Australian Museum Lizard Island Research Station 2019 - Report
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Report Australian Museum Lizard Island Research Station 2019
Lizard Island Research Station
2019 Report
LIRS Directors
Dr Lyle Vail AM and Dr Anne Hoggett AM
Lizard Island Research Station
PMB 37
Cairns QLD 4892
Australia
T + 61 (0)7 4060 3977 The Lizard Island Research Station
E lizard@austmus.gov.au acknowledges the traditional owners
australianmuseum.net.au/get-involved/amri/lirs of Jiigurru, the Dingaal people, on whose
land the research station is situated.
Australian Museum Research Institute
Dr Rebecca Johnson, Director (to February 2020) The Lizard Island Research Station
Cameron Slatyer, Acting Director (from February 2020) respects elders past and present,
T + 61 (0)2 9320 6237 and welcomes all who visit the
E Cameron.Slatyer@austmus.gov.au research station.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in It seems we’re facing challenges on many fronts. Our Australian
September 2019 warned that damage to the oceans is summer was marked by fires which had devastating impact
accelerating and may be at the point of irreversibility. on our communities, landscape and animal life. A novel virus
This places coral reefs at the forefront of risk, with most is now threatening global communities and disrupting the
warm water reefs projected to suffer significant losses of status quo and livelihoods at rapid speed. And as our own
area and local extinctions (IPCC 2019 Special Report on supporters know, ocean life and coral reefs continue to face
the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate). ongoing threats from global anthropogenic climate change as
well as local stressors such as pollution run-off and plastics.
Australia needs to take action on the Climate Change
emergency. In April 2019, a letter to Nature (Hughes et al So, it is with some relief that the level of bleaching around the
2019 Global warming impairs stock–recruitment dynamics Lizard Island Group this summer – so far - hasn’t reached that
of corals) stated that the coral bleaching events of 2016 of 2016 and 2017. Our fingers are crossed for that to remain
and 2017 meant the level of larval recruitment of coral, the case. While the longer term health and resilience of our
compared to historical levels, declined in 2018 by 89%. coral reefs remains greatly concerning, there are encouraging
reports of recovery, as LIRS co-directors Dr Anne Hoggett
While the reef at Lizard Island has shown promising signs
and Dr Lyle Vail relay in their report which follows.
of recovery through 2019, recently there have been new
bleaching events. Since its founding 47 years ago, the Lizard Island Research
Station (LIRS) has built a reputation of being one of the best
The alarming implications of the Great Barrier Reef’s
tropical marine stations worldwide. It is a highly productive,
corals being unable to replenish themselves with projected
extremely efficient, well managed work place where
increased frequency of extreme climate events over the
established and early career scientists go to study reefs and
next two decades, are clear.
their ecosystems. Supporting this research is the primary
The Lizard Island Research Station (LIRS) plays a more focus of the Lizard Island Reef Research Foundation (LIRRF).
important role than ever in documenting the changes This report gives you a flavour of some of the projects the
and challenges facing our irreplaceable natural heritage. Foundation plans to support this coming year.
LIRS continues to host researchers from around Australia
Supporting such vital projects can only happen with the
and the world striving to understand the natural world and
generosity and collaboration of many and I’d like to thank
the many threats faced due to human-induced activity.
everyone for their support. This includes our Members,
In this year, as the news about climate change and impacts Friends and Donors who generously give; the dedicated
on the Great Barrier Reef becomes even more alarming, researchers and their volunteers who assist them; the highly
and our need for action, even more urgent, it is particularly capable and dedicated LIRS co-directors; the staff at the
important to thank our dedicated LIRS co- directors Anne Australian Museum who assist the efforts of our Foundation
Hoggett and Lyle Vail. Their leadership at LIRS provides a and my Fellow Trustees for generously volunteering their own
guiding hand to the many researchers striving to research time, expertise and funding support.
and conserve our coral systems.
As a "stop press", I'd like to acknowledge a generous donation
Thank you as well to the unflagging efforts of the Lizard Island from the Minderoo Foundation. It was made in early 2020
Reef Research Foundation (LIRRF), led by Chair Kate Hayward, and will be outlined in next year's report.
for continuing to support the work of the LIRS, and to the
Kate Hayward
visiting researchers, volunteers, donors, Australian Museum
Chair, Lizard Island Reef Research Foundation
Research Institute staff and AM Trust for your support of
the AM’s LIRS.
Kim McKay AO
Director & CEO, Australian Museum
1
2019 in review 2
The summer of early 2019 was the second in a row with A funded 9-night trip to LIRS for 16 students and two teachers
no major environmental disaster for coral reefs at Lizard was planned for April 2020. In 2019, the participants were
Island. It has been wonderful to watch the continued growth selected in a competitive process based on academic
of many species of corals during the year. Some areas are achievement, a strong interest in marine science, and
recovering amazingly quickly. However, the rebound is ability to communicate that enthusiasm. Unfortunately,
patchy and other areas have yet to show much regrowth the Coronavirus pandemic made the trip impossible at
following enormous cumulative damage from cyclones in that time and it had to be cancelled only weeks before it
2014 and 2015 and coral bleaching in 2016 and 2017. was due to start.
Average global temperature of the upper few metres of In late 2019, Dr Rebecca Johnson, Director of the Australian
the ocean has increased by about 1.3ºC over the past 100 Museum Research Institute, which includes LIRS, was
years according to the US National Oceanographic and appointed Chief Scientist and Associate Director of Science
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). As well as increasing at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in
the strength of cyclones, this underlying increase means Washington DC. Rebecca was a strong advocate for LIRS for
that corals are now threatened by bleaching almost every many years and we thank her for her support and wish her all
summer. Even before human activities increased global the best in her challenging new position.
temperature, corals were living near the edge of their
Our sympathies go out to all of those affected by the
maximum thermal tolerance. The summer of 2019/2020 is a
devastating fires of summer 2019/20. The massive impact on
clear example of living on the edge. In mid-December 2019,
the bush by these fires is not dissimilar to that experienced by
the NOAA coral bleaching outlook for early 2020 was fairly
corals following mass bleaching events – vast tracts of whole
benign for the northern Great Barrier Reef (GBR). Within the
ecosystems were annihilated. The culprit behind these and
space of two months, that outlook has changed markedly
other environmental disasters is us – humans - by allowing the
due to unseasonably warm conditions in north Queensland.
world to heat up though our carbon emissions.
At the time of writing (mid February 2020), we are observing
slight to moderate bleaching of many species of corals in At Lizard Island, we’ve seen corals rebound strongly since
shallow, sheltered areas at Lizard Island. The NOAA forecast the last major disturbance in 2017 which shows that the
for the northern GBR has now been elevated to Alert level 1, ecosystem has the capacity to recover naturally. However,
at which coral bleaching is likely but not necessarily severe it’s looking increasingly likely that there will be another mass
enough to lead to coral death. Several research groups are bleaching in early 2020, long before that regrowth is mature.
monitoring the situation at Lizard Island but beyond that, If that happens, it will be the third time in five years. How long
in the short term, we can only hope that the heat stress can coral reefs continue to bounce back under such frequent
doesn’t last for too many more weeks. massive disturbances? It is beyond urgent to reduce carbon
emissions globally if we are to have a hope of retaining Earth’s
Support of LIRS by the LIRRF is critical to the Station’s
amazing natural environments.
success and survival. Since its inception in 1978, the LIRRF
has contributed more than $13 million to research and
research infrastructure. In 2019, the LIRRF funded 19
research projects for a total of more than $280,000 – four
new and three ongoing doctoral fellowships, three new
and three ongoing postdoctoral fellowships, and five new
and one ongoing research grant. Support for fellowships
and grants in 2020 is likely to exceed that level. As well as
producing valuable research, the fellowships contribute to
research training by allowing young scientists to develop
their independent research skills. We thank the many LIRRF
donors who enable this research and who provide funding
for the infrastructure at LIRS on which it depends. Lyle Vail AM and Anne Hoggett AM
Directors, Lizard Island Research Station
Scientific research by postgraduates and senior scientists
makes up the bulk of activity at LIRS. However, another
important component is education for younger students
about coral reefs. LIRS has long hosted educational visits
for students that are organised by their own university or
high school. The opportunity is thus limited to the six to
eight institutions that can reasonably be accommodated at
LIRS each year - students who don’t go to those institutions
have no way to participate. In 2019, we were delighted to Left Extraordinary regrowth of coral at North Direction Island
be able to broaden the field for this opportunity thanks to in December 2019. This area had been destroyed by cyclones
generous support from the LIRRF. and coral bleaching between 2014 and 2017.
3
Fellowships
and grants
The fellowships and grants program Details of the conditions and selection criteria
for these awards can be found in the Lizard Island
provides funding for field-intensive Research Station section of the Australian Museum’s
research at LIRS. Fellowships are available website. Applications close in August or September
for PhD students and recent postdocs each year for funding that becomes available in
for research with broad criteria. March of the following year.
Grants are offered for more tightly The Ian Potter Foundation (IPF) has long supported
targeted research. The program is fully an annual, multi-year doctoral fellowship. It has also
recently provided funds for external evaluation of
supported by the Lizard Island Reef the entire fellowships and grants program at LIRS.
Foundation (LIRRF) and its donors. Throughout 2019, LIRRF trustee Professor Lynne
Madden has been developing evaluation procedures
in consultation with IPF staff. The survey and its
analysis are planned for 2020.
4
Fellowships
Two new fellowships join the program in 2020: the Gough Family Doctoral
Fellowship and the Maple-Brown Family Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship.
They have been made possible by the two eponymous families and they are
welcome additions to the program.
Six new fellows will commence work in 2020: two PhD students and four
early-career scientists. Outlines of their projects can be found below.
In addition, funding continues into 2020 for three fellows who are in the
second year of their awards.
Sterling Tebbett Makeely Blandford
2020 Ian Potter Doctoral Fellow 2020 Gough Family Doctoral Fellowship
James Cook University James Cook University
The functioning of future coral reefs: fishes, Interactions between fish and coral reefs: the influence
sediments and productivity of habitat degradation on fish communities
Globally, coral reefs have changed profoundly as a result Habitat degradation can affect coral reef fishes in
of strengthening anthropogenic stressors, especially evolutionarily important ways. For example, widespread
climate change. Unfortunately, Lizard Island, on Australia’s coral death can result in some fish dying while other
northern Great Barrier Reef, now epitomises the future individuals survive. Understanding why some individuals
many coral reefs face after back-to-back cyclones in 2014 persist on degraded reefs and identifying the underlying
and 2015, and back-to-back coral bleaching events in 2016 mechanisms are critical to predicting the future composition
and 2017. However, this situation also offers an opportunity of reef fish communities. Makeely will conduct experiments
to understand how coral reefs can reassemble themselves to determine if the loss of individuals selects for particular
following such devastating events. traits (physiological, performance or behavioural) and
whether survivors modify their behaviours to survive,
To explore coral recovery at Lizard Island, Sterling will and if so, whether that altered knowledge is passed on
utilise a historical dataset of high-definition photographs to their offspring.
spread across Lizard Island. These locations were first
photographed immediately prior to the 2016 bleaching As well, this project will investigate the mechanisms by
event and have been photographed on a regular basis which algal-dominated reefs interrupt the sensory
since. He will re-take photographs of the same locations information presented to coral reef fishes and identify the
in 2021 and 2022 which will allow him to assess which specific active components of degraded reefs which prevent
locations have shown signs of recovery from 2016 to 2022, fishes from learning and updating predation threats. It is
as well as identify those that have not. Specifically, he will unknown whether survivors of habitat degradation have
assess how algal turfs, and the sediments bound within found a way around this sensory problem, or whether it will
them, shape coral reef recovery. To date, evidence suggests affect their persistence in degraded habitats.
that sediment can become trapped in algae turfs allowing
them to become overgrown and, in turn, impede coral
recovery by limiting the areas available for baby corals.
Sterling will also investigate how the groundskeepers on
coral reefs, the herbivorous fishes, interact with overgrown
algae turfs to clear them of sediment and potentially
promote coral recovery.
5
Dr William Feeney Dr Stephanie Gardner
2020 Maple-Brown Family Foundation 2020 Raymond E. Purves Foundation
Postdoctoral Fellowship Postdoctoral Fellowship
Griffith University University of New South Wales
Mutualisms in a changing world: does the presence Rise of the turfs: Unlocking the secrets of our
of cleaner wrasses confer resilience to coral changing reefs
reef ecosystems?
Ecosystems worldwide are being altered due to
The importance of species interactions as drivers of natural anthropogenic climate change. In marine ecosystems,
selection was recognized by Charles Darwin. Since then, one of the most striking impacts of climate change is the
we have learned that different kinds of interactions affect tropicalisation of temperate reefs, where warm-water taxa
biodiversity differently. For example, mutualistic interactions such as tropical fish and reef-building coral shift poleward
such as those between fishes and anemones have been to waters typically considered temperate, and cool-water
shown to promote the generation of biodiversity through the species like kelp recede.
creation of new niches. Understanding whether mutualisms
Turf algae are dense, multi-species assemblages of
will break down and pose risks to the involved species, or
filamentous benthic algae that are typically less than 1 cm in
confer mutual resilience in the face of environmental change
height. These communities are found across a broad range
is a major question of contemporary importance. Testing
of latitudes and are important bio-foulers that are often first
this question, however, is notoriously difficult as it requires
to capitalise on ecosystem changes due to their rapid growth
a rapidly changing environment and long-term data that
rates and apparent tolerance of extremes. Turfs exude a
precedes environmental change.
portion of their photosynthates as dissolved organic carbon,
The interactions between the blue-streaked cleaner wrasse, which fuels the growth of benthic microbial communities, and
Labroides dimidiatus, and its clients comprises an iconic enhances nutrient cycling and trophic productivity through
example of an interspecies mutualism. These fishes primarily the provision of a novel food source for herbivorous fishes.
feed on small crustacean parasites which they glean from
Stephanie will characterise turf-dominated communities
the skin of client fishes at a rate of up to 1200 parasites
and the biological and environmental factors leading to
per day. This valuable ecosystem service has resulted in
their success across a latitudinal gradient along Australia’s
cleaner wrasses recently being recognized as a key species
east coast. She hypothesises that turf-associated microbial
for supporting coral reef biodiversity. Over the past 19
communities within tropicalized reefs will have lower
years, Dr Alexandra Grutter (University of Queensland) has
diversity, abundance and richness compared to coral-
been running a globally-unique long-term experiment into
dominated reefs, but they will share core bacterial functional
the ecological importance of cleaner-client interactions
groups responsible for roles (such as biofilm formation
across a series of patch reefs at Lizard Island. Previous
and nutrient cycling) that contribute to the establishment
work has established that the presence of cleaner wrasses
and success of turfs. Uncovering the mechanisms and key
is associated with higher recruitment of juvenile fishes
microbial players that allow algal turfs to dominate under
and other work has demonstrated that the presence of
future climate scenarios has the potential to transform our
fishes provides increased aeration and nutrition to corals,
understanding of how reefs will persist into the future.
suggesting that by enhancing surrounding fish biodiversity
through mutualistic behaviours, cleaner wrasses may play an
important role in conferring resilience to coral reefs. William
will utilize this long-term data set to investigate whether the
presence of cleaner wrasse is associated with changes in the
rate of coral recovery since the 2016 bleaching event.
6
Dr Christopher Goatley and Dr Simon Brandl Dr Zegni Triki 2020 John and Laurine Proud 2020 Isobel Bennett Marine Biology Postdoctoral Fellowship Postdoctoral Fellowship University of New England and University of Stockholm University Perpignan (France), respectively Function, biodiversity, and distribution of Australia’s Does brain morphology explain the sex differences in smallest vertebrates the cognitive abilities of cleaner fish? Reef fishes form integral links in coral reef food webs and Evolutionary theory is based on a simple principle: support the exceptional productivity of reef ecosystems. individuals that are better adapted to ecological challenges To enable efficient management of these valuable survive and reproduce better than individuals that are less ecosystems, it is critical that we develop a clear well adapted. However, there is little information as to what understanding of the functional roles of individual fish extent intelligence may promote individual success. There species and communities. In order to achieve this we need a is increasing evidence that cognitive performance varies detailed inventory of the identity, diversity, and distribution between individuals of the same species. This performance of fish species on reefs. has been categorised as either 'general intelligence' or Decades of visual surveys have yielded a fairly comprehensive 'ecological intelligence'. General intelligence refers to picture of the distribution and abundance of large reef cognitive capacities that can be employed in a variety of fish species on coral reefs. However, visual surveys are contexts, such as the ability to delay gratification. only effective for sampling large, conspicuous species. Ecological intelligence is a set of cognitive capacities that Remarkably, this overlooks around half of the fishes on coral allow for solving tasks that are frequently encountered in reefs. The other, ‘hidden’ half is comprised of cryptobenthic nature, such as foraging. reef fishes (CRFs). Spread across 17 families, CRFs are tiny The cleaner fish Labroides dimidiatus is the perfect (
Grants Dione Deaker and Professor Maria Byrne
Four new grants have been awarded to 2020 Crown-of-Thorns Starfish Research Grant
commence in 2020 as outlined below. University of Sydney
Negotiations are in progress for the award
Resilience to food scarcity: the development and
of two additional 2020 grants which are microbiome of COTS larvae in natural oligotrophic
not listed here. reef conditions
Since 2015, research aimed at mitigating the effects Pulses in larval survival and settlement success are
of Crown-of-Thorns Starfish predation on corals has considered to be the underlying cause of Crown-of-
been part of the LIRS grants program. The 21st project Thorns Starfish (COTS) outbreaks that devastate coral reefs
in this series is outlined below and the final one will throughout the Indo-Pacific. The causes of such pulses are
be announced soon. This substantial body of work the subject of much controversy. COTS larvae eat microscopic
was funded by a $500,000 Ian Potter Foundation 50th algae known as phytoplankton. The 'enhanced nutrient'
Anniversary Commemorative Grant to the Lizard Island hypothesis suggests that more COTS larvae survive during
Reef Research Foundation. phytoplankton blooms which are promoted by nutrient run-
off from land or upwelling offshore. This implies that COTS
This year, generous funding from the Banyer family (LIRRF
larvae are essentially starving during normal conditions.
Trustee Greer Banyer, husband Jay Banyer and daughters
However, COTS larvae typically experience low nutrient
Eve and Erin) allows for continuation of research into the
conditions and outbreaks can occur far from events that
effects of plastic pollution on coral reefs for the next
periodically raise nutrient levels. Recent studies revisiting
three years. This builds on the original donation for this
the opposing 'larval-resilience' hypothesis show that COTS
purpose in 2018 by the Rossi Foundation.
larvae are more tolerant of low food abundance than
The Charles Warman Foundation also joins the group of previously thought. A more detailed understanding of the
funders for research grants. LIRRF Trustee Wendy King biology of COTS larvae is essential to address and mitigate
and her family were instrumental in obtaining funding for the factors that drive population outbreaks.
the special grant for eDNA research outlined below, and
This project addresses the 'larval-resilience' hypothesis.
for another special grant which will be announced soon.
It will investigate the tenacity of COTS larvae during
phytoplankton scarcity by growing larvae in the naturally
low nutrient reef waters and it will improve on controversial
Dr Daniela Ceccarelli experiments conducted by others in the 1980s and 1990s.
The possibility of nutritional benefits derived from the
2020 Special Grant recently characterized microbiome of COTS will also be
Independent researcher investigated. This project aims to fill major gaps in knowledge
on the fundamental traits in the biology of COTS to provide
Repeat fish survey at Lizard Island in the wake of insights as to how outbreaks occur in reefs disconnected
multiple disturbances from phytoplankton blooms.
The Lizard Island area has suffered major disturbances in
four consecutive summers: category 4 cyclones in 2014
and 2015; and severe coral bleaching in 2016 and 2017).
Fortuitously, simultaneous surveys of both corals and
fishes had been carried out before these events, in 2011,
at 14 sites around the Lizard Island Group. The corals
were surveyed by Dr Zoe Richards (then at the Australian
Museum, now Curtin University) and the fishes by Dr Dani
Ceccarelli. The LIRRF funded these researchers to repeat
the surveys on two occasions after the disturbances, in
2015 and 2017.
Zoe obtained funding elsewhere to repeat the coral
surveys again in 2020. This grant was awarded to Dani to
allow the fish surveys to be conducted again at the same
time to maintain continuity of this important data set.
Right A goby about 3 cm long, one of many species of cryptobenthic reef fishes.
8Dr Frederieke Kroon and Dr Mark Meekan Dr Joseph DiBattista
2020 Plastics Pollution Research Grant 2020 Special Grant
Australian Institute of Marine Science Australian Museum
The effects of microplastic contamination on Innovation in Reef Monitoring – eDNA for Lizard Island
mesozooplankton: a unique threat?
Coral reefs are noted for their high levels of biodiversity
Microplastic contamination of the marine environment has and also for the threat that they face from local and global
been reported globally across habitats including coastlines, anthropogenic stressors. Traditional methods of assessing
the sea surface and water column, and benthic sediments. coral reef health are coral cover surveys and fish counts.
On the Great Barrier Reef (GBR), microplastics were first Such surveys are time-consuming and costly, they generate
reported in surface waters during surveys conducted in only basic data, and they cannot be done at all under some
2012. Ingestion of microplastics has since been confirmed sea conditions. These limitations mean that it is prohibitive to
for juvenile coral trout and adult lemon damselfish from the obtain health data across wide areas and the data obtained
GBR, including Lizard Island. In contrast, no studies have at sample sites reflect only a subset of the actual biodiversity
been conducted on wild-caught planktonic life stages of present. Thus, the true state of coral reefs is poorly defined.
coral reef organisms that may be uniquely susceptible to The monitoring and protection of these coral reefs urgently
microplastic contamination. needs a new, rapid, and more spatially and biologically
complete methodology to better assess the health of these
The aim of this study is to determine the susceptibility
important ecosystems.
of mid-sized (0.2 to 20 mm) zooplankton to microplastic
contamination. In the first year of the study, Fredereike New in our arsenal of research tools is environmental DNA,
and Mark will test the hypothesis that both zooplankton or eDNA. This enables rapid assessment of the health of
and microplastics aggregate in oceanographic features coral reefs across a broad range of sites and it monitors
around coral reefs, such as surface slicks, eddies and fronts biodiversity more accurately than traditional methods.
(see diagram below). If this is the case, then these higher It works like this: animals and plants shed tissue, cells,
microplastic concentrations may result in higher exposure secretions and excreta into the water. By analysing the DNA
and ingestion by zooplankton in these features. In the present in the water, we can see which species have passed
second year, they will test the hypothesis that microplastic through it or are resident to the surrounding area. This
ingestion by zooplankton is random (i.e. non-selective), so emerging technology provides a fast and inexpensive means
that zooplankton ingest microplastics in the ratios to which to census marine organisms.
they are exposed.
This pilot project will analyse seawater samples taken
Overall, their results will clarify the role of physical processes repeatedly at a particular Lizard Island site for eDNA. It will
in aggregating zooplankton and microplastics, infer also develop a DNA reference collection from fish specimens
proportional intake of microplastics by zooplankton relative in the Australian Museum’s frozen tissue bank of those
to contamination levels, and document potential selectivity species known to occur at Lizard Island, to match with the
for certain microplastics. Combined with findings from other eDNA samples. This will provide data that can be used by
research conducted by their collaborators, they will be able many future projects and develop methodology that can be
to determine whether microplastic contamination may have used for many applications.
potential flow-on effects on zooplankton condition, growth
and settlement onto coral reefs, as well as a transfer of
microplastics into the coral reef food web.
Phytoplankton
Zooplankton
Plastic Fragment
Larval Fish
1m neuston tow sample area
Left Nearshore slicks accumulate larval fish,
zooplankton and microplastics and deliver
these into nearshore habitats.
Figure source: Gove et al. (2019) PNAS.
9Lizard Island Reef
Research Foundation (LIRRF)
The Lizard Island Reef Research
Foundation is an independent trust FOUNDER Mr James Kirby
established in 1978 to conduct and The late Sir John Proud
Mrs Anna Le Deux 2
support scientific research at LIRS and Prof Lynne Madden
elsewhere on the Great Barrier Reef. PATRONS Ms Kim McKay AO
Mrs Heather Power
Go to lirrf.org for information about the Mr Andrew Green
Mr Robert Purves AM
Dr Des Griffin AM
Foundation and the research it supports Mr David Shannon
Mr Raymond Kirby AO
and to make a donation to its worthy Mrs Jacqueline Loomis
Dr Geoff Shuetrim
causes. All donations of $2 or more are The Ian Potter
Mr Graham Sherry OAM3
tax deductible in Australia. Foundation Ms Helen Wellings
Mr Robert Purves AM
Members donate $1,000 or more in a Thyne Reid Foundation
1
Changed role to Emeritus in 2018
12 month period and Friends give a lower
2
New Trustee in 2019
Prof Frank Talbot AM 3
amount. Life Members donate at least Resigned in 2019
$100,000 which may be spread over TRUSTEE EMERITUS
SCIENCE
several years. Our wonderful Members Mr Kenneth Coles AM
COMMITTEE
in 2019 are listed on page 24. Mr James Bildner 1
Dr Penny Berents (Chair)
TRUSTEES Mr Charlie Shuetrim AM
Dr Rebecca Johnson
Ms Kate Hayward (Chair)
Mr Charlie Shuetrim AM Dr Lyle Vail AM
(Chair, Appeal Committee) Dr Anne Hoggett AM
Mr David Armstrong Prof Lynne Madden
Board changes Mrs Greer Banyer
Dr Penny Berents We thank Australian Museum staff
New trustees this year are Dr Rod Kefford AM and Mr Chris Joscelyne
Dr Shane Ahyong and Dr Mandy
Mrs Anna Le Deux. Rod has been a leader in education Reid who act as Dr Rebecca
Dr Rod Kefford AM2 Johnson’s delegates on the
for his entire career having been Headmaster of Wesley
Mrs Wendy King fellowships selection committee.
College, Perth (1984-1996) and more recently of Barker
College, Hornsby (1996–2013). He is also a Trustee of the
Australian Museum. Anna is a business person based in
Melbourne where she has held various professional roles
and is active in volunteer organizations. Her family has
had a long association with LIRS and LIRRF. Her parents,
Projects and equipment
the late John Gough AO OBE and Rosemary Gough, have funded by LIRRF in 2019
been strong supporters of LIRS for decades. Both Rod
In the 2019 financial year, the LIRRF contributed a total of
and Anna have already become very engaged with the
$393,935:
LIRRF and we welcome them to the board.
Melbourne-based Trustee Graham Sherry retired – $280,572
for research through its fellowships and
from the board after six years of service. Graham was grants program
particularly generous in introducing new people to LIRRF – $44,656 for new outboard motors to support
and to expanding support for the Foundation’s events research at LIRS
held in Melbourne. – $68,707 for other research operations
10New initiatives for 2020 On 27 March, Mr Sam Hayward hosted a dinner for Members
at the Melbourne Club. Two speakers from the night before
The LIRRF supported many new initiatives in 2019 that also spoke at this event. Renato Morais presented his
were planned to take place in 2020 and beyond. However, research into the effects of reef degradation from cyclones
the Coronavirus pandemic of early 2020 has already affected and mass coral bleaching on coral reef fish productivity, and
some of these activities.
Anne Hoggett gave an overview of the station and the state
• The Lizard Island Coral Reef Study Tour 2020 was to have of the reef.
taken place in April 2020 but it has been cancelled due to On 16 October, coral reef research and climate change
the pandemic. The intention was to make the extraordinary effects were the topics for three speakers at another
experience of LIRS and coral reefs available to high school function at the Australian Museum. Professor Tim Flannery
students who have a burning interest in marine science
(Australian Museum), Professor Maria Byrne (University
and the academic capacity to pursue a scientific career,
of Sydney) and PhD student Martin Hing (University of
and to brilliant teachers. The 9-night trip to LIRS was all set
Wollongong) spoke about the Reef and their research.
to go, with 16 students and two teachers selected through
Dr Penny Berents (Australian Museum) was the moderator
a competitive process during 2019. Hopefully, we will be
able to offer an equivalent educational experience when for a Q&A session.
the emergency is over. The program is funded by generous The inaugural LIRRF event in Brisbane was held at the
donations to the LIRRF from the James N. Kirby Foundation, Queensland Museum on 19 November. We thank CEO and
the Corella Fund and the Coles Danziger Foundation. Director Dr Jim Thompson of the Queensland Museum
for enabling this event. It followed a similar format to the
• Direct support for research has burgeoned with four
substantial donations: Sydney events. The speakers were Dr Anne Hoggett AM (LIRS),
– The Charles Warman Foundation is funding two Professor Justin Marshall and Dr Derek Sun (both University
research grants, thanks to the involvement of LIRRF of Queensland) with Dr Penny Berents (Australian Museum)
Trustee Wendy King. as moderator for the Q&A.
– The Maple-Brown family continues its long-term support
of LIRRF by funding a new postdoctoral fellowship. Lizard Island Resort
– The Banyer family is funding a series of grants for research
into the effects of plastic pollution on coral reefs, thanks The luxurious Lizard Island Resort provides an exceptional
to LIRRF Trustee Greer Banyer, her husband Jay Banyer base from which to experience the Great Barrier Reef.
and their daughters. Owned and operated by Delaware North, the Resort is a long-
– The Gough family is funding a new doctoral fellowship, term supporter of the Research Station and the Foundation.
carrying on the support provided over many years by Each year Delaware North donates to LIRRF a generous
the late John Gough AO OBE. His daughter Anna Le Deux three-night stay at the Resort for two people that
became a LIRRF trustee this year and she is joined by
includes return transfers by light aircraft from Cairns,
her mother and siblings in making this donation.
accommodation, meals, beverages and more. This wonderful
– An upgrade of the solar power system at LIRS can now
package is used to raise funds.
proceed with certainty thanks to a substantial donation
for that purpose from the Charles Warman Foundation. In addition, current LIRRF Members (i.e. those who have
The existing stand-alone system is almost ten years old made a donation of $1,000 or more in the last 12 months)
and its large battery bank needs to be replaced soon. qualify for a 20% discount on any stay of 3 or more nights
Technology has improved enormously in this time and this at the Resort, except in the last week of October and in the
is an opportunity to improve key parts of the whole system. Christmas-New Year period. See lirrf.org for information
about making a booking.
Events When you are on the island, please be sure to visit the
During 2019, the Foundation hosted events in Sydney, Research Station to see how your donation is being put
Melbourne and – for the first time – in Brisbane for its to good use. For more information about the Resort,
friends, members and guests. These events are to thank visit lizardisland.com.
people for their support and to inform them about
research at LIRS and the state of the Reef. Donations
On 26 March at the Australian Museum, coral reef fish research
was the theme at an early-evening function. Dr Anne Hoggett LIRRF operates with very low overhead costs, providing a
AM (LIRS), Professor Bill Gladstone (University of Technology
highly efficient channel for donations to support science on
Sydney), and PhD student and 2017 Ian Potter Doctoral Fellow the Reef. Lizard Island Research Station would not exist and
Renato Morais (James Cook University) provided different could not continue without donor support. Various
perspectives on coral reef fish research and the outlook for options for donating are available online at lirrf.org/donate.
reef fishes. A lively Q&A followed the presentations All donations of $2 or more are tax deductible in Australia.
11For the record
Lizard Island Field Guide Vale Terry Ford
Lizard Island Field Guide (LIFG) is an online guide to the life It is with great sadness that we announce the passing away
of Lizard Island, both terrestrial and marine. It now includes of Terry Ford on 16 February 2020. Terry, along with his
more than 2,800 species with photographs and so much partner Lois Wilson, has been involved in LIRS activities for
other information, an increase of about 300 during the year. decades. They operated the Station’s live-aboard research
This includes 750 of the 1500 known fish species in this vessel RV Sunbird for many years during the late 1980s and
area, 250 corals, 580 molluscs, 200 echinoderms, 100 birds early 1990s. When Sunbird was sold, Terry and Lois visited
and 240 land plants. LIRS almost annually, either as volunteers or as relief staff.
Since 2001, they visited on 16 occasions and donated almost
Representation of terrestrial invertebrates in LIFG is very two-person years of their time helping with maintenance.
poor with only about 100 insect species and 18 spider In 2005, Terry took over the annual task of inspecting and,
species currently included. We expect those numbers to where needed replacing, all safety equipment in the Station’s
increase substantially when last year’s LIRRF Postdoctoral 15 research boats. Terry undertook this task enthusiastically
Fellow, Dr Darko Cotoras, publishes the results of his 2019 despite being massively overqualified as a former Lieutenant
field work into Lizard Island spiders and beetles. Commander of Australian Navy patrol vessels. In the earlier
days of his naval career he was a jet fighter test pilot.
The online guide (http://lifg.australianmuseum.net.au/
Whenever possible, Terry would be down at the beach to
Hierarchy.html) is updated continuously and free mobile
watch the setting sun. He will always be remembered for his
applications for both major platforms are updated twice
dedication and friendship.
each year. We thank the LIRRF for providing the funds to
maintain these sites, to Geoff Shuetrim and the Gaia Guide
Association for developing them, to Marianne Pearce who
enters much of the background data, and to the many
Volunteers
contributors. Anne Hoggett oversees the quality and LIRS relies upon volunteers to help with its maintenance.
development of content. Our special thanks and acknowledgement in 2019 to 'regulars'
Snow and Renie Amos, Sue Lawrence, Kerry Sackett, and
iNaturalist is a citizen science project that enables Helen and Peter Wodetzki. Thanks also to second-time
observations of biodiversity to be shared and identified by volunteer Charlie Maling, and new volunteers Genna Davies,
its online community of about 1 million people. It is an Rory Lewis, Blinda McClelland and Ruby Staas.
excellent complementary platform to LIFG. In August 2019,
we set up a project within iNaturalist called Lizard Island
Life. iNaturalist contributors have helped us to identify
many species for LIFG and selected contributions to Lizard
Island Life are imported to LIFG to extend its species
coverage and to provide additional photos.
Staff
Dr Lyle Vail AM and Dr Anne Hoggett AM completed 29 years
as joint Directors in August 2019.
Marianne Dwyer and John Williamson completed their
fourth year as maintenance staff in March 2019.
Lance and Marianne Pearce and, separately, Snow Amos
filled in as maintenance staff when Marianne and John were
on leave. Renie Amos also helped enormously as a volunteer
during the latter period.
12Internships Bench fees
The undergraduate internships program ended in 2019. Per person per night, 2019 2020
The final intern was Courtney Hildebrandt of the University Including GST
of Wollongong who spent nearly a month at LIRS in early
Researcher $ 148.50 $ 150.00
2019. This program gave undergraduate students in relevant
Researcher’s assistant $ 132.00 $ 134.00
courses the opportunity to develop their skills in a research
Postgrad student (own project) $ 57.50 $ 58.50
environment. Six students took part in the program over
Postgrad’s assistant $ 52.50 $ 53.50
three years after being selected through a highly competitive
School or university group $ 94.50 $ 96.00
process. While the program was successful in developing
Media $ 223.00 $ 226.00
a small number of undergraduates, our focus has returned
Commercial $ 279.00 $ 283.00
to supporting postgraduate and postdoctoral research. We
thank the LIRRF for the opportunity to trial this program.
The postgraduate internships program provides access to
field and aquarium facilities for PhD students who assist
LIRS staff for 12 hours per week for at least three consecutive
months in lieu of paying bench fees. Few students have
projects that meet our requirements for this program and
Below left New Caledonian Maskrays (Neotrygon trigonoides)
unfortunately none were able to take up the opportunity
are common at Lizard Island.
during 2019.
9,000 Other
Volunteers
Commercia l
8,000
Educational Groups
Postgra duates
7,000 Researchers
6,000
5,000
4,000
3,000
2,000
Person nights
1,000
0
2002
1994
2006
2004
2008
1996
1982
2000
1998
1978
1992
1980
1986
1988
1990
1984
2018
2010
2012
2016
2014
Calendar year
13Institutions
Australian
1 ARC Centre of Excellence for
Coral Reef Studies
2 Australian National University
Visitors in 2019
3 Curtin University
4 Griffith University
5 James Cook University
6 Macquarie University
7 Monash University
7a Queensland Museum
8 Queensland University of Technology
9 Southern Cross University
10 University of Adelaide
11 University of New England
12 University of Queensland
13 University of Sydney
14 University of Tasmania
14a University of Western Australia
15 University of Wollongong
International
16 Arkansas State University (USA)
17 Bar Ilan University (Israel)
18 California Academy of Sciences (USA)
19 Carnegie Institution (USA)
20 Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology (USA)
21 Hawaii Pacific University (USA)
22 Monterey Bay Aquarium Research
Institute (USA)
23 National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (USA)
24 Nova Southeastern University (USA)
25 School for International Training (USA)
26 Silliman University (Philippines)
27 University of Auckland (New Zealand)
28 University of Aveiro (Portugal)
29 University of Bristol (United Kingdom)
30 University of Copenhagen (Denmark)
31 University of Exeter (United Kingdom)
32 University of Lisbon (Portugal)
33 University of Maryland Baltimore
Scientists from 40 institutions in 12 countries County (USA)
conducted 87 research projects in 2019 34 University of Neuchâtel (Switzerland)
comprising 54 senior scientists or postdocs, 33 35 University of Oslo (Norway)
36 University of Otago (New Zealand)
PhD candidates, 8 MSc candidates, 2 Honours 37 University of Saskatchewan (Canada)
candidates and 9 undergraduate research 38 University of St Andrews (United Kingdom)
students. The researchers are listed here with
their project titles and institutional affiliations.
A school of Blackfin Barracuda
(Sphyraena qenie) at Lizard Island
Oppposite XXXX
14Senior scientists
and postdocs
Bridie Allan36
1) Interactions of temperature
and microplastics on coral reef
fish behaviour
2) The effect of temperature stress
and microplastic pollution on escape
behaviour of coral reef fish
Cassy Thompson as field leader for
Kristen Anderson King1,9
Recovery of coral growth rates and
reef carbonate budget after severe
bleaching events at Lizard Island Jason Doyle2 Mark McCormick1,9 and Bridie Allan36
Rohan Brooker 6 Further develop COTS eDNA tools with Microplastics affect fish survival
Camouflage on coral reefs a view to operationalision as part of an
Mark Meekan2 and Jennifer Kelley14a
early-warning system
Kristen Brown1,12 Soundscapes of Lizard Island waters
Reef recovery in the aftermath of Will Feeney7, Alexandra Grutter12 and fish behaviour relating to light
and Paul Sikkel16 and turbidity
mass coral bleaching
Long-term effects of cleaner fish on
Samuel Powell12
Sally Carson36 coral reef communities
Measuring polarization of the visual
Science education, communication and
Christopher Fulton4, John Fleng environment of the Great Barrier Reef
community engagement in relation to
Steffensen30 and Keith Korsmeyer21
marine science research Morgan Pratchett1,9, Andrew Hoey1,9 and
Ecophysiology of reef fish locomotion
Vanessa Messmer1,9
Lucille Chapuis31 in dynamic flows
Assessing non-outbreak densities of
Mitigating the impact of motorboat
Jason Gedamke23 Crown-of-Thorns Starfish
noise on tropical reef fishes
Dwarf Minke Whale song - potential
Steve Purcell11
Doug Chivers and Maud Ferrari37 changes over 20 years
Movement and growth of sea
The impact of habitat degradation
Andrew Hoey1,9 and Andrew Baird1,9 cucumbers
on predator-prey interactions
Post-bleaching recovery of coral
Yuichiro Takeshita22, Tyler Cyronak 24,
Wen-Sung Chung12 populations
Ken Caldeira19, Manoela Romano19,
Polarisation body patterns of cuttlefish David Koweek19 and Kenny Wolfe1,12
Fredereike Kroon 2
Kendall Clements 27 Fish predation on Crown-of-Thorns Lizard Island Metabolism in Transition
Nutritional ecology and demography Starfish (LIMITS)
of parrotfishes Sjannie Lefevre Nilsson34 and Zegni Triki34
Fabio Cortesi as field leader for Göran Nilsson35 Is there variation in cognitive
Cynthia Rignios1,12 Effect of hypoxia and temperature performance between female and
Crown-of-Thorns Starfish population on heart rate and oxygen uptake in male cleaners?
genetics jumping snails
Noa Truskanov34
Darko Cotoras 18 Joshua Madin20, Maria Dornelas38 Social learning in juvenile cleaner fish
Exploring the arachnid and coleopteran and Andrew Baird1,9
Sean Ulm9, Ian McNiven10, Ariana
diversity of the Lizard Island Group Reef records monitoring
Lambrides9, Christian Reepmeyer9
Justin Marshall12 and Ben Gunn 8
Graeme Cumming1,9 and Brad Congdon9
Stomatopod polarisation vision and Lizard Island Archaeological Project
Predicting movement responses of
anemonefish vision
marine organisms to a changing world
Mark McCormick1,9
Joseph DiBattista3
1) Monitoring of fish and corals
eDNA and fish barcoding at Lizard Island
around Lizard Island
Jennifer Donelson1,9 2) Marine plastics effect on anti-
Behavioural thermoregulation of predator behaviour of Strombus Above PhD student Isla Keesje Davidson and assistant at
coral reef fish and Conus work in the Lizard Island lagoon
15Postgraduate
research students
Melisande Aellen34
General intelligence in cleaner
fish? (PhD)
Olivia Arnold9
Lizard Island Archaeological
Project (MSc)
Jessica Bellworthy17
How do local thermal regimes and
reproductive timings impact coral
planulae plasticity? (PhD)
Makeely Blandford1,9
Inteactions between fish and coral
reefs: the influence of habitat
degradation on fish communities. (PhD)
Nader Boutros13
Spatial surveys of reef fish and their
Naomi Green12 Millie Mannering36
habitat (PhD)
How different is different? The design The impacts of microplastic
Viviana Brambilla38 and function of highly contrasting consumption on predation rate
Coral reefs and niche construction: colour patterns in animals (PhD) and predator selectivity on coral
quantifying patterns (PhD) reef fish (MSc)
Kelly Hannan1,9
Claudio Brandao28 Physiological effects of elevated Samuel Matchette29
Chasing Symbiodinium: pCO2 on fishes employing different How the presence of water caustics
the endolithic niche of Symbiodinium swimming modes (PhD) impacts the detection of moving
on Lizard Island (PhD) objects by a coral reef fish (PhD)
Helen Holmlund4
Weili Chan 12
How does drought affect the water Michalis Mihalitsis1,9
Chemical ecology of nudibranchs (PhD) relations of the mangrove fern Association of fish body size and shape
Acrostichum speciosum? (PhD) to the benthos (PhD)
Alice Chou33 with supervisor
Thomas Cronin33 Isla Keesje Davidson29 Laurie Mitchell12
Neural organization of the central brain Multi-modal communication in The role of ultraviolet signalling in
in adult and larval stomatopods (PhD) anemonefishes (Amphiprioninae) (PhD)
reef fish under changing behavioural
Amy Coughlan14 contexts and environments (PhD)
Claire Moad9
The global importance of benthic
Brad Lamont 36
The effect of habitat degradation on the
pelagic coupling for coastal reef
The effect of plastic and CAC exposure interrelationships between morphology,
functioning (PhD)
on growth and physiology of recruit performance and hehaviour of coral
Yasmin Emery34 with supervisor Pomacentrus amboinensis (MSc) reef fishes (Hons)
Redouan Bshary34
Lauren Linnenlucke9 Teresa Morrell36
Learning mechanisms underlying
Lizard Island Archaeological Effect of plasticisers on triplefin
cognitive performance in mutualistic
interactions: from biological markets Project (PhD) fish (MSc)
to social learning (PhD) Jake Lowe9 Georgina Nicholson27
Tim Gordon31 Effects of no-take marine reserve Diet and bioerosion in Indo-Pacific
Soundscapes as symptoms and protection on abundance, demography parrotfishes (MSc)
mechanisms of ecosystem change (PhD) and life history characteristics of
Jose Paula32
large-bodied wrasses of the GBR and
Alexia Graba-Landry 1,9 Cleaning interactions in a changing
Philippines (PhD)
The effect of increasing temperature world: bioecological responses of
to seaweed-fish interactions on Caitlin Maling13 cleaning mutualisms to ocean warming
coral reefs (PhD) Fish song (poetry) (PhD) and acidification (PhD)
16Matthew Nicholson16
Ectoparasite comsumption by diurnal
Undergraduate School for International Training
Two groups led by Tony Cummings,
fishes (PhD) research students Vanessa Messmer, David Sellars and
Jack Grant
Marina Santana2,9 Jeremy Goodsnyder25
Assessing the ecological risks of Behavior of populations of rabbitfish Wenona School
plastic pollution to coral reef (Siganus doliatus) on outfront and Led by Alisha Thompson, Jodie Webster,
Loomis Reefs of Lizard Island Ana Vila-Concejo and Elizabeth Nash
environment (PhD)
Gabriela Scata 12 Alison Hammond11
Octopus brain and social behaviour (PhD) Movement of Thelenota anax Other visitors
Mary Shodipo26 Grace Hinrichs25 Australian Museum
The effect of climatic disturbances on • Staff recognition award winner
Training in gnathiid sampling
coral reef metabolic processes Dr Stephen Keable
methodology (MSc)
Jillian Lessing25 Lizard Island Reef Research Foundation
Mathias Soerensen21
Examining the effects of planulae • Chair Kate Hayward with supporters
Pectoral fin shape effect on
variation on growth rate and settlement Percy and Nicola Ellis, Mary Hayward
swimming kinematics and behaviour and Ian Dungey, Paul Slade, Allison
during turning in a wave induced Ansley Levine25 Haworth and Michael West
water flow (MSc) The effects of water temperature and • Trustee Greer Banyer with husband
habitat quality on the behavior of Jay Banyer and daughters Eve and Erin
Pietro Storelli 34
barred rabbitfish (Siganus doliatus) on • Rossi Foundation representatives
Cooperation and conflict in couples the Great Barrier Reef Danielle and Christian Helms
of cleaner wrasse (MSc)
Thomas McCambridge25 Undergraduate intern
Amy Streets12 The effects of habitat degradation on • Courtney Hildebrandt, University
Structure and function of the optic the factors influencing reef fish survival of Wollongong
lamina in stomatopods (PhD)
John McCormack 25 Media
Robert Streit1,9
A survey of beetle diversity (order • Associated Press, Sam McNeil
Heterogeneity of feeding by Coleoptera) on Lizard Island • Reuters, Lucas Jackson and
herbivorous fishes (PhD) Maurice Tamman
Luka Meyers11 • Plimsoll Productions, documentary
Sterling Tebbett 1,9
Movement of Stichopus vastus film crew
The functioning of transitioning • Sealight Pictures, documentary
Sarah Orth25
coral reef: fishes, sediments and film crew
Siganus doliatus: pairing behavioral
productivity (PhD) • Lisa Bigelow, author
analysis off Lizard Island, Australia
Laura Velasquez1,9 First aid training
Effects of elevated temperature • Charlie Makray and Julie Armour
and boat noise on predator-prey Education groups
Australian Institute of Marine Science
interactions (PhD) Barker College • GBROOS maintenance team
Led by Tim Binet, Sarah Cormio
Hong Vo12 Contractors
and Virginia Ellis
Mantis shrimp vision (PhD) • Allan Ross, microscope service
Geelong College • Essential Air Solutions, refrigeration
Jing-Wen Wang12
Four groups led by Rhonda Browne, works
Electrophysiology studies of the visual
Dana Dear, Justine Dyson, Sam • Telstra, antenna installation
neurons in stomatopods (PhD) Macintosh, Mark Nurnaitis, Benjamin • BME NQ, boat painting
Erin Watson12 Robbins, Marita Seaton, Emma Withers
How colour pattern characteristics and Reef Ecotours staff
impact the detection of objects by ISF Academy Hong Kong
a coral reef fish (Hons) Led by Jo-Ann Seow and Reef
Ecotours staff
Emma Weschke29
Diel investigations into the effects of RMIT University
daytime motorboat noise on nocturnal Led by Jeff Shimeta, Nathan Bott, Above Left Honours student Millie Mannering at work
tropical coral reef fishes (PhD) and David Heathcote in the aquarium.
17Publications
Anemonefishes Amphiprion percula in anemone
Heteractis magnifica at Lizard Island
18In 2019, 88 publications 8. Bray, R.A., S.C. Cutmore and T.H. 17. DeCarlo, T.M., H.B. Harrison,
Cribb, 2019. An anomalous phylogenetic L. Gajdzik, D. Alaguarda, R. Rodolfo-
based on work carried out at
position for Deraiotrema platacis Metalpa, J. D’Olivo, G. Liu, D.
LIRS were received into the Machida, 1982 (Lepocreadiidae) from Patalwala and M.T. McCulloch, 2019.
collection as listed below. Platax pinnatus on the Great Barrier Reef. Acclimatization of massive reef-building
There are now more than Diversity, 11:104. corals to consecutive heatwaves.
2,380 LIRS publications. 9. Cardoso, S.C.C., 2015. The role of
Proceedings of the Royal Society B,
286: 20190235.
neuropeptides on the modulation of
1. Allen, J.D., E.L. Richardson, D.
mutualistic behaviour of the Indo-Pacific 18. Dittmann, I.L., D. Cuadrado,
Deaker, A. Agüera and M. Byrne, 2019.
Cleaner Wrasse (Labroides dimidiatus). M.T. Aguado, C. Noreña and B. Egger,
Larval cloning in the crown-of-thorns
PhD thesis, Unversidade do Algarve. 2019. Polyclad phylogeny persists to be
sea star, a keystone coral predator.
Marine Ecology Progress Series, 10. Chase, T.J. and M.O. problematic. Organisms Diversity and
609: 271-276. Hoogenboom, 2019. Differential Evolution, 19:585-608.
occupation of available coral hosts by
2. Alvarez Noriega, M., 2019. 19. Duong, B., S.P. Blomberg, T.H.
coral-dwelling damselfish (Pomacentridae)
Competition and coexistence Cribb, P.F. Cowman, A.M. Kuris, M.I.
on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. Diversity,
of reef-corals. PhD thesis, McCormick, R.R. Warner, D. Sun and
2019, 11: 219.
James Cook University. A.S. Grutter, 2019. Parasites of coral
11. Cheney, K.L., N.F. Green, A.P. Vibert, reef fish larvae: its role in the pelagic
3. Arroyo, F.A., T.E. Pawlowska,
M. Vorobyev, N.J. Marshall, D.C. Osorio larval stage. Coral Reefs, https://doi.
J.H. Choat, K.D. Clements and
and J.A. Endler, 2019. org/10.1007/s00338-019-01766-z.
E.R. Angert, 2019. Recombination
An Ishihara-style test of animal colour
contributes to population 20. Fakan, E.P. and M.I. McCormick,
vision. Journal of Experimental Biology,
diversification in the polyploid intestinal 2019. Boat noise affects the early life
222: jeb189787.
symbiont Epulopiscium sp. type B. history of two damselfishes. Marine
The ISME Journal, 13: 1084–1097. 12. Chisholm, J.R.M., 1988 Pollution Bulletin, 141: 493-500.
Photosynthesis, calcification and
4. Bandel, K., 2006. Families of the 21. Feller, K., D. Wilby, G. Jacucci,
photoadaptation in reef-building
Cerithioidea and related superfamilies S. Vignolini, J. Mantell, T.J. Wardill,
crustose coralline algae on the
(Palaeo-Caenogastropoda; Mollusca) T.W. Cronin and N.W. Roberts, 2019.
Great Barrier Reef. PhD thesis,
from the Triassic to the Recent Long-wavelength reflecting filters
James Cook University.
characterized by protoconch found in the larval retinas of one
morphology – including the description 13. Chivers, D.P., M.I. McCormick, E.P. mantis shrimp family (Nannosquillidae).
of new taxa. Paläontologie, Stratigraphie, Fakan, R.P. Barry, J.W. Edmiston and Current Biology, 29: 3101–3108.
Fazies (14), Freiberger Forschungshefte, M.C.O. Ferrari, 2019.
C 511: 59–138. Coral degradation alters predator odour 22. Ferrari, M.C.O., D.T. Warren, M.I.
signatures and influences prey learning McCormick and D.P. Chivers, 2019.
5. Branconi, R., J.G. Garner,
and survival. Proceedings of the Royal The cost of carryover effects in a
P.M. Buston and M.Y.L. Wong, 2019.
Society B, 286: 20190562. changing environment: context-
A new non-invasive technique for
dependent benefits of a behavioural
temporarily tagging coral reef fishes. 14. Clements, M., K. Wolfe, K. Schwartz
phenotype in a coral reef fish.
Copeia, 107(1): 85–91. and M. Byrne, 2019.
Animal Behaviour, 49: 1-5.
Forever fissiparous: asexual propagation
6. Branconi, R., M.Y.L. Wong and
and stable demography in a tropical and 23. Fontoura, L., K.J A. Zawada,
P.M. Buston, 2019.
geographically isolated asterinid sea star. S. D’agata, A.H. Baird, M. Álvarez-
Comparison of efficiency of direct
Marine Biology, 166: 69. Noriega, R.M. Woods, O.J. Luiz, M.
observations by scuba diver and
indirect observations via video camera 15. Cowan, Z.-L., 2017. Predation on Dornelas, J.S. Madin, J.M. Maina and
for measuring reef-fish behaviour. the early life stages of crown-of-thorns E.M.P. Madin, 2019. Climate-driven
Journal of Fish Biology, 94(3): 489-497. starfish (Acanthaster cf. solaris). PhD shift in coral morphological structure
thesis, James Cook University. predicts decline of juvenile reef fishes.
7. Brandl, S.J., L. Tornabene, C.H.R. Global Change Biology, doi:
Goatley, J.M. Casey, R.A. Morais, I.M. 16. Cribb, T.H., P.A. Chapman, 10.1111/GCB.14911.
Cote, C.C. Baldwin, V. Parravicini, S.C. Cutmore and D.C. Huston,
N.M.D. Schiettekatte and D.R. 2019. Pronocephaloid cercariae 24. Frisch, A.J. and J.R. Rizzari, 2019.
Bellwood, 2019. Demographic dynamics (Platyhelminthes: Trematoda) from Parks for sharks: human exclusion areas
of the smallest marine vertebrates gastropods of the Queensland coast, outperform no-take marine reserves.
fuel coral-reef ecosystem functioning. Australia. Journal of Helminthology, Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment,
Science, 10.1126/science.aav3384. 94, e105: 1-10. doi:10.1002/fee.2003.
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