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Research Initiatives

Climate Change Adaptation

Our research is currently focused in southwest Western Australia where reduced rainfall experienced since the mid 1970’s has contributed to declining groundwater resources which threatens the survival of Subterranean Groundwater Dependent Ecosystems (SGDEs). In collaborative partnerships with Murdoch University, Department of Environment & Conservation, and the Augusta Margaret River Tourism Association (AMRTA) - supported by grants from the National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility (NCCARF) and Natural Resource Management (NRM) Grant Scheme - we are spearheading research and adaptation to climate change for SGDEs in southwest Western Australia.

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Quaternary Climate Change Impacts on Evolution of Tasmania cave fauna

We are researching the phylogeography of Tasmania cave fauna using DNA molecular genetic techniques to explore the impacts of Quaternary climate changes in driving colonization and adaptation to subterranean environments. In collaboration with South Australian Museum & support from Department of Primary Industry, Water & Environment Tasmania.

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Systematics of Stygobitic Amphipoda (Crustacea) from Central Western Australia

We are an industry linkage partner in this Australian Research Council (ARC) Industry Linkage Grant to University of Adelaide which is using morphology and genetic analyses to describe many new species of subterranean Melitidae and Paramelitidae from Central Western Australia.

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Taxonomy, distribution & ecology of Pilbara subterranean silverfish

In collaboration with Dr G. Smith

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Taxonomy, biogeography & conservation of subterranean copepod crustaceans

In collaboration with Dr T.Karanovic, Hanyang University, Korea

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Taxonomy, biogeography & conservation of subterranean ostracod crustaceans

In collaboration with Dr I. Karanovic, Hanyang University, Korea

Taxonomy of Pilbara subterranean beetles

In collaboration with Dr P. M. Giachino, Settore Fitosanitario Regionale, Turin, Italy