Dr Joana Figueiredo

Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Understanding and Managing Coral Reef Biodiversity

Postdoctoral Fellow, Ecological Modelling, ARC Centre for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University (2010-2012), Postdoctoral Fellow, Theoretical Ecology, University of Lisbon, Portugal (2009/2010), Visitor Scholar, Theoretical Ecology and Evolution, Stanford University (2009) PhD, University of Lisbon (Portugal) (2009); B.Sc.(Honours), Marine Biology, University of Lisbon, Portugal (1998-2003) Research Interests Publications online Select Publications

Research Interests

- Larval Ecology
- Population Dynamics
- Theoretical and Statistical Modelling

My research interests include population dynamics, early life history of marine invertebrate species and ecological modelling. I have recently assessed how asymmetric dispersal can promote species coexistence under recruitment limitation and displacement competition. Currently, I am working with Dr. Andrew Baird and Prof. Sean Connolly in the study of coral larvae survival, competence and settlement dynamics. Larval dynamics are determinant to species’ dispersal and metapopulation connectivity. A better understanding of coral dispersal patterns, and how they might change with global warming, is essential to assist the design of an effective marine reserve network throughout the Great Barrier Reef.

Publications online

Select Publications

Figueiredo J., Pereira H.M. 2011. Regime shifts in a socio-ecological model of farmland abandonment. Landscape Ecology 26, 737–749

Figueiredo J (2010) Tropical Coral Reefs (Appendix 10) in Biodiversity Scenarios: projections of 21st century change in biodiversity and associated ecosystem services, a technical report for the Global Biodiversity Outlook 3 (Eds. Leadley P, Pereira HM, Alkemare R, Fernandez-Manjarrez JF, Proenca V, Scharlemann JPW, Walpole MJ). Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity, Montreal. Technical series 50:125-132.

Figueiredo J., van Woesik R., Lin J., Narciso L. 2009. Artemia franciscana enrichment model – How to keep them small, rich and alive? Aquaculture 294, 212–220

Figueiredo J., Narciso L. 2008. Egg volume, energy content, and fatty acid profile of Maja brachydactyla (Crustacea: Brachyura: Majidae) during embryogenesis. Journal of Marine Biology Association of United Kingdom, 88(7) 1401-1405.

Figueiredo J., Penha-Lopes G., Lin J., Narciso L. 2008. Productivity and profitability of Mithraculus forceps aquaculture. Aquaculture 283, 43-49.

Figueiredo J., Penha-Lopes G., Anto J., Narciso L., Lin J. 2008. Potential fertility and egg development (volume, water, lipid, and fatty acid content) through embryogenesis of Uca rapax (Decapoda: Brachyura: Ocypodidae). Journal of Crustacean Biology, 28(3) 528-533.

Figueiredo J., Penha-Lopes G., Anto J., Narciso L., Lin J. 2008. Fecundity, brood loss and egg development through embryogenesis of Armases cinereum (Decapoda: Grapsidae). Marine Biology 154 (2), 287-294.

Figueiredo J., Penha-Lopes G., Narciso L., Lin, J. 2008. Effect of starvation during late megalopa stage of Mithraculus forceps (Brachyura: Majidae) on larval duration, synchronism of metamorphosis, survival to juvenile, and newly metamorphosed juvenile size. Aquaculture 274, 175-180.

Figueiredo J., Narciso L., Turingan R. and Lin J. 2008. Efficiency of using emerald crabs Mithraculus sculptus (Lamarck, 1818) to control bubble algae Ventricaria ventricosa (sin Valonia ventricosa ) (J. Agardh, 1887) in aquaria habitats. Journal of Marine Biology Association of United Kingdom, 88 (1), 95 – 101.

Penha-Lopes G. , Figueiredo J., Narciso L. 2007. Modelling survival and growth Mithraculus forceps’s larvae and juveniles (A. Milne Edwards, 1875) (Decapoda: Brachyura: Majidae) in aquaculture. Aquaculture 264, 285-296.

Figueiredo J., Narciso L. 2006. Productivity improvement of Lysmata seticaudata larval rearing protocol through modelling. Aquaculture 261, 1249 – 1258.

Penha-Lopes G., Rhyne, A., Figueiredo J., Narciso L., Lin J. 2006. Can larvae produced from stored sperm in the ornamental crab Mithraculus forceps (A. Milne Edwards, 1875) (Decapoda: Brachyura: Majidae) be used in aquaculture? Aquaculture 257, 282-286.

Calado, R. , J. Figueiredo, R. Rosa, M.L. Nunes, L. Narciso. 2005. Effects of  temperature, density and diet on larval development, survival, settlement synchronism, and fatty acid profile of the ornamental shrimp Lysmata seticaudata. Aquaculture 245, 221- 237.

Cabral, H. N., J. Marques, A. L. Rego, A. I. Catarino, J. Figueiredo & J. Garcia. 2003. Genetic and morphological variation of Synaptura lusitanica Capello, 1868, along the Portuguese coast. J. Sea Res. 50 (2-3), 167-175.

Cabral, H. N., A. I. Catarino, J. Figueiredo, J. Garcia & M. Henriques. 2003. Feeding ecology, age, growth and sexual cycle of the Portuguese sole, Synaptura lusitanica (Capello, 1868). J. Mar. Biol. Ass. UK, 83, 613-618.

Fellowships and Awards

Postdoctoral Research Fellowship by the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reefs Studies (2011/2012)
Postdoctoral Fellowship awarded by Fundacao para a Ciencia e Tecnologia (FCT) (SFRH/BPD/62936/2009) (2010/20111)
Postdoctoral Fellowship awarded by the Foundation of the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Lisbon (2009/2010)
Research fellowship Luiz Saldanha/Ken Tenore jointly awarded by the Luso American Foundation (FLAD) and the Institute of Marine Research (IMAR)(2009)
Ph.D. Scholarship awarded by the Foundation for the Science and Technology (FCT) (SFRH/BD/17130/2004)(2005/2008)
Research scholarship Luiz Saldanha/Ken Tenore jointly awarded by the Luso American Foundation (FLAD) and by the Institute of Marine Research (IMAR)(2004)
Honours Project Award awarded by the Portuguese Education Development Program (PRODEP)(2003)

Contact Details

Dr Joana Figueiredo
Phone: 61 (0)7 4781 6243
Email: Joana.Figueiredo@jcu.edu.au