Bachelor of Science (Honours)
Contact details for Ms Kathryn Dawkins K.Dawkins@griffith.edu.au
Thesis
Conservation genetics and morphometrics of the freshwater crayfish genus Tenuibranchiurus
Description
Australian is home to a diverse assemblage of freshwater crayfish, including some of the world’s largest species as well as some of the smallest. The genus Tenuibranchiurus is regarded as the world’s second smallest freshwater crayfish and is endemic to the central eastern coast of Australia. Because of its coastal distribution, appreciable areas of Tenuibranchiurus habitat have been destroyed by clearing for development, leading to fragmentation of the remaining habitat. Habitat fragmentation has likely led to separation of Tenuibranchiurus populations, leaving them both geographically isolated and genetically divergent. Therefore, this study aims to determine the level of genetic divergence, degree of inbreeding, effective population size, and morphometric differences between genetically discrete populations. When assessed against current IUCN criteria, Tenuibranchiurus glypticus is considered to be endangered, and information from this study may prove critical for prioritising conservation efforts for this genus in the future. In addition to this, combining both genetic and morphometric divergences may allow additional species to be described within this genus.
Supervisors
- Prof Jane Hughes
- Prof Clyde Wild
Research expertise
- Freshwater crustacean genetics and ecology
Publications
- Dawkins, K.L., Furse, J.M., Wild, C.H. and J.M. Hughes (2010) Distribution and population genetics of the freshwater crayfish genus Tenuibranchiurus (Decapoda: Parastacidae). Marine and Freshwater Research. 61: 1048-1055.