A5056686894- Amphibian and Reptile Biology
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Evolution and Paleontology Studies
- Animal Behavior and Reproduction
- Bat Biology and Ecology Studies
- Genetic diversity and population structure
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Turtle Biology and Conservation
- Lepidoptera: Biology and Taxonomy
- Morphological variations and asymmetry
- Spider Taxonomy and Behavior Studies
- Ichthyology and Marine Biology
- Paleontology and Evolutionary Biology
- Genomics and Phylogenetic Studies
- Plant and animal studies
- Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies
- Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior
- Neurobiology and Insect Physiology Research
- Animal and Plant Science Education
- Ocular Surface and Contact Lens
- Fossil Insects in Amber
- Parasite Biology and Host Interactions
- Pleistocene-Era Hominins and Archaeology
- melanin and skin pigmentation
- Biochemical Analysis and Sensing Techniques
South Australian Museum
2015-2024
The University of Adelaide
2015-2024
Flinders University
2012-2024
Terra
2023
Migration Institute of Australia
2023
Museum für Naturkunde
2021
Department of Conservation
2021
Institute of Neurobiology
2020
International Union for Conservation of Nature
2012
Slippery Rock University
2006-2009
To facilitate molecular genetic analysis of vertebrate development, haploid genetics was used to construct a recombination map for the zebrafish Danio ( Brachydanio ) rerio . The consists 401 random amplified polymorphic DNAs (RAPDs) and 13 simple sequence repeats spaced at an average interval 5.8 centimorgans. Strategies that exploit advantages RAPD markers were developed quickly mapped lethal visible mutations placed cloned genes on map. This is useful position-based cloning mutant genes,...
Recent mtDNA phylogenies of Australasian agamid lizards are highly incongruent with existing morphological views. To resolve this discrepancy we sequenced two nuclear gene regions, c-mos and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). These were concordant each other the phylogeny, but not morphology. A combined molecular analysis reveals substantial hidden support (additional phylogenetic signal that emerges only when data sets interact in a analysis). Bayesian posteriors, partitioned...
Remains of a fossil amphibian have been recovered from an ironstone layer in the Upper Evergreen Formation, dated as late Liassic, southeast Queensland. Extraction skeleton very hard matrix has presented number problem s which are discussed. The find is almost complete skull and mandible connected to articulated postcranial missing only some ribs, right hind leg distal portions other limbs tail. remains those temnospondyl labyrinthodont described new genus species family Chigutisauridae....
A major problem for biodiversity conservation and management is that a significant portion of species diversity remains undocumented (the ‘taxonomic impediment’). This widely acknowledged to be dire among invertebrates in developing countries; here, we demonstrate it can acute even conspicuous animals (reptiles) developed nations (Australia). survey mtDNA, allozyme chromosomal variation the Australian gecko, genus Diplodactylus , increases overall estimates from 13 29. Four nominal each...
Despite decades of phylogenetic studies, the generic and species-level relationships some Australian elapid snakes remain problematic. The morphologically conservative genus Parasuta comprises small nocturnal with a particularly obfuscated taxonomic history. Here we provide molecular analysis all currently recognised species including members sister Suta new morphological data that lead to revision boundaries. We failed find support for monophyly or Suta, instead supporting previous evidence...
The Australian scincid clade Lerista provides perhaps the best available model for studying limb reduction in squamates (lizards and snakes), comprising more than 75 species displaying a remarkable variety of digit configurations, from pentadactyl to entirely limbless conditions. We investigated pattern rate loss Lerista, employing comprehensive phylogeny inferred nucleotide sequences nuclear intron six mitochondrial genes. reveals extraordinary evolutionary mutability morphology Lerista....
Aim Australian scincid lizards represent three distinct groups within the cosmopolitan clade Lygosominae, Egernia, Eugongylus and Sphenomorphus groups. This paper presents a time-calibrated phylogeny for Lygosominae that provides necessary temporal framework assessing contributions of immigration from Asia Gondwanan inheritance in derivation fauna. Location Australasia, Asia, Africa. Methods Phylogenetic relationships divergence times were inferred novel BDNF, c-mos PTPN12 sequences (2408...
The taxonomy of central Australian populations geckos the genus Gehyra has been uncertain since chromosomal studies carried out in 1970s and 1980s revealed considerable heterogeneity apparently independent patterns morphological karyotypic diversity. Following detailed molecular genetic studies, species boundaries this complex have become clearer we here re-set three named involved, G. variegata (Duméril & Bibron, 1836), montium Storr, 1982, nana King, describe new species. Two species,...
Palaeoclimatic events and biogeographical processes since the mid-Tertiary are believed to have strongly influenced evolution distribution of terrestrial vertebrate fauna southeastern Australia. We examined phylogeography temperate-adapted members Egernia whitii species group, a group skinks that comprise both widespread low- mid-elevation (E. whitii) montane-restricted (Egernia guthega, montana), in order obtain important insights into influence past on herpetofauna Sequence data were...
We used nucleotide sequences from four mitochondrial genes and structural features of the control region, combined with a revised, previously published, morphological data set to infer phylogenetic relationships among pythons. aimed determine which two competing hypotheses genera Aspidites Python best explains evolutionary bioegeographical history family. All analyses recover in (1) genus is paraphyletic east Asian species, P. reticulatus timoriensis, as sister lineage seven Australo-Papuan...
The lizards of the Egernia group Australia and Melanesia include some most distinctive members family Scincidae in morphology (including giant size, spinose scalation), ecology behaviour. Social behaviour, including long-term recognition individuals kin, mate fidelity home site fidelity, is amongst complex known squamate reptiles subject an expanding number studies. Lack a sound phylogeny for has limited our ability to understand evolution patterns variation social behaviour within this...
The New Zealand (NZ) lizard fossil record is currently limited to late Quaternary remains of modern taxa. St Bathans Fauna (early Miocene, southern South Island) extends this 19–16 million years ago (Myr ago). Skull and postcranial elements are similar extant Oligosoma (Lygosominae) skinks Hoplodactylus (Diplodactylinae) geckos. There no evidence other squamate groups. These fossils, along with coeval sphenodontines, demonstrate a long conservative history for the NZ lepidosaurian fauna,...
The inner ear morphology of 80 snake and lizard species, representative a range ecologies, is here analysed compared to that the fossil stem Dinilysia patagonica , using three-dimensional geometric morphometrics. Inner linked phylogeny (we find strong phylogenetic signal in data can complicate ecological correlations), but also correlated with ecology, resembling certain semi-fossorial forms ( Xenopeltis Cylindrophis ), consistent previous reports. We striking resemblances between some...
Abstract We compared the head skeleton (skull and lower jaw) of juvenile adult specimens five snake species [ Anilios (= Ramphotyphlops ) bicolor , Cylindrophis ruffus Aspidites melanocephalus Acrochordus arafurae Notechis scutatus ] two lizard outgroups ( Ctenophorus decresii Varanus gilleni ). All major ontogenetic changes observed were documented both qualitatively quantitatively. Qualitative comparisons based on high‐resolution micro‐ CT scanning specimens, detailed quantitative analyses...
Recognition of individuals within an animal population is central to a range estimates about structure and dynamics. However, traditional methods distinguishing individuals, by some form physical marking, often rely on capture handling which may affect aspects normal behavior. Photographic identification has been used as less-invasive alternative, but limitations in both manual computer-automated recognition are particularly problematic for smaller taxa (<500 g). In this study, we explored...
Snake fangs are an iconic exemplar of a complex adaptation, but despite striking developmental and morphological similarities, they probably evolved independently in several lineages venomous snakes. How snakes could, uniquely among vertebrates, repeatedly evolve their venom delivery apparatus is intriguing question. Here we shed light on the repeated evolution snake using histology, high-resolution computed tomography (microCT) biomechanical modelling. Our examination non-venomous species...
The pygmy blue-tongue lizard, Tiliqua adelaidensis, had been considered extinct until its recent rediscovery near Burra in the mid-north of South Australia. lizards apparently rely on spider burrows with a single entrance as refuge sites. In this paper we describe observations from all-day video recordings entrances occupied by 31 days across spring and early summer 1996. spent most each day either retreated down burrow or basking at entrance. Early season, when temperatures were cooler,...
Partial sequences of the mitochondrial 12S rRNA and nuclear c-mos genes were determined for 12 species gekkonoid lizards representing four major taxa Australian region, Diplodactyhni Carphodactylini (forming subfamily Diplodactylinae), Pygopodidae Gekkoninae. One further represented a non-Australian lineage, Eublepharinae. The combined sequence data used to reconstruct underlying molecular phylogeny. We phylogeny test monophyly diplodactyline tribes conflicting hypotheses relationships die...