Current extinction rates of reptiles and amphibians
Alroy, J. 2015. Current extinction rates of reptiles and amphibians. PNAS Early Edition. | Find with Google Scholar »
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Dear all,
Thanks to all who came along to the department meeting on Tuesday – the slides are here for those who couldn’t be there. If you would like to express your views on the Faculty’s strategic plan to the Dean, please email her!
Well done to all our MRes students who are submitting their thesis today.
Don’t forget Ride to Work Day next Wednesday 14 October.
cheerio
Michelle
General News and Announcements
This Week’s Seminar
We are lucky to hear from 2 of our own, and learn what they are working on. Rhys Whitley and Lizzy Wenk, both from MQ will give us presentations next Wednesday 1pm in the Biology Tea Room (E8A 280).
Rhys Whitley will discuss:
Title: A model inter-comparison experiment to examine limiting factors in modelling Australian tropical savannas
Abstract: Savanna ecosystems are one of the most complex biomes that dominate the global terrestrial surface. This complexity derives from a distinct vegetative surface comprised of co-dominant tree and grass layers. While these two vegetation types co-exist functionally, demographically they are not static, but are dynamically changing in response to extreme environmental forces such as annual fire events and rainfall variability, particularly in Australia. Modelling savanna environments with the current generation of ecosystem models has presented many problems, including but not exclusive to, describing fire frequency and intensity, root water uptake, and phenology and leaf biochemistry of C3 and C4 photosynthesis vegetation. In order to better understand why ecosystem models perform so poorly in savannas, we conducted a model inter-comparison experiment whereby six models were run over five Australian savanna sites along a declining rainfall gradient. We used an empirical benchmarking system to assess model performance in predicting water and carbon exchange. We identifying that these models do not adequately simulate wet season dynamics, particularly the latent energy flux. Seasonal water availability and the representation of the grass understorey were found to be reasons for poor performance in all models. These results show that targeted development at improving how these processes are represented in ecosystem models is necessary for the future research of savanna dynamics.
Lizzy Wenk will discuss:
Title: Reproduction allocation schedules in plants
Abstract: There exists limited data on how plants shift reproduction allocation, the proportion of energy allocated to reproduction (vs. vegetative growth, storage, and defense), as they age. Our recently completed field study in the local coastal heathland provides lifetime reproduction allocation data for 14 woody perennials. The species studied span the successional gradient from short-lived early reproducing species to longer-lived species that allocate much less energy to reproduction. Earlier reproducing species tend to allocate a larger amount of energy to reproduction and very rapidly decrease investment in leaves.
Warrior Walk for Reconciliation
Next Wednesday, as part of the FAME Festival, Warriors at Work are holding a Walk for Reconciliation through the campus. Starting in the Central Courtyard, we will take a 2km stroll around our beautiful campus culminating with a bush tucker themed lunch. This is a free event for students and staff and will include a walk through our very own Bush Tucker Garden, the Learning Circle and include Indigenous entertainment. This year’s event will be run in partnership with the Indigenous Strategy Team from Warawara.
More information and links to registration here.
Australasian Society of the Study of Animal Behaviour Student Grants
The Australasian Society of the Study of Animal Behaviour student grants are currently open with submissions due on the 23rd of October. I (Matt Bulbert) encourage all students that are currently undertaking a research project that has an aspect related to behaviour to apply. You can receive up to $1000 for your project as well as free registration at the next ASSAB meeting. Even if you are not successful you will get feedback on your proposal which has seen a number of students successful in subsequent rounds. So please check it out: http://www.assab.org/student-
Mysterious Algal Balls Explained
The science behind the mysterious Algal balls found on Dee Why last year has been published! This involved a collaboration between several members of our department, and personnel from the UNSW and the Botanical Gardens. Here is a link to the blog of the lead author Dr Julia Cooke on the subject and the fabulous paper can be found in our publication list below.
Community Partnership Proposal
Wahroonga Waterways Landcare is a small community environment group that assists with the management of a 34.1 ha environmental conservation zone in Wahroonga. In their regular patrols, they have come across some impressive examples of fungi and an apparent symbiotic link between mycorrhizal fungi and ephemeral native orchids.
They are interested in applying for a grant from Australian Geographic. The AG Project Sponsorships offer up to $15 000 a quarter and Seed Grants offer up to $3 000 each year for projects that have a community, science, environmental or adventure based focus, especially for research and discovery.
If any member of the department (staff or student) is interested in undertaking a project on the site, funded by this grant, please contact them directly:
Frances O’Brien
Group Administrator
Wahroonga Waterways Landcare
79 Mt Pleasant Ave, Wahroonga NSW 2076
Ph: 0406 934 792
Fb: http://www.facebook.com/WahroongaEECZ
The project would be for 2016, with applications for funding closing in November. Maybe a good MRes project?
Fieldwork managers December Absence
During the month of December both Sarah Collison (terrestrial fieldwork manager) and Andrew Irvine (marine fieldwork manager) will be on leave at the same time for short period.
During this time there will be NO NEW FIELDWORK APPROVALS. They ask that you have your fieldwork organised and applications in to fieldwork@mq.edu.au by Wednesday 2nd December for them to be approved.
Sarah will be back on campus Monday 14th December and will be approving terrestrial and marine trips until end of year C.O.B.
Any equipment collections/returns or in-field emergencies during this time should be directed to Tarun Rajan (9850 8149 / 0401 191 312).
Questions that Matter
Freeze Dryer needed
Does anyone have a freeze dryer that is needed to preserve stick insects? Access is required for about 1 week. Please contact Braxton (braxton926@gmail.com)
if you can help.
Lost Earning
Yesterday Vivian Cumbo (vivian.cumbo@mq.edu.au) lost one of her earrings (pictured here) somewhere around uni. She received them as a gift a week ago and would like to find it so if you spot it let her know.
![image1[3]](http://bio.mq.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/image13.jpg)
Hundreds of new species found in Eastern Himalayas
New wildlife report has identified more than 200 newly discovered species including a blue-eyed frog. Read more here.
New Publications
The shape of terrestrial abundance distributions
Alroy, J. 2015. The shape of terrestrial abundance distributions. Science Advances 1:e1500082 | Find with Google Scholar »A new species of spectacularly coloured flat lizard Platysaurus (Squamata: Cordylidae: Platysaurinae) from southern Africa
Whiting, M. J., W. R. Branch, M. Pepper, and J. S. Keogh. 2015. A new species of spectacularly coloured flat lizard Platysaurus (Squamata: Cordylidae: Platysaurinae) from southern Africa. Zootaxa 3986:173-192. | Find with Google Scholar »Differential proteomic responses of selectively bred and wild-type Sydney rock oyster populations exposed to elevated CO2
Thompson, E. L., W. O'Connor, L. Parker, P. Ross, and D. A. Raftos. 2015. Differential proteomic responses of selectively bred and wild-type Sydney rock oyster populations exposed to elevated CO2. Molecular Ecology 24:1248-1262. | Find with Google Scholar »Plastic territoriality in group-living chestnut-crowned babblers: roles of resource value, holding potential and predation risk
Sorato, E., P. R. Gullett, M. J. S. Creasey, S. C. Griffith, and A. F. Russell. 2015. Plastic territoriality in group-living chestnut-crowned babblers: roles of resource value, holding potential and predation risk. Animal Behaviour 101:155-168. | Find with Google Scholar »Latitudinal and temporal distributions of diatom populations in the pelagic waters of the Subantarctic and Polar Frontal zones of the Southern Ocean and their role in the biological pump
Rigual-Hernandez, A. S., T. W. Trull, S. G. Bray, A. Cortina, and L. K. Armand. 2015. Latitudinal and temporal distributions of diatom populations in the pelagic waters of the Subantarctic and Polar Frontal zones of the Southern Ocean and their role in the biological pump. Biogeosciences 12:5309-5337. | Find with Google Scholar »Electric shock for aversion training of jumping spiders: Towards an arachnid model of avoidance learning
Peckmezian, T., and P. W. Taylor. 2015. Electric shock for aversion training of jumping spiders: Towards an arachnid model of avoidance learning. Behavioural Processes 113:99-104. | Find with Google Scholar »Minibrachium, a new subgenus of Rhamphobrachium (Annelida: Onuphidae) from Australia with the description of three new species
Paxton, H., and N. Budaeva. 2015. Minibrachium, a new subgenus of Rhamphobrachium (Annelida: Onuphidae) from Australia with the description of three new species. Zootaxa 4019:621-634. | Find with Google Scholar »Responses of leaf traits to climatic gradients: adaptive variation versus compositional shifts
Meng, T. T., H. Wang, S. P. Harrison, I. C. Prentice, J. Ni, and G. Wang. 2015. Responses of leaf traits to climatic gradients: adaptive variation versus compositional shifts. Biogeosciences 12:5339-5352. | Find with Google Scholar »Assessment strategies and decision making in male-male contests of Servaea incana jumping spiders
McGinley, R. H., J. Prenter, and P. W. Taylor. 2015. Assessment strategies and decision making in male-male contests of Servaea incana jumping spiders. Animal Behaviour 101:89-95. | Find with Google Scholar »Size isn’t everything: movements, home range, and habitat preferences of eastern blue gropers (Achoerodus viridis) demonstrate the efficacy of a small marine reserve
Lee, K. A., C. Huveneers, T. Macdonald, and R. G. Harcourt. 2015. Size isn't everything: movements, home range, and habitat preferences of eastern blue gropers (Achoerodus viridis) demonstrate the efficacy of a small marine reserve. Aquatic Conservation-Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems 25:174-186. | Find with Google Scholar »Serpulidae (Annelida) of Lizard Island, Great Barrier Reef, Australia
Kupriyanova, E. K., Y. Sun, H. A. Ten Hove, E. Wong, and G. W. Rouse. 2015. Serpulidae (Annelida) of Lizard Island, Great Barrier Reef, Australia. Zootaxa 4019:275-353. | Find with Google Scholar »Life in the unthinking depths: energetic constraints on encephalization in marine fishes
Iglesias, T. L., A. Dornburg, M. C. Brandley, M. E. Alfaro, and D. L. Warren. 2015. Life in the unthinking depths: energetic constraints on encephalization in marine fishes. Journal of Evolutionary Biology 28:1080-1090. | Find with Google Scholar »Genetic Divergence among Regions Containing the Vulnerable Great Desert Skink (Liopholis kintorei) in the Australian Arid Zone
Dennison, S., S. McAlpin, D. G. Chapple, and A. J. Stow. 2015. Genetic Divergence among Regions Containing the Vulnerable Great Desert Skink (Liopholis kintorei) in the Australian Arid Zone. PLoS ONE 10. | Find with Google Scholar »Predation risk predicts use of a novel habitat
Bishop, M. J., and J. E. Byers. 2015. Predation risk predicts use of a novel habitat. Oikos 124:1225-1231. | Find with Google Scholar »A new twist on a very old binary similarity coefficient
Alroy, J. 2015. A new twist on a very old binary similarity coefficient. Ecology 96:575-586. | Find with Google Scholar »The unusual occurrence of green algal balls of Chaetomorpha linum on a beach in Sydney, Australia. Botanica Marina
Cooke, J., Lanfear, R., Downing, A., et al. (2015). The unusual occurrence of green algal balls of Chaetomorpha linum on a beach in Sydney, Australia. Botanica Marina, 0(0), pp. - early release for the October edition of Botanica Marina. | Find with Google Scholar »In the Media
Culum Brown provided comment to The Daily Telegraph, ABC Local’s Overnights program and the Gold Coast Bulletin about his four-year study of Port Jackson shark behaviour
Read more »
Michael Gillings has written a piece, ‘Bad times for good bacteria: how modern life has damaged our internal ecosystems’, for The Conversation, 9th October 2015
Read more »
Michael Gillings spoke to ABC News Radio Breakfast on how DNA mutations occur, DNA repair mechanisms and the 2015 Nobel Prize in Chemistry
Darrell Kemp provided comments to Nature on the mating habits of butterflies.
Read more »
Lesley Hughes spoke to ABC Illawarra, ABC Northern Tasmania, and ABC Southwest WA, SYN FM, and provided comments to Eco News, about the impact of extreme weather in their local supermarkets.
Read more »
John Alroy has had two papers come out in the last couple of weeks which are garnering a lot of media attention!
John was featured in the Sydney Morning Herald, the New York Times, the Washington Post. the International Business Times, the Age, the Canberra Times, Phys.org, EcoWatch and WA Today regarding his research showing hundreds of species of frogs have been lost over three decades due to factors such as pollution and habitat destruction. John has also been interviewed on ABC Radio’s NSW Statewide Drive program and 666 ABC Canberra Breakfast. In addition he’s been interviewed for a forthcomming article in the Wildlife Society’s Wildlife Professional magazine and a piece on Triple-J.
John’s paper on terrestrial abundance distributions has also made it onto phys.org.
Read more »Robert Kooyman spoke on ABC North Coast’s Mornings program about the distribution of plastics in the ocean
Jane Williamson contributed the piece, ‘Shields and smart buoys: new technology to protect sharks and people’, to The Conversation
Read more »