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: Competition is one of the factors shaping coral reef communities and the performance of the different coral species depends on their health. Understanding the genetic bases of competition and immunity is fundamental to predict the effects of climate change in coral interactions. The current shift of communities between soft and hard coral makes the competition of these two groups an important topic to be analysed. This research will focused on the gene expression and secondary metabolite production of the soft coral Lobophytum pauciflorum in competition and in an immune challenge; and the effects of ocean acidification on them.
Biography: Based in Townsville, Natalia Andrade is an Ecuadorian biologist studying her PhD on Molecular Science at James Cook University. She has been involved in coral-related research since 2010 when developed work on cospeciation and plasticity in the false cowries (Ovulidae: Neosimnia spp.) associated to the fan coral (Octocoralia: Pacifigorgia) in Equador. She studied and earned a bachelor degree with honours in Biological Sciences in the same country and obtained an Ecuadorian Government scholarship in order to continue with her postgraduate studies. Natalia keeps working on soft corals and is now involved on a research about competitive interactions, secondary metabolite production and immunology of the soft coral Lobophytum pauciflurum and the effects of ocean acidification on these processes.
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
Partner Research Institutions
