Australian Tropical Herbarium

Matt Barrett

Matt Barrett

Darren Crayn

Darren Crayn

Mel Harrison

Mel Harrison

Stuart Worboys

Stuart Worboys

Frank Zich

Frank Zich

Origins of the northern Australian flora: Role of the Sunda-Sahul Floristic Exchange (Old ID 23636)
Darren Crayn
01 Nov 2017 - 31 Dec 2018
I am investigating the origins of the northern Australian flora, and specifically, the exchange of flora with Southeast Asia when Australia collided with the Eurasian plate approximately 25 Mya. This exchange was key in shaping Australia’s northern flora, however the patterns, dynamics and extent of its contribution is poorly understood. Using a comparative phylogenetic approach, I aim to characterise the contribution and timing of exchange, establish whether the exchange was directionally biased, identify dispersal tracks of Asian taxa through northern Australia, and investigate underlying dispersal mechanisms. This research can inform conservation decisions and enhance understanding of evolutionary processes across Australasia.
Next-generation systematics for Australia's challenging taxa: Unravelling phylogeny, evolution and species delimitation in the sun orchids (Thelymitra Orchidaceae) (Old ID 21617)
Darren Crayn
01 Jul 2014 - 30 Jun 2018
Standard molecular markers provide only limited insights into phylogenetic relationships in cases where plant groups i) underwent a recent and rapid diversification, ii) are subject to reticulate evolution, and/or iii) include polyploids. Next-generation sequencing technologies now offer the unprecedented opportunity to investigate the evolution of such challenging plant groups. In this project, we aim to apply Next-Generation sequencing approaches in the sun orchids (Thelymitra, Orchidaceae) to a) unravel infrageneric relationships; b) assess the taxonomic value of key morphological characters; c) improve our understanding of interspecific relationships and species delimitation in three significant species complexes through population-level molecular analysis.
A revision of the genus Wisteria Nutt. In Australia (Old ID 22381)
Darren Crayn
01 Jan 2016 - 28 Feb 2018
Recent molecular work has indicated that the genus Wisteria in Australia presently consists of three species having names only in Callerya (C. australis, C. megasperma and C. pilipes). However, there is at least one new species known from one plant in the Daintree catchment. Callerya australis occurs in three disjunct areas and possibly includes three species. The project will revise all described species as well as describe new species.
Origins of the northern Australian flora: Role of the Sunda-Sahul Floristic Exchange (Old ID 23433)
Darren Crayn
01 Jul 2017 - 31 Dec 2017
I am investigating the origins of the northern Australian flora, and specifically, the exchange of flora with Southeast Asia when Australia collided with the Eurasian plate approximately 25 Mya. This exchange was key in shaping Australia’s northern flora, however the patterns, dynamics and extent of its contribution is poorly understood. Using a comparative phylogenetic approach, I aim to characterise the contribution and timing of exchange, establish whether the exchange was directionally biased, identify dispersal tracks of Asian taxa through northern Australia, and investigate underlying dispersal mechanisms. This research can inform conservation decisions and enhance understanding of evolutionary processes across Australasia.
Traditional Knowledge about Climate and Food Security in Kwaio, Malaita, Solomon Islands (Old ID 27270)
Darren Crayn
08 Jun 2021 - 30 Apr 2022
This project will be implemented in conjunction with Baru Conservation Alliance in Malaita, Solomon Islands. Traditional Knowledge and experience of weather, the seasonal interaction of plants, animals and people will be explored and documented. The use of tradiitional 'disaster food' after natural disasters will also be documented. The local scale production of flour from locally grown fuits and vegetables will be piloted; usage and spoilage monitored, and dishes made from flour trialled for acceptability and feasibility with Kwaio tribal groups. The project links food security, health and ecological sustainability to inform local level disaster and climate resilience measures in Malaita, Solomon Islands.
A next-generation framework phylogeny for Diurideae (Orchidaceae) (Old ID 21416)
Darren Crayn
01 Jul 2014 - 30 Jun 2016
Australia's biodiversity is characterised by a rich endemic flora of terrestrial orchids. Tribe Diurideae (over 900 species) comprises several lineages that underwent major radiations on the continent, such as in Caladeniinae, Prasophyllinae, or Thelymitrinae. This project aims to generate a phylogenetic framework for the orchid tribe Diurideae based on next-generation DNA sequence data. The molecular phylogeny will be used to assess subtribal delimitations and controversial generic concepts in Diurideae, evaluate the taxonomic value of key diagnostic characters, and to infer the spatio-temporal evolution of the tribe. Additionally, the project will provide DNA barcodes across the tribe Diurideae.
Phylogeny and Biogeography of Australian Garcinia (Clusiaceae) (Old ID 22869)
Darren Crayn
01 Jul 2016 - 31 Dec 2016
This project will analyse the affinity of close related taxa within Garcinia in Australia. The analysis will use the platform of DArT™ Analysis established by DArT™ Company, Canberra. The DNA samples will be prepared in high quality and quantity templates to allow the restriction enzyme recognises and cuts the restriction sites in the whole genome. The restriction sites will be analysed using DArT™ protocol and software which the in final result will produce DArT™ sequence analysis. This final result will show the affinity of the taxa which can also be used to analyse how the genetic varieties occur such as the shape of the fruits, the colour of the flowers and other minute morphological characters.
Discovering novel drug lead molecules for inflammatory bowel disease from Australian Aboriginal tropical medicinal plants (Old ID 26510)
Darren Crayn
01 Jan 2020 - 31 Dec 2024
Inflammatory Bowel Disease is a debilitating disease, which has no cure. It costs the Australian Health System billions of dollars in hospitalisation, management and lost productivity, thereby precipitating the need for novel drugs. Building on my extensive preliminary data, we aim to discover novel drug leads from Aboriginal medicinal plants, which are currently used for treating inflammatory conditions by the Mbabaram community of the Atherton Tablelands.
New Guinea a major generator of Australian and Southeast Asian plant diversity: evidence from multi-lineage analysis of diversification through time (Old ID 24972)
Darren Crayn
23 May 2018 - 05 Sep 2018
I am investigating the origins of the northern Australian flora, and specifically, the exchange of flora with Southeast Asia when Australia collided with the Eurasian plate approximately 25 Mya. This exchange was key in shaping Australia’s northern flora, however the patterns, dynamics and extent of its contribution is poorly understood. Using a comparative phylogenetic approach, I aim to characterise the contribution and timing of exchange, establish whether the exchange was directionally biased, identify dispersal tracks of Asian taxa through northern Australia, and investigate underlying dispersal mechanisms. This research can inform conservation decisions and enhance understanding of evolutionary processes across Australasia.
Phylogeny and Biogeography of Garcinia (Clusiaceae) (Old ID 23435)
Darren Crayn
01 Jun 2017 - 31 Dec 2017
This study was undertaken to uncover the relationship of Australian Garcinia with other Garcinia species from different regions in the world. The majority of Australian Garcinia occur in the wet tropical region of North Queensland with a high level of endemicity. Using a combination of molecular and morphological data this study found a group of Australian Garcinia that are more closely related to New Guinean species while another clade had closer affinities to Asian species. The outcomes contribute important information to the systematics of Garcinia and a greater understanding of the biogeography of Australian plant diversity.

One thousand plant transcriptomes and the phylogenomics of green plants

Speciation in Howea palms occurred in sympatry, was preceded by ancestral admixture, and was associated with edaphic and phenological adaptation

A predominantly southern distribution conceals a northern reservoir of diversity in a wet sclerophyll tree

Triodia veniciae (Poaceae), a new species from the pilbara region, western Australia

Origins and assembly of Malesian rainforests

A phylogenetic recircumscription of Styphelia (Ericaceae, Epacridoideae, Styphelieae)

Checklist of the vascular flora of the Sunda-Sahul Convergence Zone

Identifying evolutionary lineages in the Elaeocarpus obovatus complex: population genetics and morphometric analyses support a new subspecies, Elaeocarpus obovatus subsp. umbratilis, from northern Queensland, Australia

Using DNA to distinguish between faeces of Dugong dugon and Chelonia mydas: non-invasive sampling for IUCN-listed marine megafauna

  • 2021
  • Springer
  • Researchers:Samantha TolMel HarrisonDavid Blair

Validation of two informally named species of Melichrus (Ericaceae: Epacridoideae) from north-eastern New South Wales

Title: Centre for Tropical Biodiversity and Climate Change Management Committee
Reseracher: Darren Crayn (Director, Australian Tropical Herbarium)
Start Date: 01 Jan 2014
Title: Australian Orchid Foundation Research Committee
Reseracher: Darren Crayn (Director, Australian Tropical Herbarium)
Start Date: 01 Jan 2013
Title: Australian Barcode of Life Network Steering Committee
Reseracher: Darren Crayn (Director, Australian Tropical Herbarium)
Start Date: 01 Jan 2012
Title: Wet Tropics Management Authority Scientific Advisory Committee
Reseracher: Darren Crayn (Director, Australian Tropical Herbarium)
Start Date: 01 Jan 2011
Title: National Environmental Research Program, Tropical Ecosystems Hub Rainforest Working Group
Reseracher: Darren Crayn (Director, Australian Tropical Herbarium)
Start Date: 01 Jan 2011
End Date: 01 Jan 2014
Title: Tropical Indigenous Ethnobotany Centre - Coordinating Committee member
Reseracher: Darren Crayn (Director, Australian Tropical Herbarium)
Start Date: 01 Jan 2011
Title: Council of Heads of Australasian Herbaria
Reseracher: Darren Crayn (Director, Australian Tropical Herbarium)
Start Date: 01 Jan 2010
Title: Daintree Rainforest Observatory Scientific Committee
Reseracher: Darren Crayn (Director, Australian Tropical Herbarium)
Start Date: 01 Jan 2009
Title: Australian Biological Resources Study Advisory Committee
Reseracher: Darren Crayn (Director, Australian Tropical Herbarium)
Start Date: 01 Jan 2009
End Date: 01 Jan 2014
Title: Herbarium NE International Review Panel
Reseracher: Darren Crayn (Director, Australian Tropical Herbarium)
Start Date: 01 Jan 2009
End Date: 01 Jan 2009