The molecular basis of cold adaptation: an integrated genomic and proteomic study of Antarctic archaea. The project enables Australia to remain a world leader in extremophiles, cold adaptation and Antarctic biology, strengthening the reputation Australian scientists have in scientific programs of global significance and fostering the interests of the international community in sciences ranging from bioprospecting to the search for extraterrestrial life. National benefit is directly derived from ....The molecular basis of cold adaptation: an integrated genomic and proteomic study of Antarctic archaea. The project enables Australia to remain a world leader in extremophiles, cold adaptation and Antarctic biology, strengthening the reputation Australian scientists have in scientific programs of global significance and fostering the interests of the international community in sciences ranging from bioprospecting to the search for extraterrestrial life. National benefit is directly derived from technological innovation and training local scientists in modern biology of environmental microorganisms. The Antarctic microorganisms provide unique compounds, enzymes and molecules for biotechnology and industry. Insight will be gained into the critical role that methanogens play in the global carbon cycle and global warming.Read moreRead less
Evolutionary genetics of kin recognition and task specialization in termite societies. Social insects must be able to recognize kin and task specialize in order to maintain colony cohesion and maximize colony labour, respectively. While it is known that kin recognition and task specialization are two key mechanisms underpinning insect societies, the extent to which their expression is mediated by genetic versus environmental variables is not known. This project integrates classic approaches to t ....Evolutionary genetics of kin recognition and task specialization in termite societies. Social insects must be able to recognize kin and task specialize in order to maintain colony cohesion and maximize colony labour, respectively. While it is known that kin recognition and task specialization are two key mechanisms underpinning insect societies, the extent to which their expression is mediated by genetic versus environmental variables is not known. This project integrates classic approaches to the study of animal behaviour with recent advances in molecular genetics to test, for the first time, the role that genetic variables have in mediating kin recognition and task specialization in a major group of social insects, the termites.Read moreRead less
Movement patterns and behavioural strategies of Estuarine Crocodiles: A long-term remote monitoring study using an underwater acoustic array. The on-going recovery of the estuarine crocodile population is creating a paradox for Australians. Although a salient species, an iconic animal, and a firm tourist attraction, estuarine crocodiles pose a significant risk to the public. Knowledge of where crocodiles go, what they do when they get there, and why they select particular habitats at certain tim ....Movement patterns and behavioural strategies of Estuarine Crocodiles: A long-term remote monitoring study using an underwater acoustic array. The on-going recovery of the estuarine crocodile population is creating a paradox for Australians. Although a salient species, an iconic animal, and a firm tourist attraction, estuarine crocodiles pose a significant risk to the public. Knowledge of where crocodiles go, what they do when they get there, and why they select particular habitats at certain times is critical for sustaining the Australian crocodile population, whilst ensuring public safety. This long term study will utilise the latest advancement in underwater acoustic technology to monitor the behavioural and physiological strategies used by estuarine crocodiles in occupying critical habitats, providing vital information for resource managers and policy makers. Read moreRead less
Chain formation in weaver ants: a new system for understanding the decision-making and problem-solving mechanisms of complex biological systems. Every day in Australia, groups of social insects solve problems with a skill beyond human capacity. Despite their tiny brains and simple behaviours, their daily activities mirror many of the same problems faced by human societies (regulating traffic flow, achieving 3-D construction tasks and modulating information transfer networks) and social insects s ....Chain formation in weaver ants: a new system for understanding the decision-making and problem-solving mechanisms of complex biological systems. Every day in Australia, groups of social insects solve problems with a skill beyond human capacity. Despite their tiny brains and simple behaviours, their daily activities mirror many of the same problems faced by human societies (regulating traffic flow, achieving 3-D construction tasks and modulating information transfer networks) and social insects studies have excellent track-records in providing innovative solutions. Studies of problem solving in weaver ants enhances knowledge of a significant Australian species, improves the national skill base through collaborations with overseas researchers leading this new field, and highlights Australia's role in solving internationally relevant questions, including problem-solving in complex systems.Read moreRead less
Landscape level effects on dispersal behaviour and gene flow in the logrunner, a rainforest restricted bird. Dispersal is thought to be critical for the persistence of small avian populations in fragmented landscapes. However, our knowledge of dispersal is limited. I will combine behavioural observations on radiotagged birds and powerful genetic markers to examine the effects of habitat fragmentation on the dispersal behaviour of a rainforest restricted bird, the logrunner. This study will deter ....Landscape level effects on dispersal behaviour and gene flow in the logrunner, a rainforest restricted bird. Dispersal is thought to be critical for the persistence of small avian populations in fragmented landscapes. However, our knowledge of dispersal is limited. I will combine behavioural observations on radiotagged birds and powerful genetic markers to examine the effects of habitat fragmentation on the dispersal behaviour of a rainforest restricted bird, the logrunner. This study will determine how landscape structure influences the movement of juvenile logrunners, investigate the causes and consequences of variation in juvenile dispersal behaviour, and use molecular data to determine how connectivity between habitats effects the genetic structure of logrunner populations.Read moreRead less
Tracking crocodiles in 3-dimensions: A remote monitoring study of movement patterns and diving behaviour. The result from this study will promote a better understanding and appreciation of crocodiles and will help to assist conservation managers in determining population dynamics and movements of crocodiles in Queensland. This study will showcase, on an international stage, Australia as being a leader in crocodilian research and conservation, with the results from this study being actively pres ....Tracking crocodiles in 3-dimensions: A remote monitoring study of movement patterns and diving behaviour. The result from this study will promote a better understanding and appreciation of crocodiles and will help to assist conservation managers in determining population dynamics and movements of crocodiles in Queensland. This study will showcase, on an international stage, Australia as being a leader in crocodilian research and conservation, with the results from this study being actively presented and profiled in both the scientific and general media. Finally this project will encourage and promote a long term research association between the University of Queensland, Australia Zoo and Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service that will stimulate scientific discovery, and promote effective conservation through education and research. Read moreRead less
Effects of river plumes on nearshore ecosystems: organic matter flows and food web consequences. River plumes may subsidize nearshore food webs by exporting land-derived material and by stimulating marine phytoplankton production via nutrient delivery. Whereas previous documentation of the biological responses to plumes has been mostly limited to large rivers and to primary production, this project targets small systems that discharge directly onto open coasts, and focuses on the fate of plume ....Effects of river plumes on nearshore ecosystems: organic matter flows and food web consequences. River plumes may subsidize nearshore food webs by exporting land-derived material and by stimulating marine phytoplankton production via nutrient delivery. Whereas previous documentation of the biological responses to plumes has been mostly limited to large rivers and to primary production, this project targets small systems that discharge directly onto open coasts, and focuses on the fate of plume material. Work on carbon pathways will centre on pelagic and benthic food chains associated with plumes, and will also test whether nearshore waters and sandy beaches are coupled via onshore advection of plume material.Read moreRead less
The role of ecological specialisation in insect-plant macroevolutionary processes: a molecular phylogenetic approach across three kingdoms. Flowering plants and phytophagous insects are major components of the world's biodiversity and their evolution has been closely linked. This project will increase our knowledge of insect-endosymbiont-plant interactions and enhance our understanding of the origin, generation and maintenance of much of the world's biodiversity. A broader understanding of how i ....The role of ecological specialisation in insect-plant macroevolutionary processes: a molecular phylogenetic approach across three kingdoms. Flowering plants and phytophagous insects are major components of the world's biodiversity and their evolution has been closely linked. This project will increase our knowledge of insect-endosymbiont-plant interactions and enhance our understanding of the origin, generation and maintenance of much of the world's biodiversity. A broader understanding of how insects, their symbionts and plants have co-evolved should improve our understanding of why and how some insects are able to become pests whereas others do not. Scale insects (the model system in this study) are important pests, both ecologically (Christmas Island interaction between coccids, rainforest plants and crazy ants) and economically (e.g. citrus mealybug).Read moreRead less
The role of algal endosymbionts in acclimation and adaptation of reef corals to climate change. Understanding the potential of symbiotic zooxanthellae to enhance the thermal tolerance of reef corals addresses our first national Research Priority Goal aimed at the sustainable use of Australia's biodiversity. Given current trends in global warming, such knowledge is critical to underpinning the long-term management of the Great Barrier Reef, which has significant political and socio-economic impor ....The role of algal endosymbionts in acclimation and adaptation of reef corals to climate change. Understanding the potential of symbiotic zooxanthellae to enhance the thermal tolerance of reef corals addresses our first national Research Priority Goal aimed at the sustainable use of Australia's biodiversity. Given current trends in global warming, such knowledge is critical to underpinning the long-term management of the Great Barrier Reef, which has significant political and socio-economic importance on local, state, national and global scales for services ranging from fisheries to ecotourism. Understanding the potential for corals to form associations with different genetic types of zooxanthellae will significantly advance current knowledge of the likelihood that animals can adapt to climate change.Read moreRead less
Evolutionary genetics of the immune system in social insects. Insects possess efficient innate immunity against pathogens, but social insects are suggested to be vulnerable due to their packed colonies of related individuals. We predict that pathogen pressure varies with life history and microhabitat details, and that this variation will be reflected in the molecular evolutionary rates of immune system genes. Sequence information will be obtained to test these predictions. The results should ....Evolutionary genetics of the immune system in social insects. Insects possess efficient innate immunity against pathogens, but social insects are suggested to be vulnerable due to their packed colonies of related individuals. We predict that pathogen pressure varies with life history and microhabitat details, and that this variation will be reflected in the molecular evolutionary rates of immune system genes. Sequence information will be obtained to test these predictions. The results should be of widespread interest as reflecting the importance of pathogens and life pattern, and increase our knowledge of insect immune systems, potentially enabling circumvention of pest defenses and better protection of beneficial species.Read moreRead less