Marine Biology & Aquaculture

Tom Lloyd

Tom Lloyd

Alys Young

Alys Young

William Arlidge

William Arlidge

Anna Wilson

Anna Wilson

Kelly Condon

Kelly Condon

Graeme Cumming

Graeme Cumming

Takahiro Shimada

Takahiro Shimada

Peter Doll

Peter Doll

Michela Mitchell

Michela Mitchell

Jan Strugnell

Jan Strugnell

Ecological implications of macroalgal removal for localised inshore reef restoration (Old ID 27319)
Hillary Smith
30 Jul 2021 - 30 Jul 2022
The growing dominance of fleshy macroalgae in many inshore coral reef ecosystems is recognised as a threat to ecosystem functioning and people dependent on coral reefs for their livelihoods. Physically removing macroalgae is proposed as an approach to free up space for coral recovery on algal-dominated reefs. The current state of knowledge surrounding macroalgal removal (reviewed in 2018) highlighted knowledge gaps related to physical and ecological consequences of macroalgal removal. This project aims to improve understanding of the ecosystem-wide impacts of macroalgal removal and determine its potential as a localised restoration strategy for inshore reefs increasingly impacted by anthropogenic threats.
Shining a spotlight on dark taxa: an Integrated approach to species identification of Australian Museum black corals (Cnidaria: Antipatharia) (Old ID 27103)
Tom Bridge
30 Oct 2020 - 30 Oct 2021
I will image and identify black corals housed in AMRI based on branching pattern, spine attributes; and, polyp attributes as defined by the literature. Spines will be examined via imaging with a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). Specimens that cannot be identified from morphological features will be subject to molecular phylogenetic analysis (UltraConserved Elements [UCEs] and exon sequencing). I will extract DNA from tissue, and send DNA to Arbor Biosciences, USA for targeted UCE and exon sequencing. Phyluce software will be used for post-sequencing analyses, and maximum likelihood inference will be conducted on each alignment to add AMRI species to my UCE black coral phylogenetic tree.
RNA Sequencing investigation of box jellyfish, Chironex fleckeri, venom effect on human cell models. (Old ID 27838)
Ludwig Lopata
03 Oct 2022 - 30 Sep 2023
Box jellyfish (Chironex fleckeri) envenomation results in severe pain, inflammation, cardiovascular distress and causes approximately one death per year. However, the mechanism of action the venom induces these effects on humans is poorly understood. Currently, treatment typically consists of basic first aid and analgesia. This research will use RNA-sequencing to discover how human cell lines respond to C. fleckeri venom and its constituents. We believe this approach may contribute to an improved understanding of the mechanistic pathways involved in the venom's pathology and novel envenomation treatment.
Regional values across the North. (Old ID 27683)
Nathan Waltham
30 Jun 2022 - 30 Mar 2023
The project will provide the QNA Section with a deeper understanding of regional values across the North through the analysis of interactions/relationships between major projects and regional environments and communities, and the discussion of significant potential impact themes. The project will support the development of more integrated environmental assessments and is strongly linked to the NESP Resilient Landscapes Hub, Project 1.32 Scoping Study: Supporting Regional Planning in Northern Australia under the Marine and Coastal Hub, and CRCNA investments in de-risking agriculture in Northern Australia.
Conserving riverine elasmobranchs in Borneo, focusing on threatened river sharks (Glyphis sp.) (Old ID 27129)
Naomi Gardiner
01 Jun 2021 - 30 Jun 2027
By 2050 the capital of Indonesia will be relocated to East Kalimantan, Borneo, increasing human population density and pressures on Borneo’s river environments through small-scale fishing and commercial developments. In March 2020, we obtained evidence of what is likely an undescribed Glyphis species persisting in southern Borneo. Additionally, there are four poorly known endangered ray species in freshwaters of Borneo’s rivers. In collaboration with Hasanuddin University, this projects aims to survey major river systems in East, North, and West Kalimantan to locate and taxonomically describe the southern Borneo Glyphis species, and fill knowledge gaps on the distribution and status of Borneo’s freshwater rays.
Saltmarshes Connectivity in Tropical Seascapes: An Ecohydrological Perspective (Old ID 27438)
Nathan Waltham
01 Jul 2021 - 30 Jun 2022
Saltmarshes are among the most threatened coastal ecosystems on the planet. Yet, our understanding of their functionality and ecosystem value as productive coastal habitat is derived from only a small number of studies in temperate and subtropical zones, with almost nothing known about tropical saltmarshes. The proposed research aims to address this knowledge gap by providing insights into the importance of seascape connectivity and configuration on saltmarsh patches. The relationships between saltmarsh hydroperiod (frequency, duration and depth of saltmarsh flooding) and elevation on saltmarsh plants are first investigated. This information will then be used to examine the effects of hydroperiod and seascape configuration on the diets of saltmarsh crabs and their role as trophic subsidies supporting broader estuarine food webs. This study also attempts to investigate the vulnerability of saltmarshes to sea level rise and anthropogenic changes. Together, this research will quantitatively assess the importance and mechanisms of some of the drivers of saltmarsh connectivity in tropical seascapes, thus directly contributing to an ecologically meaningful understanding of these virtually unstudied, though under threat, ecosystems.
Taxonomic assessment of corals in the Australian Indian Ocean Territory (Old ID 28958)
Peter Cowman
08 Mar 2023 - 30 May 2024
Document the species richness of the coral fauna of Christmas and Cocos (Keeling) islands (Australian Indian Ocean Territory), with a focus on identifying new species, species endemic to the region or vulnerable to threats due to low abundance or limited distributions.
Coral recovery dynamics on post-bleach coral reefs (Old ID 27474)
David Bellwood
01 Apr 2022 - 31 Mar 2024
I will use a long-term data to investigate what determines patterns of coral settlement and survival in Lizard Island. 1) Investigate the fate of juvenile corals settled after the back-to-back bleaching events in the Island. 2) I will deploy current meters to provide hydrodynamic data to determine whether currents are able to explain the uneven distribution of recruits. 3) These current data will be combined with detailed 3D photogrammetry to generate small-scale digital photomosaic to estimate if and, to what extent multi-scale topographical details may interact with currents to determine the distribution, fate and growth of recruited corals.
Impacts of a volcanic eruption on coral reef fisheries in a co-managed fishery-system (Old ID 27870)
Patrick Smallhorn-West
01 Jan 2023 - 01 Jan 2025
In January 2022, a massive submarine volcanic eruption occurred in the Kingdom of Tonga, causing widespread damage from both ashfall and tsunami waves. For 20 years prior to this eruption, the Tongan government has worked closely with local communities to manage and conserve the countries coral reef ecosystem and reef fisheries. In the wake of this acute disturbance, I aim to: 1)understand how coral reefs and their fisheries respond to massive acute disturbances, and 2)investigate whether local marine management measures can mitigate observed impacts. Ecological surveys of fish and reef health will be conducted across the country’s coral reefs, both within and beyond managed areas, at varying distances from the eruption epicentre.
Moore Reef Grounding Assessment (Coral Sea Marine Park) (Old ID 27905)
Gemma Galbraith
27 Jan 2023 - 29 Dec 2023
A vessel was reported to have run aground at Moore Reef in the Coral Sea Marine Park in December 2022. This project will use surveys of the grounding site and surrounding habitat to understand the impact of the vessel grounding on reef habitats, and benthic and fish communities on Moore Reef.
Title: JCU reef scientist goes global after plumbing the depths, Townsville Bulletin
Reseracher: Gemma Galbraith (AIMS@JCU Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Reef Connectivity)
Start Date: 10 Nov 2024
Title: Deep dive: How I use robots to survey coral reefs, Nature
Reseracher: Gemma Galbraith (AIMS@JCU Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Reef Connectivity)
Start Date: 31 Mar 2025
Title: Wet Tropics Management Authority - Scientific Advisory Committee
Reseracher: Nathan Waltham (Associate Professor, Blue Carbon)
Start Date: 01 Jan 2024
Title: Aquaculture without Frontiers (AwF), Australia
Reseracher: Simon Das (Research Fellow - Grouper Nutrition)
Start Date: 01 Jan 2024
End Date: 01 Jan 2027
Title: Australian Coral Reef Society
Reseracher: Morgan Pratchett (Professor, Marine Biology & Aquaculture)
Title: International Coral Reef Society
Reseracher: Morgan Pratchett (Professor, Marine Biology & Aquaculture)
Title: BSc Ecology, University of Cape Town
Reseracher: Mark Cyrus (Senior Lecturer Aquaculture Macroalgae)
Start Date: 01 Jan 2004
End Date: 01 Jan 2006
Title: BSc Honours, University of Cape Town
Reseracher: Mark Cyrus (Senior Lecturer Aquaculture Macroalgae)
Start Date: 01 Jan 2007
End Date: 01 Jan 2007
Title: PhD, James Cook University
Reseracher: Leo Nankervis (Associate Professor, Aquaculture)
Start Date: 01 Jan 2002
End Date: 01 Jan 2005
Title: BSc(Hons), James Cook University
Reseracher: Leo Nankervis (Associate Professor, Aquaculture)
Start Date: 01 Jan 1996
End Date: 01 Jan 1999