ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies
James Cook University Townsville
Queensland 4811 Australia
Phone: 61 7 4781 4000
Email: info@coralcoe.org.au
Dr Nishikawa is a Post Doctoral Fellow for Research Abroad of JSPS [Japan Society for Promotion of Science] and is currently working in Prof. David Millers lab at JCU.
The 1998 coral bleaching event was the most extensive and severe recorded to date. Mortality rates during 1998 bleaching varied among localities. Coral populations, particularly those of branching species, declined severely in the Okinawa Islands (Middle Ryukyus). In contrast, the Kerama (Middle Ryukyus) and Yaeyama Islands (South Ryukyus), located respectively 30 and 400 km southwest of the Okinawa Islands, maintained healthy coral communities on many reefs. The study of ocean currents supports the hypothesis that the Kerama populations are a source of larvae for the Okinawa populations. To test this hypothesis, we assessed genetic differentiation (FST) among populations in Yaeyama, Kerama, and Okinawa using allozyme electrophoresis for four species (Acropora tenuis, A. digitifera, Goniastrea aspera, and Stylophora pistillata). The FST values between the Kerama and Okinawa populations were lower than those between the Yaeyama and Okinawa populations. Geographic distance, ocean currents, and the present population genetic analysis largely support the larvae source hypothesis. Based on reproductive modes, relatively high genetic differentiation was found among regions in the brooding coral Stylophora pistillata compared to spawning corals. Planula behavior due to reproductive mode may influence genetic differentiation. These results indicate that a longer period is needed for the recovery of brooding species than for spawning species in the Okinawa Islands.
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
A new study has delivered a stark warning about the impacts of urban growth on the world’s coral reefs. As coastal developments expand at pace around the world, a year-long study of coral on a reef
Alarming new research shows global warming of 1.5°C relative to pre-industrial levels will be catastrophic for almost all coral reefs – including those once thought of as refuges. Associate Profes
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
Abstract: Molecular approaches have revolutionised our understanding of the systematics and evolution of most branches on the tree of life, including corals. Over the last twenty-five years molecula
Abstract: Outbreaks of crown-of-thorns starfish (COTS) are a major driver of coral decline across the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) and compound upon the impacts of increasingly frequent and severe coral
Abstract: Being a new staff member at JCU, I will start with a short overview of my research. Next I will zoom in on a specific topic that I have been interested in for a long time: the impact of e
Abstract: The harsh truth is that, despite exciting innovations and increases in activity, ocean conservation is not succeeding, at least not fast enough. This is my conclusion from the last decad
This talk is the last of the parachute science seminar series organized by the ARC CoE Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) committee. Abstract Universities and institutions across th
This talk is the second of three on parachute science being organized by the ARC CoE Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) committee. Abstract For millenia, Traditional Owners have hel
Partner Research Institutions
ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies
James Cook University Townsville
Queensland 4811 Australia
Phone: 61 7 4781 4000
Email: info@coralcoe.org.au
