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)
West Nile Virus (WNV), a mosquito-borne virus of birds, emerged in North
America in 1999; the invading strain was then displaced within a few
years by a novel mutant. In order to understand this competitive
displacement event, and to predict transmission of WNV in bird
communities comprising hundreds of species, we collected data on bird
and mosquito infections, bird community composition, and mosquito biting
preferences from lab experiments, field observations, and
citizen-science databases. We use a Bayesian framework, including a
method for phylogenetic imputation applied to species with missing data,
to synthesize information across the entire disease life cycle and
throughout the community.
Ben Bolker is a quantitative ecologist with broad interests in the
ecology and evolution of host-pathogen interactions, ecological and
statistical modeling of population dynamics, and mixed models. After a
PhD in the epidemic dynamics of measles (Cambridge University) and
postdoctoral work on ecosystem carbon dynamics and spatial plant
competition (Princeton University), he worked at the University of
Florida and moved in 2010 to McMaster University (Hamilton, Ontario,
Canada), where he is jointly appointed in the departments of Biology and
Mathematics & Statistics.
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
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