Associate ProfessorChristopher Burridge

Project Total: $10,000; Tasmanias high level of endemism makes its alpine ecosystems some of the most diverse in the world [1]. Exemplifying this unique biodiversity are three species of lizard: the northern snow skink (Carinascincus greeni), southern snow skink (C. microlepidotus) and Tasmanian mountain skink (C. orocryptus). All three species are restricted to Tasmanias mountains or sky islands naturally fragmented alpine environments surrounded by lowland habitats [2] largely within the Tasmania Wilderness World Heritage Area. Despite their restricted distributions, these skinks are among the most abundant vertebrates in Tasmanias alpine ecosystems, where they play important ecological roles as predators of invertebrates [3], prey for birds and facilitators of plant reproduction [4]. However, all three species are federally listed as Endangered [5], facing unprecedented threats from climate change that could drive them to extinction. This PhD-led project will integrate population genomics, species interaction studies and predictive distribution modelling to assess the vulnerability of these species. With key stakeholder engagement from Dr Michael Driessen, World Heritage Area Senior Zoologist of Tasmanias Department of Natural Resources and Environment (NRE), the results will inform evidence-based management strategies and monitoring protocols to enhance the resilience of these alpine species and their ecosystems. Funded by: Mountain Air Foundation - Grant ($10,000); University of Tasmania.

Project Total: $5,000; Tasmanias high level of endemism makes its alpine ecosystems some of the most diverse in the world [1]. Exemplifying this unique biodiversity are three species of lizard: the northern snow skink (Carinascincus greeni), southern snow skink (C. microlepidotus) and Tasmanian mountain skink (C. orocryptus). All three species are restricted to Tasmanias mountains or sky islands naturally fragmented alpine environments surrounded by lowland habitats [2] largely within the Tasmania Wilderness World Heritage Area. Despite their restricted distributions, these skinks are among the most abundant vertebrates in Tasmanias alpine ecosystems, where they play important ecological roles as predators of invertebrates [3], prey for birds and facilitators of plant reproduction [4]. However, all three species are federally listed as Endangered [5], facing unprecedented threats from climate change that could drive them to extinction. This PhD-led project will integrate species interaction studies, predictive distribution modelling and population genomics to assess the vulnerability of these species. With key stakeholder engagement from Dr Michael Driessen, World Heritage Area Senior Zoologist of Tasmanias Department of Natural Resources and Environment (NRE), the results will inform evidence-based management strategies and monitoring protocols to enhance the resilience of these alpine species and their ecosystems. Funded by: 99 Bikes Pty Ltd - Funding - Grant ($4,977); University of Tasmania.

Project Total: $3,000; Over the past 50 years, human-induced changes to ecosystems have caused alarming declines in wildlife populations, with anthropogenic climate change being a dominant driver. Alpine environments and their species are particularly vulnerable. Sky islands naturally fragmented alpine environments surrounded by warmer lowlands provide a crucial lens for understanding alpine species vulnerability to climate change. As temperatures rise, alpine species face habitat contraction, loss of genetic diversity, and competition from invading lowland species. My research focuses on snow skinks (Carinascincus), a genus of cold-adapted reptiles, with three sky island species restricted to alpine areas in Tasmania. First collected by Charles Darwin on Mt Wellington in 1836, these skinks were recently listed as Endangered under the EPBC Act 1999 due to climate change. As alpine habitats contract and lowland snow skink species move upwards, the sky island species face novel and significant challenges Critical information gaps remain regarding the alpine snow skinks response to climate change. My PhD research will address these through (1) quantification of genetic diversity and future inbreeding risk, (2) characterisation of interspecies competition between alpine and lowland species, and (3) development and application of mechanistic models to predict future distributions. This integrated approach will provide critical insight into the resilience of alpine snow skinks and contribute to the conservation of these threatened sky island endemics. Funded by: Royal Zoological Society of New South Wales - Grant ($3,000); University of Tasmania.

Project Total: $8,500; The project aims to use experimental translocations of the eastern quoll (Dasyurus viverrinus) to the East Coast and Midlands regions of Tasmania to establish evidence-based translocation protocol and identifying of drivers of decline. The project will focus on the impact of individual characteristics, release methods and genetic management on dispersal, survival, and breeding success. This will contribute to the creation of a decision-making framework to inform future translocations of threatened marsupials in Australia. Funded by: Holsworth Wildlife Research Endowment - Grant ($25,500); University of Tasmania.

Project Total: $176,166; Recent research on the Tasmanian Wedge-tailed eagle (TWTE), including work funded by the Wedge-tailed eagle Research Fund (WTERF) has provided valuable information on TWTE behaviour, demography of the population, and the magnitude of anthropogenic impacts. A large project that is currently underway with support from an ARC Linkage grant is investigating the factors causing collisions with wind farms, aspects of the behavioural responses of nesting TWTEs to forestry activities, and the size and status of the TWTE population. There remains a gap in our knowledge of how eagles respond to a wide range of disturbances and human activities related to land use. This is important because while the TWTE appears to be highly sensitive to disturbance, behavioural responses to specific disturbances are poorly known, and it is not clear how these responses affect population viability. This PhD project will investigate how TWTEs respond to a range of human activities. The project will have a particular focus on using existing datasets (including GPS-tracking data) as well as carrying out field experiments to assess effects of disturbance on behaviour and breeding success of eagles. All ethical requirements and veterinary competencies will be met. Funded by: Southern Regional Natural Resource Management Association Inc (NRM South) - Grant - Wedge-tailed Eagle Research Fund ($176,166); University of Tasmania.

Project Total: $8,480; Anthropogenic climate change is one of the leading causes of biodiversity loss worldwide. Species most at risk of extinction from climate change typically have restricted distributions, limited dispersal options, low genetic variation and specialist requirements. Reptiles, especially those restricted to naturally fragmented alpine environments known as sky islands, are particularly at risk. Sky islands are high-elevation terrestrial areas surrounded by lowland habitats that act as geographical and ecological barriers to dispersal. Climate change poses a significant threat to these species due to the limited genetic connectivity between populations, sensitivity to temperature change, and specialist alpine requirements. Snow skinks (Carinascincus), a cold-climate adapted genus of reptiles in Tasmania, exemplify these challenges. While some snow skinks species have broad distributional and altitudinal ranges, others are restricted to alpine areas above 1000 metres. The southern snow skink (C. microlepidotus) is one such sky island species. It is federally listed as Endangered due to the threat of climate change as alpine habitats contract and lowland snow skink species move upwards with rising temperatures. While the biology and ecology of the alpine snow skinks are known, we lack basic information to accurately predict how they are responding to climate change, namely population genomics and interactions with lowland congeners. My PhD will address these gaps. In the first year of funding, I will undertake population surveys to conduct a genetic assessment of diversity and gene flow. Additional field surveys will investigate the extent and nature of competition with lowland species. These data will be used to build mechanistic-based models to accurately predict how the species will respond to climate change. Combined, the genetic analysis, field surveys and models will provide critical insights into the resilience of alpine snow skinks in the face of climate change, and ultimately contribute to the conservation of these unique species. Funded by: Holsworth Wildlife Research Endowment - Grant ($16,980); University of Tasmania.

Project Total: $50,000; Using experimental releases of eastern quolls (Dasyurus viverrinus) to identify the influence of translocation protocol and individual attributes on translocation success. Funded by: Department of Agriculture Water and the Environment - Grant-National Environmental Science Prgm (NESP); University of Western Australia ($50,000); University of Tasmania.

Project Total: $979,778; The project aims to understand the causes of observed declines of the eastern quoll in Tasmania, and develop tools to safeguard this species in their last wild stronghold. The project will test the innovative approach of undertaking a series of experimental translocations at an early stage of a population decline. This approach will provide reliable information on the causes of observed declines, while simultaneously testing the effectiveness of translocations of captive-bred animals as a management tool for the species. It will also develop evidence-based protocols for undertaking captive-bred translocations, to improve the outcomes of eastern quoll recovery efforts as well as promoting early intervention for other declining species. Funded by: Australian Research Council - Grant-Linkage Projects ($1,087,796); World Wide Fund for Nature Australia ($225,000); Tasmanian Land Conservancy ($211,722); University of Tasmania ($104,521).

Project Total: $82,489; We propose to study the spotted snow skink Carinascincus ocellatus, a lizard endemic to Tasmania with XY sex chromosomes. Recent research on populations at the extremes of its climatic range has revealed both sex reversal and inter-population variation in sex chromosome differentiation. By integrating various methodological approaches, and comparing populations throughout the species range, we will assess the full extent of variation in sex chromosome differentiation, and test how it influences fitness in sex reversed individuals. The outcomes of this research could facilitate predictions of extinction risk in species where temperature can override genetic sex, using the nature and level of sex chromosome differentiation as an indicator for reduced fitness. Funded by: The Hermon Slade Foundation - Grant ($82,489); University of Tasmania.

Project Total: $21,929; This project involves genotyping eagle material found in and around wind farms in Tasmania with the aim of assessing how eagles killed by wind turbines are related to the resident eagles that live in the area. Funded by: Woolnorth Wind Farm Holding Pty Ltd ($21,929); University of Tasmania.

Project Total: $1,009,488; This project aims to ensure the conservation of the Endangered Tasmanian wedge-tailed eagle by resolving conflict with wind farms and forestry. It will do this by understanding the flight behaviour, movements and mortality of eagles, and the responses of breeding birds to forestry-related disturbance. The project will build new knowledge and institutional partnerships that will result in better planning to minimise impacts on the Tasmanian eagle population. This will secure the future of Australia's largest eagle, and improve the sustainability of renewable energy and forest industries in Tasmania. Findings from the project will be transferrable to similar problems in other places. Funded by: Australian Research Council - Grant-Linkage Projects ($719,068); Ark Energy Projects Pty Ltd ($81,000); Environmental Protection Agency Tasmania ($74,420); Pennicott Wilderness Journeys Pty Ltd ($60,000); ACEN Australia ($50,000); Woolnorth Wind Farm Holding Pty Ltd ($25,000); University of Tasmania ($100,989).

Project Total: $18,355; Student: Carles Ferre Ortega We propose to study the spotted snow skink Carinascincus ocellatus, a lizard endemic to Tasmania with XY sex chromosomes. Recent research on populations at the extremes of its climatic range has revealed both sex-reversal and inter-population variation in sex chromosome differentiation. We will (i) characterise the degree of sex chromosome differentiation across the species' range, (ii) test if it can predict rates of sex reversal and sex ratio bias, and (iii) influence fitness of sex reversed individuals. The outcomes of this study will further our understanding of the interactions between genetic and environmental factors influencing sex, and the associated extinction risks induced by climate change for species with climate mediated sex reversal. All animal ethics and veterinary competencies will be completed prior to study commencing. Funded by: Holsworth Wildlife Research Endowment - Grant ($18,355); University of Tasmania.

Project Total: $250,000; This project aims to improve the trajectory of the endangered Swan galaxias. It builds on previous work, and applies new techniques and technologies to habitat modelling to identify previously undiscovered populations and inform site selection for on-ground restoration works. It will develop eDNA markers for population sampling as a tool in routine river health monitoring by partner organisations, and trial translocation strategies to protect genetic diversity and safeguard population size. The project addresses some of the key threats to the species and builds resilience in populations in anticipation of the impacts of climate change. It is a collaborative project involving the State Government (IFS and NRET), UTas, NRM South and NRM North. Funded by: Department of Agriculture Water and the Environment - Grant - Environment Restoration Fund; Southern Regional Natural Resource Management Association Inc (NRM South); University of Tasmania.

Project Total: $7,890; Student: Kawinwit Kittipalawattanapol Management of black rats at large scale in unconfined landscapes will require ecological methods as lethal control is not feasible. Development of new ecologically based methods is hindered by lack of knowledge of the ecological interactions of black rats, specifically how competition and food resources influence black rat abundance. I aim to address these knowledge gaps using a study system in Tasmania where invasive black rats and similar-sized native swamp rats occur: 1. What is the mechanism of competition between black rats and swamp rats and can swamp rats prevent reinvasion of black rats? I will experimentally remove black rats and track changes for 3 years in populations, demography, and body condition of swamp rats and determine whether reinvasion occurs. 2. As black rats are effective scavengers, is there a shift in food resource utilisation by black rats and swamp rats in areas with top scavenger, the Tasmanian devil, decline? I will use environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis of scats collected to compare diets of black rats and swamp rats across a gradient of decline of the Tasmanian devil. The project is significant because it will reveal the impact of the super-invasive black rat on native small mammals. The experiment will inform whether communities can be made reinvasion resistant by the temporary removal of invasive species and harnessing ecological levers (e.g., interspecific competition). The diet study will reveal the role of carrion in black rat invasion and provide additional management levers for control of the populations and impacts of black rats at large landscape scale. All ethical requirements and veterinary competencies will be met. Funded by: Holsworth Wildlife Research Endowment - Grant ($7,890); University of Tasmania.

Project Total: $70,000; The funding provided by NRM North will support ecological research done by two PhD students that will support the recovery efforts for bandicoots being undertaken by NRM North. The two project will establish the distribution and drivers of distribution of eastern barred bandicoots in northern Tasmania, how bandicoots use habitat at fine-scale, at what stage they use revegetated areas, and the risks to bandicoots from cats both behaviourally and in terms of infection with cat-borne diseases. Prior to starting the project all students will be competency trained and tested for vet procedures if/when required. Funded by: The Northern Tasmanian Natural Resource Management Assoc Inc. ($70,000); University of Tasmania.

Project Total: $14,209; This project will use modern genotyping techniques (DArTseq) and statistical approaches to estimate the effective population size of the Tasmanian wedge-tailed eagle (Aquila audax fleayi). This information will be used to parameterise a state-wide population viability analysis to improve precision of modelled predictions. The project and the associated PVA will address two research priorities identified in the Tasmanian wedge-tailed eagle recovery plan. Funded by: Southern Regional Natural Resource Management Association Inc (NRM South) - Grant - Wedge-tailed Eagle Research Fund ($14,209); University of Tasmania.

Project Total: $11,640; This project will focus on the interactions between eastern barred bandicoots and cats in Tasmania. We are interested in whether bandicoots can recognise cats as a predator by assessing their naivety in an experimental approach. We will also investigate how a cat parasite, Toxoplasma gondii, influences the populations of highly susceptible bandicoots. Lastly, we will employ landscape genetics to identify which feature promote or inhibit geneflow. This project requires the following veterinary procedures to be conducted on Tasmanian native mammals: microchipping, blood collection and ear biopsies. Menna Jones has been competency assessed for said procedures by University Veterinarian Alex Kreiss. Bridgette Barnden is currently undergoing training in these procedures with David Hamilton and will be assessed prior to commencing the fieldwork described. Funded by: Holsworth Wildlife Research Endowment - Grant ($11,640); University of Tasmania.

Project Total: $29,244; Determine levels of genetic diversity in samples of the endangered sea star P. vivipara to aid in species conservation strategies. Funded by: Pitt & Sherry (Operations) Pty Ltd ($29,244); University of Tasmania.

Project Total: $51,000; This project will apply contemporary genomic approaches to provide important information for the management of threatened native Tasmanian freshwater fishes of the genus Galaxias. Several species of galaxias are threatened by a reduced and fragmentated distribution, invasive species such as trout, and susceptibility to drought and climate change. Funded by: CSIRO-Commonwealth Scientific & Industrial Research Organisation ($51,000); University of Tasmania.

Project Total: $409,121; Our project aims to determine how species transition between genetic? and temperature? sex-determination. This is significant because under climate change, the production of highly skewed sex ratios threatens the persistence of species in which sex is influenced by temperature, including several Australian reptiles. The expected outcome of our study is new knowledge of the ease by which species can transition between modes of sex-determination, which informs the risk of their exposure to potential negative consequences of climate change. This proposal relates to the ARC Science and Research priority Environmental Change?, and the Practical Research Challenge Improved Accuracy and Precision in Predicting and Measuring the Impact of Environmental Changes Caused by Climate and Local Factors?. Knowledge of the mechanism for transition to temperature sex-determination is also of commercial benefit, as many aquaculture species exhibit sexual dimorphism in important traits relating to reproduction, growth, and quality, and production of the favoured sex could be simply achieved through temperature manipulation. Funded by: Australian Research Council - Grant-Discovery Projects ($409,121); University of Tasmania.

Project Total: $20,810; For this project, a whole genomic approach will be used to investigate the impacts of climate change on six Antarctic volant seabird species with varying habits and life histories. Thereafter, comparisons of demographic histories will be made between volant seabird species and non-volant species such as penguins and seals from past studies. These comparisons seek to understand how and if there is a recurring factor that affects specific taxa. In the first year, the study will involve investigating the population genomics and quantifying the historical and modern demography of six Antarctic seabird species with varying life histories and ecology. This project hopes to be able to provide policy makers with an insight to the current state of Antarctic biodiversity and enable them to develop comprehensive action plans to mitigate climate change impacts. Funded by: Holsworth Wildlife Research Endowment - Grant ($20,810); University of Tasmania.

Project Total: $17,400; This study will evaluate the immune adaptations of devils in response to DFTD and assess if captive insurance populations have the genetic tool-box to combat DFTD. This project will generate fine-scale contemporary data on immunological responses to infection and adaptations to a transmissible cancer. The outputs of the research will be used to ensure that immune and tumour suppressor capabilities are maintained and managed in the insurance populations to enable successful repopulations of depauperate areas of Tasmania. Funded by: Holsworth Wildlife Research Endowment - Grant ($17,400); University of Tasmania.

Project Total: $14,470; Declines in freshwater vertebrate populations are common due to anthropogenic influences such as habitat loss, overexploitation and the introduction of invasive species. Galaxiid fishes are among most imperilled freshwater fish in Australia, with ~ 50% of the 37 species being threatened with extinction. In Tasmania, 16 species of galaxiids are known, of which 11 are endemic and 10 of these are listed as endangered. Key knowledge gaps need to be addressed to ensure the conservation of these species, especially the application of genetic studies to quantify population isolation and genetic diversity. New high throughput techniques such as genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) can produce datasets of 1000's of Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs). These SNPs can be used to establish population structuring and quantify genetic variation. Other genetic techniques also offer improved sensitivity and cost efficiency of field monitoring, through non-invasive surveys based on 'environmental DNA' (eDNA, e.g., detection of species' DNA from water samples). This study will focus on Galaxias fontanus and Galaxias johnstoni, both of which are endemic to Tasmania and listed as critically endangered. Both are restricted to a few locations and have undergone range contractions from the introduction of brown trout, with which they cannot coexist. My project will focus on the following objectives: 1) Quantifying genetic distinctiveness and diversity of wild populations of G. fontanus and G. johnstoni, and 2) Developing an eDNA assay capable of individually detecting all Tasmanian galaxiid species from water samples while also providing insight on the intraspecific genetic variation. There are no veterinary consequences for the euthanasia of fish following fyke netting and electrofishing. Euthanasia involves the fish swimming in a solution of Aqui-S, and likewise does not require competency assessment. I have direct correspondence with the AEC on this matter, 'anaesthesia and euthanasia of fish are not vet procedures'. Funded by: Holsworth Wildlife Research Endowment - Grant ($14,470); University of Tasmania.

Project Total: $561,140; In Victoria, Octopus spp. are predominantly a byproduct species caught across various fisheries. Pale Octopus is not differentiated from other octopus species in catch and effort reporting in Victoria, making it difficult to apply stock assessment methods or catch rate indicators. Maori Octopus (Octopus maorum) are likely caught in the Victorian Rock Lobster Fishery (VRLF); whereas Pale Octopus and Gloomy Octopus (Octopus tetricus) are caught within the Inshore Trawl Fishery, Ocean Access Fishery (OAF), Corner Inlet Fishery (CIF) and Port Phillip and Westernport Bay Fishery (PPWPBF). Targeting octopus using 'shelter traps' within the OAF off Lakes Entrance has significantly increased in 2016 and 2017. The average catch during this period was ten times greater compared with the average catch taken from 2006-2015 with the potential for a developing fishery, management is lacking fundamental information to assist in guiding and building a sustainable fishery. For example, there is no requirement to identify and report quantities of species caught. This makes any sort of assessment impossible. Presently, two license holders actively fish for octopus with a capacity to have many more within the OAF. Funded by: Fisheries Research & Development Corporation - Grant-Annual Open Call Round ($561,140); University of Tasmania.

Project Total: $37,260; Reconstructing species' responses to past climate change is important for our understanding of speciation, adaptation, persistence, and extinction (Hewitt, 2004). Knowledge of species' responses to past climate change is also important to inform models of species' resilience to current and projected climate change, and hence is relevant for biodiversity conservation. However, species' responses to climate change can be individualistic and independent, influenced by habitat requirements, dispersal ability, physiological tolerances, genetic diversity and adaptive capacity. Therefore, to understand the extent to which we can generalise our knowledge of species' responses to past climate change, with a view to the future, we must assess taxa that differ in the features listed above. While there is greater diversity of flying than non-flying seabirds in Antarctica, as yet there has been no formal investigation into whether flying seabirds show signatures of isolation in glacial refugia, and subsequent population expansion, similar to those observed for penguins and mammals, despite the greater vagility of volant species. This project will test whether species' responses to past climate change can be generalised across Antarctic higher-predators regardless of vagility (swimming vs flying). Funded by: Sea World Research and Rescue Foundation Inc - Grant-Research Project ($37,260); University of Tasmania.