DNA Method for Detection of Phytophthora cinnamomi in Soil and Plant Material. The need to impose strict quarantine procedures to prevent the spread of Jarrah Dieback disease hampers the activities of the mining, tourism, wildflower, nursery, and bee keeping industries. These procedures are time consuming and require a high degree of technical expertise. They result in false negatives facilitating the spread of the disease in asymptomatic material. This project will develop a DNA test for detec ....DNA Method for Detection of Phytophthora cinnamomi in Soil and Plant Material. The need to impose strict quarantine procedures to prevent the spread of Jarrah Dieback disease hampers the activities of the mining, tourism, wildflower, nursery, and bee keeping industries. These procedures are time consuming and require a high degree of technical expertise. They result in false negatives facilitating the spread of the disease in asymptomatic material. This project will develop a DNA test for detection of the pathogen in soil and plant material to make detection easier, quicker, and specific. The outcomes will be a test for detection of the dieback pathogen and technology to detect pathogens in soil samples.Read moreRead less
Long-term survival of Phytophthora cinnamomi in black gravel soils on mining leases in the jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata) forest. Approximately 41% of the 5750 plant species in Western Australia are susceptible to Phytophthora cinnamomi a pathogen recognised as a key threatening process to Australia's biodiversity by the Federal Government. This project will enhance our understanding of how the pathogen survives in soil and tolerant plant species. It will determine how the pathogen is able to su ....Long-term survival of Phytophthora cinnamomi in black gravel soils on mining leases in the jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata) forest. Approximately 41% of the 5750 plant species in Western Australia are susceptible to Phytophthora cinnamomi a pathogen recognised as a key threatening process to Australia's biodiversity by the Federal Government. This project will enhance our understanding of how the pathogen survives in soil and tolerant plant species. It will determine how the pathogen is able to survive long-term as dormant propagules and how this dormancy can be broken. This project will be relevant to managers of natural ecosystems and to the horticultural industries throughout Australia and will assist in developing effective ways to manage this ecologically devastating plant pathogen. Read moreRead less
Conservation, health and disease in the endangered marsupial, the Western Barred Bandicoot (Perameles bougainville). Western Barred Bandicoots are highly endangered marsupials, found in the wild only on Bernier and Dorre islands in Western Australia. Captive breeding and reintroduction efforts, considered essential for survival of this species, are currently hampered by a progressively debilitating, wart-like syndrome and reduced fertility. This project will use pathological, immunohistochemical ....Conservation, health and disease in the endangered marsupial, the Western Barred Bandicoot (Perameles bougainville). Western Barred Bandicoots are highly endangered marsupials, found in the wild only on Bernier and Dorre islands in Western Australia. Captive breeding and reintroduction efforts, considered essential for survival of this species, are currently hampered by a progressively debilitating, wart-like syndrome and reduced fertility. This project will use pathological, immunohistochemical and ultrastructural techniques in combination with novel molecular methods, and lymphocyte proliferation assays to determine the causes and conservation implications of these conditions. The hypothesis is that these conditions are a consequence of a viral or chlamydial infection in immunocompromised animals.Read moreRead less
An immunological and immunogenetic approach to understand and to protect Tasmanian devils against Devil Facial Tumour Disease. The Tasmanian devil is the world's largest living carnivorous marsupial. From an environmental perspective, devils play a fundamental role through scavenging. Dead and dying animals were removed nightly from Tasmania's landscape and therefore decaying carcases did not require removal. Loss of this top order scavenger will alter the balance of biodiversity and non-native ....An immunological and immunogenetic approach to understand and to protect Tasmanian devils against Devil Facial Tumour Disease. The Tasmanian devil is the world's largest living carnivorous marsupial. From an environmental perspective, devils play a fundamental role through scavenging. Dead and dying animals were removed nightly from Tasmania's landscape and therefore decaying carcases did not require removal. Loss of this top order scavenger will alter the balance of biodiversity and non-native animals (such as foxes, feral cats, crows, and even European wasps) will then compete for this scavenger role. As these animals are non-selective they will also prey on living animals and many of Tasmania's native animals (such as Eastern barred bandicoot, potoroos, quolls etc.) will be seriously threatened and our biodiverse landscape could be irreversibly altered.Read moreRead less
Management guidelines for the threatened Heath Mouse and other rodent species in mining lease areas of southern Western Australia. This project will measure the conservation biology of rodents, including threatened Heath Mice, in areas of mining lease and natural ecosystems in southern Western Australia. It will establish the distribution, habitat requirements and ecology of the threatened Heath Mouse, its interactions with other rodent species (Bush Rat, Ash-grey Mouse, Western Mouse, Mitchell' ....Management guidelines for the threatened Heath Mouse and other rodent species in mining lease areas of southern Western Australia. This project will measure the conservation biology of rodents, including threatened Heath Mice, in areas of mining lease and natural ecosystems in southern Western Australia. It will establish the distribution, habitat requirements and ecology of the threatened Heath Mouse, its interactions with other rodent species (Bush Rat, Ash-grey Mouse, Western Mouse, Mitchell's Hopping Mouse), and determine the impact of floral changes due to plant disease caused by Phytophthora cinnamomi on the conservation of Heath Mice. Landscape models will be developed to assist in the management of mining leases where Heath Mice occur.Read moreRead less
Population Genetics of Fungal Pathogens that Threaten the Biosecurity of Australia's Eucalypts. Many new pathogens and diseases are emerging on exotic eucalypt plantations throughout the world. These emerging diseases pose a threat to native eucalypt forests and plantations in Australia. Vigilant quarantine measures are necessary to prevent the introduction of potentially devastating pathogens into Australia. However, incursions do occur and there is a great need to study these pathogens now, ....Population Genetics of Fungal Pathogens that Threaten the Biosecurity of Australia's Eucalypts. Many new pathogens and diseases are emerging on exotic eucalypt plantations throughout the world. These emerging diseases pose a threat to native eucalypt forests and plantations in Australia. Vigilant quarantine measures are necessary to prevent the introduction of potentially devastating pathogens into Australia. However, incursions do occur and there is a great need to study these pathogens now, before they enter Australia. By studying the population genetics of pathogens, their evolutionary potential can be estimated and with that the extent of the risk they pose to native and planted eucalypts in Australia can be determined.Read moreRead less
Fungal pathogens threatening the sub-tropical eucalypt plantation industry in Australia. Eucalypt plantations in Australia are at risk from both native pathogens and those that have emerged on exotic eucalypt plantations and been introduced to Australia. Most of the serious pathogens of exotic plantations have emerged in the sub-tropics in climates very similar to those in Queensland. It is not known if these pathogens have already been introduced to Australia; however, increased movement of ger ....Fungal pathogens threatening the sub-tropical eucalypt plantation industry in Australia. Eucalypt plantations in Australia are at risk from both native pathogens and those that have emerged on exotic eucalypt plantations and been introduced to Australia. Most of the serious pathogens of exotic plantations have emerged in the sub-tropics in climates very similar to those in Queensland. It is not known if these pathogens have already been introduced to Australia; however, increased movement of germplasm and forest products increases the risk of introducing new eucalypt pathogens. This project will involve a detailed examination of pathogens present on eucalypts in Queensland. Studies of the diversity of pathogens and determination of their reproductive mode and their pathogenicity will enable for detailed risk assessments. Assessment of genetic trials for disease incidence will provide valuable information for future selections and breeding.Read moreRead less
The genus Banksia: can ecophysiological traits associated with nutrient acquisition explain species distribution and rarity? We aim to investigate if an important aspect of a specialised mechanism of nutrient acquisition by different species of the genus Banksia (Proteaceae) accounts for their distribution and rarity. This aspect is the pattern of exudates that are produced by their 'proteoid' roots. Different species of the Proteaceae produce different exudates and it is envisaged that variatio ....The genus Banksia: can ecophysiological traits associated with nutrient acquisition explain species distribution and rarity? We aim to investigate if an important aspect of a specialised mechanism of nutrient acquisition by different species of the genus Banksia (Proteaceae) accounts for their distribution and rarity. This aspect is the pattern of exudates that are produced by their 'proteoid' roots. Different species of the Proteaceae produce different exudates and it is envisaged that variation in pattern reflects their capacity to grow on certain soil types. Our studies will provide key information on processes that determine species distribution, with consequences for defining better management regimes for rare and endangered species.Read moreRead less
Impact of Phytophthora cinnamomi on native vegetation in South Australia - understanding underlying mechanisms to improve management. The disease Phytophthora dieback threatens many Australian native plants and the animals that rely on them for food and habitat. This research will provide new knowledge of the susceptibility to the disease of plant species that are threatened with extinction, and of the effects of plant and soil microbial community composition on patterns of spread of the disease ....Impact of Phytophthora cinnamomi on native vegetation in South Australia - understanding underlying mechanisms to improve management. The disease Phytophthora dieback threatens many Australian native plants and the animals that rely on them for food and habitat. This research will provide new knowledge of the susceptibility to the disease of plant species that are threatened with extinction, and of the effects of plant and soil microbial community composition on patterns of spread of the disease. This knowledge will assist the recovery of rare and threatened plant species and ecological communities statewide and nationwide. Read moreRead less