Evolution of maternal provisioning in echinoderms: characterisation of egg nutrients and their roles in development. In the complex life histories of marine invertebrates modification of maternal provisioning lies at the nexus between the evolution of development and speciation in the sea. This project investigates the relationship between egg nutritive profile and developmental mode in echinoderms. It uses the Patiriella sea stars, a powerful model to examine evolution of egg constituents in a ....Evolution of maternal provisioning in echinoderms: characterisation of egg nutrients and their roles in development. In the complex life histories of marine invertebrates modification of maternal provisioning lies at the nexus between the evolution of development and speciation in the sea. This project investigates the relationship between egg nutritive profile and developmental mode in echinoderms. It uses the Patiriella sea stars, a powerful model to examine evolution of egg constituents in ancestral-type developers with small eggs and derived developers exhibiting multiple parallel evolution of large eggs. This project provides insights into evolutionary fine-tuning of oogenesis and its influence on larval type and location of development, features that strongly influence the biogeography of marine invertebrate populations.Read moreRead less
Big squids in Australian waters, insights into their biology, movement and activity, old questions - new technology. This project will assess important biological parameters of shelf and slope ommastrephid squids. Lab based studies will explore age, growth, maturity rates and diet for the deepwater squid Todarodes filippovae. Cutting -edge telemetry technology (manual tracking, listening curtains and satellite pop-up tags) will assess movement, activity, metabolism and vertical migration of bo ....Big squids in Australian waters, insights into their biology, movement and activity, old questions - new technology. This project will assess important biological parameters of shelf and slope ommastrephid squids. Lab based studies will explore age, growth, maturity rates and diet for the deepwater squid Todarodes filippovae. Cutting -edge telemetry technology (manual tracking, listening curtains and satellite pop-up tags) will assess movement, activity, metabolism and vertical migration of both T. filippovae in deep water and arrow squid (Nototodarus gouldi) on the shelf. A comprehensive understanding will be gained of the biology and lifestyle of these two key squid species that will be utilised by implementers of the South-east Regional Marine Plan, ecosystem modelers and resource managers.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
Co-divergence or opportunism: the evolution of trematode parasitism in the sea. This proposal is for fundamental research into how a major group of parasites (trematodes) has evolved in interaction with its hosts. The work is mainly the kind of 'basic science' that underpins other science without having intended immediate community benefit. However, the work depends strongly on the important task of developing better knowledge of trematodes in Australian native animals. Some of these parasite ....Co-divergence or opportunism: the evolution of trematode parasitism in the sea. This proposal is for fundamental research into how a major group of parasites (trematodes) has evolved in interaction with its hosts. The work is mainly the kind of 'basic science' that underpins other science without having intended immediate community benefit. However, the work depends strongly on the important task of developing better knowledge of trematodes in Australian native animals. Some of these parasites are pathogens of bivalves (scallops, giant clams and oysters) but almost nothing is known about them here. Another benefit of the study is in the training of several postgraduate students who will be able to contribute to the further study and management of parasites in Australia.Read moreRead less
What defines sperm success? The influence of sperm on storage and paternity success in the honeybee Apis mellifera. The honeybee is a species of economic interest and becomes increasingly important for crop pollination, especially in areas where naturally occurring pollinating insects are declining. However, the bee industry struggles to breed sufficient numbers of bees, as climatic changes, parasites and pesticides can kill large numbers of bee hives. Breeding success in honeybees crucially dep ....What defines sperm success? The influence of sperm on storage and paternity success in the honeybee Apis mellifera. The honeybee is a species of economic interest and becomes increasingly important for crop pollination, especially in areas where naturally occurring pollinating insects are declining. However, the bee industry struggles to breed sufficient numbers of bees, as climatic changes, parasites and pesticides can kill large numbers of bee hives. Breeding success in honeybees crucially depends on queens receiving sufficient numbers of viable sperm. The study of honeybee sperm and its possible interactions with the queen can therefore optimize breeding regimes for example by providing ways to estimate male or sperm quality.Read moreRead less
Effects of fire on the reproductive ecology of terrestrial orchids and on their pollinators in fragmented landscapes of southern Australia. This project will combine traditional plant and insect ecology with advanced molecular techniques to ascertain the effects of fire management on terrestrial orchids and their pollinators in fragmented landscapes. This will improve our understanding of the Australian biota and improve management and conservation of terrestrial orchids.
Development and calcification in benthic marine invertebrates (Mollusca and Echinodermata) in an acidified and warm ocean. As an island continent Australia generates considerable wealth from its oceans with marine invertebrate resources playing a key role. These resources are at risk due to the impact of climate change, ocean acidification and warming, on availability of carbonate minerals for shell production. Of major concern is potential recruitment failure if planktonic larvae cannot produc ....Development and calcification in benthic marine invertebrates (Mollusca and Echinodermata) in an acidified and warm ocean. As an island continent Australia generates considerable wealth from its oceans with marine invertebrate resources playing a key role. These resources are at risk due to the impact of climate change, ocean acidification and warming, on availability of carbonate minerals for shell production. Of major concern is potential recruitment failure if planktonic larvae cannot produce their skeleton and if benthic stages cannot grow due to impaired skeleton formation. This project addresses uncertainties in knowledge of the response of ecologically and commercially important marine biota to climate change, knowledge crucial to inform risk assessment of future changes to our marine resources.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
Safeguarding honeybees: understanding host-parasite interactions at the level of proteins. Parasites are responsible for dramatic declines of honeybee populations resulting in a loss of pollination services and posing a threat to food production and ecosystem stability. This project will study the honeybee immune system and its interactions with bee parasites on the molecular scale, which will be important to guide future bee breeding.