A5015887308- Amphibian and Reptile Biology
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Lepidoptera: Biology and Taxonomy
- Evolution and Paleontology Studies
- Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies
- Genetic diversity and population structure
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Plant and animal studies
- Animal and Plant Science Education
- Bat Biology and Ecology Studies
- Animal Behavior and Reproduction
- Spider Taxonomy and Behavior Studies
- Fossil Insects in Amber
- Genomics and Phylogenetic Studies
- Animal Ecology and Behavior Studies
- Paleontology and Evolutionary Biology
- Education Systems and Policy
- Primate Behavior and Ecology
- Scarabaeidae Beetle Taxonomy and Biogeography
- Morphological variations and asymmetry
- Pleistocene-Era Hominins and Archaeology
- Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior
- Turtle Biology and Conservation
- Education and Critical Thinking Development
- Environmental DNA in Biodiversity Studies
Griffith University
2018-2024
Queensland Museum
2018-2024
University Research Co (United States)
2024
Queensland Department of Environment and Science
2024
The University of Melbourne
2011-2021
Australian National University
2014-2018
Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research
2016-2018
The University of Adelaide
2007-2018
Museums Victoria
2012-2017
Government of the Northern Territory
2017
Recent advances in molecular genetic techniques and increased fine scale sampling the Australian Monsoonal Tropics (AMT) have provided new impetus to reassess species boundaries Gehyra nana complex, a clade of small-bodied, saxicolous geckos which are widely distributed across northern Australia. A recent phylogenomic analysis revealed eight deeply divergent lineages that occur as series overlapping distributions AMT which, whole, paraphyletic with four previously described species. Several...
We provide a taxonomic revision of the genus Crenadactylus, group very small clawless geckos from western and central Australia, with currently only one recognized species four subspecies. Morphological comparisons were made on genotyped specimens two recent genetic studies, then an expanded sample to encompass all determine diagnostic characters in addition morphological geographic boundaries. Based our findings, we elevate subspecies Crenadactylus ocellatus south-western Australia C. o....
The East Melanesian Islands have been a focal area for research into island biogeography and community ecology. However, previously undescribed biogeographically significant new species endemic to this region continue be discovered. Here we describe phylogenetically distinct (~20% divergence at the mitochondrial ND2 gene) disjunct of gecko in genus Gehyra, from Admiralty St Matthias Islands. Gehyra rohan sp. nov. can distinguished all congeners by combination its very large size, ring bright...
Abstract Aim Small geographic ranges make species especially prone to extinction from anthropogenic disturbances or natural stochastic events. We assemble and analyse a comprehensive dataset of all the world's lizard identify with smallest ranges—those known only their type localities. compare them wide‐ranging infer whether specific regions biological traits predispose have small ranges. Location Global. Methods extensively surveyed museum collections, primary literature our own field...
New Guinea is home to the world’s most diverse insular frog biota, but only a small number of taxa have been included in genetically informed assessments species diversity. Here we describe two new treefrog genus Litoria that were first flagged during genetic diversity (DNA barcoding) and are currently known from holotypes. pterodactyla sp. nov. large green graminea complex hill forests Western Province, Papua third member this group south Central Cordillera. vivissimia small, spike-nosed...
A small number of treefrog species (Litoria) from Melanesia are unusual amongst Anura in having distinctive fleshy rostral spikes. Here, we first present an extended description for Litoria pronimia Menzies, a that is widespread along the southern edge Central Cordillera New Guinea, and which males have long erectile spike. Second, describe pinocchio sp. nov. new, morphologically similar, yet geographically disjunct Foja Mountains northern Papua Province, Indonesia. The new differs aspects...
We describe a new species of bent-toed gecko in the genus Cyrtodactylus from hill forest Southern Highlands Province, Papua New Guinea. manos sp. nov. can be distinguished all congeners Guinea by its small size combination with aspects colouration and body tail scalation. The adds to growing number vertebrate known only karstic mountains along southern edge Guinea's Central Cordillera, suggesting that this region holds previously overlooked endemic karst-associated biota.
We describe a new species of Lepidodactylus with an unusual distribution across scattered localities in three isolated mountain ranges northeastern New Guinea. It is member the pumilus group and can be distinguished from all other Melanesian by aspects size, scalation, digital webbing, coloration. Previously published genetic morphological data indicate that most similar to magnus, but it diverged this close relatives mid-Miocene or earlier, potentially on islands former South Caroline Arc....
Over the last decade, combination of biological surveys, genetic diversity assessments and systematic research has revealed a growing number previously unrecognised vertebrate species endemic to Australian Monsoonal Tropics. Here we describe new saxicoline velvet gecko in Oedura marmorata complex from Groote Eylandt, large island off eastern edge Top End region Northern Territory. nesos sp. nov. differs all congeners moderate size, aspects tail morphology colouration. It not been reported...
Abstract Aim Clutch size is a key life‐history trait. In lizards, it ranges over two orders of magnitude. The global drivers spatial and phylogenetic variation in clutch have been extensively studied birds, but such tests other organisms are lacking. To test the generality latitudinal gradients size, their putative drivers, we present first global‐scale analysis sizes across lizard taxa. Location Global. Time period Recent. Major taxa Lizards (Reptilia, Squamata, Sauria). Methods We analysed...
We describe a new species of large green treefrog from southern Papua Province, Indonesia. Litoria lubisi sp. nov. is placed in the L. infrafrenata Group based on its size, colouration and configuration hand webbing, but differs other members this group aspects body size proportions, extent male advertisement call. occurs close proximity to two Group, emphasising an until-recently overlooked pattern that multiple large, arboreal have overlapping distributions across much lowlands New Guinea.
Context Tropical regions host the richest, yet most poorly known and threatened concentrations of biodiversity on planet. Citizen science is increasingly viewed as a strategy to help fill these key data gaps. However, inadequate taxonomic frameworks, social inequities, poor infrastructure may all constrain this potential.Aims To examine how effectively citizen from iNaturalist fills gaps in knowledge about distribution, species richness conservation status megadiverse tropical biota, namely...
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...
Regions with complex geological histories often have diverse and highly endemic biotas, yet inferring the ecological historical processes shaping this relationship remains challenging. Here, in context of taxon cycle model insular community assembly, we investigate patterns lineage diversity habitat usage a newly characterized vertebrate radiation centred upon world's most geologically region: island arcs spanning from Philippines to Fiji. On taxa are ecologically widespread, provide...
Abstract Targeting phylogenetic diversity (PD) in systematic conservation planning is an efficient way to minimize losses across the Tree of Life. Considering representation genetic below and above species level, also allows robust analyses within systems where taxonomy flux. We use dense sampling phylogeographic for 11 lizard genera, demonstrate how PD can be applied a policy‐ready problem. Our analysis bypasses named taxa, using data directly inform decisions. highlight areas that should...
Karstic landscapes are immense reservoirs of biodiversity and range-restricted endemism. Nowhere is this more evident than in the world’s third-largest vertebrate genus Cyrtodactylus (Gekkonidae) which contains well over 300 species. A stochastic character mapping analysis 10 different habitat preferences across a phylogeny containing 344 described undescribed species recovered karst preference occurring 25.0% species, whereas that other eight specific occurred only 0.2–11.0% The tenth...
We describe a new species in the Cyrtodactylus loriae group from northern versant of New Guineas Central Cordillera far western Papua Guinea. hutchinsoni sp. nov. can be distinguished related taxa by its large size, absence serrate tubercles on tail and ventrolateral fold, further aspects scalation colouration. Genetic data suggest is closely allied to C. serratus southern Guinea, providing potential example pair isolated Pliocene uplift these mountains. The recognised diversity Guinea other...
Abstract Identifying hotspots of biological diversity is a key step in conservation prioritisation. Melanesia—centred on the vast island New Guinea—is increasingly recognised for its exceptionally species-rich and endemic biota. Here we show that Melanesia has world’s most diverse insular amphibian fauna, with over 7% global frog species less than 0.7% land area, 97% endemic. We further estimate nearly 200 additional candidate have been discovered but remain unnamed, pointing to total fauna...
Abstract Aim Viviparity has evolved more times in squamates than any other vertebrate group; therefore, offer an excellent model system which to study the patterns, drivers and implications of reproductive mode evolution. Based on current species distributions, we examined three selective forces hypothesized drive evolution squamate viviparity (cold climate, variable climate hypoxic conditions) tested whether is associated with larger body size. Location Global. Time period Present day....
Blues Fell this Morning has become a classic account of the blues, one most evocative strands American popular culture. Richard Wright's foreword pays tribute to Paul Oliver's understanding those starkly brutal haunting folk songs created by millions nameless and illiterate Negroes in their wanderings over southland intrusion into northern industrial cities. Material from recordings recollections singers, going back 1920s, are woven an interpretative meaning blues. First published 1960, at...