliotid herpesvirus‐1 (HaHV‐1). Approximately 25,000 single nucleotide polymorphism loci associated with virus exposure were identified, many of which mapped to genes known to contribute to HaHV‐1 immunity in the New Zealand pāua ( Haliotis iris ) and herpesvirus response pathways in haliotids and other animal systems. These findings indicate genetic changes across a single generation in H . rubra fishing stocks decimated by HaHV‐1, with stock recovery potentially determined by rapid evolutionary changes leading to virus resistance. This is a novel ex le of apparently rapid adaptation in natural populations of a nonmodel marine organism, highlighting the pace at which selection can potentially act to counter disease in wildlife communities.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 21-12-2012
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2007
Publisher: CSIRO Publishing
Date: 2016
DOI: 10.1071/MF15307
Abstract: Mussels belonging to the Mytilus edulis species complex have been the focus of numerous studies exploring the systematics and origin of this commercially and ecologically important genus. Species have wide geographical ranges and hybridise where their distributions overlap, making identification difficult. Several molecular markers have been used to distinguish between the species within the M. edulis species complex however, no single marker system has been found to be completely diagnostic, and a combination of markers are used. Here, we used a combination of three nuclear genes and a mitochondrial gene region to assess the species composition of Mytilus mussels collected across its geographical range in Australia. Our results show that the majority (98.5%) of in iduals s led from Australian populations are Mytilus galloprovincialis, with 56.2% of them displaying a southern hemisphere haplotype, 10.3% displaying a putatively northern hemisphere haplotype, and 32% having M. galloprovincialis genotypes consistent with either northern or southern hemisphere M. galloprovincialis lineages. The taxonomic origin of the remaining 1.5% of s les (n=3) could not be conclusively determined. Our results suggest that there have been significant introductions of non-native M. galloprovincialis lineages into both southern and northern hemisphere populations.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 06-2016
DOI: 10.1016/J.SCITOTENV.2016.03.008
Abstract: Wildlife living in the suburbs faces the challenge of dealing with human presence and yard management (including the occurrence of pets) which vary at the scale of the house block. This study examined the influence of ecological factors (e.g. extent of grass and food availability) and anthropogenic factors (e.g. human activity and garden usage) on breeding site choice and reproductive success of the ground-nesting masked lapwing Vanellus miles on Phillip Island, Australia. Lapwings nested less frequently in residential properties (high levels of human usage) compared with vacant blocks and holiday houses. They were also more likely to breed on properties with high food availability and larger areas of grass. None of these variables influenced clutch size or the probability of eggs hatching, although larger clutches and higher hatching rates tended to be associated with more food. This study shows that, for an urban exploiting species, habitat quality is not homogenous at the scale of the house block, and that human activity is avoided by a species generally considered highly tolerant of people.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 17-03-2015
DOI: 10.1002/ECE3.1459
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 13-08-2013
DOI: 10.3390/ANI3030754
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
Date: 14-08-2020
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 17-04-2020
DOI: 10.1111/EVA.12958
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 05-04-2018
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 09-2016
DOI: 10.1016/J.MARENVRES.2016.08.010
Abstract: In marine environments characterised by habitat-forming plants, the relative allocation of resources into vegetative growth and flowering is an important indicator of plant condition and hence ecosystem health. In addition, the production and abundance of seeds can give clues to local resilience. Flowering density, seed bank, biomass and epiphyte levels were recorded for the temperate seagrass Zostera nigricaulis in Port Phillip Bay, south east Australia at 14 sites chosen to represent several regions with different physicochemical conditions. Strong regional differences were found within the large bay. Spathe and seed density were very low in the north of the bay (3 sites), low in the centre of the bay (2 sites) intermediate in the Outer Geelong Arm (2 sites), high in Swan Bay (2 sites) and very high in the Inner Geelong Arm (3 sites). In the south (2 sites) seed density was low and spathe density was high. These regional patterns were largely consistent for the 5 sites s led over the three year period. Timing of flowering was consistent across sites, occurring from August until December with peak production in October, except during the third year of monitoring when overall densities were lower and peaked in November. Seagrass biomass, epiphyte load, canopy height and stem density showed few consistent spatial and temporal patterns. Variation in spathe and seed density and morphology across Port Phillip Bay reflects varying environmental conditions and suggests that northern sites may be restricted in their ability to recover from disturbance through sexual reproduction. In contrast, sites in the west and south of the bay have greater potential to recover from disturbances due to a larger seed bank and these sites could act as source populations for sites where seed production is low.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 06-2019
DOI: 10.1111/MEC.15128
Abstract: Characterising adaptive genetic ergence among conspecific populations is often achieved by studying genetic variation across defined environmental gradients. In marine systems this is challenging due to a paucity of information on habitat heterogeneity at local and regional scales and a dependency on s ling regimes that are typically limited to broad longitudinal and latitudinal environmental gradients. As a result, the spatial scales at which selection processes operate and the environmental factors that contribute to genetic adaptation in marine systems are likely to be unclear. In this study we explore patterns of adaptive genetic structuring in a commercially- harvested abalone species (Haliotis rubra) from southeastern Australia, using a panel of genome-wide SNP markers (5,239 SNPs), and a s ling regime informed by marine LiDAR bathymetric imagery and 20-year hindcasted oceanographic models. Despite a lack of overall genetic structure across the s ling distribution, significant genotype associations with heterogeneous habitat features were observed at local and regional spatial scales, including associations with wave energy, ocean current, sea surface temperature, and geology. These findings provide insights into the potential resilience of the species to changing marine climates and the role of migration and selection on recruitment processes, with implications for conservation and fisheries management. This study points to the spatial scales at which selection processes operate in marine systems and highlights the benefits of geospatially-informed s ling regimes for overcoming limitations associated with marine population genomic research.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 29-09-2021
DOI: 10.1111/MEC.15601
Abstract: A detailed understanding of population genetics in invasive populations helps us to identify drivers of successful alien introductions. Here, we investigate putative signals of selection in Australian populations of invasive common starlings, Sturnus vulgaris , and seek to understand how these have been influenced by introduction history. We used reduced representation sequencing to determine population structure, and identify Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) that are putatively under selection. We found that since their introduction into Australia, starling populations have become genetically differentiated despite the potential for high levels of dispersal, and that starlings have responded to selective pressures imposed by a wide range of environmental conditions across their geographic range. Isolation by distance appears to have played a strong role in determining genetic substructure across the starling's Australian range. Analyses of candidate SNPs that are putatively under selection indicated that aridity, precipitation and temperature may be important factors driving adaptive variation across the starling's invasive range in Australia. However, we also noted that the historic introduction regime may leave footprints on sites flagged as being under adaptive selection, and encourage critical interpretation of selection analyses in non‐native populations.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 06-2017
DOI: 10.1016/J.MARENVRES.2016.06.006
Abstract: Seagrass species form important marine and estuarine habitats providing valuable ecosystem services and functions. Coastal zones that are increasingly impacted by anthropogenic development have experienced substantial declines in seagrass abundance around the world. Australia, which has some of the world's largest seagrass meadows and is home to over half of the known species, is not immune to these losses. In 1999 a review of seagrass ecosystems knowledge was conducted in Australia and strategic research priorities were developed to provide research direction for future studies and management. Subsequent rapid evolution of seagrass research and scientific methods has led to more than 70% of peer reviewed seagrass literature being produced since that time. A workshop was held as part of the Australian Marine Sciences Association conference in July 2015 in Geelong, Victoria, to update and redefine strategic priorities in seagrass research. Participants identified 40 research questions from 10 research fields (taxonomy and systematics, physiology, population biology, sediment biogeochemistry and microbiology, ecosystem function, faunal habitats, threats, rehabilitation and restoration, mapping and monitoring, management tools) as priorities for future research on Australian seagrasses. Progress in research will rely on advances in areas such as remote sensing, genomic tools, microsensors, computer modeling, and statistical analyses. A more interdisciplinary approach will be needed to facilitate greater understanding of the complex interactions among seagrasses and their environment.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 13-10-2012
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 07-2013
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 21-01-2014
DOI: 10.1002/ECE3.933
Publisher: PeerJ
Date: 23-03-2017
DOI: 10.7717/PEERJ.3114
Abstract: In a series of experiments, seeds from a temperate seagrass species, Zostera nigricaulis collected in Port Phillip Bay, Victoria, Australia were exposed to a range of salinities (20 PSU pulse/no pulse, 25 PSU, 30 PSU, 35 PSU), temperatures (13 °C, 17 °C, 22 °C), burial depths (0 cm, 1 cm, 2 cm) and site specific sediment characteristics (fine, medium, coarse) to quantify their impacts on germination rate and maximum overall germination. In southern Australia the seagrass Z. nigricaulis is a common subtidal species however, little is known about the factors that affect seed germination which is a potential limiting factor in meadow resilience to natural and anthropogenic disturbances. Overall seed germination was low ( %) with germination decreasing to % when seeds were placed in the sediment. When germination of Z. nigricaulis seeds was observed, it was enhanced (greater overall germination and shorter time to germination) when seeds were exposed to a 20 PSU pulse for 24 h, maintained at salinity of 25 PSU, temperatures °C, in sediments with fine or medium grain sand and buried at a depth of cm. These results indicate that germination of Z. nigricaulis seeds under in situ conditions may be seasonally limited by temperatures in southern Australia. Seed germination may be further restricted by salinity as freshwater pulses reaching 20 PSU are typically only observed in Port Phillip Bay following large scale rainfall events. As a result, these populations may be particularly susceptible to disturbance with only a seasonally limited capacity for recovery.
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 23-05-2019
DOI: 10.3390/ANI9050271
Abstract: Sex-biases in populations can have important implications for species’ social biology, population demography and mating systems. It has recently been suggested that in some shorebirds, sex-specific bias in survival of precocial young may occur. This may be driven by variation in the brood sex-ratio and/or the sexual size dimorphism of young birds, which may influence predator escape capacity. Understanding the survival of young birds remains a significant knowledge gap for many taxa, especially when young birds are mobile and cryptic. Our aims were to estimate the sex-ratio variation in three species of Australian resident shorebird, specifically to determine: (1) whether seasonal brood sex-ratio variation at hatching is occurring, (2) the extent of any sex-biased chick survival, (3) if sex specific dimorphism at hatching or during growth occurs and, (4) whether escape capacity differs between the sexes. We radio-tracked 50 Masked Lapwing Vanellus miles, 42 Red-capped Plover Charadrius ruficapillus and 27 Hooded Plover Thinornis cucullatus chicks from in idual broods, examined the likelihood of hatchlings being male or female based on the hatching date within the breeding season, and compared size at hatching, growth and mortality of chicks of different sexes. There was no sex-bias with the hatching date across the breeding season, nor were there differences in survival or growth rates between sexes for any of the three species studied. In one species, male hatchlings had longer tarsi than females, but this did not result in differential escape propensity or improved survival. In conclusion, the hatching date, survival and growth of chicks from three species of resident shorebird was not influenced by their sex.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 07-11-2008
Abstract: Self-compatible, hermaphroditic marine invertebrates have the potential to self-fertilize in the absence of mates or under sperm-limited conditions, and outcross when sperm is available from a variety of males. Hence, many hermaphroditic marine invertebrates may have evolved mixed-mating systems that involve facultative self-fertilization. Such mixed-mating strategies are well documented for plants but have rarely been investigated in animals. Here, I use allozyme markers to make estimates of selfing from population surveys of reef slope and reef flat sites, and contrast this with direct estimates of selfing from progeny-array analysis, for the brooding coral Seriatopora hystrix. Consistent heterozygote deficits previously reported for S. hystrix suggests that inbreeding (including the extreme of selfing) may be common in this species. I detected significant levels of inbreeding within populations (F(IS)=0.48) and small but significant differentiation among all sites (F(ST)=0.04). I detected no significant differentiation among habitats (F(HT)=0.009) though among site differentiation did occur within the reef slope habitat (F(SH)=0.06), but not within the reef flat habitat (F(SH)=0.015). My direct estimates of outcrossing for six colonies and their progeny from a single reef flat site revealed an intermediate value (t(m) (+/-s.d.)=0.53+/-0.20). Inbreeding coefficients calculated from progeny arrays (F(e)=0.31) were similar to indirect estimates based on adult genotype frequencies for that site (F(IS)=0.38). This study confirms that the mating system of this brooding coral is potentially variable, with both outcrossing and selfing.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 11-07-2008
DOI: 10.1007/S00114-008-0423-7
Abstract: Sperm number is often a good predictor of success in sperm competition however, it has become increasingly clear that, for some species, variation in probability of paternity cannot be explained by sperm number alone. Intraspecific variation in ejaculate characteristics, such as the number of viable sperm and sperm longevity, may play an equally important role in determining fertilization success. Here, we assess variation among ejaculates in three factors that may contribute to fertilization success (number of sperm per ejaculate, viability, and longevity), in a population of Peron's tree frog (Litoria peronii). We detected large variation among males in the number of sperm per ejaculate and the proportion of viable sperm within ejaculates, which could not be explained by variation in either male size or body condition. However, the proportion of viable sperm released by males increased over the season. Finally, we assessed sperm longevity (proportion viable sperm determined using a dual-fluorochrome vital dye) at two different temperatures. At 23 degrees C, on average, 75% of sperm remained viable after 2 h, but there were significant differences amongst males with the percentage of viable sperm ranging from 43% to 95%. For sperm incubated at 4 degrees C, ejaculates varied fivefold in sperm longevity with some males having 50% viable sperm after 5 days. Our data suggest that ejaculate characteristics (sperm number, viability, and longevity) vary widely in Peron's tree frog and may therefore play an important role in determining siring success both in the presence and absence of sperm competition. We discuss the results in relation to selection on ejaculate traits via natural and sexual selection in this and other hibians.
Publisher: Authorea, Inc.
Date: 31-10-2023
Publisher: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Date: 19-05-2021
DOI: 10.1101/2021.05.19.442026
Abstract: A species’ success during the invasion of new areas hinges on an interplay between demographic processes and the outcome of localized selection. Invasive European Starlings ( Sturnus vulgaris ) established populations in Australia and North America in the 19 th century. Here, we compare whole-genome sequences among native and independently introduced European Starling populations from three continents to determine how demographic processes interact with rapid adaptive evolution to generate similar genetic patterns in these recent and replicated invasions. Our results confirm that a post-bottleneck expansion may in fact support local adaptation. We find that specific genomic regions have differentiated even on this short evolutionary timescale, and suggest that selection best explains differentiation in at least two of these regions. This infamous and highly mobile invader adapted to novel selection (e.g., extrinsic factors), perhaps in part due to the demographic boom intrinsic to many invasions.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 03-2012
Publisher: Springer International Publishing
Date: 2018
Publisher: Springer International Publishing
Date: 2018
Publisher: CSIRO Publishing
Date: 2015
DOI: 10.1071/MF14328
Abstract: The southern calamary, Sepioteuthis australis, is a commercially and recreationally important inshore cephalopod endemic to southern Australia and New Zealand. Typical of other cephalopods, S. australis has a short life span, form nearshore spawning aggregations and undergo direct development. Such life history traits may restrict connectivity between spawning grounds creating highly structured and genetically differentiated populations that are susceptible to population crashes. Here we use seven polymorphic microsatellite markers to assess connectivity and population structure of S. australis across a large part of its geographic range in Australia. Little genetic differentiation was found between s ling locations. Overall, FST was low (0.005, 95% CI= .001–0.011) and we detected no significant genetic differentiation between any of the locations s led. There was no strong relationship between genetic and geographical distance, and our neighbour joining analysis did not show clustering of clades based on geographical locations. Similarly, network analysis showed strong connectivity amongst most locations, in particular, Tasmania appears to be well connected with several other locations and may act as an important source population. High levels of gene flow and connectivity between S. australis s ling sites across Australia are important for this short-lived species, ensuring resilience against spatial and temporal mortality fluctuations.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 24-10-2023
DOI: 10.1111/REC.14044
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 21-10-2014
DOI: 10.1038/S41559-019-0999-7
Abstract: Research into the microbiomes of natural environments is changing the way ecologists and evolutionary biologists view the importance of microorganisms in ecosystem function. This is particularly relevant in ocean environments, where microorganisms constitute the majority of biomass and control most of the major biogeochemical cycles, including those that regulate Earth's climate. Coastal marine environments provide goods and services that are imperative to human survival and well-being (for ex le, fisheries and water purification), and emerging evidence indicates that these ecosystem services often depend on complex relationships between communities of microorganisms (the 'microbiome') and the environment or their hosts - termed the 'holobiont'. Understanding of coastal ecosystem function must therefore be framed under the holobiont concept, whereby macroorganisms and their associated microbiomes are considered as a synergistic ecological unit. Here, we evaluate the current state of knowledge on coastal marine microbiome research and identify key questions within this growing research area. Although the list of questions is broad and ambitious, progress in the field is increasing exponentially, and the emergence of large, international collaborative networks and well-executed manipulative experiments are rapidly advancing the field of coastal marine microbiome research.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 04-11-2006
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
Date: 25-09-2019
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 02-07-2015
Publisher: Inter-Research Science Center
Date: 19-01-2016
DOI: 10.3354/MEPS11531
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 07-12-2017
DOI: 10.1111/JFB.13510
Abstract: Postlarvae of King George whiting Sillaginodes punctatus, a commercially important fish species in southern Australia, were collected from multiple locations across south and south-eastern Australia. Genetic analyses using seven microsatellite markers found little evidence of genetic structure suggesting high levels of connectivity between the regions. The results found no evidence of a distinct source spawning population within the south-eastern range s led in this study.
Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Date: 26-10-2010
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 19-10-2016
Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Date: 14-12-2009
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 12-09-2016
DOI: 10.1111/MEC.13817
Abstract: The establishment and subsequent spread of invasive species is widely recognized as one of the most threatening processes contributing to global bio ersity loss. This is especially true for marine and estuarine ecosystems, which have experienced significant increases in the number of invasive species with the increase in global maritime trade. Understanding the rate and mechanisms of range expansion is therefore of significant interest to ecologists and conservation managers alike. Using a combination of population genetic surveys, environmental DNA (eDNA) plankton s ling and hydrodynamic modelling, we examined the patterns of introduction of the predatory Northern Pacific seastar (Asterias amurensis) and pathways of secondary spread within southeast Australia. Genetic surveys across the invasive range reveal some genetic ergence between the two main invasive regions and no evidence of ongoing gene flow, a pattern that is consistent with the establishment of the second invasive region via a human-mediated translocation event. In contrast, hydrodynamic modelling combined with eDNA plankton s ling demonstrated that the establishment of range expansion populations within a region is consistent with natural larval dispersal and recruitment. Our results suggest that both anthropogenic and natural dispersal vectors have played an important role in the range expansion of this species in Australia. The multiple modes of spread combined with high levels of fecundity and a long larval duration in A. amurensis suggests it is likely to continue its range expansion and significantly impact Australian marine ecosystems.
Start Date: 07-2022
End Date: 06-2026
Amount: $441,171.00
Funder: Australian Research Council
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