Thinking of Honours ?
Conservation Genetics / Molecular Ecology?
Conservation genetics, radiotracking,
biodiversity, and invasive species
The Wildlife DNA lab is seeking to fill a number of positions for suitably
qualified Honours candidates to work on threatened taxa and
population genetics projects. Among other things, the projects aim to
use field and laboratory-based approaches to quantify natural
populations for industry and conservation. The projects will involve the
application of population genetic analyses to help address questions of
biodiversity, conservation and asset protection.
Who’s your daddy? Mate choice and sexual selection in the northern quoll,
Dasyurus hallucatus
Supervisors: Peter Spencer & Judy Dunlop (DPaW)
The Northern Quoll Dasyurus hallucatus is the largest surviving predatory marsupial in
northern Australia. It is reportedly disappearing from most of its former range in
northern Queensland and the Northern Territory as a result of the spread of the
introduced poisonous cane toad, Rhinella marinus. The northern quoll remains
relatively abundant and widespread in two regions of its western distribution, the
Kimberley and Pilbara. Both regions have populations on off-shore islands formed within the past
10,000 years with the rise in sea level after the last glacial maximum and typically housing relictual
populations. The Pilbara region would appear to be a last strong hold for quoll populations in Western
Australia.
This project seeks to examine the relationship between size and the incidence of multiple paternity in
quolls. It will also explore not only the causes of multiple paternity. Northern quolls are protected
species found in northern Australia. They are under pressure from resource extraction, changing fire
regimes and increased land use. Cane toads are an emerging threat. One action that may be
considered for the conservation of quolls is to move them (translocations) or protect them in captive
breeding programs. The main aim of this project is to investigate the extent of multiple paternity in
the northern quoll. This information will be useful when considering the sex ratio in release programs
and ion other conservation management of this threatened taxa.
The student is expected to develop general knowledge on common laboratory
techniques for DNA extractions and genotyping, and population genetic analysis. No
previous lab experience is needed, but general understanding of genetics principles
is required.