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)
The widespread occurrence of hermaphroditism in teleosts has interested not only fish biologists, but also evolutionary ecologists and resource managers. Two hermaphroditic grouper species, the chocolate hind (Cephalopholis boenak) and the orange-spotted grouper (Epinephelus coioides) were studied in relation to their early gonad development. The former is the last remaining grouper of any abundance in Hong Kong waters; the later is the most common mariculture grouper in southern China. Both species are confirmed as diandric, where some individuals mature directly as male (primary males) and others first mature as female and then change sex to male at a later stage (secondary males). Unlike some other diandric, protogynous hermaphrodites where primary males have distinct male gonads prior to maturation, all juveniles passed through an ovarian phase then a bisexual phase prior to sexual differentiation and first sexual maturation. These findings improve our understanding of sexual ontogeny in groupers and demonstrate the importance of including early gonad examination in the diagnosis of hermaphroditism. Using a clearly defined set of diagnostic criteria, a re-examination of all primary literature was conducted to document the incidence of hermaphroditism among all teleost families. We are now using our improved understanding of the ecology, life history and social behaviour of groupers to assist with their conservation and management.
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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