Resolving the blue-ringed octopus fauna of Australia: taxonomy, phylogeny and human health (Old ID 23007)

Principal Investigator

Despite renowned toxicity and human fatalates, knowledge of the blue-ringed octopuses (genus Hapalochlaena) remains poor. Their taxonomy requires through revision: four species are currently considered valid, yet preliminary investigations by the applicants identify a total of at least 15 species worldwide, of which over half occur in Australia. This project aims to use taxonomic and molecular tools to: (1) revise the genus; (2) identify and describe Australian species; (3) describe distributions, habitats and biology; (4) investigate phylogeny and biogeography; and (5) provide crucial identification and health hazard information to scientific and wider audiences.

01 Jan 2011 - 31 Dec 2017

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