More ‘fairness’ needed in conservation
New research shows what is often assumed to be ‘fair’ in conservation practice may not be considered so by the very people most affected by it—and a new approach is needed if protected areas are
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
Abstract: The association between the photosynthetic dinoflagellate Symbiodinium and corals has been known for many years. However, recent study has established that a number of other related alveolates are also intimately associated with corals including: the newly discovered chromerids (Chromera velia, Vitrella brassicaformis) and unidentified apicomplexans. Chromerids were isolated so far from corals in Australia, but the association of apicomplexans with corals was reported in the Caribbean and not yet on the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) of Australia. Moreover, the nature of the chromerids and apicomplexans associations with corals is unknown. This study aims to use ecological genomics and next-gen DNA sequencing tools to provide the baseline knowledge on the bio-geographic distribution of chromerids and apicomplexans on the Great Barrier Reef (GBR), their association with different coral hosts, and their role in coral health and disease. This study will also provide the analysis of the whole transcriptome response of the coral Acropora millepora following Chromera velia infection and measuring the differential gene expression profile.
Biography: Amin was born in Egypt where he completed his BSc in Zoology (excellent degree with honors) in 2006. He worked as a teaching assistant at Faculty of Science, Benha University, Egypt. As he developed a great interest in coral reef research, he did a Masters project on coral health and disease in the Egyptian Red Sea. This project provided baseline information on coral disease, coral bleaching, and other health issues that affect coral reefs in this region. Amin has been awarded a PhD scholarship from the Egyptian government. He is now a PhD student at David Miller’s lab, the ARC center of Excellence for coral reef studies, James Cook University. Amin’s PhD is supervised by Prof David Miller and Prof Bette Willis. His research focuses on studying the impact of newly discovered coral associated alveolates on coral health. Yet, the nature of these associations is unknown so it is unclear whether they have positive or negative impact on coral health.
New research shows what is often assumed to be ‘fair’ in conservation practice may not be considered so by the very people most affected by it—and a new approach is needed if protected areas are
New research on the growth rates of coral reefs shows there is still a window of opportunity to save the world’s coral reefs—but time is running out. The international study was initiated at th
A world first study within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park has found limited fishing zones (yellow zones) are still important conservation and fisheries management tools when paired with no-fishing
Today, the British Ecological Society announced Dr Renato Morais from the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies at James Cook University as the winner of this year’s Haldane Prize. The
Abstract: I will present some findings showing genetically-identified cryptic coral species within a functional group differing in their response to disturbance (bleaching), environmental gradients (
Abstract: This project aims to set some of the fundamentals necessary for the study of antipatharians (black corals) in the disciplines of ecology, phylogenomics, biology and conservation management.
Abstract: In 1990, Elinor Ostrom published Governing the Commons, a demonstration that communities could successfully manage common pool resources without resorting to individual private property ri
Abstract: Population irruptions of the crown-of-thorns starfish, Acanthaster cf. solaris, are a perennial threat to coral reefs and may be initiated by fluctuations in reproductive or settlement
Abstract: Climate change is causing the distribution and abundance of many organisms to change. In particular, organisms typical of the tropics are increasing in abundance in many subtropical regions,
Abstract: Research from the Pacific Islands during the past decade has linked watershed modification to degradation in downstream freshwater and coral reef communities. However, even creative communic
Abstract: Earth´s climate has changed cyclically throughout history. What is stark and unequivocal is that since the industrial revolution, human activities have irreversibly altered the Earth´s cl
Abstract: When a coral reef is bleached, a temperate kelp forest is destroyed by an army of sea urchins, or when intense fishing pressure is removed through the establishment of a marine park, the ma
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