Conserving our native carnivores: the application of molecular genetics to the conservation management of quolls. Quolls, the largest native mammalian predators on mainland Australia, occupy a pivotal ecological niche. All species are declining and are threatened by a variety of interacting environmental processes. This program brings together seven wildlife agencies in a nationwide partnership for understanding and protecting quolls. We will provide new genetic data to test current populatio ....Conserving our native carnivores: the application of molecular genetics to the conservation management of quolls. Quolls, the largest native mammalian predators on mainland Australia, occupy a pivotal ecological niche. All species are declining and are threatened by a variety of interacting environmental processes. This program brings together seven wildlife agencies in a nationwide partnership for understanding and protecting quolls. We will provide new genetic data to test current population and conservation theories using four species of quolls as model taxa to inform us about past histories of populations and to measure parameters of importance to on-ground managers. Results of these projects will help guide management practices for both short- and long-term conservation of these species.Read moreRead less
Trans-dimensional and Approximate Bayesian Computation. Many applied scientists in Australia, particularly those in the biological, medical and environmental sciences are now interested in incorporating Bayesian statistical methodologies into their research.
The development of more generic and efficient Bayesian statistical methods will not only benefit applied statisticians but also the more occasional users of statistics in other disciplinary areas. The success of this project will enhance Au ....Trans-dimensional and Approximate Bayesian Computation. Many applied scientists in Australia, particularly those in the biological, medical and environmental sciences are now interested in incorporating Bayesian statistical methodologies into their research.
The development of more generic and efficient Bayesian statistical methods will not only benefit applied statisticians but also the more occasional users of statistics in other disciplinary areas. The success of this project will enhance Australia's reputation as a strong contributor to the development of Bayesian methodologies. Two PhD students will also be provided training in computational Bayesian statistics.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
Cool mammals: responding to thermal and energetic challenges in the Australian tropics. A detailed understanding of thermal biology and energy use of mammals is essential for predicting how they will respond to climate change. As little is known about the functional and behavioural traits of Australian tropical mammals, the proposed work investigating the thermal energetics and foraging biology of eleven native species will result in a significant advancement in knowledge. This information will ....Cool mammals: responding to thermal and energetic challenges in the Australian tropics. A detailed understanding of thermal biology and energy use of mammals is essential for predicting how they will respond to climate change. As little is known about the functional and behavioural traits of Australian tropical mammals, the proposed work investigating the thermal energetics and foraging biology of eleven native species will result in a significant advancement in knowledge. This information will provide wildlife managers with an additional tool for making sound science-based decisions for the conservation of wildlife now and in the future. The project will train students, improve international collaboration, and substantially enhance the international scientific standing of Australia.Read moreRead less
What is the spatial and environmental distribution of phylogenetic diversity in the Australian biota? Almost nothing is known about the geographic distribution of phylogenetic relationships across Australia at fine resolutions of the order of tens of kilometres. The aim of this research is to map the spatial patterns of phylogenetic diversity in the Australian biota and identify possible environmental controls over them. We will analyse five disparate groups at a spatial resolution that is ord ....What is the spatial and environmental distribution of phylogenetic diversity in the Australian biota? Almost nothing is known about the geographic distribution of phylogenetic relationships across Australia at fine resolutions of the order of tens of kilometres. The aim of this research is to map the spatial patterns of phylogenetic diversity in the Australian biota and identify possible environmental controls over them. We will analyse five disparate groups at a spatial resolution that is orders of magnitude finer than previous research, analysing their relationship with possible environmental controls using advanced spatial analysis methods. The knowledge we will generate about the spatial distribution of these relationships is essential to understand and conserve Australia's unique biodiversity.Read moreRead less
Environmental metagenomics, metaproteomics and novel bioactives from microbial communities in Antarctic lakes. This program will derive an integrated understanding of microbial ecology which is essential for determining ways of preserving the health of the World's ecosystems. Through this, Australia will remain a world leader in Antarctic biology, strengthening Australia's reputation in technologically innovative scientific programs of global significance, training local scientists in cutting ed ....Environmental metagenomics, metaproteomics and novel bioactives from microbial communities in Antarctic lakes. This program will derive an integrated understanding of microbial ecology which is essential for determining ways of preserving the health of the World's ecosystems. Through this, Australia will remain a world leader in Antarctic biology, strengthening Australia's reputation in technologically innovative scientific programs of global significance, training local scientists in cutting edge genomic biology and fostering the interests of the international community in sciences ranging from microbial ecology to bioprospecting. Novel biodegradable enzymes will be developed to replace harsh chemicals providing environmentally friendly, cheaper and more effective agents for use in medical, biotechnological, industrial and biodefense applications.Read moreRead less
Biological phosphorous removal for wastewater treatment. The aim is to provide a scientific basis for understanding how phosphorous can be removed in wastewater treatment plants, using environmentally safe biological methods rather than by using chemicals. This is expected to lead to improved performance in wastewater treatment plants, which will be of economic and environmental benefit, particularly to regional communities in inland Australia.
The importance of phenotypic plasticity in maintaining and introducing variation. This research is a synthesis of behaviour, natural and sexual selection, physiology, and natural and breeding ecology-important interactions that are rarely considered simultaneously in biology. It will contribute to our understanding of life-history decisions, and a long-neglected source of the variation that is the raw material for adaptation and for economically-important breeding programs . These results will h ....The importance of phenotypic plasticity in maintaining and introducing variation. This research is a synthesis of behaviour, natural and sexual selection, physiology, and natural and breeding ecology-important interactions that are rarely considered simultaneously in biology. It will contribute to our understanding of life-history decisions, and a long-neglected source of the variation that is the raw material for adaptation and for economically-important breeding programs . These results will have far-reaching implications for economically-important improvements to medicine, conservation, and crop and livestock production. This work will strengthen Australia's strong research profile in evolutionary genetics, physiology and ecology.Read moreRead less
Enhanced biocontrol options for the Australian sugar industry: a proteomic approach. Sugarcane is the second largest field crop grown in Australia and raw sugar is the third largest export product. Canegrubs are the major insect pest affecting production of sugarcane in Australia, currently costing the industry more than $12 million annually in insecticides and lost production. Biological control of insect pests provides an environmentally sound option of reducing these losses. Here we propos ....Enhanced biocontrol options for the Australian sugar industry: a proteomic approach. Sugarcane is the second largest field crop grown in Australia and raw sugar is the third largest export product. Canegrubs are the major insect pest affecting production of sugarcane in Australia, currently costing the industry more than $12 million annually in insecticides and lost production. Biological control of insect pests provides an environmentally sound option of reducing these losses. Here we propose to use proteomics to identify the key pathogenicity determinants in the biological control fungus Metarhizium during infection of canegrubs. The genes and proteins identified in this project will contribute to developing enhanced biocontrol options for Australian sugar industry.Read moreRead less
Additive and non-additive genetic benefits of mating behaviour: a synthesis of sexual selection and conservation genetics. This research will forge a synthesis between the study of mating behaviour and it's consequences (sexual selection) and the field of conservation genetics. It will have direct relevance to conservation attempts, and far-reaching implications for how we understand sexual behaviour and the complex mating decisions animals and humans make. The work will enhance Australia's stro ....Additive and non-additive genetic benefits of mating behaviour: a synthesis of sexual selection and conservation genetics. This research will forge a synthesis between the study of mating behaviour and it's consequences (sexual selection) and the field of conservation genetics. It will have direct relevance to conservation attempts, and far-reaching implications for how we understand sexual behaviour and the complex mating decisions animals and humans make. The work will enhance Australia's strong research reputation in evolutionary genetics, sexual selection and conservation biology.Read moreRead less