Fish diet heats up marine biodiversity hotspot
Scientists have discovered a never-before-seen biodiversity pattern of coral reef fishes that suggests some fishes might be exceptionally vulnerable to environmental change. A new study shows plank
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 current diversity of ecological systems is a result of complex interactions between biotic and abiotic regulators acting in space and time. While abiotic processes tend to influence biodiversity at larger spatial and temporal scales, biotic interactions are increasingly being recognized as important drivers of evolutionary change at smaller scales and in high-diversity systems. In the marine realm, reefs have acted as cradles for biodiversity through time, however, their present status as coral dominated systems is largely a product of the last 60 million years of evolution. Throughout this time, fish and coral assemblages have displayed marked functional changes reflecting the processes of speciation, extinction and dispersal of lineages around the globe. My research aims to understand how this macroevolutionary dynamic have been regulated through time and across large spatial scales, leading to present-day coral reef biodiversity patterns. By combining information from fossils, phylogenies, species ecology and distributions for both fishes and corals, I intend to disentangle the specific effects of biological interactions and changing environmental conditions on functional and phylogenetic diversification on reefs globally.
Biography:
Alexandre (Ale), just like you and coral reefs, is a product of evolution. After originating in Africa three hundred thousand years ago, Ale’s ancestors moved to America around twenty thousand years ago. Five hundred thousand generations later and after an unknown level of genetic mixing, Ale was born in Brazil and decided to study Biological Sciences. During his undergrad studies he started working with fishes and obtained his bachelor’s degree at Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais in 2013. After that, he earned a MSc degree in Ecology from Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (2015), examining the evolutionary processes related to the latitudinal distribution of reef fish biodiversity. Between 2015 and 2016 he acted temporarily as a lecturer of Ecology and Vertebrate Zoology at the same university in Brazil. Finally, in 2017 he moved to Australia to undertake his PhD and is currently being supervised by Peter Cowman and David Bellwood.
Scientists have discovered a never-before-seen biodiversity pattern of coral reef fishes that suggests some fishes might be exceptionally vulnerable to environmental change. A new study shows plank
Scientists say stable seafood consumption amongst the world’s poorer coastal communities is linked to how local habitat characteristics influence fishing at different times of the year. In the co
An international group of scientists is predicting markedly different outcomes for different species of coral reef fishes under climate change – and have made substantial progress on picking the ‘
New research has found as climate change causes the world’s oceans to warm, baby sharks are born smaller, exhausted, undernourished and into environments that are already difficult for them to survi
Abstract: The vast majority of reef fishes have a life history consisting of a pelagic larval phase of typically 20 to 60 days, followed by larval settlement where they remain through their juvenile a
Abstract: Social networks have been and remain important across the Pacific Islands, and beyond, for building and maintaining social-ecological resilience. However, there is little quantitative infor
Abstract: The global conservation community is comprised of a range of organisations, processes, and professionals. Given the diversity of these actors, and the complexity of the systems that conser
Abstract: Seasons create a rhythm in nature and, by extension, in the lives of people who depend directly on natural resources. However, our understanding of how seasons affect the ways that people
Abstract: Oceanic shark populations have declined 77% over the past 60 years as a result of overexploitation in fisheries. However, sustainable shark management is limited to a few developed nations
Abstract: Vertigo3 is a new class of small, fast and agile ‘true-flight’ underwater glider, purposely designed for robotic, artificial intelligence-assisted broadscale marine surveys, and capable
Abstract: Recurrent marine heat waves are leading to widespread coral bleaching, transforming the structure and function of tropical coral reefs. Past bleaching events have highlighted large variatio
Abstract: Shallow-water tropical seascapes typically include a range of habitat types such as coral reefs, mangroves, macroalgal and seagrass beds. These habitats can occur in close proximity and 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