Research Projects 2012

Collection of crustose coralline algae
David Abrego, Australian Institute of Marine Science

Testing the adaptive capacity of corals to climate change: a demographic approach
Andrew Baird, James Cook University and ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies

Cooperative and cognitive aspects of cleaning symbiosis
Redouan Bshary, University of Neuchatel

Stomatopod behaviour
Roy Caldwell, University of California Berkeley

Gabazine reverses the detrimental effects of carbon dioxide on fish learning
Goran Nilsson, University of Oslo
Philip Munday and Mark McCormick, James Cook University and ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies
Doug Chivers and Maud Ferrari, University of Saskatchewan
Mark Meekan, Australian Institute of Marine Science

Climate change and physiological recovery from fisheries interactions
Timothy Clark, Australian Institute of Marine Science
Vanessa Messmer, Andrew Hoey and Andrew Tobin, James Cook University and ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies
Steven Cook, Carelton University

The role of hindgut symbionts in protein uptake and recycling in marine herbivorous fishes
Kendall Clements, University of Auckland
Esther Angert, Cornell University
Howard Choat, James Cook University
Lindsey White, Auckland University of Technology

Coral demography
Sean Connolly, James Cook University and ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies

Properties of natural polarized light fields in air and water
Thomas Cronin, University of Maryland Baltimore County

Assessment of mechanisms of carbon use in coral reef seaweeds (macroalgae)
Guillermo Diaz Pulido, Griffith University

Explaining coral species abundances: linking morphology to demography
Maria Dornelas, University of St Andrews

Molecular systematics of Clitellata (Oligochaeta)
Christer Erseus, University of Gothenburg

Distribution, abundance and diversity of the Lapita cultural complex on the GBR coastline of Australia
Matthew Felgate, Independent researcher
Ian McNiven, Monash University
Sean Ulm, James Cook University
Craig Sloss, Queensland University of Technology

Effect of carbon dioxide and temperature on fish cognition
Maud Ferrari and Doug Chivers, University of Saskatchewan

Does the infection rate of gnathiids onto fish vary with cleaner presence or between day and night?
Eva McClure as field leader for Alexandra Grutter, University of Queensland

The effects of tides on reef flat food webs
Alastair Harborne, University of Queensland

Latitudinal variation in the role of herbivores
Andrew Hoey, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology

Metabolic scaling in reef corals
Mia Hoogenboom, James Cook University and ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies

Ecological significance of coral disease on the Great Barrier Reef
Emily Howells as field leader for Bette Willis, James Cook University and ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies

Orientation by fish larvae in the pelagic environment
Jeff Leis, Australian Museum
Ulricke Siebeck, University of Queensland

A sediment budget for Lizard Island under a changing climate
Javier Leon, University of Queensland

Hydrodynamic disturbances on coral reefs
Joshua Madin, Macquarie University

The visual ecology of retinal ganglion cells in reef fish
Justin Marshall, University of Queensland
Hans-Joachim Wagner, University of Tuebingen

Polarisation vision
Justin Marshall, University of Queensland

Submersible reconnaissance
Justin Marshall, University of Queensland
Toby Mitchell, Australian Oceanographics

Monitoring of fish and corals around Lizard Island
Mark McCormick, James Cook University and ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies

Metabolic predictors of fish behaviour
Mark McCormick, James Cook University and ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies
Mark Meekan, Australian Institute of Marine Science
Shaun Killen, University of Glasgow

Influence of elevated carbon dioxide on competitive interaction
Mark McCormick, Philip Munday and Sue-Ann Watson, James Cook University and ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies

Respirometry of predatory fishes
Yoland Bosiger as field leader for Mark Mccormick, James Cook University and ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies

Aging study of giant clams
Mark Meekan, Australian Institute of Marine Science

Effects of climate change on coral trout
Vanessa Messmer and Andrew Hoey, James Cook University and ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies

Physiological effects of high temperature and carbon dioxide on reef fish
Goran Nilsson, University of Oslo
Philip Munday and Jodie Rummer, James Cook University and ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies

Metabolic and behavioural effects of high carbon dioxide
Goran Nilsson and Sjanne Lefevre, University of Oslo

Evolution of matrotrophy in cheilostome bryozoa
Andrey Ostrovsky, University of Vienna

Measuring spectra of the polarizing maxillipeds of stomatopod crustaceans
Julian Partridge, University of Bristol

Population dynamics of the giant clams Tridacna gigas and T. derasa
David Phillips, Independent researcher

Seasonal effects on the behaviour, performance and physiology of butterflyfishes
Morgan Pratchett, James Cook University and ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies

Developmental genetics of stomatopod vision
Megan Porter, University of Maryland Baltimore County

Tagging Crown-of-Thorns Starfish
Jairo Rivera Posada, James Cook University and ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies

Deepwater seagrass dynamics
Michael Rasheed, Cath McCormack, Ross Thomas, Mark Leith and Paul Leeson, Fisheries Queensland
Marlene Fretz and Verena Schrameyer, University of Technology Sydney

Seeing the reef in a new light: polarization imaging of the reef and its inhabitants
Nicholas Roberts, Julian Partridge and Shelby Temple, University of Bristol

Do coral reef fish without access to cleaner fish invest more in immune protection?
Albert Ros, University of Neuchatel

Climate change and Great Barrier Reef diversity: potential for coral reef fishes to acclimate to elevated carbon dioxide
Jodie Rummer, James Cook University and ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies

Effects of sea level rise on linked coral reef ecosystems
Megan Saunders and Chris Brown, University of Queensland

Impacts of boat noise on fish behaviour and physiology
Stephen Simpson, University of Exeter
Mark Meekan, Australian Institute of Marine Science
Mark McCormick, James Cook University and ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies

Physiological effects of high temperature and carbon dioxide on reef fish
Jonathan Stecyk, University of Oslo

The comparison of the freshwater cichlid and marine reef fish visual system
Sara Stieb, University of Queensland

Status signalling and signal-receiver behaviour in reef fish
Stefan Walker, James Cook University and ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies

Effect of carbon dioxide on the antipredator response of jumping snails
Sue-Ann Watson, Philip Munday and Mark McCormick, James Cook University and ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies
Goran Nilsson, University of Oslo
Paolo Domenici, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche

Research Students

Effects of environmental change on the growth rates of branching corals (PhD)
Kristen Anderson, James Cook University and ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies

The effects of temperature and carbon on fish burst responses (PhD)
Bridie Allan, James Cook University and ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies

Can coral reef fish change their shape to suit their environment? (PhD)
Sandra Binning, Australian National University and ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies

What a drag: The energetic cost of swimming with an ectoparasite (PhD)
Sandra Binning and Dominique Roche, Australian National University and ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies

Competition and coexistence in the butterflyfish community (PhD)
Shane Blowes, James Cook University and ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies

Ultraviolet vision in mantis shrimp (PhD)
Michael Bok, University of Maryland Baltimore County

Feeding of herbivorous fishes on cryptic surfaces (PhD)
Simon Brandl, James Cook University and ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies

UV-induced DNA damage and UV avoidance (PhD)
Christoph Braun, University of Queensland
Behavioural responses to coral bleaching by a coral-feeding fish (PhD)
Rohan Brooker, James Cook University and ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies

Microbial nitrogen fixation in the hindgut of marine herbivorous fishes (PhD)
Lilly Bojarski, University of Auckland

The role of territorial grazer behaviour and community structure in coral reef trophic dynamics (PhD)
Jordan Casey, James Cook University and ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies

Comparisons of visual capabilities of cephalopods (PhD)
Wen-Sung Chung, University of Queensland

Carbon dioxide versus bicarbonate ion use by coral reef macroalgae (PhD)
Chris Cornwall, University of Otago

Being brown or yellow: ecological and molecular base for colour adaptation in Pseudochromis fuscus (PhD)
Fabio Cortesi, University of Basel and University of Queensland

Seasonal effects on the behaviour, performance and physiology of butterflyfishes (PhD)
Christopher Cvitanovic, James Cook University and ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies

Hormonal correlates of interspecific behaviour (MSc)
Alizee Derendinger, University of Neuchatel

Describing reef fish communities, life stages and microhabitats on a rubble reef (Undergraduate)
Iliana Escobar, School for International Training

Thermal impacts on metabolism and swimming performance of coral trout: impacts of a changing climate (Undergraduate)
Megan Feeg, School for International Training

Larval visual ecology of stomatopod crustaceans (PhD)
Kate Feller, University of Maryland Baltimore County

Do fish use polarization to see through veiling light? (PhD)
James Foster, University of Bristol

Tropical versus subtropical maximum quantum yields in seaweeds (PhD)
Patrick Gartrell, Griffith University

Adaptations to a cleaning life: a comparative approach (PhD)
Simon Gingins, University of Neuchatel

The ecological role of sediments on coral reefs (PhD)
Christopher Goatley, James Cook University and ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies

Testing thermal tolerance of reef fish using critical thermal methodology (Undergraduate)
Kimberly Gossard, School for International Training

Comparison between rates of photoinactivation and clearance of PS11 protein in the coral symbionts of Stylophora (PhD)
Jennifer Jeans, James Cook University and ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies

Ultrastructure and function of the hindgut in marine herbivorous fishes (PhD)
Kate Johnson, University of Auckland

Spatial distribution and quality of structure for large reef fishes (PhD)
James Kerry, James Cook University and ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies

Trophic importance of crustacea on coral reefs (PhD)
Michael Kramer, James Cook University and ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies

Relative importance of body pattern in humbug damselfish: background matching or disruptive camouflage? (MSc)
Julia Lange, University of Queensland

Precopuatory stabbing in a hermaphroditic sea slug (PhD)
Rolanda Lange, University of Tuebingen

Relative contributions of autotrophy and heterotrophy to the energy budget of corals from the GBR across a depth gradient (PhD)
Lucas Langlois, James Cook University and ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies

Temperature effects on chemically mediated predator-prey interactions (PhD)
Govinda Lienart, James Cook University and ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies

Spatial & temporal patterns of coral reef connectivity (PhD)
Libby Liggins, University of Queensland

Predator-prey interactions in a changing world (PhD)
Oona Lonnstedt, James Cook University and ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies

Protein uptake in marine herbivorous fishes (PhD)
Selena McMillan, University of Auckland

The role of dopamine on the modulation of behaviour in the cleaner wrasse Labroides dimidiatus (MSc)
Joao Messias, Instituto Superior de Psicologia Lisbon

Effects of flow on antipredator responses (PhD)
Mathew Mitchell, James Cook University and ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies

Assessment of scale dependent function in reef fish (PhD)
Kirsty Nash, James Cook University and ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies

Does artificial light affect natural emergence patterns? (PhD)
Carlos Navarro Barranco, University of Seville

Object recognition in fish (PhD)
Caitlyn Newport, University of Queensland

Effects of environmental correlates on foraging ecology of Sand Perch (PhD)
Jessica Nowicki, James Cook University and ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies

Orientation strategies of larval fish in the pelagic environment (PhD)
Jack O’Connor, University of Technology Sydney

The role of hormones in cleaner fish behaviour (MSc)
Jose Paula, Instituto Superior de Psicologia Lisbon

Dinner's on the table: a comparison of butterflyfish feeding habits on table corals across an environmental gradient (Undergraduate)
Rebecca Pelka, School for International Training

Spatial patterns at the neighbourhood scale of scleractinian corals (PhD)
Simone Pennafirme Ferreira, James Cook University and ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies

Competition, habitat selection and imprinting of coral gobies (PhD)
Pedro Pereira, James Cook University and ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies

The function of reef fish colour patterns: how did the coral trout get its spots? (PhD)
Genevieve Phillips, University of Queensland

Novelty interactions between herbivorous fish and Sargassum: insight into macroalgal phase shifts (Undergraduate)
Chris Pickens, School for International Training

Intraspecific variation in coral colony condition (PhD)
Chiara Pisapia, James Cook University and ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies

Understanding White Syndrome in the Indo-Pacific (PhD)
F. Joseph Pollock, James Cook University and ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies

Prior residency effects and the dynamics of fish communities in a changing environment (PhD)
Davina Poulos, James Cook University and ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies

Indirect effects of predators on coral reef trophic ecology (PhD)
Justin Rizzari, James Cook University and ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies

Bio-physical interactions and predator-prey relationships in coral reef fishes (PhD)
Dominique Roche, Australian National University and ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies

Variation in gene expression and protein concentrations of photosynthetic subunits along a light intensity gradient (PhD)
Melissa Rocker, James Cook University and ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies

Quantifying polarization vision in reef inhabitants (PhD)
Milly Sharkey, University of Bristol

Effect of cymothoid ectoparasites on lateralization in the Bridled Monocle Bream (Undergraduate)
Laura Strong, School for International Training

The role of parasites and cleaning behaviour in coral reef fish recruitment (PhD)
Derek Sun, University of Queensland

Colour vision in mantis shrimp (PhD)
Hanne Thoen, University of Queensland

Impact of herbivorous fish on coral recruit survival (PhD)
Melanie Trapon, James Cook University and ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies

Cooperative hunting between groupers, moray eels and octopus (PhD)
Alex Vail, University of Cambridge

Spatial ecology of coral reef fishes (PhD)
Justin Welsh, James Cook University and ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies

Short term consistency in fish behaviour (PhD)
James White, James Cook University and ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies

Protein measurement in seaweeds (MSc)
Loretta White, University of Auckland

Measuring spectra of the polarizing maxillipeds of stomatopod crustaceans (PhD)
David Wilby, University of Bristol

Ontogeny of cognition in Bluestreak Cleaner Wrasse, Labroides dimidiatus (PhD)
Sharon Wismer, University of Neuchatel