Testing indicators of genetic exchange and adaptation of populations, essential for biodiversity assessment and management. There will be diverse benefits from our testing and improvement of genetic indicators for exchange between populations and adaptive differentiation of populations. Managers and population biologists will have confidence in choice and use of these vital tools in sustainable use of our terrestrial and aquatic bioresources, as recommended by the federal State of Environment s ....Testing indicators of genetic exchange and adaptation of populations, essential for biodiversity assessment and management. There will be diverse benefits from our testing and improvement of genetic indicators for exchange between populations and adaptive differentiation of populations. Managers and population biologists will have confidence in choice and use of these vital tools in sustainable use of our terrestrial and aquatic bioresources, as recommended by the federal State of Environment system. Also, the use of these tools to identify differential genetic adaptations is the first step in bioprospecting, as well as revealing the raw material for natural and artificial populations to adapt to changes: soil loss, salinity, acidity, climate change. Forensic genetics will benefit from the improved tools for defining subpopulations.Read moreRead less
Quantifying the effects of western colonisation on Great Barrier Reef molluscan communities. Dead shells provide a record of the pre-colonisation Great Barrier Reef (GBR) ecosystem. Using this record this research will determine what the GBR looked like before James Cook and the first fleet arrived in Australia. This study will also sample living molluscs to quantify the current state of these communities. Together these data will provide environment managers and stakeholders with the first quan ....Quantifying the effects of western colonisation on Great Barrier Reef molluscan communities. Dead shells provide a record of the pre-colonisation Great Barrier Reef (GBR) ecosystem. Using this record this research will determine what the GBR looked like before James Cook and the first fleet arrived in Australia. This study will also sample living molluscs to quantify the current state of these communities. Together these data will provide environment managers and stakeholders with the first quantitative estimates of human impacts on this world heritage ecosystem. This project will address the questions: Do protected areas return to a pre-colonial state or do they represent another non-natural state? What type of management scheme results in communities most similar to the pre-colonial state?Read moreRead less
Ontogeny of Behaviour and Sensory Abilities in Larvae of Marine Fishes. This project examines development of swimming performance, other behaviours and sensory abilities relevant to dispersal in larvae of a variety of marine fish species. Both laboratory and field methods will provide an overview of larval behaviour and sensory abilities throughout ontogeny. The extent to which morphological development explains these developmental differences in behaviour and sensory ability will be examined ....Ontogeny of Behaviour and Sensory Abilities in Larvae of Marine Fishes. This project examines development of swimming performance, other behaviours and sensory abilities relevant to dispersal in larvae of a variety of marine fish species. Both laboratory and field methods will provide an overview of larval behaviour and sensory abilities throughout ontogeny. The extent to which morphological development explains these developmental differences in behaviour and sensory ability will be examined in reared and wild individuals. This will provide direct evidence of when during the larval phase that fishes are able to actively modify dispersal patterns. This is important information for management of marine living resources and design of marine reserves.Read moreRead less