A5082168877- Amphibian and Reptile Biology
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Genetic diversity and population structure
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Animal Behavior and Reproduction
- Plant and animal studies
- Genomics and Phylogenetic Studies
- Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies
- Evolution and Paleontology Studies
- Invertebrate Taxonomy and Ecology
- Fire effects on ecosystems
- Lepidoptera: Biology and Taxonomy
- Ichthyology and Marine Biology
- Bat Biology and Ecology Studies
- Genetic and phenotypic traits in livestock
- Fish Ecology and Management Studies
- Botany and Plant Ecology Studies
- Identification and Quantification in Food
- Plant Taxonomy and Phylogenetics
- Bird parasitology and diseases
- Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior
- Lichen and fungal ecology
- Spider Taxonomy and Behavior Studies
- Animal and Plant Science Education
- Turtle Biology and Conservation
Museums Victoria
2015-2024
The University of Melbourne
2014-2024
Monash University
2021-2024
Clayton Foundation
2024
Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute
2024
United States Government Publishing Office
2024
Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust
2024
Washington University in St. Louis
2000-2021
Edinburgh Royal Infirmary
2021
University of Edinburgh
2021
Aim The mesic biome, encompassing both rain forest and open sclerophyllous forests, is central to understanding the evolution of Australia's terrestrial biota has long been considered ancestral biome continent. Our aims are review refine key hypotheses derived from palaeoclimatic data fossil record that critical Australian biota. We examine predictions arising these using available molecular phylogenetic phylogeographical data. In doing so, we increase highlight deficiencies fruitful areas...
Abstract Aim After environmental disasters, species with large population losses may need urgent protection to prevent extinction and support recovery. Following the 2019–2020 Australian megafires, we estimated recovery in fire‐affected fauna, inform conservation status assessments management. Location Temperate subtropical Australia. Time period 2019–2030 beyond. Major taxa terrestrial freshwater vertebrates; one invertebrate group. Methods From > 1,050 taxa, selected 173 whose...
Next-generation sequencing (NGS) approaches are increasingly being used to generate multi-locus data for phylogeographic and evolutionary genetics research. We detail the applicability of a restriction enzyme-mediated genome complexity reduction approach with subsequent NGS (DArTseq) in vertebrate study systems at different geographical scales. present two case studies using SNP from DArTseq molecular marker platform. First, we large agamid lizard Ctenophorus caudicinctus , including 91...
Correlations between an animal's morphology and ecological parameters such as habitat characteristics emphasize the intimate link phenotype environment, but are often difficult to interpret because functional consequences of morphological variation frequently unknown. We provide one few studies relating limb morphology, capabilities, in reptiles. tested hypothesis that species occupying open microhabitats would possess relatively longer limbs faster sprint speeds than those occurring more...
We examine the effects of ecological opportunity and geographic area on rates species accumulation morphological evolution following archipelago colonization in day geckos (genus Phelsuma) Indian Ocean. Using a newly generated molecular phylogeny for genus, we present evidence that these likely originated Madagascar, whereas three archipelagos Ocean, Seychelles, Mascarene, Comoros Islands has produced independent monophyletic radiations. find are not elevated but roughly equivalent all...
Lineages that exhibit little morphological change over time provide a unique opportunity to explore whether nonadaptive or adaptive processes explain the conservation of morphology evolutionary scales. We most comprehensive evaluation date leading similarity among species in cryptic complex, incorporating two agamid lizard (Diporiphora magna and D. bilineata). Phylogenetic analysis mitochondrial (ND2) nuclear (RAG-1) gene regions revealed existence eight deeply divergent clades. Analysis...
Evolutionary ecologists have long debated the extent to which communities in similar environments but different geographic regions exhibit convergence. On one hand, if species' adaptations and community structure are determined by environmental features, convergence would be expected. However, historical contingencies long-lasting effects unlikely. Most studies date emphasized differences between little quantitative evidence for exists. The application of comparative phylogenetic methods...
We describe a new species of large Oedura from the Oscar Range on southern edge Kimberley Craton in north-western Australia. murrumanu sp. nov. can be distinguished all congeners by combination size (snout-vent length to 103 mm), moderately long and slightly swollen tail, tiny scales dorsum, fringe laterally expanded lamellae each digit, 6–7 paired distal subdigital fourth toe. The is first endemic vertebrate known limestone ranges Kimberley; however, this area remains poorly surveyed...
Australia hosts approximately 10% of the world’s reptile species, largest number any country. Despite this and evidence widespread decline, first comprehensive assessment conservation status Australian terrestrial squamates (snakes lizards) was undertaken only recently. Here we apply structured expert elicitation to 60 species assessed be in highest IUCN threat categories estimate their probability extinction by 2040. We also successful reintroduction for two Extinct Wild (EW) Christmas...
Catastrophic megafires can increase extinction risks; identifying species priorities for management and policy support is critical preparing responding to future fires. However, empirical data on population loss recovery post-fire, especially megafire, are limited taxonomically biased. These gaps could be bridged if species' morphological, behavioural, ecological life history traits indicated their fire responses. Using expert elicitation that estimated changes following the 2019–20...
Wallace's Line, separating the terrestrial faunas of South East Asia from Australia-New Guinea region, is most prominent and well-studied biogeographical division in world. Phylogenetically distinct subgroups major animal plant groups have been documented on either side Line since it was first proposed 1859. Despite its importance, temporal history fragmentation across this line virtually unknown geological foundation has rarely discussed. Using molecular phylogenetics dating techniques, we...
To understand factors shaping species boundaries in closely related taxa, a powerful approach is to compare levels of genetic admixture at multiple points contact and determine how this relates intrinsic extrinsic factors, such as genetic, morphological ecological differentiation. In the Australian Alps, threatened alpine bog skink Pseudemoia cryodroma co-occurs with two morphologically ecologically similar congeners, P. entrecasteauxii pagenstecheri, all three are suspected hybridize. We...
Summary Wildfires are increasing in both frequency and intensity many ecosystems, with climate change models predicting further escalations fire‐prone environments. Set against this background is the global decline of amphibians, up to 40% species facing extinction from multiple additive threats. Despite these disturbing figures, it currently unclear how fire may impact long‐term persistence frog populations. Following a severe wildfire south‐eastern Australia 2009, field surveys indicated...
The brown tree frog (Litoria ewingii) is a relatively widespread, commonly encountered pelodryadid from south-eastern Australia, known for its characteristic whistling call. distribution of Litoria ewingii spans over more than 350,000 km2, encompassing range moist temperate habitats, and fragmented by well-known biogeographic barriers. A preliminary analysis mitochondrial DNA sequences revealed evidence deep phylogenetic structure between some these populations. In this study, we sought to...
The use of genetic analyses has become ubiquitous in conservation planning and management as biodiversity is increasingly threatened globally. Typically, such are employed at the species-level, though data accrue, it now possible to consider composition multiple species across landscapes. Such macrogenetic perspectives can reveal potential ramifications extreme disturbance events, catastrophic Australian ‘Black Summer’ wildfires 2019/20. This extensive event severely impacted habitats fauna...
Body temperatures of active lizards and their correspondence with microhabitat occupation were studied for nine species agamid in the central Australian arid zone. Thermoregulatory behaviour was also documented using several measures, such as use shade perch height. The effects thermal environ- ment on lizard habitat hypothesized to be significant, because desert regions experience daily seasonal extremes temperature that are well excess a lizard's preferred range. All species, except...
Abstract Aim Across eastern Australia, mountain ranges (the Great Dividing Range) and river catchments Murray–Darling Basin) are likely to have shaped the phylogeographical structure of many species. We address how such processes influenced phylogeography lace monitor, Varanus varius , a large mobile lizard. Location Eastern south‐eastern Australia. Methods Phylogeographical hypotheses were tested using up 90 museum field‐collected samples from across entire species' range; 671‐bp region...
Abstract Based on the literature, we had predicted that diversification within Neotropical snake genus Bothrops occurred along a latitudinal gradient from north to south, with into unoccupied niches through ecological opportunity, not correlated geoclimatic events. Using dated phylogeny and estimating likelihoods of ancestral states at cladogenesis events, reconstructed areas assessed major events clades, also discuss systematic implications for this group. produced, B. lojanus was...
Abstract We present phylogenetic analyses of the lizard genus Ctenophorus using 1,639 aligned positions mitochondrial DNA sequences containing 799 parsimony‐informative characters for samples 22 species and 12 additional Australian agamid genera. Sequences from three protein‐coding genes ( ND1, ND2 , COI ) eight intervening tRNA are examined both parsimony maximum‐likelihood analyses. Species form a monophyletic group with Rankinia adelaidensis, which we suggest placing in . Ecological...