DNA reveals the past and future of coral reefs
New DNA techniques are being used to understand how coral reacted to the end of the last ice age in order to better predict how they will cope with current changes to the climate. James Cook Univer
From 2005 to 2022, the main node of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies was headquartered at James Cook University in Townsville, Queensland (Australia)
Abstract: Coral bleaching is a general stress response in which the symbiotic relationship between corals and their photosynthetic algae is disrupted. Localised bleaching has occurred for at least a century; however large-scale bleaching, commonly called mass bleaching, is indicative of severe environmental stress. Since the earliest mass bleaching events, there have been notable differences in the percentage of colonies affected within and among families, genera and species. My PhD research aims to explore both intrinsic and extrinsic causes of variation in bleaching susceptibility within and among coral species, which is the first step in understanding the capacity of species to withstand ongoing climate change. Dire predictions about the fate of reef-building corals often ignore
the potential for acclimation and/ or adaptation among corals. Phenotypic plasticity is necessary for organisms to acclimate or adapt to environmental conditions, but the variable(s) that cause(s) phenotypic plasticity must be heritable to have the capacity to do so. My thesis attempts to determine the plasticity in the timing of the bleaching response within and among coral species. Furthermore, bleaching has not been rigorously defined, which my thesis aims to do.
Biography: Dominique is from Louisville, Kentucky where she group up with fossilised Devonian reefs. She worked on mosquito surveillance in her undergrad, while she got her BS in Biology, AA in Chemistry and minored in Geology. She hopes to bring all of her previous knowledge together to help explain coral bleaching.
New DNA techniques are being used to understand how coral reacted to the end of the last ice age in order to better predict how they will cope with current changes to the climate. James Cook Univer
A new study on the effects of climate change in five tropical countries has found fisheries are in more trouble than agriculture, and poor people are in the most danger. Distinguished Profess
James Cook University researchers have found brightly coloured fish are becoming increasingly rare as coral declines, with the phenomenon likely to get worse in the future. Christopher Hemingson, a
Researchers working with stakeholders in the Great Barrier Reef region have come up with ideas on how groups responsible for looking after the reef can operate more effectively when the next bleaching
Abstract: As marine species adapt to climate change, their heat tolerance will likely be under strong selection. Individual variation in heat tolerance and its heritability underpin the potential fo
Abstract: The Reef Ecology Lab in KAUST’s Red Sea Research Center explores many aspects of movement ecology of marine organisms, ranging from adult migrations to intergenerational larval dispersal
Abstract: Macroalgal meadows are a prominent, yet often maligned component of the tropical seascape. Our work at Ningaloo reef in WA demonstrate that canopy forming macroalgae provide habitat for ad
Abstract: Sharks are generally perceived as strong and fearsome animals. With fossils dating back at least 420 million years, sharks are not only majestic top predators but they also outlived dinosa
Abstract: Connectivity plays a vital role in many ecosystems through its effects on fundamental ecological and evolutionary processes. Its consequences for populations and metapopulations have been
Abstract: Evolution of many eukaryotic organisms is affected by interactions with microbes. Microbial symbioses can ultimately reflect host’s diet, habitat range, and even body shape. However, how
Abstract: The past few years have seen unprecedented coral bleaching and mortality on the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) but the consequences of this on biodiversity are not yet known. This talk will expl
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