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Projects within the Phylogenetic Systematics and Bioinformatics Program
Molecular phylogeography of arid-zone reptiles and amphibians
The Australian arid-zone comprises about two-thirds of the Australian landmass, but is poorly understood relative to the wetter parts of the continent. I have a large research program devoted to understanding the evolution of arid-zone fauna and using this information to make informed conservation decisions.
Assoc. Prof. Scott Keogh
E: Scott.Keogh@anu.edu.au
W: http://www.anu.edu.au/BoZo/keogh.html
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Molecular phylogeography of Australia's biodiversity hotspot
South-western Australia is an internationally renowned "biodiversity hotspot". It has earned this title not only because of the fantastic diversity of plants and animals, but also because of the level of human-mediated threat. I have a number of potential projects on the molecular phylogeography and conservation genetics of reptiles and amphibians in this region.
Assoc. Prof. Scott Keogh
E: Scott.Keogh@anu.edu.au
W: http://www.anu.edu.au/BoZo/keogh.html
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Molecular phylogeny of Australian reptiles and amphibians
Australia has among the most diverse reptile and amphibian faunas in the world. We then use the phylogenies to address broad evolutionary problems. We have been working on the higher-level molecular phylogenetics and biogeography of a number of groups and there is huge scope for further research in this area.
Assoc. Prof. Scott Keogh
E: Scott.Keogh@anu.edu.au
W: http://www.anu.edu.au/BoZo/keogh.html
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CERF-funded taxonomic and biodiversity information projects
The School of Botany and Zoology is a partner in a Commonwealth Environment Research Facilities program to support 21st century taxonomy. The project includes systematic, phylogenetic and biogeographic studies of selected taxonomic groups and bioinformatic work on systems for delivering taxonomic knowledge. Most PhD projects under this head are located jointly in the School of Botany and Zoology and the CSIRO Division of Entomology or Division of Plant Industry.
Dr John Trueman
E: John.Trueman@anu.edu.au
W: http://www.anu.edu.au/BoZo/staffandstudents/staffprofiles/trueman.php
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Insect evolution, biogeography and conservation
Very little is known about many insect groups as the numbers of species far exceeds the number of entomologists. Multiple opportunities exist to study aspects of the evolution and biogeography of Australian insects with a view either to exploiting and commercialising a resource (e.g., one current project focuses on novel non-repetitive, non-beta-sheet silks), or to species conservation (e.g., in light of habitat fragmentation and anticipated climate change), or simply to a better understanding of their biology. Similar opportunities exist regarding some non-insect invertebrates (e.g., free-living nematodes).
Dr John Trueman
E: John.Trueman@anu.edu.au
W: http://www.anu.edu.au/BoZo/staffandstudents/staffprofiles/trueman.php
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Australia's monsoon tropical flora: invader or relict?
Australia's tropical north lies close to Asia and thus most of the world's land-mass. Potentially it is a getway through which flora could have invaded from the north over the last 15 million years. But Australia also has a unique flora that has evolved in situ from ancient Gondwanan ancestors. The key question is how much of the northern flora has evolved from each source? I have funding for molecular biogeography projects on tropical plant groups, such as the cycads and spinifex grasses.
Prof. Mike Crisp
T: 6125 2882 F: 6125 5573
E: mike.crisp@anu.edu.au
W: http://www.anu.edu.au/BoZo/Crisp/Crisp.html
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A native tropical pea |
Radiations of the Australian flora: a molecular phylogenetic approach
During the Tertiary period, from about 34 million years ago, dramatic climate changes altered the face of Australia's flora, as dominant rainforest gave way to the drier heathlands, woodlands and deserts of today. By reconstructing the rates of change in the DNA of plants, we can ask what effect climatic events had on the evolutionary radiation and extinction of the flora. I have the resources to study any of several key groups, including the saltbushes (chenopods), pea-flowered legumes and cypress pines.
Prof. Mike Crisp
T: 6125 2882 F: 6125 5573
E: mike.crisp@anu.edu.au
W: http://www.anu.edu.au/BoZo/Crisp/Crisp.html
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Population biology of the Enterobacteriaceae
My research focuses on the ecology and evolution of bacteria and their accessory genetic elements. My approach to research integrates mathematical theory with empirical results derived from prospective and experimental studies. My research takes a top-down as well as a bottom-up approach and uses methods and techniques from ecology, evolution, genetics, physiology, biochemistry, and molecular biology. Whilst much of my research is basic research, a significant portion directly addresses applied problems. Although there are three main themes to my ongoing and future research these are highly interrelated. These themes include the ecology and evolution of bacteriocins, species in the Entobacteriaceae, and thie plasmids.
Assoc. Prof. David M Gordon
E: David.Gordon@anu.edu.au
W: http://www.anu.edu.au/BoZo/staffandstudents/staffprofiles/gordon.php
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Population cytology of Australian invertebrate fauna.
There are many examples where chromosomal change has been central to the speciation process. Australia has many excellent invertebrate model species in which the relationship between chromosomal behaviour and speciation can be examined. Our studies on spiders and velvet worms have already uncovered some new chromosomal mechanisms that may contribute to the speciation process.
Assoc. Prof. Dave Rowell
E: David.Rowell@anu.edu.au
W: http://www.anu.edu.au/BoZo/staffandstudents/staffprofiles/rowell.php
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Comparative phylogeography of Australian terrestrial invertebrates.
By examining genetic variation in populations of sedentary terrestrial invertebrates, we can reconstruct past patterns of climate and vegetation change. At Tallaganda State Forest, spatial patterns of population variation in selected invertebrates reflect the impacts of glaciations over the last several million years. We intend to expand this research by examining further invertebrate species as well as plants and small vertebrates.
Assoc. Prof. Dave Rowell
E: David.Rowell@anu.edu.au
W: http://www.anu.edu.au/BoZo/staffandstudents/staffprofiles/rowell.php
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Leaf shape and phylogeny of the Australian plant genus Brachychiton.
The kurrajong tree, Brachychiton populnea shows considerable phenotypic plasticity in leaf shape. Pilot studies indicate that leaf shape is a direct response to environmental variation. This project aims to identify environmental variables influencing leaf shape, using glasshouse and field experiments.
Dr Adrienne Nicotra, Assoc. Prof. Dave Rowell
E: David.Rowell@anu.edu.au
W: http://www.anu.edu.au/BoZo/staffandstudents/staffprofiles/rowell.php
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