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: Parrotfishes, a dominant group of grazing fishes have colonized tropical reef systems in all of the world’s ocean basins. As with other clades of the family Labridae they are largely protogynous with a characteristically complex reproductive ontogeny. In life-history terms they are dynamic, displaying a demographic signature characterised by rapid and highly opportunistic episodes of somatic growth and exceptionally high reproductive outputs. As relatively short-lived but abundant reef fishes their populations contain a high proportion of small, newly recruited individuals that occupy shallow high temperature habitats. This plus their demographic features implies a demanding metabolism and the requirement of substantial resources to support their abundant populations. In this context dietary selectivity and food processing becomes a matter of considerable interest. This seminar examines the alternatives with respect to food resources with a focus on the capacity of algal resources to support parrotfish populations. Examination of this issue also provides clues as to the rapid evolutionary diversification of this group associated with the colonization of the world’s tropical reefs over a relatively short time period.
Bio: JH Choat late of University of Queensland, University of Auckland, James Cook University Department of Marine Biology. Is now retired and from an adjunct appointment is continuing studies of the demography and nutritional ecology of parrot fishes at several sites including the east Pacific, southern Brazil, the Red Sea and Oman, Cocos-Keeling the Solomon Islands, Micronesia and the GBR.
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
