Zoology & Ecology
Saul Chemonges
- Adjunct Associate Professor
- saul.chemonges@jcu.edu.au
Daniel Montesinos Torres
- Senior Research Fellow
- daniel.montesinos@jcu.edu.au
Claire Gely
- Lecturer, Zoology and Ecology
- claire.gely@jcu.edu.au
Ben Hirsch
- Adjunct Senior Lecturer
- ben.hirsch@jcu.edu.au
Stephen Williams
- Adjunct Professor
- stephen.williams@jcu.edu.au
Myles Menz
- Senior Lecturer, Zoology and Ecology
- myles.menz@jcu.edu.au
Martijn van de Pol
- Associate Professor, Mathematical Modelling
- martijn.vandepol@jcu.edu.au
Slade Allen-Ankins
- Research Fellow
- slade.allenankins@jcu.edu.au
Noel Preece
- Adjunct Associate Professor
- noel.preece@jcu.edu.au
Conrad Hoskin
- Professor
- conrad.hoskin@jcu.edu.au
Genomic tools for monitoring yellow crazy ants. (Old ID 29026)
This project will establish protocols and baseline data for ddRAD-seq based sequencing of yellow crazy ants. In this phase of the project, we will sequence 200 individuals from historical infestations and develop tools to assess genetic relatedness among infestations. Baseline data established in this project will be used to help trace the origin of future infestations as well as improve our understanding of genetic diversity and gene flow in yellow crazy ants in Queensland.
Do Melomys cervinipes have personalities? Variations in behaviour and hormones (Old ID 22230)
Behavioural syndromes or personalities are a series of correlated behaviours that are consistently displayed within an environment by an individual. I aim to study whether the fawn-footed melomys, Melomys cervinipes, in the Wet Tropics has distinct behavioural syndromes and whether these behavioural syndromes are associated with habitat disturbance. I hypothesise that individual M. cervinipes will show distinct behavioural syndromes depending on their habitat. This study will provide a greater understanding of the relationship between behavioural syndromes and habitat disturbance in a poorly studied Australian rodent. This knowledge will provide an insight into how individual and population fitness could be affected in degraded environments and how animals may cope with environmental change.
Near-infrared spectroscopy to improve detection of the invasive yellow crazy ant, Anoplolepis gracilipes. (Old ID 28988)
This project aims to develop a proof-of-concept device capable of distinguishing the invasive yellow crazy ant from native ants in the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area using a miniaturised near infrared (NIR) spectroscopic sensor. I will conduct an initial study into the variability of the yellow crazy ant NIR spectra then build a classification model to distinguish yellow crazy ants from common native ants using NIR spectra. These studies will be used to inform the prototype development. Prototype development will consist of the design and manufacture of a printed circuit board containing the NIR sensor and its support electronics. This prototype will be then validated using the same classification experiment of YCA against native ants.
Denitrification bioreactor trial in the Russell catchment of the Wet Tropics (Old ID 23408)
This project will establish the effectiveness of denitrification bioreactors as an on-farm technology for removing dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) in waters draining the Babinda Swamp Drainage Area. The region has been identified as a hotspot for DIN in the Great Barrier Reef catchment. This will be the first trial of denitrification bioreactors in the Wet Tropics. Denitrifying bioreactors route water through a high-carbon substrate under anaerobic conditions to encourage denitrification (the conversion of DIN to atmospheric N2). Two bioreactor configurations will be tested at two sites, and the potential for broader adoption will be assessed.
Greater glider (Petauroides Volans) mechanisms for adaptation in extreme environments (Old ID 22823)
Greater gliders north of the Tropic of Capricorn are half the size of those occurring in southern Australia and may constitute a subspecies. The mechanism behind these size differences in endotherms is highly controversial. The prevailing theory is heat conservation, due to a decreased surface area to mass ratio in larger animals; however alternative mechanisms have been suggested. This study will be the first to examine divergence in their phylogeny, physiology and differences in thermal tolerance between populations ranging from tropical to temperate forests. Underlying mechanisms will be investigated including water/nutrient availability, seasonality, thermal responses, microhabitat, insulation, and predator/competitor pressure.
Age or Experience? Studying a problem of problem solving using a native Australian rodent (Old ID 26573)
We know surprisingly little about how animals gain their abilities to solve problems and what this means for their survival. Without understanding this, we cannot accurately predict whether species will have the capacity to cope with increasing problems associated with environmental change. I will investigate how individuals acquire their problem solving abilities (age- or experience-dependent). These data are important to help us understand how animals develop their problem solving abilities, how these abilities change over time, and if animals can use these abilities to cope with environmental change.
Autoclave for the Northern Australia Plant Biosecurity Facility
The ARC-LIEF funded Northern Australia Plant Biosecurity Facility is to be built during 2024, procurement process is ongoing. The effective approval as a federally recognised quarantine facility requires the purchase of an autoclave to be located within the quarantine glasshouse, as per BC2 quarantine regulations. The proposal's funding was reduced on approval and funding for this essential piece of equipment is lacking.
Using pheromones to understand Australia's diverse lizard fauna (Old ID 22866)
This project will investigate the mating pheromones of a cryptic species complex of geckos (Heteronotia binoei) to determine how pheromones vary between populations and genetic lineages within and between species. There are 13 genetic lineages in total within these four species. I expect that pheromones will differ significantly between divergent lineages within each species. I will then perform behavioural experiments to confirm that phermone divergence can result in reproductive isolation. If so, pheromones will be an informative taxonomic character for these morphologically conservative groups, and will contribute to our understanding of vertebrate diversity in the Australian tropics.
Using pheromones to understand Australia's diverse lizard fauna (Old ID 22866)
This project will investigate the mating pheromones of a cryptic species complex of geckos (Heteronotia binoei) to determine how pheromones vary between populations and genetic lineages within and between species. There are 13 genetic lineages in total within these four species. I expect that pheromones will differ significantly between divergent lineages within each species. I will then perform behavioural experiments to confirm that phermone divergence can result in reproductive isolation. If so, pheromones will be an informative taxonomic character for these morphologically conservative groups, and will contribute to our understanding of vertebrate diversity in the Australian tropics.
Exploring the nexus between environment, emotion and spatial cognition: a test using Melomys cervinipes (Old ID 22683)
The loss of environmental complexity in tropical rainforests due to anthropogenic deforestation is a major threat to mammals. How an animal copes with these changes may be dependent on integrated physiological, behavioural and cognitive responses to environmental stimuli. The aim of this study is to investigate whether environmental complexity influences these responses of Malomys cervinipes. I predict that animals from complex habitats will demonstrate lowered anxiety and stress and will show enhanced learning and performance in a cognitive behavioural task. This study is the first to investigate the links between environmental complexity, physiology, behaviour and cognition in an Australian mammal.
Complex growth rate evolution in a latitudinally widespread species
- 2004
- Wiley-Blackwell
- Researchers:Lin Schwarzkopf
Shade acclimation of rainforest leaves to colonization by lichens
- 2002
- Wiley-Blackwell
- Researchers:Betsy Jackes
Master of them all: performance specialization does not result in trade-offs in tropical lizards
- 2007
- Evolutionary Ecology
- Researchers:Lin Schwarzkopf
Does total reproductive effort evolve independently of offspring size?
- 2001
- Wiley-Blackwell
- Researchers:Lin Schwarzkopf
Nomadic movement in tropical toads
- 2002
- Wiley-Blackwell
- Researchers:Lin Schwarzkopf
Start Date:
01 Jan 1986
Start Date:
01 Jan 1984
End Date:
01 Jan 2007
End Date:
01 Jan 2002
End Date:
01 Jan 1999
Title:
ERC Expert Panel
Start Date:
01 Jan 2020
End Date:
01 Jan 2021
Start Date:
01 Jan 2011
End Date:
01 Jan 2019
Start Date:
01 Jan 2022
Start Date:
01 Jan 2018
Start Date:
01 Jan 2010