Responses of reptiles to fluctuating thermal environments: behaviour or biochemistry? I propose a conceptual shift in the way thermal physiology of reptiles is interpreted, questioning the predominant role of behaviour in reptilian thermoregulation. I will test the hypothesis that changes in cellular biochemistry are an important mechanism by which reptiles respond to environmental fluctuations. I will determine the relationship between metabolic enzyme activity and performance functions, and ....Responses of reptiles to fluctuating thermal environments: behaviour or biochemistry? I propose a conceptual shift in the way thermal physiology of reptiles is interpreted, questioning the predominant role of behaviour in reptilian thermoregulation. I will test the hypothesis that changes in cellular biochemistry are an important mechanism by which reptiles respond to environmental fluctuations. I will determine the relationship between metabolic enzyme activity and performance functions, and the results may call for a re-assessment of current concepts such as the notion that reptiles must achieve "preferred" body temperatures to maintain performance.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0668417
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$108,667.00
Summary
New-Generation Near Infrared Spectrometer for Ecological Research. Sustainable use of the natural resources of Australia depends on studies that define how ecological communities respond to disturbance and change. An important part of this is understanding how the composition of plants and animals such as insects, change reflecting for example, increased concentrations of toxins. However making large numbers of analyses is expensive and slow. Near infrared spectroscopy is a non-destructive an ....New-Generation Near Infrared Spectrometer for Ecological Research. Sustainable use of the natural resources of Australia depends on studies that define how ecological communities respond to disturbance and change. An important part of this is understanding how the composition of plants and animals such as insects, change reflecting for example, increased concentrations of toxins. However making large numbers of analyses is expensive and slow. Near infrared spectroscopy is a non-destructive analytical method that allows the composition of materials to be deduced based on their interaction with light. Adopting these methods in ecology will allow many samples to be analysed quickly and cheaply and also stop waste and duplication of analytical work.Read moreRead less
Brain lateralization: its function, evolution, development and change with ageing. Brain research is undoubtedly one of the key research fields today. This project involves highly innovative research at the highest international level, keeping Australia at the forefront of research on brain lateralization, a very important field of brain research in humans and animals (co-founded by the applicant). This project 1) investigates dynamic changes of the developing, mature and ageing brain for vital ....Brain lateralization: its function, evolution, development and change with ageing. Brain research is undoubtedly one of the key research fields today. This project involves highly innovative research at the highest international level, keeping Australia at the forefront of research on brain lateralization, a very important field of brain research in humans and animals (co-founded by the applicant). This project 1) investigates dynamic changes of the developing, mature and ageing brain for vital functions using animal models, thus contributing importantly to our understanding of normal functions of the human brain, including some forms of mental dysfunction and also ageing; 2) trains postgraduate students at the highest standards and 3) maintains important collaboration with colleagues in Europe. Read moreRead less
Plasticity in placental vasculature and the evolution of viviparity in lizards. This cross-disciplinary research will provide thorough understanding of the reproductive physiology of animals with different forms of reproduction, information critical for conservation and management of Australia's biodiversity. Australia's unique reptiles provide the best animal system in the world for research in this area. Our research on maternal-embryonic interactions in this animal model has direct implicatio ....Plasticity in placental vasculature and the evolution of viviparity in lizards. This cross-disciplinary research will provide thorough understanding of the reproductive physiology of animals with different forms of reproduction, information critical for conservation and management of Australia's biodiversity. Australia's unique reptiles provide the best animal system in the world for research in this area. Our research on maternal-embryonic interactions in this animal model has direct implications for understanding some medical disorders, such as human angiogenic disorders. The research will strengthen ties internationally through research in South Africa, and provide training in combined biological and medical technologies. It will maintain Australia's long-term leadership in this area of research.Read moreRead less
Evolution of viviparity in reptiles: the fundamental role of junctional complexes. This project utilises unique Australian reptile fauna to understand global questions in fundamental biology. We will discover basic biological information on native species, which will be important in future conservation of Australian ecosystems and animals and ultimately in helping to maintain Australia's biodiversity. The project also provides training opportunities for graduate and undergraduate students in ....Evolution of viviparity in reptiles: the fundamental role of junctional complexes. This project utilises unique Australian reptile fauna to understand global questions in fundamental biology. We will discover basic biological information on native species, which will be important in future conservation of Australian ecosystems and animals and ultimately in helping to maintain Australia's biodiversity. The project also provides training opportunities for graduate and undergraduate students in several different research methods that are widely applicable in the more general Australian workforce. Because the research work is genuinely cross-disciplinary research, its findings are applicable to both biological and medically oriented technologies.Read moreRead less
The Role of Torpor in the Life of Arid Zone Mammals. Global warming is predicted to significantly affect our climate. The study will provide critical information about the thermal and energetic capabilities and requirements of native Australian mammals. As little is known about the functional adaptations of arid zone mammals in the wild, these results will be a significant advancement in knowledge about the biology of native Australian species. The data will allow us to predict whether and how p ....The Role of Torpor in the Life of Arid Zone Mammals. Global warming is predicted to significantly affect our climate. The study will provide critical information about the thermal and energetic capabilities and requirements of native Australian mammals. As little is known about the functional adaptations of arid zone mammals in the wild, these results will be a significant advancement in knowledge about the biology of native Australian species. The data will allow us to predict whether and how populations may be affected in the future and provide wildlife managers with an additional tool for making appropriate and sound decisions for the conservation of wildlife. Moreover, the project will enhance the scientific standing of Australia, improve international collaboration, and train students.Read moreRead less
How to stop a range expansion: A molecular ecological examination of the European starling. This project is a test-case for a new integrated proactive management of invading pest species. The partner industries are responsible for controlling European starling invasions that threaten agriculture and Australia's only internationally-recognised terrestrial biodiversity hotspot. This project combines traditional ecology, novel molecular approaches, and new statistics to establish source populatio ....How to stop a range expansion: A molecular ecological examination of the European starling. This project is a test-case for a new integrated proactive management of invading pest species. The partner industries are responsible for controlling European starling invasions that threaten agriculture and Australia's only internationally-recognised terrestrial biodiversity hotspot. This project combines traditional ecology, novel molecular approaches, and new statistics to establish source population(s), and disperser characteristics. This will enable a focused control effort, and training of a graduate student and partner industries in this approach. This project is of great significance to rural Australia, and falls within several research priority areas: protection from pests (RP4, PG2) and an environmentally sustainable Australia (RP1, PG2,3).Read moreRead less
Are there advantages in having a lateralized brain? Specialisation of the left and right hemispheres of the brain to process different information and to control different responses is not, as once thought, unique to humans but common to all vertebrates. In fact, the same general pattern of lateralization occurs in amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals. Until now, it has been important to document the presence and nature of lateralization in different species. Now it is important to discover t ....Are there advantages in having a lateralized brain? Specialisation of the left and right hemispheres of the brain to process different information and to control different responses is not, as once thought, unique to humans but common to all vertebrates. In fact, the same general pattern of lateralization occurs in amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals. Until now, it has been important to document the presence and nature of lateralization in different species. Now it is important to discover the advantages (and disadvantages) of having a lateralized brain. This project will do so using two model species, the chick and the marmoset, and new techniques to measure behaviour.Read moreRead less
Determinants of metabolic rate in animals. The metabolic rate of an animal represents its fundamental "cost of living" and varies dramatically (>100-fold) between different vertebrate species. We have proposed the "membrane pacemaker theory" to explain this variation and currently this is the only mechanistic explanation of metabolic variation between species. It has received significant international interest. A species metabolic rate and its maximum lifespan are connected but the precise mecha ....Determinants of metabolic rate in animals. The metabolic rate of an animal represents its fundamental "cost of living" and varies dramatically (>100-fold) between different vertebrate species. We have proposed the "membrane pacemaker theory" to explain this variation and currently this is the only mechanistic explanation of metabolic variation between species. It has received significant international interest. A species metabolic rate and its maximum lifespan are connected but the precise mechanistic link between them is unknown. We will investigate the mechanisms underlying the "membrane pacemaker theory" as an explanation of the metabolic rates of vertebrate species and its role in the determination of maximum lifespan.Read moreRead less
The evolution of female resistance to male reproductive traits in animals. Australia has an outstanding international reputation in the fields of Ecology and Evolution. This study will reinforce Australia's excellence in these fields. Sexual conflict is a topic of great scientific interest because it has important implications for evolutionary theory and our understanding of the diverse strategies that animals use to attract or repel potential mates. Consequently, articles on this topic feature ....The evolution of female resistance to male reproductive traits in animals. Australia has an outstanding international reputation in the fields of Ecology and Evolution. This study will reinforce Australia's excellence in these fields. Sexual conflict is a topic of great scientific interest because it has important implications for evolutionary theory and our understanding of the diverse strategies that animals use to attract or repel potential mates. Consequently, articles on this topic feature regularly in top international scientific journals. In addition, research on the unique social behaviours of Australian animals holds general public interest and plays an important role in attracting young people to careers in science. Read moreRead less