Population dynamics and genetic variation of plants with contrasting fire responses. We combine the traditional concerns of population viability analyses with the modern techniques of DNA fingerprinting for precise genotyping of individual plants and their seeds. We expect major breakthroughs in our understanding of how fire-killed species have survived thousands of years of frequent burning by Aborigines (by identifying seeds dispersed long distances from burnt parents); how paternity of offspr ....Population dynamics and genetic variation of plants with contrasting fire responses. We combine the traditional concerns of population viability analyses with the modern techniques of DNA fingerprinting for precise genotyping of individual plants and their seeds. We expect major breakthroughs in our understanding of how fire-killed species have survived thousands of years of frequent burning by Aborigines (by identifying seeds dispersed long distances from burnt parents); how paternity of offspring changes over the lifespan of plants which retain their seeds for many years; at what age within-plant genetic variation is at a maximum as a guide to optimal fire management; and the extent that deleterious somatic mutations explain low seed set among long-lived species.Read moreRead less
Sex, parthenogenesis and adaptation: a novel laboratory 'natural selection' experiment testing the adaptive significance of sexual and asexual reproduction. One of the greatest challenges for evolutionary biology is explaining the widespread occurrence of sexual reproduction. Many theoretical models show some inherent benefits of sex, however these models make assumptions that little or no empirical data exists for. Using a novel phenomenon found in the parasitoid wasp genus Trichogramma, I will ....Sex, parthenogenesis and adaptation: a novel laboratory 'natural selection' experiment testing the adaptive significance of sexual and asexual reproduction. One of the greatest challenges for evolutionary biology is explaining the widespread occurrence of sexual reproduction. Many theoretical models show some inherent benefits of sex, however these models make assumptions that little or no empirical data exists for. Using a novel phenomenon found in the parasitoid wasp genus Trichogramma, I will investigate the adaptive significance of sexual and asexual reproduction in a laboratory natural selection experiment and therefore directly test the theory for the evolution and maintenance of sex. This will be the first such test in a higher organism.Read moreRead less
Diet influences the selective advantage of mitochondrial DNA mutations. This project aims to examine critical mechanisms that affect mitochondrial DNA variation within species. It aims to test the hypothesis that mitochondrial DNA haplotypes have the potential to be under nutritionally induced balancing selection as a consequence of cellular signalling and/or Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production by mitochondria. Diet can vary both seasonally and geographically and is a key environmental param ....Diet influences the selective advantage of mitochondrial DNA mutations. This project aims to examine critical mechanisms that affect mitochondrial DNA variation within species. It aims to test the hypothesis that mitochondrial DNA haplotypes have the potential to be under nutritionally induced balancing selection as a consequence of cellular signalling and/or Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production by mitochondria. Diet can vary both seasonally and geographically and is a key environmental parameter that influences the ability of a species to colonise new habitats. The project plans to characterise the functional links between specific mitochondrial DNA haplotypes, mitochondrial functions and organismal traits. The expected outcome is a more precise grasp of the processes influencing genetic variation within and among species, which would inform current issues in ecology and genetics.Read moreRead less
The evolution of parental care in leeches: costs and benefits in a clade of hermaphroditic, invertebrate ectotherms. Parental care is a basic element of reproduction in many species. Nearly everything we know about parental care comes from study of vertebrates, especially birds and mammals. Leech is synonymous with exploitation, but many of these annelid worms are devoted parents. Because they differ dramatically from most vertebrates, leeches present an excellent, but as yet unused, opportunity ....The evolution of parental care in leeches: costs and benefits in a clade of hermaphroditic, invertebrate ectotherms. Parental care is a basic element of reproduction in many species. Nearly everything we know about parental care comes from study of vertebrates, especially birds and mammals. Leech is synonymous with exploitation, but many of these annelid worms are devoted parents. Because they differ dramatically from most vertebrates, leeches present an excellent, but as yet unused, opportunity to test our theories and understanding of the evoluton of parental care. We will examine the evolution of degrees of care and sibling competition in leech families, and use molecular markers to better understand the genetic structure of populations of these invertebrates.Read moreRead less
Why do only some exotics become invasive? Combining ecological and genomic approaches to address alternative hypotheses in a recent Australian weed. This project will specifically test alternative hypotheses about how weeds become invasive. As invasive weeds affect both agricultural and native ecosystems equally, research on understanding the mechanisms of weed invasion is critical. Outcomes will benefit Australia by allowing better prioritisation of management against exotic plants already i ....Why do only some exotics become invasive? Combining ecological and genomic approaches to address alternative hypotheses in a recent Australian weed. This project will specifically test alternative hypotheses about how weeds become invasive. As invasive weeds affect both agricultural and native ecosystems equally, research on understanding the mechanisms of weed invasion is critical. Outcomes will benefit Australia by allowing better prioritisation of management against exotic plants already in the country by providing predictive tools to estimate likelihood of spread. For formal Pest Risk Analysis by regulators (eg Biosecurity Australia), our project will provide genomic tools by which the potential weediness of a regulated plant can be assessed through genetic screening, and forms part of an international effort to identify 'weedy genes'. Read moreRead less
Are natural clones specialists or generalists? Using a model system to test alternative hypotheses for the advantages of parthenogenesis. Parthenogenetic organisms are all-female and reproduce clonally. Through discovering why these unusual organisms are sometimes successful we can better understand the significance of genetic diversity and sex. The Australian arid zone is a ?hot-spot? for parthenogenesis, with at least five independent examples including a native grasshopper and one of its host ....Are natural clones specialists or generalists? Using a model system to test alternative hypotheses for the advantages of parthenogenesis. Parthenogenetic organisms are all-female and reproduce clonally. Through discovering why these unusual organisms are sometimes successful we can better understand the significance of genetic diversity and sex. The Australian arid zone is a ?hot-spot? for parthenogenesis, with at least five independent examples including a native grasshopper and one of its host plants. I will apply modern molecular tools and ecophysiological techniques to test the hypothesis that parthenogenesis is favoured in this grasshopper because it allows the fixation of locally adapted clones. This research will provide a unique insight into the selective forces operating in the arid zone, Australia's largest ecosystem.Read moreRead less
Hybridization, polyploidy and the evolution of parthenogenesis in the Australian desert. This project considers the ecology and evolution of Australian animals that reproduce by parthenogenesis, i.e. without sex. These animals have long fascinated evolutionary biologists for the clues they provide about the role of sex in evolution. The Australian desert is a hot-spot for parthenogenesis, providing a unique opportunity to study the ecological and evolutionary forces favouring the loss of sex. Ou ....Hybridization, polyploidy and the evolution of parthenogenesis in the Australian desert. This project considers the ecology and evolution of Australian animals that reproduce by parthenogenesis, i.e. without sex. These animals have long fascinated evolutionary biologists for the clues they provide about the role of sex in evolution. The Australian desert is a hot-spot for parthenogenesis, providing a unique opportunity to study the ecological and evolutionary forces favouring the loss of sex. Our research will exploit Australian cases of parthenogenesis to understand how genetic changes associated with the transition to parthenogenesis affect ecological success. This will significantly extend our understanding of both the role of sex in evolution, and of the evolutionary history of the Australian arid zone.Read moreRead less
China’s changing internal migration: patterns, causes, policy implications. China’s massive internal migration is no longer simply rural–urban and circular but highly diversified. The project aims to unravel that transition: its patterns, causes, and effects. Using 2020 census data and major longitudinal datasets, a China variant of Zelinsky’s classic mobility transition theory will be developed and deployed to identify underlying mechanisms. Among expected outcomes are powerful methods for asse ....China’s changing internal migration: patterns, causes, policy implications. China’s massive internal migration is no longer simply rural–urban and circular but highly diversified. The project aims to unravel that transition: its patterns, causes, and effects. Using 2020 census data and major longitudinal datasets, a China variant of Zelinsky’s classic mobility transition theory will be developed and deployed to identify underlying mechanisms. Among expected outcomes are powerful methods for assessing spatio-temporal migration patterns and causes, applicable to many economies especially in the Asia–Pacific. Benefits should include a new evidence base for migration and related urban–rural policy in China; and for Australia, policy inputs to improve prosperity through better relations with our biggest trading partner.Read moreRead less
Asian Migration in the 21st Century: An Integrated Account . Migration is a defining issue of the 21st Century. Despite its significance, migration is poorly understood because different types of movement are conceptualised, measured and studied separately. This project aims to develop an integrated understanding of multiple forms of population movement in Asia incorporating both internal and international migration and temporary and permanent moves. It will establish the intensity, spatial patt ....Asian Migration in the 21st Century: An Integrated Account . Migration is a defining issue of the 21st Century. Despite its significance, migration is poorly understood because different types of movement are conceptualised, measured and studied separately. This project aims to develop an integrated understanding of multiple forms of population movement in Asia incorporating both internal and international migration and temporary and permanent moves. It will establish the intensity, spatial patterns and interaction between the different forms of migration for countries in Asia, and its impacts at origins and at destinations. The results are expected to provide significant benefits including a strong evidence base for the formulation of national and international migration policy in the 21st Century.Read moreRead less
Costs and individual variation in immune function: studies on a long-lived predator in tropical Australia. Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) will be employed to quantify costs and individual variation in antibody response to a non-pathogenic antigen in water pythons (Liasis fuscus). Immune responsiveness is strongly correlated with disease and parasite resistance and has been documented to depend on environmental and genetic factors. All immunized snakes will be known-aged animals (rang ....Costs and individual variation in immune function: studies on a long-lived predator in tropical Australia. Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) will be employed to quantify costs and individual variation in antibody response to a non-pathogenic antigen in water pythons (Liasis fuscus). Immune responsiveness is strongly correlated with disease and parasite resistance and has been documented to depend on environmental and genetic factors. All immunized snakes will be known-aged animals (ranging from 6 months to >20 years), of different nutritional status, known blood and gastro-intestinal parasite load and documented immuno-genetic profiles. This multidisciplinary approach will bring together population ecology, molecular genetics and immunology to elucidate links between these traits and ultimately how they affect python fitness.Read moreRead less