Evaluating the effects of fipronil, a moderately persistent new generation pesticide, on Australian native vertebrates. The Australian Plague Locust Commission is considering replacing an organophosphate pesticide with fipronil, a relatively new phenyl pyrazole pesticide, because it more specifically targets invertebrate animals. However, fipronil is more environmentally persistent, has high lipid solubility, is known to disrupt thyroid function and has wide variation in its toxicity to vertebra ....Evaluating the effects of fipronil, a moderately persistent new generation pesticide, on Australian native vertebrates. The Australian Plague Locust Commission is considering replacing an organophosphate pesticide with fipronil, a relatively new phenyl pyrazole pesticide, because it more specifically targets invertebrate animals. However, fipronil is more environmentally persistent, has high lipid solubility, is known to disrupt thyroid function and has wide variation in its toxicity to vertebrates . These characteristics place native vertebrate species at risk. Further, because peak locust activity is coincident with vertebrate breeding, there is likelihood that fipronil will affect development of young and the health of adults. We propose to launch the first comprehensive study of fipronil's effects on the health and vitality of native vertebrate adults and their offspring. We will focus on dasyurid marsupials and native birds that co-occur with plague locusts.Read moreRead less
Modelling and control of mosquito-borne diseases in Darwin using long-term monitoring. Management of mosquito populations is a high public health priority because these insects can spread diseases such as malaria, dengue, Ross River virus, Barmah Forest virus, Murray Valley encephalitis, Japanese encephalitis and Kunjin/West Nile virus. Our research into the effectiveness of mosquito control programs in Darwin is of immediate national relevance and priority given the need to Safeguard Australia ....Modelling and control of mosquito-borne diseases in Darwin using long-term monitoring. Management of mosquito populations is a high public health priority because these insects can spread diseases such as malaria, dengue, Ross River virus, Barmah Forest virus, Murray Valley encephalitis, Japanese encephalitis and Kunjin/West Nile virus. Our research into the effectiveness of mosquito control programs in Darwin is of immediate national relevance and priority given the need to Safeguard Australia from invasive diseases. There is an urgency to undertake our research because global environmental change and increasing movements of people (particularly military personnel) from overseas regions where these diseases are endemic is increasing the vulnerability of northern Australia to the (re)establishment of mosquito borne diseases.Read moreRead less
Exposure and sensitivity of marine turtles and dugongs to dioxins - a risk assessment in near shore marine environments of Queensland. The World Heritage Great Barrier Reef sustains unique marine biota such as dugongs and turtles. High concentrations of harmful dioxins have been reported recently in dugongs. However, the impacts of these contaminants on the health of dugong and turtle populations remain unknown. This study will redress the general lack of toxicological information available f ....Exposure and sensitivity of marine turtles and dugongs to dioxins - a risk assessment in near shore marine environments of Queensland. The World Heritage Great Barrier Reef sustains unique marine biota such as dugongs and turtles. High concentrations of harmful dioxins have been reported recently in dugongs. However, the impacts of these contaminants on the health of dugong and turtle populations remain unknown. This study will redress the general lack of toxicological information available for reptiles and dugongs. This includes assessments of exposure, pathways as well as toxicological responses to the compounds of concern, to provide a robust assessment of the risks associated. The outcomes will guide management policy designed to protect the environmental health of Queensland's Marine Parks.Read moreRead less