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The diversity and assembly of optics in nature. Optics, such as the design of new coloured reflectors, is a research strength for Australia. A reason for this is the potential for application - optical devices can be found far and wide in our everyday lives, from security devices on banknotes (holograms), to computer monitors (LCDs). An interesting parallel exists in nature - animals possess similar optical devices to those we use. So it makes sense to examine the animals' devices in a search fo ....The diversity and assembly of optics in nature. Optics, such as the design of new coloured reflectors, is a research strength for Australia. A reason for this is the potential for application - optical devices can be found far and wide in our everyday lives, from security devices on banknotes (holograms), to computer monitors (LCDs). An interesting parallel exists in nature - animals possess similar optical devices to those we use. So it makes sense to examine the animals' devices in a search for new reflectors, and that's an aim of this project. And since reflectors are often difficult to make, why not let animals make reflectors for us? That is a further aim of this project. Soon we may have genetically-altered butterfly scales embedded in our credit cards that cannot be counterfeited.Read moreRead less
Marine flatworm parasites of elasmobranchs: a unique model for experiments exploring invasion strategies, biology and specificity to help understand parasitism. Primitive parasites with simple life cycles from ancient hosts emphasise adaptations to parasitism. Experimental studies on live eggs and infective stages of different monogenean (flatworm) parasite species from the skin, gills and cloaca of southern fiddler rays will identify critical interactions early in parasite-host relationships t ....Marine flatworm parasites of elasmobranchs: a unique model for experiments exploring invasion strategies, biology and specificity to help understand parasitism. Primitive parasites with simple life cycles from ancient hosts emphasise adaptations to parasitism. Experimental studies on live eggs and infective stages of different monogenean (flatworm) parasite species from the skin, gills and cloaca of southern fiddler rays will identify critical interactions early in parasite-host relationships that determine whether or not parasitism occurs. Basic and applied benefits include: development of a tractable experimental system for studying parasite-host relationships; strategies to control parasites in public aquaria and aquaculture; profitable and exportable expertise; excellence and research training in basic parasitology; contributions to Australia's natural heritage collections.Read moreRead less
Modes of speciation in subterranean diving beetles from calcrete aquifers of central Western Australia. Understanding speciation is a fundamental biological problem and our analyses of the diving beetles will broaden our understanding of modes of speciation and how an extraordinary biodiversity of subterranean animals (stygofauna) evolved in the limestone aquifers of central WA. The aquifers are an important source of water for pastoralists and mining companies and the limestone is also a valuab ....Modes of speciation in subterranean diving beetles from calcrete aquifers of central Western Australia. Understanding speciation is a fundamental biological problem and our analyses of the diving beetles will broaden our understanding of modes of speciation and how an extraordinary biodiversity of subterranean animals (stygofauna) evolved in the limestone aquifers of central WA. The aquifers are an important source of water for pastoralists and mining companies and the limestone is also a valuable resource, so there is a need for further research on the impacts of these uses. We will generate further knowledge of the diversity and biological significance of the stygofauna, information that is critical for the environmentally sustainable management of the aquifers and their ecosystems. Read moreRead less
Development of Australian model systems for speciation research. Our project will contribute to an understanding of the process of speciation, a fundamental biological problem, for which there are few well-developed model systems in the world. We will further our understanding of how Australia's extraordinary diversity of animal species have evolved, knowledge which is valuable for understanding the future impact of climatic and environmental changes on species. Our research will generate furthe ....Development of Australian model systems for speciation research. Our project will contribute to an understanding of the process of speciation, a fundamental biological problem, for which there are few well-developed model systems in the world. We will further our understanding of how Australia's extraordinary diversity of animal species have evolved, knowledge which is valuable for understanding the future impact of climatic and environmental changes on species. Our research will generate further knowledge of the diversity and biological significance of subterranean fauna in the arid zone of Australia, providing important background data for assessing the impacts of mining activities on groundwater-dependent-ecosystems and improved strategies for their sustainable management. Read moreRead less
Coevolution of sundew bugs and sundews. This project aims to conduct a study of insect-plant interactions to determine if insects and plants coevolve or if they diversify by other evolutionary processes. Insect-plant coevolution is a hotly contested field in evolutionary biology. In Australia, a remarkable interaction exists between carnivorous plants and a group of bugs that steal the plant’s prey. This system offers a great opportunity to test competing coevolutionary theories through a combin ....Coevolution of sundew bugs and sundews. This project aims to conduct a study of insect-plant interactions to determine if insects and plants coevolve or if they diversify by other evolutionary processes. Insect-plant coevolution is a hotly contested field in evolutionary biology. In Australia, a remarkable interaction exists between carnivorous plants and a group of bugs that steal the plant’s prey. This system offers a great opportunity to test competing coevolutionary theories through a combination of historical and ecological approaches. The project expects to showcase the evolution and uniqueness of Australia’s native biota.Read moreRead less
Systematics and coevolution of insect herbivores on casuarinas: testing phylogenetic congruence for selection of plant biocontrol agents. The casuarinas (sheoaks) are a significant component of the Australian floral landscape. Associated with them are many co-evolved insects, some of which may prove useful as biocontrol agents against Casuarina weeds. Using morphological taxonomy combined with a novel molecular approach, we will compare the co-evolution of psyllids, scale and gall insects, and w ....Systematics and coevolution of insect herbivores on casuarinas: testing phylogenetic congruence for selection of plant biocontrol agents. The casuarinas (sheoaks) are a significant component of the Australian floral landscape. Associated with them are many co-evolved insects, some of which may prove useful as biocontrol agents against Casuarina weeds. Using morphological taxonomy combined with a novel molecular approach, we will compare the co-evolution of psyllids, scale and gall insects, and weevils with that of the casuarinas. This project will have significant implications for conservation and regeneration of casuarinas in the Australian context and the selection of specific biocontrol agents against casuarinas as environmental weeds.Read moreRead less
Blue-banded bees as greenhouse pollinators: healthy and consistent supplies for reliable pollination services. Native blue-banded bee pollination of tomatoes will increase crop yield by 15-20% through improved pollination and simultaneously decrease labour costs by $16,000/Ha/year. The use of blue-banded bees will change the face of the industry. It will cause a 90% decrease in the use of pesticides, increase the use of biological pest management and give rise to a novel industry to provide pol ....Blue-banded bees as greenhouse pollinators: healthy and consistent supplies for reliable pollination services. Native blue-banded bee pollination of tomatoes will increase crop yield by 15-20% through improved pollination and simultaneously decrease labour costs by $16,000/Ha/year. The use of blue-banded bees will change the face of the industry. It will cause a 90% decrease in the use of pesticides, increase the use of biological pest management and give rise to a novel industry to provide pollination services. Blue-banded bee pollination will open up international markets through production of improved quality with less production costs and healthier production methods. Furthermore, the project will remove an environmental threat by providing a native substitute for alien bumblebees.Read moreRead less
Evolution and biogeography of Australian idiopid trapdoor spiders: implications for conservation biology and environmental assessment. Trapdoor spiders (family Idiopidae) are poorly studied and there are many new species with restricted distributions in the western and arid parts of the continent. This project will use DNA techniques to study their evolution and provide genetic criteria for their identification, environmental assessment and determining conservation priorities.
Cell-free immune reactions and suppression. Insects pests and insect vectors of diseases are managed by toxic substances, but insects have a cunning ability to persist. How pesticide-tolerant insect pests recognise and inactivate chemical and biological toxins is poorly understood. While vertebrates with a closed circulatory system use coagulation reactions mainly for wound-healing, invertebrates employ cell-free aggregation reactions for the sequestration and inactivation of potentially damagin ....Cell-free immune reactions and suppression. Insects pests and insect vectors of diseases are managed by toxic substances, but insects have a cunning ability to persist. How pesticide-tolerant insect pests recognise and inactivate chemical and biological toxins is poorly understood. While vertebrates with a closed circulatory system use coagulation reactions mainly for wound-healing, invertebrates employ cell-free aggregation reactions for the sequestration and inactivation of potentially damaging objects and substances. We use insect plasma to dissect recognition and inactivation of damaging objects and substances with the aim to understand tolerance and its inhibition to design novel strategies in delaying tolerance to pesticides in insect pests.Read moreRead less
Ecology and conservation of a unique, threatened guanophilic invertebrate community. This project aims to study the biology and ecology of a unique assemblage of insects and other invertebrates that live specifically in bat guano at Naracoorte Caves World Heritage Area. The caves are a major ecotourism and research location because of their world famous Pliestocene fossils, and because one cave is a critical breeding site for the large bentwing bat, Miniopterus s. bassianii. The guano cave, whic ....Ecology and conservation of a unique, threatened guanophilic invertebrate community. This project aims to study the biology and ecology of a unique assemblage of insects and other invertebrates that live specifically in bat guano at Naracoorte Caves World Heritage Area. The caves are a major ecotourism and research location because of their world famous Pliestocene fossils, and because one cave is a critical breeding site for the large bentwing bat, Miniopterus s. bassianii. The guano cave, which contains numerous endemic invertebrates, is potentially threatened by both direct and indirect human impacts. The results of this research will form the basis of a long-term management strategy to conserve this diverse community.Read moreRead less